Around 9:00 am, the telling toll of many footsteps signalled the approach of visitors to Ronnie’s hotel suite.

Within seconds came a knock upon her door, and uncertain as to the identity of the visitors, she opened the door with the safety latch in place. Looking back at her in anticipation of entry was Barbara Millwood, who was responsible for and oversaw their care.

“Good morning, Ronnie. Might I come in?”

Ronnie nodded, slightly moving the door to a more closed position such that she could strip away the safety latch. Once removed, she swung the door open wide.

Barbara walked in, her assistants remaining outside the room. Closing the door behind her, she began to explain the early morning events, and that llhaesa was now in her care and under protection once again.

“I am sorry for ever having allowed someone from the agency to take her to Langley,” Barbara offered up as an apology to Ronnie, having already strongly apologised to llhaesa.

Ronnie was appalled at hearing of the mistreatment of llhaesa, thinking of the beautiful soul she lived with for fourteen years, yet endured the suppression of who she was in reality. Ronnie moved toward a standard hotel room overstuffed chair, and motioned for Barbara to take to the other angled alongside, only a small table separating the two chairs.

“Barbara, she is at serious risk, and that leaves me feeling ill,” Ronnie observed as she sank into the chair, pulling out and sharing her worry.

“I am afraid she will remain at risk for some time, until this world adjusts to her presence, Ronnie,” Barbara offered, sharing her own worry, pulling a face reflecting disdain mixed with concern, her head simultaneously slightly shaking from side to side. “It is not just adjustment to the knowledge llhaesa and her world exists – she remains at risk because others know she carries information that if extracted can potentially lead to great wealth and power.”

“How much can one person know and share such that this could prove true?” Ronnie asked, unclear that llhaesa could provide what they seek – they had not talked on any of this element.

“Based on our conversation this morning while en route to where she is staying, quite an extensive amount, I fear,” Barbara lamented. “You know she graduated first in her class from what llhaesa claims is one of the best schools on her world – a music school, yes, but also one that taught other subjects on a very high level. While she is obviously uncomfortable carrying knowledge an entire world lacks, she also recognises what she has in her mind could prove unhealthy for our world at this time. Llhaesa knows we have a lot of maturing to do first – and I agree with her assessment.

I sense llhaesa would be distraught if information she shared proved harmful to even one person or creature, and that she would share if she could help others without a counter threat of harm. I love that about llhaesa – she carries a yearning to improve society for everyone, not just a few. Small wonder some petty dictator on her world sent her to exile. I can only imagine just how big a threat she truly represented, but I suspect it was quite real and very significant.

There is a presence about her, Ronnie, a certain je ne sais quoi as the French might say. Whatever it is, she has it, and if we allow anything to happen to this person, a pox upon us.

This is a huge turning point in history – we have our first contact with an off worlder. We have an opportunity to grow up as a world, to cast aside our petty differences and unite, to achieve social justice, to rid ourselves of discrimination and war, to join with others in the universe toward working for better. Llhaesa is our initial connection, a tangible representation of all that is possible – and not some shell or empty icon. Llhaesa is the real deal, and either we grasp this, grasp what she offers and represents, or we piss it away, left to wallow in misery of our own sorry creation!” Barbara stopped, her point made, accompanied by the dual purpose of digesting the words that just gushed forth out of her, as well as a need to catch her breath.

“How do you really feel, Barbara?” Ronnie quipped, chuckling as she did so, and quite agreeing with the sentiment. In reality, she was thrilled to hear someone in the higher echelon of government give voice to the thought and to the significance.

Barbara shook her head in disgust, and given care and protection of this family was on her shoulders, prayed that she had the strength and a department that would see this mission through.

“I do not mean to sound so clinical. There is an overwhelming human element as well; on that level alone, this nonsense should cease. When you add in what I’ve just stated, well it creates a hugely important and fundamental issue, one that is pointed straight at us – who do we wish to be as a world?

