Right, I'm just adding this chapter before I head off on my hols! ;-) I'll read any reviews I get as soon as I get back...
Mellaithwen; WOAH! –falls off of chair- No need to shout! Lol! I'll be putting up the pictures soon, I promise! I'll email you them first though... seeing as you're my very good friend. –nod-
Estel; Thanks Jo! -blushes- Funny thing is, I've never watched Stargate ever... sounds interesting though. Well, I chose the names because:
DAN – I tried to think of the closest thing to Elladan that we have now; Elladan, 'Dan, Dan, Daniel... easy conclusion.
RONALD: Harder. I thought of Ro, then thought of different names that could fit and sound natural but still had the Ro part at the beginning. Poor Elrohir; he went through a bit of an identity crisis as I tried to settle on a name: Roland, Ross, Rob... in the end I settled for Ronald as a tribute to someone I used to know, just like...
SAMANTHA: The secretary, which was chosen in tribute to a very good friend of mine, Sam.
So, that's how they got their names!
Irish Anor; LOL! I was getting a little worried there Irish! Lol! One of the 'old crowd'? -blushes- Wow! I'm popular! Hey, wait a sec, I've only been writing for 2 years! Lol! Actually, I have to agree with you there; I flicked through the Just In section a minute ago and there was a load of tripe there... –shakes head- Where now is the good fanfiction? How did it come to this? Lol, I've been itching for a chance to say that!
Stoneage Woman; Ah, exams... the bane of many a teen... –kicks the inventor of exams- Bloody Bas- Erm... I wasn't about to swear there! He he... ok then, will do! From now on, there'll be a summary of the previous chapter at the start of each new one...
Tinewen; Thanks! Artemis Fowl? Hmm, I hadn't thought of that... yes, I guess this story does share some elements with it, but it never actually entered my head to draw anything from those books into this story... lol! I know what you mean about Elladan and Elrohir, they're my two favourite non-movie characters! But in some ways I'm glad that they weren't in the film; it means that us literate readers can keep them ALL TO OURSELVES... lol!
LATMC; Lol! Well I'm really glad that you like it! -nods- Thank you for your kind words. I love the sci-fi objects too actually:-) And I know what you mean, wishing that they were real now; I could definitely use one of those hands-free communicators, lol! Thanks for reading!
Saerwen; You have NO idea how pleased I was every time I opened my Inbox and found the next review from you, lol! So thanks for keeping me in a super good mood, lol! So I'll try to answer each of them in detail... I'd like to see your story, Arrogance, once it's uploaded! Don't forget to drop me a line when it is... ;-) Hitler? Hmm, it seems that everyone has their own opinions on this story; I've had Hitler, the Anti-Christ, even George W. Bush... I just like to leave my readers to their own thoughts and opinions, but I love to see them. NO – don't panic, I would NEVER make Goths the evil ones! Why? Because I AM one! Lol! Legolas angst? Well, seeing as I love it so, and also that I don't think a good story is complete WITHOUT it, I'll see what I can do... -nods- Lol, so Kelsey is your Almost-Identical-Twin, huh? ;-) Glad to hear it! I was hoping that she'd seem somewhat realistic to people at the very least, and to hear that just makes me think it's a job well done. Thanks for all of your reviews, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
araloth; Thank you:-)
qwen; Yup, I'm English! Well, half Scottish half English... being British is the COOLEST:-D Cool, what's Texas like? Oooh, this reminds you of what:-) Please, I really want to know! ;-)
TO ALL READERS: WARNING, there is ONE swear word in this chapter. Just so you know! ;-)
Now, onto...
.: Chapter 6 :.
PREVIOUSLY – Upon their decidedly untimely arrival, the Fellowship were reported for "representing a hazard to the Quadrant community" by a young Patrol Officer who seemed more than a little agitated. Taken into the heart of the Quadrant community, they realised that they certainly weren't dealing with anything they knew anymore. After being shouted down, almost stepped on and surviving a rather sickening ride in a lift, they now find themselves dealing with the Quadrant leader and his brother. Luckily for them though, it turned out to be two people that Aragorn knew very well...
