Untangling Aella

Chapter Fifteen

"How could you...!"

"Why would you...!"

"Do you know what you cost us...!"

"What were you thinking...?!?!"

"Were you even thinking...!?!"

"We were absolutely slaughtered out there today...!!!"

"This victory would've been ours...!"

"You could've cost us the entire competition...!"

I winced as I was sitting forlorn on the chair in the middle of the lounge room or in the middle of an "I hate you" sandwich. Right now I couldn't tell the difference. All the Delta division were standing around me with red faces and hands in their hips and fire shooting from their eyes.

"Can't you all yell at me one at a time?" I tell them, rubbing my ears. "I seriously couldn't understand a word."

With their hands on their hips they each looked at me angrily.

"Do you know what you have just done?" From an irate Androdameia.

"No, fearless leader I am completely oblivious" I muttered back.

"Now isn't the time to be a smartass!"

"Well, it's not helping either when you ask douchey questions. I know I screwed up, ok! Crying over spilt milk is going to help how?"

"Give me patience," she said under her breath with her eyes closed, "if I had strength, I think I would kill you!"

"Oh please! With the Greeks all so frikin jubilant about their renewed prowess for the games don't you think there would be less scrutiny?" I replied, lying straight off the bat. Yes, Ella! Act like this was all your plan, I internally whispered to myself.

"Yes!" Phoebe piped up. "Just think, with more if their supporters at the games rather than at their encampment, they will be less focused on Aella and she would be more successful at the girdle."

Way to go, Phoebe!

"I don't think that would be enough," I found myself saying.

"What do you mean?" This time from Andromeda, Android's quiet and reserved twin.

"Well, it's highly suspicious that I'm always wondering around their camp right?"

"Yes, no doubt there is much scrutiny there. What is your point?"

"I'm going to have to live within their camp if I am going to get much closer to them."

"Are you sure you'll be prepared for that? No doubt your cover will be tested sorely. Do you think you are able to be thrown that deep into enemy territory? If your cover is blown, there is no way that we would be able to rescue you efficiently and safely. " Andromeda, forever the most thoughtful tactician.

"Yeah, it's a major risk and there is a high chance that I'll fail. But I've gotten myself this far already. With all those months training in spartan customs I can wing it. I've already won their trust and I need to keep the momentum going. That's the only way for me to have enough time to scope out their possessions. That way I don't raise suspicion by coming and going from the town."

"Honey, what about the babies?" this time from a concerned Doc.

"Look, I am scared for their safety too. You have all said though that they are protected in my womb - I can keep them safe there. Plus, I'm not due for another month and the games last only 2 weeks. That gives me enough time to do what I need to."

"Well, we can set up some surveillance around the town and make sure that there are people shadowing you but we can't promise to keep you safe all the time."