Legalos - A Legendary Legacy

The Visitor - Part 3

 

It's been a little more than two weeks since we found a body on the doorstep of HOHOHO.

We were all shocked to discover that the body belonged to Azahoran Desert Prince, Randy Lam - the true love of Isadora Legalos, my older sister.

 

Randy miraculously survived his trip across 2000 miles of Azahoran Desert to warn Isadora and the Legalos family that they were in danger.  A special division of the Azahoran Government, known as the NST believes that Isadora was a spy, sent to steal government secrets during her Fellowship at the University's Bio Botany House.

 

For the first time, in many months, my sister Isadora was smiling.  After her round the clock vigil as Randy lay on the doorstep of death, Isadora was relieved to once again be in the arms of the man she loved above all others.

 

Randy's devotion to Isadora was intense.
"I intend to marry you, Isadora, when this is all over.  I'm going to put a ring on this finger, and I will make you my wife."

 

And there was happiness for Isadora, in a heart that for so long held only sadness.

 

But there was still much uncertainty.  Randy knew that the NST would not be far behind him.  He had smuggled out of Azahora, a hard drive from the computer at the Bio Botany house, hoping it would contain information regarding the crimes that Isadora was suspected of.

 

Randy connected the hard drive to our computer and began to search for clues.  Isadora had made some interesting discoveries regarding the L.Siminivori, but nothing outside of the requirements of the project, assigned by Professor Cole.

And then, Randy found something very interesting, and the mystery began to make sense.

"Isadora, at the Bio Botany house, the night you used the computer, was that the first time you accessed it?"
"Yes"
"And you're sure?"
"Of course.  Professor Cole was usually down there working, but on that night he was out in the greenhouse.  I knew what I was looking for, I didn't think it would take long."
"And that's when the NST showed up?"
"Yes."
"How did you log onto the computer?"
"With my University account, since it was a University Computer, I just, well, it made sense to use my account."
"And that is the only time you were ever on that computer, for any reason?"
"Yes, yes, why is that important?"

 

"Because according to the hard drive system log files, your account was accessed every day from that computer.  In fact that was the only account ever logged.  That account was used to access Azahoran Government sites that can only be accessed with top secret clearance.  Someone was using that account to spy on the government."

"But Professor Cole, he was the only one who used that computer."

 

"That's RIGHT."

"But, but, Professor Cole, he was the one who helped me apply for the fellowship, I had him my freshman year for Botany, he, he he was my academic sponsor."

 

"I, I, I thought he was a friend..."

"But, think, think hard Isadora, was there every anything suspicious, anything at all?  Any reason you would think that Professor Cole would do something like this to you?"

"I, I don't know.  He was always really really nice to me - maybe too nice.  He helped me apply for the fellowship, he thought it was a good experience for me, he really believed in me, and then when he told me he'd applied for a visiting professorship, well, it just seemed like it was working out perfectly, going far from home but still having my academic sponsor and favorite professor there.  His eyes always did seem kind of strange.  But Randy, it just doesn't make sense."

"It doesn't have to Isadora.  What's important is that we now have enough information to prove your innocence.  Professor Cole obviously used your personal information that he had access to as your academic sponsor to gain entry into the University Computer system, meaning any of his online activities could not be traced to him - they would be traced to you"

"And because I was a student..."

"He probably figured that nothing would happen to you, because you were a student and couldn't possibly be connected to the levels of information he was tapping into.  But you surprised everyone Isadora, by disocovering things about the L.Simnivori that no one had anticipated"

"And that's why they thought I was the one breaking into those sites, because when they caught me, I was researching L. Simnivori."
"But why would Professor Cole care about Azahoran government secrets?  He's just a science teacher."

"We don't know that Isadora.  He looks like a science teacher, but we don't know who else he might be working for or connected to.  He gained a lot of valuable information in his position, using students to do research, and using student accounts to hack into government documents."

"So how do we prove I'm innocent?"

"The hard drive proves your innocence Isadora.  You were logged into the system during times that there are witnesses that know you were nowhere near a computer during that time."

"Is that going to be enough?

"We have to hope so.  I have to go back to Azahora, Izzy.  I have to get to my father and show him the data.  It's the only way."

 

Oh Randy, No!  Please..."  And a river of tears returned to Isadora's eyes.

"Oh please, please don't cry.  I don't want to leave you Isadora.  But as long as the NST is looking for you, or me, we will never be safe, and neither will your family.  I, I can't even tell you what they are capable of.  And they will stop at nothing.  Professor Cole was accessing information on the Azahoran Bio Weaponry Program.  This is very dangerous information.  If it got into the wrong hands, it could be catastrophic.  I have to go Izzy, to save your life, and perhaps to save my country.  I have to bring them the hard drive."

"When will you go?  I can't lose you again..."

"You will never lose me Isadora, in this life or the next.  I will leave in the morning.  I'll wear a disguise and I'll take the bus.  But please, no more tears.  I can't bear for you to be sad."

And Isadora did her best to swallow a pain she knew was big enough to bury her.

"I still think I can beat you at Chess"  Randy said "Let's order Chinese and try to enjoy our time together."

 

So they called for Chinese, and did their best to enjoy the game they fell in love over.
"Where will you go, when you get to Azahora?"
"I don't know yet.  I have some friends who can help.  I think they can contact my father for me.  I know he'll listen if I can get directly to him."

 

When the doorbell rang, Randy smiled.  "That should be our Moo Goo Gai Pan" he grinned, and went to the door.

 

But it wasn't Chinese delivery.  It was two NST agents, with an ominous black limousine.

"Prince Ranadon Lamzxyl - We are here under orders from the Government of Azahora, Division of Prosecution and Protection.  You're going to have to come with us back to Azahora."

Isadora heard the voices at the door and burst into tears at the sight of the NST agents.

"What crime am I being charged with?"  Randy demanded.

"Sir, you are a suspect in an ongoing investigation.  There is evidence to suggest you are linked to an internal espionage operation and have stolen government property." The NST agent barked.

 

"I am Prince Randadon Lamzyxl, heir to the throne of Azahora.  It is perposterous to think I would sabatoge my own country!  I want to speak to my father."

"You are not permitted any phone calls at this time.  Our orders are to remove you from the premesis immediately."

"But, can I get my things together - there's something I need to get."

"No sir, you won't be needing anything.  You will come with us now."

 

Isadora sobbed as this nightmare opened up before her and swallowed her whole.  The NST agents were ruthless.

"And YOU, Isadora Legalos, You have been warned to have no contact with anyone from Azahora, especially Prince Ranadon.  If we find you have made contact with him again, you will be brought up on criminal charges and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

 

Isadora followed in silent tears as Randy was led to the waiting limousine.

"Be strong Isadora, Be strong."  he whispered "Believe in our love."

"Isadora Legalos, if you ever attempt to contact Prince Ranadon you WILL be prosecuted by the Azahoran Governement.  Your movements and contacts are being closely monitored.  If you do not comply, we will know about it."

The limousine drove away with Randy.  Isadora's heart may as well have been dragged behind it, all the way back across 2000 miles of Azahoran desert.  She stood on the curb and sobbed, until she collapsed.

 

I'm sorry.  It's just.  It's just the saddest thing that's ever happened.  It's not fair.  It's not right.  I, I don't know what we're going to do.

 

 

 

 

Next - Robi Meets The Legalos Family

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