-
It had taken Aragorn a few moments of dumbstruck disbelief for him to fully convince himself that the two in the room were really his brothers. Elladan had cropped his raven hair short and was wearing a smart looking black suit with a red tie and black shoes. Elrohir on the other hand had left his hair long, which was kept back out of his face with a low ponytail, and was wearing a well-worn blue tee-shirt and three-quarter length sports trousers; the look was finished off with a Rasouball cap and a pair of imitation 21st Century converses.
"Well well," said Elrohir, allowing himself a smile. "Look who's finally showed up!"
Aragorn stood, open mouthed. "H-how!"
Elladan laughed and gave his younger adoptive brother a tight hug. "We'll explain later! Right now, we have to talk to you all... take a seat?"
Moving to the head of a long white table that dominated the centre of the room, Elladan pushed a small button underneath the table. Suddenly, nine sliding doors opened in the walls, and out came chairs, each hovering about a foot from the ground. They stopped as they each reached a place at the table.
"I expect you're all quite exhausted from your run-in with that Vero-bot, aye?" continued the Elf. He sat down in the chair that had pulled up behind him.
Elrohir chuckled. "Well, aren't you going to sit? The chairs don't bite you know..." As though to prove his point, he sat in his own hovering seat, putting his feet up on the table. Tentatively the newcomers sat down.
"Ro, for goodness' sake, get your feet down..." said Elladan quickly, rolling his eyes. "Honestly, you are the only person I know who seems to have regressed mentally as time has gone by!"
Aragorn laughed. "I see you both haven't changed..."
Frodo cleared his throat, and suddenly all eyes were on him. He shrank slightly in his chair. "You... erm, said you had urgent matters to discuss with us?" he said quietly.
There was a brief pause for a moment as Elladan and Elrohir thought hastily about this. Suddenly it was though someone had hastily replanted the memory in their heads.
"Ah yes!" said Elrohir. "Forgive us-"
"It's just been so long-" continued Elladan.
"-since we've seen any of you-"
"-that we got a little carried away-"
"-but rest assured-"
"-we'll talk about those matters right now," they both finished in unison.
"I see you can still finish each other's sentences as well..." commented Legolas.
Elladan clapped his hands once. "Onto business!" he said quickly, smiling. Pressing another button at his place, a large hole opened in the centre of the table and all of the lights in the room faded to darkness. A beam of green light was projected up from this hole, moulding into a mesh shape. It was yet another computer screen.
Elladan cleared his throat. "Well, a very long time ago, Gandalf came to us both whilst we were staying in Rivendell. In fact, it was the day you all left to come here, though we didn't realise that at the time. He instructed us with clear orders that we were strictly forbidden from leaving Middle-Earth until we'd met up again with you all..."
"Well, needless to say," said Elrohir. "We were more than a little confused at the order, but we complied nevertheless. We waited, as promised, for thousands of years. We saw a lot in that time. In the space of time since you left that day until you arrived here, so much has happened; three World Wars, the first man to land on Pluto, the destruction of the European Union when the British protested against its rules and regulations, the Second Industrial Revolution, the Sinking of Australia, and so on and so forth..."
At each of these, a short image flashed on the green lightscreen. Scenes of destruction and devastation played in front of their eyes, and suddenly, each member of the Fellowship was unwillingly transported in their minds back to their own pasts, and the parts they played in the destruction of the Ring. It wasn't a place where they really wanted to be.
"But by far, the most destructive of all the events that have happened is the War of the Red Eye," said Elladan.
The scenes in front of them changed. It was a barren landscape, with a darkened sky and fires burning. The scene of a battle played out before them; huge machines against an army of men with guns and missiles.
"We were vastly outnumbered. Everything up top, everything that we once knew... gone. Everything you all knew. Gondor, or what remained of it in Italy and Greece anyway, that was the first to go. Then Rohan. That had become what was known as Spain and Portugal. They tried so hard to keep it, but it was no use. Mirkwood and Lothlorien both fell at around the same time, though by now they were no longer woods. Instead, huge spreading cities had replaced the trees, but their skyscrapers were no match for the Vero-bots.
