Free Strike 3: The Returning Sunrise by Charlie Wood Page B

questions—any questions at all—I would be more than happy to answer each and every one of them after this meeting.”
    Still sweating, Daniel nodded to Rigel, and then sat down.
    “Thank you, Daniel,” Rigel said. “Governor Melfi is going to be an integral part of this leadership team—this transition team—and to have him available to deliver our message to his colleagues in Washington is going to result in us having to eliminate only who we need to, as Vincent always envisioned. Now, with your questions answered, we will continue on with what the Daybreaker has allowed us to tell you at this time.”
    ***
     
    After the meeting, Nova walked with Rigel down the hall, away from the conference room.
    “They are growing impatient, Rigel.”
    “I know. But he is not ready.”
    “I don’t know how much longer we are going to be able to tell the council that. We promised them they would be able—”
    Rigel stopped and turned to Nova.
    “I don’t care what they were promised. He is not ready. He has told me—he has told the both of us—that he is not ready to meet them yet. They will meet him when he is ready.”
    Nova stepped toward Rigel, speaking in an angry whisper. “You know why he isn’t ready to meet them yet. Why are you talking to me like I’m one of them, like I’m one of the ones who doesn’t know? He’s not ready to meet them yet because he is still so confused. So uncontrollable, so volatile. And rumors within the council are starting to spread.”
    “What kind of rumors?”
    “Rumors that he’s not under our control—that he’s making decisions rashly, and that we are following him blindly. Or that he’s not making decisions at all, and we are the ones doing all the ruling. And you know why those rumors are spreading—because they are true. If the council knew what was happening, if they knew what you were truly doing with the Daybreaker, who knows what would happen. I told you we rushed him into the process too early, and now we—”
    “Um, excuse me?”
    Rigel and Nova turned to see Governor Melfi standing in front of them.
    “Hi, Rigel, hi, Nova,” he said, the fear evident in his voice. “Hello. I just thought I would ask you a few questions. If you have time.”
    Rigel stared at him. “Go.”
    “I was just thinking—I want to say again how honored I am that you’ve let me be a part of this, and I’m so excited for what’s next. But…I couldn’t help but notice some impatience in there.”
    “They are just eager to meet the Daybreaker.”
    “Yes, I know, but I would hope their eagerness does not distract them from their commitment. From their commitment to helping build the new world. We’ve got a great team assembled here, and I really think some of their impatience and some of their suspicions could be alleviated if they were able to meet the Daybreaker.”
    “He is not ready yet.”
    “I know he’s not ready for them. But perhaps he is ready to meet me.”
    Rigel turned to Nova, then looked back to Daniel.
    “He knows me already,” Daniel said. “Or at least he probably does, from seeing me on television as the governor. And I’m from his world. I’m from literally only miles away from him. I think I would be a comforting face.”
    Rigel stared at the governor. “He does not need comfort.”
    “He might. Everyone needs comfort, even someone like him. It might be beneficial for him to see someone from his world. Someone from his own area of the country. And I could even convince him to meet the others.”
    Rigel looked to Nova.
    “It’s not time,” Nova said. “It’s not wise.”
    “I just want to do what’s best for the council,” Daniel said. “And what’s best for the plan. It might be good for him.”
    Rigel thought it over. “You may see him,” he said.
    “What?” Nova asked. “Are you serious? You’re not going to let the council meet him, but you’re going to let him meet him?”
    Rigel ignored Nova. “You may meet with him,