Everything else isn’t.
CHAPTER 10
HRASK
The order comes down the way they always do.
Clean. Simple. Final.
“Stand down, Vardo.”
The command officer doesn’t bother dressing it up, doesn’t pretend it’s anything other than what it is. His voice carries across the briefing space with that clipped authority that doesn’t leave room for interpretation, and the moment the words land, I already know exactly what’s coming next.
“Cease any independent inquiry into the border incident,” he continues, his eyes locking onto mine like he’s expecting pushback. “You are to maintain standard patrol operations only. No deviations. No additional contact.”
I lean back slightly where I stand, rolling one shoulder as if the words don’t weigh anything.
“Sounds boring,” I say.
“It’s not a suggestion.”
“Yeah,” I reply, letting a faint grin tug at my mouth. “You said that part already.”
A few of the others in the room shift uncomfortably, their attention sliding anywhere but here. Nobody wants to be in themiddle of this, not when the tone has already gone tight enough to cut.
“You’ve been flagged,” the officer says, his voice lowering. “Your movements, your interactions. You’re drawing attention.”
“From who?” I ask, tilting my head slightly. “You?”
“From people above both of us,” he snaps.
That lands closer to the truth than he probably intended.
“Then maybe they should’ve picked someone else for this assignment,” I reply.
“They picked you because you’re effective,” he says. “Don’t make that a mistake.”
I hold his gaze for a second longer, then give a small nod, like I’m agreeing.
“Sure,” I say. “Standard patrol.”
“Good,” he says. “Because if I see you stepping outside that again?—”
“You won’t,” I cut in.
That ends it.
Not because he believes me.
Because there’s nothing else he can say that would matter.
I turn and walk out before he can try.
The corridor outside the briefing room feels tighter than usual, the air heavier, like the walls themselves are listening now. The scent of oil and recycled filtration clings to everything, pressing into my lungs with every breath.
Stand down.
Stop asking questions.