Finally, Rivendell and the Shire here in England succumbed to the darkness as well, but not before the remaining Elves could get a message to the Hobbits, who had stayed in hiding for centuries. They fled to their own settlements underground, but a few Elves, myself and Elrohir included, stayed behind to help the humans... not that it helped much." he finished bitterly.
"We were all forced underground," said Elrohir. "It was the only place where the Vero-bots couldn't reach. At least, it was while we got this settlement set up. We're not so sure now; they've got so much new technology being spliced into their system that it's difficult to tell what they can do now. We've been getting some intelligence suggesting that they're able to scan people now, though we can't prove it."
"Scan?" asked Pippin. "What's that?"
"Well, a red light is shot at the target, which reads you. Apparently, the robot then uses the beam to take in vital information; height, weight, age, gender, where you're from... all sorts..." said Elladan. There was a brief pause. "Are you alright Pippin?"
Pippin was as white as a sheet. "T-that's what it is?"
That's what had happened to him and Aragorn. They'd been scanned. Now that terrible machine knew almost everything about them; everything except their names.
"W-when we were running... from that thing... it... it-!"
He was cut off as someone barged in to the room, panting for breath. The new arrival was an odd creature; purple skinned with huge bulbous eyes and a thick head of silver hair. He was about the same height as the Hobbits but his frame, far from being stocky as was true for most Hobbits, was very lithe and skinny. He wore the same steel grey uniform as Kelsey had been wearing earlier, and his ID card read 'Milken Radbothe'.
"Daniel! Sir, the sensors have picked up a Vero-bot within the Quadrant radius! It's headed towards the Quadrant!"
Elladan's eyes widened and he sprang to his feet, slamming his hand on a large button in front of him. The screen which had relayed the information about time to the Fellowship squashed then stretched, changing into a blurry camera view. It showed a view of the barren dead landscape above them; a large cloud of dust was quickly headed towards them. Red glowing eyes were visible through the thick layers of cloud.
"Ro! Get up to the Computer now; tell everyone the procedure, and remember this isn't a drill! We've got no room for mistakes!"
Elrohir nodded and quickly ran towards the lifts that were outside the white office. Elladan turned to the Fellowship.
"I don't want you to panic; don't worry, we've dealt with this before. Just get under the table; it'll offer a little protection just in case any of the roof caves in, and for Valar's sake, STAY SILENT."
They all stayed riveted to their seats for a moment, wondering what on earth was happening.
"Well, why are you all still sitting there! Get on with it!" hissed Elladan. He quickly turned to the officer who'd brought the news to him.
"Milken, sound the alarm. Alert Level 6; I'm praying that we'll be lucky again but you never know when we might need the Phasas."
Milken nodded quickly and ran off again.
Elladan ran a hand through his cropped dark hair and sighed. He quickly moved back towards the table and crouched down, smiling wryly at his confused companions.
"And now we wait..."
----
Elrohir stepped out of the lift on Level 6. Milken's alert had just reached the pilots up there and they were scrambling to ready the Phasas; a series of small fighter ships that Elrohir himself had designed. They were a last resort however; using a Phasa would require breaking through the 'roof' of the Quadrant, the layer of soil in the earth that served to hide the colony, and launching a Phasa would mean revealing the colony's whereabouts to the enemy.
However, it didn't hurt to be prepared.
A Phasa pilot saluted him, an action which he returned. Elrohir couldn't help but feel a small pang of guilt; the pilot looked not much older than fifteen. In the dark days in which they were all living, it seemed that the innocent were being dragged into a war which they shouldn't have had to have anything to do with.
A troop of winged humans ran past him, readying their lasers. Winged humans had evolved around 400 years previously from normal humans who had lived in the mountains and hills surrounded by birds such as eagles and falcons. These extraordinary people were very good at close combat fighting, but Elrohir couldn't help but think their well intentioned efforts would be futile against a killing machine like a Vero-bot.
