by S. E. Weir
“The ones he loosely based on his and Zoe’s careers?” Jack asked with a knowing smirk.
“Yeah.” Link grinned nostalgically. “He loved glamorizing all those crazy missions for her. It’s no wonder that she followed in their footsteps, is it?”
“Huh. I suppose not.” Jack went silent for a moment, his fingers folded together on his stomach. “What’s your plan for her after she’s trained?”
Warning himself to be careful, Link decided to share some of the truth. “She will take over the diplomat spy position.”
“You’re going to retire?” Jack blinked once in surprise.
Link tried not to shift uncomfortably. “Um, not exactly. I’m going to give up that part of the job I’ve been doing so I can give Spy Corps the time it deserves.”
“I see.” Jack’s expression turned inscrutable, which made Link wish he had Phina’s abilities. He wanted to know what the man was thinking. “That would be useful and makes more sense than retiring.”
“You didn’t think I would want to retire?” Link wasn’t sure how to take that.
Jack waved a hand. “I hoped you would, but I didn’t believe it would ever happen. Seems like I still don’t need to worry about it.”
“Hey, I could retire,” Link protested. Well, he wouldn’t since that would be torture in its own way, but it was the principle of the thing.
“Uh-huh.” Jack quirked his eyebrows.
“Well, you’ve been here almost as long as me. When are you going to retire, or get a wife and kid, even?” Link deflected.
His friend remained silent with his thumbs moving against each other. He lifted his gaze to meet Link’s gaze and shrugged. “I’m not sure. I don’t feel finished yet, or like I need to move on. Spy Corps is my home, my work is my wife, and the Empire is my love and duty. I’ll probably die on a mission before I need to worry about it.”
“You don’t lead too many of those anymore,” Link pointed out.
“No, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.” He tilted his head to stare at the ceiling. There wasn’t anything there to see. Link had checked. “It’s the nature of life, humanity, and other species, Grey. There’s always a cycle. Since the battle of Karillia, we’ve had a lull both in battles and missions. Everyone has moved to increase arms and defenses, so there’s little for us to do now aside from train and keep an eye on their growth.”
Jack squinted as he put together his thoughts. “I predict that is going to change within the next five years or so as everyone will reach a tipping point. Our armies and defenses will be back to where they should be and the Empire will continue to grow, creating new technologies while trying to gain an edge over the other side.”
He turned to Link with a light in his eye that hadn’t been there in years. “That’s where we will come in. There will be a flurry of activity as we all scramble to get the information we need once the Empress and the Generals say the word.”
“I don’t disagree with any particular point.” Link leaned forward with curiosity. “But why bring this up now?”
“Because we’re going to need all hands on deck at that point, Grey. We’re going to need to train as many agents as we can before then so we are ready. That’s when I’ll be leading more missions and when I’ll most likely bite it.” Jack turned his hands over and feigned indifference.
Link frowned at the display and protested, “You can’t be that callous about your death, Jack.”
His friend leaned onto the desk, his gaze boring intently into Link. He spoke quietly but vehemently. “I would rather die serving our Empress and have made a difference in the Empire than to reach old age, quietly and slowly deteriorating. That’s not me, Grey.”
Relaxing now that he understood, Link leaned back and nodded soberly. “I get it, old friend. Long live the Empress, and may we die doing what’s right rather than what’s easy.” He quoted their old spy mantra.
Jack grinned. “I’ll drink to that.”
Chapter Eleven
Gaitune-67, Spy Corps Headquarters and Base, Trainee Lounge Area
Phina focused her intent gaze on Cade. “Deal?”
Cade glanced around the room, then shot her a harsh glare. “No.”
Damn it. Why was he being such a pain? Phina took a deep breath and drew upon her communication and negotiations classes. Anna Elizabeth’s words rang in her head. The art of a good deal is when both sides achieve their goals, if not their desires. The best deals gain both.
So, what was this human spy trainee’s goal, and what did he desire? She skimmed his mind and found the answer and a way to that end but realized he wouldn’t accept it if it was her idea.
Crossing her arms to appear defensive and reluctant, Phina frowned at Cade. “If being ignored or treated respectfully doesn’t do it for you, I believe we are at an impasse. What would you suggest?”
Cade grinned triumphantly. “I want you to admit you’ve been deliberately showing off and sabotaging us in our assessments!”
Phina’s brow furrowed in surprise and confusion. Sabotage? She ruffled through everyone’s minds pertaining to the assessment—an easier job since Cade’s assertion brought their experiences to the forefront of their minds. She shook her head. Only Cade believed it and because he didn’t want to admit his skills were lacking.
“Sorry, Cade, but I’m not being bullied into admitting something I didn’t do. If you encountered difficulty, it was not my doing. I have no reason or desire to see any of you suffer, fail, or be dismissed.” She spoke gently but matter-of-factly.
“No!” he snarled. “We were doing fine before you came along and messed everything up. You must have done something!”
