"So what was all that about? Couldn't help but to hear raised voices." Elena asked Lauren after she returned to the fields from her call with Bo.
"Difference of opinion." Lauren replied.
"Everything alright?" Elena asked. Lauren took in a deep breath, closed her eyes and ran one hand through her hair in her frustration.
"You know, everything is not alright." Lauren said when she reopened her eyes.
"Is there something I can do to help?" Elena asked.
"No, thank you. I made this bed and I need to lie in it." Lauren replied.
"If there is anything I can do to help." Elena reiterated.
"Thank you!" Lauren said. Elena was about to turn and leave when Lauren touched her arm.
"But I may have some news for you later about the soil contamination issue here." Lauren said.
"What have you discovered?"
"I don't want to say anything just yet in case it doesn't pan out."
"Okay. Well, then shall we continue on?" Elena said.
"I just don't want to get anyone's hopes up yet."
"Doctor, you do not need to explain. I have a sister who is a scientist, remember?" Elena said. Lauren smiled.
"Let's get back to it, shall we? Popawi was just sharing a couple thoughts that I think you may want to hear."
"So what's the news?" Dyson asked when Bo entered the foyer to the dining room. Trick was on the floor being tackled by his four great-grandchildren while some of the Seneschal prepared the dinner table while the rest kept an eye on the children.
"That's a sight!" Bo said as she looked on.
"Deflecting?" Dyson queried. Bo glanced at him.
"I hate it we all know eachother so well."
"Is there something I can do to help?" Dyson asked. Bo wrapped her arms around Dyson's left arm.
"No. This is something Lauren and I need to deal with." Bo replied.
"Something that Kenzi found?"
"Yes." Bo replied. Dyson raised his eyebrows.
"Alrighty, then." Dyson commented.
"But I may need help with another problem."
"I'm here."
"Sorry! But this problem requires some specific expertise."
"Okay." Dyson replied slightly offended.
"Don't be offended! If this was something you could help with I would tell you."
"But you can't tell me anything?" Dyson asked but then the Seneschal stepped out into the foyer.
"That's our cue!" Bo said.
"Okay! Off Great-Granddaddy now!" Trick ordered. "Time for dinner!" Char, MaryAoife, Ethan Ryan and Trick all stood up off the floor and then Trick and the Seneschal took the children by their hands and led them into the dining room.
"You are deflecting my question again." Dyson pressed.
"We'll talk more after dinner, okay?" Bo replied with a smile and then guided Dyson into the dining room behind Trick and the children.
After dinner, Bo entered her private offices and went a stood in front of a window and pondered the evening landscape. The beauty of the City of Nahala never ceased to amaze Bo. She had left Dyson and Trick to say goodnight to the children before the Seneschal readied them for their call with Lauren and then bed.
Throughout dinner she contemplated how she planned to take her next steps. Even though she was The Princess Royal there would be hell to pay if she what she planned was not quick and quiet. But then when was anything she and her forged family ever done quick and quiet? She could only hope this time. Bo made her decision and turned around and faced the innards of her office.
"Call Emilia!" A few moments later Dr. Emilia Prescotti shimmered into view. Bo's call found Emilia in private chambers standing in front of her desk sorting through her work. She wore a white, lightweight summer dress with mesh overlay, and her hair flowed down to her shoulders.
"Your Royal Highness? Hello!" Emilia greeted.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you." Bo replied.
"Just preparing for tomorrow's next round of Convocation meetings. What can I do for you?"
"I need your help, Emilia."
"Of course, Your Royal Highness. How can I help?"
"I need your brains."
"Okay?"
"For an outing."
"Okay?"
"A secret one. No one can know."
"Another clandestine pursuit?" Emilia asked which made Bo smile.
"What are we doing that requires my brains?" Emilia asked.
"Looking for a solution. A scientific solution, and frankly I need someone who knows what to look for and knows what we're looking at when we find it." Bo replied.
"What about Dr. Lewis?" Emilia asked. Bo made a pensive smile.
"I see. She doesn't know." Emilia surmised.
"No, she doesn't." Bo answered.
"Is there a problem?" Emilia asked.
"Nothing that can be resolved tonight." Bo replied.
"What time do you wish to leave?" Emilia asked.
"In an hour. After I say goodnight to the children with Lauren." Bo replied.
"Where are we going?"
"Home. I mean, to the Human plane of existence."
"What is gripping the Humans this time?" Emilia queried with a slightly low pitch in her perfect British-like accent which made Bo chuckle.
"I'll tell you on the way." Bo replied.
"Where should we meet?"
"Do you know where the old transvortex corridor is by the training fields?" Bo asked. "I overheard one of the guards talk about it and point it out to me."
"I know exactly where it is. It's quite famous."
"See you in an hour."
"Of course, Your Royal Highness."
"And Emilia?"
"Yes, Your Royal Highness?"
