When the three transports pulled up to the gate in the wall, it did not immediately open.
Jackson jumped on the comms “What the hell guys, let us in!”
The reply came “you will have to code in, Colonel Manaski said no one in or out without authorization.”
“Manaski? I thought we left with lieutenant colonel Gerald in charge,” muttered Zev.
Asrana winced. “When I left it was General Henric…. He was my 1-star general and a great commander.”
Jackson turned back to the comm, “fine what code in do you want? We have wounded and hostiles on our tail.”
The watch sergeant replied by yelling down, “This is Watch Sergeant Shults, please code in with rank and designation.
Andrew grabbed the comm, “Gold Dragon, Mike, Alpha 01, open the god’s dammed gate before I…”
‘Andrew!!’ Raya chided quickly, cutting him off mid-sentence. ‘decorum, please!’ her tone was half playful, half-serious. He was here officially after all.
“Asrana, Nash, go see the healer. The rest of you can go as well if you have injuries. Jackson, gad, Zev if you are good, remain here ”“What! You can't just send people around my….” The colonel trailed off as he listed to the names being called out. He knew those names…. Every officer, and likely every serving man in the whole kingdom would know those names… “base…. Asrana? THEE Asrana?” the colonel choked out, turning pale in realization of who stood before him.‘Of course, that thick skull of his would recognize Asrana but none of the rest of you. This reaction should be priceless,’ said Raya.Asrana, who was about to walk out, glared at Colonel Manaski. “Yes, THEE Asrana. As in your superior officer! Look around you, numbskull! Take a good hard look at the faces around you!” and with that, she walked out to find a healer. None of the guardsmen were dumb enough to
Back in Durres, upon landing, Andrew said goodbye to Anika and called Miss Croft to arrange a car.“I can have Roisin come get you. She managed to get a car while you were away.” Miss Croft said.A few minutes later Roisin and the driver Donnel pulled up in a brand new car.When Roisin got out to greet Andrew, she noticed Alexa behind him, hiding in the shadows. Andrew greeted her kindly and quickly got into the car. Roisin turned to Alexa and asked “You are with Andrew? Are you coming along?”Alexa looked around nervously. She had never been away from the temple in Dragarth, at least until she was kidnapped, and those days would haunt her for a long time to come. Now she was in an entirely unknown place with unknown people.“Umm yes, with Andrew..” she said awkwardly, her Dragard language skills clearly not native.“Well come on, we will take care of you.” Said Roisin gesturing to the car. Wha
The next morning, Andrew met Roisin who was escorting Alexa down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. Alexa was constantly looking around her at every little thing. To her, this was like a whole new world. “Ladies, today Roisin informs me is the grand opening of a new community. If you both are interested, we can all go and take a look. If it suits our needs, perhaps we can find some private arrangements for you both. Roisin was stunned that Andrew was considering getting a home for her in this place. Alexa was not sure what to think as she was not even sure what her life was to look like now. A mental voice drifted softly to Andrew ‘if that is where you plan to keep me, I guess that is fine.’ ‘Raya? That didn’t sound like you.’ He asked ‘it was not me!’ said Raya. Andrew looked hard at Alexa who had her head down but said nothing. “we will see what happens. Also, this afternoon, Roisin, I hope you are prepared for the compan
Roisin was stunned. Was Andrew seriously taking them to the pinnacle?Sure enough, the manager drove right to the top and entered the main mansion property.“In the future, you are both welcome to take a room here or in the guest house. Wherever you feel most comfortable we can arrange. Alexa, I suggest we move you up here, as it is the most secure location. But I will leave it to you to choose where you want to stay,” said Andrew.“guest house?” asked Roisin, suddenly remembering that Andrew had just bought a house in one of the lower levels! How rich was he?‘Stay in the pinnacle!’ suggested Raya, but Andrew assumed it was just a mental shout to himself. He missed Alexa looking up as if she had heard a voice and didn’t know where from.The manager agreed to make access keys to the master mansion and guesting house available to Roisin and Alexa by end of the day.“Ok ladies, let
“Sir I am so sorry, I have failed.” Liam lamented, in total panic “What is the matter?” “It is miss Alexa. I sent someone over to guard her, but the hotel just reported, the guard was knocked out. Sir Miss Alexa…. She is gone.” “Liam, you have a very short window. FIND HER.” Said Andrew, blood boiling. Liam on the other end broke out in cold sweat at the killing intent that came through the phone. As soon as Andrew hung up he called every contact he had. In the past few years Liam had been cultivating contacts both in the underground circles and within the cities police forces. Soon the whole city was on the lookout for Alexa. Meanwhile, Andrew called Anika. “Anika, Someone has come for Alexa. I need you to set monitors on all entry and exit points for the province.” “Yes commander, right away. And Andrew, Find her. Keep me posted.” In Durres, Liam was able to gain access to the feed from th
Over the next week, Roisin worked with Arya Croft and Mr. Liam to find, purchase and make plans for a new joint factory for the future Dragon Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals. While the two companies would have separate management departments, Acquisitions would be a joint department, and they would share a roof. Each had its own set of equipment, and the Pharmaceutical company even had a complete research laboratory. Andrew explained that as much as possible the two should work together to enhance products and save on costs through bulk purchase of ingredients. Roisin was thrilled for the project and threw everything she had at it, working hard to forget the stress and drama her family had been putting her through. When it came time to start breaking ground on the new site, Roisin went to meet with Andrew. “Mr. Andrew.” She began. “Please, it's just Andrew. What do you need?” “I was wondering if you had thoughts on who you wanted to use for the
Later that week, Andrew received a call from Liam to inform him that 30 recruits had successfully completed the course and were ready for him to take their training to the next level. “Very good Liam. Make sure it remains open that those wanting to try out may use the first level. As we grow, we will need more but at least now we have a core. I will be over to train them shortly. When Andrew arrived, 30 recruits were lined up smiling, while another 70 kept working on the first stage. “You all think you have won something? Well, good luck with that. Now, hell begins.” Everyone turned serious. “Follow me” with that, Andrew dashed through the first level maze and up to the second level. The recruits now realized that they would be expected to do the first level every day just to get to level two. “You now get to learn to work as a team. You will be guards, and personally protect those around me and my companies. As individually you will b
Moments before:At the new construction site, Roisin leaned over a large planning table with engineering designs as the Foreman tried to explain why the new supplies would not be enough to do what she had ordered. The Architect, Darren Brown, who stood to her left was a lean man in his mid-fifties, and while he may not look like someone who would survive a simple gust of wind, his designs had been flawless so far and he came highly recommended.Darren Brown looked at the foreman and deadpanned, “If you step skimming funds and buy the material I order instead of the cheap crap, we would not have this problem. I measure the right amount in my plans.”“Foreman McAllie, please explain why your crews are so far behind!” Roisin asked, her frustration evident.“Ma’am, you may not understand this, but the guild controls the supplies. If you do not pay, it is not me that is the problem. The guild is demanding a cut in order to o