Pure Desire [Pure 3] (Siren Publishing Allure) (3 page)

McGovern activated the external data drive and handed it to him. He knew once he finished the upload and viewed the file, all its contents would be erased in case some illustrious tech-head got his hands on it. As he connected to the link, he wondered if they would remove the information from his brain, too, if he turned down the assignment. The government believed in being thorough, and the prospect of becoming a vegetable was highly plausible, as the agency would go to any means to keep their schemes secret, even from their own. The idea wasn’t farfetched. However, he wasn’t going to linger on the what-ifs. When he signed on with the government, they made it clear all agents were dispensable.

Noor moved his hair aside and inserted the device into the universal port behind his ear. When the data started to upload, he trembled, gripped the chair arms, and slowed his breathing and heart rate to lessen the intrusive anomaly invading his brain.

The complete transfer took less than one minute. Noor detached the device from the USB port and tossed it on the table. “You have to be kidding me.”

“I wish that were the case, Mr. Rynoir,” the man who had remained quiet up until now spoke softly. “Everything you have just received is harsh reality but factual.” Noor watched the hem of his gown sweep over the carpet as he moved with graceful and poised movements, appearing to float more than walk as he came directly in front of him. He kept his arms folded and hands hidden in the wide sleeves. His expression remained subtle, eyes lowered, as he spoke in a dulcet tone.
“What you just learned must not be trusted with anyone outside these walls.” Noor nodded to let him know he understood. “My name is Acabus DeFornay, one of the Oridus guardians, and chosen by the empress to bring the grievance news of my planet’s perilous situation to Sanguine officials in hopes aid will come to assist us with dealing with the current emperor Theopolis Agaci. There is no need for me to go into details, as I’m sure you are capable of understanding what you just learned. The only point I will repeat is the emperor’s reign should end at all cost, or our lives on Oridus, as we know them, shall cease to exist. Everyone within his grasp is in jeopardy, as he does not intend to halt at destroying Oridus, but to seize as many planets as possible and force them to assist in this absurdity to conquer the galaxy and obtain universal power.”

What was it about world dominance that every nutcase dreamed of securing it?
Noor thought before shifting his attention to Jenkins McGovern, who was speaking.

“As you see, this goes beyond Oridus. Already, the emperor has broken every damned treaty enacted, started war with smaller defenseless planets surrounding Oridus, and indiscriminately set to annihilate anyone who gets in his way. This includes the elderly, women, and children. The bastard doesn’t care who he murders. If the planet’s army he tries to overthrow resists, he forces them to join him by enslaving their families as hostages. The intel we have so far puts the army he amassed at well over two hundred thousand soldiers. That’s enough to march against Sanguine and give us some serious concerns. At the rate he is collecting forces, he could have a sizable amount of men at his disposal within months.”

Councilman Farrow leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of his chest. His features stern, he eyed Noor. “Emperor Agaci is the closest we’ve come to having someone potentially succeed in a coupe to overthrow the political rule of the eight planets who govern our sector to ensure peace continues within our galaxy territories. You understand we will not allow this to happen, and intend to stop his insane farce through whatever means necessary. Of course, the government has tried interplanetary sanctions, negotiations, but unfortunately, these techniques are useless with someone who is clearly disinterested in considering the proper rules of engagement to avoid a war.”

Jenkins McGovern slammed his fist on the table. “The bastard wants a fight and damn it, we want to give it to him, but our hands are tied by the bureaucratic red tape that decries exhausting every possibility to bring the emperor under control without violence. And even then, the expectation is for us to sit on our hands and try to reason with a narcissistic maniac and talk till we’re blue in the face. What happened to the good old days where we kicked ass first and asked questions later? We’ve become too soft,” he grumbled.

Councilman Farrow said, “I’m not in agreement with how our government wants to handle the situation, either. Where the emperor is concerned, it’s obvious more persuasive tactics are necessary, strong persuasion, maybe even war, but in taking such directions, we have to consider innocent lives are at stake on both sides. Also, it wouldn’t be wise to jump into a war without an exit plan. Besides, we are after the emperor, and that is our single target, for now.”

“Sirs, if I may ask a question?” Noor said. He waited until all three men gave him their attention. “The file mentioned Emperor Agaci can only remain as leader of Oridus until the next Intended and heir to the thrown is born. It is Oridus law, one upheld by the guardians and the nation of people. This referendum was put in place to prevent exactly what Emperor Agaci is attempting,” he said. He paused. “There was a mention of a distant relative with child who resides just outside the boundaries of Nexudus. If the child was immediately ordained, it would thwart the emperor’s power. Doesn’t this mean the guardians could take over leadership until the child came of age?”

The men exchanged glances.

“We just learned last evening the mother and boy were slaughtered while they slept. Even the women’s three young daughters were murdered. I assume the emperor wanted to be thorough,” Jenkins McGovern muttered.

“If you know this, why can’t he be arrested for treason against Oridus and dethroned? It seems a simple solution, albeit I know it is not, but you understand where I’m coming from,” Noor said. He looked at Abacus DeFornay for validation.

The guardian’s tone sounded solemn, attesting to his distress. “Before the empress met her untimely death, she entrusted certain details about the emperor to me, as I mentioned before. For obvious reasons, I haven’t shared this information with the other guardians because I don’t know who to trust. If I tried to gain any other confidences, it could mean my death. The emperor is lacing many pockets with ducats and promises of power in his new order. Should he succeed, no one wants to be on the losing side, Mr. Rynoir.”