"Thank you." Bo replied. Emilia smiled and the call ended.
Then the doors to Bo's office opened and Dyson and Trick entered the room and bowed.
"It's just us, guys." Bo said as she rounded her desk.
"The form must be observed." Trick replied.
"Did you enjoy yourself with them this evening?" Bo asked.
"Always! They're just growing like sprouts!" Trick said.
"That they are." Bo replied.
"I have to go, but before I do I have to ask. Are you okay? You were half-present during dinner. Is there something going on?" Trick asked.
"Just Lauren issues that's all. She and I got into a fight before dinner." Bo replied.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Trick asked.
"Not yet. She and I still need to thrash some things out first." Bo replied.
"Will you two be okay?" Trick asked.
"We'll be fine." Bo replied.
"Are you sure?" Trick asked. "Because if that's it then you are more pre-occupied about it than past other fights."
"No really I'm fine." Bo replied then kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks for joining us for dinner." Trick smiled in response, took two steps back, bowed, then turned and left.
After the doors closed behind him Dyson looked at Bo.
"You didn't want to tell Trick anything?" Dyson asked.
"If I did he would've had a stroke! Best to let him think what he thinks for now." Bo replied.
"So you're not going to tell me anything more either?" Dyson asked.
"For now, no." Bo replied. Dyson sighed.
"All I can do is trust you'll be okay." Dyson said resigned.
"All you can do." Bo said with a smile.
"That being said, you have until breakfast time. If you are not back by then I'm sending out the Calvary. Or in this case the Knights of the Guard!" Dyson said. Bo laughed.
"Not joking here! Last time, Lauren was nearly killed and that was just a few weeks ago. Sick of being the last one to know around here." Dyson added. Bo kissed him on the cheek.
"I will be fine. I will see you in the morning. Thanks for coming to dinner tonight. Say hello to Tamsin for me." Bo replied.
"I will." Dyson replied then stepped back, bowed, turned and left.
After the door closed behind Dyson Bo looked at the time and then rounded her desk. Just then the Seneschal entered the room. Bo looked at the time again then back at the Seneschal.
"I thought the call with Lauren was not for another 20 minutes?" Bo asked.
"That is correct, Your Royal Highness." The Seneschal replied.
"Then?" Bo prompted then it suddenly dawned on her. "Oh c'mon! You guys have to let me in on how you do that?"
"It is our duty to anticipate..."
"I know, my every need!" Bo finished exasperated. "Fine! But you have to stay silent! No telling anyone where I've gone!"
"Only if you take Bas Kadine with you, Your Royal Highness." The Seneschal replied.
"I see you have blackmail down to a fine art science." Bo quipped. The Seneschal bowed their heads slightly.
"In any case, thanks for looking out." Bo said.
"Of course, Your Royal Highness."
An hour later, Bo followed by Bas Kadine met Emilia down a narrow, darkened corridor near the Presidium training fields where the old transvortex point was located. Bo saw Emilia was not alone.
"Bas Yeager?"
"The Seneschal insisted he accompany me." Emilia replied.
"I thought this was a secret!" Bo said in a low voice frustrated.
"For now, yes, but we don't have much time. Blame it on that traitorous Agent." Emilia replied.
"I guess so." Bo noted.
"So can you finally tell me what's going on?" Emilia asked.
"Kenzi believes she might have a lead on what may be causing the soil contamination in Nassoria and Ashal, and the answer may lie on the Human plane." Bo explained.
"And? There got to be an 'and' in there somewhere." Emilia replied. Bo smiled.
"There is. Kenzi suspects that the source of this contamination is at a facility headed by Lauren's father." Bo explained. Emilia was momentarily shocked then her expression turned even.
"Now I understand the secrecy." Emilia replied. "I thought Lauren's parents were dead?"
"That's what we all thought." Bo replied then took in a breath. "My intent is to join up with Kenzi and Savina to investigate this lab. I need to be there should they find anything so I can understand for myself what is happening." Bo said.
"Your Royal Highness…" Emilia began.
"Bo."
"Bo, some day you will have learn to trust the judgment of others in the investigation of such matters. You will be Queen one day and will have a Realm to run." Emilia replied.
"Not when it involves Lauren." Bo replied.
"The implications, the ramifications…" Emilia started. Bo smiled.
"That is why I need you. To help me not only with the science but to think it out, strategically, for any possible impacts to the Realm. I'm still learning how everything operates here, but I don't want whatever we find to jeopardize the Inclusion effort that's for sure." Bo interrupted. "Will you still help me?"
"Yes, of course! If what you're saying is true we need to get at the heart of the matter. Lauren is not only a colleague but also my friend." Emilia replied.
"Good!" Bo said. Then she turned, pulled out a small device and pressed a button and a transvortex opened up.
"Let's do this!" Bo said as she, Emilia, Bas Kadine and Bas Yeager all stepped into the transvortex.
