Cornelia stood in front of a large pane of glass, datapad in hand, observing the spectacle. A team of surgeons and assistants worked on the wounded man. Lance Corporal Raze lied unconscious upon the surgery table, he endured the worst of the injuries. The bullet narrowly missed his heart, it instead punctured his lung. She clutched her datapad, knuckles turned white. A frown plagued her face, eyebrows pinched a dark light in her eyes. It was hours after the prisoners had escaped, the sunset long ago. Cornelia could still feel where that girl hit her, she could still see the moment where the sewer lid closed.

After countless briefings, stacks on stacks of reports, she rushed over to the hospital to see the two injured commandos. Lance Corporal A’den, the other critically injured commando, was still recovering from blood loss after a bullet ruptured a blood vessel. He was asleep, his condition was improving but it would take time. Courier was recovering from his hand injury in the barracks. Her squad was broken, to say the least. Maverick squadron was no better, they refused to go to the hospital, instead, they trained like never before. Nova was better off if only just frustrated, frustrated that their mission to Morehead Tower came to nothing. There was no bomb, she tried to remind them that they weren’t the only ones tricked, Cornelia was tricked too. She cradled her head in her hands, the terrorists were playing her like a fiddle.

Footsteps echoed down the hallway to her right. Cornelia looked for the source, she could only make out an outline in the dim hallway lights. Judging by the lightness of the footfalls and the slow pace, it was clear who it was. The operating room’s light hit the left side of Knox, leaving the rest in shadows. Major saluted.

Cornelia returned it, “Evening Major, surprised you are up this late.”

Knox gave her a faint smile, “I think you mean early, it is three past oh hundred. I tried to find you at your quarters, but…” He looked down at the operation, “You are otherwise occupied. How are the squads?”

She chuckled, “You could say that.” A ghost of a smile spread on her face, Knox’s presence was a nice touch to the otherwise chaotic day. It went away at the thought of the squads, “About as well as I am.”

He snorted, “That bad huh?”

She would’ve laughed, however, something bothered her. It was the fact that the man was dressed in full uniform at such an hour. “ It's been a long day Knox. Why are you here?”

The man sighed and nodded, he looked at her without a smile, causing her to do the same. “I’ve come to warn you.”

Her posture stiffened, “Warn?” The mood shifted back to chaos, her mind went in every direction.

“There are whispers, that you are behind the terrorist attacks.” The Major said. Cornelia didn’t react at first, concern filled Knox’s dark eyes. A storm brewed within her mind, she wanted to scream. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. Every joint in her body locked up. A callous hand enveloped hers and squeezed it tight. The Dame opened her eyes ever so slowly, Knox’s rough facial features softened, “Don’t worry Cornelia neither I nor Talin thinks any of it is true.”

Knox pulled away, most of her tension disappeared. She took a deep breath, “Who is spreading these lies?” Cornelia was going to clear her name, she wouldn’t have the name Gaston be smeared.

The Major’s expression was grim. “I suggest you go and talk to the Governor, he’s still in his office.”

Cornelia stepped closer to the man and looked him dead in the eyes, “Knox. Who?”

He didn’t waver at this, “The speculation runs high up the ranks.”

Cornelia cursed the man for dodging the question. “How high?” She asked through a clenched jaw.

“Nosebleed.”

***

The armored car screeched to halt in front of the Capitol Building, much to Cornelia’s dismay the Governor wanted to remain working in the building despite the attack. She stepped into the cold winter air, the moon hung high in the sky. The Dame charged ahead towards the building, Knox fell into stride with her, the building was surrounded by yellow tape and police. They saluted, holding the tape up for the pair. All was quiet in the marble landscape, the Capital district laid dormant after Cornelia’s lockdown order. The two approached the marble steps, the guard outside took notice of their arrival and opened the immense oak doors. They entered the grand atrium hall. The flag of Carolina hung from the domed ceiling, on the left and right were empty reception decks. Vacant offices lined the back wall, but at the center of it all was the grand staircase, its silver railing led officials and visitors alike to the seat of power of Carolina. Chief among them was the Governor.

The railing chilled her through the bone, even with the glove. The Dame’s steps doubled in weight, the grandfather clock at the top stared down at her in dismay. It reminded her of how Talin looked during the debriefing. She gripped the railing tighter, she pushed forward. Cornelia’s boots pressed onto the soft carpet. She paused and stared down the right hallway, a golden light shone out of the Governor’s door at the end. The hallway was silent, save for the ticking of the clock. The light beckoned her, like a moth to a flame. Her legs moved before her mind did, her heart pounded against her chest. The woman disregarded any danger, she needed to speak with Talin. Without a second thought she pushed the door open, it revealed the Governor sitting at his desk, looking surprised at her entrance. The fireplace behind him was lit, its flames painted the bookshelf and Talin’s many pictures, a soft yellow. Talin looked up at her with tired eyes, bags clung to his eyelids; day by day the man’s hair only got greyer.

