Chapter 188

After they finished their bison steaks and drinks, they walked out of the restaurant. All employees lined up near the door, cheering for them, with Mark at the front. Louis stopped and turned to face them.

“You all did a good job tonight,” he said. “Enjoy your new wage. And remember, no tips.”

“Thank you, Mr. Collins!” The chef, a large man with a white apron, was the loudest. “Best boss ever!”

“I try.” Louis smiled. He turned to Mark. “I want to change the name of this restaurant to Horse Bite Grill. And I want a picture of a horse biting a snake on the sign. Make it happen.”

“Of course, sir,” Mark said, a confused look on his face. “A horse. Biting a snake.”

“You heard me,” Louis said. “And I want you to order T-shirts with the new logo. Give them to every customer for free. My finance team will subsidize everything.”

“You got it, sir.”

“Good.” Louis led the women out of the restaurant, then back to the RV, the guards surrounding them. The students were waiting for them beside the parking lot.

“That was a strange name,” Maeve said, climbing into the driver’s seat.

“But a funny one,” Gladice said. “I like it.”

“It makes no sense,” Willa said. “Horses don’t bite snakes.”

“But they could,” Gladice said. “If they were angry enough.”

“And if they were in Idaho,” Maeve said, starting the engine. “Anything can happen here.”

The guards went back to their SUVs, and the convoy started moving. The students followed them in their own cars. Behind them, Olivia’s car kept its distance.

“Rexburg is twenty miles north of here,” Angelique said, looking at her phone. “The protest is scheduled to start at nine, at the BYU-Idaho campus.”

“Do you think they’ll get a permit?” Donya asked.

“I doubt it,” Savannah said. “And they probably don’t want one.”

“What’s the plan when we get there?” Maeve asked.

“We park, let the guards secure the perimeter, and then we join the students,” Louis said. “I’ll speak if I feel like it. And we’ll see what happens.”

“What about our spy Olivia?” Willa asked.

“She can watch.” Louis shrugged. “She’s not stopping us.”

“I bet she’s on the phone with her superiors right now, panicking,” Gladice said, laughing. “‘They’re joining a protest! What should I do? They’re buying a restaurant and changing its name to something nonsensical! They’re corrupting our youth!’”

“She’s probably not panicking,” Willa said. “She’s probably calling for backup.”

“Let her,” Savannah said. “We have backup too. And ours has bigger guns.”

Louis’s phone buzzed. It was Serana. He answered. “Hey, sis.”

“Hey, Louis,” she said. “Did you really buy a restaurant in Idaho because they wouldn’t serve you?”

“News travels fast,” he said, smiling. “Yes, I did. And I renamed it. Horse Bite Grill.”

Serana laughed. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. I love it. So, are you having fun?”

“Yes,” he said. “We’re about to join a protest against their new law.”

“I know,” she said. “It’s all over Tengri. You’re a trendsetter now. A rebel.”

“I’m just a tourist,” he said. “How’s everything at home?”

“Boring,” she said. “Mom and Dad are in the capital. I have the house to myself. And the staff, of course. Vicky watched the news about you. She drew a picture of your RV. It has big wheels and a missile on top.”

Louis laughed. “I’ll have to add one. For her.”

“You should,” Serana said. “She would love it. So, when are you coming back?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “We have a mission. And a lot of ground to cover.”

“Take your time,” she said. “But try not to start a war with the Central Union.”

“I’ll try,” he said. “No promises.”

“I know,” she said. “Be safe, Louis. Say hi to your girlfriends for me.”

“I will,” he said. “Take care of Vicky.”

“Always,” she said. “Later.”

He hung up. Gladice laughed. “Why would your toddler sister draw a missile on an RV?”

“Because that’s how kids see me now,” Louis said. “After what happened yesterday in Raleigh Hills.”

“That’s a bit dark for a child, don’t you think?” Donya asked.

“It’s just a drawing,” Louis said. “And she’s a Collins. We are a bit dark.”

“That’s an understatement,” Willa said, looking out the window.

The RV made a turn and left the highway, entering a smaller three-lane road. Yamamoto’s voice came over the intercom. “Sir, we are approaching the university. Our scouting team reports the local police have set up barricades three blocks from the main protest site. They are requesting that you and the convoy turn back.”

“And what did you say?” Louis asked.

“Sir, we respectfully declined their request and told them we are heading to the university as planned,” Yamamoto said. “They seemed unhappy.”

“Let them be,” Louis said. “Keep going.”

“Copy that, sir.”

