It may have been a hot frying pan, but Nicki seems to have landed into a fire that could be setting to raze off her entire family… her people… the innocents… Torn! Obviously! What would she do to stop the fire? Lauren Kirk-Cohen continues with her exploration of…

...continues from The Unforgettable Storm I

“What?” I say, my voice rising in alarm. “What do you mean?”

Some of the others are glaring disapprovingly at Felix, but Felix ignores them. “You know the Rensos have mining operations,” he says quietly, drawing me away from the glares of the rest of the group. “We found something – something that will end Andia oppression once and for all. They’ve been persecuting any of our people they can get their hands on for generations. We’ve lost hundreds to their capture and torture methods.

“What we have is… well, we don’t really understand it that well, but it’s supposed to bring a storm. Not a normal storm – much more than random thunder and lightning. Whoever initiates the device can set who it is to target. The storm will rage through the land, striking down those named – and we plan to name the Andias,” he says grimly.

“But you can’t!” I protest. “The Andia leaders are corrupt and evil, but not the people. You’ll be killing thousands of innocents.”

“Casualties of war,” Felix says.

I glare at him, “You don’t really believe that. You just risked your whole operation to save me – an Andia, and one you hardly know, at that.”

“I’m beginning to think I shouldn’t have,” he shoots back at me, “We’re fighting for the survival of our people. If you don’t understand that, get lost.”

He gestures to the surrounding countryside. I can’t get lost, though. He’s planning to kill my entire people. My parents and brother, my friends, everyone I know, gone in the storm the Rensos will bring.

“I’m staying,” I say. Whatever he says, I don’t really believe Felix approves of killing thousands of innocents along with the guilty. I just need to persuade him to listen to me.

“Felix, cut her loose!” a woman a few years older than me says angrily, “You can’t trust an Andia; she’ll murder us in our sleep.”

Felix gives me an appraising look, “No, she won’t,” he says.

Things are rather tense after this. The rest of Felix’s team turn their backs on us and stalk ahead. Felix and I follow behind. “We’ll be back soon,” he says. “We’ve got someone waiting to pick us up. I’ll plead your case to the high council. If you play it right, they may grant you asylum.”

“What will you do?” I ask.

“I need to complete the mission,” he says, “My people need me.”

I don’t say anything, keeping my thoughts to myself. Once Felix and I are separated, I have no chance of persuading him to change his mind. He seems to read at least some of the thoughts on my face.

“Even if I did agree with you – not that I do – there’s nothing I could do about it. I’m not the one running this. Others will set the device. I’m just one of the many people who are working on the whole project.”

I had already thought of that, but getting Felix on my side is the best chance I have. Together, we may be able to sway whoever is planning this mass murder. I think for a moment before deciding my line of attack.

“So, do you have family waiting for you?” I ask.

A small smile tugs at the corner of Felix’s mouth, and he answers me. We spend hours talking as we walk, of common things – dreams, hopes, our families and friends. Neighbours, jobs, hardships and joys. I remain casual about it, but each word I choose carefully. I want to show him that the Andias are people just like his, that apart from their leaders, the Rensos and Andias aren’t all that different.”

As dark begins to fall, it gets harder to control each word. It’s just too easy to talk to Felix, not at all like I imagined talking to a Renso would be like. He smiles at me as he describes his home town. It doesn’t sound all that different from mine; he must realise that, too, for his face falls into lines of deep thought.

We are interrupted by sound of horses. I flinch, but Felix puts his hand on my arm. “It’s alright, they’re here to fetch us. We’ll be home soon.”

I know this might be my last chance to talk to Felix alone.

“Listen, Felix,” I whisper urgently, “I know you don’t want to murder innocent people – people like me and my family. I don’t know if I can stop this, but I know I can’t do it alone. Will you help me?”

His gaze darkens, “You’re asking me to betray your people.”

I meet his steady gaze, “Yes. I ask you to betray your people to do what’s right.”

For a long moment, he looks at me, as though searching my soul.

“Okay.”

# continued ...

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