The Embassy set up is progressing smoothly, as the Marines get the check point and barriers in place. I look through some of the internal structure design; this place is built like a fortress, which is good for defense if that ever becomes necessary. I check some of the rooms that the Embassy personnel will be living in and it's the best we can come up with. The building has five stories, but the main entrance has two heavy, solid doors that will take a lot of punishment to break down. The window are narrow like firing slits, in fact this may have been a garrison at some point in it's history.
heading to the end of the hall I find a narrow door that has been left ajar. Pulling out my pistol I cautiously push it stepping through. There is a staircase that leads up; I try to picture the floor plans of the Embassy to figure out where exactly this is going, but I can't recall this. I slowly start ascending them aiming my pistol upwards incase there's an unwanted guest here.
Reaching the top there's another door also left open. I stand next to the frame and just pop my head out looking in both directions and pull back quickly, though it seems to be clear. Stepping out I hold my pistol point at the low ready, and I see... Mandy, standing looking out over the back end of the complex. This is a small tower in the center that can't be seen from the ground. I holster my pistol. I stand there for second and I decide that it might be best to leave.
I turn trying not to disturb Mandy, but she noticed me out of the corner of her eye. "Ant?"
I stop closing my eyes for second turning around I see that she's walking up to me. I don't want a confrontation with her. "Major." I look at her face and I can see the strain she's in. "You ok?" I ask.
She shakes her head. "I was beginning to wonder if you even cared about me." she says sadly.
I don't want to fight with her after so many days of avoiding each other, so I take the best route here. "I've wondered where you've been." looking around at the view. "I have been thinking about your well being Mandy." I say, She turns away from me.
"My well being." She laughs bitterly. "My well being is not your concern anymore. Isn't that right?" She gazes at the sky, which is cloudless today. "Is she that important to you that you risked your life for her?" I stay silent, since I have nothing to say. She chuckles more to herself. "Go Ant, go back to your pretty Princess because I'm sure she misses you." I stand there unable to respond; tuning around I head back down and shake my head. She won't ever let this end peacefully, this will get even more bitter with the passing of time.
Truth being said I do miss Jah-jahní. I haven't seen her in two days, because I've been so Damn busy here. I'm down by the main entrance before I know it, and then to my surprise Jah-jahní is there with her sister. Spotting me she makes a beeline to where I am and I want to hold her, however instead I put my hands behind me. We can't cause a public scene. "Captain, how are you?" She ask.
"I'm fine thank you, I hope you're well." I respond politely. I hate this, I really do. Lahí comes in behind her shaking her head.
"Jah-jahní, you are worse than a child. I've told you to be more discreet." Lahí says reproachingly. Jah-jahní waves a dismissive hand at her sister. "Well, don't think father is not aware of whats going on!" she says obstinately. I had already considered that especially with what happened the other day. No, the King is I'm sure looking in to this and I wouldn't be surprised if he calls us soon.
"I think your sister may have a point." I look back into the Embassy. "Why don't we come out of the sun and cool down." The less eyes are on us the better it will be. They both agree and we enter the building. Leading them into the military wing where the Marines will be headquartered we enter the command office, but Lahí stays outside as lookout. I close the door and in the blink up of an eye Jah-jahní has her arms around me hugging tightly.
I put my arms around her as well holding on just as tightly. "God I've missed you." I say. "Is something going on?"
"Father is upset with what happened to one of his best Warriors, and he is questioning him." she trembles at the thought. "Fonahn, he will have his revenge on us." She buries her face in my chest; I kiss the top of her head putting my cheek on it closing my eyes. This will be bad If the King gets wind of the extent of our relationship, he will do all in his power to put a stop to us. Though being a military man I don't really think this will hold me back. Were there's a will there's a way.
"Don't worry We'll find an angle around this Jahní" I say
She looks up at me smiling. "That is the first time You've called me that." I look at her puzzled; that's right I've always been so formal. "Say it again Antonio."
Smiling I can't help it, as sappy as it might sound to others this is what people in love do. "Jahní." I whisper it in her ear. she trembles again, but for a different reason now. She pulls back a bit putting her hand on my face, while I trace a circle ever so lightly with my finger on her cheek which send another shiver through her. I now switch to her lips and I can feel her get weak in the knees.
A knock on the door makes us both jump; someone must be coming this way. I Kiss her before she has to leave. The door burst open and Mandy is there, with fury clear on her face. I quickly put Jahní behind me to protect her, even though she probably dosen't need it. Lahí is there holding on to Mandy, as she tries to pull away from her grip. "Get a hold of yourself Mandy!" I say forcefully. Mandy stares at me her anger focusing on me and braking free from Lahí.
