Sacrifice

Chapter 37 - The Freedom to Choose

The sun had yet to rise when Adir met her outside the North Gate command post.

"What's wrong Kalli?" he asked as soon as he saw her. "Your message made it sound like there's an emergency."

Kalli glanced around; there were a couple of guards nearby, looking as tired as Kalli felt, but there was no point taking chances. "Is there a place where we can talk alone?"

Adir led her to his empty office via the back way and locked the door behind them.

"The Emperor is planning a genocide." Kalli said without preamble as soon as the door was closed.

Adir just looked at her and waited for her to elaborate on her unexpected statement. Kalli laid out what she had discovered and the plan that she had shared with Miriam.

"Will you do it?" she asked, looking up at him. "Will you help get the Cirts to the ships and off the planet? You'd need to ask some of your friends to become involved, and it will be dangerous."

Adir shook his head. "You don't need to tell me about the dangers; I'm more than willing to face them."

He took her by the shoulders and made her look at him when she would have turned away.

"I know that I can get other guardsmen to help me prevent this horror, and I know that with some planning we can deal with the guards at the launch site. But I won't do anything until I know how you plan to get the guard taken off the Cirt compound."

Kalli bit her lip as Adir raised his eyebrows.

"Did you really think that I wouldn't notice that you had so conveniently left that piece out?"

"It would be better if you didn't know."

Adir was unswayed. "I need to know all the parts of your plan before I agree to it, not just the parts you think I need to know."

Kalli offered him a weak smile. "You know how the world works, bribes can do wonders, and my father has deep pockets."

Adir watched her carefully. "You're lying to me," he said at last. "Why are you lying to me?"

"No, no – I plan to bribe the guards," she tried to insist with a quavering voice.

Adir shook his head slowly. "You're lying to me Kallistrate. What are you hiding?"

Kalli shook Adir's hands off and took a step away.

He followed her; his voice rough with frustration. "People die when they get on the wrong side of the Emperor Kalli."

Kalli flinched at his words; and that was the only clue that Adir needed. He grabbed her upper arms and knocked her feet out from under her. He was careful not to let her hit the ground too hard, but pinned her to the ground with his weight before she could try and escape.

"Adir, what do you think you're doing?" Kalli demanded, breathless as he pulled her data pad from her bag.

He didn't answer her; instead, he flipped through the pad, reading the contents. When Adir's face went grey, Kalli knew that he had found out what her plan was.

"Are you insane?" he asked his voice hoarse. "You plan on taking credit for the assassination attempt? If they believe your claim, you'll be executed."

"There's no other option."

"You could have asked me to do it." Kalli had never heard Adir raise his voice at her before.

She shook her head. "The entire North Gate guard saw you at your post at the time of the shooting. I have no alibi, and I can shoot a gun."

Adir's hands were trembling. "Just because I can't do it doesn't mean that I have to let you do it." He punched a button on his com-pack. "Laya come and meet me in my office."