| Chapter 32 "Brian, let me carry it," Marie pleaded. He shook his head, "I've got it." Marie rolled her eyes, "Stubborn." Brian smiled, "That's determined," he laughed. They headed towards the awaiting transport. Kevin came out and took one of the bags Brian was carrying, "You shouldn't be lifting heavy stuff until your ribs heal." "That's exactly what I told him," Marie said. Kevin laughed, "Bri has always suffered from the small dog complex." "Kev, shut up," Brian said, handing his bag to one of the attendants and walking into the transport. "What's a small dog complex?" Marie asked. Kevin handed the bag he carried to an attendant, "It's like all small dogs have to act like they weigh a hundred pounds. They have to be bigger than they really are. Bri's kinda like that, only he has to do things people tell him he can't." Marie laughed, "That's him alright." The two walked up the ramp into the transport. "Don't believe him," Brian said. Marie laughed, sitting down next to him, "Even when it's true?" Brian rolled his eyes and sighed. "Man, this is cool," A.J. said, playing with the controls for the windows. "Yeah, the transport we were in didn't have all this stuff," Howie said. Nick stepped into the cabin, "That's because you were on an older model." "So where are we going first?" Brian asked. "Dacadia," Ana answered with a smile. "Where?" Kevin asked. "That's the cities under the ocean, right?" Brian asked. Nick smiled, "That's right. How'd you know that?" "Cause that's where Marie and Ana are from," Brian explained. "Well not Dacadia in particular, but yeah," Ana said, sitting down. Anthony ran into the cabin, out of breath, "I'm sorry I'm late." Nick laughed, "It's OK. We aren't on any time schedule." A.J. burst out laughing. "What?" Nick asked. "I dunno, just we're never on a time schedule," he said. "Unless you wanna count Backstreet time," Brian giggled. Anthony sat down across from Nick, "Backstreet time?" "Well, we were always late to everything we did, so the media or was it the fans? I dunno, anyway they came up with the phrase Backstreet time for us," Nick explained. "Oh, cool," Anthony said. Ana glanced at Nick, "Cool? You're having a bad influence on the younger generation." Everyone laughed. The pilot came over the intercom asking everyone to buckle up for take off. Marie and Brian were talking quietly, almost in their own world. A.J. looked at Howie, "Ya know there's something I can't figure out." "What's that J?" Howie asked, making sure his seatbelt was tight. "Why does she speak English to Bri, but to the rest of us, she speaks Angel," he said. Howie laughed, "I never noticed that. Maybe because she likes Bri, and she's probably still mad at you for hurting him?" A.J. shrugged. Rowland overheard their conversation and leaned back, "That's not the reason." "Oh what is?" Howie asked. Rowland glanced at Marie, then back at the two, "She speaks our native language to you because that is the formal thing to do. She doesn't know you as well as she knows Brian, so she doesn't attempt your language with you." "But she speaks it really well," Howie noted. "She does, but she wasn't formally trained in it, so she is uncomfortable with it," Rowland said. "So she speaks English to Bri because she's comfortable with him?" Kevin asked, leaning over the seat. Rowland nodded, "And if she messes up, it's not as embarrassing." "Aww, that's cute," A.J. said. Howie rolled his eyes as the craft took off. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LaDonna sat in the study, looking over some documents. She had seen her son off with his friends, then had come to try and get some work done. She felt him before she heard him. She kept reading the paper she had in her hand until he addressed her. "My queen?" he said, softly. She looked up, "Good day my lord. What can I do for you?" "I wanted to see how you were doing," he said, taking a seat opposite her. LaDonna stared at him for a moment, "That's the best you can come up with? You have been in this palace everyday since my husband died, and not once have you asked me how I was doing. I don't believe for a second that's why you're here." He looked down at his hands, "I'm sorry. But you know the bad blood between Frederick and I. After the funeral I wanted to give you some time." LaDonna laughed, "So you do everything in your power to hinder my son? I don't understand you, what is it you're after?" He peered into her eyes, "The only thing I've ever wanted." She sighed, "Please don't start this again. Not after all this time." "I don't have a choice. The beliefs I had then, I