He asked a question out of curiosity or maybe to validate a gut feeling he had about guardian DeFornay. “Sir, if you don’t mind me asking, why did you risk your life to come to Sanguine and ask for assistance, knowing it could mean your death if the emperor finds out?”

The guardian gave a faint smile as he studied the skyline through the open blinds. “The empress and I had become confidants after her marriage to the emperor. Her life wasn’t easy, and she looked to me for counseling on important matters and over time, to provide solace during her darkest days.”

Noor nodded, understanding. Abacus DeFornay clearly had a fondness for the empress that went beyond proper protocol. “Tell me what you are not saying.” He scanned the group of men, perceptively letting them know he was done with chitchat and wanted facts. If he was going to put his butt on the line, they owed him the truth.

Councilman Farrow said, “Yesterday we learned of an interesting development. There is a woman who exists who can bear the next Intended child. So far, Emperor Agaci doesn’t seem to know about her and we want to keep it that way. We need to move on her with haste.”

Noor turned shifted his attention to Jenkins McGovern. “We suspect the emperor has spies within our government, but we can’t prove it. This woman’s life could be in jeopardy, even as we speak. She needs to be secured and brought to Sanguine as quickly as possible.”

It seemed simple enough. However, he wasn’t foolish enough to believe there was anything uncomplicated about retrieving the woman and placing her into protective custody or he wouldn’t be sitting here in front of some of the most powerful figures of Sanguine discussing how to manage the task. Noor felt an uneasy feeling creeping into his gut as he reminded himself of the men and their positions in the room.

Noor shifted in his chair, leaned forward, and rested his elbows on the table. “Give it to me straight.” He didn’t direct his request to anyone in particular and waited on one to drop the bombshell.

Councilman Farrow met his stare. “As far as we know, the woman is clueless about her heritage. She has no idea she’s of royal blood, and certainly isn’t aware she is a key player
—the only one who can bring down the
emperor.”

“We can suffice to say she knows nothing about this matter, planet Oridus, Sanguine…or that we exist.”

Noor’s head jerked up, and he stared wide-eyed at Jenkins McGovern. “Excuse me?”

Superior Sterns smirked, leaned back in the chair, crossed his arms behind his head, a telltale sign he was clearly enjoying the look of dismay Noor assumed registered on his face.

He sat up straight and directed a question to Jenkins McGovern. “What exactly do you mean by she doesn’t know we exist
—I assume when you say we, you are speaking of our government organizations and the emperor’s madness?”

“Not exactly,” Councilman Farrow said.

“This just gets better and better,” Sterns said, snickering.

Jenkins McGovern gave Sterns a sloe-eyed look before turning to Noor.
“Are you aware of the Interplanetary Destination Act of 2030?”

“Sir, it was required reading when I joined the academy. It is unlawful for anyone to time travel unless the eight planets who make up the Federation Conglomerate unanimously and collectively agree to cross boundaries into the past.” His eyes flickered from man to man. “Just how many votes do we have on our side?”

“Sanguine, Polaria, and Calidus is tentative,” the Councilman said.

“Two?” The men nodded. Noor gave a low whistle. Yeah, he could kiss his ass good-bye and probably his career to if he screwed up. Not that such was an immediate concern, his paramount worry centered on surviving the assignment unscathed and, best case scenario, alive.

Councilman Farrow stood up and started pacing, the first show of emotion he was gravely concerned or agitated—perhaps both—about the entire ordeal. “I don’t need to remind you our situation is precarious. We don’t have time to try to cut through the bureaucratic red-tape bullshit. As we speak, the emperor is marching on another planet and I would bet my behind they easily fold under his assault. It’s a small planet, probably no more than a few thousand in their army, but that’s still more able bodies added to his arsenal.” He stopped moving, turned, and settled a discerning gaze on him. “Your record speaks for itself, Agent Rynoir. Jenkins and I evaluated twenty-five agents’ dossiers, got it down to five finalists, and you were still our number one candidate. You are intelligent, street savvy, and can be a chameleon, if need be. You know your weapons, tactical operations, and how to carry out a mission, and from what I read and heard, you don’t always go by the book.” He eyed him perceptively before continuing the thread of conversation. “I need to know you are in before we continue.”

“Where do I travel to, or back to?”

Jenkins McGovern looked up at the ceiling as if to say “thank you, Immaculate Providence.”

“Somewhere in Texas,” the Councilman said.

“Can you be a little more specific?”

“We don’t have much information. It’s still something we have to work through before you leave,” Jenkins McGovern said.

“We thought we had the right coordinates with Lumpkins, but we botched it,” Sterns said.

Noor glared at him. “You said rookie Lumpkins went undercover and was killed by a drug cartel.”

“The command center underestimated certain aspects, atmospheric conditions, and there were some technical difficulties. We expect to have everything figured out in two days, when the next lunar cycle is conducive to traveling through the hemisphere.” Sterns didn’t sound confident.

“I have to travel in two days. What if you don’t have everything corrected by then?”

Sterns shrugged with indifference. “You get peeled from the vessel like melted plastic wrap. Unfortunately, malfunctions are not always avoidable.”

His blasé attitude about an agent’s death sent a frigid chill through Noor’s veins. It took everything he had not to jump across the table and choke some sense into Sterns’s scrawny neck.

“I will oversee the preparations myself,” the Councilman said.

“We can’t afford to lose another good agent. The best of the best are on this,” Jenkins McGovern added.