“General Sorom,” Tess greeted, “how is the prisoner?”
“He denies saying anything.” Replied the general in a voice as terrible as his expression. “He says the terrorist tricked him and that if he knew what he was going to do, he never would have invited him.”
“Of course,” Tess replied without believing a single word. “Would you mind if I came in?”
The general made a sign with his hands and Tess went to the next room. Garreth barely seemed to hold consciousness, was hanging by his arms and bleeding from his head.
“Careful, Garreth, you can catch an infection like that.”
The man did not answer what worsened Tess's mood.
“How long have you been working for these terrorists?”
“I don't work,” Garreth replied with the few strengths he had.
“You know what's going to happen, don't you?” Asked Tess. “If you tell us what we want to know, you will suffer the minimum necessary. Tell me, where's their base?”
The tied man shook his head in denial. Tess pressed a button, discharging electricity into Garreth's body.
“I did not hear well, “said Tess.
“I don't know, I don't know.” cried Garreth “I thought he was my friend, but I didn't know his plans! He was just using me!”
After saying his sentence, the adrenaline began to subside, and he returned to be quieter.
“Let me understand then.” Tess spoke calmly. “Because of you the Chaos Agents leader came very close to killing me, stole a number of ships, including some of the Guardians of the Order, and killed several soldiers. Even though this is all your fault, you can't you say anything to help us against them?”
Tess waited patiently for Garreth to catch his breath to respond.
“I really don't know anything,” said the man beginning to whine. “I don't know! He never told me any details.”
Pharaoh made a macabre expression for Garreth.
“You'd better get used to your new quarters then. You're going to spend the rest of your life here.” Those were the last words exchanged between the two of them.
Back in the room with the general and guardian, he began to think of his next move.
“That brat does not stop disappointing me,” said the general.
“And what are you going to do about it?” The Pharaoh asked. “It is you fault for what you did to the boy. If you were more drastic, none of this would have happened.”
The general approached and faced Pharaoh Tess with intensity, despite being much smaller, Tess did not give in and continued with his serious expression.
“I made a mistake because of love,” General Sorom said. “It will not happen again; I will kill the child with my own hands.”
The general left with heavy steps, leaving Tess with a sadistic smile on his face.
Recovery
The next few days at the Chaos Agents base were of mourning and recovery. Those who were well organized the weapons and ships for the next attack, while Sorom spent most of the time alone in his quarters.
As soon as Willys regained consciousness, Sorom went to the base communicators.
“Norna Dluks, Golbert Sotark, Willys Inga, Dijo Mugo and Evelin Simeht, please report to the meeting room.”
When Evelin arrived, she saw that everyone was already present. No conversation occurred and they barely looked into each other's eyes. She was happy to see Willys standing, even with bandages on his head. As soon as she sat down, Sorom started.
“I want to clarify a few things. I didn't do anything that day on impulse. Having declared myself to the world serves for me to fire the spark of revolution on other people who expected validation. Do you know how many people suffer because of fate, even without being chaotic? I did it to show that we're not quiet and that we're on their side.”
He shut up expecting some comment, yet everyone was still silent.
“Maybe Willys wasn't hurt, maybe everything was different, but what I did gave us a chance to be here right now. A lot of people died, but they all knew what they were getting into when they joined the Agents.” At this point he turned specifically to Evelin: “I know you're upset, and I don't take that away from you, but I don't regret what I’ve done, and I won't apologize. If Simeht had reached us, eighty percent of the Agents' leadership would be lost and possibly no one to blow up the tunnels behind us. Everyone at the base would have been caught.”
Once again, the silence became over time and Sorom looked at each of them anxiously.
“Don't you have anything to say?”
“What about Garreth?” Asked Norna. “Where does he fit into all this?”
It was visible in Sorom's expression that this subject bothered him.
“The whole world is more important than him,” Sorom replied sad. “And more important than me. You think I wanted to make him suffer? He only has 24 more days...”
The last information generated doubt in the group.
“What do you mean?” Asked Golbert.
“His fate is a countdown that ends in twenty-four days. I intend to overthrow God before then and not find out what happens when the number reaches zero.”
“I understand the reasons that led to their decisions.” Said Evelin cold. “Which doesn't mean I like them.”
“You don't have to like them, or me, you just need to help me kill God and end fate.
“If that's all, I'll be going,” said Evelin leaving the room.
Dijo helped Willys get up and so did the two.
“I'll see how Dice is,” said Norna leaving.
Golbert stared at the leader clearly upset.
“This remembers me of the beginning.” Golbert said, trying to force a smile. “Both of us against the world.”
“In the beginning I had only hurt those who deserved it...” Sorom replied, “Now it seems I hurt everyone.”
Golbert went to Sorom menacingly and, when he got very close, hugged him tightly.
“I am here with you, Little Dee. It's going to be all right!”
When Sorom was released, he was
