2075 - Space Corps Central Command Office
That afternoon, Harlow mostly kept to himself.
He hadn’t had much of a reaction to the security footage. He simply didn’t have the energy. His head still hurt, and he was exhausted, as he usually was following such episodes.
He sat at his desk for a long time, staring at the wall and thinking of nothing. The trance was only broken when Victor set a warm cup of coffee in front of him. He looked at it as if shaken from a dream, then resumed staring.
“What am I to do?” he asked quietly.
And Victor merely shrugged, because for once, he had nothing to say.
Harlow sighed. “All of my training focused on managing external threats. I never received any guidance on how to address conflict from within, or what to do when the most dangerous enemies are found inside our own ranks. There’s nowhere to turn for help and no one to seek out for advice, because none of those avenues can be trusted.”
Victor nodded silently. He had nothing else to offer.
Harlow remained still for a moment longer, then reached out, gripped the warm mug, took a sip, and closed his eyes. It was a paltry effort, but it was enough to get him functioning again, at least. He fell back into his usual routine, almost as if by instinct, and began to go about his work, addressing the mountain of tasks which awaited him.
But as the hours passed by and the fog cleared from his mind, he grew increasingly concerned as the gravity of what had happened—and what could’ve happened—settled in.
Victor had risked more than disciplinary measures or dishonorable discharge with his actions. Lin could’ve killed him.
Harlow preferred to keep his thoughts private, and did his best to go about his day in as routine of a manner as possible, but he found it exceedingly difficult to function in such a state. Given how much of the Council was under Lin’s direct influence, nobody was free of suspicion, and keeping up a pretense of normalcy around those who couldn’t be trusted was draining in a way he never imagined possible.
He’d always known they didn’t respect him, but the full weight of their contempt for his authority was sinking in, and it was a crushing burden to bear. For all of their security personnel and safety measures, the only thing which had kept him from harm that night was an enlisted aide who was willing to pull a gun on a general.
In his more naive years he’d feared he might be a hated ruler, but now he knew the truth—he’d likely be a forgotten one. General Lin had him in a veritable chokehold, and Howard’s words seemed more prescient than ever as they echoed through his mind.
You’ll be a puppet leader, and nothing more.
He didn’t want to admit Howard had been right, so he preferred not to think about it at all, and found himself slipping into that comfortable, familiar state of avoidance, as he had a tendency to do. It was cowardly, he knew, but he lacked the energy to do much else.
He kept his mind blank as he went about his business, enduring a few brief meetings and phone calls he barely remembered. Sometime around mid-afternoon, though, it all became too much, and he decided to escape the confines of his office and go downstairs.
He wandered down the hall, and for the first time since he’d woken up, chanced being alone as he entered the elevator. But as the doors closed, he felt that familiar surge of fear welling up again. The prospect of encountering General Lin, especially so soon, filled him with dread.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
And indeed, when the elevator stopped on the floor below, he realized the utter folly of this decision. Someone was waiting outside, and his heart skipped a beat.
It wasn’t Lin, though. Instead, when those doors opened, he found himself face-to-face with none other than General Howard.
This wasn’t the preferred outcome either, as the man was a living representation of the warnings he’d ignored and the insubordination he’d allowed. His stomach dropped, but he made a conscious effort to keep his face as blank as his mind. Howard gave a polite nod as he stepped inside, and Harlow returned the gesture.
“Going downstairs, Sir?” General Howard asked.
Harlow nodded again, desperately hoping Howard would remain content with simple pleasantries.
But he knew it was unlikely. He may have been Howard’s commanding officer now, and as such, he was shown a polite deference in the presence of others, but when they were alone—a rare occurrence these days—they slipped back into their old dynamic.
“What’s bothering you?” Howard asked as soon as the elevator started moving.
“Nothing,” Harlow replied as he leaned back against the wall.
“Nonsense. You’re a terrible liar, and always have been. You look utterly exhausted.”
Harlow looked away. “You were right,” he said quietly. “I’m woefully unprepared for this role, and I never should’ve taken it.”
Howard glanced at him. “The best person for the job is someone who never wanted it, which makes you perfectly qualified. But tell me, what prompted you to say that?”
Harlow didn’t respond, and Howard shrugged. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I can see when something’s on your mind.”
Harlow debated whether to disclose the prior evening’s events, and decided there was no better time or place to do so.
“General Lin paid me a visit last night,” he said.
Howard frowned. “Really?”
“Yes, although ‘visit’ might not be the best term for it. He stormed into my office and demanded a meeting, even though I’d asked not to be disturbed. I wasn’t even there; I was in my quarters with yet another migraine. They’re getting worse, Howard, and I don’t know what to do, but last night was the first time I’ve been grateful for them. Victor said he was out of control—incensed beyond any point of reason.”
“I assume you didn’t go speak to him.”
“No.”
“I’d imagine he didn’t like that.”
Harlow took a deep breath. “That’s putting it mildly. Victor offered to schedule a meeting later, but he wasn’t having it. He refused to leave and demanded entry into my quarters, even going so far as to threaten to force his way in if Victor didn’t hand over the key.”
Howard inhaled sharply. “Please tell me Victor didn’t capitulate to that demand.”
“Of course not. He stood his ground.”
Howard let out a relieved sigh. “I’m glad, but I can’t imagine it was easy getting rid of him after that.”
“No.” Harlow closed his eyes. “Victor had to pull a gun to get him to leave.”
Howard stared at him, and his expression was calm, but his eyes betrayed a silent horror.
“Do you trust Victor’s account?” he asked quietly.
Harlow nodded. “I watched the security footage this morning. I know what you think of Victor, but it happened exactly as he said. Lin laid hands on him, so he thought it was only fair. He wasn’t the instigator. I’ve got no doubt that if he hadn’t done that, Lin would’ve hurt him, and possibly me as well.”
“He still very well might,” Howard replied. “This won’t be forgotten easily. You’re in danger, and I don’t think you realize how much.”
“I’m aware.” Harlow sighed.
“No, you’re not, because if you were, you wouldn’t be walking around here in such a cavalier manner. Lin won’t tolerate such overt challenges to his authority—not for long.”
Harlow didn’t respond, and Howard appeared to be lost deep in thought.
“You know, I don’t like being proven wrong, but for once, I’m glad I was,” he finally said. “I thought Victor was the worst choice you could’ve possibly made for an aide, but your ill-advised selection seems to have paid off. I doubt many would’ve stood up to Lin the way he did. That takes a certain type of courage—the stupid kind that thinks it’s always right, and is willing to brandish a weapon in order to prove it. You’re lucky he’s on your side, because even Lin didn’t anticipate such a bold, foolish display of confidence. Don’t get me wrong, I still can’t stand him, but Victor may very well be the reason you’re alive right now.” He shrugged. “You know what this means, though, don’t you?”
They were interrupted when the doors opened on the Atrium level, where Harlow had meant to depart. He stood up straighter and steeled his expression once more, but he didn’t move, and Howard sensed his hesitation.
“Why don’t you come downstairs with me?” he asked.
Harlow knew these words were spoken solely for the benefit of anyone who might’ve been outside, and nodded.
And Howard reached forward and pushed the button to close the doors.