Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1
People die. Just like that.
“People die. They can die, just like that.” Oh did she mean it, that day long ago when terrorists kidnaped a whole TV station just to put on a show. Oh, she had meant it, because, as contrary as it may sound, death was a constant part of her life. She could know, with calculated precision, how much blood it required for a body to lose, to stop showing life signals. She knew how many seconds it took for a heart to stop beating and the exact moment the colors were gone from the eyes, once the soul had left the body. She could also recognize main symptoms of a natural death, because, of course, her real job required it.
But what she didn't know was how much her life would change, the day a person died from natural causes. Especially considering this particular person was not close to her, boy, she hadn't even crossed words with the guy in her life, and still, his death had taken everything she knew. Yes, people die, they can die just like that, and her world shattered ten years ago, when Donovan Desmond died, from a heart attack.
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“Today is going to be quite exciting isn't it?”- Asked Yor, with her usual soft and tender voice. Filled with her warm enthusiasm.
“Yes. I´m sure it will be”- Loid Forger responded with his usual reassuring voice and his sweet fake smile. Although his internal voice immediately answered otherwise. It was the National Unity Party anniversary celebration, and unlike the supporter Loid Forger, Twilight was not close to being fond of this celebration, but supported his wife either way. Being a supportive husband is what´s gonna finally get me close to knowing Donovan Desmond´s plans, so I have to appear as excited as I can. I have to play along, to be ready for whatever is coming.
She was asked by City Hall management to volunteer as a hostess for the event, welcoming people and placing them in their seats. Although, the real motive for her attendance was to guard the attendees, as well as the authorities, in case any enemy were to come nearby. You can never have enough security, so having a Garden assassin on the watch couldn't hurt.
When he first heard of the event, one week ago, he didn't feel it was of importance, until Anya came with exciting news, the head of the Desmond family would be there. The chairman will give an important speech for Party members and all their supporters. She had read it from Damian´s mind, because he felt so proud, and sad at the same time.
She saw in his mind that he had begged Melinda to take him, given Demetrius was going to attend and listen to the speech. -“Please mother, I could learn so much from father's declamations, I could learn the politics way, I could…”. But his words died right and there, when Melinda´s gaze cut through his hope like a sharpened blade. He knew better than to insist. She had said “no” a couple of times stating it was an event for adults only (which didn't explain Demetrius presence), but still, he knew he was much younger, so he just thanked his mother for listening, he turned around, slumped his body and left.
Anya had seen all of this and felt sorry for the boy. Her family wasn't real, and yet they have never treated her that coldly. Except when her papa turned into “mean papa” and made her study. But even then, it doesn't compare to the rejection Damian experienced from his parents on a regular basis. Of course she never mentioned this to Twilight, she just lied and told him that Damian had happily given the information. The intel was so juicy that he didn't care to develop further on the source.
Once he knew Donovan Desmond would be giving a public speech, he knew he had to be there. Who knows if the declaration for world peace or war would break right in front of his eyes; despite the risks, getting the intel first hand was of highest priority. Attending as a supporting husband was the perfect cover, so operation Strixx was at its fullest without intending for it at the moment. As for the National Unity Party, of course he wasn´t a supporter, but for the sake of the mission, this time he had to keep playing the part, regardless of how much the idea disgusted him.
As usual, they asked Franky to babysit Anya, so they could both attend the celebration. Yor needed it to arrive early and Loid had agreed (to not mention “begged”) to accompany her, in order to assist with decoration or anything that came up. Yor´s reaction at first was quite hesitant, she had repeated she didn't need any help, but he saw him so excited, of how inspiring could be hearing from the chairman himself his thoughts for the future of the country, he had said he didn't want to miss any moment if, he seemed so enthusiastic she couldn't say no. She was hoping Director McMahon wouldn´t scold her for taking her husband, and if things got messy, she would need to find a way to put Loid safe first and then she could do her job properly. How hard could it be?