He crossed the docking bay quickly to a hatchway, the ID plate of which he pressed his hand against. The door accepted his print, opening a small door within the hatchway. A retina scanner burst into life, sending a small blue beam out to his eyes and scanning them. Accepting this information also, the hatchway swung open to allow him in.
Elrohir couldn't help a smug grin crossing his face as he shut the door behind him. He had designed this room, as well as everything in it. The security system was designed to allow him in and him alone. Only he could override the code to allow someone else to gain access to the room.
A large mass of metal and wires loomed up in front of the Elf, suspended a few feet from the ground from the ceiling; the Computer. Elrohir had invented it himself, based on advanced Neptunian technology. Scaling the ladder beside it, he sat in the comfortable leather seat and pulled a visor which covered his eyes over his head. Clicking some buttons in front of him with a well practised ease, a screen flickered into life before his eyes.
WELCOME RONALD, it read. Elrohir typed in his password to the security system; Imladris. A graphic of a folder leaped into view and he clicked on it. There were then three options - Sound Alarm; Relay Message; Deploy Phasas. He first selected Sound Alarm...
The people of Quadrant 60254 had been happily going about their daily business when it happened. Some had been off to work, some to school... some were simply out for a walk in the bustling vibrant city.
Then the alarms sounded.
It was like an old air raid siren from the Twentieth Century Wars. It was loud and droning... and was the most frightening sound anyone in the city could hear. It meant that one of them was coming.
Immediately, people began to run to where they were supposed to be; mothers clutched their children to them, and the doors of the public shelters were flung open as people hurried inside.
Far above them all, Elrohir quickly double clicked on Relay Message. A recording window popped up on the screen.
Back on Level 1, people froze as they heard the vast tannoy system crackle and start up.
'Quadrant 60254; this is not a drill. Please enter the nearest shelter you can find, or stay in your home. A Vero-bot is heading this way. Please remain silent; all machines and electrical objects are to be turned off. Any noisemaking will result in severe punishment. Please remain in hiding until the alarm is sounded again. I repeat, this is NOT a drill.'
And then, the most frightening thing set in; the one thing that caused all who heard it to break into a cold sweat. Silence. The alarm quickly faded away, and the entire city was left in silence. Everyone waited with baited breath, eyes heavenward towards the surface of the earth. Waiting for a possible doom to come, and bring their entire world crashing down about them.
There is nothing in the world more unsettling than silence.
Up on Level 5, Sam licked his lips, trying to comprehend what was happening. There was not a single sound, not even the hum of Elladan's computer above the table they were all hidden under. The lights suddenly switched off, plunging the room into darkness; Elrohir had cut the power temporarily from his room on Level 6. The exception was the small luminous strips on the floor that would direct someone to the door in an emergency.
Up in the security rooms, there was silence too. The radar had been placed on silent run, being the only piece of equipment that didn't run on the main power of the colony. A lone officer watched the Vero-bot's progress. It would be upon them within a matter of seconds...
A loud thump rocked the entire colony. Children resisted the urge to cry and buildings shook. Everyone knew what this was. The Vero-bot had landed; it was walking on the ground directly above them. Each earth moving shudder was felt under the ground, and the members of the Quadrant had great difficulty in stopping themselves from screaming in terror.
The machine was there for what felt like an eternity. A step... a pause... another step that shook the foundations of the world...
Then, a deafening roar. Merry flinched; had the machine discovered the colony? Did it know all of these people were hiding just below it? A loud whoosh, and then...
It was gone.
Elladan released the breath he'd been holding and crawled out from under the table. "It's alright," he said shakily. "It's safe now..."
----
Elrohir quickly got the power back on. The dim blue lights in his room flickered back on and he quickly brought up the security folder on the Computer again. Sounding the alarm once again, he brought up a new recording window.
'Thank you all for your co-operation,' he said, his voice sounding far away and tinny as he spoke to the masses below. 'It is now safe to resume your daily activities.'
With that, he shut the Computer down and climbed down from the tall black leathery seat. Sighing, he wiped beads of sweat from his forehead and clenched his fists in order to stop his hands from shaking. With a bit of luck he wouldn't have to do that again for a while. Using the Computer always took a lot out of him. Then again, if the Fellowship succeeded in their mission, there was the fact that he would never have to do it again. The people of the colony would be able to live without fear, and that was something Elrohir was determined to see happening...
