Cloud Rebel (R-D #3)(49)

"Where are those Secret Service agents now?" I asked. "I'm sure they're either dead or obsessed, wherever they are."

"They're with the new and unimproved Phillips," the Chief of Staff said. "I checked on that earlier."

"So they've likely been programmed to report that all is well in Phillipsland?" Auggie asked.

"Yep. The Director confirmed that this afternoon."

"No," I said, holding up a hand. "Has anyone laid eyes on them? Since the real Phillips and the real Hal Prentice died?"

"No," Kyle breathed.

"Fuck." I rose and pinched the bridge of my nose. "They may look like the original agents, now, but there's a really good chance they're replacements and all on board with the new agenda."

Dearest? Val sent.

Cabbage? Ilya's sending was right behind Val's.

"Wherever and whoever they are, they're obsessed—I can almost guarantee it," I said as Val rose to stand with me. "Phillips—and his clone—are Sirenali. Why wouldn't he obsess his employees?"

"Dear God, we're stuck in the middle of a bad sci-fi movie," President Granville moaned.

"Honey, we've been there for a while," I turned toward him and shook my head. While it may not have been proper to address POTUS as honey, he didn't seem offended. What I did see in him was this—he was terrified now to meet with anyone or go anywhere without me. While I couldn't blame him, it would put a crimp in my plans.

We have Norian scheduled to show up tomorrow, I sent to Val, Auggie and Matt. The President wants to add me to his staff, I added. Like immediately.

It would be better if you provided protective services, rather than clerical, Val offered. I may have a solution too, for additional security.

I blinked at him—he knew something I didn't. I have to get permission, first, he said. I am contacting Father now. Perhaps you should contact Belen—he will have a say in this, too.

Why? I began before it hit me.

Belen was the ultimate supervisor for the Saa Thalarr. Whatever he said went, as far as they were concerned. If the future Belen contacted the future Saa Thalarr, that would make it even better.

After all, some of them were currently making their homes on Earth, in the here and now.

Val wasn't wrong—we probably needed help wrangling Norian and his team, as well as keeping President Granville safe—if we wanted to preserve the timeline as much as we could.

"We will have more security solutions for you shortly," Val announced. "I can arrange to have both you and your Chief of Staff shielded from harm, and provide some talented bodyguards."

"Are these bodyguards to be trusted?" Kyle Lakin asked.

"You will never be guarded by better or more trustworthy," Valegar replied. "Father is arranging it now."

"We're here," someone announced. I blinked as I studied the ones who'd come.

Justin Griffin, Mack Walters, Drake and Drew Tatsuya, Gavin Montegue and Anthony Hancock crowded into the Oval Office.

"What the hell?" Granville recognized Hancock.

"I graduated," Tony grinned. "From Earth."

"I want to add one more," I said.

"I know the one you want," Val nodded. William Winkler—the one from the future—also appeared.

I had a plan, now, as far as the current Winkler was concerned. I just needed some time to put it together and make it come out right. "We can only do guard duty," Tony Hancock explained. "We're not allowed to do more than that. We can only stay as long as we're needed, or if we're ordered to leave by you, Mr. President," Tony nodded to Granville.

"Good enough—for now," Granville agreed.

*

It took some doing—and several hours, to manipulate the Secret Service records and the minds of other agents to accept the new arrivals.

Val showed me how to accomplish all those things. None of those who'd arrived would be susceptible to any obsession. Who are these people? Rafe silently begged for an answer.

"Saa Thalarr," Winkler answered Rafe's unspoken question. "Don't worry, you are in the best hands possible."

"Saa Thalarr?" Rafe asked.

"Ah. I'll let Corinnelar explain that to you—or Val. You must understand that our very existence protects itself—you will be unable to speak of me or any of the others without permission."

"That's not frightening," Rafe mumbled.

"Very true," Tony Hancock smiled.





Chapter 11

Corinne

"Mack, Winkler and Justin took the first shift," I told Auggie. He, Matt, Val, Rafe and I sat in the kitchen at the ugly building in Arlington. It was late and we were still working out the protection plan.

"I'm still trying to figure out how Mr. Winkler is from the future and in Texas at the same time," Auggie yawned.

"Auggie, stop worrying about that. The President is having enough trouble coming to terms with the fact that Tony Hancock isn't dead. He, Gavin and the Falchani Twins will work the day shift tomorrow," I added.

"Maybe we should leave you in your current disguise, then," Matt suggested.

"Perhaps," Val nodded reluctantly. "It will allow her access to most meetings and such."