The RV drove on. A few minutes later, they saw the barricades. Four police cruisers were parked across the road, with several officers in dark blue uniforms standing behind them. The convoy slowed down and stopped. The two leading SUVs parked in front of the RV. Two guards got out and walked to the barricades. A police officer with a captain’s insignia on his shoulder stepped forward.

“What’s the meaning of this?” the captain asked, his hand on his holstered pistol.

“Mr. Collins is going to the university,” one of the guards said through the intercom. “You and your men will step aside.”

“I can’t do that,” the captain said. “The area is restricted. And you are not authorized to be here.”

Louis connected to the lead SUV’s external speaker. “Captain, this is Louis Collins. Move your cars.”

The captain stared at the RV, then at the two guards. “I have my orders, Mr. Collins. And they don’t include letting you through.”

“Who gave you those orders?” Louis asked.

“The chief of police,” the captain said. “And the mayor of Rexburg.”

“Call them,” Louis said. “Tell them that if your cars are not moved in the next thirty seconds, I will have them pushed into the ditch. My financial team will compensate your department for the damages.”

“You can’t be serious.” The captain stared at the RV. “Are you threatening me?”

“Yes,” Louis said. “I am.”

The captain looked at the two nearest guards, who stood still, their hands on their rifles. He looked at the armored SUVs. His face paled. He took out his radio and spoke into it, his voice tense. The radio crackled. He listened, then swallowed. “We can arrest you for threatening a police officer.”

“Try,” Louis said. “I dare you.”

The captain stared at the RV for a long moment. Then he nodded to the other officers. “Move the cars.”

The officers got into the police cars and drove them to the side of the road. The path was clear. The two guards returned to their SUVs.

“Good choice, Captain,” Louis said over the speakers. “Now, have a good night.”

The RV drove past the barricades. The students in their cars followed them, honking their horns. Olivia’s car stayed behind, a discreet distance back.

“Can they do that?” Cherish asked, looking out the window. “Just arrest you?”

“They can try,” Gladice said. “But they would cause a diplomatic incident. A big one. They don’t have the guts.”

“They have the law on their side, though,” Willa said. “Or so they think.”

“The law is a tool, Willa,” Angelique said. “And it can be broken or bent.”

“Or bought,” Gladice added, winking.

“That’s true.” Willa rolled her eyes. “I forgot.”

“I hope no one recorded this.” Donya said, looking back. “It would look bad on the news.”

“I didn’t see any reporters,” Gladice said.

“Your spy was there,” Savannah said. “I bet she recorded everything.”

“Let her,” Louis said. “It sends a message. We are not to be trifled with.”

“I doubt she’ll broadcast it,” Angelique said. “It would make her government look weak.”

“Good point,” Louis said. “Then let them have it. For their archives.”

The RV entered the BYU-Idaho campus. A group of students had already gathered near a large fountain, holding up signs with slogans like “ADULTS NOT MINORS!” “18 IS ENOUGH!” and “DON’T TREAT US LIKE CHILDREN!” Many of them had their phones out, recording. When they saw the RV, a cheer went through the crowd.

“They’re here! They’re here!” a young woman shouted.

The RV parked in a nearby lot, taking up several spots. The guards secured the perimeter, while the students rushed to the vehicle, their faces bright with excitement.

Louis and the women got out. The crowd surged forward, but the guards held them back. Josh pushed through the crowd. “Mr. Collins! Over here! I have a stage for you!”

Louis nodded and followed him, the women and the guards behind them. The stage was a simple wooden platform, with a podium and a microphone. A student was already on it, speaking to the crowd.

“We are here today to fight for our rights! We are here today to tell the government that we are not children! We are adults! And we deserve to be treated as such!” The crowd roared.

“Louis Collins is here to support us!” Josh shouted, climbing onto the stage. “Let’s hear from him!”

The crowd turned to him. Many raised their phones.

Louis walked up the steps and stood behind the podium. He looked at the faces in the crowd. They were young, hopeful, and angry. He felt a strange mix of emotions. He had never been to a protest before.

“My name is Louis Collins,” he said, his voice clear. “I am a tourist in your country.”

Several people in the crowd laughed.

“And like many of you,” he continued, “I was shocked and disappointed by the new law. A law that treats responsible adults as children. A law that insults your intelligence. And your freedom.”

A cheer went through the crowd.

“I’m not here to tell you what to do or what to think. I’m here to tell you that you are not alone. That the world is watching. And that we support your fight for your rights. The Dominion supports your fight.”

The crowd roared again, louder this time. He saw Olivia standing on the edge of the crowd, her phone pressed to her ear, her face tense. He looked at her for a second, then back to the students.

