RedCrest

Prologue: One Year Before

I paced back, and forth just like I've been doing for the past hour. A wave of nausea rolled through me once again. I bit on my lower lip hoping it would calm the overflow of nerves inside me.

"Nova, you need to stop pacing or you are going to burn a hole through the carpet" I stopped, and turned to face Clara. I looked at her wondering how she was so calm. I scanned her brown skin for any sign of worry, or anxiety or anything of the sort, and found nothing.

"How can you be so calm, they are in there right now" I pointed towards the door of the current general's office "deciding my fate. I am so nervous I think I might pass out" Another wave of nausea rolled through me.

"Come" Clara rubbed the empty spot next to her on the bench "Sit down".

I took a deep breath, and walked towards her, only after I sat did I let my breath go. I leaned forward, placed my elbows on my knees, and my head into my hands. I worked on trying to control my breathing. I have no clue what is going to happen once they call me into General Bell's office. My mind went straight to the worst possible thing that could happen.

What if they decide they can't risk it if I decide to go down the same path as my mother, and throw me into the block? No! They can't do that.... Right??

Clara, sensing that I was full out panicking, placed a hand on my lower back, and started rubbing comforting circles.

 Clara has always been like an older sister to me, and I am grateful for that I truly am. But she doesn't have the same life as me. Her being a good six years older than me she already graduated from Haven - The Healer College - and was stationed here at Corinth with the Healer Quadrant for the next 2 years. She knew exactly what was going to happen with her life.

Whereas for me. I didn't even know where I would be the next day. For the past two years I have lived in my mothers shadow, and her actions, and I have been judged by such.

I took a deep breath in, and let it out slowly. I looked over at Clara "Thanks" I told her, and gave her a half-hearted smile, which she returned. We continued to stare at one another. Unvoiced concern passing between the two of us.

I heard the click of a door, and turned my head to see Doctor Mayfield step out. As the closest thing I had to the family he was the only advocate I had for myself.

He cleared his throat "You may come in now". Both Clara, and I stood. He looked over at Clara "You may return to your quadrant now".

 I turned to Clara, and was met with watery eyes. She pulled me into a firm hug. Clara whispered into my ear"You're gonna be fine. I love you kid".

I inhaled sharply, and willed myself not to cry. "I love you too".

Clara squeezed me harder than let me go. She looked at me one more time, understanding the passing between us. We made a pact the day we found out that General Bell wanted to see me, that we wouldn't say goodbye, because we would find a way to see each other again.

 Clara turned, and walked away. I watched as her long blond ponytail bobbed back, and forth as she walked. I still watched after she turned the corner out of view.

A strong hand was placed onto my shoulder, I turned my head, and looked up into Doctor Mayfields eyes. "It's time" He spoke in a soft voice, probably knowing I was on the verge of breaking down.

I turned, and followed him into General Bell's office.

I scanned my surroundings, assessing everything. Two of the walls were covered in books floor to ceiling. The other had all sorts of weapons on display, half of them I had no clue what they were.

In the center of the room sat two leather chairs on one side of a desk, and on the other was a singular leather chair, in it sat General Bell. To his right on her perch stood the great white eagle, Gaia, General Bells bonded. I couldn't help but notice as her eyes followed me as I moved.

I looked at him, and was greeted with cold unrelenting eyes. I swallowed, hard.

"Please" General Bell spoke, and gestured towards the two chairs. I went, and sat in the one closest to the door,

Just in case I need to make a quick escape I thought,

and Doctor Mayfield sat in the other.

I couldn't help but feel Gaia's golden eyes on me like daggers pinning me to my chair. General Bell continued to stare at me for what felt like forever. I shifted in my seat, and bit my lower lip, trying to calm my nerves.

What is taking so long? Why does he keep staring at me like that? I'm screwed, I am so screwed.

I continued to shift in my seat. My left knee began bouncing up, and down. "So" I said, my voice shaky "The weather's nice today" I was hoping breaking ice would lower the tension, but nope it made it ten times worse.

"Nova'' General Bell spoke, his voice only making me more nervous. Doctor Mayfield placed a comforting hand on my knee, I looked over at him appreciatively, and turned back to General Bell. "as a result of your mothers actions in these past few years. It has come to my attention that your mother has been very active in aiding the enemy ever since she left, as a result of that we are unable to know your intentions' '. My breath caught, tears began to well in my eyes.

This is it, they are going to send me to the block, all because they are judging me because of my mothers action.

I dropped my head "Are you going to send me to the block?" I whispered, too scared to raise my voice to a higher decibel.

"No" I looked up, and met General Bell's eyes "Doctor Mayfield, has filled me in on the events of the past three years since your mother left, and says you show no signs of wanting to join your mother". With that I sat up a little taller. "For now you are on probation. In a year when the next school year for Redcrest Battle College opens up, you will enlist". A short moment went by before he spoke again. "If you do anything to help the other side, or show signs of doing so, you will be sent to the block. Am I understood".

Relief flooded through me.

Probation? I could do that. It's not like I want to do anything to help the other side.

"Nova" Doctor Mayfields voice shook me out of whatever trance I was in. I looked over at him, He lifted his eyebrows, and inclined his head towards General Bell.

My eyes widened with the realization that I hadn't answered General Bell yet. I looked over at him, and in the calmest voice I could muster I answered him "Yes, Sir".