The team doesn’t need to hear this. They don’t need to blame themselves for anything else. Whatever happens, I will take the fall and ensure they are okay. I will always put them first.
Ken straightens off the wall. “I don’t think so. It’s simple. This contract is close to having its plug pulled. At this rate, the customer would be kind to not sue us for mismanagement of funds, sloppy deliveries, and failing equipment.” He gestures to me and Julia as though it is our fault. And maybe it is. “I’m telling you all this now so you can’t act surprised when it happens. I believed in this team.” His hands stop jiggling in his pockets. “You’ve disappointed me. If we don’t see major changes by the end of this month, I’ll recommend pulling it.”
Two weeks. With that, he leaves the room. He knows he has the power to end this because of his relationship with General Smith.
We sit in silence. I’m seething. That was completely unethical. He shouldn’t have delivered the news this way. These people have families. They have given up so much already.
“I’m sorry. He shouldn’t have—” I start.
“Excuse me,” Julia pushes up from the table. Her cheeks are flushed as she quickly collects her things. She’s out of the room in a blur but not before I see her hands tucked in her sleeves. Now that I know what I’m looking for, the signs are clear.
“I’m sorry, but that guy is an asshole and it wasn’t Julia’s fault,” Dylan says after Julia has left.
“I should have said something. It’s my fault that report was a mess,” Jared says, rubbing his face.
“Mine too. She stayed up until almost midnight to deliver mine,” Kate admits sheepishly.
“I’ll talk to her,” I say.
Just then my computer beeps with a notification. Jared’s and Kate’s do too.
“Shit,” I say and they groan.
We’re already collecting our things and heading to the lab.
“What is it?” Febin asks.
“The tests just failed,” Kate says. We leave the room.
I can’t find Julia, but I suspect her powers aren’t gone after all.