----
Elladan flopped back into his chair. "So, Pippin... you were trying to say?"
Frodo stared at the short haired Elf, bewildered. "How can you be so calm after that!"
Elladan shrugged. There was a hint of sadness on his face as he told them: "Unfortunately it's a common occurrence. I guess I'm just used to it by now." There was a short lull in the conversation before the Elf perked up again. "So! Pippin..."
Pippin shook his head. There was point in panicking about it now; what's done was done. "It's... it's nothing." He smiled awkwardly. "Really."
Elladan nodded slowly. They all stayed like that, quietly sitting, until Elrohir re-entered the room.
"Did you lot not get the message?" he said, grinning as he walked to his seat again. "I've sent the message; you're allowed to talk now!" He laughed slightly at his own little joke. Sitting, he leant forward and rested his head on his hand, leaning on his elbow.
"May I ask you all something?" he said suddenly. "Who put you in those clothes?"
"Gandalf," answered Legolas. "Why?"
"Why!" repeated Elrohir, laughing. "Because you look like a bunch of medieval peasants! Well, I guess even Gandalf gets things wrong... come on, I'll find you all some clothes. I might as well show you where you'll be staying while you're here."
The Fellowship rose from where they were seated and followed Elrohir from the room. Elladan coughed quickly, catching his twin's attention. Elrohir turned expectantly.
"Taking them to Level 3?" asked the elder twin. Elrohir nodded, a glint in his eye and a cheeky grin on his face.
"Well Dan..." he said, a little too innocently. "Everyone knows that Level 3 is where the life is around here..."
Elladan shook his head, rolling his eyes. "Alright..."
Elrohir turned to leave again.
"And Ro?"
Back to face Elladan again. "Yes?"
Elladan looked at him in the same way as a begging mother would look at a tearaway teenager. "For goodness' sake, keep them out of trouble..."
Elrohir winked. "Will do..."
----
It was a few hours later when Elrohir had finally found clothes to fit and suit each of his time travelling guests. He was just paying for the Hobbits' things whilst Aragorn stared out of the shop window.
Level 3 was obviously the shopping and nightlife area of Quadrant 60254. The large platform was basically like a giant shopping centre, with people buying and selling things in the colourful streets. A large amusement arcade dominated the street across the road, catering to the teenage humans and non-humans that enjoyed simulated carnage and destruction through computer games, even if they lived through the threat of it almost every day.
Elrohir pulled some red notes of currency from the inside pocket of his jacket. The tall muscular man behind the counter accepted it with a smile.
"Keep the change," said the Elf with a smile.
The shop owner nodded. "Cheers mate." He began to walk over to where the till was.
Aragorn happened the look round at the till area when he heard a sound like horses' hooves. The shop owner passed a clear display case that was part of the countertop on which the till rested. Aragorn's eyes widened in surprise as he realised that the hoof noise was being made by the shop owner, who was, in fact, a centaur.
Elrohir headed for the shop door, Aragorn quickly catching up with him.
"I thought centaurs were just legends!" he said, struck with surprise and shock.
"Well," said Elrohir. "It's not that big a surprise when you consider that for hundreds of years, people believed Elves were just legends as well. Come on, we've got to get these clothes back to our Hobbit friends."
Truth be told, Aragorn felt a lot more comfortable in these new clothes. A pair of comfy jeans and a Liverpool Rasouball Team sports shirt, topped off with a cap, suited him perfectly. The two brothers turned the corner of the street, turning onto a quieter lane where the Fellowship's living quarters were.
It was a large orange building, which blended in with all of the other brightly coloured structures in the area. The tinted windows prevented anyone on the outside from seeing in, and with good reason. This building was actually part of the Quadrant Police Department, who were needed on Level 3 quite often, once the bars and nightclubs began to empty out. There was, therefore, a great deal of activity going on inside which the public were rightly prohibited from seeing.
