It had been four days since she’d first met with the General, and Miarre now found herself sitting in a modest room in one of two leather chairs, eyeing her escort with distrust. The weapon at their hip did little to make her feel safe. After clearing the utterly ridiculous security measures she was forced to abide by, she’d been brought to this room and told to wait.

  She’d been expecting someone to come rather soon, but after an hour’s wait, she was beginning to feel like an afterthought. Displeasure coursed through her, though she knew better than to voice it. She was being offered a once in a lifetime privilege and she would do nothing to jeopardize it — especially not since it was finally time for the interview.

  The door opened, jolting her out of her thoughts. Another soldier dressed in combat armour stepped through, followed by General Nessah, who held a small, beautiful, ornate wooden case. She strode into the room with utter confidence, as though the world would bend to her will should she command it.

  Piercing eyes locked on to Miarre, who suddenly found herself nervous under the General’s scrutinizing stare. The calculating gaze assessed her for a moment, and she knew not whether she was found wanting, Nessah’s expression betraying nothing.

  “Miss Kiala, thank you for coming today,” Nessah said. She placed the case on the intricately carved wooden table between the two chairs.

  Miarre rose to her feet as quickly as she could to greet her back. “General,” she said respectfully. “It’s my pleasure to be here. Is Miss Ayala not here yet? I was expecting her to be with you.” Without the person the interview was about, she’ have little to show the public.

  “She’s on standby,” Nessah replied with a sharp smile. “As you saw in the script we sent you, the first part of the interview today will be with me. Once we’re finished, Miss Ayala will join us, and you’ll have the chance to speak with her. For now, we’ll get set up.”

  On cue, another soldier entered the room holding a stand and a data slate. He spent several minutes positioning the data slate on the stand and ensuring that the recording software was working properly. After giving the all-clear, Nessah sat in the empty seat on the left and motioned for Miarre to sit back down in her chair. The soldier originally guarding her moved off to the side, offscreen. “We’ll begin in a couple of seconds. Our cameraman will tell us when the recording starts,” Nessah said.

  Miarre glanced between the two soldiers. “Let me know when,” she said with her best smile. She gave herself a quick check and then turned to face the data slate. The cameraman’s voice rang out and told everyone that recording had started. “Hello everyone, this is Miarre Kiala reporting in with breaking news,” she started. “I’m sure you’re all dying to know the truth behind the rumours about the new Silver Star holder. Today, we’ll find out just that.” She motioned towards Nessah. “I’m joined here today by General Nessah to confirm the military’s official position on the matter.”

  Nessah flashed a smile. “Thank you for having me,” she said. “The rumours have even reached my ears, an impressive feat. Then again, something as important as a new Silver Star holder is definitely worth my attention.”

  “Thank you coming, General. I’ll cut straight to the point everybody watching this actually cares about – is there really a new Silver Star holder?”

  “There is indeed a new Silver Star holder,” Nessah confirmed smoothly. “For her trials and tribulation, the Tribunal has unanimously agreed to bestow upon Reya Ayala this honour. There is no doubt in my mind that she is deserving of her merit.” She reached over towards the case that was neatly displayed to face the data slate and carefully opened it, revealing a beautiful, stylized silver medal with a glittering sapphire in its center. “This,” she said, “is what we’ve awarded her.”

  “Incredible!” Miarre responded enthusiastically, taking a moment to let it sink in that she was looking at an actual Silver Star up close. “To think we’d see someone receive it during our lifetime. Could you tell us why she was awarded something so prestigious?”

  Nessah left the case open and the medal on display as she spoke. “I’m afraid not. It isn’t the right time yet. What granted Miss Ayala her Silver Star is a once in a life-time opportunity we hope to pursue. She gave much of herself — too much — to grant it to us. The sacrifice she made for our faction is exactly what this medal represents and so we gave it to her. She is worthy of it beyond doubt.”

  Although she’d read it from the script, it felt surreal to Miarre to listen to what the General was saying and confirm it in person. She hadn’t had much time to memorize the script before the interview. Excitement at the prospect of meeting somebody the General respected so welled up from within her as she quickly responded, “That’s unfortunate, but I understand. Is there any chance we could meet her?”

  “She’s here with us now. I’ll call for her,” Nessah smiled softly. Tapping the screen of her sleek bracelet, she continued. “That will be all from me for today. Miss Ayala can take my place.”

