Free War for Orion: Ghosts from the Past by Conner Walworth Page A

planned to
meet with the Prime Minister of Ares, look over some proposed laws
from politicians on other planets, and relax in the spa before
going to a formal dinner. All of those were now cancelled because
the Deimos Brotherhood was poised to make a move on her life. Adira
still couldn't convince herself that Armino was the one that
slipped up about the existence of her daughter after entrusting him
with all of her secrets. If he told someone about the most
important secret, what about all of the others she had revealed
him? And if he had told someone, why was everyone just now
saying something after he was dead?
    There were too many questions that she
couldn't answer and it made her want to pull her hair out. Adira
let out a deep breath and tried to clear her mind of everything so
she could start deciding what her next moves were going to be; the
first of those regarding her daughter. She truly wanted to bring
her here, but didn't know if it was the right decision if she was
able to find her.
    She still had yet another to decision make
that no one else brought up during the meeting - what about Anlon?
She was very close with Armino and Marguerite, but hadn't got to
know any of his kids personally. She couldn't bring him here just
to drill him with more endless questions like he had surely already
endured countless times at the District prison. But then again,
there were doubts about his honesty in the police reports.
    Bringing him here was much more than about
questioning though, she felt like she had to keep her promise to
Armino and bring Anlon here to protect him. Armino hadn't died on a
mission, but it appeared he died because of one, leaving her to
feel responsible for the events that had unfolded.
    "Abdul, you can come to my office," She
called on her comlink. "I've thought long enough. Anymore thinking
and I'll begin doubting myself."
    She hung up waited at her desk for Abdul to
come in. They had become close since she had become Queen and she
trusted him more than any other of the Council members. Maybe it
was because he was older and wiser, or that he showed true
compassion for the well being of Orion. Whatever it was, she felt a
strong bond with him and would rather reveal what she was doing
with him before letting the rest of the Council know.
    "What is your decision?" Abdul walked into
the office.
Adira folded her hands. "We're bringing my daughter here. I'm just
not sure exactly how to find her yet."
    "Excellent!" he beamed. "And I may be able to
help you find her."
    "What do you mean you may be able to help?
You know where she is?"
Abdul shook his head. "No I don't, but Armino told me he left a
clue for you if he were to ever die."
    "Of course he left a clue. He was a very
intelligent man. That is why he was never killed on a mission. His
decision making is why I chose him above all others to protect
me."
    "It has to be an obvious clue that only you
would think of," Abdul thought aloud.
"So he didn't tell you what this clue would be or where I could
find it?" she sighed.
    "No. He just said there would be clues you'd
see all the time. Letters perhaps?"
Adira realized that he was right. Armino always left her letters
and now that she thought of it, each one contained the exact same
thing. "Yes he did leave me letters, though I burned them every
time he came back safe, so I don't have any left to look over."
    Abdul let out a breath. "I'm sure he left
other clues for you as extra precautions. It may take a little
longer, but I'm positive that we'll find her."
    The Queen nodded. "I know we will too. There
is one more decision I made on my own that the Council neglected to
bring up."
"Another decision?"
"Yes. Armino's son, Anlon, survived and I want to talk to
him."
"The authorities there got nothing useful out of him," He opened
the palm of his hands. "What are you going to get out of him that
they didn't?"
    "I'm the Queen, Abdul. Do you really think
that he'd lie to me?"
    "I don't know. Maybe," he shrugged. "Lying