relieved that these details had been taken care of but he still had questions. “Sir, what other security measures have been taken?” he asked.
“Ah! Good, I was hoping you would ask,” King Douglas replied with a smile. “This morning, moments after I received the news, I dispatched two elite defense teams. They had a few hours head start on Princess Kalea and their mission is to get as close to SC-17 as possible without being detected. If all goes well, they should be within a few meters of the outer dome any moment. They have only one objective – keep Kalea safe.
“Everyone in SC-17 has an emergency escape pod. If activated , it will slowly rise to the surface where rescue boats will collect them. I have several boats in the area now for that purpose. If indeed the system was sabotaged and those responsible get away because of the need to protect Kalea, so be it. She is their number one concern, and mine.” King Douglas’ concern was obvious even without translation.
“Sir, if you receive any additional information or communications from Kalea, I would appreciate it if you would let me know.” Bryan said as he stood.
“Yes, of course.” King Douglas answered as he also stood and shook Bryan’s hand. “If you finish with your staff in time, please come and join us for dinner,” he invited.
“Thank you , Sir. I will see how the day progresses.”
“Edward,” Bryan said when they were both in the hall again. “Thank you for translating. I will call you if I need anything else. See you later.” With that he strode down the hallway to join his staff as he had seen Leo in the hallway earlier.
Thankful for some time to work on all the rescheduling, Edward turned the other way and headed for his office.
~
“Princess Kalea, we have arrived at SC-17,” Franklin announced as he entered the lounge area.
“Thank you Franklin. Have we been contacted by Captain Fletcher?” she asked.
“No visual contact, Your Highness, just audio. I feel it necessary to point out that their refusal to establish visual contact, now that we are within range, concerns me. This could be a trap,” Franklin explained.
“True,” Princess Kalea replied. “I am not going into the city today. I will be examining the exterior damage today. Notify Captain Fletcher of my plans and if he has concerns he is more than welcome to come discuss them with me on the shuttle.”
“Very good, Your Highness. Where would you like to begin?” Franklin asked.
“Opposite t he damaged water filtration system and then circle around to the right. I want to see if there’ve been any unusual water currents or sea life in the area that might have caused the problem. Also, go ahead and download the security data from both the internal and external and secondary surveillance stations,” Princes Kalea ordered.
“Yes, Your Highness. Umm, forgive me but, what external and secondary surveillance stations?” Franklin asked.
“Here are their locations and the access codes to download the information .” Princess Kalea handed him an actual piece of paper as she explained. “Their existence is classified, so do not inform the others. There are seven stations outside the city and dozens inside. It will take most of the day just to download the data,” she explained. Franklin accepted the paper with obvious surprise and gave a slight bow before he returned to the crew quarters and cockpit.
Alone again, Kalea took some time to take in her surroundings. Throughout the trip she had reviewed all the data on this sea city as well as the specific water filtration system it used. Now she forced herself to relax against the plush cushions of her seat. This couch lined one wall of the lounge compartment. Across from her an anchored table and four cushioned chairs. There were no windows but the walls were a calming yet cheery shade of pale yellow.
Each end of the room had a door.
“Ah! Good, I was hoping you would ask,” King Douglas replied with a smile. “This morning, moments after I received the news, I dispatched two elite defense teams. They had a few hours head start on Princess Kalea and their mission is to get as close to SC-17 as possible without being detected. If all goes well, they should be within a few meters of the outer dome any moment. They have only one objective – keep Kalea safe.
“Everyone in SC-17 has an emergency escape pod. If activated , it will slowly rise to the surface where rescue boats will collect them. I have several boats in the area now for that purpose. If indeed the system was sabotaged and those responsible get away because of the need to protect Kalea, so be it. She is their number one concern, and mine.” King Douglas’ concern was obvious even without translation.
“Sir, if you receive any additional information or communications from Kalea, I would appreciate it if you would let me know.” Bryan said as he stood.
“Yes, of course.” King Douglas answered as he also stood and shook Bryan’s hand. “If you finish with your staff in time, please come and join us for dinner,” he invited.
“Thank you , Sir. I will see how the day progresses.”
“Edward,” Bryan said when they were both in the hall again. “Thank you for translating. I will call you if I need anything else. See you later.” With that he strode down the hallway to join his staff as he had seen Leo in the hallway earlier.
Thankful for some time to work on all the rescheduling, Edward turned the other way and headed for his office.
~
“Princess Kalea, we have arrived at SC-17,” Franklin announced as he entered the lounge area.
“Thank you Franklin. Have we been contacted by Captain Fletcher?” she asked.
“No visual contact, Your Highness, just audio. I feel it necessary to point out that their refusal to establish visual contact, now that we are within range, concerns me. This could be a trap,” Franklin explained.
“True,” Princess Kalea replied. “I am not going into the city today. I will be examining the exterior damage today. Notify Captain Fletcher of my plans and if he has concerns he is more than welcome to come discuss them with me on the shuttle.”
“Very good, Your Highness. Where would you like to begin?” Franklin asked.
“Opposite t he damaged water filtration system and then circle around to the right. I want to see if there’ve been any unusual water currents or sea life in the area that might have caused the problem. Also, go ahead and download the security data from both the internal and external and secondary surveillance stations,” Princes Kalea ordered.
“Yes, Your Highness. Umm, forgive me but, what external and secondary surveillance stations?” Franklin asked.
“Here are their locations and the access codes to download the information .” Princess Kalea handed him an actual piece of paper as she explained. “Their existence is classified, so do not inform the others. There are seven stations outside the city and dozens inside. It will take most of the day just to download the data,” she explained. Franklin accepted the paper with obvious surprise and gave a slight bow before he returned to the crew quarters and cockpit.
Alone again, Kalea took some time to take in her surroundings. Throughout the trip she had reviewed all the data on this sea city as well as the specific water filtration system it used. Now she forced herself to relax against the plush cushions of her seat. This couch lined one wall of the lounge compartment. Across from her an anchored table and four cushioned chairs. There were no windows but the walls were a calming yet cheery shade of pale yellow.
Each end of the room had a door.
Similar Books
