Cloud Invasion: R-D 2 (R-D #2)(85)
"We were working up to that," he admitted.
"I'll uh, just go," James mumbled and walked out of the room, his footsteps muffled by carpet that hadn't been changed in decades.
"I hate the carpet in the hallway," I said.
"We can worry about the carpet later," Ilya said. "You'll be watching a live feed, Corinne. You can rush in if you're needed-you know you can-at the first sign that something is wrong."
"Sure-just magically appear in front of some of the most powerful world leaders? You may as well hang out a neon sign telling all of them that aliens are on the loose."
"Cori, I think you may be fretting over nothing. Maye, Rafe, Opal and I will be there, in case things get out of hand," Nick said as he strode into the room and settled on a nearby chair.
"I disagree." My forehead now bumped against the tops of my knees and I refused to look at him. "Conspiracy theories are everywhere, still, even after all the creatures died. People on those websites and some in the mainstream media still believe they're in danger. They're not wrong, either, they just don't know what they should really be afraid of. If I were still human, I'd be terrified, too."
"I know you worry." Ilya braved my anger and reached out to massage the back of my neck.
"I'm concerned that insurgents will fire nuclear weapons at specific countries while their leaders are tied up in a meeting," Auggie said, taking the chair next to Nick's. "That's why we need you outside the meeting and able to do what you do without anyone noticing."
"Nice try, Auggie," I lifted my head to blink at him. "Now, I'm only going to ask this question once-are you absolutely sure you don't want me in that meeting?"
"Corinne, I am absolutely sure," he said.
"Fine. You live with the consequences, then," I said. Dropping my feet to the floor, I stood and walked away. The ugly carpet changed to wood flooring beneath my feet as I left Ilya, Nick and Auggie behind.
*
Ilya
Corinne refused to discuss the matter further. It acted as a barrier between us, too, whenever I convinced her to make love. A sadness had come over her, too-one I couldn't banish, no matter how hard I tried.
Every day, Colonel Hunter and Director Michaels had a meeting. I was invited often, to discuss seating at the large table, and how difficult it might be to get to President Zoran from three seats away.
Too, Zoran wanted two guards with him; they'd stand against the wall behind him during the meeting. Nick would be placed five seats to my right, on Madam President's left side, while Maye would sit to her right. Colonel Hunter and Director Michaels would sit on the opposite side of the table, with Opal placed between them.
Colonel Hunter did make a concession, though-he asked Richard Farrell to stay with Corinne inside a smaller room nearby, where the live feed could be seen on several monitors. Hidden cameras would be placed strategically inside the meeting room, so that every attendee would have their image relayed to at least one of the monitors.
I understood why Colonel Hunter wanted Richard with Corinne-he wanted to know if nuclear warheads were launched and Corinne disappeared as a result. Richard was tasked with sending a text if that happened.
I didn't fail to notice that Corinne became quieter after every meeting I attended with Colonel Hunter and Director Michaels. Often, Nick, Maye and Opal were there, too, as they'd be directly involved if pandemonium occurred during the meeting.
Colonel Hunter held off telling Corinne to stand back and let us take care of things unless they went too far-that would come the day of the meeting, which was now two days away.
No additional word had come on the location of the warheads, and the insurgents had settled for beheading two hapless relief workers they'd kidnapped from a small border town; they'd gone to help treat an infection that had run rampant.
Corinne, to distract herself, I'm sure, set about transforming the ugly building. Yes, it still looked the same on the outside. On the inside, it was anyone's dream, from an atrium filled with plants and a fountain to luxurious suites decorated with comfortable furniture and the latest entertainment technology.
Nick attempted to hug her when he found the latest gaming system and a horrendously large television screen installed in his suite.
She'd brushed him off, choosing to walk away, instead.
Our suite was an area of tranquility. The kitchen was something I'd dreamed of in the past and fully intended to get for myself someday.
Corinne had given it to me now.
She listened while I talked about anything except what was important while we cooked. The others showed up for meals and often attempted to engage her in conversation. They barely received replies to direct questions.
Corinne was cutting herself off from all of us.
*
Notes-Colonel Hunter
"I've gotten the silent treatment from Laci in the past," I said. "This is worse."
"Yeah." Matt didn't meet my eyes. He felt just as guilty as I did, but wasn't about to back down. For whatever reason, he'd insisted that Corinne be kept from the meeting and the President agreed with him.
Opal, at times, looked as if she'd lost her best friend when Corinne failed to respond or volunteer anything. As badly as Opal was taking this, Rafe was worse. The moment Corinne was out of sight, deadly silence would descend and he'd only respond if spoken to directly.