"It is a trick!"
A thin sheen of sweat shone on the Captain's forehead as he paced restlessly in front of the field commander and Arun Birla.
"It is no trick and it is not a bluff. She will do exactly as she says if we do not comply with her orders."
The Captain spun, snarling like a caged tiger. "You said she would not risk the hostages!"
"I said no such thing," the Commander corrected disdainfully. "I said that she and her Sultana are honorable. There is much less dishonor in allowing those here to die than to betray the people loyal to the Sultan to one such as him." He gestured toward Birla, who glowered nearby.
"What are we to do?" Birla demanded, the first traces of panic beginning to fray the edges of his ego.
"Excellency . . ." a hesitant voice interrupted. The three men turned to find a lovely woman in a dark red sari standing a few feet away, and a much older man with slightly stooped shoulders and heavily graying hair hurrying toward them. The woman bowed and when she straightened, she kept her eyes lowered respectfully. "Excellency, Subir has not returned. I - I was wondering if you knew when he would be back . . ."
By this time, the old man had arrived and he caught the woman by the shoulders and tried to draw her away. "Come, Daria. I am certain he will return when his errand for the Captain is complete. You must not disturb them . . ."
"But Father, it is not like Subir to disappear in this way." She finally raised her eyes and looked at the Captain with a pleading expression. "I only wish to know when he will return."
With a churning in the pit of his stomach, the Commander opened his mouth to tell the woman of her husband's death. But before he could say anything, the Captain cut in smoothly.
"I am very sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Lady, but your husband is dead. I sent him to carry a message to our enemies asking for a truce so that we could negotiate safe passage for those who do not fight, but by the Sultana's order he was savagely killed by the woman who leads her forces. He stood no chance."
Slowly, the Commander turned to stare at his Captain as the woman's grief-stricken cries filled the room. Outwardly, the man appeared solemn and sympathetic, but his eyes held a greedy, vindictive gleam, as though he was enjoying her pain. Movement over the Captain's shoulder caused his eyes to shift and his glance was caught and held by that of the powerful man who claimed to be here to sell weapons. His gaze was bleak and the Commander could sense rage simmering under the surface. The dark-haired woman who stood beside him had much the same expression, while their guards flanked them, their faces blank and cold and their weapons held ready.
"Take her away, Mr. Rafiq," Birla said with a peremptory wave. "We have no time for this." The older man stared at Birla fixedly for a long moment and then his gaze shifted to that of the Captain. After a long moment, his mouth tightened and he drew the grieving woman away.
"So now you would blame your actions on the Sultana and her forces," the Commander said thinly.
The Captain shrugged. "If you are correct and that woman will do as she claims, then our only hope for getting out of here is to use those people as a shield and attempt to slip by her forces in the confusion. If they believe the Sultana will kill them without mercy, then they will be more prepared to fight, giving us the needed opportunity. I want you to be certain that when the fighting starts, those people remain near the door to the corridor. They are to be the first thing our attackers face." Then he walked away, gesturing to several other guardsmen and beginning to dictate orders. Birla looked from one man to the other for a moment and then turned and followed the Captain.
The Commander stood motionless, his mind almost incapable of comprehending the order he had just been given. To put women and children in front of an oncoming army so that the fighting forces could be given a chance to run?
"Surely, you will not allow this to happen, Commander?" He turned to find Garrett Blackman standing at his right shoulder. "Will you allow him to slaughter innocent people in this fashion?"
"He lies," another voice added harshly from immediately behind. The Commander started violently and spun to discover the old man, Mr. Rafiq, standing there. The fury on the elderly countenance was plain. "The Sultan is many things, most of which I disapprove of, but he is not a monster. He would never have murdered my son for the simple act of carrying a message. Nor would the woman he now claims as his wife. Neither are capable of such an act. Perhaps the woman who leads their forces -"
"No," the Commander replied sharply, cutting the old man off. Then he sighed. "No, the Sultana's Sword is honorable. Imprison him for betraying his Sultan? Yes, this she would have done. But she would never have killed him. Not without immediate and just cause."
"Then is he truly dead?" the old man demanded.
When the Commander didn't answer, Garrett did it for him. "Yes."
"You were there," Rafiq said with conviction, his eyes boring into Garrett's. "I saw you follow them." When Garrett nodded, the old man demanded, "Who killed my son?"
Garrett glanced the Commander again and finally said softly, "The Captain."
"Did he do something to anger the man?"
"No. He was simply an example."
The old man's breath caught sharply in his throat and for a moment they all wondered if he would collapse where he stood. But after a long moment, he looked up at the Commander again. "And now? What does he plan now?"