“What would you have me do to prove you are the skilled spy you see yourself as?” She spread her arms out to the sides. “I haven’t been doing anything to you or anyone else here to affect your assessments in any way, sabotage or otherwise. However, somehow I think you won’t be satisfied just by my say so.”
To Phina’s relief, Jasper spoke up with the exact suggestion she hoped would come up. “What about making it a competition?”
Everyone in the room turned to him.
“What are you thinking?” Blayk crossed his arms as he stared at his friend.
Jasper shrugged and shook his head.
Kabaka, one of the quieter guys, spoke up from the table where they had been sitting. “What if we train our hardest and ask the trainers to make our final assessments a competition?”
Cade threw a scowl at him. “That’s nearly three months away. It’s too long.”
Phina didn’t speak up since she wanted everything to be someone else’s idea so Cade wouldn’t accuse her of twisting things. However, for several moments no one else answered until a voice came from right across the room.
“How about a side competition in one month?” Savas leaned toward them over the corner of his chair, his face alight with excitement. “It can be separate from the assessments, but we could ask Agent Shaw if he would put it together as an impartial referee.”
“That sounds fair.” Jasper nodded as Blayk voiced his agreement.
The others agreed as well, but Cade spoke again in the whiny voice Phina had grown tired of. “What’s going to keep her from sabotaging or cheating between now and then?”
Phina wanted to grab the finger he was rudely pointing at her and break it, but she reluctantly refrained, her mind working. She pinged her new friend.
Shade, I’m assuming you’ve been listening? Would you have a problem outing yourself to the trainees here?
It is not in my job description or programming to share tracking information with trainees.
No, but I’m guessing nothing is preventing you from presenting information to the trainees to inform them when someone is cheating or sabotaging someone, right?
You are correct. There is not.
So, that makes it your choice. Do you mind having the trainees know about you?
Two seconds went by as Shade proc
essed her question. As long as they understand that I am not obligated to accept their orders. I am not programmed the same way as Meredith.
Understood. Do you want to introduce yourself, or should I?
I will maintain impartiality if I introduce myself.
Yes, which would benefit me too, since Cade falsely accused me of sabotage.
I did hear that.
Of course she had.
The other students were startled at hearing Shade through the speakers in the room.
“I will monitor all activity and communicate any attempts at subterfuge or cheating.”
Cade glanced up in confusion. “What?”
“Who said that?” Nodin turned, searching for the speaker.
The others murmured in confusion, so Phina decided it was time to speak up.
“That is the EI that monitors the base. I call her Shade.” Phina shrugged with a smile.
“There’s an EI for the base?” Jahlek appeared interested for the first time since the conversation began. “How come we’ve never heard her before?”
“I monitor the base, Trainee Agent Jahlek. I am not at the agents’ or trainees’ beck and call.”
“Why did you decide to make yourself known now?” Balehn asked.
“Trainee Agent Waters’ word that she had done nothing wrong was not accepted. She was telling the truth. Therefore, I decided to offer myself as an impartial witness and provide empirical data to prove the facts needed for this competition.”
Cade’s face reddened in anger before Kabaka derailed his explosion by laughing and shaking his head at Phina. “When did you have time to find an EI that none of the rest of us have found in months?”
“It’s been an eventful two days.” Phina shrugged and gave him a faint smile before turning back to Cade. “I accept your terms. A competition in one month facilitated by Agent Shaw, monitored by Shade, and including all of us.”
“Wait, all of us?” Ian asked in shock.
Gina tilted her head Phina’s way. “I thought it would just be between you two?”
Phina shook her head, turning to stare at Cade while he gritted his teeth. “It’s the best way to make this competition fair. I’m also willing to help anyone that wants it, either as a training partner or if I know something you don’t. Hopefully, we can all exchange information and help each other.”
She turned toward the rest of the group and grinned for the first time since she came to the base as she added, “That’s the fun bit of all of this.”
Gina spoke up. “The training is the fun part? Or learning from other people?”
“Both.” Phina shrugged. “I like learning new things. It keeps me from getting bored.”
Her newest potential friend chuckled as she shook her head. “That explains so much about you.”
Phina just shrugged again but gave her a smile in amusement that dropped off when she turned back to Cade. “So, one month?”
Cade gave her a hard glare but nodded. “One month.” He grinned harshly. “May the best human win.”
Phina supposed now wouldn’t be the time to tell him that she had never really been just a human.
But she always did do her best.
Gaitune-67, Spy Corps Headquarters and Base, Shaw’s Room
Shaw woke up with his heart beating too fast. He reached under his pillow for a dagger, his eyes wheeling around the room. He finally realized there was no threat in front of him, only the remnants of his nightmares. Sucking in a breath, he released the dagger and tried to relax again.
It didn’t work.
Forcing his body to obey, he sat leaning against the wall and worked through his meditation exercises. The practice had existed for thousands of years because it worked. Finally calm, he pushed back the nightmares made up of memories and fear to focus on the present.
He decided that today would be a good day. He would make certain of it. It would start with his attitude, which would affect his behavior. Satisfied with his pronouncement, he got up and ready for the day.
