00071

Osmo Martin sat back and sipped a lemonade served by B-12 in the Morning Garden. Sheila, likewise, rested in a lounge chair. Osmo told her, "We nabbed Albert, we had him, and then he escaped. We didn't hear anything about him since. Looks like he retired from his preaching job on the corner of New and Liberty. Security Leader Clyden is very upset with me over Al escaping. Gov. Bright, however, said nothing to me over the matter, fortunately.”

Sheila Bright smirked. "Ha! Sec. Ldr. Clyden is upset over Albert getting free? Look how many times he himself let the house church people escape. Anyway, I hope Al's done with disturbing the peace, telling everybody how the state church isn't good enough and doesn't help us get to Heaven."

Omso Martin said, "There were quite a number of people gathered on the street corner, listening to what Al had to say, when we grabbed him. I don't know if it's accurate to say he was disturbing the peace. Instead, I think it's, well, as if they came to find out from him how to get the peace. Peace in their hearts. They listened, maybe they wanted what he seems to have- a peace, in spite of what happened to his church gang, and to Jane. It's public knowledge what went on at the miners' headquarters. Few people really believe that home-made bomb exploding nonsense... Al was not happy over such a loss, of course, but he was... at peace. Sheila, he even said he forgave me."

She listened, then shrugged. "Well, I guess then I am happy for him, if he is at peace at least. And, I suspect, things'll be settling back down to normal, and we can relax, now that the illegal church people are no longer a problem- Not that my Uncle will appreciate it and relax, though. He's so pre-occupied lately, especially since the Incident."

Osmo Martin agreed. "I've noticed. But, you know Gov. Bright- even though his job is taking everything out of his constitution, he will continue to give. He does what is necessary, if it will benefit the World of Hope. When it comes to this planet, I suspect he doesn't know how to take it easy or to consider his own self and welfare."

"Yup, that's Uncle Xavier. Another thing, too, why he doesn’t relax, is maybe he knows of some hidden trouble brewing, and is keeping an eye on it."

"Maybe."

Just then, the Security Leader joined them in the Garden. "Chop chop, Punk. Look lively. In about an hour the new rotation of the guards for the ore mines will be leaving, and you, Mr. Martin, shall be amongst their ranks."

"What?!" Agent Osmo Martin put aside his glass and sat up. "But- you didn't say anything to about that earlier- You are giving me very little notice to get ready, you know.”

Sec. Ldr. Clyden smiled. "Yup. That's life in the Security Agency. Besides, after your recent blunder, don't complain if so-called short notice to go to the mines is all that happens to you. Anyway, it's quite a dull duty, usually, so it will give you plenty of time to think about how you can better do your job next time we apprehend a criminal."

Clearly, this news upset Sheila Bright. "Security Leader Clyden, must you move Omso to the mines? You know the dust from the fuel ore is radioactive! I don't want him catching something!"

Sec. Ldr. Clyden frowned. "Oh, so you think it's okay for other guards to go and risk something happening to them, but not Agent Martin? Do you think that's fair for the other Security Agents? Should he get special treatment and not have to serve his duty-time at the mines like everybody else?"

Sheila Bright remained silent.

Osmo Martin kissed her cheek. "Don't worry. An assignment of guard duty at the mines is typically only a week, not long enough for the dust to become toxic. I'll be back before you notice I am gone, and we can pick up right where we left off, sitting out here drinking lemonade. Gotta go now and quickly pack my things.”

Sec. Ldr. Clyden nodded. "And hurry- I don't want to keep the others waiting because of you. You know where to find us.”

The Security Leader and Agent Martin both left the Garden at the same time. Sheila stayed there, considering the matter, then she hurried over to the Governor's House and bounded inside, rushing to her Uncle's office. She ignored his secretary and barged into his inner office, where he sat studying some reports.

Xavier Bright looked up, annoyed at the unannounced interruption, until he realized it was Sheila, and then his face became welcoming. "Good morning, Sheila. Is there something I can help you with, or did you simply drop by in the middle of my morning routine for a social visit?"

"I know I am interrupting, Uncle Xavier. Sorry, but I want to complain about Security Leader Clyden sending Osmo to the mines for guard duty in less than an hour, and if I waited until you were free, it would be too late to tell you about it."

