Part Eighteen: Your Lives, Under One Sky

Chapter 219

Louis looked at Robin. “Who?”

Robin took out a tablet and showed him a photo. It was a man in his late thirties, clean-shaven and wearing glasses. “His name is Alistair Finch, senior cybersecurity engineer at Tengri.”

“You’re joking,” Louis said, taking the tablet. “One of our own people?”

“He was bribed,” Robin said. “A large sum of money paid in crypto to an offshore account. He used a burner phone to contact the payers.”

“So who paid him?” Louis asked, scrolling through the file.

“We don’t know yet,” Robin said. “He covered his tracks well. But we have a team working on it. And we have him in custody.”

“Where is he now?” Louis asked.

“In a secure facility in San Jose,” Robin said. “We are going to send him to Santa Catalina.”

“Good,” Louis said, handing the tablet back. “I think it’s time to pay a visit to Mr. Cruise.”

“I agree,” Robin said. “But no need to hurry. He’s not going anywhere. You need some rest. And your family needs you.”

“I know,” Louis said, leaning back. “We will go later today then.”

“Alright,” Robin said. “There is another matter.” He chuckled. “I’ll let your mother tell you this part. I can’t spoil the surprise.”

“My mother?” Louis asked, confused.

“Yes,” Robin said, a grin on his face. “She is proposing a new cultural program.”

“What kind of program?” Louis asked.

“Just ask her,” Robin said, standing up. “I have some work to do.” He nodded to the women. “Ladies.” He left the lounge.

“What was that about?” Gladice asked.

“I have no idea,” Louis said, taking out his phone and turning on the speaker.

He called Judith. “Mom.”

“Louis, darling,” Judith’s voice came. “I’m so glad you’re safe. I’ve been so worried about you.”

“I’m fine, Mom,” Louis said. “Robin told me you have a surprise for me.”

“I do,” Judith said, her voice bright with excitement. “Before this year’s pride parade in San Francisco, I’m going to change LGBTQ+ into LGBTQP+.”

Louis frowned. “What does the P stand for?”

“Polyamory, darling,” Judith said. “I’m going to make you and your family the new face of the Dominion’s pride. A symbol of our freedom and diversity.”

Louis stared at the women. Gladice burst out laughing. “Your mom is insane. I love it.”

Donya blushed. “We’re going to be in a pride parade?”

“You have to be kidding me, Mom,” Louis said.

“I’m not, darling,” Judith said. “You are the living embodiment of our values. You are a hero. You saved a foreign head of state and his family. You risked your life for our country. You are a role model for all Dominion citizens. Your family is a perfect example of a loving, consensual, and non-traditional relationship. It’s a story the world needs to see. And we are going to tell it.”

“What do you want us to do?” Louis asked.

“I want you to lead the pride parade, darling,” Judith said. “All eight of you. On a beautiful float. And I want you to give a speech. A short one would be fine.”

“Mom, I just killed several people and got shot at. I don’t think I’m in the mood for a parade,” Louis said.

“I understand, darling,” Judith said. “That’s exactly why you need this. You need to celebrate your life and love. You need to show the world that you are proud of who you are. And that you are not afraid of anything or anyone.”

“When is this parade then?” Louis asked.

“In two weeks,” Judith said. “So you have enough time to relax, prepare, or have fun.”

“Let’s talk about it later then, Mom,” Louis said. “I need to think.”

“Of course, darling,” Judith said. “But I have already started the promotion. Tthe public loves it. We call it ‘The Eight of One Heart.’”

Louis sighed. “Let me talk to the others, Mom. See you soon.”

“I’ll be waiting, darling,” Judith said, hanging up.

Louis looked at the women. “What do you think?”

“I think it’s a brilliant idea,” Gladice said, grinning. “A float with all of us? Can I wear a rainbow bikini?”

“Why stop there?” Maeve asked. “We can install a minigun on the float for self-defense.”

“No one is bringing a minigun to a pride parade, Maeve,” Angelique said.

“Why not?” Maeve asked. “Aren’t we going to parade with tanks and armored cars?”

“That’s for military parades, Mae-Mae,” Willa said. “Pride is a civilian celebration. More precisely, a political statement.”

“A political statement about our lifestyle, I assume,” Savannah said.

“Exactly,” Angelique said. “But a good one. We can use it to our advantage.”

Cherish asked. “What kind of parade is it? Will there be a lot of people?”

“A lot,” Donya said. “San Francisco’s pride is one of the biggest in the world. Millions of people will be watching on the streets, or on Tengri.”

Cherish’s eyes widened. “Millions? Like our livestream?”

“Yes, Cherry,” Angelique said.

Cherish looked at the others. “So what’s the parade for?”

Willa sighed and explained. “It’s a celebration of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community and their rights and victories.”

“What does it have to do with us? I’m not gay,” Cherish asked, looking confused. “And I’m not sure I understand some of those words.”

“Honey.” Savannah shook her head. “It’s about love that don’t fit nice and neat in some little box. Like ours: one man and seven women.”

Cherish’s face lit up. “Oh, so it’s about us.”

“In a way, yes.” Angelique chuckled. “And now Judith wants to add a ‘P’ for polyamory.”

Willa laughed. “I wonder how long it will take for the academics and activists to fight over the new acronym. It’s going to be a mess in the EU.”

“Let them fight,” Gladice said, finishing her beer. “We’re going to be on a float. And I’m going to make out with all of you in front of the entire world.”