still have. I cannot, in good conscience, do nothing about them," he said. LaDonna stood to leave, "So you still haven't changed? And what will you do now? Hurt my son to get what you want?" "That is not my intent," he said. She raised her eyebrow, "It may not be your intent, but something tells me it wouldn't bother you if you did." "LaDonna, please," he said, grabbing her hand. She jerked it away, "No. You are not doing this again. Frederick did the right thing, all those years ago. And deep down you know it. Just let it be." He shook his head, "You know I cannot." LaDonna stared at him with cold eyes, "I'm warning you. If something happens to Nickolas or his friends, you'll be the first person I come looking for. If you are smart, you won't open up these old wounds. It's taken them to long to heal already." She turned to leave, but he stepped in front of her, "Everything I've done, was for you. Why can't you see that? I loved you ....... I still do," he whispered. LaDonna closed her eyes as a tear trailed down her cheek. She opened her eyes and stepped around him, heading for the door, "Please just let it go Mason," she said before she walked out. He sighed, watching her go, "I wish I could." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Ana, this is beautiful," Nick said, staring out the window. She smiled, "It is. I love coming back here." "I see why," he said, looking back out the window. The transport had entered the ocean a few hours ago, and now was cruising along a great coral reef. The colors were breath taking as the suns rays bounced off the coral. It almost gave them a neon glow. Several types of fish were swimming around. Some even following the transport as it slowly passed by. Nick glanced over, seeing Anthony and Marie telling the guys all about the reef, pointing out landmarks. The looks on the guys faces was priceless. Each in awe at what they were seeing, knowing that in all their lives they may never see anything like this again. He leaned back in his seat and looked over at Ana, "To bad the palace isn't here." She grinned, "It is." He looked confused, "What do you mean?" "There is a palace in each of the provinces capital cities. Long ago the kings wanted to be at home no matter what province they were in. So they built a replica of the palace here and in Gold Creek," she explained. "Cool," Nick said, "I want you to show me your house too." Ana laughed, "I don't live here anymore." "I know that, I wanna see the house you grew up in," he said. "The main one is in Fremont, that's a few hours from here," she said. "If the ride is like this, I don't mind," he told her, peering out the window again. Just then the engine roared and the transport veered to the left. Everyone grabbed onto something to keep from being flung around the cabin. "What the hell is going on?" Nick asked, as the craft leveled out. "I dunno, we didn't go around anything," Rowland said, moving from one window to the next, looking for the cause. Everyone looked up as the door to the cockpit opened and the pilot staggered out. Kevin and Anthony caught him as he collapsed in the isle. "Oh shit," A.J. said, glancing into the cockpit. Marie ran to help the pilot who was having a hard time breathing. "What?" Brian asked, looking up, "Oh shit!" The transport was heading straight for a wall of coral. Brian quickly ran to the front, strapping himself in the pilots seat. "Nick! Get up here, I can't read this!" he yelled. Nick ran in and sat down in the co-pilots seat, "What are you looking for?" "Auto-pilot, there has to be an off switch," Brian said. Nick skimmed over the control panel. Brian stared at the wall of coral coming at them, "Hurry Nick." "There!" he said, pointing to a switch. Brian flipped it and grabbed the stick, "Hang on back there!" Everyone grabbed onto something as Brian hit the brakes and steered the craft to the right. Nick watching him in amazement. Brian expertly steered them around the wall and glanced at the monitor. "Is this Dacadia?" he asked, pointing to a dot on the screen. Nick looked down, "Um yeah." Brian got the craft on the right course, and hit the auto-pilot again. "Bri, how did you learn to...?" Nick asked. Brian wiped his hands on his pants, "What do you think I did on that ship for a whole month? I learned to fly everything they had. It's almost the same cockpit, only this one has some extra stuff, and I can't read the instrument panel." "But you're afraid of heights? How the hell did you learn to fly?" Nick laughed. Brian shrugged, "I dunno, I just did." Marie came up to the front, "We need to get