Perspectives

Chapter 48

The Commander remained surprisingly attentive as Kalen explained everything that had happened in the past few days and everything he had learned about Rothgard. She kept quiet most of the time, only interrupting a few times to ask a question or request clarification.

 When Kalen finally finished he was met with silence from the Commander. She looked pensive, as though she were processing the outlandish story she had just been presented with. Kalen wondered if she would even believe him at all. Finally, after an agonizing few moments, she cleared her throat. "Am I correct in assuming that you're not just handing us this information out of the goodness of your heart?" She questioned. 

Before Kalen could answer another outburst came from Zale. "You don't really believe this nonsense?!" He exclaimed, looking among the crowd for nods of agreement. 

"If his intent was to lie, surely he would have come up with a more believable one." Dawcett countered. "I believe you have told me the truth, Kalen." She continued, turning away from Zale. "However I feel you must have an ulterior motive." 

Kalen nodded. "I have come to ask for your help." He admitted. "I want to get Piper out of Rothgard's hands." 

A low bellowing laugh broke out. Immediately Kalen knew it to belong to Zale. "This boy has grown an affection for the human!" He guffawed. A few more chuckles broke out throughout the crowd. "And he would ask us to help him rescue it." Zale added with a sneer. 

While Dawcett had remained composed, Kalen could tell by the look on her face that she wasn't exactly on board with the idea. "Kalen Stenton, the Previcacious have their own war to fight against the Corrupt Council." She stated. "What do we care about some little lost human?" She asked, a single eyebrow raised. 

Looking around the room, Kalen could see himself in the crowd, his old self from just a few days prior. Just as the room of Pervicacious now did, he had seen humans as foreign and inferior creatures that had no importance in the lives of Amasisians. Kalen could even remember referring to Piper as "little human" just as the Commander had. It was so easy for Amasisians to separate themselves from humans and act like they were two completely different species. The media certainly pushed that idea. 

"Listen, I understand that the welfare of humans isn't your top priority, but think about how much traction you would gain from taking Rothgard out of power." Kalen pointed out. The remaining laughter in the room immediately died out. 

"You are trying to incite a full revolution here." Dawcett responded, a note of shock in her voice. 

Kalen shook his head. "I don't want to overthrow the Sovereign Council, just Rothgard." 

Dawcett and Zale shared a meaningful look before Dawcett looked back to Kalen. "Truthfully, the Pervicacious has been planning a potential attack against Lord Rothgard, he has certainly proven to be the worst of the council." She confessed. 

"But we have been unable to obtain the inside information needed to pull it off." Zale added. 

"What kind of information are you looking for?" Kalen asked. 

Dawcett reached into the inner pocket of her coat and pulled out a miniature holoprojector. She pressed a button on the device and a holographic screen erupted out of it. Dawcett placed the holoprojector in the center of her palm, and held it out for the room to see. 

On the screen was a map of Corvia of the Karth District. "Enhance image." Dawcett commanded, causing the map to zoom in on a specific property at the center of Corvia. Judging by the size alone, Kalen knew instantly that it was The Rothgard Mansion. The vast central building was surrounded by a massive garden, with several smaller structures in the very back of the property that Kalen could only assume were used as living quarters for the estate's servants. 

"We managed to come up with a solution to deal with both the security system and the guards patrolling the place." The Commander announced. "Our problem is not getting in, it is getting in at the correct time." She explained. 

"You want to know when Rothgard is going to be there." Kalen deduced. 

The Commander nodded. "Our scanners cannot detect transporter activity with the security system active, so we have no way of knowing whether or not Rothgard will actually be inside." 

"If we go in and Rothgard isn't there, we may never have another chance at it again." Zale put in, sounding surprisingly solemn. 

A grin spread on Kalen's face. "Well you've come to the right person." 

~

Piper sat in the back corner of the cage with he knees pulled up to her chest. When the giant door swung open and Rothgard strode into the room, an icy chill ran down her spine, but she showed no outward response. She just felt too worn out to have any active reactions at this point. 

"Feeling anymore talkative?" Rothgard asked as he approached Piper's cage once again. She kept her gaze focused on her knees directly in front of her. "Unfortunately our conversation will have to be put on hold, as I have just been invited to a dinner meeting." Rothgard announced. "And would you believe it, it's with your former captor." That got Piper's attention. Her gaze shot towards Rothgard's face, searching for any signs of deception. 

Noticing Piper's reaction, a sly grin formed on Rothgard's face. "You seem to be uneasy at the mere mention of his name." He noted. Piper's heart began to race. If he caught on that Kalen had been involved in her escape-- "Fear perhaps?" Rothgard questioned. Relief washed over Piper instantly. He just thought she was afraid of Kalen, and so long as he continued to think that, Kalen would be alright. 

Piper put a fearful look on her face and shifted nervously where she sat to sell the lie. Rothgard, seeming to believe it, smiled wider. "Well since you seem so anxious to be reacquainted, I think it may be the perfect idea to bring you along to dinner with me." He said smoothly. 

Piper's reaction this time was not acting. The last thing she had been expecting was for Rothgard to take her out of the lab, and especially not anywhere near anyone that had helped her escape. She had no idea how to feel about it. Seeing Kalen again...well it wasn't actually a horrible thought, but there would be nothing he could do to help her with Rothgard sitting right there. And Kalen would have to play the role of a dutiful Rothgard lackey. The image of Kalen from her latest nightmare played over in her head and a shiver ran across her skin. Piper was certain that was not something she wanted to see.