"He plans to run," Jade replied bluntly from Garrett's side. "He plans to use you and your people as a shield against Jessie Bannon's forces and to use the chaos to escape."
The Commander turned on the two in a sudden flash of anger. "Who are you?" he snarled. "You are no more weapons dealers than I am. Why are you here? What is it that you want?"
"Keep your voice down!" Garrett snapped in a low tone, casting a look over one shoulder toward the Captain and Birla who still stood talking with several of the other Janissary soldiers near the far wall.
"You called the Lady by name . . . just as the Sultana did. You know her." His hand moved toward his gun, but before he could complete the gesture, one appeared in Jade's fist. With it pointed directly as his gut, the Commander thought better of his actions and froze.
"Yes," Garrett said in a low voice. "I know her. Now, Commander, I am going to ask you again. Do you intend to stand by and allow this slaughter to occur?"
"What would you have me do?" the Commander replied sharply. "He is my commanding officer! And even if I wished to stop it, how do you propose I do that? Our numbers may be reduced, but there are still a good three dozen trained soldiers who follow him. Do you honestly believe I could best all of them?"
"None of them would follow you if you tried to put a stop to this?"
The Commander shrugged irritably. "If they were my own men, I could answer that question, but for most of these men, I only know what unit they serve with. I have no sense of where their loyalties lie."
"Even when they realize that the Captain intends to sacrifice them in the same fashion as he does the others so that he can escape?" The Commander blinked at Garrett uncomprehendingly. "Do you really believe that the Captain intends to take your remaining men with him? His plan will work only if a very few people are attempting to escape. Everyone else must be involved in fighting the incoming forces. If all of your men break and run, leaving only unarmed women, children and old men to provide cover, you will all be picked off. Let's face it, Commander, you are sacrificial lambs. The only one the Captain will attempt to take with him is Birla, and only because with him still alive the Captain has some hope of being paid. The rest of you are as expendable as Subir Rafiq."
But the Commander didn't appear to be listening. Instead, he was staring across the open floor at the crowd of civilians. Following his gaze, Garrett saw the woman who had approached to ask about her husband. She sat on a divan against the far wall and even from that distance, they could all hear her keening. Several other women surrounded her, attempting to offer comfort, but she was having none of it. The entire situation made Garrett feel slightly ill and judging by the Commander's face, it set even less well with him.
"Commander, if you will -"
Garrett never had the chance to finish that sentence. In that split second, an ear-shattering explosion rocked the building and dust billowed into the room from the processional way. Gunfire started even before the last of the debris settled back to the floor and screams filled the room as the crowd of people fled from the door in panic. The remaining Janissary soldiers surged forward, attempting to prevent their flight, but were quickly overwhelmed by the panicking crowd. Giving up, the men turned back to the door and began returning fire. Before long, a firestorm of gunfire was being exchanged.
Appearing at the Commander's elbow, the Captain screamed at him. "Get those people up there! We need them where the Sultan's forces can see them. Put the children at the front. If they want into this room, they're going to have to come through them!" The Commander spun to face the other man. For a long moment, they stared at each other.
"Did you hear me? Do it!"
For a heartbeat longer, the Commander stared at the man facing him. "No," he whispered hoarsely, the word inaudible over the din of the fighting. Then, in burst of anger, the Commander reached up and yanked the insignia from his uniform. "NO!!! I will not be a party to this!" he snarled. "This is wrong!" And with that, the Commander leaped onto his Captain and the two of them went tumbling to the ground, pummeling each other violently.
Arun Birla took one look at the two men and spun, searching frantically for a way out of the trap he'd created. Spotting the Captain's gun, which he had dropped when the Commander attacked him, Birla dove for it. But he never reached it. Garrett Blackman tackled him from behind and the two men went down in a heap. Birla fought tigerishly, but years of luxurious living was quickly apparent as Garrett was able to stun him with a single right hook to the chin.
Meanwhile, Paul motioned to his men and they all moved to take cover around the room. Once safely in place, he gave the command and the men began firing on the Janissary soldiers, who were still attempting to hold the door, while Jade directed the panic-stricken people at the far end of the room into what cover she could find.
Over the next several minutes, chaos reigned as the Janissaries found themselves sandwiched between the Sultan's incoming forces and Paul's men. A few of the civilians, finally seeing the inevitable outcome of the conflict, found guns among the fallen and joined Paul's men in their attempts to break the resistance of the Janissaries. The fighting raged for over twenty minutes as the Janissaries took cover and then managed to lob several grenades into the corridor, forcing their attackers to retreat. But the end was never in doubt. The mercenaries were too few and the sight of their leader being attacked by one of their own caused them to realize they stood no chance. In the end, the few remaining fought only to stay alive.