there fast. I think the pilot is having a heart attack." "OK, tell everyone to buckle up," Brian said, flipping the switch and taking the stick again. Marie nodded, heading to the back. Brian let go of the stick for a moment and wiped his hand on his jeans again, "Nick get on the horn and call ahead. Tell them we're coming in fast and we need a doc when we get there." Nick grabbed a set of head phones and put them on, calling in. Brian hit the intercom, "Everyone buckled up?" "Yeah Bri, step on it," Kevin said, "He's not doing to good." "OK, hang on," Brian said, hitting the power. Nick grabbed onto the armrest of his chair as he was forced back by the sudden increase in speed. "They said to stay on this course," Nick told him. Brian nodded, weaving in and out of the reef. "Nick, hand me the head phones," Brian said. Nick reached up and grabbed the other set, helping Brian put them on. "Can they understand me?" he asked. "Yes sir, I can understand you," a voice said through the head phones. "Good, listen ... I need a more direct course," Brian said. "Sir, the one you are on is the only safe route," the voice said. Brian took a deep breath, "It's not fast enough. I ... I need a faster route." "Brian, what's wrong?" Nick asked, seeing the panic in Brian's face. Brian glanced at him, "There's something on the stick. Like a greasy gel. If we don't ... get there soon, I'm afraid I ... won't be able to land the transport." "Oh God," Nick mumbled, "Tell us the fastest route!" he yelled. "Yes sir, um, vector two point four and then it's a straight shot. But be careful, that takes you over the abyss and there are some nasty things in there," the man said. Brian changed course and threw all available power to the engines. Nick watched through the window as the light left them and the sea turned dark. Brian was strictly running on instruments as they were plunged into complete darkness. "Nick ... see if you can find the lights," Brian said. Nick leaned forward, squinting against the dim glow of the instrument panel. He found the switch and hit it. "Whoa," he said, as everything in front of them was suddenly lit up. Brian let go of the stick for a moment, again wiping his hand. "How long before we get there?" Nick asked. Brian glanced down at the screen, "Ten minutes?" "Are you gonna be alright?" he asked, seeing how pale Brian's face had become. "I'm ... uh .. It feels weird when I breathe," he answered. Nick bit his lip, worried for his friend, "Tell me what to do in case you can't land." Brian shook his head, "I'll land it." "Bri, it can't be that hard. Tell me," Nick said. Brian glanced at him, "No. I don't want you touching this. I'll ...do it." A few minutes passed as they sped towards the city. Nick watched ahead, as Brian kept his eyes on the screen. "What the hell is that?" Nick asked. Brian looked up, seeing something massive in front of them. "I dunno ...it's not on the screen," he said. They both peered through the murky water, trying to see. "What is that?" Nick said, pointing. Brian's eyes grew wide, "Teeth." Nick looked again, "Holy hell!" Brian forced the stick down as hard as he could, plunging the craft underneath the creature. Nick looked up, seeing the belly of whatever kind of monster it was. Brian jerked the craft to the right, barely missing a huge fin. Nick brought his attention back to what was in front of them, and then wished he hadn't. "Bri...." he said, nervously. "I see it," Brian said, flipping the craft upside down to avoid the massive tail. "Is it following ...us?" he asked. Nick looked as best he could through the side windows, "I don't think so. I can't see anything." Brian nodded, putting all his energy into flying the craft. He couldn't think about how his lungs felt like they were closing up, if he did he'd panic. He steered the ship over what looked like a mountain under the sea. When they topped it, the city lay before them. It was huge. It seemed like millions of lights were shining out into the sea. Everything snug and secure under the massive bubble like shield. Brian cut the power to the engines, "Where ...do we ...go?" The voice came over the head set and Brian followed his instructions to a hanger just inside the city. They passed through the shield, leaving the water behind. Brian set the ship down, and shut off the engines. Nick quickly got up and unstrapped him, helping him up. "Don't touch ... my hands," Brian warned. Nick helped Brian into the cabin. Kevin and Rowland had already picked up the pilot and were on their way out. Marie glanced back, seeing Nick holding Brian up. "What