I wish Alicia – President Ellenwood – would come to, Ronnie. With her giving clear, authoritative direction, her presence would push these counter forces further away from power, away from an ability to find llhaesa and do her harm. Moreover and in truth, you all still are at risk, I cannot sugar coat that element. Your daughters are those of an off worlder, and while they cannot provide information, those who wish to exploit llhaesa will see them as useful pawns, a way to strike vicariously and negotiate for what they desire.” Barbara was getting this out of her system, and Ronnie was proving the unfortunate recipient.

Ronnie stood up, took two steps toward Barbara, and signalled her intent to hug. Barbara rose out of the chair, and the two shared a warm embrace.

“I have been AG for 3 years now, and nothing has challenged me quite like this case. It is changing me, changing my outlook, and at some point, I will step away from this job, because I feel a different calling, a different pull now. I like llhaesa’s model – oh, I cannot sing and cannot perform, but can advocate and work for better.”

“Barbara, you can do that very thing in your current position. In fact, you have an opportunity few others have – you can see that we reach out for social justice, that we cast aside discriminatory acts and approaches – that is an invaluable contribution to where you wish to see this world go!” Ronnie rationalised, her outlook also shifting toward places she never before gave much thought. “That blonde whirlwind leaves a mark on just about everyone she interacts with, leaving him or her better for the experience.

I have taught for some years, and I am certain you agree teaching is a worthwhile profession. I feel a need to do even more now, to take the message from the classroom, to the world. How I will do this, I know not, but it stirs within me, and I will find my way.

What I am about to say I have not yet shared with anyone. I wish to see Arrhazon before my life ends. I wish to see the home of the other parent of my children, wish them to see the home of half of their ancestry. I wish to know the language, to understand the people, to see how we can learn and improve – and perhaps, just perhaps, they too learn something from us. I sense a role there, Barbara, something I can do, perhaps something I am in a unique position to fulfil.”

Barbara looked intently at Ronnie, looking deep into her eyes, feeling the intensity with which she meant these words. Here was a woman who lost her husband in some unfathomable way, yet who found good in it all, and used it to make her a better person, better help her family, and those of our world. This is the positive side of my job, Barbara thought – seeing this evolution of self and thought… it is beautiful. By this measure alone, llhaesa was having a wonderful impact on her world.

Barbara knew it was time to mention the true purpose of her visit, and began to share the plan for the day. “Ronnie, you are leaving here today, you and everyone here with you.”

“We are? Where are we going?” Ronnie did not anticipate this sudden change in plans. Given the current environment, any change left her skittish about the safety of the girls.

“You are going to stay with llhaesa. I cannot share where that is, for security reasons. Once there though, and you will know. I have a strong hunch that given the time of year, all of you will rather love the new locale.”

“Are we going by vehicle?” Ronnie inquired.

“Yes, at least in part. We have to do this in a low profile way, yet still keep everyone secure. We will leave at different times, you and the children with me, Anita and Dolores with one of my assistants. There will be guards with us, in different vehicles, along with other vehicles tasked to move in and out and look for anyone who might tail us.

There is no need to pack; my staff will see to whatever is here that needs to move to your new location. We leave in fifteen minutes!

Just over an hour later, after an uneventful trip to the Naval Academy, Barbara had Ronnie, the children, Anita, and Dolores on the Corsair 28, heading out into the bay. Reaching open water where speed limits ended, Barbara gunned the boat forward, rapidly increasing speed up to 85 kph. She motioned for Ronnie to come up along side her, and raised her voice to compensate for the roar of the powerful twin engines.

“Ronnie,” she yelled,” You will be staying on a yacht belonging to the Naval Academy. There are numerous boats out here standing guard. I am a graduate of the Academy, and I have solid connections!” Barbara smiled as she ended her explanation, throwing in a wink for good measure.

“Llhaesa is already on board. I will not remain; I will leave the reunion to all of you. I have to get back to work – and see to bringing on board one more to stay with you,” Barbara added mysteriously, and without explanation.