The Sympathizer

Chapter 42

I've never seen General Lyra look so angry. She's usually the most composed Plutonian in the room but today her hairs in disarray and there's a long crease going down her uniform. She used to berate me if I ever came for training looking like this and I have to resist looking at the crease when she turns my way. 

"This entire trial is a mockery and a mess," She exclaims and the lines on her forehead multiply as she frowns. "The longer we drag this on, the more people are going to sympathise with those criminals."

I purse my lips, thinking about Lazarus and my father. Both have been taken into protection after the explosions and it's been five cycles since. The general consensus is that the explosions in the court were aimed at them. That's the propaganda going around but we both know that only two Plutonians had the most to gain with the trial being stalled. 

General Grievous and Lazarus. 

And not to mention me but General Lyra doesn't know about the blackmail.

"They are now demanding for a release without trial. There's been no evidence thus far and all missions have been stalled. The officers are restless and even though he's behind bars, Lazarus's support grows by the day." She shoots me a look as if I'm the root of that problem. 

"Any progress on tracking down the culprits who attacked us in court? That could not have been easy. The SyStem is filled with cameras and we can trace every officer's whereabouts within the building with their trackers." 

The general sits down abruptly and grabs the drink in front of her. She takes a long swig of it and I can smell the alcohol from across the table. 

"The camera feeds are hazy, the culprits were masked and they knew all the blind spots. The C4 used to detonate that wall has no serial number, it was most likely smuggled in. We're going through the trackers but thousands of officers circulate the SyStem everyday. To narrow them down would be short of impossible." 

I fold my hands before me and stare at the blank table separating the two of us. I have this window to somehow worm my way out of giving a statement. Honestly if the trial is dismissed, it wouldn't be the worst thing. 

"This needs to stop. It's interfering with our plans for the coming cycles. There is supposed to be a divide to split up leadership but not like this. If we carry on like this, Lazarus is sure to take over. Too many Plutonians are sympathising with him. Can you imagine? They believed their experiments were a work in progress and we interrupted the whole thing?" General Lyra complains in frustration.

I lean forward. "But what about all the humans who were killed?"

She waves me off like she's swatting at a fly. "Oh please, when have we ever cared for a humans life?" 

I sit back defeatedly but then it hits me. "You want to stop the trial?" 

If the general wants the same thing as I do then this is something I can work with. 

"I think it's imperative that we stop this from dragging on. Lucian's statement didn't do much and I doubt yours will either. If we drag this debauchery on any longer, it may result in a civil war and judging by how things are going, I'd bet on Lazarus winning."

She takes another gulp of her drink and I notice how red her eyes are. "When the timing is right, we get rid of the rest. Lucian and you take over as leaders. That is what we have been working towards. I told you not to interfere, Luna." 

I swallow hard as she stares daggers at me. 

"I told you to let it be, that the truth will come to light either way. If you had just left it as it was, the failed experiments would have been their downfall."