With a final hailstorm of gunfire, members of the loyalist forces broke through into the room. At the forefront of that assault was Jessie Bannon. Her appearance marked the end. With a mighty effort, the Commander struck his opponent one last time, leaving him lying unconscious on the floor, and then rose unsteadily to his feet. In a loud, carrying voice, he called, "JANISSARIES, CEASE FIRE!"
And then it was quiet. People throughout the room stood motionless, as if not entirely certain what to do now. It was the Commander who broke the tableau. Stumbling forward four steps, he stopped facing Jessie some twenty feet away and bowed unsteadily. "Lady, the Janissaries surrender. You may name your terms."
"Tell your men to lay down their arms and come out into the center of the room, Commander. I want them where I can see them. Where is your Captain and Mr. Birla?"
Turning, the Commander walked a few paces back to where the fallen leader lay. Grabbing him by the collar he dragged the man over and dumped him at Jessie's feet. "He is here, but he is no longer my leader."
Her eyes flicked from the man at her feet to the tattered place on his uniform where his insignia used to be. After a moment, she smiled fleetingly. "As the Sultana said, an honorable opponent is a gift beyond price. Can you control your comrades, Commander?"
The man's gaze raked over the remaining mercenaries, his eyes locking briefly with each of the exhausted men. Finally, he turned back to her. "They will follow my orders," he replied.
"Good enough. Now, where is Birla?"
"Here," Garrett replied from her right. When she turned toward him, he used a foot to roll the man onto his back. Then he smiled. "Hello, Jessica."
"Mr. Blackman, it's good to see you again." Her tone was pleasant but her face remained grave. Movement at the corner of her eye caused her gaze to shift briefly to another new arrival and she nodded. "Paul."
"Glad to see you're still with us."
"I thought I sent you to the States."
"You did. I came back."
"And your mission?"
"Successfully executed. The delivery went without a hitch and the 'package' is safe at its destination." A grin played at the corner of his mouth. "Your father never ceases to amaze me." Jessie just snorted softly. "Brought along someone else you might be glad to see again." He gestured and when Jessie looked up she saw Jade salute her jauntily.
"I see you made it," Jessie called to her.
"Did you have any doubts?"
"Quite a few, actually."
Jade grinned. "You kids have no faith."
Jessie just shook her head and then gestured to one of the guardsmen, who had remained close at her side the entire time. He stepped forward quickly. Gesturing to the Captain and Birla, she instructed, "Tie both of them securely and find a safe place to hold them until they awake. I have no doubt that the Sultan and Sultana will wish to see them as soon as they are conscious again." The man nodded and moved away, gesturing to several of his fellows to assist him. When Jessie would have turned away, the Commander stopped her. "Lady, can you tell me what your intentions are for me and those I now lead?"
"That is not for me to decide, Commander," she said. "Your crimes were not against me, but rather against the people of this country. Right now, the only ones who can say what is to become of you are the Sultan and his wife. You must await their word." Gesturing to her left, she told him, "Take your men over there and wait. As soon as I can, I will get medical aid to you. Do you have emergency supplies that you can tend to your wounded for now?"
"Yes."
"Very well." She paused and then laid a hand on his arm briefly as he began to turn away. When he looked at her quizzically, she said, "Know that I will speak to them on your behalf." She gestured to the former Captain, who now hung limply in the grasp of two guardsmen. "What you did here was not easy."
"No," he agreed heavily. Then he looked her straight in the eyes. "But it was the right thing to do." Then he turned and walked away silently.
Jessie watched him for a few seconds and then sighed softly. She rubbed her eyes wearily and, without even looking up, called sharply, "Hemant!"
The boy materialized at her side immediately. "Yes, my Lady?"
"Take a message to the Sultan and my sister. Tell them that this area is secure and ask that they join us here as soon as possible." The boy bowed profoundly and then scurried away without a word. With eyes closed, head bowed, and shoulders slumped, Jessie stood motionless for a long time, as though marshalling her strength for whatever would come next. Finally, sensing a presence near at hand, she raised her head and found herself staring into the concerned eyes of Jade Kenyon.
"You okay, Jess?"
Jessie's eyes swept the room and then returned to the older woman. "Oh yeah, I'm just dandy."
Swiftly, Jade laid a warm, comforting hand on her shoulder. "You did what you had to do. Don't ever doubt that."
"Yes, I know. But it still doesn't make it any easier to live with." Turning to Garrett, she said quietly, "How bad is he?" It took a few seconds for the change of subject to register, but once it did, he simply shook his head mutely. "Shit. Is he still alive?"
