Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
George Santayana
When Orion came to the next day Adam was in the lab. Slowly he leaned up and looked over at Adam who had dropped off.
"You really need to get to bed earlier." Adam was too far out to respond so Orion stood up and walked over to the computer to check the time. It was seven am.
"Only an hour late." Noticing his duffel bag on the floor. He picked up some fresh clothes and walked out of the lab.
"Hey you're up." Said Shalimar, who was already practising. Orion smiled and walked over,
"Yea. I see I'm not the only early bird." She stopped and walked over to the couch and sat down.
"Thank my feral nature." She patted the couch next to her and he took the hint. "Something tells me you're the same." He smiled and nodded,
"That and being an army brat. I guess I couldn't sleep in even if I was drugged." Shalimar laughed softly so not to wake the others up.
"I know the feeling. Look I was going to go hunting if you feel up to it?" His eyes lit up.
"Hunting? Hell yeah. I'm assuming we'd have to rely on only our gifts." She smiled,
"Of course." Standing up he walked back to the lab.
"I'm game. Give five minutes to change and I'll meet you in the garage." Shalimar stood up and walked into the kitchen and wrote a note for the others. She walked down to the garage and waited. He soon arrived.
"Let's go!" He said.
"You know, there's a river near here?"
"Really?" She nodded. "Feel like fishing." Shalimar ran out of the door before replying,
"Race you." Orion set of after her.
Early in the afternoon the ferals returned with a half dozen fish. The pair were laughing and joking as they entered the kitchen to see the others having lunch. They proudly dropped their catch on the table.
"Enjoy yourselves?" Brennan asked. Shalimar sat down on a stool while Orion leaned against the counter near the door.
"It was great. You should see this guy fish." Shalimar began to imitate his actions for the group. "He would sit there for ages before splash! In went his hand and out came a fish." Jesse looked at the fish on the table,
"Is that all you caught." Orion walked up behind him and growled. Jesse jumped off his stool.
"You think six fish in six hours is all we caught. Hah!" Shalimar patted her stomach, "For one I'm full." Emma choked on her sandwich.
"You're never full." Shalimar smiled at her friend.
"Exactly." The group joked and finished their lunch before heading to the sitting area. Once seated Adam handed Orion a folder.
"This should help clear you of the charges against you." Orion flicked through the pages stopping on one piece that caught his attention.
"You're telling me the leak was Redwood." Adam nodded.
"Yes. Also evidence that we've found seems to indicate a higher rank was involved." Orion looked at the piece again.
"General Wallace?! I've known him for five years." Orion put the folder sown and though about the files before continuing,
"Thank you all of you. I'm sure I can get this to the appropriate people but just in case I have a favour to ask."
"Name it."
----------
Orion walked into the base commanders' office flanked by MPs and looked at the man sitting in front of him. Orion saluted.
"General Johnson Sir." The general returned the salute and told the MPs to leave while Orion sat down.
"Orion what are you doing. You know that half of the country's armed forces are looking for you." Orion relaxed and tossed the General a clam smile.
"Before I continue General one question."
"No, I don't think you're the leak. You're too much your fathers' son." Orion grimaced.
"Thanks I think." He tossed the folder onto the desk. "Read it." The general began to read slowly. After a while he put it down and looked at Orion in complete disbelief.
"Colonel Redwood, General Wallace, Admiral O'Heare. Major this is some pretty serious accusations."
"Nope. It's hard fact. All the evidence is in that folder. But just in case other copies exist and are the hands of some friends of mine." Orion stood and began to walk out. "If you'll excuse me I have other people to see." The General stood and walked with him. As the pair passed the officers mess a news story was breaking.
"This just in. Evidence leaked to the press from a military source has implicated several high ranking officers in illegal acts ranging from murder to treason. More on this in our usual news update at six o'clock." The General looked at Orion.
"You didn't." Orion just smiled and saluted the General before walking out of the building.
"See you later General."
----------
That evening the team were all dressed formally and being driven to a small little house on the outskirts off town.
"Why are we here?" Asked Jesse as the limo stopped. Orion got out and rang the door bell of the nearest house. Soon a young blonde lady answered and hugged Orion hard. The other were watching from the limo.
"Think that's his girl?" Asked Brennan. Emma looked for the two to Brennan.
"Nope. He's still coming to terms with death of his fiancé." The others looked at her.
"He was engaged." Emma merely nodded. "What happened?" She looked at Orion and the blonde as they walked towards the car.
"It's none of our business. He'll talk about it when he's ready." Before anyone else could say anything the pair entered the car. As they started moving again Orion spoke.
"This is my sister Lisa. She's a pre/post cognitive." The others introduced themselves and the group chatted quietly. The limo soon stopped out side of a pricey restaurant.
"Ah Orion, this is the most expensive restaurant in town. How the hell did you get reservation at the last minute?" Asked Shalimar. Orion didn't answer. He merely walked up to the head waiter just inside the door. When the waiter saw him, he stood up to his full height.
"Mister Hunter a pleasure to see you again." Orion shook his hand.
"Nice to see you to Pierre. Is the table ready." Pierre gestured for the group to follow him. After showing them to their seats he brought them the menu.
"Is there anything else sir?"
"Two bottles of your finest wine please." With that Pierre left. The team looked at Orion.
"Mr. Hunter?" Asked Jesse. Orion smiled.
"I had a little bit off money spare so I became a silent partner in the restaurant." Something clicked in Brennans mind.
"Wait Hunter. Orion Hunter the reclusive multimillionaire?"
"The one and the same."
"Shit. I've ripped you off before."
"No harm done." As the group chatted Pierre came back with the wine.
"Sir. It appears we have an engagement tonight. Would you be kind enough to provide some entertainment."
"Certainly." Orion got up and walked over to be the live band was playing. After talking to them for a minute Orion took the mic and spoke to customers.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight is a special night for David Little and Sarah MacIntosh. They've just become engaged." He pointed out the two who blushed. "As a special treat this one's for them." Orion turned to the band and the music started. Soon Orion began to sing,
"There may be trouble ahead,
But while there's
music and moonlight,
And love and romance,
Let's
face the music and dance.."
The End.
Note: This was the first story I've ever finished let alone allowed others to read. Comments are welcome.