The Sympathizer

Chapter 47

I am a victim of my own making.

We're in the grand hall, celebrating the launch of the largest Space Splitter ever created. This one has a private pool on the third floor with a games room and multiple entertainment lounges.

The firearms component has also been doubled, with laser blasters fitted all around the ship in a circumference and its shield is much stronger than our first two.

Lazarus stands and I follow suit, knowing that he will be annoyed if I don't. I stand next to him and smile, letting his hand fall to the small of my back, his finger grazing the bare skin as he speaks to one of the engineers.

I look up at the sprawling ship, it looks like a planet on its own. The sky above us is alight with fireworks and a light show. This is a new advancement for us, a welcome achievement after the loss we've suffered over the past few months.

It feels like only yesterday that we attended the generals funerals. I remember all of us clad in our uniforms, saluting at the three holograms of the deceased. A procession was held that day, with soldiers marching through the city with our leaders pictures, allowing everyone to pay respects to them.

The sadness had permeated the air, the feeling of loss floating all around, drowning the city with melancholy. It felt like a daze, I was hardly able to process it all. General Lyra's speeches of loss, Lazarus's broadcast earning him more sympathy and support.

Lucian's gradual fading away.

I barely see him anymore. Even today as I look around me, he's no where to be found. He's losing support every cycle and I can't do anything about it. My fingers itch at my side, wanting to reach for my communicator.

I want to call him and check on him but Lucian doesn't want to hear from me. He saw the way I acted after his fathers death. He saw that I stood by Lazarus's side the entire time and he's stayed away since.

I take a deep breath and a step away from Lazarus as rage threatens to consume me. Now is hardly the time and place. I must learn to control my feelings, to act in secret.

Lazarus turns to me, noticing the distance I've created between us, his eyes narrowing.

I hold my throat daintily and smile at the engineer who has been talking to us. I've barely registered a word he said during the conversation.

"Darling, I'm parched. I'm going to grab a drink from the bar, shall I get you both some?"

The engineer shakes his head politely, smiling at me with wide, squarish teeth and Lazarus nods in satisfaction. "A wicked fantasy would do. Thank you dear."

I nod and walk away from the pair. This is what I've become, a glorified personal waitress.

General Lyra is standing by the bar but thankfully she's surrounded by a number of investors. She's planning to sell one of her buildings in the city and I remember her mentioning there was a throng of buyers just waiting to pounce on the hot property.

Everyone thinks she's letting go of some real estate due to grief. Those were the ones she shared with General Mondric. But no one here knows the plan that has been set in motion. In a matter of a few Plutonian months, there will be no buildings left for bidding.

We will make sure of it.

The general nods at me when I pass by and I extend the curtesy by doing the same, giving her my sweetest smile.

I've become better at it recently. Faking those smiles for her and Lazarus. It's become more and more genuine that sometimes it feels real.

I know the general thinks I'm unaware of her involvement in my ruin. Every day I sit in silence and pretend to agree with her. I give my input when asked and she pats me on the back like the good little pet that I am.