The Song of the Keepers

Chapter 26 The Cover Up

It was a quiet flight back to the Citadel.

"After we land I'll change the flight tracker to reflect what our mission should have been. Luckily for you, I'm pretty adept at it."
Daaow finally spoke as we neared our landing.

I nodded my response.

"Are you going to be alright?"
He was watching me with concern.

"Yeah, I'm just melancholy is all."

"Do you wish you had gone with them?"

I shrugged.

"I don't know what I wish for anymore."

Mercifully, I wasn't subjected to any more questions until after we had set back down at the Citadel.

"What's your cover story for your bruised ribs?"

"Um, figured I'd hide it til tomorrow and then pass it off as a training injury."

"Not half bad."

Seeing as I wouldn't be much help changing the flight tracker's records, I unbuckled myself and rose from my seat.

"Thanks for all your help Daaow, I'm sorry I was going to knock you out. I couldn't have done this without you."

It was true, and he deserved to hear it.

"You owe me."
He stated.

"I know."

"Well, as long as we're on the same page then."
He remarked.

I turned and exited the plane without another word. The hanger was quieter than normal, In fact, there was hardly a soul in sight. I trudged across the cement, lost in a quagmire of my own thoughts.

"Astrid!"

My head shot up and I caught sight of my three friends making their way through the far door. I waved and moved my feet into a jog to reach them.

"Hey, did everything go as planned?"
I asked softly so as not to be overheard.

"Did it ever! Who knew Jasper the stoic could put on such a performance?"
Kairos chuckled.

"Everyone is certain he's dead, the whole compound is in an uproar."
Vienna informed me.

"Where's Daaow?"
Jasper asked peering around, as though I had hidden the other boy behind me.

"Changing the flight tracker log."

Three sets of eyes widened.

"Wait, so he knows?"
Vienna questioned.

"Knows? He helped."
I gave them a rundown of the day's events up 'til the present moment.

"You got incredibly lucky."
Kairos told me with a shake of her head.

"Tell me about it."
I agreed.

Across the hanger, Daaow hopped down from the jet and strolled across the cement, hands in his pockets.

"So are you ready to test your acting skills?"
Kairos continued.

"Hmm?"
I frowned in confusion.

"You'll have just found out your mentor killed himself, I think that's warrants some kind of strong reaction."
She reminded me.

"Oh. Right."

Selective truth would have to do once again I decided. I was a bit mopey over Kyle's departure, I just had to make everyone think those feelings were stemming from learning about his sudden death.