"He was when I left . . . barely. You have to know, Jessica, that it's Dr. Mason's opinion that it's probably too late."
For a long moment, Garrett thought that piece of news was going to be the last straw. Jessie wrapped her arms around herself as she began to shake uncontrollably, and tears filled her eyes. "Oh, Angel. . ." she whispered raggedly to herself. "I'm sorry. I tried . . . I really did . . ."
Garrett reached out quickly and caught her elbow to help steady her while Jade did the same on her other side. "Hang on, kid," the older woman said in a low voice. "You can't afford to fall apart now. Just hold it together for a little bit longer. It's almost over." She squeezed Jessie arm and added, "Here comes Hadji and Kefira . . . and Jonny's with them."
Jessie swiped at her eyes frantically and took several deep, calming breaths. Then she squared her shoulders and turned to greet them. The four stopped in the middle of the room. Jonny moved to stand at her shoulder as Jessie bowed deeply to the royal pair. "Excellencies. It is over. The Janissaries have surrendered and your enemies are now our captives and await your judgment."
"Our enemies will wait," Hadji replied formally, acknowledging her bow. "At present, I am more concerned with my people."
"We lost about one third of the men we entered battle with," Jessie replied matter-of-factly. "I do not yet have the exact number, but will find out and report back with a complete list of names." He nodded and gestured for her to go on. "Ms. Kenyon was able to keep the civilians held in this room relatively safe during the fight, so I believe there were only minor injuries and no casualties among them."
Hadji inclined his head to Jade. "I thank you for your assistance, Ms. Kenyon, both in the defense of my people and for the assistance you provided to my wife and her sister earlier."
Jade bowed. "I am pleased to serve, Excellency."
Then Hadji turned back to Jessie. "And what of my mother?"
"I am here." Turning hastily, Hadji saw his mother standing with Kefira a short distance away. She was bruised and battered, and leaned heavily on the young woman, but she was alive. When Hadji moved toward her, she waved him off. "You have other things that demand your attention, my son. I am well enough, and my new daughter attends me. You need not concern yourself." She looked at Kefira. "However, I would welcome a place to rest."
Kefira looked at Hadji. "Do you require me, husband?"
Hadji shook his head. "No. Please see to the care of my mother." Kefira nodded and the two women moved off. Turning back to Jessie, he said, "Now we will discuss my enemies."
Jessie sketched a bow of acknowledgement. "Mr. Birla and the Captain of the Janissaries have been bound and are being detained by your guardsmen over there." She gestured to the other side of the room. "Over there are the remaining Janissary soldiers. With the capture of their Captain, they are now being led by a field commander." She gestured to the man who had been watching them from a distance. At her wave, the Commander crossed to them. "Sultan Singh, may I present Field Commander -" She stopped suddenly, looking startled. "I'm sorry, Commander. I never even learned your name."
A hint of a smile flickered and he bowed to her. "Aken Tomas Sental, Lady."
She returned the smile and turned back to Hadji. "This is Field Commander Sental, Excellency, an honorable man who provided invaluable aid to us at the end of this crisis by stopping his former Captain from hurting any of the captives held here. I would ask that, as you contemplate what price must be paid for their participation in what has occurred in your country, you consider that these men are trained to follow orders and they did only what they were directed to do. The former Captain, who we now hold prisoner, was solely responsible for deeming how your people were treated."
Hadji gazed at the man unblinkingly for a long time. Finally, he said, "I admit, Commander, that I find it hard to think kindly of any of the Janissaries. It was at the hands of you and your comrades that much of the misery that has befallen this country was executed. Can you give me one good reason why I should show mercy of any kind to you or your men?"
The Commander sighed softly. "No, Excellency, I cannot." Jessie stared at him in surprise and he just shrugged at her. "Hindsight is a wonderful thing, Lady. You can look back and say, 'This was wrong and it never should have been done.' But making a choice when the future is uncertain . . . that is much more difficult to do. You were correct when you told me that the policies of my Captain were eating at my soul. They had been for a very long time. But we are soldiers and the discipline of soldiers is drilled into us from childhood. Our Captain was selected from among all of us as being the best to lead . . . and at one time I believe that he was. But power corrupts and our Captain was weak. He allowed that power to change him. It happened so slowly that all of us became hardened to the things he demanded we do, and because we were trained to follow orders, we did as he commanded without question. This should have ended long ago . . . but it did not, and the people of this country have paid the price for our lack of honor." He looked up at Hadji and spread his hands in a gesture of resignation. "So no, Excellency. I have nothing to offer in defense of our behavior. I can say only that I regret that it happened, and that we will submit to whatever punishment you deem appropriate."
