A Fallen Soldier

A STATEMENT

SCARLET

Not even an hour later I'm standing in front of a crowd with a brown...table thing-I'm not sure what it's called but think like the things politicians have in front of them while there reading a speech, but this isn't political, nothing about the military should be political yet, here we are.

"Deputy Captain! Is it true that Alexander Maxwell is, in fact, still alive and working for the same organisation that is believed to have destroyed his home?!"

That question hits me like a brick along with the wind that blows in my face, and then I take a moment to think, how do I answer this? I've been given two conflicting statements, apparently by the same person. I'm surprised the realisation didn't hit me sooner. However, the answer on my bit of paper is yes, but my gut is telling me a whole different story.

'This is a time were the public need to keep their wits about them, need to be in the loop about this, and if we don't make a statement about this the royal pain in the asses will, point being this is a ticking time bomb'

Ryan's words ring in my ear, harsh, yes, but true. I was so angry about his whole 'I'm fine' speech that I didn't take into a count what he was actually trying to say, I would have been lying to them. because Scarlet Thomson is fine, Maxwell isn't. Maxwell has just almost been killed by someone who she calls father, while Thomson has just almost been killed by a living legend, shock is there for both but Thomson's hurt is not nearly as strong as Maxwells, and they only know Scarlet Thomson, that's all they will ever know.

I take a long, deep breath before my words come out breathless.

"Yes."

Those three letters made into one word have the crowd in silence, as if they weren't already. Everything seems to have stopped when I start to hear whispers.

"I knew it,"

I hear a young woman a little older than me say, and that seems to trigger a chain of others following her words, I feel the Commander's eyes on the left side of my body, he's happy I bent to his will, for once.

I clear my throat before I speak once more.

"Alexander Maxwell is working for The Organisation, however, we do not believe it is by choice, he may have been brainwashed into the role he is playing now, we are looking into it, no questions"

I would imagine the next questions would be about the rumour of my injury, but I don't care to answer it. The scar on my chest is yet another reminder of tragedies in my short life. it goes well with the others.

I look for a face in the crowd to stare at, to not have to look at the reporters when my eyes fall ones that are a deep ocean blue. Anderson, of course he's here, the whole capital are, or are watching from afar, but his eyes are calming. a comfort in chaos, and that's my they eyes only stay on his form.

I'm the storm to his ever clear sky...wait-why I'm talking like this, I sadly have to turn away and I take a sit next to Luke and he gives me a look.

"I thought I told you not to say anything about this."

And I return a look, almost glaring at him before speaking.

"Commander Katz told me to go public with this, that's why we are having this whole conference, isn't it?"

Bite laces my voice, his eyes narrow even more.

"That was to disprove the rumours."

"Well, that's not what Commander Katz told me"

I snap, my voice is still quiet. At some point during are conversation The Commander had stood up from his seat to give his own opinion about what is going on, I take a deep breath and than ask Luke.

"Isn't it weird that The Commander gave us completely different statements? that's like asking for a civil war to start"

Luke nods, his eyes falling on The Commander as he starts to speak again.

"Indeed it is..."

LUKES POV

I watch The Commander with a cold gaze. His blonde hair is weirdly tidy (for once) as his voice is clear, can be heard for miles as he's asked questions, and gives bullshit answers

"I did try to help Deputy Captain Thomson, truly, however it seems that she was his main target, mainly focusing on her"

A half truth, Scarlet was likely the main target but he didn't help, not one bit. But yet again, I didn't either. Scarlets head had turned to the Commander, and she scoffed.

"If he keeps talking I might bash his head in"

"Get your hand away from your dagger, Scarlet,"

Her eyes widened a little bit , and she looked at her left hand, as if she didn't realize what she was doing, she lowered her hand. than turned back to the Commander.

"Force of habit"

She said quickly and that ends our conversation, The Commanders asking and answering questions I than realize that Isabel is sat right next to Scarlet and is giving her a warm smile, she's always had her mothers smile. She puts a hand on Scarlets' shoulder, rubbing it softly, I can't make out what Isabel says but it gets even warmer smile to play on her lips I didn't realize how close the two had got, I guess that's was trauma does to a person...

Hours had passed after that, a meeting of Captains and Commanders was held. Of course he didn't come, he never did, only the Commanders had seen him in person and that was only for little moments, you were more likely to see the king and queen more than him, Scarlet despite being just my deputy was required to come, this was a given.

The room was dinlited chairs almost covered the whole room, dark green walls that looked worn, along with the floors, and covered with plans notes, everything you could think of it was there, this was a place I had been many times, but Scarlet, her eyes were just taking it all in, but she didn't look as shocked as I thought she would be, never the less, me and many other men and a few women take out seats, Scarlet is the only one left standing, but her eyes stayed on Commander Katz, he than stood up, cleared his throat straightened his posture than spoke.

"I don't think we need a introduction as to what we all been called in for and why Deputy Captain Thomson is here with us today"

Scarlet nods along to this as do I, Scarlet gets some stares but they quickly turn back to Katz as he continues.

"Alexander Maxwell, unlike his wife, is not dead. he has been living as a soldier for the wrong side"

My eyes flick to Scarlet and she tenses at his words but keeps a calm and cool face.

"And it seemed that Thomson was his main target"

His eyes flick to her.

"You have any idea as to why?"

The cocky young woman seems dimmed, more serious, it's a sight I'm far from use to. she crosses her arms and leans against the wall.

"Well, I do have a track record" 

The snarky remark is over-shadowed by her deadpan tone. Which almost made me shiver, Katz only gives her look, than he takes a deep sigh.

"Now we have a choice to make"