2.2.1

Counsel and Caveats

Parrish didn’t look to Astrid. The man held a talent, she noted, for keeping his emotional distance from his assignments. But sometimes his apparent indifference made him hard to read. Perhaps, she surmised, part of the reason he’d been selected for the job.

Still, news the admiral arrived at such a solitary base in the middle of the desert, only further concerned Astrid. The members of the Board, heavily laden with responsibilities, rarely left the main headquarters of the larger cities. Not for anything but the most important of meetings.

Questions arose, but Astrid knew she’d get nothing from Parrish. For months, he watched her, gauged her, and reported on her progress. And yet, she could scarcely remember a single commentary between them he didn’t deem absolutely necessary.

She could only quicken her stride and will herself to reach their destination, and answers, all the faster.

They entered the hub of the base and continued. While they passed uniformed colleagues, some gave the resident Channeler a wide berth, others ignored her altogether. Only a few nodded in acknowledgment as she crossed.

She’d grown accustomed to the mixed reactions of her equally mixed company. Not everyone displayed comfort with her presence. But not all rejected her either.

Captain London impressed upon Astrid that her only role, with most, would be to give pause to think. And in that, at least, she succeeded.

Officer Parrish delivered Astrid into a private room much nicer than the one into which he usually deposited her. It boasted broad windows of natural light. And polished, if empty, tables.

And inside, stood a woman unseen since the day the Board first granted the Channeler registration.

To be in the same room with someone of such esteem, perhaps the most influential Static Astrid ever met, could not be easily digested. And indeed, when Parrish, without another word, excused himself to leave them alone, Astrid grew more uncertain.

Unsure what else to do, she saluted. “Admiral Mays.”

The admiral didn’t return the gesture, and instead tucked her hands behind her back. The older woman bore facial scars that smoothed to pale slivers cut into her olive skin.

Astrid pondered the kind of past Mays fought to achieve such a high rank. What battles marked her. But her sense of propriety stifled her probing questions.

“Specialist Hale.” Dark eyes thoroughly assessed the Channeler.

She swallowed. No matter how far she grasped for reason or a place to start, she remained at a loss.

“I wasn’t expecting audience with an admiral…” Astrid extended. “How might I help you?”

“I’m afraid something has come up. I’m here to tell you that we will be suspending review for now. I’m putting in the order to mobilize you and return you to your captain.

“As you have been instructed that leaving Fort Magnus would be a terminal breach in orders, and given the conditions of your original recruitment, it was deemed necessary that you hear it from a member of the Board directly.”

Astrid couldn’t help but note the insinuation. It seemed Captain London thinned his trust with the Board over the course of his last tour.

She tempered her delight with the ominous implications of such a move. As strenuous months stretched on, she long ago gave up blindly wishing each week would bring her closer to reunion.

But the severity in the admiral’s voice indicated the decision came from necessity.

“So suddenly, ma’am?”

Admiral Mays raised a weathered hand. “It is not my place to explain. Captain London will brief you. He’s already on his way to collect you.”

Exhilaration rushed over Astrid’s chest, but she tamped it down.

“The time for provision has passed,” Mays continued, “The return of London and his Task Force marks a significant milestone in the Channeler Initiative. And the Board is concerned about your release.”

“But, I thought my progress…?”

Astrid followed their restrictions to the letter. She’d been attentive to their every order. Demonstrations, interrogations, instruction…

“Has been fair, yes. But you saw in your Court that not all on the Board are eager for your assimilation. You were accepted by a narrow margin. And I’m afraid those opposed feel much more severely than those that advocated in your favor. If this judgement passed on ardor alone, it may well have gone the other way.”

“Then why didn’t it? What would change their minds?”

“I cannot speak to the motivations of others. Admirals Klein and Fitzgerald are equal parts opportunists and investors. They see potential. But the others, Leeds and Avram, they are slow to trust, if at all. I can only say my vote fell in your favor because of Captain London and his team.

“It is no secret that covert groups like London’s provide a no-man’s-land on the edge of protocol. It is the perfect place to test programs such as yours. They are not impervious to the laws of the world, but penalties come only upon a failure of execution. If you succeed in your goals, it may go a long way with the Board moving forward.”

“And if we fail?”

The admiral paused a moment as though she waited for Astrid to follow the train of thought to its presumed conclusion.

When Astrid offered none, Mays continued.

“Surely you see why it is so convenient your people vouched for you. We’ll have names to provide should accountability be demanded.”

“They’re your distance to culpability.” An involuntary tension edged the Channeler’s voice. “Scapegoats” would have been a more accurate word, even if more crude.

“Better that you realize it now, than after. The military has a long history, and a greater reputation to protect than your own. If that angers you, your best course is to make sure it remains beneficial for us to back you. No one wishes to be made a fool. Least of all the Admiralty Board.

“Perhaps you see yourself a pawn but don’t take it so personally. The only difference between you and any other recruit, at least in this instance, is that most soldiers would recognize my warning as a courtesy.”

She expects gratitude, Astrid realized. “You’re using them. My team.”

The admiral didn’t even flinch. So many years in the Service may have made such a claim redundant to the officer, but Astrid labored under it.

Both Rahna and the Keeper alluded to this tactic. Astrid accepted she placed herself in such a position, but not that her undertaking would also put the careers of her comrades on the line. She guarded against manipulation. But not guilt.

“Stay yourself, Specialist.” Admiral Mays addressed the strain between them. “Captain London cannot protect you should you alienate his superiors.”

“Is there anything else you would have of me, Admiral?” Astrid forced herself to steady.

“No. When you have rendered this mission complete, we will resume this conversation. I put you in Captain London’s hands till then. Warrant Officer Parrish will be tracking your movements and you are to file reports to him when in port. I trust I don’t need to express what may happen should you neglect to do so.

“It is not typical for a Board Admiral to personally dispatch a singular soldier, Specialist. It is important you grasp the gravity of the situation. Do well and the Board won’t have to involve themselves further. No offense, but I hope to see you as little as possible.

“I need to see to the paperwork, and you should go prepare yourself,” Mays concluded. “As you might imagine, I have places to be. With any luck, your next assignment will not mandate such a direct visit. What a relief that would be.”

Never did Admiral Mays smile. She didn’t seem kind, supportive, or even hopeful. Astrid stood, struck dumb by the whirlwind approach.

She felt the moment come that she should consider herself dismissed, but her mind drifted, and the admiral across from her perked a scarred brow.

“Something else, Specialist?”

After a moment, Astrid mustered her courage.

“The prisoner. Rahna Conner. What’s to become of her?”

“She’s not your problem.” Admiral Mays regarded Astrid with deep appraisal. “Do you care? She tried to kill you.”

“It matters.” Astrid rebuked the admiral’s indifference. “If I am to serve as an example, then so does she. Criminal or not, how the first Channeler prisoner fares under military detention? It matters.”

“Hm.” Mays contemplated. “Rebel leader or no, we cannot afford her former compatriots an opportunity to reclaim her. She shall remain here, under guard.”

“And she’ll be safe?” Astrid pressed.

“More so than you,” the admiral replied. “You can confirm it yourself upon your return. But remember your role, Specialist. Energy-kin though she may be, you are an operative of the Earthen Military Service. You are bound to confidentiality in all things pertaining to your mission. I trust you know sharing information with marked opposition is treason.”

With that subtle threat, Astrid clamped her mouth shut.

“You may go,” Admiral Mira prodded.