  “Thank you for your time, General,” Miarre said, to which Nessah rose from her seat and walked out of the camera’s view. The reporter’s eyes were drawn towards the door to the room when it opened. Offscreen, a young, visibly nervous woman wearing a midnight blue blouse with long sleeves walked into the room. Miarre scanned the figure briefly before flicking to the silver scar that ran along her cheekbone, the look at odds with her demure state of dress.

  The lack of military attire on Reya took Miarre by surprise, but she didn’t let it show on her face as she put on a welcoming smile. “You must be Miss Ayala,” she said smoothly as Reya settled into the now empty chair beside her. “Thank you for taking the time with me today. The world is dying to know the truth and we’re finally glad you’re here to confirm it.”

  Reya swallowed hard before she replied. “Just Reya, please,” she requested. Although the request wasn’t part of the script, she didn’t feel comfortable being addressed so formally and presumed that such a small deviation would be acceptable. She looked away from Miarre briefly towards Nessah, who appeared unfazed. Taking it as a good sign, she focused her attention back onto the reporter, studiously ignoring the data slate being used to record her every move.

  “Of course,” Miarre replied without missing a beat. She regarded the guest of honor for a moment as the questions she really wanted to ask settled on the tip of her tongue. With a mental sigh, she bit back her words and began narrating her part of the script. “I just received confirmation from the General about you earning the Silver Star. Reya, are you truly the owner of this medal?”

  “I am,” Reya confirmed. “The General personally awarded it to me.”

  Miarre’s eyes widened. She’d been expecting the admission, but finally hearing the confirmation from the source was the big news she was hoping for when she’d first started investigating the rumours. The thought that she would be the one to deliver something this important filled her with glee. Still, though, it wouldn’t do for her to go off script and sour her relations with the military when they were the ones in possession of the interview until its release. “That’s incredible!” she applauded. “To think someone as young as you would be the recipient of such a prestigious merit. Is there anything you can tell us about what earned you the Silver Star?”

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “I’m afraid not,” Reya shook her head. “The mission that earned me the award is classified. I’m not permitted to divulge anything relating to it. The military will make an official announcement regarding my actions at a later date in the future.”

  Miarre pouted. “Such a shame! Perhaps you’ll be able to tell us more about it then.” She forced a smile, knowing that so little information on the mission wouldn’t sit well with the viewers. “What do you intend to do now?”

  “Continue my vacation,” Reya chuckled nervously. “After everything that happened, I’ve been given leave to rest for a little while.” Permanent leave, she quipped to herself mentally. But they don’t need to know that. If they do, they’re bound to start asking questions.

  “Is that why nobody’s heard from you since the time you were seen leaving the military base wearing the Silver Star?” Miarre asked.

  “Yes,” Reya said. “If I’m being honest, I’m surprised that anybody even knew I received the award. Only a few people saw me that day. I didn’t think this would blow up to such an extent.”

  Miarre forced a grin. “Their testimonies only helped reinforce the validity of the footage of you wearing the medal that was released to the public.” She made no mention of the fact that they’d been leaked. In exchange for the interview, she was forced to abide by the changing narrative High Command was trying to pass. Powerless to bring the truth to light before the will of the Tribunal, she resolved herself one day to find out what they were so desperately trying to hide. “What took you so long before having this interview? People were starting to get worried the whole thing was a hoax.”

  “Like I said, I’m on vacation,” Reya replied. “I wasn’t checking the news very much and didn’t notice that this had blown up to be this big until after the fact.”

  “Surely, you must have known when the footage was released that you’d need to make an appearance?” Miarre asked.

  “I’m the one who asked them not to disturb me for a little while. They were only respecting my wishes,” Reya said.

  “You mean you didn’t want to become one of the most famous people of our generation?” Miarre gawked, not needing to try to keep the response natural. “You must have really needed that vacation,” she said lightly.

  “You have no idea,” Reya said tiredly with a heavy look in her eyes, catching Miarre off-guard. The tone didn’t match the amused quip the script indicated. The reporter gave Reya a searching look, feeling small under the weight of her stare.

  Miarre blinked. “I’m sure we don’t,” she recovered after a beat. “Whatever happened must have been quite something. Perhaps one day we’ll learn about it.”

  “Perhaps,” Reya said with a wan smile. “As you can see, I’m alive,” and not well, she added mentally. “The military didn’t do anything to me to keep me quiet. They’ve been very generous with their accommodations.”

  “Nothing but the best for a Silver Star holder,” Miarre jested. “Thank you for stepping away from your time off to satisfy our curiosity.” When Reya did not thank her like intended, Miarre turned towards the data slate. “That’s all for now. More for you next time.”

