Save Us!

Chapter Nine (Cedrik)

November 4th, 2059

“Almost all our desires, when examined, contain something too shameful to reveal.”

Victor Hugo

“Welcome back, Agent Thirty-One,” Petty Officer Lawson said, winking at me as he saluted Officer Hartmann and me as we entered the building. I flashed him a smile and we both returned the salute. 

“At ease,” Officer Hartmann said, and we passed through the door.

“Thank you!” I called through the closing door.  

Sub-Officer Hopkins met us in the lobby. “Was it a success?” he asked, saluting.

“We’re almost there,” Officer Hartmann replied as we returned the salute.

Sub-Officer Hopkins nodded. “Good work. You know the drill – the Commander wants a report.”

“We’re on our way,” Officer Hartmann said, unsmiling.  

Sub-Officer Hopkins nodded and stepped out of the way.

We passed through the lobby and made our way to the Command Center.

Officer Hartmann reached the door and knocked twice.

“Come in,” the Commander said from within.

Officer Hartmann opened the door and I stepped inside. He followed me, closing the door behind him. We both saluted.

“Well,” Commander Kaiser said, setting his holo-screen down and looking at us, “how did it go?”

“Excellent,” I said.

“Just excellent?” the Commander asked.

“I think it’s time, sir,” I said.

A grin spread across his face. “Are you sure, Cavy?” he asked.

“Yessir, I think they really want it.”

“Excellent. Any disturbances?” he asked, glancing at Officer Hartmann.

“No sir, not today. We haven’t had anything since the boy escaped.”

“Well done. You are both dismissed.”

We both turned and left the room. Officer Hartmann turned and away once we left the room. I started to turn and make my way to the lobby, but then I realized – no. He wasn’t in the lobby anymore. Mills was there. He was dead. I’d seen him die. He was gone.

I steeled myself and went to the mess hall to grab some lunch, but half way there, I realized I wasn’t hungry. I didn’t want to go train, either. I ended up just going to my room.

Once I was there, I slammed the door and collapsed on my bed and just stared at the ceiling.

I hadn’t been in my right mind since the execution, but I had no idea why. It’s not like it was my fault he’d died. The idiot when and betrayed everyone, what did he expect?

But as I thought that, I felt a twinge of guilt and remorse.

Who are you calling a traitor? the voice whispered.

I pushed it away, but the guilt persisted. He’d been trying to tell me something. Why hadn’t I listened to him?

Because you didn’t care, the voice in my head hissed.

I tried to ignore it, but deep down, I knew it was true. I hit the bed in frustration.

I mean, it was true, I guess. I didn’t care about the rebel. He was some stupid kid who got caught up in some idiotic fantasy then got himself caught. Nothing to feel sorry about. And Bern knew better than to get caught up in that. He was smarter than that.