happened?!" she asked, running to them. "There's some kind of poison or something on the controls," Nick said, bending down and picking Brian up so he could walk faster. Marie followed behind them as Nick moved down the isle. "Brian, can you hear me?" she asked. He turned his head and weakly smiled at her. "Hang on," she told him. He nodded, those being the last words he heard as he passed out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LaDonna paced across the room. She had just been told of the incident and was awaiting word on Brian and the pilots condition. "Your highness," the hologram of Ana said. LaDonna walked back over, "Yes Ana, how are they?" "Brian is recovering. The poison affected him quicker than the pilot, but the doctor was able to flush it from his system," she replied. "And the pilot?" LaDonna asked. Ana sighed, "He didn't make it." LaDonna sat down, saddened by the news, "I want a full investigation." Ana nodded, "Rowland is already on top of it. We'll find out who's behind this." "Is everyone else alright?" the queen asked. "Yes. We're a bit shaken up, but OK," she answered. "Nickolas is with Brian?" she asked. "Yes ma am. He and Marie haven't left his side since we arrived," Ana said. "Alright, I'll talk with him later. Let me know if anything changes," LaDonna said. "I will," Ana said, then the hologram disappeared. LaDonna walked out onto the balcony, staring at the mountains. She couldn't go through this, not again. She knew who was behind it, but how was she going to prove it? No one could ever find out what had happened so long ago. If they did ... everything would be ruined. She sighed, going back into her room. She sat down on the bed she once shared with her husband and looked around. "What am I gonna do Frederick? I need your help here," she whispered. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian slowly opened his eyes, blinking them several times. His eyes finally focused, revealing a white sterile room. He looked over, seeing an IV in his arm, and his hands wrapped in bandages. Then he noticed the oxygen mask on his face. He lifted his head a little, seeing more of the room. Nick and Kevin were sitting in one of the corners. They both seemed to be dozing off. Brian looked over seeing Marie sitting next to him. She too was asleep. He rested his head back on the pillow, just as Ana came into the room. She noticed him, and walked over, "How long you been awake?" "Just ..now," he replied through the mask, "What happened?" "You and the pilot were poisoned," she replied. "How is he?" Brian asked. Ana shook her head, "He didn't make it. The poison was in his system to long." Brian sighed, feeling awful for the man's family. "Why ... would someone do that?" he asked. Ana shrugged her shoulders, "An attempt to kill the king? I'm not sure." Marie stirred in her sleep. "How long have I been here?" he asked. "Bout six hours," Ana replied, "She's been here the whole time." Brian smiled, looking at Marie as she opened her eyes. He waved at her, "Hi." Ana moved as Marie got up and sat next to Brian, bending down and hugging him. "I was so worried," she said, "Don't scare me like again." He smiled, "I'll try not to." Marie raised up and brushed a few of his curls from his forehead. "Don't cry," Brian said, seeing the tears in her eyes. She smiled, "They are happy tears." Brian took her hand with his and pulled her close, "I love you." Marie leaned down and gently kissed his cheek, "I love you too." Ana glanced over, seeing Nick staring at her. He had woken up and heard Brian and Marie talking. Someday, he would be able to say those words to Ana, and not have to worry about who heard him. Ana smiled at him, knowing that's exactly what he was thinking. He stood up and walked over, standing next to her. "Hey Bri, how ya feeling?" he asked. "Better," Brian answered. "Good. Ya know, it wasn't my plan for you to see every hospital on the planet," Nick teased. Brian laughed, "Sorry." Nick shook his head, "Naw man, you saved our ass's out there. If you hadn't been here .... well I don't wanna say what would've happened if you hadn't been here." Brian smiled, "Just taking care of my little brother." Nick blushed, grateful beyond words. Brian yawned, moving closer to where Marie was sitting, "I'm tired." Marie ran her hand through his hair, "You should rest then." He nodded, pulling her down next to him, "Stay with me?" She laughed, "Of course." They got comfortable. Brian resting his head in the crook of her neck, his arm around her waist. Nick and Ana watched as the two drifted to sleep. Chapter 33 |