  “Cut!” Nessah’s voice rang out. She’d already stopped the recording before speaking, unwilling to leave even the slightest trace that something was amiss. “A few minor mistakes, but nothing I can’t live with. If anything, they make the interview feel more authentic.”

  “It was good practice for the real one,” Miarre agreed. “A few things could have gone better, but it went well enough that the public will eat it up.” She turned back to Reya. “Please try to stick to the script for the next take.”

  “There’s going to be another take?” Reya asked, feeling queasy. She shifted in her chair uncomfortably. Already just the one time had been hard enough for her. She couldn’t imagine having to redo it. A pleading glance towards Nessah prompted the General to speak up.

  “No, there won’t be,” Nessah said to Reya’s immediate relief. She eyed Reya tugging her sleeve down to cover her wrists but made no mention of it lest Miarre question her mannerisms. The reporter in question was eyeing Reya like a fresh piece of meat but was silenced with a sharp glare.

  “That wasn’t part of the deal,” Miarre protested. “She didn’t stick to the script! We need to do another take to get things right.”

  “The deal,” Nessah said in a harsh tone, “was that the interview would be done to our satisfaction, not yours. I am satisfied with the results, and so there won’t be any more takes.” She sent a silent signal to Rann and Tassie, who were still positioned by the door. It was time to get Reya out of before the reporter could worm any extra information out of her.

  The two soldiers walked towards their friend and flanked her on each side. Miarre flinched when Tassie’s visor looked her way. Unable to see through the all-black helmet, the reporter couldn’t gauge her intentions and took a step back, not wanting to appear threatening lest she get shot.

  Rann put her hand on Reya’s shoulder and jerked her head towards the exit when Reya turned to face her. Relief at her time being interviewed finishing flooded Reya. “It’s time for me to go now. I hope you got everything you needed,” she said before turning around and allowing herself to be guided out of the room by Rann.

  Tassie remained behind to guard the General, her full attention on Miarre, who squirmed under the scrutiny. “Was this really the best you could do?” Miarre asked. “The public’s going to want more information. The interview was too short for them to be fully satisfied.”

  “They’ll have to make do with what we’ve permitted them to learn. The details surrounding Reya’s reception of the Silver Star are still very much classified,” Nessah replied in a hard tone that held no warmth. “When the time comes, we’ll contact you again. For now, you are to be satisfied with what you’ve been allowed to have.”

  Miarre withheld her displeasure and kept her expression carefully neutral as she assessed the situation. “Does that mean I’ll be the one reporting any other information you divulge in the future?”

  Nessah smiled sharply. “Time will tell. We’d rather keep the same reporter covering the story, but that could change. It all depends on you.” Using the data slate she held, she sent another signal to Eimir, who was guarding the outside of the room alongside Beor. The door opened and he marched towards Miarre, who stood up in apprehension. “For now, your time here with us is up. Our soldier here will escort you back to the room where your possessions are being held. Once you’ve changed, you’ll be taken back to your car. Once the recording is ready, we’ll send it to you.”

  Looking between Tassie and Eimir, Miarre’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “I’ll take what I can get. Thank you for the opportunity you’ve afforded me, General. I look forward to working with you again.” Eimir motioned towards the door, and she followed him out of the room without making a fuss.

  “You two as well,” Nessah said to the soldiers that had initially accompanied her. Once they were gone and the door securely closed, Nessah faced Tassie. “You can take the Silver Star back to the ship and return it to Reya. It is rightfully hers, after all. I’ll have Beor escort me back to the main building, after which you may begin takeoff procedures. Contact me directly and I’ll be the one to clear you.”

  Tassie nodded. “When will the next interview be? Have you decided what it’ll be about?”

  “I’m not entirely certain yet,” Nessah sighed. “It depends on the public’s reception of this one. Then I’ll be able to gauge the next step. I’ll try to keep Reya out of the spotlight for as long as possible, but there will come a point where she’ll have to make a public appearance.”

  “We can only hope she’ll be ready to handle it when the time comes,” Tassie replied, hesitating for a moment before continuing. “She doesn’t talk about having received the award much around the safe house. It’s like she can’t change topics fast enough when it does.”

  “Keep an eye out for her behaviour,” Nessah ordered. “We can’t afford for her to break down in front of others. Tell me if whatever’s asked of her would be too much to handle. I don’t want to force her.”

  “A bit late for that,” Tassie said. “She really didn’t want to do this interview today but went through with it anyway. I’d like for my friend to get out of this intact.”

  Nessah sighed. “I’ll try my best. We’ll just have to hope that’s enough.”

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