The Stronghold

Accused

The man hissed, looking down at the burn on his hand.

"That scientist came dangerously close to me," he growled, "and that cannot be permitted."

S lowered his head and shuffled his feet. "Yes sir. It won't happen again, sir."

"It better not!" the man roared in a sudden fit of rage, thumping the metal tabletop. It dented and S took a step back, fear making his hands shake.

"Why was there even a fire near me, anyway?" the man growled, anger subsiding. "Was it a plan by you, S?"

"No sir!" S cried, pink eyes wide. "I had no idea it was happening!"

"But you run everything up there, S," the man said in a voice as smooth as silk, hinting at an Irish accent.

"Only thanks to you, sir," S murmured, shoving his fists into his pockets to disguise the trembling. "I would never do anything to jeopardise my position, or your mission, sir."

"I should hope not," the man hissed. "Because you know what happens if you do."

The man snapped his fingers together, an evil smile on his face. S glanced up just in time to see his little sister dragged into the room, metal limbs creaking and groaning, rust covering her face like a horrible birthmark. S moaned, reaching out.

"It's your fault," his sister said, eyes full of acidic tears. "Your fault!"

"I only wanted to keep you safe," S said, a blood red tear rolling down his face. "I'm so, so sorry..."

"Take her away," the man ordered. S tried to keep hold of her hand but she slipped away, yanked backwards by two stern-looking guards.

"You see, child," the man said, drumming his fingers on the tabletop, causing more dents, "it's not you your actions affect."

"Please don't hurt her," S begged, tears still pouring over his skin. "Please!"

"Silence!" the man bellowed, standing up. He cast a formidable presence over the quivering agent, death and anger radiating off him.

"Go back up top," the man snapped. "Run everything as usual. But start preparing them all for war."

S turned to leave, taking deep breaths to steady his nerves. His sharp suit was stained with blood and he was covered in a cold sweat, terror racking his nerves and preventing him from thinking straight.

"Oh, and agent," the man called, "don't tell that scientist about any of this. That is, if he comes back."

*

I yawned and rolled my water bottle across the table, batting it between my fingers. It was around 2AM and I'd only just been discharged from the hospital with an order to drink a lot of water for my still dry throat.

"Welcome back, sir," Kevin said, activating and flying over. "I hope you are well?"

"My throat is hurting a little but I feel okay," I replied, shrugging. "And I smell of smoky bacon crisps."

"I'm sure you don't, sir, but my sensors tell me that you still have some smoke in your system," Kevin told me. I sighed and coughed, cracking open the bottle and taking a long drink.

I finished the bottle quicker than I would have thought. I crumpled it up and tossed it away. "Is Georgina awake?"

"No sir."

"She's not nocturnal then," I murmured, a small smile on my lips. "Lies, all lies."

"Is there anything I can do for you, sir?" Kevin asked.