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Chapter 18

Hunter stood in frontof the screen in the briefing room. His hands were behind his back, so Commissioner Viewick couldn’t see his clenched fists. He’d been talked at for almost half an hour about the role of responsibility and how important it was not to be a maverick.

Hunter bit his tongue to keep from answering back. His future hung in the balance, and this guy could seriously mess with it.

“You’ve made your point,” Jagger said, his irritation clear on his face. “You didn’t hire Apexians because we always play by the rules. Hunter’s actions have led to a huge breakthrough. We now know the location of the Siblet main base, we have data about who they’re selling the poison to, and where the shipments of the mutant beasts were sent. We’ve already stopped two planned attacks and saved hundreds of lives.”

Commissioner Viewick sucked in a breath, his cheeks bright with color. “And we’re grateful for that. But going so wildly off plan is reckless. Now the Siblet know we’re on to them—”

“So what if they do know?”

“It could be a problem.” Commissioner Viewick looked away from Jagger.

“They’re running scared, just like the cowards they are,” Jagger said. “We have them on the run, and they’re out of time.”

“And progress has been made in cutting off the supply chains,” Hunter said.

Jagger nodded. “Three shipments of beasts have been caught, and everyone who ordered the poison is being spoken to by the Apexians. We’re ensuring they don’t use it, unless they want a full-blown war on their hands.”

Hunter resisted the urge to smile. Commissioner Viewick already looked sweaty after being barked at by Jagger.

Jagger leaned closer to his screen. “Hunter’s work is an example to us all. It’s too easy to get distracted by our roles as leaders and forget that the work on the ground can get dirty, and you have to take risks to get results.”

Commissioner Viewick cleared his throat. “You make a valid point. Shall we move on?”

“Please. I don’t want to spend any longer than we have to talking about this,” Jagger said. “It’s done.”

“Bring Cleo in for the rest of the conversation,” Commissioner Viewick said to Hunter.

He nodded and alerted Cleo she was needed. He only had to wait a few seconds. He knew she’d been lurking by the door, pissed because she’d been excluded from the grilling he’d just received.

Cleo stood beside Hunter and glanced up at him.

He gave her a discreet wink.

“Commissioner Viewick, Jagger,” she said. “I hope you’re finding the information we acquired at the Siblet site of interest.”

“It’s fascinating,” Jagger said.

“That’s just a fraction of what we collected. My crew is working on this around the clock to ensure we extract every useful piece of data. And as I understand it, it’s a crucial site. And we must have—”

“I know what you’re about to say, but you don’t need to fight Hunter’s battles.” Jagger raised a hand.

“I’ll always go into battle for any member of my crew.”

A sharp smile crossed Jagger’s face. “I have no doubt about that. And given the importance of his discovery on Rowick, and with the support of Lieutenant Zabab, there’ll be no further action taken against him.”

“Oh! Yes! Hunter followed his instincts when he investigated that cave. He’s always had excellent instincts. That’s why he’s such a valuable asset on this team,” Cleo said.

Hunter had to smile as his fierce little human defended him. “I appreciate no further action will be taken against me.”

“And Hunter’s to be reinstated on the Apocalypse,” Cleo said.

Jagger arched a brow. “Lieutenant Zabab would like him back on the front line.”

Cleo sucked in a breath, and Hunter caught her hand and gave it a quick squeeze to reassure her.

“But he is an asset to the Apocalypse,” Jagger said.