He put the papers aside on the desk, puzzled. "Okay, so what's the problem?”

His young niece blurted out, "That mine dust is dangerous, it is radioactive. And Security Leader Clyden practically admitted he is doing it out of spite, because of how Osmo messed up the arrest the other night."

"Really? How strange, considering how many times the Security Leader hinself erred in capturing the trouble-makers previously. However, don't worry about the dust. Honest, the Guards are rotated and brought back to Sparkle City before it can become a health issue.”

“But you'll stop him from sending Osmo, won't you, Uncle? Why should he be allowed to bully Osmo like this?"

Xavier Bright shook his head. "Sheila, guard rotation duty at the mines is part of his job. Whether he is sent as a discipline because of a lapse in his performance of his tasks, or simply because it is his turn, it doesn't matter. Somebody has to serve duty at the mines. This week, it is Osmo. I cannot undermine Security

Leader Clyden's decisions in something like this. His people will lose respect for him." After a moment's pause, he then asked,” “Or, is there another reason you protest, something that you aren't saying?"

Her cheeks reddened. "Like what, Uncle?"

"I know these days you have not had much time to see Osmo, between his Security Agency training and the attempts to round up the house church trouble-makers. Perhaps you wanted to be able to have some moments to enjoy Osmo's company, like when he first arrived?"

"Uncle, if you refuse to help me, then I'd better get back out there to say good-bye before he leaves." She hasted back out the door without directly answering the question. As she left, she heard a slight chuckle behind her. Huh! Well, at least Uncle Xavier found something to chuckle about- her Uncle laughed so little lately.

Sheila dashed across the lawn toward the Security Agency buildings. There, she spotted the land transport that would take the Agents to the mines. A bunch of Security Agents stood about it, waiting to go. Osmo Martin stood there also. He, like the others, carried a small knapsack and also a headset.

Sec. Ldr. Clyden stood apart from them, holding a clipboard and going over some lists, and Agent Samm finished handing out the last of the headsets which they would need at the mines, to blot out the incessant digging music.

Osmo Martin decided to try on his headset. "Hey, this is too tight! I can't wear this one!"

Sec. Ldr. Clyden looked up from the lists. "Is it? Oh, too bad. We don't have anymore available, so just wear it and bear it." With that, he laughed at his joke, but Osmo just winced, not sure if he even understood the Security Leader’s the jest.

Then Osmo saw Sheila. He smiled and left his place by the transport and went to meet her as she headed towards them. She walked with him back to the troop vehicle.

While the two said their fare-thee-wells, Sec. Ldr. Clyden called Agent Samm over to the side. He said a few words to Samm and gave him the clipboard. Clyden announced to the rest of the Agents, "I won't be going with you guys today, to oversee the rotation transition, but I think Mr. Samm can handle it. He's a good Agent, so don't give him any lip, or when you get back here, I will give you a fat lip."

Most of the others chuckled. Some groaned, wondering what was up with all the bad jokes today? The Security Leader seemed in an especially good mood.

Sec. Ldr. Clyden continued, "I wish I could go with, but I must get some accounts from the border patrol robots. I hear there is supposed to be a loose Eater hanging around the edge of town, and I think it is best to verify if that is true or not, so we can take appropriate actions.”

Osmo and Sheila hugged briefly, and then he rejoined the rest of the troops, who began to board the transport. He waved a final time before he entered.

Sheila Bright sighed and turned around. She headed back to the mansion, expecting the week ahead to be full of monotony, which would be a good excuse to go on another shopping spree with Mita Morgan...

Sec. Ldr. Clyden remained in place, standing and watching the transport start its journey to the wilderness and the mining mountain. He stayed in his spot and watched it until it became a speck in the distance. “Good. There go the majority of the most loyal and/or naive supporters of the Governor.

He walked over to an aircar on the Agency Vehicles Lot. He had lied to them. He didn't intend to question the robots. There had been no reports of an Eater sighted nearby. As he got in the skycar, he called Dr. Kitchen on the secure cell to confirm their meeting at the usual spot. "I look forward to seeing how well you've done your work. Perhaps, after I carry out my plan and I am in my new and proper position, you will find yourself a nice promotion.”

(c) 2012 drk