“A few unconfirmed sightings which we're looking into now. As soon as we can confirm them we have something to work with." Markus answered.
“Well at least it's something I suppose. Let's hope for some good news then.”
Zack looked mildly happier. Losing Rick had been heavy on his mind. He didn't like it all and I knew he partly blamed me for it, even though he hadn't quite voiced that to me yet. It was sure to come.
“Any other questions?" Markus tried to wrap up, but I had one other thing I wanted to know more about.
“Well, yes, I do. When you said you have to “deal with" all the people involved in Rick's organisation, what exactly does that mean? What are you going to do?”
I wasn't really expecting a proper answer but Frank was uncharacteristically straight up about it.
“If they're a normal civilian, well, you've seen what happened to Kas. They take the secrecy deal, or else. If they're from our community however, it will most likely end in long term imprisonment or, if they're instrumentally involved, death.”
I couldn't help but gasp, even though I knew that was the consequence for betrayal. It's just so brutal and I couldn't get used to that. It also reminded me that's exactly where my own father was heading and it hurt like hell. All three of the men were staring at me and I realised I must have been emitting a massive spike in my emotions and remembered to try and cloak the best I could. I didn't want them to think I couldn't cope with it, plus Zack has already been annoyed with me earlier this morning for not being in control of my emotions and I didn't want to irk him again.
The men carried on talking without paying me much more attention. They were planning a big meeting with all the Sensorians to warn them about Rick and that he might approach them. Everyone was to be urged to let the leaders know immediately if that happened or if they suspected someone had been approached but was keeping it to themselves. Everyone was to be reminded about the severe consequences that would befall them if they were to step out of line, or help Rick in any way. Zack chipped in saying that the leaders must make sure that everyone understands that if anyone has any complaints work wise or has issues with their personal life, they should be encouraged to speak up about it.
“We must make sure there's nothing Rick can tap into to turn any one of us. If there's a feeling of dissent amongst us, like Rick seems to think there is, we must find it and deal with it. We must have a clean house; that is of utmost importance." Zack added and both Markus and Frank nodded in agreement.
“I'm not aware of anything, but then we haven't been looking in house much so it's probably worth setting up a team which can actively go out and talk to people and making sure issues are being dealt with appropriately with satisfactory outcomes for all." Frank suggested.
“That makes sense. Good plan. Laura will head that team up." Markus decided.
I realised I was made privy to all of this purely on the back of being Zack's trainee. I actually thought they'd forgotten I was there and I kept very quiet. I felt strangely exhilarated seeing the three in focused work mode. Then, as if Zack had read my mind, he looked over at me and instantly decided I shouldn't be there. He turned towards Markus and Frank and announced our leaving.
“I'd better take Eliza back. We need to discuss what happens next with her training.”
Markus and Frank acknowledged Zack's decision and they both gave me a nod.
“Good luck." Frank whispered in my ear as we walked past.
My feet suddenly felt very heavy and my stomach turned. I took a deep breath to steady myself. I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear what Zack had in store for me but there was no way around it. It had to happen.
CHAPTER 52
“First, I am going to take you to lunch, Eli. I will text Zaphy and the others to see who can join us. Try and make the most of it. Have some fun as it may well be a while before you can do this again.”
I looked at her face, which lit up a little compared to the doomed expression she wore a second ago. The prospect of having a bit of fun definitely cheered her up somewhat and to be honest, I could do with some distraction as well.
Brody couldn't make it, but Ned, Sam and Zaph all texted back eagerly with a positive reply. They all piled into the cafe as if they'd been waiting for the text. Zaphire came up and hugged Eli, she'd clearly forgiven her but I was still on the receiving end of her icy stare. Sam picked up on it straight away, but I shook my head to tell her to ignore it for now. Ned also gave Eliza a big hug and told her how proud he was of her. She was beaming.
“No really, Eli. Well done!”
He insisted as she was about to minimise the compliment.
“You are basically a newbie and you pulled it out the bag. I know you'll be told all the things that went wrong and what you could've done better (as he poignantly glanced at me), but you're back, alive and well and you got the information you were asked to get. So, in my book that is a job well done."
Sam and Zaphire both agreed in unison.
“Trust you to get the award for the most dramatic first real mission, though!" Sam jokingly remarked, punching Eliza's arm.
“It was bloody tense, disarming that device! I learned a lot. Thank you very much!" she carried on, still half joking,
