Two Sides of the Same Coin

Death Awaits

Katia's heart pumped quicker by the second as she stood outside Lieutenant Bohdan's tent, attempting to mask the panic she knew would be evident on her face. No matter what she did, trouble always seemed to find her. Just when Katia believed her life was about to change for the better, it seemed as if it might come crashing down. Being called upon by the Lieutenant would mean nothing good. Taking a deep breath, she entered the dimly lit tent, finding the man in question pouring over some papers at his wooden table. He turned to her when he heard her soft footsteps, an odd look of guilt flashing over his features.

"Sergeant Starkov" He greeted, rising to his feet, as Katia couldn't stop the way her face lit up at his words.

She had only been a Sergeant for a few short months, but they had been the best of her six years in the First Army. She had risen through the ranks, almost painfully slow at times, but her achievements could no longer be ignored by her seniors. She could still remember the beaming smile on her face as she wrote to her sister about her promotion.

"Lieutenant. I hope this morning finds you well" Katia nodded, as the older man raised an eyebrow.

"It is unlike you to attempt to flatter, Katia. I thought brute violence was more to your liking" Lieutenant Bohdan stated, more with amusement than bitterness.

"If this is about Private Dominik, then I can assure you, I have no idea how he found himself with so many broken bones" Katia retorted, with a slight grin.

"You know, I have no issue with the way you...command your men. I took a chance on you, Starkov, and you have proven yourself on every occasion" The Lieutenant told her, ushering her to sit.

"I'm sensing a but?" Katia frowned, taking her place at the table.

"The Kapitan has taken notice" The Lieutenant informed her, no longer being able to hold her gaze.

"Of how I look?" Katia guessed, earning a quick nod in return.

"It is rare for a girl to make it to the rank of Sergeant but for a Shu girl—" The Lieutenant began, but Katia quickly cut him off.

"I am Ravkan. I have always been Ravkan" Katia all but snarled.

"He disapproves of your rank. Of...well, your existence in this army" The Lieutenant confessed.

Katia's jaw clenched at his words, but she wasn't surprised. Every day, she faced the same disgust in her comrades' eyes, just the same as when she was young and in the Orphanage. How little things had truly changed.

"He wishes to strip me of my title?" Katia asked, in a small voice.

"...He's sending you into the Fold" Lieutenant Bohdan exclaimed, choosing to look at his own feet, rather than her.

Katia couldn't stop the soft gasp that left her lips, a million thoughts going through her mind at once. It took her a few moments to realise what his words truly meant. The Kapitan was sending her to her death. She knew dozens of people passed through the Fold relatively unharmed every year, but deep down, she knew that she would not be one of them.

"When?" Katia questioned, cursing the way her eyes began to water.

"Dawn. The new ship, Ultra-light will start it's voyage tomorrow" The Lieutenant explained.

"Who else?" Katia inquired, wanting to know who she was to die alongside.

"Half a dozen Grisha, and around eight men and women from our Army. Katia...he is sending Mal too" Lieutenant Bohdan informed her, as her jaw dropped open.

"He plans to kill my friends as well?" Katia gaped.

"Mal has found himself in almost as many fights as you of late. He believes you both to be...expendable" The Lieutenant went on, as Katia pursed her lips.