Hadji was silent for a long time, considering the man's words. As he did so, he saw Mr. Rafiq step out and move to intercept Kefira and Neela. The man bowed to both as they stopped to speak with him. After a moment, he bowed again and then turned toward Hadji. As he moved away, Neela gestured toward the crowd of frightened civilians that huddled near the wall and the two of them drifted in that direction. "I understand the demands placed upon a soldier," Hadji said, turning his attention back to the Commander. "The life you lead is not an easy one, particularly in a world where the mercenary life is looked upon with disfavor. Still, all men have the responsibility to take a stand against what is wrong. Therefore, saying that you were simply following orders will not be sufficient to mitigate all that was done here. My first inclination is to turn you and your comrades over to the people to decide your fate. However, vengeance is not something I believe in and were I to do that, vengeance is what would be exacted from you. So I am going to have to consider how best to handle the matter and you and your men will have to wait upon my judgment."
"Yes, Excellency."
"There is one thing I am going to demand of you, Commander, regardless of what other price you must pay."
"You need only name it."
"During your time here, your Captain took many children from their families . . . sons, in particular . . . designed, I think, to add to the ranks of the Janissary Corps." The Commander nodded. "They are to be returned, Commander. Immediately. The parents of these children are grieving for them and I will not have their pain prolonged any longer than necessary."
The Commander bowed profoundly. "It shall be as you command, Excellency. If you will assign guards to go with me and will give me permission to leave the palace, I will go to the place they are being held and bring them here."
Movement over Jessie's shoulder had distracted Hadji again as he caught a glimpse of white among the civilians. Unease stirred for an instant as he watched his wife and mother move among the people. However, at the Commander's words, his attention snapped back to the man. "They are here? In the city?" he demanded sharply.
"Yes, Excellency. They were to be removed later today by transport plane. If you permit, I will notify those at our home base that leadership has changed, that our contract here has been canceled, and see to it that the flight is stopped."
Mistrust flared and Hadji demanded harshly, "And how do I know that you will not use this opportunity to call in more troops to beset us?"
"He is an honorable man, Excellency," Jessie interposed. "He has surrendered to me and he will not go back on his word. I swear this to you on my own life."
" . . . IS YOUR FAULT!!!!" The shrill, raised voice sliced through the quiet room, causing all eyes to focus on three women who had separated from the edge of the crowd on the far end of the room. Neela and Kefira stood facing Daria, who appeared highly agitated.
"Calm down, child -"
"Sister -"
" . . . murdered him!"
"No. Child, he lied -"
"SHE HAS A GUN!!!!!"
Violence exploded before anyone even had the chance to move. Neela lunged forward, interposing herself between the two sisters, and grabbed frantically for Daria's arm. The sound of two rapid gunshots ripped through the room at the same time as Kefira lunged into the struggle and the three women converged into a single, struggling mass. There was another single shot and then three more in rapid succession, as one of the guardsmen tried to stop Daria. Chaos erupted as shouts and terrified screams echoed loudly in the room and people began running in every direction. More guardsmen surged forward trying to stop the fight, as Paul yelled at everyone to hold their fire. Hadji had shoved Jonny and Jessie aside, leaping toward the three women even before the echoes of the first gunshots had died away. They immediately followed, yelling at him to be careful and demanding to know who had the gun.
Hadji grabbed Kefira by the shoulders, pulling her away from the other two. Her expression was one of stunned disbelief as she sagged in his arms, her knees buckling. The hand that grasped at his arm was covered in blood. Jonny and Jessie pulled Neela away just as she collapsed, while Commander Sental managed to catch Daria's limp form before she struck the floor and eased her down gently. The heavy, metallic thud of the handgun striking the floor caused everyone to flinch.
"Get a doctor!" Jonny yelled immediately, causing Mahavir to turn and sprint out of the room. "What the hell happened? Who's hit?"
"Neela is for sure," Jessie said grimly, pressing down firmly just below her ribcage. Even through the fabric of her sari, Jonny could see the blood welling up between Jessie's fingers. Reaching back, he grabbed his shirt and hauled it over his head, wadded it up and pressed it against Neela's chest to try to help stop the bleeding.
"As is this one," the Commander added.
"Kefira . . . Kefira are you hurt?" Hadji demanded frantically as he fumbled at her black leather jacket ineffectually.
"Let me do that," Jade told him, shoving his hands out of the way. "Just hold her." Swiftly, she stripped the jacket off and then added. "Kefira's hit, too." Gesturing imperatively for one of the towels that someone had just produced, she pressed it to the young woman's side.