She swings her fist hitting me on the cheek I stumble a bit, but she continues her onslaught. I take it blow after blow until she finally tires falling to her knees crying; It was all I could do to keep Jahní out of the line of fire. Mandy now covers her face knuckles bloodied, as Jahní kneels at my side holding my face, which is more bruised than anything. No serious harm done to me. Lahí goes to Mandy kneeling next to her pulling out what resembles a first aid kit, and gently takes Mandys bloody hands and begins to wrap them up.
Surprisingly Mandy lets her do it, as Lahí smiles at her tending to her injuries. "I'm sorry." Mandy sobs. Jahní trys to go to her side, but I hold her back. I can't be certain what Mandy might do, in her present state of mind.
The Gunny and a few Marines get to the office; by now Jahní has me back on my feet, but Mandy is still on the ground. He walks in and assesses the situation. "Get the corpsman here ASAP." One of the Marines runs off to comply with his instruction. He looks at me shaking his head then at Mandy, who is staring off into space. "I think you need to see the Doctor to tend your injuries Sir." The corpsman arrives coming to check me, but I wave him off and point to the Mandy.
He nods kneeling by Mandy helping her back to her feet, and as they leave she turns looking at me and Jahní with emotionless, tired eyes.
The Gunny looks at me and raises an eyebrow questioning why I didn't fight back. "I don't hit women and I know it's a weakness that can be exploited." I say scratching my head.
He shrugs his shoulders. "I didn't say a word Sir."
I chuckle. "You didn't have you."
He turns his attention to Jahní. "Are you alright Ma'am?" He looks at her. "No injuries to report?"
"I am fine, thank you." She inclines her head.
Lahí is by his side and he sees a cut on her arm that's bleeding pretty good. "You have a cut miss let's tend to that." He pulls out his small first aid kit and dresses her arm quickly, and Lahí looks at him smiling. The Gunny looks at her and smiles back. I don't think I've seen the Gunny smile like that, at any time during our mission. Lahí bows in gratitude looking to her sister afterwards. "Well I best be going now and continue the work." I notice that a someone is by the door; I give the Gunny the old I see something Hand signal. He gives the thumbs up and turns casually towards the door and just leaps grabbing a person, who yelps with a female voice.
Jahní steps forward confronting her and the girl cowers at her presence. "Who sent you?" She asks gently trying not to panic her. The girl looks up shyly swallowing hard. "It's alright, no one here will harm you."
Lahí steps up."My sister won't harm you, but I will so talk or you won't leave here the way you came in." Jahní just looks at her sister exasperated at her crudeness, as the girl shrinks into the Gunny's arms seeking shelter. She's pretty, as are most Majah-tu women. She has blue eyes, with the characteristic silver white hair of her people.
"I won't let you be harmed." Jahní says calmly.
The girl looks down then to Lahí, who is just smiling cruely at her. She makes a decision looking Jahní. "it was..." suddenly a small object glints just past my left cheek. A dart hits the girl in the throat and she gags going limp. The Gunny lets her down quickly checking her, and he shakes his head. I pull out my pistols covering Jahní with my body pointing in the general direction that the dart came from. Was that window always open? The Gunny's got Lahí, so we back out of the room, once we clear the door I look at the Gunny. "We got problems Here!"
"Roger that!" he gets on the horn. "We have an intruder on the Embassy grounds on the east side; detain if possible, consider him armed and dangerous." He looks at me and nods. "If he will not surrender you are clear to use lethal force!" I nod in agreement.
"We got to get the two of you to the bunker until the all clear is sounded." I order.
Lahí starts to protest. "Wait just..."
"Princess, you are on Terran soil according to the treaty, so here I'm in command." She frowns obviously not used to taking orders from someone of lower status. "It's for your safety, but you can file a complaint with the Ambassador, for now you do as I say!" I voice sternly.
She puts her hands on her hips standing akimbo; I look at the Gunny and he nods. "With your permission princess!" He scoops her up before she can even protest.
"Put me down!" She shouts. "This is outrageous!" Taking Jahní by the hand we head straight to to Lower areas of the building and we enter the safe zone finding Ambassador Ahmadi already there.
The Gunny puts Lahí down and she doesn't seem so mad now, in fact she is smiling at him. "You are quite strong Gunny." She says. "What does Gunny mean?" She asks.
"It's short for Gunnery Sergeant. It's an enlisted mans rank in the Marine Corp." He explains to her. She seems very interested in the Old Gunny.
I look at Jahní "please stay here until I come for you, please."
"I will, but be careful." We hold each other tightly.
"Don't you worry, I'll be back."