The Second Moonlark: A KotLC Fanfic

Chapter Ten (When Covers Are Blown)

 "What was that?" The entire group was shellshocked. After the scrape with Carnage, they had all moved quickly through the streets of Mysterium. As soon as they were all through the gate, Sonia moved it to keep the Neverseen agents away. They were the ones who planted it, so they could get through it again. Then she had headed straight into the Foxhole, to see them draped over the furniture in the living room. They were all staring into space, probably trying to make sense of what had just happened. Keefe was the one who had spoken, and he was probably the most traumatized of the group.

"Carnage." She massaged her temples. Where was Ruy? Besides at the gate, she hadn't seen him. "He's one of the worst elves on the face of the earth."

"That wasn't what I meant. How did you know? You knew exactly what that thumping was, and you knew exactly what Carnage would do." Oh no. She hadn't expected for them to put it together that fast.

"Stay seated, quiet, and please don't hate me."

"As someone had to tell me multiple times, I'll never hate you." She laughed sharply, bitterly.

"Let's just say that you don't know everything I've done." She leaned forward. "I'm the Neverseen's Technopath." Pause. "I'm their top spy." Pause. "I'm best friends with one of the people on your most wanted list. Hi, Ruy." She had just noticed him come in from his room, now wearing a dark blue tunic instead of the dark cloak he had been. He sat down next to her as the others gaped.

"How?" It was Linh. The dream surfaced in her mind again. She tamped it down, letting herself blurt out everything on her conscience.

"Umber and Trix are my parents. For me, being in the Neverseen was just how I lived my life. I built the soporidine launcher that threatened Tam into the Neverseen. I came up with the fake caches. I had valuable input on constructing the thing that currently has the Moonlark in a coma. I'm... Well, I'm a monster. And ever since you've known me, I've been twisting everything to gain your trust and your knowledge." She was breaking down now, leaning against the support that Ruy offered. Fitz obviously didn't see that, though, because he was already standing up to yell at her.

"You're in the Neverseen? YOU'RE IN THE NEVERSEEN?!" But then Linh dragged him back down onto the couch.

"And she just saved us. I think... I can't explain her actions, but I think that she wants to make up for them." Sonia let out a breath, relieved. She was already feeling a little bit of guilt disappear. Tam was giving her the silent treatment, staring at the wall where she kept the hanging file folders. She winced as she realized the one labeled 'Operation Foxhole'- the designation for her mission.

"Who gave you the mission?" It was Keefe. Sonia averted her eyes, realizing that she would have to tell him to his face.

"Your mom. And Fintan." She didn't like this. As a spy, she was conditioned not to want to give up her secrets. This was killing her, but not more than the guilt would have. And so she spilled out everything, even more than they asked for. What the Whiteout was. Where the Moonlark was hidden. How to stop Carnage. She answered every question, making sure that they had the whole truth. When she was done, she waited. Fitz was rubbing his temples, so it looked like they were having a telepathic conversation. Finally, they came to a conclusion.

"You've broken trust. But... if you're careful, you can repair it."

And with that, they leaped back to their own homes.