"Beloved, say something!" Hadji begged as he shoved her hair out of her face.
Her gaze was glazed as looked up at him. "She . . . shot . . . me," she gasped. "Said I . . . killed . . . her husband . . ."
Mr. Rafiq knelt beside the Commander and reached out to support Daria's head. Her eyes opened and slowly she focused on him. "The murder . . . of my . . . husband . . . is avenged," she gasped. Blood bubbled at the corner of her mouth and she coughed weakly. "Honor . . . is served, my father." Her back suddenly arched, she gasped one final time, and then her body went slack as she died.
"No, daughter . . . no." the old man whispered painfully and gathered her to him. As the Commander moved back, releasing her body, Rafiq sat down hard on the floor and buried his face in her hair, moaning incoherently.
"Kefira!" Hadji cried desperately.
"Easy, Hadji," Jade advised him, pressing the towel more tightly against her side. "This isn't bad. Looks like the bullet struck a rib and skated along it without penetrating. She's going to be all right."
"Neela isn't," Jonny said to Jessie in a low voice as the woman shifted her head, calling out for her son softly. "The way she's bleeding, at least one of those shots must have hit something vital."
"I know," she replied softly. "She's not gonna make it, Jonny."
"Where the hell is that doctor????" he yelled over his shoulder. He stared down at Neela for a moment longer and then said to Jessie. "Get him over here, Jess. Hurry." As she rose, Jonny said softly, "Hang on, Neela, he's coming. Just hang on."
Jessie dropped down beside Hadji and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Let me stay with her, Hadji. Jonny needs you over there."
"No," he replied, sounding dazed. "I cannot leave her . . ."
Shaking him hard, she said snapped, "Hadji! Kefira's going to be okay. Listen to me . . . Jonny needs you over there. Now!" She shoved him away sharply just as the first of the medical personnel arrived. As he staggered to his feet, she and Jade began helping the new arrivals load Kefira onto a stretcher.
Hadji stood staring at Kefira for an instant longer, and then turned toward his brother. "What is it -" he began, but the words froze in his throat as he took in the sight. Four swift strides and he was down beside Neela and had her cradled in his arms. "Mother?!?" For a moment, Jonny thought he was too late, but then her eyelids fluttered and she looked up at her son as he urgently said to her, "Hold on mother! A doctor is on the way."
"K-Kefira?" she asked in a whisper. "I . . . I tried . . . to . . . protect . . . her . . ."
"She will be all right. A graze only." He struggled to smile against the grief that filled him, knowing she was dying. With a conscious effort he tried to lighten his tone. "We will have matching scars."
The hint of a smile touched her lips and then it was gone. "Daria?" she whispered hoarsely.
Hadji looked over to see the old man cradling the limp body of Kefira's sister. Commander Sental caught his eye and shook his head silently. "Dead," he replied in a harsh tone, "as she should be."
"Do not . . . blame her . . . my son. She acted . . . out of grief . . . and . . . as she had been . . . taught. I was . . . careless. Knew the . . . Janissary . . . told her . . . Kefira had ordered . . ." Her voice faltered for an instant, and then, with an effort, she continued. ". . . ordered . . . her husband . . . killed. Tried . . . to . . . tell . . . her. Wouldn't listen." Her voice faded again and her eyes drifted closed one more.
"Mother, no!" Hadji called to her in a choked sob. "Please -"
After a long moment, her eyes opened again. In a weak voice, she said, "Hadji . . . listen . . . to me. I was . . . wrong . . . to try to . . . keep you . . . here."
He cut her off. "No, Mother. This is my responsibility. I promise you, I will see it through and make you proud of me."
"NO!" Desperation seemed to give strength to that single word and her eyes widened. Determination shone clearly in them as she fought to continue. "Finish . . . what you . . . set . . . in . . . motion, and then . . . return . . . to . . . America. The independence . . . you . . . have given . . . to . . . our people . . . has returned . . . their . . . pride. You . . . were . . . right. Do not . . . let . . . my . . . death . . . destroy all . . . you . . . have . . . done. Promise . . . me . . ."
"Mother, I -"
"The last . . . and . . . only thing . . . I . . . ask . . . of . . . you. Turn the . . . reigns . . . of power . . . over to those . . . you . . . have groomed . . . for . . . the position and . . . take your . . . wife home . . . to . . . America . . . where you . . . belong . . ." She groped for his hand weakly and as he caught it, she gasped, "Promise . . . me . . . "
"I - I promise, Mother," he said on a sob.
