Silent Storm
Chapter 20 - And so it Begins

Several Government and military officials are seated on either side of the conference hall aisle.

Chancellor Rowan and the other Councilors are seated at the head of the room at their assigned seats.

Marie and Vanessa stand at the center of the room.

“Time and time again you’ve proven your incompetence and blatant disregard for what the Alliance stands for. You even have the nerve to show up late to this assembly,” says Chancellor Rowan.

“We already told you. We were attacked on the way---” Vanessa attempts to respond but is quickly interrupted by General Kross.

“Always something with them,” he says.

Chancellor Rowan continues his scolding, but Marie is distracted by her wrist pad alerting her of several calls which she repeatedly ignores.

Her screen begins to glow a bright silver and Brain’s face appears.

He begins to yell, interrupting the entire assembly. “Lady M, Lady M, thank Gaia!”

Marie apologizes to the assembly and steps out.

“No respect,” says General Kross.

A clearly annoyed Chancellor Rowan continues. “Due to the Academy’s consistent failures, the Council has lost confidence in its ability to protect the people, as such, control over the Academy’s operations will now be shared with General Kross and the Central Defense Force.

Kross smiles and sips from a glass in triumph.

An utterly disgusted Vanessa stares at Kross.

“Try not to choke on that, you fat f---”

“Lady Terrell, have some decency,” Chancellor Rowan interrupts.

“The council has already voted in majority for joint leadership, our decision is final, what do you have to say?” he continues.

“Well---”

Marie returns with a noticeable chip in her step and interrupts. “Your worship, sir, we sent a team to locate and investigate Cordelia’s whereabouts.”

A confused Vanessa nervously side eyes Marie. “We did? she whispers to herself.”

“I just received word that the mission was a success. The team rescued the remaining kids. Cordelia escaped however,” Marie continues.

“That’s outstanding!” exclaims Vice Chancellor Voller. “But what do you mean remaining kids?” he asks.

“Some were killed before the team got there,” Marie responds.

“That’s disheartening, but at least some families can be reunited with their loved ones, and the rest will get closure,” says Voller.

“That’s not all, we found the Flame Quin,” says Marie.

The assembly lets out a collective gasp.

Whispers echo throughout the room.

Vanessa is in complete shock. “Gaia, forgive my lack of faith” she says to herself.

“My word, I believe the council would vote differently now don’t you Chancellor?” says Voller.

Kross is overtaken by rage and breaks the glass in his hand, much to Voller’s amusement.

Marie giggles and hugs a still confused but happy Vanessa. “Trust the cycle V,” she whispers in her ear.

The assembly claps and praises Marie and Vanessa.

***

Back at the Crescent Falls, the team is rejoicing.

Riley is on the floor holding Victoria in his arms, who is pretending to be unconscious.

“Vicky, you can’t play dead forever, you’re gonna have to wake up and face them eventually. You better have your story straight,” says Zardon.

Muscle carries several unconscious kids from out of a floating mirror.

Trish moves to Isabella. “Good thing you made me leave one of my mirrors behind,” she says, giving Isabella a hi five.

“Good job Izzy, this was all you,” says Jax.

Ivan hugs Isabella.

“Ivan, your son,” says Isabella.

“He’s alive Izzy, that means we can get him back,” says Ivan.

Jason whispers something in Gale’s ear.

Gale smiles and kisses him.

“That’s what I was trying to tell you when you got back,” says Jason. “I’m sorry it took me so long to say it.”

Silo looks at Isabella. “What’s gonna happen to us?” he asks.

“We’ll have to keep you under observation for a while, try to get that poison out of your system, then we’ll see where it goes from there,” Isabella responds.

Rebecca looks at Riley holding Victoria with care and compassion.

“Really Riley, right in front of me?” She asks him in anger.

Riley looks at her, confused.

“Wait, are we still together?” he asks.

Rebecca charges him but is held back by Jax.

“Leave him be Rebecca, you deserve a lot better,” says Gale, hovering over Riley, looking down at him in disgust.

The sunlight reflects off an object around Gale’s neck causing Victoria to open her eyes.

She looks up and sees the exact hourglass pendant in her possession.

“I don’t believe it,” says Zardon.

Victoria smiles briefly and closes her eyes once again.

“Wait a minute, Riley, when is your assessment scheduled for,” asks Jason.

“My what? Oh crap, it’s in an hour!” he exclaims, after checking his wrist pad. “We need to get back to the Academy asap.”

“Are you sure you’re in the right frame of mind to sit an exam brother?”

“I’m never in the right frame of mind to sit an exam Jason,” Riley responds.

***

The Cape Central sky is a beautiful orange as the sun begins to set on the horizon.

Several carriers and vehicles traverse the tubes and roadways, above and below respectively. With all stations turned to Cape Central News’ Sunset Recap.

“If you haven’t heard it by now then you’ve probably been living under a rock,” says Rachel through the radio.”

“That’s right Rachel, the Silent Storm saves the day again,” adds Eric.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the families whose children did not return,” Rachel continues.

