Fighting For Your Rights

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Al slid a folder to Robyn. As Robyn opened it and looked at the papers of numbers, Al said, “The first sheet shows the number of people hidden across the planet. Now that is just by continent. They are not all hidden in the same place, but spread out among the countries of old. The North American continent has this secret facility plus one in Canada considering this one is so far south.”

“How many are women?”

“About 60%.”

“How capable are they?”

“Pertaining to what?”

Robyn scanned the numbers trying to figure out based on percentage how many women there were. She picked up a pen and began to write on the paper as she said, “Combat skills.”

“They are all trained same as the men.”

“That isn’t what I want to know. Can they fight just as well as the men? Are they given the same tests as the men? I don’t want these women treated special because if we want to be equal we are going to have to show that women can do just as well as men in everything.” She looked at the figures and quickly added them in her head, “We have about 558 million women in hiding, and then however many we have that are able to live in society safely. They need to be capable to fight.”

Al looked at her in amazement, “How did you know that was how many women were in hiding?”

“It’s called math.”

“Yes, but you did that all in your head.”

“We couldn’t use CURT because it may have been monitored, besides Grandma wanted us to know how to do things without CURT. Now please answer my question.”

“Why don’t I take you down to the training center and you can see for yourself?” Al said standing up and taking the folder.

Robyn nodded and Al walked to a wall and slid the folder into a slot. She pushed the button beside the wall and as it sealed shut, she said, “Seal to my voice.”

“Voice identification activated,” CURT replied.

“We need to be sure that all files are protected even from our people.”

“I understand. I am just trying to remember all the secrets of the facility.”

The door slid open as Al said, “Don’t worry, I will inform you of all of them as we go.”

XXXX

The elevator’s doors opened and Robyn was overwhelmed by the commands being barked and the responses yelled back. She stepped off the elevator and someone yelled, “ATTENTION!”

The room was dead silent as she made her way past the rows of men and women standing tall and alert. As she was about to speak, a leader yelled, “SALUTE.”

Without hesitation, each person raised their hands to their temples and she followed suit. She dropped her arm and they followed suit. “Please go back to what you were doing. I am here to observe.” As the group went back to their activities, Robyn walked toward the shooting range. She looked at the group of people standing around one of the stations and made her way through the group. They quickly stepped aside when they saw her and she watched as a very young man fired his weapon. As soon as he paused in his shooting, she said, “Good shooting, but you are a little to the left.”

He looked at her confused, “What?”

“May I see your gun?” She took the gun from him and removed the top casing and handed it to him. Digging in her pocket, she pulled out a small switchblade.

As it snapped open, the man asked, “What is that?”

“It is what was known as a switchblade. It belonged to my great-great grandfather, actually I think there might be another great in there.” The group laughed as she scraped on one of the sides. She handed him the knife and took the casing out of his hand. Putting the gun back together, the man tried to figure out how to put the blade away. “Just push it back by bending it in half.” As soon as he pushed the blade into the handle, another pushed for a new target. Robyn pushed a button to load the weapon and took aim at the target. She fired and the shot went through the center of the “X” and the next three shots went through the same hole. Handing the weapon back to the man, she stated, “When a gun is shot for a long time, a build up develops in the spot I scraped off. The ammunition ricochets off that buildup and comes out of the barrel at that angle.” She took her knife and turned to leave, “Keep up the good work everyone.”

“Where did you learn that?” Al inquired as she made her way down the row of the shooting range.

“Look who I married.”

“I know you haven’t known Owen that long.”

“My father taught me. He snuck me into the police precinct and taught me how to use weapons and hand-to-hand combat. He wanted me to be able to take care of myself.” Robyn stopped and watched a group of women at the firing range.

A young woman walked up to Robyn, saluted and said, “Director Dored, I’m Annie Falcon.”

“Jack’s daughter,” Robyn stated as she saluted.

“Yes, and I want you to know that I am doing everything in my power to train these women as well as the men.”

“How did you know that was my concern?” Robyn inquired looking at her confused.

“I didn’t, it was just something I wanted you to know. It has always been a concern of mine. I also wanted to say that I am sorry for the loss of Director Masda. I wish I could have gotten to her sooner and maybe…”

“It wasn’t your fault. I thank you for what you did do by getting her out of there and I appreciate your training of these women.” Robyn offered her hand and Annie shook it while nodding her head. The women ceased fire and Robyn looked at each target. “Good job.”

As they turned and began to walk away, Al stated, “Does that satisfy you?”

“Partially, but I wish to see the hand-to-hand combat.”

