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Cindy and the Alphas waited in their military quarters. Professor Jacobs and Della shared their own rooms next to them. It was nearly dusk when she heard a knock at the front of their room. The door opened and Commander Wellstone came inside with another tall, muscular man. He looked familiar.
Commander Wellstone said, “This is General Graves.”
General Graves nodded to them and said, “Welcome to Pendleton base. I am in charge of the Western defenses of the New U.S. Thank you for helping us in our fight. We need to ask you questions. Will you come with us? Who is your leader?”
Cindy stepped up. “My name is Cindy, and this is Grace and Royce.”
General Graves said, “Please follow us. If you want to eat before we start, we can. It is up to you.”
Cindy looked at her two friends. They nodded to her to continue. She said, “Yes, we’re tired from our journey and wish to get rest when we are done.”
“Yes.”
They followed the General and Commander out of the room and walked on the base. She saw guards were posted all over each entrance of the quarters. They walked along a gravel path for several minutes. Cindy heard a commotion at the far corner near a chain-link fence. She was surprised to what she saw. Several hundreds of people stood outside the perimeter staring at them. They waved to her. She heard somebody say, “Alpha Mages are here.” They chanted this. She wondered how these people found out they were here.
“Sorry,” General Graves said, “this base is next to a refugee camp from the surrounding area. They saw you when you flew here.”
They walked past the chain-link fence and walked to a large square building. The structure was bigger than any of the buildings on this base besides the large hangars she saw when she flew to the base. Commander Wellstone opened the door, and the General walked in first. Inside there were several groups of people sitting behind computer screens. They walked through the mass of people. Everybody in the room stopped what they were doing and stared at them. Cindy felt a little embarrassed.
Commander Wellstone said, “Get back to work!”
The people on the room snapped back to what they were doing. The General led Cindy and the others to a room in the back. Inside the room was a table with chairs and couches. It was large enough for all of them to sit comfortably.
General Graves said, “Thank you Commander. You can go back to your duties.”
Commander Wellstone saluted and left them alone in the room. On a wall was a large mirror. Cindy thought people were probably observing them. But the mirror changed, and a screen appeared. It showed an emblem.
General Graves said, “Cindy, the president and his advisors want to be in this meeting.”
The screen changed to a long table with several men and women staring at them. The person sitting in the middle was a handsome woman. She smiled at them. General Graves introduce her as President Marlo Remy.
The President said, “Cindy explain to us who you are and why you came here.”
Cindy gulped and tried to not show her nervousness. But she recalled the many meetings she had with important clients back in her old different life. Cindy told them everything. Explaining the Breaking of the Bastions, Atlantis, their sleeping in the crystal prison, Middle Earth, Merlin and everything.
A few of the people asked them questions. When Cindy was done, nobody said anything for a while.
The President said, “You did fight in Austin against the mutants?”
“Yes, we met their leader, Balthazar. He created a large shelter in a mall,” Cindy said.
President Marlo said, “Balthazar is an old relation to General Graves. Is that correct?”
General Graves said, “Yes, he was my great, great grandfather.”
Cindy understood why General Graves looked familiar.
Cindy asked, “Is the Illuminati still in existence?”
President Marlo said, “Yes.” She paused for a few minutes. She held her hands together in thought. Her advisors didn't say anything but merely looked at them.
President Marlo said, “So, Lazarus is with Merlin trying to find Excalibur?”
Cindy nodded to them. “Yes, he wanted us to defend earth against the Vvong invaders.”
“What can you tell us about the Vvong creatures?” General Graves said.
“Not much. They are an insectile race that consume magic and kill anything in their path. If Della was here, she could add to that,” Cindy said.
President Marlo said, “You spoke of the Elves. We have long ranged sensors that show other ships are fighting against the Vvong ships. Are these the elves?”
Cindy said, “Yes.”
President Marlo said, “Cindy that is a great story. We are not sure if we believe everything. But we do believe you're the Alpha Mages.”
Cindy wasn't sure if she felt relieved or not. She didn't care. They had the power to help them with or without their help. She and her friends didn't need their permission.
President Marlo said, “General Graves give them all the info we have. We have a lot to discuss.”
The President nodded, and the screen went blank. The surface was now a glass mirror, and it reflected the walls and tables.
General Graves said, “So, you met my ancestor, Balthazar?”
“Yes, we helped him defend Austin,” Cindy said.
She didn't remember much about the battle. All she could remember was the aftermath with the magical crystal surrounding her. Lazarus told her it was going to be fine. She shook her head trying not to remember the fighting.
General Graves said, “I still cannot believe all your story. I have to be honest with you. But I have my orders. Give me a few minutes to set this up. I need to talk to Commander Wellstone. Do you want any refreshments? We might be here for a while.”
Cindy looked toward Grace and Royce. She already heard Grace talking to her telepathically. She was hungry.
Cindy said, “Yes, can you have somebody bring drinks and food.”
General Graves nodded. “I will be back.”