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Cornelia froze, she made a mistake. “Ah, Dame Gaston.” There was another man in the room, the last man she wanted to see, he stood tall, facing out the window. The golden eagle glinted off his white cape, he turned his head, brown eyes pierced her green. High Inquisitor Orion.

“High Inquisitor Orion. Governor Talin.” Knox saluted. Cornelia followed suit. Everything she was going to say was thrown out the window. Her jaw remained locked in place, not daring to say a word.

“At ease,” Talin said. The Governor pulled Cornelia’s attention away from Orion, “What brings you here? Especially since it's so late?”

She glanced at the threat, then back at Talin. “Don’t mind me, Dame. I am just here to recruit an Initiate, and of course, catch up with your…” He tapped his chin, eyes flashed towards the window, “Predicament.”

The Dame gulped, the Imperial Council caught wind of her failings quicker than she anticipated. “I just wanted to clear up some things to the Governor.”

“Go ahead, Cornelia.” Talin was too at ease for his own good. Didn’t he see the danger?

“I have a few theories that could explain the anomalies in the attacks.” The Dame elaborated. Hopefully, they were enough to silence the rumors. The Governor raised an eyebrow, the Inquisitor eyed her in interest. “The locks on the prisoners are known to be unreliable, it doesn’t take much to interrupt the signal if the attacker knows the frequency.” Cornelia forced herself to ignore Orion, “And there was an interruption.”

Talin opened his mouth to respond, Orion beat him to it. “Quite the observation, but that doesn’t explain how they knew of the Private Residence.” She had nothing to counter that, he took this opportunity to walk across the room, “The only way that information would have gotten out was either a cyber-attack or someone of high rank leaked the information. And to my knowledge, there was no cyberattack, save for the one on the broadcast.” The man paused, he pivoted on one foot to face her, “Did I miss anything?”

Nothing came to her, nothing, she couldn’t counter what he said. “High Inquisitor.” Cornelia sucked in more air, Talin stepped in. She prayed her Governor would save her. “I must ask that you stop humiliating my Dame.” She would’ve hugged him if she could.

Orion turned the Governor, he held a hand to his heart, “Oh, you are mistaken, I am simply searching for the truth.”

Talin folded his hands, “We have already discussed all of the evidence, none of it points to Dame Gaston.”

“Yes. Yes, I am aware. However…” The man’s face darkened, he pointed towards the window, “The Imperial Council and the Emperor are asking for an answer. These terrorists in particular pose a unique threat to their plans.”

The Governor gave him a leveled look, “I understand High Inquisitor.”

Cornelia took this opportunity to reaffirm her allegiance, “I will double my efforts in hunting these terrorists.”

His brown eyes stared at her, “I hope so, otherwise I would have to find a new Knight of Carolina.” Orion glanced down at his watch, “Well, I must be going now.” His mouth morphed into a smile, eyes glancing between the three of them, “Goodnight Gentlemen, and Lady.” The three Carolinians gave him a salute, the inquisitor was in the door frame when he made one last decree, “The Emperor directs that the leader of the terrorists must not be killed.” He left without another word. The door left ajar.

The three didn’t say anything at first, Cornelia stared at the door, only the slightest amount of tension left her. She had a sickening feeling that he would be back, Inquisitors were never ones to let things be. Knox looked at his own watch, “Well, I think it's time for Cornelia and I get heading back.” He gave a slight bow to Talin, “Governor.” The Major turned to leave, Cornelia did not.

Talin raised his hand, “I would like to speak to Cornelia alone.”

Knox glanced at Talin, then to Cornelia. She gave him a nod. “Of course, Governor.” The Major left, shutting the door completely.

The Governor of Carolina and his Dame stood alone in his office. The man moved over to the window and twisted the blinds shut. She didn’t know what to say, Talin made no move to speak either. “I can’t thank-”

“It is quite alright Cornelia,” He interrupted. The man sat in his chair, eyes weary. His expression softened. “Knox’s heart is in the right place… but he should’ve never brought you here.”

“I doubt he could’ve stopped me from coming here. Not after he told me of the rumors.” Cornelia countered. Why wouldn’t she come here? Slander of a person’s family name is not to be taken lightly, Inquisitor, or not.

He shook his head, “That's not what I meant. Ignorance is what keeps people alive Cornelia.” Talin rubbed his face, “Now that you know an Inquisitor is involved, it complicates things.”

Cornelia frowned, “Governor, you don’t have to worry. The insurgents will be eradicated soon enough.” She admitted that Orion’s presence was terrifying, to say the least. Unlike Red Coats, she couldn’t just shoot away this problem, but it was nothing that couldn’t be solved.

The Governor gave her a smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes, “You are young Cornelia, but even you need sleep. Get some rest, you need it.”

The Dame smiled, and saluted, “And as do you, Governor.” Cornelia made for the door, her hand gripped the doorknob, pulling it open. She stepped in the darkened hallway, plans of destroying the enemies ran through her mind. It had to be a decisive victory, whittling them down so far was not working. Perhaps she could get some help from a certain Virginian.