FRENCH Royal ARMY HEADQUARTERSEntering this wooden base, Gen made an anxious march toward his Captain"s office.
Occasionally, he glances at the offices he pa.s.ses by, checking out what was the other activity goes on. It seems everyone is occupied lately.
All the higher rank officials were discussing methods: on how to defend their borders, water territory, and this very nation. Not mentioning, the New France the French Naval discovered, now began inhabiting that island.
In what he heard about, it was a vast land, bigger than France and this continent. But a war between the British Army would possibly erupt soon, claiming wider sovereignty, and the king won"t back down but will defend the Newfoundland whatever it cost.
Naval Captain Klein Williams brought more soldiers and weapons to a.s.semble once they arrive that land. The Williams twins are remarkable Royal soldiers that brought success battle to this nation.
Gene now takes the stairs toward his captain"s office on the third floor. May, he still has a lower rank, but he is part of the French Monarchy. He holds an important stance in the Royal family.
Inside a particular room, Carlisle was tidying up a few things he needed for the war. He picks up the map in his drawer then places them inside his small suitcase, prepared where he stores his stuff against wetting them accidentally or naturally during his ride toward their northern border.
He takes a break and stood near his office window and looked outside. His chest was heavier to leave like this. But he was pressed between his sworn duty and his private matters. However, he cannot abandon his country.
Lost in his thoughts, a light knock on his office door, then Gene steps inside. He bowed before he steps forward and halted in front of his table. He seated on his chair and gestured Gene to take a seat as well.
"Thank you, Captain," he shows grat.i.tude, and then take a sit on the chair place by the table.
"Gen, how was it?" Carlisle asked anxiously. He badly wanted to know what was Marivella"s response.
"Captain, I am sorry, but I was not able to speak with, Miss Chen."
"Why? Is she left home?" he guessed.
"Yes, captain, with Miss, um…"
His tongue almost slipped out, mentioning Madison"s name. It was a secret, between him and Doctor Charles who only knew about the people from the future.
"I mean, she went home and Miss Carlene accompanied her. But Captain, the Korean soldier, and the Prince were waiting secretly inside Chen"s residence. Miss Chen force to come as her family held by him," Gene reported.
"What are you saying? He is forcing them to come with him?"
"It looks like that way. The prince suddenly changed the day of their voyage."
"What was Charles and the other"s proposes about this? So much had happened, so now we need to change our plan. On top of this, I have to leave. I cannot help them to take place in our plans," he stated worriedly. He felt hopeless that nothing he could do right now. Besides, he cannot afford to wield a conflict between this Prince.
"Captain, this is the message from Doctor Charles and the others. We will stick to the plans of kidnapping Marivella to hide her. You don"t have to worry, and so, just go. Leave everything to us."
"That is their message for you."
Carlisle heaves a melancholy sighed. It may too easy to say it, but his concerns have been split into two.
"I see..." he responded lazily. "But, do they meant to help with nothing in return? I mean, those siblings: Henry, Edward, and Carlene?"
"Don"t worry, Captain Charles. They were genuine in helping Miss Chen. They don"t want any compensation."
"Then, I will leave you behind to help them out."
"Understood, Captain. Please, come back alive."
He meets Gene"s sincere gaze. He is a very loyal person, who he becomes his valuable friend. He always prayed to meet him again, in the next life if ever they will grant one. He"s hoping, by then, they both have a better life and in better circ.u.mstances than in this life.
If his dream were true; they were seated in a foreign place in a foreign room, he is tossing gla.s.s with Gene, big smile plastering on his face wearing different clothes. Maybe, that was a modern time, the future.
"Gene, I will rise even from the dead," he quoted meaningfully.
Gen smiled. "Yes, you did. Not only that, but you also traveled to the past to support yourself to be with your lover."
Carlisle notices how Gen smiled at him. "Do you have something in your mind, Gen?"
"Ah, no Captain! I was just thinking, later you come back, could we have a gla.s.s of ale?"
"My— Can You Read My Mind? I love that idea, Gene. Let"s. .h.i.t a tavern and share a drink."
Gene nodded happily, and then went on.
"Captain, we needed more people to commend the plan."
"Do you have someone in your mind?"
"Yes, I have, captain. We could trust her."
"Then, do I know her as well?"
Before Gene could reply, a knock on Carlisle"s office door, then a lower rank soldier come in. He places his hand on his chest and bowed while narrating his message.
"Captain Carlisle, Colonel Hughes is looking for you. The soldiers are now ready to depart."
"All right. I will be there in a minute," he answered, then quickly sent the soldier out of his office.
"Captain, let us handle to save Miss Chen tonight. Just focus on this war, you need to win this one or much better if you can make a peace treaty with them."
"Yes, I am thinking about this, Gene. If I cannot have a peace dialogue with them, then I will win this battle. Thank you. It breaks me I have to leave. Please, look after Marivella."
Gene nodded. I wonder if I was also taking care of the Miss in our future life.
"Gene, I have been noticing that you keep staring at me like a funny way. Is there something in my face?"
"Hum? Oh, forgive me, Captain!"
"I have to leave, Gene."
"G.o.dspeed, Captain." he wishes for his captain.
That moment, Gene watching the soldiers began marching. The soldiers walk on foot and the rank officials ride on their horses. He supposes to be by his captain"s side, but he has a more important mission.
"Sergeant Isagawa, why are you still here?"
"Miss Grace," he bowed. "I am looking for you."
"Me? Why?"
"This is behalf of the captain. I wished to speak with you in private if you spare me just a few minutes."
"I have free time, maybe a walk would do?"
"Yes. This is actually, a confidential request."
Lady Lisa Grace starts walking ahead before Gene. Her father is a deceased officer, and she works in the base in some matters. Still, she receives questions amongst the higher officers, but she proves that a woman would do better than men in some aspects. Behind, Gene"s face fl.u.s.tered red and so, he takes a deep breath before he follows and matches her steps. While taking a stroll in not so crowded streets, Gene explains to Lisa.
"I will help."
"Is that true?"
"Yes. Marivella saves my brother"s life before. When n.o.body knows what to do, she calmly performed the first aid to him. Now, tell me what I have to do..."
* * *
Aleksi staring blankly at Quinn. The mug on his hand stays under his chin as he tried to process what these people trying to explain to him.
"Are you people, playing on me?" he was astounded, and so he added.
"I won"t question Doctor Charles, but I don"t know your people."
Aleksi pointing at Quinn, Levi, and Madison. "You people planning to kidnap someone from the Korean s.h.i.+p, because you want to save her from execution? Why we have to use the kidnap word if what we about to commit is to rescue her?"
"Because she aims to..."
"What? Come again?"
"In her situation right now, she will face severe punishment, and she knew that once she arrives in Korea and married the Prince, but the truth will reveal, and she"s willing to face them instead."
"Am I hearing correctly? She knew— she will face execution for a reason you don"t want to tell me yet, but she more like seeking for her death but you won"t allow that? This is what you were explaining to me?"
"Something like that..."
"Beat me..." he expressed.
There is silence pa.s.sing by them...
"Okay. I may still do not understand, and so before I agree, I need more explanation."
And so, Quinn brought Aleksi into a separate room, then explained to him.
Later on, while Quinn talks to Aleksi, Gene arrives with Lisa Grace. Levi and Madison drop their chin, leaving their mouth open and do not know how to react at this moment.
Lisa exactly looked like Riley.
What is this?
It can be, that they made promises to meet again in their next life?