it’s about Vlad, the unpredictable leader of Gardar Rus, one of the largest countries in the world which also borders each of theirs. Latest rumours have Vlad threatening to invade their countries.”
“We did discuss something like that, if you recall,” Alex said.
“Yes, I know. We only heard chatter of the possibility, all of it unsubstantiated.”
“I think you’re about to hear the verification now.”
“I think so, too.”
“What can they expect Valleria to do about it?” Alex asked. “We are certainly not aligned to assist them.”
Marcello knew Alex was referring to the fact that Gardar Rus did not even border Valleria. Though trade occurred, it was mostly alcohol and some other goods, certainly not a significant relationship. Many other countries exported their oil, but Valleria was not one of them. “It’s my fault.”
There was a pause on the line before Alex said, “Explain.”
“If Valleria’s security wasn’t under such scrutiny because of how I screwed up, which led to Rebecca’s kidnapping, we wouldn’t have to redeem ourselves.”
Alex let out an impatient sigh. “Go ahead and board the plane, I’ll be on in a minute,” Alex said to someone nearby, then turned back to their conversation. “You need to stop beating yourself up over this. It’s not doing anyone any good, least of all Valleria. I certainly don’t blame you, and neither does Rebecca.”
“At least not to my face.”
“Marcello,” Alex growled, but Marcello cut him off.
“If this presents a chance for me to redeem my and Valleria’s reputation, I’m going to damn well take it.”
“The hell you are. It would be a fucking suicide mission.”
“Not with me in charge, and you know it. I’m not going into this blind. I won’t go into this blind.”
“I won’t let you do this,” Alex said as the roar of the plane’s engine increased in the background.
“I live to serve my country, Your Highness,” Marcello said with a bite of sarcasm. “Short of the King himself barring me from going, I plan to go. That is, if I am asked to do so.”
Marcello could just picture Alex running an impatient hand through his dark hair on the other end of the line. After a few moments, Alex sighed and said, “Let me know how the meeting goes.”
“You know I will.”
After they hung up, Marcello knew Alex would call their father, King Gabriel, straight away. However, Marcello knew, just as Alex did, that their father would side with Marcello. Though Gabriel loved all of his children, he knew what the mission would mean to Marcello.
With a sigh, Marcello released the jammer and started heading down the stairs for his meeting. Unbeknownst to him, a few flights up in the stairwell, a tall man with a counterjammer smiled at the conversation he had just overheard. Everything was going according to his plan.
***
When Marcello arrived in the hotel’s lobby, he bypassed the complimentary coffee and strode towards a semi-private seating area where the other three sat sipping from porcelain cups. As he took a seat on the couch he said, “So what is it that you think I can help you with?”
The other three glanced at each other before Joseph said, “We have a problem.”
“I know you do,” Marcello said. “Why do you think Valleria can you help you with Gardar Rus?”
No one seemed surprise Marcello was aware of the situation with Gardar Rus, and their leader Vlad. “You have ties with the country,” Joseph said.
“Weak ones. Try again.”
“You have been very successful with situations like these in the past,” Danica said.
“Thank you for the compliment, but there is a conference full of people with similar credentials.”
“But you are the only one whose reputation needs saving,” Gregory said, his squeaky voice seeming to sound even higher after some caffeine. Joseph and Danica both
“We did discuss something like that, if you recall,” Alex said.
“Yes, I know. We only heard chatter of the possibility, all of it unsubstantiated.”
“I think you’re about to hear the verification now.”
“I think so, too.”
“What can they expect Valleria to do about it?” Alex asked. “We are certainly not aligned to assist them.”
Marcello knew Alex was referring to the fact that Gardar Rus did not even border Valleria. Though trade occurred, it was mostly alcohol and some other goods, certainly not a significant relationship. Many other countries exported their oil, but Valleria was not one of them. “It’s my fault.”
There was a pause on the line before Alex said, “Explain.”
“If Valleria’s security wasn’t under such scrutiny because of how I screwed up, which led to Rebecca’s kidnapping, we wouldn’t have to redeem ourselves.”
Alex let out an impatient sigh. “Go ahead and board the plane, I’ll be on in a minute,” Alex said to someone nearby, then turned back to their conversation. “You need to stop beating yourself up over this. It’s not doing anyone any good, least of all Valleria. I certainly don’t blame you, and neither does Rebecca.”
“At least not to my face.”
“Marcello,” Alex growled, but Marcello cut him off.
“If this presents a chance for me to redeem my and Valleria’s reputation, I’m going to damn well take it.”
“The hell you are. It would be a fucking suicide mission.”
“Not with me in charge, and you know it. I’m not going into this blind. I won’t go into this blind.”
“I won’t let you do this,” Alex said as the roar of the plane’s engine increased in the background.
“I live to serve my country, Your Highness,” Marcello said with a bite of sarcasm. “Short of the King himself barring me from going, I plan to go. That is, if I am asked to do so.”
Marcello could just picture Alex running an impatient hand through his dark hair on the other end of the line. After a few moments, Alex sighed and said, “Let me know how the meeting goes.”
“You know I will.”
After they hung up, Marcello knew Alex would call their father, King Gabriel, straight away. However, Marcello knew, just as Alex did, that their father would side with Marcello. Though Gabriel loved all of his children, he knew what the mission would mean to Marcello.
With a sigh, Marcello released the jammer and started heading down the stairs for his meeting. Unbeknownst to him, a few flights up in the stairwell, a tall man with a counterjammer smiled at the conversation he had just overheard. Everything was going according to his plan.
***
When Marcello arrived in the hotel’s lobby, he bypassed the complimentary coffee and strode towards a semi-private seating area where the other three sat sipping from porcelain cups. As he took a seat on the couch he said, “So what is it that you think I can help you with?”
The other three glanced at each other before Joseph said, “We have a problem.”
“I know you do,” Marcello said. “Why do you think Valleria can you help you with Gardar Rus?”
No one seemed surprise Marcello was aware of the situation with Gardar Rus, and their leader Vlad. “You have ties with the country,” Joseph said.
“Weak ones. Try again.”
“You have been very successful with situations like these in the past,” Danica said.
“Thank you for the compliment, but there is a conference full of people with similar credentials.”
“But you are the only one whose reputation needs saving,” Gregory said, his squeaky voice seeming to sound even higher after some caffeine. Joseph and Danica both
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