Page 51 of Carousel

“I do not snore like an ogre.”

CHAPTER 10

The Accords for Soldiers

After breakfast, Riss marches us up the flights of stairs, all the way to –

“Deck 9,” she announces, as we reach the brass plaque that says exactly that. The staircase has ended – we must be at the very top of the ship. “Home to Intelligence, and The Bridge, which is where we’re going.”

We stop at a dead end, where there’s a vaulted door that reminds me of the one that kept the crown jewels safe back in the Palace. Riss pulls a rope, which rings a bell, and a moment later Dezeeves appears.

“We’re here for their plans,” Riss states.

“Excellent. One moment.”

He closes the door, but reopens it a second later, placing two small leather-bound books into her outstretched palms.

“There is also this.” He hands her an envelope.

“What is it?”

“An invitation to a Captain’s Dinner. Tonight.”

Cosmer stiffens. “We’ve never been invited to one of those.”

“You’ve never been keepers before,” Dezeeves counters. “And I’m sure you’re aware that non-attendance will result in instant failure of Integration for your charges.” He peers over Riss’ head at Drake, then me. Brightly, he says, “We look forward to seeing you.”

The four of us say nothing as we step back through the passage and over to an archway protected by a kind of iron grate. Only there does Riss stop and rip into the envelope. She studies the letter inside, then thrusts it at Cosmer, along with the book that must be Drake’s.

“We’ll have to take them.”

“I know,” he replies tightly.

Something seems off.

“What’s wrong with going to a dinner with the Captain?”

“We’re not first officers. The only reason we’d get an invite is if it’s a test for your Integration.” She pockets my book. “Let’s not worry about it now. We still have a whole day of duties to get through. We might all fail by then anyway.”

“Right,” Cosmer states. “And they both seem determined to do that.”

I quickly correct him. “We don’t want to fail. Neither of us want to be executed.”

We just don’t want to pass Integration, either. It’s different.

“I guess it’s goodbye for now,” she says to Cosmer.

“Good luck,” Cosmer replies.

She indicates her radio on her belt. “I’ll stay on the usual frequency if you need me.”

“Don’t let Ara tell you she can’t do something. She can.”

I’m right here, I feel like saying again. But what would be the point?

“And you keep your ego in check.”

“What does my ego have to do with anything?”