The door of the QPD slid to the side as it opened and Elrohir and Aragorn stepped inside. Over by the front desk a rogue Martian hissed as it struggled against navy uniformed police officers, whilst another female officer sat in the corner with a young winged boy on her lap, asking him in simple words if he knew where his mummy was.
Aragorn followed Elrohir up the stairs to where the QPD sheltered housing was. It was police policy to offer a basic home to people who may have lost their homes or their families in an attack, until they could get back on their feet at least.
On the fourth floor of the building, the small homes were far away from the busy activities of the QPD. One room was one home, capable of housing up to four people in each. It had everything one needed to get by; a bedroom, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a small living area, complete with a television.
The four Hobbits had immediately offered to share a room when Elrohir had told them about the number of people one room could hold, and so were currently awaiting the Elf and former Ranger in their quarters; Room 229. Meanwhile, Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn were to share the room next door, much to Elrohir's amusement.
Aragorn knocked on the Hobbits' door, which was opened quickly by Sam.
"Here are your things Sam," said Aragorn, handing the Hobbit a few bags full of clothes. "We weren't sure what you'd all like, so we decided to buy a few different things and let you choose what you want."
Sam smiled brightly and nodded. "Alright then Sir," he said. "I'll be sure to tell Mr. Frodo and the others that."
Aragorn smiled back and said goodbye before walking to the room next door. Now, what scene of chaos and carnage would he walk in onto here? Pushing his key into the lock, Aragorn sighed as he turned it...
"What the hell kind of a sport is this!" came an indignant cry, the giver of which was hidden behind the backrest of the sofa. On the television, a young woman was gracefully dancing in skates across a sheet of ice.
"A 31st Century one," replied a voice from the bedroom. Legolas poked his head around the doorframe and considered the elegant woman on the flickering screen. "Actually I quite like it; she's very good at that, isn't she? She's quite pretty as well, I must admit..."
Gimli raised an eyebrow and sat up straight. "Well, I suppose if you put it that way..."
They stayed like that for a moment, watching with abnormally concentrated interest as the figure-skater leapt into the air, revealing a little bit more of her legs than perhaps she should...
A cough from Aragorn caught their attention. "Are you two finished discussing the finer points of ladies swanning around in tight clothing?"
The Elf and Dwarf suddenly became aware that the human was there and immediately realised what they'd been doing. Legolas coughed quickly and disappeared back into the bedroom. "I've, ah... I'm just... well, things to be put away you know, things like that."
Aragorn shook his head. He walked over and sat on the sofa beside Gimli, who was fiddling with a few stray strands of his beard, intentionally looking away from the television. "Honestly, I can't leave you two alone for five minutes..." laughed Aragorn. "You pair ought to find yourselves your own girl to be with, not staring at some poor unfortunate creature..." He eyed the television as the woman pirouetted. "Though he is right... she is very pretty..."
"Excuse me Aragorn, but you happen to be married!" called Legolas from the bedroom. "You wait till I tell Arwen..."
"You wouldn't dare," hissed Aragorn, glaring at the Elf who was once more looking around the doorframe. Legolas grinned and a spark of bad-intentioned glee glinted in his eyes.
"Wouldn't I?"
Gimli shook his head. "Well, I reckon you're as bad as each other." He ran his fingers across the collar of his shirt. "This thing is horrible; where did you buy it!" he asked Aragorn.
"A shop down the road; sorry if it's not to your taste but it's the best we could do." replied the human, resting his feet on the coffee table in front of him. It had been difficult getting things for the Dwarf to wear; at least the Hobbits were small enough to wear children's clothing. Gimli was, height-wise, in between Hobbit size and human size; therefore, getting clothing was a task and a half. However, he and Elrohir had come through and found a white shirt and trousers for Gimli. Apparently it was the 'casual work' style, according to Elrohir.
"What about you Legolas? Happy with your clothes?" asked Gimli. He pulled at the collar of his shirt again. "Because I'm not happy with mine..." he added under his breath, causing Aragorn to laugh.