Al nodded and pointed out the direction to go then fell into step behind her. Robyn glanced back at her, “What is wrong?” Al inquired.

“It just feels strange having someone walk behind me is all.”

“I’m sorry,” Al stated catching up to walk beside her.

“Don’t apologize.” Robyn stopped and watched the two women fight each other examining their every move. The two women quickly stopped when they saw her watching. “Well, if you are gong to stop, may I make a few suggestions?” The two women backed up slowly as Robyn walked to the center. She waved for one of the women to come forward, “Don’t worry you won’t get in trouble for hurting me. I seriously doubt you would be able to hurt me.” One of them cautiously stepped forward, “Now come at me.”

“Excuse me, Ma’am.”

“Come at me.” The woman walked towards her unsure of what to do and hesitantly tried to punch her. Without any effort, Robyn moved her head out of the way to avoid the punch. “I hope you can do better than that.” She stepped back and pulled out her switchblade. The blade snapped open and Robyn handed the woman the handle. “Now try to stab me.”

“I couldn’t… I don’t…”

“It is a simple order. Stab me.” The woman looked around at the others, “Don’t look to them, I am in charge around here and I order you to stab me.”

Without any strength or confidence, the woman jabbed the knife towards Robyn. As soon as Robyn pushed her hand out of the way, the woman replied, “I don’t think…”

“Listen, all I want you to do is attack me with that knife. You won’t hurt me. I want to show you how to properly move towards a person.” She pulled the knife out of the woman’s hand and waved her back. Flicking her wrist, the knife flew and stuck in the floor between the feet of a man. “Pick up the knife.”

Obeying the order, the man grabbed the knife and stepped towards her, “Ma’am.”

“Stab me.”

“I don’t want to hurt you, Ma’am.”

Robyn took the knife from him, “Is there no one in this room who will face me? Is there no one who thinks I can defend myself?”

“I’ll give it a try,” a voice said from the back of the crowd.

Robyn smiled as Owen pushed his way through the crowd. “What are you doing down here?”

“Al asked me to help with some training of the more advanced groups.”

“Do you have a knife?”

“You want to use knives?” Owen inquired.

“It will help to teach a better lesson.”

Owen looked around the group, “Does anyone have a knife?”

Stepping forward, Uriah handed him his knife, “Dad, you are down here too?”

“I trained you, didn’t I?”

Robyn nodded as Owen took his knife. “Will you referee?”

Uriah smiled, “There are better ways to have a marital discussion.”

Looking around at the gathering crowd, Robyn smiled, “And how would that help people to learn?”

As the trio stepped close to each other, Uriah stated, “Now I want you both to have a clean fight. Robyn, no kicking between the legs.”

“What?” Owen inquired.

“That was what she would do in a tight spot.”

Owen shook his head laughing, “You laugh now,” Robyn stated, “but you should be thankful for that rule.”

“Now shake hands and promise this won’t break up your marriage.”

Owen leaned over and kissed her on the lips, “Is that good enough for you, sir?”

“Not a normal start to a fight, but it will do. Now go to your corners.” They both nodded and walked to separate corners of the mat. Uriah stood in the center with his arms stretched out in front of him, he looked at both of them. As soon as each one nodded, he dropped his arm. They rushed towards each other, Robyn with the blade of her knife against her wrist pointing towards her and Owen with the blade aimed away from him. Keeping her body protected with her arms and the one with the knife in front, she watched Owen’s eyes and circled around him.

Owen smiled turning along with her, “Is this how you defeat your opponent, by making them dizzy?”

Laughing, Robyn replied, “I do it to annoy my opponent.”

Owen lunged towards her flicking his wrist with the knife. As soon as he moved his wrist, Robyn kicked him in the stomach. “Good shot,” Owen groaned.

Robyn tilted her head in a bow, “You have very readable eyes. Don’t think that just because I’m a woman, I don’t know how to fight.”

“Granted,” he stated rubbing his stomach. “I just don’t want to hurt you.”

“I can take care of myself,” she answered looking straight into his eyes. Once she had held his eyes with hers, she lunged forward grabbing the arm with the knife by the wrist and pulled it behind his back pressing the edge of the blade onto his spine. “I was trained by the best.”

“Thank you,” Uriah smiled.

“I guess I shouldn’t underestimate you,” Owen stated as she released him still holding onto the knife. He kissed her gently on the cheek, “I apologize.”

“Don’t it was a good lesson for everyone.” As she handed her father his knife, a woman ran up to her and saluted. Robyn saluted and looked at the concern on the woman’s face, “What is it?’