The truth was, Loid wanted to be there early because of course, if Melinda and Donovan arrived before the official start, there might be a chance for Yor to greet her, and it could be a perfect excuse to make a personal contact with his main target. Yes, it was a perfect plan indeed. Unfortunately, that day was a new moon, so neither Bond or Anya could predict that nothing would go as the Forgers had planned.
They have bored themselves to death, because they were so efficient together, that they finished the voluntary work meant for three hours, in only 40 minutes. Had they known they would have so much free time, they wouldn't have called Franky so early. Twilight could have saved himself a bunch of dalcs. But what the hell, he was already there, it would all be worth it if he had the chance to speak with Donovan even for a couple of minutes. Alas, he felt quite disappointed when the Desmond car arrived twenty minutes after the start of the event.
It was not common for the chairman to be late at his confirmed events, but it wasn't like anybody had the nerves to dare and mention something about it. Some queens would even say “I am not late, everyone else arrived early”. That´s the kind of authority Donovan Desmond imposed.
Despite the late arrival, Loid pressured Yor to greet Melinda, and knowing how excited his husband was for the whole thing, she was convinced it couldn't be that hard, especially when he told her it would be rude not to approach your friend in such events. She didn´t want to put Melinda in an uncomfortable situation, given he was Melinda's psychiatrist after all, but if just posed as Yor´s husband everything would be fine, they both thought. The Desmonds were, of course, being surrounded by their compatriots and followers, so they had to make their way to the crowd as well. Loid didn't hesitate to grab Yor´s hand and crawled together to get in front of their goal, naturally provoking an instant and subtle blush from her, although she managed to keep up with the plan, for the sake of her husband.
Once they appeared in front of the couple Melinda's face filled with instant terror. Twilight was immediately aware and eased the tension by presenting himself as Yor´s husband, and Anya´s father, in the hopes of being remembered from their first encounter. Melinda´s nervousness eased a little by greeting Yor.
- “Yor, dear, nice seeing you again. Are you affiliated to the Party? I wasn't aware you were interested in politics” (if she was they would have never been friends) she thought.
“Oh, no. I'm here as a volunteer from City Hall”- Yor answered sweetly.
- “Of course, that explains it. So you must be Dr. Forger?” She said, directing her face to Twilight, pretending to have never seen that man in her life.
“Yes mam, Loid Forger, at your service”- making a respectful short bow. Immediately after, he lifted his right hand to shake Donovan Demond´s in a sign of respect but also an awaited polite acceptance. - “A pleasure seeing you again sir, we met months ago at Eden College”.
Donovan couldn't hide a veiled look, but knew that public manners required him to answer the hand shake. - “Yes, Mr. Forger, I believe I recall our encounter” The handshake was not what he had expected, not firm or rigid, just plain and unpleasant. That was when he noticed something was off. His target´s hand was warmer than the regular temperature, and he was quite sweaty, despite how much he was trying to hide it. -Maybe that is why he was so late, he has a fever. But what announcement can be so important that he had to come in this condition? This must be big, I should have prepared some backup. The contact was broken not long after, the chairman excused themselves, they were late and he needed it to get on the stand. Yor also realized something was wrong, but didn't say a word about it.
Once the official presentation had begun, Donovan took his place in the stand, Melinda and Demetrius stood proudly behind. It seemed like the picture perfect of the nation's leaders, but only after a few words the chairman couldn't continue speaking and that was when they saw it: shortness of breath, cold sweat, discomfort, pain instantly located in the chest. Yes, Donovan Desmond was having a heart attack, and there was nothing anybody could do to stop it.
He had lost consciousness. Yor saw the signs, in seconds the brain oxygen levels had dropped, that´s why he collapsed. Almost instantly, Loid instinctively and professionally yelled “I am doctor”, the private security let him get close to check for his signals. By the time he arrived Donovan's pupils were quite dilated, he placed two fingers in the groove between the windpipe and his neck. There was nothing he could do. The chairman had passed away.
Yor felt quite guilty for some time, she knew the signs. If she had alerted Melinda or Loid, could they have done something about it?
For Twilight the resolution was even deeper. With the death of Donovan Desmond there was no further use of his family, no further use of his mission. This was the end of Operation Strix.
To be continued…