Luis looked pleased at the comment. At that moment Adam heard a familiar voice say, “High five, Mr. Adam.”
He turned to see Mannie emerge from behind his father with his hand held high. Adam glanced at Maddie. She looked just as shocked as he figured he looked himself.
Adam gave Mannie a high-five and said, “Hey, big guy. I’m surprised to see you here.”
Mannie looked a little disappointed.
Sancha said, “This sly one was supposed to stay home. Imagine our surprise when we opened the trunk of the car to get our supplies and found this stowaway.”
She made a fake mad face at Mannie and tousled his hair.
He shrugged and said, “No way was I going to miss out on the action.”
Maddie and Sancha exchanged worried glances.
“Just stick close to all of us,” said Mel. “You’ll be fine.”
“Where’s Albert?” asked Maddie, using her hand for a sun visor as she scanned the area.
“He’s over there being Albert,” said Roxy sarcastically, pointing in the direction of the horse pavilion.
Adam turned in time to see Albert, who looked to be in his mid-seventies, wheeling a large cart with several cases of bottled water stacked high on it. Adam’s manners kicked in, and he started to walk toward Albert to offer a hand. He felt a large hand on his arm and turned to look up into the face of Roman, the hulk.
“Trust me. He won’t take kindly to you offering him help,” said Roman with a slight grin on his face.
Adam turned back to look at Albert more closely. Although Albert’s face was that of an old man, he didn’t appear to be having any trouble pushing the heavy cart. In fact, the more he watched, the more he realized that Albert seemed quite fit and wasn’t struggling at all.
As if reading his thoughts, Roman said, “I know. He’s a strange old bird. Strong as an ox. He could appear any age that he wanted, but he likes his current form. Thinks it gives him an added advantage. People underestimate him.”
Adam cocked his head. “Hey, if it works, power to him. I guess.”
Roman laughed and gave Adam a single pat on the back as he walked past him toward Albert. Adam watched as he tried to take the cart from Albert. Albert shook his head, aggravated, and pushed Roman away. Instead, Roman walked side by side with Albert until they both joined the group—Roman grinning all the way.
Adam glanced across the field again and saw Jeremy and at least twenty others huddled together.
This was like a giant football game with hundreds of players.
Based on the files that Adam had seen on the KTP, he recognized several of the top leaders in the group. He tried to focus his attention on what Mel was saying as he gave the last-minute game plans.
At precisely ten o’clock, Jeremy motioned for Mel and company to join them. By then, the field was lined with so many of the KTP that it gave the appearance of a military force—an army of sorts. There were thousands of them all over the field.
Some of the other peacekeepers followed Mel onto the field. Jeremy walked to the center of the field carrying a bullhorn. As Mel started walking to meet him, he motioned for Adam to join him. Jeremy shook both of their hands and announced through the bullhorn, “This is a momentous occasion.”
Many on both sides of the crowd cheered. Mel and Adam nodded in agreement. Jeremy looked back and motioned for the other twenty or so KTP leaders to move forward. Mel motioned for the rest of the 12-L council to move forward as well. Everyone met in the middle and shook hands.
Mel extended his hand to request the bullhorn. Jeremy handed it over.
“We come in peace today,” he said. “We don’t want any violence.”
Again, many on both sides of the crowd cheered.
Jeremy nodded as well. Adam couldn’t tell by the looks on the faces of the other KTP whether they agreed with Jeremy or not. The peacekeepers would need more than just Jeremy’s support if they were going to accomplish anything.
Jeremy looked at Mel and said, “We all know why we are here today. One of the newest members of your ranks has killed our leader. I have made it clear to the Keepers of Transcendent Power that this was an act of self-defense. Adam shielded himself when Paul shot at him. He didn’t intend to kill him. Due to such an unprecedented event, I was willing to listen when Adam suggested that we call a truce so that none of us have to live the way we have been living. We don’t have to live with this violence and persecution. We have decided to hear your case. There are many of us in the KTP who would like to find a peaceful resolution as well.”
“Adam, please state your case to the members of the KTP,” said Mel as he backed up to give him the spotlight.
Adam had expected Mel to do all of the talking. He was caught by surprise when he was asked to speak. He hadn’t prepared a formal speech, but he knew exactly what he wanted to say and what Mel wanted him to convey to the audience. So he took the bullhorn and spoke from his heart.
“For more than a century the KTP has recruited members by way of force and has deemed that, if anyone is a peaceful practitioner of Refined Transcendent Power, they must join the KTP or die. Under Paul’s command, the KTP would do anything to keep RTP a secret. Some in the KTP use RTP for violence, evil, and illegal activities, which goes against the teachings of your forefathers.”
At this there were angry rumblings from both sides of the crowd—some angry at
