Secret War: The Annihilation Plague (Part 2)

Chapter 6

 Hayden sat on his bed as the door to his cell slammed shut. He sighed and rubbed his eyes before looking up at the ceiling. What the frig was everyone up to? He did nothing wrong; he tried to do what needed to be done-

You are correct.

The voice made him start and glance everywhere for its source, but he was alone.

Do not be afraid, Hayden Tresch. I am here to aid you.

'Who are you?'

A friend, someone who admires your abilities and who believes your acts are justified.

'Yes, of course, they are. I do not need you to tell me that.'

No, no, I don't; I just wish you to know that I agree with you. Truly and fully. That you are being wasted, your talents squandered by being locked in this cell while less talented and...perfect agents are doing assignments and most assuredly messing them up. Agents such as that little fool Attelus Xanthis Kaltos.

Hayden smiled, but he shook it away.

'I...I should not be listening to a voice in my head that claims to be my friend.'

And why not? It is a free galaxy, is it not? Despite what so many claim what you can and cannot do, it is still a free place, so why not? I understand you, Hayden. I know as well as you how you are the best at everything.

Hayden grimaced. 'I'm not the best at everything, Darrance...Attelus Kaltos...and...Castella Lethe was a far better sword wielders than me.'

Ah, yes, but if you applied even a tenth of the time they did at swordplay, you would be as good, if not better than all of them.

Hayden smiled, but he didn't shake it away; he'd always secretly thought the same thing.

See? See? You know it as well. That is the truth, my friend, and everyone knows it, and that is why you are in here.

'What? What do you mean?'

They are jealous, Hayden Tresch. All of them see how talented you are, and they envy you. They fear your true potential that you will surpass them—most especially Inquisitor Jelcine Enandra of the Ordo Hereticus.

'You think so?'

I know so, Hayden. I know so. Have you ever wondered why that mediocre fool Arlathan Karkin was promoted to the Interrogator position, not you?

'Yes, but-'

But nothing you should have been made her Interrogator. You should have led the mission to Sarkeath instead of that naive, foolish boy Attelus Kaltos. That is just a fact. Inquisitor Enandra is holding you back because she is afraid if you became an Inquisitor like her, you would be one of the greatest Inquisitors the Imperium of Mankind would ever see. She's afraid you would surpass her, that you would eclipse you! Just as she surpassed her master Devan Torathe but on a far grander scale.

Hayden pursed his lips; he knew what was happening, he knew what this was, but he was finding it hard to care. He held Enandra no real loyalty and no real loyalty to the Imperium of Mankind, yet he had fought tooth and nail for them over the last three years, and this is what he got for it? Everyone lecturing him for a logical, pragmatic call and being kept in this damned cell.

'Besides stroking my ego, friend, what else can you offer me?' said Hayden, hoping he would not regret this.

The voice's reply was laughter.

Attelus made sure it was nighttime when he approached the cliff face. Wrapped in his camoleoline cloak and crouch walking, he moved in silence through the thickest bush on the side of his approach. Despite this, he thought yet again that the likes of Dellenger, or hell, Hayden Tresch, would be better candidates for this mission. The thought of Hayden Tresch made Attelus wonder how the sniper was fairing; he hoped he was well and overcome his pride soon; there were few people Attelus would rather watch his back, Karmen Kons and Adelana, the other two and perhaps, Kalakor.