"Yes actually," replied Legolas. "Although I was a bit unsure about Ro's 'all-black' idea." The Elf was wearing a black trousers and a black tee-shirt with 'MANNIX' written across the front in red stylised lettering; Mannix being a rock band that Elrohir had confessed to liking quite a lot. He couldn't help but think that Elladan would have thing or two to say about his twin's choice of dressage for them all when he saw them later...
----
Kelsey MacIntire huffed with indignation as she entered Elladan's office. The Quadrant Leader had requested to see her concerning the strange group she'd reported earlier.
Elladan was sitting comfortably at the table, looking through some papers. He didn't notice her enter.
"You asked to see me sir?"
Elladan looked up. "Oh, you're here Kelsey. Please, take a seat." He motioned towards a chair that was approaching the table after coming from one of the sliding doors in the wall. Kelsey waited for the hovering chair to stop before taking her seat.
"Well then," said Elladan, leaning forward on the table. "I hear you reported that group I asked you to bring to me; do you mind if I ask what for?"
"Presenting a hazard to the Quadrant community, sir," she told him in a clipped tone. "You see sir, they were up top and-"
"Yes, I know," interrupted Elladan. He sighed. "I hope you don't mind Kelsey, but I'm going to strike off that report."
Kelsey was taken aback. "W-what! But... but why!"
Elladan tried to sort out a plausible answer in his head. "I'm afraid Kelsey that that is a very long story, and one I don't have time to tell you now, but rest assured I'll explain it all to you soon. Now, going back to why I asked you here..."
Kelsey rolled her eyes. 'Daniel is so mysterious...' she found herself suddenly thinking. 'He never explains anything to anyone. I wonder why?'
"I'd like you to look after the group." he said abruptly, immediately jolting her from her thoughts.
"WHAT!" she cried indignantly. "Me!"
Elladan nodded. "Yup."
Kelsey shook her head. "No – no way Daniel! I'm a Gate Guard! I need to be on duty; I can't be looking after a bunch of-!"
"Kelsey. Please, I'm asking you to do this." Elladan ran his fingers through his hair. "If I could do it, I would, but I've got to look after everyone here in this entire city. I'd get El-" He stopped himself quickly. "-Ronald, to do it, but likewise he's got the entire security system to worry about; I can't ask much more of him."
Kelsey remained silent, staring at him with an annoyed look on her face.
"Please Kelsey?"
She groaned. "Alright! I'll do it!" Elladan smiled. She folded her arms. "Just don't expect me to be all pal-ly with them; I'll be civil, but that's where it ends! They've pissed me off enough already today."
"I wouldn't ask you to," replied Elladan knowingly. Kelsey glanced at him suspiciously for a moment.
"Is that all? Looking after the newbies?"
Elladan nodded.
"Okay then. What do you want me to do with them?" she asked.
Elladan pulled a few red noted out of his pocket. "Here," he said, pushing them across the table to her. "Take them to a Rasouball match or something. My treat."
Kelsey sucked her teeth. "Rasouball?"
"The Vienna Vultures are playing..." said Elladan blatantly, hoping to win her over.
It was enough. Everyone in the security force knew that the Vienna Vultures were Kelsey's favourite team. Kelsey picked up the money slowly from the table.
"I've just gotta keep my eye on them?" she asked.
Elladan nodded.
"And I get to watch the Vienna Vultures?"
Once again, he nodded.
"Daniel..." Kelsey offered her hand in order to 'shake on it'. "I think you've got yourself a deal..."
TBC...
I really enjoyed writing this chapter, although I did deliberate about posting it at this time. As some of you readers know, I'm a Londoner, and as everyone reading probably knows, there have been terrorist attacks on my city recently. A lot of my feelings about this have, I've noticed, been reflected in this chapter. Personally I view writing as a kind of 'therapy'; in doing so I've been able to relieve a few of my own concerns about what's going on in this crazy mixed-up world; there are probably a few points in this chapter where you can pick up on that.
HOWEVER, I would like to note that this method of 'therapy' is my way of dealing with things, not everyone's, so if ANYONE at all was the slightest bit offended by this chapter, I'd like to apologise very much to you. Thank you.