“A civil war,” Ben finishes grimly. “Which is the last thing we want. Because then we’d be fighting our own people at the same time as the sun dwellers.” Ben’s voice is strong and determined. Evidently he’s been able to temporarily store his personal thoughts, too.
“But I just don’t see how we can get the support we need,” I say. “You heard the others. I don’t think any of the other VPs are anywhere close to supporting the rebellion.”
“What do you think, Vice President?” Ben says across the table.
Morgan’s been silent through the entire exchange, her hands clasped in front of her, looking calmer than a moon dweller subchapter after midnight. Unfolding her hands, she thumps the bottom of her palm on the table softly. “We have to get the star dweller leaders up here. Show the rest of the VPs that they’re friends, not foes. Share information. Having them gawk at the proceedings like a bunch of ghosts at the bottom of a screen is not helping.”
“The generals didn’t seem like they would budge on the three-day deadline,” Maia points out. “And they didn’t seem interested in meeting with us until we’ve reached an agreement.”
“What about your wife?” I say, immediately wondering if I should have brought it up. My eyes flick to Ben and I relax when I see the smile behind them. “I mean, can’t she do anything to help get the generals up here?”
“So you knew the whole time who she was?”
“I just guessed it, but I was fairly certain,” I say. “That’s why I was so shell-shocked at the beginning.”
Ben nods slowly. “She surprised us all. I had hoped she was alive and well, of course, but I never thought she would be part of the star dweller leadership already. But, knowing her, I suppose I should’ve guessed it.”
“Tristan has a point,” Morgan says. “Can she help us gain favor with the Star Realm?”
“I’m sure she is already doing everything she can. But, of course I will contact her. I’ve been itching to speak to her ever since I saw her on that screen.” I can’t help but smile when I see the look on Ben’s face, the longing, the desire to be reunited with his wife, and to find out about Adele.
Before anyone can respond, the door flies open and Ram is here. I’d almost forgotten he wasn’t in his usual spot in the corner. “Sir, there’s something you need to see,” he says to Ben, motioning to the screen, which is already descending from the ceiling.
We all turn to the video just as the screen changes from black to a live feed from the presidential steps in the Sun Realm, my father’s usual press conference location. He’s already addressing a crowd gathered before him. “…come to my attention that the Moon and Star Realms have been unable to reconcile their differences, despite the assistance that my son and I have offered. Clearly, the star dwellers have been the instigators, although it is my understanding that they have been able to garner some support within the Moon Realm. We all now face a very dangerous situation, one that could affect the lives of the citizens of the Tri-Realms for many years to come.” He pauses and scans the crowd.
“It is my belief that the violence and acts of rebellion are being carried out by a small number of individuals, and that the vast majority of our people continue to support the government and their leaders. Therefore, after much discussion and the weighing of many potential peaceful solutions, I have had to make a difficult decision, but one that I know is the right one. The sun dweller army will step in to neutralize the rogues and arrest or destroy their leaders, so that our citizens can go back to the safe and peaceful lives they’ve grown accustomed to.” The crowd is hanging on my father’s every word, hushed and leaning in, as if he’s some sort of a priest.
“We will protect the Moon Realm from those who seek to destroy it!” The crowd cheers as my father pumps a fist in the air. “Even now, we have stationed several platoons of sun dweller soldiers at key locations in the Moon Realm, and they await my orders to move in on the traitors.”
A flurry of questions erupts from the reporters, but my father waves his arms to silence them. “I only have one more thing to say and then I must return to my duties.” He pauses again, and this time looks right at the camera, his eyes darker than I’ve ever seen them. I cringe as I feel his eyes on my own. A horrible, sinking feeling enters my heart. I’ve seen that look on his face before, usually preceding a threat or punishment.
“For those of you who are traitors out there, whether you be star dwellers, moon dwellers, or sun dwellers…be prepared to face the consequences of your actions, which will be brought down like a hammer on you and those you care about. That’s all for now.” Even before the crowd explodes, he’s off the steps and back inside the building. A shiver ripples through me. He was talking to me—I know it. …consequences of your actions…brought down like a hammer…those you care about…
Any anger I have for my father is lost in a cloud of fear at that moment. I don’t care what my father does to me, but those I care about? If he touches Roc, or Adele, or Ben, or Elsey—I don’t know if that’s something I could bounce back from. My heart is hammering and I don’t realize the telebox has been turned off until Ben says, “Tristan, why don’t you and I try to contact my wife.”
* * *
I feel like I’m on an emotional rollercoaster. The fiery pits of anger gave way to love and compassion for Roc, and then my father’s speech sent me into a swirling vortex of fear for my friends and my maybe possibly hopefully more-than-a-friend (someday?). And now I’m giddy with excitement. Because I’m about to see Adele again. She’s alive; as I always hoped, prayed, knew. It was confirmed via electronic message by Adele’s mother.
Roc seems just as excited as I am. Finally, I’ve found something to bring him out of his funk and it takes all my self-control not to give him a hard time about it. Because his excitement is about a girl, too. We’re acting like a couple of school boys. It took some convincing to get Ben to agree to Roc being part of the meeting, but once he did he was able to persuade his wife to invite Tawni. And of course Elsey is here, too, and her level of excitement dwarfs both of ours combined, and that’s saying something.
“Oh, Father, won’t it be simply delightful to see Mother again,” she says, beaming from ear to ear.
I expect Roc to mimic her, but apparently he’s so stoked that he can’t even bring himself to joke with his new best friend.
“I couldn’t have put it better myself,” Ben says, his arm around his daughter. Although Ben has been a lot of things since I met him—stoic, fatherly, wise, kind, level-headed—this is the first time he’s seemed so light. It’s like he’s just floating around, not a care in the world, his head as light as a balloon, ready to lift him away to a better place, to where his family can be together. The contrast of his lightness against the heavy gray stone walls around us is strange.
“Do you think she’ll remember me?” Roc says, chewing on his nails.
“Duh, of course she’ll remember you, dork,” I retort. We’re all acting like a bunch of loons and I’m determined not to say anything crazy.
“Don’t listen to poor, unromantic Tristan,” Elsey says, putting an arm on Roc’s shoulder as she counsels him. “Yes, she will remember you and all of your charm.”
“Did you hear that, Tristy? I’ve got charm,” Roc says, punching me lightly on the arm. At least he’s joking again.
The screen goes white, and then black, and then white again, and for a moment I’m worried that technology will let us down and we won’t be able to have the video call. But then the picture emerges and my heart flutters when I see her.
Adele looks the same but different. If anything, she’s gotten more beautiful, her hair darker and fuller, her eyes greener and sharper, her face more heroic. She smiles lightly when she sees me—or so I think. I should say something, but my tongue is tied, so I just smile back at her. Now who’s the loon?