While the others debated what to do with the girl, Thiven's thoughts echoed relentlessly in his mind.Why had Marek gone to such lengths to hide this girl?Why had he valued her life over his own?It wasn't just paternal instinct—no, there was something deeper, something far beyond that.
"I say we execute her publicly," Ian suggested coldly, his voice slicing through the tense air."It would silence the rumors and strengthen the people's trust. You know how our citizens fear A-8—and how little trust A-8 has for us."
Farsis began pacing, his voice tight with barely concealed unease."This will only bring more trouble, General Ian. The authorities and the people alike expect us to find Marek and force him to reveal how to neutralize the semi-radioactive substance. But Marek is dead. We have no solid leads. Killing the girl, even quietly, will achieve nothing.My proposal is to integrate her into the Star Unit—the elite group of young soldiers we trained for precisely such dangers."
Scott let out a heavy sigh and leaned against the railing, frustration evident in his stance.
"With all due respect, Commander Farsis," he said, "isn't that absurd? The Star Unit was selected and trained from childhood for these missions. Throwing her in with them… seems reckless, no?"
"You wanted her to pay for her father's sins, didn't you? Or perhaps you wanted her dead—well, here's your chance.And who knows—maybe Marek taught her something useful.She doesn't seem to know exactly what we're after—hell, we ourselves aren't even sure yet."
"But she'll slow the team down," Ian muttered, voice stiff with disapproval.
Sabrina, ignoring Ian's words, stepped forward."I agree with Commander Farsis," she said smoothly."Send her into the hazardous zones. If she dies, nothing changes—we continue with remote reconnaissance. If she survives, maybe we finally gain something."
Thiven, who had remained silent until then, finally pushed himself off the wall, his voice unnervingly soft.
"There must be a reason her father protected her all this time," he said."Maybe... just maybe... we'll learn something about that region through her. I side with Commander Farsis."
They decided her fate casually, right there and then, as if choosing a weapon to be discarded.Semira, listening in silence, said nothing.Her mind was racing.
The Star Unit, huh?If she infiltrated them, she could sabotage their operations—she could take her revenge for her father.
But doubt gnawed at her.Sabrina's words echoed relentlessly in her mind, sowing seeds of dread.
Sabrina had said:
"Your father was a monster. Everything he taught you is nothing but his shadow. Have you ever wondered why so many despised him? You were too busy weeping to question it, weren't you, brat?Marek Zen was a murderer, performing unsanctioned experiments on innocent lives.And because of him, the world is crumbling into chaos.But none of that matters to you, does it?He'll always be your hero.Your 'resistance' was written in the blood of innocents. That's not a lineage, girl—that's a curse."
Semira clenched her fists so tightly that her nails cut into her palms. Her thumb trembled violently.
In the dim light of the corridor, her face looked even more worn, more hollow.The cold bite of the chains sent a shiver down her spine.She no longer wanted to hear their voices, no longer wanted their poison in her head.
"My father was innocent," she thought, her mind fiercely clinging to the belief.
Yet a sharp, relentless ache kept tearing through her.
"Innocent. Honorable. I know it.And I'll make sure everyone else knows it, too."
It felt more like she was trying to convince herself than anyone else.
She lifted her head and looked each general in the eye, one by one.These people—these men and women—were her enemies.Their faces were cold, indifferent, their eyes hollow with detached cruelty.None of them cared whether she objected or not.From behind the bars, no bargains were made—only commands delivered, cold and final.
She said nothing. She didn't even flinch.What good would it have done?
The decision had already been made.
But truth—truth could not be dictated.Truth could only be uncovered.
And so, she thought:
"I will do it."
It was then that Semira heard footsteps—new voices—approaching.She raised her head and saw six figures looking directly at her.
General Sabrina stepped forward, her voice brooking no argument.
"Yes, guys" she said, "meet your new team member. She will serve as a field operative."
A tall man with sharp eyes approached the bars, scrutinizing Semira with a calculating gaze.
"Are you sure about this, General?" he asked."I mean no disrespect, but—"
He fell silent immediately, as every superior officer fixed him with a warning glare.There would be no questioning orders.
The rest of the team exchanged uneasy glances. The tension thickened, almost suffocating.
Semira stared back at them, her eyes full of quiet hatred, and spoke with an icy calm:
"My name is Semira Zen."