The War Satellite

Chapter Thirty-Four

Clara

"Oh, my dear, come on in."

I closed the door softly behind me and found a shaking man sitting across from Hornet.

He glanced at me and I watched him tremble. His uniform had been hastily buttoned, and his hair was in disarray. Hornet stood and the man bounced to his feet. Hornet smiled briefly at the man.

"Thank you, soldier. You may go now." The man nodded curtly but didn't move. His lip trembled as he tried to formulate words.

"Lord Hornet, Sir. . . Will my requests be considered?" The soldier gulped and refused to meet Hornet's eye. Hornet walked over and tapped the man on the shoulder.

"High treason is nothing to be bartered with. But because of you, their lives will be spared."

The man took in a shuddering breath and his shoulders fell in relief. Tears flowed from his eyes as he whispered, "Thank you, sir."

He left the room and Hornet returned to his seat. Hornet gazed down on me in his spectacles. He waved his hand towards me beckoning me forward.

"Come sit behind me," he said. I nodded and took the intended seat. He turned towards me and took off his glasses.

"One of my senior officers has called a meeting with me," Hornet paused and leaned back in his chair. "His intent is to assassinate me."

My brow raised. Krum had been right. "What?" Hornet turned back to his papers.

"The young soldier has just been informed of their plot. He came to me pleading that I spare their lives."

I watched Hornet carefully. "Do you intend to?" He didn't even turn to answer.

"No, of course not."

I opened my mouth to argue but quickly closed it. There was no point. Hornet turned back to me and straightened his collar. "If I am harmed, which I sincerely doubt. But if I am, you know what to do."

He turned away from me and I watched him dumbfounded. Did I know what to do? Maybe this could be my way out, if the assassin killed him. What would happen? But the team was close, Archer revealed that much.

I had to suppress tears. The team was coming. They missed me, Miles missed me. I shook my head, jostling the thoughts. I had to stay focused.

If Hornet were to die today with the team still several weeks away, Krum would take over. Despite our earlier deal he might even be worse for the colony than Hornet. Krum's peace was dictated by how few people there were in the world. He was an extremist and an unpleasant one.

But if I healed Hornet, Krum would tell Lord Hornet about the War Satellite initiative. I didn't know what to do.

A knock sounded on the door and an officer stepped in. Hornet stood and greeted the man.

"Colonel Richarson, it's a pleasure to see you." Hornet reached out his hand to shake the Colonel's. Richarson wiped his hand on his pants and shook Hornet's. They both sat down and Richarson looked over at me nervously.

"Lord Hornet. I requested a private meeting." Hornet looked up from his papers.

"I believe that is what I have given you."

Richarson gulped and looked towards me again. "Sir, what about the girl? These updates, they're for your ears only."

"Clara is my secretary. Her security clearance is as high as yours. But I have little time Colonel, please get on with it."

Richardson clenched his teeth and wiped his hands again on his pants. Sweat had started to collect on his hairline. I searched his person looking for a hidden weapon. There was a slight bulge in his jacket and a smaller bulge on his ankle.