“It is your mother.”

XXXX

Robyn pushed the button and as soon as the door opened a glass pitcher flew through it and Robyn ducked out of the way allowing the door to close. Uriah went to open the door again when Owen stopped him, “Maybe I should go in there?”

“She is my wife,” Uriah defended

“Yes, but she doesn’t seem too keen on the idea of talking with family, especially her husband.”

“You are family, Owen,” Robyn stated looking at the shattered glass on the floor.

“I haven’t been family that long to her and maybe that is just enough for me to talk to her.”

“I don’t think she will listen to us, Dad,” Robyn replied.

Uriah reluctantly nodded, “Be careful, she has a good arm.”

Smiling slightly then quickly removing it from his face, Owen pushed the button and ducked as another glass item flew threw the air. He stepped into the room keeping low and kept his eyes on her as the door closed. “Why did they send you in here?”

“Actually, I asked to be sent in. I wanted to get to know my mother-in-law and this looked like a good opportunity. Besides, I didn’t think you would feel like talking to some members of your family.”

“What makes you think I will talk to you? You are a member of my family now.”

“That’s the same thing Robyn said,” Owen laughed thinking that that would make her want to talk to do the opposite of what her daughter thought.

“I don’t even know who I am anymore, so, how can I tell you about myself?”

“Well, where were you born, I think that one you can say.”

“I was born in the capital. Ironic, isn’t it? My mother was wanted by both kings and they never found her, yet she chose to live in the capital. The very town that you would think she would want to avoid.”

“Well, they often say to do what isn’t expected of you,” Owen stated sitting at the table as she grabbed for another thing to throw, just in case.

“Where were you born?”

“Ireland. Fallmore, Ireland to be exact.”

“Where is that?”

“It is the tip of an island of northwestern Ireland.”

“Your far from home,” Amaris stated watching his every movement.

“Well, I don’t think Ireland is my home anymore.”

“So, what do you consider your home?”

“Anywhere Robyn is. Since you are asking so many questions, what else would you like to know about me?”

“What about your parents? I know your father died when you were a baby, but what about your mother?”

“She’s dying.”

Amaris looked at Owen’s face, “What of?”

Holding back the pain, he answered, “My uncle injected her with a mutant form of the AIDS virus.”

“I’m sorry…”

“You have to know that it wasn’t your mother who decided to keep the truth from you. Your father made her promise not to tell the truth.”

“How am I supposed to believe that?”

“Your mother told me.”

“Oh, that helps me to believe even more.”

“Most of the truth that you are searching for there is no way to get a solid, concrete proof. You have to believe in the truth.”

“Next thing You’re going to do is quote the Bible aren’t you?”

“I was raised in the palace by King Roham, who forbid the Bible. My mother read it to me when I was very little and the only verse I remember is ‘Jesus wept’.”

“That’s the only one.”

“In full, anyway. How about telling me what your main problem is?”

Amaris laughed out a breath, “There are so many to choose from. Lying, death…”

“Jealousy.”

“Jealousy? Jealous of what?”

“Of your daughter.”

“Why would I be jealous of my daughter?”

“Can I give you my opinion?”

“Do I have a choice?”

Standing, he looked into her eyes, “You need to grow up and act like a mother. Your daughter has had placed on her a tremendous amount of responsibility. She is to lead the world into a revolution and to bring the world into a new beginning, and she could use her mother right now to lean on, to turn to for comfort, to ask advice of. But what do you choose to do, wallow in self-pity. Do you think you are the first person to be lied to or to loose a loved one? Are you going to let yourself be one of the few to let it destroy you?” Owen turned to go. He stopped and turned back to look at her, “You need to talk to your husband. I may not have been married as long as you have and most others, but I do know that no marriage lasts if you don’t talk.” Amaris’s anger grew with each word uttered, he went to open the door, “So, just stay here and finish throwing your temper tantrum.” Before she could throw anything, he quickly left the room.

Uriah looked at him, “Thanks for talking to her?”

Nodding, Owen took Robyn’s hand and pulled her around the corner. “I want us to make a promise,” Owen stated taking her head in his hands and looking into her eyes.

“What is that?”

“No matter how mad we get at each other, we talk. Even if we are yelling and screaming, we talk.”

Robyn nodded her head in his hands. Leaning over, Owen kissed her on the lips. She wrapped her arms around him, and pulled herself closer to him. He pulled his head away from her, and she laid her head on his chest. “How am I going to help this world start over, if I can’t even help my mother?”

Kissing the top of her head, Owen answered, “You can’t help someone who doesn’t want it.”