“To the families who have their loved ones back, cherish every moment,” says Eric.

“And to all evil doers out there, beware, for the Quin of the Storm are reunited once again.

“That’s right Rachel. And to all our listeners, thanks for joining us for another Sunset Recap.”

“I’m Rachel Diri.”

“And I’m Eric Djon-Djon.”

“Have a nice evening,” they say in unison.

***

A crowd gathers outside the Cirrus I classroom, restless with anticipation as they look on at Riley on the other side of the glass, with Barbara keeping a close eye on him as the invigilator.

He stares at a question on a virtual screen and scratches his head in confusion.

Marie rushes toward the crowd. “Why in Gaia’s name is he sitting an exam after what you all just went through?” she asks. “Is everyone alright?”

“We’re fine Lady Stanislaus, Riley insisted on getting it over with,” Isabella explains.

“I’m pretty sure it’s because he would have had to study everything all over again if the exam got rescheduled,” says Brain.

“That’s what cramming will do to you,” Gale interjects.

“Time’s up Mr. Stanislaus,” says Barbara.

“Oh no, he doesn’t look like he got to finish,” Marie panics. “It’s my fault, I didn’t give him enough attention.”

“Relax Aunt M,” says Jason.

“Look he’s coming out,” says Miranda.

Riley exits the classroom, with Barbara closely behind.

Barbara looks around at the crowd. “You’re a popular boy today Mr. Stanislaus,” she says.”

“What’s with the suspense dude, did he pass or not?” Muscle asks Barbara.

“He should be getting his score on his wrist pad any second now,” she responds.

Marie hugs Riley tightly and kisses him. “Oh my baby, I’m so sorry I neglected your studies, I promise I’ll do better from now on,” she says.

“It’s ok mom, I know things have been pretty hectic for you and Aunt V, it’s not your fault,” he responds.

Riley is alerted of a new notification on his wrist pad.

The crowd goes completely silent.

Riley opens the notification and grimaces.

“How did you do baby?” asks Marie.

“I failed, 49.5%” he says, lowering his head in shame.

Marie’s face brightens with the news.

“What are you so happy about Mom, didn’t you hear I failed?” says an upset Riley.

“They’ll round up your score Riley,” says Brain.

“They’ll what?” asks Riley.

“Congratulations Mr. Stanislaus, you’ve earned your place in Cirrus I,” says Barbara.

The crowd rejoices.

Riley rushes over to Miranda, Mikey, and JJ and hugs them.

Vanessa joins the crowd. “What’s all this?” she asks.

“Riley passed his assessment, isn’t that great?” says Marie.

“Good job kid, I told you that you could do it,” says Vanessa.

“Thanks Aunt V,” Riley responds.

“Wait, you had a talk with him already?” asks Marie.

“We’re in this together M, remember that,” Vanessa responds.

Marie smiles broadly. “Thanks V.”

“But that’s not why I came here,” says Vanessa, pulling Marie away from the crowd.

“What’s wrong,” asks Marie.

“Ghost and Striker are still interrogating the attackers at Navila, but they managed to send us blood samples.”

“And?” asks Marie.

“We compared them to the samples from the rescued kids. They were both tainted with dark energy, but the blood of the attackers seemed more unstable for some reason.”

“We’re gonna have to do some more digging, because none of this is making any sense V.”

“That’s not all M.”

“What?”

“I managed to snag a blood sample from Ike.”

“You what!” Marie exclaims.

“Ike refusing to let Nurse May take any blood samples, I mean even you can admit that was suspicious.”

“You took my father’s blood without him knowing?”

“Not directly, I had Ghost do it.”

Marie stares at Vanessa in disbelief. “They day of the protests, when Ghost showed up late. I can’t with you right now V, this is highly unethical,” says Marie as she walks away from Vanessa in anger.

“His blood contains the same concentration of dark energy as our attackers,” says Vanessa, causing Marie to stop in her tracks.

“Where is he now?” asks Marie, without turning around.

“Nowhere to be found,” Vanessa responds.

“Who knows about this?”

“Aside from you and myself, just Ghost, Striker, and Nurse May.”

“Not a word to anyone else until I figure this out.”

“So now its ok to keep secrets from the faculty I see.”

“Not now V.” Marie says, as she walks away.

Vanessa gently grabs her arm. “M,” she says.

“V, Dorian’s body, my father’s connection to Candorian Assassins, all of that added to Vlad being alive, and Cordelia somehow finding a way to turn him into a Nonpareil, it’s too much,” Marie responds.

“I’m sorry M, but I’m gonna need you to compose yourself because we still have one more thing we need to address.”

***

Victoria opens her eyes and sees a blurred figure standing over her.

“She’s waking up,” says Nurse May.

Nurse May sits her up.

Victoria fixes herself on the infirmary bed and looks around the room and sees members of the faculty seated and standing before her.

Marie and Vanessa approach Victoria’s bed.

“We’re gonna need you to give us your story from the start,” says Marie.

“Be sure not to leave anything out,” adds Vanessa.

“And so it begins,” says Zardon.

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