Page 68
Story: Secrecy
Morgan
Iexhaled deeply as the door slid shut behind Serge, his fluttering hands and nonstop chatter leaving a vacuum of silence in their wake.
The pale green dress he'd selected lay across my bed, the fabric shimmering softly in the evening light filtering through the balcony doors. I ran my fingers over it appreciatively. It was more elegant than anything I'd ever owned, with a flowing skirt and delicate details that somehow managed to look both sophisticated and effortless.
After slipping it on, I stood before the mirror, almost not recognizing the blonde who gazed back at me. Between the luxurious surroundings and the beautiful dress, I looked like someone from another life entirely. Like someone who belonged in fancy resorts and upscale gatherings, not military barracks and combat training.
I ran my fingers through my still-damp hair, separating the strands and letting them fall naturally. The salt in the airhad already begun working its magic, creating loose waves and soft curls that framed my face. It reminded me of childhood vacations at the beach, when my hair would transform after just one day in the ocean air.
I thought back to my family piling into our dented old car, coolers packed with sandwiches and off-brand sodas wedged between battered suitcases. We never had much money, but my parents always scraped together enough for a long summer weekend at whichever beach was closest. We'd stay in an out-dated motel with a sad pool, but we didn’t care. My brother and I thought we were the luckiest kids alive to be able to do cannonballs into the dirty pool, play in the waves and collapse exhausted onto thin towels on the sand.
I could almost taste the peanut butter sandwiches dusted with sand and could almost hear my mother's laughter as my father helped us construct elaborate sandcastles that inevitably collapsed or were swept away by the tide. Those days eating picnics on the beach, collecting shells, and falling asleep with sun kissed cheeks and sand-encrusted hair were my happiest memories. They’d been happy enough to almost make me forget the rest. Almost.
But even as a child, I’d known the magic days wouldn’t last. The money would run out again. The pantry would be bare. The few days away had been nothing but a pretty illusion meant to gloss over the truth.
I walked to the balcony. The artificial sunset had begun, painting the holographic sky in streaks of orange and pink that reflected off the water in a dazzling display of color. It was breathtaking, even if I knew it was as much of a fleeting mirage as those summer days of my childhood.
Here I was again, surrounded by something so magical and enticing that was only masking the reality.
Part of me wished Tivek and I could stay in the fantasy world, but we couldn’t. Just like my family had packed up our car and trundled back to our lives, we had to return to the academy.
As I thought of the academy, I wondered how our friends were doing. Was Sasha adapting to being away from the prison? Was Deklyn returning to Inferno Force?
I glanced toward Tivek’s balcony, knowing that with just a quick hop I could be back in his suite, asking him these questions. I'd already made the jump once today, and in much less dignified attire than a dress.
I moved to the railing, preparing to climb over, when I heard voices from Tivek's bungalow. Instinctively, I stepped back into the shadows of my own balcony.
It wasn't Serge's voice I heard. This was deeper, more formal, and distinctly Drexian. I couldn't see the speaker from my position, but I could hear his words clearly across the short distance between our balconies.
"Your performance on this mission was exemplary, Lieutenant," the voice was saying. "The intelligence you've provided on Kronock movements and defenses is invaluable."
"I was simply doing my duty, High Commander," Tivek replied, his tone more formal than I'd ever heard before.
"Your modesty is noted but unnecessary. The Shadow Council is extremely pleased with your work."
I froze, hardly daring to breathe. The Shadow Council? This wasn't just any Drexian officer. This was someone high in the hierarchy of the secret organization he'd told me about.
"The intel on the Kronock prison systems will be particularly useful as we prepare for broader operations to rid ourselves of their influence,” the commander continued. "Your ability to extract such detailed information while ensuring the safety of the cadet shows remarkable adaptability."
A flush of warmth spread through me at hearing Tivek had prioritized my safety alongside the mission objectives, but it was quickly replaced by unease as the conversation continued.
"Which brings me to the matter at hand," the Drexian’s voice took on a more deliberate tone. "The Council believes your talents are being underutilized in your current position at the academy."
My heart clenched.
"I've found my role there to be quite effective for information gathering," Tivek countered.
"No doubt. But your skills have evolved beyond simple intelligence collection. The Council is prepared to offer you a promotion, an assignment on Earth. It would mean leaving the academy, of course, but the position would give you considerably more autonomy and influence."
Earth. It might be my home, but I had no plans to return until my time at the academy ended, which meant I would see very little of Tivek if he left. He would be very far from the academy and from me.
“The work would be challenging, but I believe you're more than capable."
"May I ask why now?" Tivek's question was careful, his tone neutral.
"The timing is opportune. The Earth leaders have become less and less friendly and trustworthy. We cannot rely on them to maintain alliances or share information, even if it benefits them in the long run. We need a Shadow in place to determine how deep the corruption lies among the humans. Their leaders have become more worshipful of money than honor.”
I cringed at this, but couldn’t deny it, even to myself.
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