happened: when the Live Steel blade had ripped the bomb
vest clear, it had taken her blouse and under garments along with it. “Oh
Anna! I'm so sorry...”
She giggled, “Well, that aspect of you hasn't changed
one bit: you still apologize for everything ! That was awesome, brave
and amazing what you did. Apologize for nothing! You turned the tables on
them so fast they had no idea what was going on. So fast I had no idea
what was going on...” She grinned and looked back up at him, “So, did you like
the view?”
Never in his life had his fur tensed so tight. He swore he
could feel hairs moving so that they could stand end to end rather than just
simply straight up. His ears flared red and so uncomfortably warm he feared
his fur might burst into flame. All that in time for his mouth ran dry as
well.
A first responder gawked at Theodore's condition, “I'm not
used to Taiks, but is he suffering from shock?”
“Yes,” grinned Anna as she took an offered blanket, “But not
medical shock...”
With his ears still burning and his skin still crawling he
quickly located his dropped suitcase and found a shirt. “Um, it's a little big
for you... but the color is nice...”
12
The pair, Theodore and Anna, just sat on a bench while all
around them people ran to and fro as they all tried to sort things out. How
had they picked up Anna so easily? So quickly? How did the explosives get
past security? How had the thugs known where to intercept Theodore and his
escort? Who were the thugs? The same people as “Alexandre Phebeson?”
Or were they Bella-Shoana? If the latter, why try for a standoff rather than
just try to kill Theodore as before? Had they changed tactics because the
previous frontal assault went so poorly? That was mostly due to his father's
actions...
“We've got to figure out how to get you two home,” muttered
a thoroughly flustered Agent Telmark.
“No,” interjected Anna. “Don't try to get me home. I was
just plucked right off the streets there. Get me to Afon. Get me to
Theodore's place... they can't touch either of us there.”
“We have a duty to get you back to your parents, ma'am.”
“Contact my parents, I think you will find that they agree
with me. I can take a semester off from school, that isn't much of a problem.”
“We'd be delighted to have you visit, Anna,” offered
Theodore. “But we have no idea how long you will have to hide out, as it
were. And we are a simple family.”
“I'd rather hide out where I knew I was safe! If I'm a
burden to your family, I will happily find work of some type. I've got quite
the run of experience in first aid and the likes. Midwife, whatever...” She
grinned at Theodore, “But I'll have to take a pass at 'nanny.'”
That made him flush again, “Um, so you remember that still,
eh...” He laughed as he regained his composure. “And no, you would not be a
burden to the family, we have always eaten well. Just, well, our house is
humble and...”
“Pshaw! I'll sleep in the attic or in the barn! Whatever!
Help paint a few walls, add a few walls, I have swung a hammer before! I've
busted my butt these last six weeks learning the Highland Old Tongue; I might
as well put it into practice!”
“I think arguing with her is pointless,” laughed Theodore to
Agent Telmark. “We can easily handle her. Contact her parents and see what
they say.”
Telmark smirked at the pair as he cued his com link, “Need
two priority calls, need a gate-synced call to Dr and Dr Westmore, the parents
of the aforementioned Anna Westmore... Yes, I know how expensive that is going
to be! Do you have any idea how expensive the investigation into how four
kilos of high explosives made it through the precious security system is going
to cost? Right! That phone call is a drop in the bucket. And if the auditors
don't like it, have 'em take it up with my number two priority
vest clear, it had taken her blouse and under garments along with it. “Oh
Anna! I'm so sorry...”
She giggled, “Well, that aspect of you hasn't changed
one bit: you still apologize for everything ! That was awesome, brave
and amazing what you did. Apologize for nothing! You turned the tables on
them so fast they had no idea what was going on. So fast I had no idea
what was going on...” She grinned and looked back up at him, “So, did you like
the view?”
Never in his life had his fur tensed so tight. He swore he
could feel hairs moving so that they could stand end to end rather than just
simply straight up. His ears flared red and so uncomfortably warm he feared
his fur might burst into flame. All that in time for his mouth ran dry as
well.
A first responder gawked at Theodore's condition, “I'm not
used to Taiks, but is he suffering from shock?”
“Yes,” grinned Anna as she took an offered blanket, “But not
medical shock...”
With his ears still burning and his skin still crawling he
quickly located his dropped suitcase and found a shirt. “Um, it's a little big
for you... but the color is nice...”
12
The pair, Theodore and Anna, just sat on a bench while all
around them people ran to and fro as they all tried to sort things out. How
had they picked up Anna so easily? So quickly? How did the explosives get
past security? How had the thugs known where to intercept Theodore and his
escort? Who were the thugs? The same people as “Alexandre Phebeson?”
Or were they Bella-Shoana? If the latter, why try for a standoff rather than
just try to kill Theodore as before? Had they changed tactics because the
previous frontal assault went so poorly? That was mostly due to his father's
actions...
“We've got to figure out how to get you two home,” muttered
a thoroughly flustered Agent Telmark.
“No,” interjected Anna. “Don't try to get me home. I was
just plucked right off the streets there. Get me to Afon. Get me to
Theodore's place... they can't touch either of us there.”
“We have a duty to get you back to your parents, ma'am.”
“Contact my parents, I think you will find that they agree
with me. I can take a semester off from school, that isn't much of a problem.”
“We'd be delighted to have you visit, Anna,” offered
Theodore. “But we have no idea how long you will have to hide out, as it
were. And we are a simple family.”
“I'd rather hide out where I knew I was safe! If I'm a
burden to your family, I will happily find work of some type. I've got quite
the run of experience in first aid and the likes. Midwife, whatever...” She
grinned at Theodore, “But I'll have to take a pass at 'nanny.'”
That made him flush again, “Um, so you remember that still,
eh...” He laughed as he regained his composure. “And no, you would not be a
burden to the family, we have always eaten well. Just, well, our house is
humble and...”
“Pshaw! I'll sleep in the attic or in the barn! Whatever!
Help paint a few walls, add a few walls, I have swung a hammer before! I've
busted my butt these last six weeks learning the Highland Old Tongue; I might
as well put it into practice!”
“I think arguing with her is pointless,” laughed Theodore to
Agent Telmark. “We can easily handle her. Contact her parents and see what
they say.”
Telmark smirked at the pair as he cued his com link, “Need
two priority calls, need a gate-synced call to Dr and Dr Westmore, the parents
of the aforementioned Anna Westmore... Yes, I know how expensive that is going
to be! Do you have any idea how expensive the investigation into how four
kilos of high explosives made it through the precious security system is going
to cost? Right! That phone call is a drop in the bucket. And if the auditors
don't like it, have 'em take it up with my number two priority
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