“The government of the Central Union has made a mistake. A big one. They think they can control you. They think they can define you. They are wrong. The only thing that defines you is your own choices and your own actions.”

He paused, letting the words sink in.

“Some people might say that I’m just a spoiled rich kid from the Dominion. That I don’t understand your culture or your values. They might be right. But know this. I am a survivor of a war. I have seen things that no one should ever see. I have killed to protect the people I love. And I have been to hell and back.”

The crowd went quiet.

“When I was abducted by Dixies, I saw the face of real oppression. A theocracy that rules by fear and violence. A place where women are property. And where personal freedom is a crime. Don’t let your own government turn your country into a lighter shade of that. They speak of public decency and civic self-control. But let me tell you something. They are scared of you. Scared of your freedom! Scared of your joy! Scared of your love! Scared of the future you will build, a future that doesn’t need their supervision! That’s the real reason for this law. It’s not about your protection. It’s about their control. And you should not let them get away with it!”

He looked at the young faces in the crowd.

“Your government thinks that they can define adulthood for you. But adulthood is not a number. It’s a choice. It’s a responsibility. It’s a willingness to face the world on your own terms and to accept the consequences of your actions. And you have already made that choice. You are standing here tonight. You are speaking your truth. You are fighting for your freedom. And that makes you more of an adult than anyone in your government!”

The crowd roared, the sound washing over him.

“Now, let your government hear your voices. Let them know your solidarity. Let them know your demands. Repeat after me! Repeal the law!”

“Repeal the law!” the crowd shouted.

“Respect our rights!”

“Respect our rights!”

“We are adults—”

A gunshot cracked through the night. A bullet whizzed past Louis’s cheek and slammed into the fountain behind him with a sharp crack, spraying chips of stone. The crowd screamed and scattered. Two guards tackled him off the stage, pulling him down and shielding him with their bodies. Before Louis could understand what was happening, a second gunshot rang out from the rooftop of a building nearby.

“Report now! What are you seeing?” Louis yelled at the guard shielding him.

“Our overwatch team fired the second shot, sir. One hostile shooter is down. Confirmed,” the guard said.

“Sir,” Yamamoto said, pulling him to his feet. “We need to get you and your family back to the RV. Now.”

Louis looked for the women. The guards had already formed a protective wall around them and were herding them back to the RV. Everyone was moving.

“Move! Move! Move!” one of the guards shouted.

The crowd was in chaos, students running and screaming, some trying to help others who had fallen in the panic. They entered the RV. The door closed behind them.

“Anyone hurt?” Louis asked, scanning the women. They all shook their heads, their faces pale.

Yamamoto’s voice came over the speakers. “Sir, we have located the shooter. Our men are securing the building as we speak. Our sniper has neutralized the target. But there might be others. Stay inside the RV.”

“Copy that,” Louis said. He looked out the window. The crowd was thinning. A few brave students were standing their ground, looking toward the building where the shots came from. Police sirens wailed in the distance. Olivia had climbed back into her car and was crouching below the dashboard.

“Who the fuck did that?” Maeve asked.

“I don’t know,” Louis said. “But we’re going to find out.”

“The police will be here soon,” Willa said, looking paled. “What do we do?”

“We wait,” Louis said. “Let Yamamoto handle it.”

Angelique came to him and took his hand. “Are you okay? You were almost hit.”

“I’m fine,” Louis said, keeping his voice still. “Just a little shaken.”

Angelique touched his face. “You could have died.”

“But I didn’t,” he said. “I’m still here. With you.”

Savannah came to him and put her arm around him. “You’re a lucky bastard, Louis.”

“I am,” he said. “Very lucky.”

Donya brought him a glass of water. “Drink this. You need it.”

He drank. “Thank you.”

“What happened?” Cherish asked, her voice trembling. “Why did someone shoot at you?”

“I don’t know, Cherry,” Louis said, squeezing her hand. “But it’s over now. We are safe.”

“He nearly killed you, Louis,” Donya said, tears welling up in her eyes. “It was too close.”

“I know,” Louis said. “But he missed. And I’m still here.”

“He could have killed one of us,” Savannah said. “Or one of the students.”

“He didn’t,” Louis said.

“Are we safe in here?” Cherish asked, looking at the windows.

“Yes,” Louis said. “This RV is armored. And the glass is bulletproof. We are safe.”

“I don’t feel safe,” she said, her hands trembling.

“Come here, everyone,” Louis said, sitting on the sofa and opening his arms. “I need you close.”

They gathered around him, their bodies pressing against him. He wrapped his arms around them, holding them tight.

“We’re all fine,” he said. “We’re together.”