As he walked to the dining hall, he began to wonder what Phina would be like as she learned new skills. Would she be teachable and approachable or reluctant and closed off? He found himself intrigued and realized he was drawn far too much toward this young and complicated woman. She was already taken, and romantic relationships had never worked out well for him, anyway.
Good thoughts, he reminded himself. Good attitude. He took another deep breath and turned his mind toward his tasks for the day.
Shaw’s good attitude became challenged after claiming his food and turning to find a seat.
“Agent Shaw!”
He debated ignoring the trainee’s voice but reminded himself that remaining available for the trainees was part of his job. He turned to see Jasper waving him over to the tables the trainees had claimed and grimaced.
Fine. He could deal with forgoing his quiet breakfast. Calm and cool. Good attitude.
He sat with the trainees and ate as they continued to chatter among themselves in soft voices, as if not wanting to bother him.
Absolutely fine. Preferred, actually.
Shaw’s attention was pulled upon hearing Jasper whisper to Blayk, “You ask him.”
Blayk huffed in annoyance. “This was your idea. You should ask him.”
“It wasn’t only my idea,” Jasper shot back. “It was Kabaka who defined it and Phina who said it should be all of us. Maybe Cade should ask him since him being a tool is what got us into this.”
Feeling amused and curious, Shaw listened in to the conversation around the table, glancing around to see who was sitting where and what they were doing. To his surprise, he found Phina doing the same thing.
Wrenching his gaze back to his food, he focused again on calming himself and continuing to eat.
After several minutes of continual whispers, he heard Gina. “Phina, why don’t you ask. The guys are being too chicken.”
Internally groaning, he decided to take the tiger by the tail and pull it to the forefront.
“So, what is it you are having trouble asking me about?” Shaw shot his gaze around the table, focusing on keeping his expression mild.
Good attitude, he reminded himself.
“Long story short, we want to ask you to facilitate a competition between us all in one month,” Phina answered placidly.
A glance at her eyes revealed emotion churning. He began to wonder if she had similar attitude and emotional problems to his, almost missing her next words in his preoccupation. “Something that would allow us all to be judged fairly on our skills.”
Mentally slapping himself again for allowing himself to become distracted, Shaw assessed the group again, seeing mixed emotions and reactions.
Hmmm.
He turned back to Phina. “What is the long version?”
To his surprise, she grimaced and tried to avoid meeting some of the trainees’ gazes. None of them appeared willing to speak up. Finally, Gina huffed and leaned forward.
“Cade accused Phina of cheating and sabotaging the assessments. She denied it and asked what would help show proof of the truth with their skills. Jasper suggested a competition between them. Kabaka suggested training hard till the end and asking the staff to use the final assessment as the competition. Cade said that was too far away. Savas suggested a competition separate from the assessments in a month and asking you if you would facilitate it. Cade asked what would keep Phina from further sabotage, and the base’s EI Shade volunteered to keep an eye out. Phina said that it would only be fair if the competition included everyone.”
Shaw stared at Gina, both as a result of processing the content and because she hardly took a breath during her explanation.
Blinking, he turned to Phina. “Is that an accurate summary?”
She nodded, studying him carefully. Shaw struggled with how to respond. Felan appeared surprised at the rundown, so perhaps he hadn’t been there for the conversation.
The students peered at Shaw with
bated breath as he mulled it over. It wasn’t a terrible idea. It would give them more incentive to work their hardest in training, making it easier for them to weed out who wanted to be there and who was just getting by. Good thing Jack had handed over the reins to him, so he didn’t need to ask permission, just inform him about it.
When he nodded, some of the students straightened in excitement. He put his hand up to forestall questions.
“We can do this, but I have conditions and comments.” He shot another gaze around the group, satisfied most were waiting patiently. Cade and Jasper showed the most attitude. Savas and Felan showed the most eagerness, which made sense given their desire to fight and prove their worth. Phina sat appraising him, her gaze simmering with suppressed emotion. He wrenched his eyes away again.
“First, the idea that someone cheated or sabotaged the assessments is ludicrous.” Cade’s face reddened, either with anger or embarrassment. Shaw continued, “We plan them purposefully and monitor everyone’s actions and responses. There is no way Phina or anyone else could affect other people’s assessments.
“Second, we will do this only when I believe you all are ready and will inform you a week ahead of time. It will be longer than a month. We will need time to train you before any of you would be even close to ready for something like this.
“Third,” he said as he put up three fingers, “you will need to train your hardest.” He examined them with a hard gaze. He didn’t want to deal with any bullshit, and that was how this whole thing had started. “I will work your asses off, and you will comply with a minimum of complaint.”
Some of them grimaced at that but nodded.
“Fourth, if you do not shape up, you might find yourself dropped from training. You might notice that Greg isn’t with us this morning.”
He saw everyone but Phina and Felan search the room in surprise and mentally rolled his eyes. “That you didn’t notice shows that you need to work on your environmental awareness.”
