Our Time Bomb

Chapter Nine ~ Heating Up

At the Shadow Nation Compound. (Syra's pov.)

"Sir you do not understand!" I breathlessly tug at my father's arm, "I think you are refusing to even try! You know that the Heira would search out for revenge anyone who killed one of our own. And she was our leader! Why will you not avenge her?"

My father, the Chancellor frowns down at me as he walks away, "Syra! That is a foolish question. Someday, we shall avenge her, but for now, it is not safe. We can't risk attacking the Gyardicans just for revenge. Now won't you leave me alone? It is nearly time for the ascension. Go and get ready."

I clench my teeth and turn my back on him. Although I am eighteen years old, nobody takes me seriously. Today is the day we have a new leader. His name is Martinel and I do not like the man. He is very different than our old leader, Heira Commander Erika Riel. I miss her greatly. She is dead now... Someday I will find the Gyardican who did it and kill him.

I walk through the dusty underground halls that connect the compound together. Basically, the Shadow Nation compound is a giant dugout. It is here that we grow and strengthen ourselves.

Worry fills me, there are many reasons to worry. First of all, the new leader does not seem trustworthy. Our people want him to lead us because he vows to wipe every Gyardican from the face of this entire planet. That is impossible, but everyone loves how he gets the crowd going and motivated and patriotic. They like their leaders to be fearless.

Everybody loved Erika because she was afraid of nothing, but I loved her for a different reason. She was caring and she wanted some level of peace. She didn't like war all the time. That is why up until now, nothing major has happened between us and the Gyardicans.

Since I am the Chancellor's daughter, I was one of Erika's assistants. She was almost like the mother I never had. Now she is gone... Forever.

Erika's pov

I'm sitting across from a man I don't like. Sir Bennett. He's trying to ask me questions but it's not working so well for him. "Erika, I would really suggest that you cooperate. Where is the location of the Shadow Nation compound?"

I sneer to his face, "You... Can do what you like to me. You won't get an answer. Sad for you."

"Excuse me? Well now that I have your authorization to do whatever I like, perhaps I will." his tone mocks me.

I raise an eyebrow, "Do you even know who you're talking to? I am known as the fearless leader of Shadow Nation. I am a warrior. You shall not break me. Do you think I would submit to whatever method you use to get answers from me?
I won't betray my people even if they think I'm dead."

He stands and fires a dangerous look down at me, "Well, we will see. Remember I have power to make this very painful for you. The Captain will be here soon enough and he will not object."

I wrinkle my nose at him distastefully, that lisp of his makes his speech so... Unappealing.

"So." He continues, "I'll ask you one more time. Where is the Compound? It's not a hard question my dear."

I fiercely curl my lip up, "It's a question much too hard for you. You will not even understand the answer."

"Give me the coordinates." He says.

"No."

He sighs, "Very well." He motions to the two men in the room.

They guide me across the barren floor to a post and attach my wrists to it. I am not afraid of a whip, but then I remember that I am pregnant.
"Sir Bennett." I turn my head to look at him. "You know it's illegal to physically harm a pregnant woman do you not?"