Hydra Heart

Chapter Seven

Chapter 7: Fealty to the Crown

Banner looked at his reflection on the shiny projecting platform, where he'd be seeing a hologram soon. He admired his politically perfect face, precisely between too bulky and too skinny. Appealingly masculine, but not gruff. He was short-sighted. A pair of thin-rimmed glasses implied this likable "flaw" to his constituents. It was one of many reasons why he was elected as President of Hirudinea five terms in a row.

He sat down in a chair with a seat of luxurious velvet, awaiting a call. Normally, he'd be too busy overseeing the big picture for this type of meeting, but the formation of the KCD had warranted special attention.

He adjusted his two-leaved tie. His jacket and pants were a solid black, but the tie was representative of the Hirudinean flag, a red flap and a blue flap, laced together with green thread.

INCOMING CALL: BRUTA CAVARIE

He answered the call. An image appeared on the screen: A stout, light-skinned woman with blonde hair, tied back in a ponytail. She had the statue posture of a general who didn't take questions, and the uninviting face to match. Her grey military-style outfit had a small Hirudinean flag on it, which she loathed.

"Head Operative Bruta Cavarie, reporting."

"You know, Ms. Cavarie, you're the only soldier I have who wouldn't end that with a 'sir.'"

"There's a lot of ways I'm different from the rest of your lackeys."

Banner had a lot of experience hiding his agitation. He knew that it wasn't showing.

"Anyway, Ms. Cavarie." He rolled a fake smile onto his face. "I believe you have something to tell me about."

"Yep." So informal, thought Banner. The woman continued, "The Kit Control Division that you put me in charge of has been a success, but we had a little setback. We captured two organization agents, and they escaped. We collected bodycam footage off of the soldiers, and, turns out, they died to a new Kit we'd never seen before. I believe I might have been mistaken, then, in saying that their numbers were depleting."

"Yes, this is--"

"I wasn't done talking." She cleared her throat. "As I was saying, we're going to take a new approach. We're collaborating with local police in Alogan territory. I am going to find every last one of those--"

"Ms. Cavarie, um..."

"What."

"Sorry, it just sounded like... almost like you're letting your feelings get in the way of your job, but..." He let the pause hang, discreetly reveling in the woman's fear. "But, I know you're not stupid enough to do that." His eerily smooth voice dripped with condescension.

"No. I just have some loose ends to clean up." She clenched her fist, hoping Banner wouldn't notice her hatred.

"Well, don't get tangled up in those loose ends. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have someone I need to visit." Banner ended the hologram projection abruptly and stepped out of the room.

"I wasn't done talking." Who does she think she is? I hate diplomacy. But, to sell the KCD in Alogos, we need a native Alogan leading the branch. And, she is qualified and motivated. I guess I'll work on controlling her, instead of just putting someone else in the spot.

He exited his private room. He was on his way to visit a prisoner.