Donya blushed. “I don’t know, Glads. It feels a bit much.”

“It’s a cultural revolution, Donya,” Gladice said. “And we’re on the front lines.” She grinned. “If anyone objects, we will arrest them for hate speech.”

Maeve scoffed. “Or we can just beat them up.”

Louis shrugged. “Just don’t do it in front of the cameras. Anyway, I guess a parade isn’t a big deal.”

“I’m still not comfortable with the idea of being a public symbol, Louis,” Willa said. “Last time we did this, trolls were already threatening us.”

“That’s why we will ask Mr. Cruise to censor every single one of them and delete their accounts,” Louis said, crossing his legs. “Ban them from Tengri. We will visit him soon. He is not getting out of this.”

“What if he refuses?” Willa asked.

“He won’t,” Louis said. “Not after Tengri’s home page was hacked by one of his own men.”

“What’s the plan then?” Gladice asked.

“First, we should visit Rachel and the other wives of the Prophet King. It will be a nice gesture,” Louis said, “After that, we will go to Silicon Valley and have a chat with Mr. Cruise. Then we can think of the parade.”

“I agree,” Donya said. “I’m worried about Rachel.”

“Me too,” Cherish said. “She must be devastated, now that her marriage is canceled.”

“I think what she needs is professional counseling and a new life away from that mess,” Willa said.

Louis sighed. “I will talk to her. She still sees me as her shepherd. I need to tell her the truth.”

“What truth?” Savannah asked. “That we lied to her? That she was sold? That her prophet is a liar and a traitor?”

“No,” Louis said. “That she is not a chosen one. That she is a victim. And that she can be free.”

“It’s going to be hard for her to accept, Louis,” Angelique said. “Her whole identity is based on her faith.”

“I know,” Louis said. “But it’s better than letting her live a lie.”

“If she wants to,” Savannah said. “Some people would rather die than give up their faith. Even if it’s a lie.”

“We will see about that,” Louis said. He took out his phone and opened Athena Store. He selected two Athena X-30 Sovereigns, one in white and one in pink. He thought for a moment, then added six more Athena X-30s in various colors. He checked out and paid.

“What are you doing?” Willa asked.

“Buying them new phones,” Louis said. “As a gift for our new friends.”

“That’s thoughtful, Louis,” Donya said.

“I am a thoughtful man.” Louis smiled.

Corporal Frederick Green came in. “Sir, before we land, you should go to see a doctor in the medical bay. You need a thorough check-up on your chest.”

“Alright,” Louis said, standing up. “I’ll be back.”

He went to the medical bay. The doctor on board was a young woman with short hair and a warm smile. “Mr. Collins. I’m Dr. Zhao. Please, lie down.”

Louis lay down on the bed. Dr. Zhao lifted his shirt and examined the bruises. “They’re healing well. But I need to do a full scan.”

She ran a handheld scanner over his chest, looking at the screen. “Everything seems fine. No internal bleeding. No fractures. Let me give you a new ointment. You will have some bruises for a few days. Perhaps some soreness. But you’ll be fine.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Louis said, sitting up.

“You’re welcome, Mr. Collins,” she said, handing him a tube of ointment. “Now, go back to your family. And try not to get shot again.”

“I’ll try, Doctor,” Louis said, smiling.

He went back to the lounge. The women were talking and laughing. He sat down next to Willa.

“That was quick,” Willa said.

“She said I’m fine,” Louis said. “Just a little sore.”

“That’s a relief,” Willa said.

Louis leaned back and closed his eyes. He could feel the plane descending.

“We’re home, my love,” Angelique said, her hand on his shoulder.

Louis opened his eyes. “Let’s go.”

The plane landed at Collins International Airport in Sacramento. A convoy of black SUVs was waiting for them on the tarmac, with a Hummer Limo in the middle. Louis and the women walked out of the plane. Yamamoto and his men saluted.

“Welcome home, Mr. Collins.”

“You too, Captain,” Louis said, extending his hand. “You did a great job back there.”

Yamamoto shook his hand. “Just doing my duty, sir.”

Louis looked at the other men. “All of you did.”

“Thank you, sir,” they said in unison.

“Now, go home. Get some rest,” Louis said. “Each of you will receive a million dollars as a bonus.” He looked at Petrov. “And you, Sergeant. I want to pay you five million.”

Petrov’s eyes widened. “Sir, that is too much.”

“No,” Louis said. “You saved my life multiple times. I insist.”

“Thank you, sir,” Petrov said, saluting. “I’m honored.”

“You’ve earned it,” Louis said, nodding to him. “My financial team will see it done.” Several men in suit ran toward the soldiers and began to confirm with them about payment details.

Louis led the women to the Hummer. The driver opened the door. Louis gestured for them to get in. He followed them.

“Get us to the secure house for the Prophet King’s wives,” Louis told the driver.

“Understood, sir,” the driver said, pulling the car onto the highway.

“What about our RV? My Ducati is still there.” Maeve said.

“They will deliver your Ducati to Pacific Hall, Mae-Mae,” Angelique said, “As for the RV, it will be delivered to LA and get deep-cleaned and repaired.”

Maeve sighed and looked out the window. “The bike is my priority.”

Savannah laughed. “Of course it is.”

Louis looked outside as well. He thought of a month ago, when he was in this city, meeting Angelique at the reception before their journey. He was a different person then. A careless prince who thought life was a game. Now he was a survivor, a killer, and a leader. He wasn’t sure which one he liked more.