Home » The Archives » Chapter 7 » Trouble Under the Hood
| Re: Trouble Under the Hood [message #1855 is a reply to message #1854] |
Sat, 28 July 2012 16:43   |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma:
|
TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
|
|
From: Hobbeth Sent: 3/28/2006 1:40 PM
As the two Thunderbirds vessels disappeared into the distance, Sheik Farees al-Rahman opened the door to the truck containing the relatively uninjured women, children and guards. The women immediately made obeisance to him, and he looked around at them.
"Is everyone all right? Boushra, how do you feel?"
"I am fine, Farees. The women who helped us also reassured us. The baby is well, also."
"Sharifa, tell me what happened."
His third wife took a deep breath. "There was a loud noise, and the truck started skidding. I understand that a tire blew. The truck behind us hit us and we went off the road, tipped and rolled over. I am sorry, Amin died in the crash." She looked down, then back up at him with tears in her eyes. "It was frightening, especially for the children. At first, when the women got there, they were in strange garb, with masks over their faces. The children were so scared, I was afraid they would harm themselves more. But our rescuers went to work to help everyone, and once the children were safe - and Loulou took care of them, calming them down - they did everything they could to treat the injured. Those who needed more help, they took to Baris General Hospital. The truck that rolled they left behind. I do not believe it can be repaired."
The sheik's face showed his approval. "Thank you, Sharifa. Loulou, well done." The two women beamed at his praise. "Sharifa, you and Boushra, along with little Negma, will accompany me and Mehdi to Baris to check on those who were taken there. Loulou, you remain here with the others and continue to take care of the children. Cover yourselves; we have no way to prevent some of my men from seeing you."
He gave orders and soon the switches were made. The two women and the child were now in the back seat of his truck, he and his driver in the front, and Mehdi and one guard were in the middle. The rest would go on to the oasis, along with the supplies. They soon headed out.
The sheik was quiet during the journey. Those women of International Rescue seem to have been very intelligent and capable, to have piloted that huge craft, gotten my people out, got one of the trucks going again, and given the injured the medical treatment they needed. Perhaps my father was not wrong when he said on his deathbed that times were changing and women should not remain so subservient. But I must think on this. I cannot change everything at once. I know that in greater sheikdoms they have allowed women more freedom. But here in the remote areas, the old ways prevail. I believe small changes over a long period of time will be best.
"Father?"
Farees turned to look at his son. "Yes, Mehdi; what is it?"
"Why are we going to see Mother? She is only a woman."
He realized that here was the perfect opportunity to put his thoughts into practice. "She is your mother and my first wife, my son. And it is only right that we be there to support her. Besides, it was 'only women' who saved her, along with the other women, your little brothers and sisters, and the men who were with them."
"Except for Amin."
The sheik nodded. "Except for Amin. But I understand that Amin died before they arrived. Even another man could not have saved him." He paused, gazing at the boy -- no, not a boy. He is a young man. "What does this say to you?"
Mehdi frowned in thought for a moment. "I suppose it means that women are capable of much more, if they are given the chance. And they deserve our respect, as well as our love."
His father smiled slightly. It was a start. "Very good. So we will go see your mother, as well as the others who were taken to the hospital, and give her our love and respect."
The rest of the trip was made in silence as everyone who heard the sheik's words thought about them. When they finally arrived, they were surprised to see that members of the press were there. As soon as the sheik and Mehdi emerged from the vehicle, some descended on them.
"We learned that an International Rescue vehicle brought some of your people here. We understand they were badly injured during a sandstorm. Can you tell us more?"
"You probably know more than we do. I am here to see my people, especially my wife, who had to be operated on."
Another reporter aimed a mike at him. "I understand the rescue was performed solely by women. Is that correct?"
"Aside from one man who was with me, coordinating, yes. The women of International Rescue did all the work, including medical treatment for the injured and repairing one of the vehicles so it could bring the uninjured, or less so, back to me."
He came to a decision. "I want to thank International Rescue for coming to our aid. I wish to express my respect and admiration for the women of that organization - although I never got to meet them - and to tell them they have given me much to think about. Change is never easy, especially that of long term beliefs and traditions, but it may be time to begin. Now, if you will excuse me, I wish to check on the condition of my people."
He turned and beckoned to his son, Sharifa and Boushra. They followed him inside.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
 
|
|
|
|
Current Time: Thu May 16 23:22:17 EDT 2024
Total time taken to generate the page: 0.01617 seconds
|
International Rescue: The Next Phase
Search
Help
Members
Login
Home
