Chapter One
“And that’s the latest wrap on the Knights Demon Fighters and their heroic battles against the Omnis.” Amelia was saying in the newsroom. All of the cameras and bright lights were on her. The live footage she had done from her podcast was on a screen behind her. “This is Amelia Harris from Andros Podcast Station and remember to stay positive Andros City.”
“That’s a wrap!” Zane shouted right after the cameras and bright lights turned off. He went over to Amelia. “I’m pretty sure you’ve convinced Fiona by now that you’re not Knight Dreamer.” He told her quietly. He knew that Fiona still thought Amelia was Knight Dreamer.
“I hope so.” Amelia told him. They both turned to the window of the room. They could see Fiona walking around the tables, her focus on the different podcasters on their laptops. They could also see her looking in their direction every few seconds or so.
“As soon as she gets that interview with your uncle, the better.” Amelia continued. “She’ll finally get her interview with someone who is related to the Knights group even if he isn’t a Knight anymore.” She thought of something and looked at Zane. “Does your uncle know that Lina is Knight Armser?” She asked. “Or does he think it’s you?”
“I have no idea to be honest.” Zane replied. “I haven’t really spoken to Uncle Travis in a few years. Ever since my dad became an F.B.I. agent really. Not that I could ever really talk to my uncle before that.” He sat down on the desk. “For as long as I can remember, my dad always tried to keep Lina and me away from Uncle Travis during family reunions. He had to stop once our grandma, his mom, and his sisters caught on to what he was doing.”
“Sounds like your dad is really tough on Lina and you.” Amelia said. “I don’t know if I would have been able to become a Knight if my dad was that overbearing and controlling.”
Zane forced a smile. “Be glad you’ll never have to find out.” He told her. “Lina and I aren’t planning on telling him any time soon. Even if we get the Knights made legal again, we’re still not telling him.”
Fiona entered the newsroom. “Great news.” She told the two. “I was able to secure an interview with your uncle, Zane.” She went up to the two. “I expect you to be here when I’m interviewing him.” She added, looking at Zane.
“The F.B.I. released Travis Domingo?” Amelia asked, surprised by that. She didn’t think that Agent Domingo would release his brother ever.
“Apparently the director of the F.B.I. didn’t know that Agent Domingo was Travis’s brother.” Fiona explained. “I don’t know what all exactly happened but I think the F.B.I. director didn’t want to risk a trial where it could be seen as a conflict of interest because the agent who did the arresting and the prisoner are brothers.”
“That’s not what happened.” Zane said. He knew F.B.I. protocol and none of what Fiona said was exactly true. He kept that to himself though. He didn’t want to get fired from his job. “Lina and I simply alerted the rest of the family that we couldn’t get a hold of Uncle Travis and I’m guessing they put enough pressure on my dad.”
“That’s not what happened either.” The three spun around to see a very angry Agent Domingo. He wasn’t alone. There were at least four SWAT soldiers with him. “What happened is none of your business but what I can tell you is that none of you work here anymore.” Agent Domingo entered the room. “As of now, Andros Podcast Station is closed for conspiracy theories and supporting criminals.”
“Dad, what are you doing?” Zane demanded. He had seen his dad angry before but this was ridiculous. “You know how much this job means to me.”
Agent Domingo glared at his son. “Your loyalty to me and this nation is more important.” He told Zane. “I refuse to let you work at a place that wants to make those criminals legal again.”
“The Knights have done nothing wrong.” Fiona insisted. “They protect the city from the Omnis.” She marched up to Agent Domingo. “We have a right to report what’s happening in this city.” She told him. “Freedom of the Press, remember?”
Agent Domingo turned to her. “Freedom of the Press does not extend to promoting lies about the Knights.” He told her. “Which is why your interview with my brother is never happening.” He took his handcuffs out. “Fiona Leona, for treason against this nation, I am placing you under arrest.”
Agent Domingo turned to two of his SWAT soldiers. “Take her to one of the SUVS and down to booking.” He ordered. He turned to Zane. “You are not to see your uncle at all.” He told his son.
“I’m an adult, Dad.” Zane reminded his dad. “I can see my uncle if I want to.”
Agent Domingo grabbed his son by the arm. “I even see you near him I will not hesitate to arrest you for conspiring with the Knights.” He told Zane. He was willing to do whatever it took to silence the Knights once and for all.
Amelia took her phone out and started recording. “The people will not just stand by and let you get away with this.” She told Agent Domingo in a firm voice. She wasn’t scared of Agent Domingo. “Andros Podcast Station has been the voice of news for the people and everyone will notice when the podcasts stop.”
Agent Domingo looked at her. “Take her phone away.” He ordered his SWAT soldiers.
Amelia backed away from Agent Domingo. “This is my property.” She reminded him. “By law, you need to have a warrant to take my phone first.” She knew her way around a law book from her time learning about the justice system.
Zane joined her. “We need to get out of here.” He told her. He could see more F.B.I. agents and SWAT soldiers out in the lobby area rounding up podcasters and taking any devices they could. He looked at his dad. “You’re worse than the Omnis.” He said, not caring if he hurt his dad’s feelings. As far as he was concerned, Agent Domingo didn’t have any feelings.
Agent Domingo glared at the two. “Hand over that phone now.” He ordered. His SWAT soldiers moved into the room. “Or we will take it by force.”
“Not unless you get a warrant first.” Amelia shot back. She looked at Zane. “Let’s get out of here.”
The two ran through the back door of the newsroom and out into the alleyway. They could see SUVS down the street ahead of them. They turned around and ran in the opposite direction.
“We need to get to the clock tower and let the others know what’s happening.” Amelia told Zane as they ran. She knew that Nick had to be told that he was out of a job and that their boss had been arrested.
“Do you still have that footage?” Zane asked.
Amelia nodded. “I don’t have the entire scene recorded but I have enough for the people to know that Agent Domingo is power hungry.”
Zane took his own phone out. “I started recording when I saw Agent Domingo in the room.” He explained. “I had a feeling that my dad would go mad with power and go over the edge once I found out Uncle Travis was released.”
“What do we do now?” Amelia asked. “The interview is supposed to be tomorrow.”
Zane thought of something. “We just have to do a new podcast report.” He told her. “Agent Domingo might have closed down the station but if we’re lucky enough, they haven’t disabled the app.”
“What if they have disabled the app?” Amelia asked.
“Then we hope that Hoot can reactivate it and then we send a broadcast out to the entire world and hopefully to Agent Domingo’s boss. There’s no way that the government can ignore the voice of the people without denying that one of their agents has broken the law.” Zane replied.