The RV was quiet for a moment, then Yamamoto’s voice came over the speakers again. “Sir, the building is clear. The shooter is dead. No other hostiles found. The local police are arriving.”

“What’s the situation?” Louis asked.

“They are setting up a perimeter around the building and the protest area,” Yamamoto said. “They are demanding that we stay put and that we cooperate with their investigation.”

Louis looked at Angelique. She shook her head.

“Tell them we will cooperate,” Louis said. “But we will not stay put. We are leaving the campus.”

“Understood, sir,” Yamamoto said.

“Let your men take samples from the shooter’s body and clothes before the police get to them,” Louis said. “We might find something useful.”

“Already done, sir,” Yamamoto said. “Our medic is collecting the evidence now.”

“Good,” Louis said. “And let me see our sniper when you finish. I want to thank him.”

“I will, sir,” Yamamoto said.

Louis disconnected. He looked at the women. They were all staring at him.

“Who do you think it is?” Maeve asked. “Dixie spies? Or the Common Roots?”

“I don’t know,” Louis said. “But we will find out. And we will make them pay.”

Two police cars and a van pulled up near the RV. Four officers got out, their hands on their weapons.

“Stay here,” Louis said to the women. “Let the captain handle this.”

He watched through the window as Yamamoto met the same police captain from the barricade. They spoke for a few minutes, their body language tense. The captain kept looking at the RV. Yamamoto shook his head and pointed to the building where the shooter had been. The captain nodded and walked toward the building with two other officers.

Yamamoto’s voice came over the speakers. “Sir, the police have secured the scene. They are questioning the students. They want to talk to you and your companions.”

“About what?” Louis asked. “We are the victims.”

“They want to know if you saw anything. Or if you have any enemies in the area,” Yamamoto said. “I told them we will cooperate, but only at a secure location. Not here.”

“Good thinking,” Louis said. “Let’s go back to our new restaurant. We can talk there.”

“Copy that, sir,” Yamamoto said. “We will escort you back.”

The RV started moving, the SUVs forming a protective convoy around it. The police cars followed them, their lights flashing but silent. Olivia’s car trailed behind the police. The students were dispersing, many of them still on their phones, some talking to the police, some crying.

“Are we safe?” Cherish asked, her eyes still wide.

“Yes, Cherry. We are safe,” Louis said, sitting beside her on the sofa. “Whoever did that is dead.”

“What if there are more?” she asked.

“Then we will shoot all of them,” Gladice said, her arms crossed. “I’ll do it myself if I have to.”

Louis’s phone buzzed. His father was calling. Louis answered and put it on speaker. “Hey, Dad.”

“Louis. Are you alright?” Constantine’s voice was calm, but Louis could hear the tension underneath. “Robin just informed me about the shooting.”

“I’m fine, Dad. We’re all fine,” Louis said. “The shooter missed. And our guard took him out.”

“Good,” Constantine said. “I’m going to call President White. This was an attempt on your life and on our dignity. They will answer for it. I will make sure of it.”

“I know,” Louis said.

“Do you need anything? More men? A different vehicle?” Constantine asked.

“We’re good, Dad,” Louis said. “We have enough men. And this RV is a tank.”

“A very expensive tank,” Constantine said. “Don’t wreck it. I’d like to take a tour when you get back.”

“I’ll try not to,” Louis said. “And you’re welcome to it.” He paused. “You can add a missile launcher on the top. For Vicky. She drew it on her picture.”

Constantine laughed. “I’ll consider it. Now, be careful, son. This is not over.”

Louis thought of the hacking of Tengri frontpage, the threat that said WE ARE COMING FOR YOU. And now this.

“I know,” Louis said. “How’s the investigation of the hack going?”

“Progressing,” Constantine said. “We have a few leads. But no smoking gun yet. We’re still trying to trace the source. We have teams working around the clock on this. We’ll find them, Louis. And we’ll make them pay for everything.”

“I’m counting on it,” Louis said. “I’ll call you once we get Brother John and his friends.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Constantine said. “And tell your family I’m glad they’re safe.”

“I will,” Louis said. “Later, Dad.”

He hung up. Gladice laughed. “I hope he can add that missile launcher for real.”

“I do too,” Maeve said. “It would be cool.”

“I don’t think the Central Union would let us drive around in an RV with a missile launcher, even if it’s a diplomatic vehicle,” Willa said.

“Let them try to stop us,” Gladice said. “I’d like to see that.”

Louis smiled and shook his head. He spoke to Yamamoto over the comms, “Captain, have someone call Mark. Tell him to close the restaurant for the night.”

“Copy that, sir,” Yamamoto said.