A Legacy of Stars -- Part I --

[Seventeen years later . . .]

Jarrod Winner watched the new recruits below him move through the obstacle course. With a slight sigh, he turned from the window. “I hope you have someone older in mind.”

Quatre bit back a chuckle as the head of the Preventers measured his son with a glare. Silver now streaked through Une’s brown hair but that was the only real change Quatre could find. The lady still held the reins of the peacekeepers’ organization in her iron grip.

“Actually, I do have someone else in mind, Mr. Winner,” Une replied. She hit a button on her desk, opening a line to her secretary. “Verna, has Preventer Shadow reported back from her last mission?”

“She has and is waiting to give a report in person.”

Une smiled. “Please send her in now.”

A moment later, a young woman dressed in a senior Preventer uniform entered. She seemed surprised to see Quatre and Jarrod but remained at attention. Une motioned for her to take a chair but the woman declined. “I’m here to give my report, but perhaps I should return later.”

Une shook her head. “The report can wait. I have something to discuss with you.”

“You can’t mean Faith,” Jarrod protested. “She can’t be experienced enough for something like this.”

Faith narrowed her eyes at him briefly before turning her attention back to Une. “What is the offer?”

“The younger Mr. Winner is the newly appointed Deputy Finance Secretary of ESUN. He is trying to assemble a security force and has asked for some help from the Preventers. I’m considering you for the position, Maxwell.”

Faith lifted an eyebrow. “I believe that Deputy Secretary Winner has some doubts about my qualifications if I do take the offer.”

Quatre laughed, surprising everyone around him. Faith’s answer reminded him of Relena when she had been too provoked. “Perhaps you can convince him otherwise, Faith?”

“I don’t know if I would want to take it, Quatre,” she replied.

“I think that I have some say in the matter,” Jarrod announced, glaring at Faith and his father. “The security force will be under my employ.”

Une leaned back in her chair. The small movement drew everyone’s attention. “Mr. Winner, you asked for my recommendation regarding a possible head of security. Agent Maxwell has my highest recommendation. You can accept her and her qualifications or not.

“Also, I will not persuade Maxwell one way or another to take the position if you do decide to offer it to her. Now, I need to listen to her mission report. Good day, gentleman.”

Quatre thanked her and ushered his son out of the room. He was amazed at the tactless way his son had just conducted himself. Why Jarrod didn’t use his diplomacy skills outside the political arena Quatre would never understand.

“I think that you should seriously consider Faith,” Quatre said as they walked through the familiar hallways of the Preventers Headquarters.

“She’s too young,” Jarrod protested. “She can’t be more than twenty-six. There’s no way she can have the skills needed to run the security force I need.”

“Faith’s twenty-five and holds senior rank as a Preventer. She has skills, Jarrod. If you want a demonstration, then ask for one. Don’t belittle her without reason.”

Jarrod shook his head. “She won’t accept such a job, even if she was qualified.”

“Find out,” Quatre said. “Then make your decision, son.”


Part I [Seventeen years later . . .] Jarrod Winner watched the new recruits below him move through the obstacle course. With a slight sigh, he turned from the window. “I hope you have someone older in mind.” Quatre bit back a chuckle as the head of the Preventers measured his son with a glare. Silver now streaked through Une’s brown hair but that was the only real change Quatre could find. The lady still held the reins of the peacekeepers’ organization in her iron grip. “Actually, I do have someone else in mind, Mr. Winner,” Une replied. She hit a button on her desk, opening a line to her secretary. “Verna, has Preventer Shadow reported back from her last mission?” “She has and is waiting to give a report in person.” Une smiled. “Please send her in now.” A moment later, a young woman dressed in a senior Preventer uniform entered. She seemed surprised to see Quatre and Jarrod but remained at attention. Une motioned for her to take a chair but the woman declined. “I’m here to give my report, but perhaps I should return later.” Une shook her head. “The report can wait. I have something to discuss with you.” “You can’t mean Faith,” Jarrod protested. “She can’t be experienced enough for something like this.” Faith narrowed her eyes at him briefly before turning her attention back to Une. “What is the offer?” “The younger Mr. Winner is the newly appointed Deputy Finance Secretary of ESUN. He is trying to assemble a security force and has asked for some help from the Preventers. I’m considering you for the position, Maxwell.” Faith lifted an eyebrow. “I believe that Deputy Secretary Winner has some doubts about my qualifications if I do take the offer.” Quatre laughed, surprising everyone around him. Faith’s answer reminded him of Relena when she had been too provoked. “Perhaps you can convince him otherwise, Faith?” “I don’t know if I would want to take it, Quatre,” she replied. “I think that I have some say in the matter,” Jarrod announced, glaring at Faith and his father. “The security force will be under my employ.” Une leaned back in her chair. The small movement drew everyone’s attention. “Mr. Winner, you asked for my recommendation regarding a possible head of security. Agent Maxwell has my highest recommendation. You can accept her and her qualifications or not. “Also, I will not persuade Maxwell one way or another to take the position if you do decide to offer it to her. Now, I need to listen to her mission report. Good day, gentleman.” Quatre thanked her and ushered his son out of the room. He was amazed at the tactless way his son had just conducted himself. Why Jarrod didn’t use his diplomacy skills outside the political arena Quatre would never understand. “I think that you should seriously consider Faith,” Quatre said as they walked through the familiar hallways of the Preventers Headquarters. “She’s too young,” Jarrod protested. “She can’t be more than twenty-six. There’s no way she can have the skills needed to run the security force I need.” “Faith’s twenty-five and holds senior rank as a Preventer. She has skills, Jarrod. If you want a demonstration, then ask for one. Don’t belittle her without reason.” Jarrod shook his head. “She won’t accept such a job, even if she was qualified.” “Find out,” Quatre said. “Then make your decision, son.”


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