Heathen Chronicles - Changed

Chapter 2 - Old Debts

General's POV

I stood at his door, waiting to be acknowledged, but he was so drawn into his work that he didn't notice me. I found myself wondering: where were the days when we were young, innocent, and free? Now we were trapped like this... but not for long. I took a breath and forced myself to remain calm. I had to play my cards exactly right with him.

"Hello... old friend. It's so good to see you..."

"Spencer! It's so good to see you! I didn't realize you were here. My apologies. Oh, wait! I meant to address you as General Reed now. Sorry," corrected Dr. Harper. He hugged me awkwardly after a clumsy attempt at a salute.

Pathetic.

"Ha! Ha! Yes, we both have new names to call each other now. First 'Teacher' and now 'Headmaster.' Dr. Liam Harper. I'll never get used to that. Headmaster of one of the best schools in the country, with students from around the world. Very impressive. I'm very... happy for you. How have you been?" I asked, trying to sound as casual and interested as I possibly could.

My urges were starting to get the best of me. I had to keep them in check. She was here...

"I've been good, thanks, just very busy. Running a school isn't as easy as it sounds, but it is something that I love doing. I'm glad to see that you are still alive and kicking. The last time I saw you, you were leaving to fight some war, dropping out of college completely."

"And we won, didn't we?"

"I guess we did... and we have you to thank for that. I'm still so shocked. We always thought you would blow the whole place up."

His jokes were the same. He hadn't really changed much.

"You still look the same... Wow. So, what's with the surprise visit?" he asked, a hint of suspicion creeping into his voice. He must have remembered that, one way or another, I always have an agenda.

"I'm here to collect payment on a small debt that you owe me," I half-lied.

My mind drifted to how delicious she looked in her uniform. How I wanted to tear it off for a taste of what lay underneath. I had seen her as she passed by on her way to one of her classes earlier. She didn't even know how special she was.

I'm here for her.

"Oh, right. What do you need?"

"I need... some of your students."

"What? Are you mad? I can't just give you some of my students! They're humans, for crying out loud, not things to be used as capital!" spat Dr. Harper furiously.

I could feel my anger peaking. I just needed to breathe.

"Whoa, calm down, old friend. That's not what I meant. What I am proposing will benefit us both. I need some advertisement, and I am willing to take some of your students on and have them study under my program... for free. Obviously, only one student will be offered the... reward at the end of their training, but it's good publicity for both you and me. And it will teach some of your kids some discipline; I heard that you have had some issues with that recently. You can add it to your brochure as an extra course for those less creatively, academically, or athletically inclined. At least they would have an option suited for them and a chance at a future. So, what do you think?"

I watched and waited as Dr. Harper thought for a long minute before answering me. How difficult could this be for him?

"Well, it is a good idea. And it can better our reputation for future enrollments... alright."

"But I can only take students of eighteen years and older. You know how it is with the law and such." I waved my hands, acting unimpressed by the bureaucracy. But, again, that would soon change.

"Uhm... I guess that's perfect then. We can announce it..."

"Tomorrow."

"Right, tomorrow. I can call a meeting with my staff and inform them of the offer. Once you send me the program, I can send it to them to go over, should any parents inquire about it."

"I thought that parents had no say here?"

"They don't, but with changes like this, we do keep them informed. They are well aware that it all lies in the choices their kids make. Still, we inform them so that they are not... surprised."

"Very well. Tomorrow I'll give your kids all the information on how it works. Then I'll leave a form for them to put their names on and send emails out to the students that have been accepted. I'll send you all the communication you will need shortly," I explained eagerly. I hoped that she would be one of those who signed up; if not, I would have to make other arrangements to get her.

"That's great. Just keep me updated and I will sort everything else out from my side. Thank you for the visit, and don't be a stranger anymore; try to keep in touch."

"Of course."

I walked out with my head held high—another victory. I beckoned for my Sergeant to approach. He was still sulking at my choice to come here and at the decision I made to decline the offer of his team. He was starting to cross lines, but he was one of the few who saw things my way. I needed him, for now.

He saluted before he approached me.

"Sir. Did he take the bait?"

"Yes, I think he did. Tell everyone Operation... Capricorn is a go. Oh, and tell Dr. Roushkav to be ready. I will have a new test-soldier for him soon... and it will be a female."

"Yes, Sir. But how do you know?"

I could see the uncertainty in his face. I had no time to explain it to him, nor did I have the patience to deal with him right now.

"That's because we will make sure it is a female. That is what will be needed for... the team, Sergeant. Let's go. This is our last soldier to take, and our plan is nearly complete."

I grabbed the Sergeant's shoulder with a proud look in my eyes. We were almost done.

"We can finally end it all, Sergeant!"

"Yes, Sir!"

That brought back the bounce in his step. We walked over to the helicopter and flew back to a nearby temporary base. We had set it up to make it easier for us to move around and monitor the school in case anything should change.

All the while, I couldn't help but smile. My plan was nearly complete; I almost had her in my grasp. Now, all that was left was to visit the arena and inform the others; I would need my spies for this. It was time to prepare the rest and perfect everything for my future plans—my future with HER.

To a brand-new Empire.