Axira Episode One (22 page)

I stiffened.

I was ready to flee if I had to. But I didn’t want
to.

Despite the fact a few hours ago I’d been the pariah of the
Academy, I now felt more connected to it than ever.

To Elle, to Jason, to the lot of them.

Because I’d protected them.

I almost broke eye contact with the Admiral to stare at my
hands.

“
The first thing I want to know is how much you knew about the
security leak.” Admiral Singh looked directly at me.

I could pretend I knew nothing, that Hendra had accused me of
being the spy because I was an easy target. That would of course
raise the question of why I’d agreed to have a “session” with
her.

I lifted my chin. “When I fought that intelligence team, I
realized they were stealing Academy secrets – there would be no
other reason for them to be here. I also realized based on ...
previous experience that they must be receiving their information
telepathically. The cybernetic assassin was from a telepathic race.
It was also outfitted with certain information circuits that would
strengthen its abilities and allow it to receive telepathic input
from relatively far distances. Far enough that Hendra would be able
to communicate with it from safe within Academy grounds. I surmised
Hendra must be the leak, as she’s the strongest telepath at the
Academy. I went to her office this evening to look for
evidence.”

“
Why didn’t you bring these suspicions to us, Cadet?” Admiral
Singh leaned forward in her chair.

“
I ... have a past,” I answered. “I used to be ... I have a
past. The kind of past where I know how to identify a Kore
intelligence team. The kind of past where I know how to flush out a
telepath. The kind of past I thought would get me kicked out of the
Academy if it ever came to light.”

Admiral Singh shared a look with Admiral Forest.

“
We surmised you had a past, as you call it. No one joins the
Academy with your skills without ... previous experience. You
should have still come to us.”

“
Aren’t you going to ask me what I used to do?” I challenged.
I wanted to know right now what they planned on doing with
me.

“
This is a conversation for later, Cadet,” Forest answered.
“You will be asked to divulge the details of your previous life.
For now, you should return to class.”

I blinked in surprise, incapable of controlling my genuine
shock. Really? They were going to let me go back to class? “I ... I
thought—”

“
Without your assistance, we would not have found out about
this security leak. You should have come to us sooner, granted –
and we will note that in your file,” Admiral Singh continued,
“Right along with your commendation for bringing down a Kore
intelligence team on your own, incapacitating Hendra, and saving my
daughter.” The admiral’s lips twitched.

“
These are strange times,” Forest added, “Now more than ever
we need to keep the Academy and the Coalition safe. We need people
who can do that.”

Forest’s implication hung in the air.

I straightened my back and stared at them both.

“
You have a lot to learn, Cadet,” Forest continued, “And we’re
going to make sure you learn it.”

I was confused. Shocked. Maybe the interrogation would come
later. Maybe they’d change their minds and stick me in prison. Or
maybe, just maybe, they’d accept me back into the
Academy.

I couldn’t stop my gaze from darting around. It settled on
Jason. He was standing by the door, his arms crossed. Before I
could worry that he was still angry at me, he let them drop as he
shot me a warm smile. “Don’t worry; there’s plenty of us here to
help teach you. And I reckon you could help teach us a thing or two
as well.”

Us, or him?

I snapped my gaze back to the admirals. “Is this ...
it?”

“
We do want to know what you used to be,” Singh admitted, “But
don’t think you’re the only person to come to this Academy with a
dark history. And don’t think you’re the first person to use that
history and experience to save lives. From the sound of Hendra’s
taunting, you used to be indentured to a Kore Empire Sect. We know
the Empire has powerful methods to control their indentured. You
aren’t the first indentured who works for the Academy, either.
Ma’tovan is one example.”

“
There’s a place for you here at the Academy,” Forest added.
“If you want it.”

A silence spread through the room. All eyes were on
me.

Did I want to stay?

....

Yes. I did.

I saluted. I let that be my answer.

Singh and Forest exchanged relieved looks, and Jason looked
as if he could barely contain his enthusiasm.

“
Dismissed, Cadet. You will be given private quarters while
this mess is sorted out. I imagine the last thing you want to do
right now is answer the thousands of questions the other cadets are
going to throw at you. Lieutenant Singh here will take you to your
room.” Admiral Forest nodded at Jason.

Jason straightened up.

I stood. “What happens next?”

Admiral Singh consulted the computer embedded into her desk.
“Your next class it tomorrow – Introduction to Engineering, I
believe.”

I smiled at her answer and left with Jason.

By the time we made it out into the corridor, he couldn’t
contain himself anymore.

“
I am so sorry,” he blurted as the doors closed behind us. “I
can’t believe I fell for Hendra’s lie.”

“
... It’s okay.”

“
No, it isn’t. If Elle hadn’t come found me to convince me to
look into things, I would have left you to rot. I ... I just can’t
emphasize how sorry I am. I’ll understand if you don’t want to have
anything else to do with me.”

I considered him.

I could walk away, tell him to leave me alone, pretend his
lack of faith had been more injurious than it had been. Those
weren’t the first words to come to my lips. “How is Elle? You have
a ... curious sister.”

“
Ha, curious is one word for it.”

“
You know, you aren’t at all alike,” I pointed out.

Jason’s expression stiffened. “I’m sorry for not believing
you,” he repeated, clearly thinking my observation had been an
attack. “Elle may not be the best recruit, but we could all learn
something from her about loyalty.”

“
That’s not what I meant. I mean your sister is ... at first I
thought she was weak. I thought she’d be cut, and I believed it
would be for the best. Now I realize I was wrong. She sees things
others don’t see.”

“
Yes, she does,” he agreed more somberly. “She has a habit of
telling me off when I can’t see what’s right in front of me. If she
hadn’t convinced me that Hendra was trying to use you as a
scapegoat for her own spying, I don’t know what would have
happened.” He sighed expressively. “Hendra might still be out
there. It was only when Elle confronted Hendra that Hendra
snapped.”

I paused. “How did Elle know Hendra was using me as a
scapegoat?”

Jason looked surprised. “Elle says you told her. She says
Hendra told you all about her plan before she left her office. ...
Right?”

I thought quickly.

I forced a nod. “Sorry, yes. Today has been ... unusually
busy. I briefly forgot. To be honest, most of the past few hours is
a blur.”

He smiled at me, understanding and commiseration smoothing
his brow. “I’ll bet. Now let’s get you to your quarters. You want
to rest up before you resume classes tomorrow.”

I returned his smile and followed.

There were a lot of questions running through my
mind.

How had Elle known those things?

What story should I concoct for Admiral Forest when she
questioned me on my past? ... Or should I tell the
truth?

Was it safe to stay at the Academy?

All those questions and more swirled through my mind as I
walked with Jason.

“
I can bet you’re probably ruminating over what happened,” he
observed as we reached my door. “My advice is to just wait and see
what happens tomorrow. Oh,” he paused as he opened the door for me,
“And know you can count on your friends.”

I stopped.

Friends?

....

Yes, maybe he was right.

“
Good night, Lieutenant.”

“
See you tomorrow, Em.”

The end of Episode One. This series consists of four
episodes, all of which are currently available. You can buy each
episode separately or combined for a reduced price. The episodes
are combined under the title: Axira The Complete Series.

Thank you for reading this novel.