Rupra Bruda stiffened as he felt a presence in his mind. He got up and closed the door to his office.
“It’s been a long time, Evohn,” Bruda thought. “Why haven’t you checked in earlier?”
“I’m never alone and some of the Candidates have telepathic powers. I couldn’t risk our chats being detected.”
“Hmm. You were right to be cautious. How is your training coming?”
“It’s over. I’m on my way to the rebel base. I have the coordinates.”
He gave them to Bruda. “Excellent, we have our own base under construction on Lortec. I’ll get them working on an assault plan.”
“Peter and his friends went on a side trip. I don’t know exactly what they are up to, but it’s probably on Muhl. At least that’s the direction they were heading.”
“Do you think they gave you the wrong coordinates? Perhaps they realized you were the enemy.”
“I don’t think so. Peter was suspicious but I think I won him over. He’s so gullible.”
“Yes. His naivete will be his downfall, I’m sure.”
“What’s the status of your fighter?”
“It’s been stripped of weaponry. We barely have enough fuel to make it to the base.”
“Well, don’t blow your cover. How many are with you?”
“Six. There were seven but one was shot down.”
“Good. Spread your men out and gather as much intelligence as you can without getting caught. Can any of the others communicate telepathically?”
“No. I’m the only one.”
“Then try to contact me every few days and report all that you have learned. This will greatly assist us in ending this rebellion quickly before it gains strength and becomes a serious problem.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And if it turns out there is no base in the Beet Islands try to get to Lortec. There is a new base there under construction. I’ll alert them to be on the lookout for you. But if you can’t make it there land on one of the Beet Islands and we’ll send someone down to rescue you.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Bruda disconnected and then went down the hall to the Chancellor’s office. The secretary announced his arrival and nodded that he could go in.
“Mr. Chancellor.”
“Yes. Come in Rupra. What’s on your mind.”
“I’ve just received a report from your son. He’s well.”
“Good. It’s about time he contacted us.”
“Well, yes. He says he couldn’t risk it, you know, with all the candidates in such close proximity.”
“Right. So, what has he learned?”
“The Liberator and his friends have left Pogo Island and are flying to Muhl. Evohn and five of his friends are heading for the rebel base. I have the coordinates.”
“Muhl. What would they want on Muhl?”
“I’m not sure, sir, but there are two possibilities, I think.”
“Yes.”
“One is that they are going to rescue the Loyalists on Muhl. We have exiled quite a few there.”
Videl nodded. “Yes. And the other possibility?”
“That they discovered that Evohn was a spy and they have sent him to his death in the Southern Sea.”
An alarmed look came over Videl’s face. “No! That is not possible. You said Evohn’s powers were nearly as strong as yours.”
“Yes. That’s true. I’m sure Evohn will be fine,” Bruda assured him, fearful that the Chancellor would lose his temper and take his wraith out on him. “They must be on a rescue mission.”
“I hope that is true. Our defenses at Pegaport are impenetrable. Three fighters will be decimated in a loon.”
“They wouldn’t directly attack the base,” Bruda said. “That would be stupid. They must plan to land their planes and sneak onto the base.”
Videl laughed. He got up and went to the map on his wall. “That would be impossible. There is no way three men on foot could penetrate our defenses. The beach is well fortified, the river is wide and the current strong. Even a Seafolken would have difficulty getting across.”
“What about the Drogal Mountains?”
“That would be shear foolishness. The Drogals would eat them for lunch. . . . No. They must be going to Reena Veente. We have no presence there and it is a rugged island. A rebel base could be hidden there.”
“Perhaps. I’ll inform General Bratford.”
“Yes. And let me know the minute your hear from my son again. Hopefully he won’t take so long to contact us this time.”
“Of course.”
Rupra Bruda left the Chancellor’s office and went back to his office. He immediately contacted General Bratford and filled him in on what he had learned. When he was done he pondered what would happen if Evohn Cystrom perished in the Southern Sea, as he feared would be the case. Would the Chancellor blame the loss of his adopted son on him? His stomach twisted at the thought of it.