Hardbingers

6

"Don't you think you were perhaps a little harsh with the man?"

The Oculus sat behind the desk in his study and faced the two yenigeri, Miller and Davis. They stood before him, feet apart, hands behind their backs. Both wore casual clothes—the yenigeri imposed no dress code at Home—with Davis in jeans and a sweater and Miller in a gray warm-up.

The Oculus had been downstairs a few moments ago and noticed a dejected-looking Zeklos packing the contents of his locker into a battered suitcase. After learning the situation, he'd called the two principals here to discuss the matter.

"He's a menace," Miller said. "He should be kicked out pure and simple without fooling around with half measures."

The Oculus didn't particularly like Miller as a person—and he sensed he wasn't alone in that—but no one could doubt his devotion to the MV and to his job as one of the Oculus's protectors. And after what had befallen his brother and sister Oculi around the world, he needed all the protection he could get.

"I agree that Zeklos is a liability at this point," Davis said, "but I don't think he's broken beyond repair. I think he's simply lost his edge." He glanced at Miller. "He needs a tune-up, not a bullet."

"He's not fixable and should be dealt with according to the Code."

Davis turned to Miller. "You want to pull the trigger on him? Would you like that? Would that make your day?"

"You do what has to be done."

It pained him to see such dissension. More, it frightened him. An effective MV needed solidarity to perform its duties of protection and eradication. If not for his daughter, the Oculus would have had the MV focus on its eradication responsibilities. But with Diana here, he wanted them in top form as protectors as well.

He could only suggest. Although his opinions carried weight, the yeniceri were an autonomous organization with their own rules and set of procedures—which seemed to be breaking down since the loss of the Twins. They would listen, but in the end they would make their own decision.

The Oculus raised his hands. "Gentlemen, may I make a suggestion?"

"Of course," Davis said.

"I favor the middle course." He saw Miller's features harden so he focused his attention on him. "I say that purely as a matter of practicality. After the recent depredations, the MV is not exactly flush with yenigeri. You need every man you have. To throw one away at this juncture—"

"Is losing nothing," Miller said. "We can't count on him."

The Oculus shook his head. "Yes, but—"

He froze. That feeling—the same as last night—had returned, as strong as before.

Davis stared at him with a concerned expression. "Something wrong?"

"No… something right, I think. I hope. I pray."

He told him about last night's unique sensation, how it had burst upon him, and how it had faded away.

"And now it has returned."

He closed his eyes as the feeling grew stronger.

"What's it mean?" Davis said.

The Oculus looked at him. "That someone special, someone we've been looking for, is near."

Miller's eyes widened. "The Sentinel?"

"I… I'm not sure, but this feeling is so… so beckoning that it might very well be the Sentinel. Or an emissary."

"Where?"

The feeling was strong now.

"Outside! He's right out front this very moment!"

He wished now that they hadn't bricked up the windows.

"The roof!" Davis said.

But as he followed Miller and Davis up the stairs, the Oculus felt the sensation begin to fade.

No! Not again!

He reached the roof and stared down at the traffic three floors below. Half a dozen cars in sight. The source was moving away… it had to be in one of them, but he could not tell which. He wanted to scream Stop! But to whom?

Anger tinged his desperation. Why was he being taunted like this? To what end?

He waited for the inevitable moment when the feeling would evaporate as if it had never been.

There it went… fading… fading…

And then the fading stopped. The feeling remained faint, but steady.

"Is he gone?" Davis said.

The Oculus shook his head but said nothing. He concentrated on the sensation, centered on it. It remained faint… faint… and then…

A little stronger… and then stronger still…

"He's coming back! We can't let him get away!"

"Which way's he coming?" Miller said.

"I don't know. I can't tell. But I'll know when he's close. And then you must follow him. Find him and bring him to me."