She truly smiled at him, and said, "Love . . . you . . . my son . . ." Then, with a final sigh, she died.
Night had fallen on the capital city of Bangalore when Sultan Hadji Singh and his wife walked through the shattered main gate to face the huge crowd that had assembled in the plaza that fronted the palace. Jonny walked at Hadji's right hand and Jessie at Kefira's left. Both Hadji and Kefira were dressed in full royal attire, while Jonny and Jessie wore black leather combat gear. Behind them were the men and women who had followed both throughout the coup attempt. At the center of the huge plaza that opened out in front of the palace, a large wooden platform had been erected. Heaped beneath it were piles of wood and brush.
In the hours since the death of Neela Singh, much had changed. Key individuals loyal to Hadji had been recalled to the Palace where strategy meetings had been held. Communications to the world had been re-established and representatives of the United Nations, India, Pakistan, and the United States had been brought in as independent observers to verify for the world leaders that the coup attempt was over and had failed. In a decision that had been made by Kefira and reluctantly agreed to by Hadji, Arun Birla and the Janissary Captain had been turned over to the United Nations military forces. They were immediately taken and transported to Geneva, Switzerland for imprisonment and subsequent trial on the charges of murder, insurrection, and multiple human rights violations. Kefira had successfully argued that it was vital that the world saw that even in the face of the atrocities that had occurred, Bangalore was a nation that believed in fairness and law, and since she did not believe that anyone in Bangalore could truly be impartial, it was only proper that the two perpetrators be judged by people from outside the country based on factual evidence.
True to his word, Commander Sental had taken a group of guards to a warehouse near the Bangalore City airport, where the stolen children were being held. All had been well treated during their imprisonment, and were brought back to the palace where volunteers began gathering information to start the search for their parents. Based on a recommendation from Jessie, which was strongly supported by Kefira, the remaining Janissary soldiers were placed under guard in a secluded, secure wing of the palace, where they would be held for trial. Final decisions on their fates were to be based on the actions of each individual during their stay in Bangalore. Commander Sental was assigned responsibility for the conduct of the remaining Janissaries in the country, and he immediately set about bringing all of them into the city. When Hadji questioned him about that decision, the Commander replied that all who served in the conflict were subject to the citizens' judgment and he would not have anyone doubt that they were not prepared to face the repercussions of their actions and to accept the responsibility. How popular that made him with his own men, no one was ever able to determine, but under the Commander's leadership, the soldiers were quiet and caused no trouble, so Hadji chose to accept the Commander's decision in the matter.
The people who had sided with Mr. Birla in the conflict were also kept in the palace. When several protested that they wished to return home, Hadji informed them that they had none to return to. In the only unilateral action he took that day, Hadji declared that the lands and property of anyone who openly supported Mr. Birla's insurrection would be forfeit and that it was all to be subdivided among the poor who used to live on and work the lands. The original owners would be allowed to take only what personal property they needed to survive, and anything of intrinsic value, such as jewelry, precious metals or artwork, would be liquidated and the money used to help in the repair and reconstruction work. Many of the historic works of art and jewelry were to be purchased from the country's treasury, where they would be housed in a new historic museum dedicated to the preservation of Bangalore's history and heritage. The new museum would be built at the opposite end of the plaza from the palace and would be dedicated in honor of Neela Singh.
As Peter McCaffrey stood to one side filming the action, Hadji and Kefira stopped and stepped aside, allowing a processional bearing three bodies to pass them. As the silent crowd watched, the gauze-wrapped forms were carried to the platform at the center of the plaza, placed carefully upon the raised platform, and then the bearers retreated. After a moment, Hadji and Kefira stepped forward once more.
"Tonight we come together to say farewell and to send the spirits of the dead on to the next life."
Hadji's voice echoed hollowly around the plaza as the amplification system that Mr. McCaffrey had hastily assembled picked up his words and broadcast them to the crowd in the plaza and across the world.
"I call upon all of the citizens of Bangalore and the world to reflect on what has happened here over the preceding weeks and months. Greed . . . both for money and power . . . is a cancer that feeds on itself and destroys indiscriminately. As a nation, it will be impossible to tally all that we have lost as a result of this conflict. Entire villages have been burned, crops destroyed, homes ransacked, and children stolen. The suffering of our people has been intense. But as terrible as those things are, they cannot begin to approach what we have suffered due to the loss of good people . . . people who can never be replaced, either in our hearts or minds. I ask you now to join with me in remembering and honoring some of those people. Rajeev and Anila Subramanian . . . who believed in this country and her people and fought both tradition and opposition to make a better life for those around them. Also Subir and Daria Rafiq . . . whose only true crime was to believe in and try to abide by the traditions that served as the foundations of this nation. And finally, I ask that you consider Neela Singh, my mother, who endured more than any of the rest of us will ever know, and yet never wavered in her struggle to do what she felt was best for the people of this country.
"To these honored dead, and to the countless, unnamed others who have been sacrificed, I make this pledge: Bangalore will continue. Her heritage will not be forgotten, but neither will the institutions that allowed this horror to happen be allowed to endure. Over the next several weeks, a new ruling council will be established. Its purpose will be to draft a constitution and a new framework for the government of this country . . . a government that will be run by the people and will be answerable to them. And when that is in place, the Sultancy will be dissolved. The time for inherited rule in this country is past. It is time the people have a say in their own future."
Walking silently across the stone to a nearby dais, he took two flaming torches from their holders. Returning, he handed one of them to Kefira and, side-by-side, the two of them walked to the base of the funeral pyre. For a moment, they stood staring up at the platform above their head in silence, and then, as one, they thrust the torches into the center of the kindling. Once the fire had taken hold, both threw their torches into pile and stepped back.
"Goodbye, Mother," Hadji said. "May the next life see you safely reunited with my father and bring you the peace you never knew in this one."
Tears glistened on Kefira's cheeks as she added, "Go with God, sister. Honor was served and your husband's murderer will pay, just as you desired. I wish you nothing but happiness as you ascend to your new life."
Without another word, the two turned and with Jonny and Jessie at their backs, they retreated to the palace and the people who awaited them.
An hour later, a small group assembled at the postern gate at the rear of the palace. Jonny, Hadji, Jessie and Kefira were all there, as were Garrett Blackman, Paul Bussac, Jade Kenyon, Vijay and Mahavir Patel, and Tarang Kumar. The royal regalia was gone and in its place, both Hadji and Kefira were now dressed in black leather.
"You are sure about this?" Hadji asked his wife for about the tenth time.
"I am certain, beloved. You must go. Dr. Quest needs you. I will remain here and continue what we have started."
"You could come with me."
She smiled at him painfully. "No, I cannot. We have already discussed this. We cannot leave Bangalore without a leader, and I will be of no use with what needs to be done in Maine. So go, husband. Between us, we have already lost too many parents. I will not see us lose another one." Then she reached up and pulled his head down to kiss him.
At the same time, Jonny pleaded with Jessie, "Please come back with us. We need you."
"Jonny, I swore that as long as she was in Bangalore, I would be at her back. I'm the closest thing she's got left to family here. I can't walk out on her now. Furthermore, you don't need me. Hadji will be there to do the research and you'll be there to apply it. So go and do what you can. As soon as Hadji gets back, I'll be on the first flight home."
He held her tightly and gazed deeply into her eyes. "This isn't because you're mad at Dad, is it? Over that last fight, I mean."
Tears misted her eyes and she shook her head. "No, Jonny, it's not. No matter how angry I might be at Dr. Quest, I would never abandon him. That would be no less than abandoning you. I love you Jon Quest, and I always will. Just go do what you have to do and I'll join you as soon as I can." She kissed him tenderly and then tried to free herself so she could step away, but he wouldn't let go. Pulling her tightly into his arms, he buried his face in her hair and clung to her.
"I was so afraid I was going to lose you," he whispered to her hoarsely. "And now you're making me leave you again."
She held him in a fierce grip for a moment longer and then pulled determinedly away. "Only for a little while. Now go, before my resolve crumbles and I do something I know is wrong."
Jonny stood staring at her for a moment and then squared his shoulders and turned away. "You ready, Hadji?"
"Yes," he said reluctantly, releasing Kefira and watching her step back to Jessie's side. He heaved a deep sigh and then repeated, "Yes, I am ready."
"You sure you won't come along, Jade?" Jonny asked the dark-haired woman who stood nearby. "You could meet the newest Bannon."
Jade laughed. "No thanks. I'm not sure Estella would ever let me that close. Besides, it's time for me to go home. I do have other irons in the fire besides you guys."
"Okay. Paul?"
Paul shook his head. "As long as Jessica is here, then so am I. It's a promise I made to Race and one I intend to keep."
Jonny nodded gratefully. "Thanks. I appreciate that." Paul just nodded.
Jonny looked back at his brother again and then, as one, they turned to Garrett Blackman. "Is everything set?"
"The plane's fueled and the flight plan's filed," Garrett replied. "Jessica saw to it personally."
Jonny took a deep breath, cast one final look at Jessie, and then said in a determined voice, "My dad's waited long enough, then. Let's get back to Maine."
