Chapter 2 Carver
Carver never understood the fascination with receiving a summons from Command. He loved exciting assignments for the change of scenery, but frankly he just didn’t care. Yet somehow, he was the best. Built for it. So he was constantly told.
He’d been brought before Command for special assignments a handful of times now.
Unheard of for the amount of time he’d been an operative, in fact, unheard of in general.
He supposed he had proven himself. Command was comfortable with him carrying more information than anyone else in the sector because they knew he, at least, wouldn’t break.
After his slip up on his last assignment, he was surprised to be called in so soon.
Now he stood before them again, hands clasped behind his back and his eyes scanning the room.
They sat in chairs arranged in a crescent shape, and from their stage, they were just high enough to look down on whoever stood before them.
There were always five, never the exact same five, but they all had the same presence–icy, unfeeling, robotic.
He had been scared the first time he was brought before them, their masks intimidating, their sleeves covering their hands.
Now it almost felt routine and he resisted the urge to shift his weight from foot to foot. Couldn’t seem too impertinent.
“You’ll have a partner for this assignment.” Was the first phrase that caught Carver’s attention. His eyes snapped forward. This, this was different. He listened more intently as the woman continued.
Her voice was low, her eyes dark, but those were the only distinct features about her.
With their masks and outfits, it was impossible to define anything about them.
No one knew how many people were actually members of Command, and only those within the fold were capable of identifying other members.
“You’ve heard rumors of the ‘Eclipse?’” His brain spun across the nickname.
An assassin rumored to have killed more than any other operative.
The rumors say he had never been caught, never failed an assignment.
This assignment might end up being more interesting than he had expected.
Why are they assigning me to work with an assassin?
His gut twisted, unsure about this change in normalcy but he nodded. “The two of you will be partnered for this assignment.” The woman looked beyond him to the open doors behind him, “Ah, here she is now.”
She. Carver’s heart began to pound. It wasn’t possible.
It couldn’t be. He turned slightly, looking over his shoulder.
Praying he wouldn’t confirm his suspicions.
But he was right. He knew he would be. It was her.
Her steps faltered for only a beat when her blue eyes met his.
She was just as shocked as he was. Carver was glad he was standing so carefully.
His lungs no longer wanted to expand, and he was pretty sure his vocal cords would betray him if he tried to speak.
His eyes tracked her as she recomposed herself, far quicker than he could, and walked until she was at his side. Feet away. Far too close. And way too freaking far. Her posture was straight, and something about her expression sent a chill down his spine.
“Reporting for my assignment.” Her voice was careful, unwavering.
It snapped him from his reverie. It was her. How was she the Eclipse? His best friend, lover, then nothing. And now she was a feared assassin. Of course she is.
The woman who had spoken earlier looked between the two of them.
She obviously knew their history. She was a member of Command, and their relationship, and then lack thereof, had never been a secret.
Satisfied with what she saw now, she explained their assignment.
“We’ve received a report that Noxvalis has successfully created an airborne biological weapon that can be used over a long distance. ”
Carver couldn’t stop his eyebrows raising and the surprise that rushed through him.
Noxvalis was a violent kingdom, hell bent on destroying all neighboring kingdoms. Their kingdom had been at the top of the list for a while.
If Noxvalis had created a biological weapon that powerful, it would end their kingdoms’ feud.
And cause the death of far too many people.
“We need you to infiltrate Noxvalis, gain access to their labs, and retrieve the weapon.”
“Retrieve? Not destroy?” Carver was surprised to hear Clara interject. When he knew her, she was shy, careful to never speak too loudly. And now she was questioning Command.
The woman’s eyes narrowed slightly behind the mask and Carver hoped for her own sake Clara wouldn’t continue questioning those who held full control over their lives.
“We need to study it so we can understand their mechanics and begin developing antidotes. Anything else you wish to question, Operative Richards?”
“No ma’am,” Clara replied, her tone belying how she honestly felt about the decision.
The woman ignored her and moved on. “Their yearly celebration will begin in five days. Many people from other kingdoms visit for the celebration, and the two of you will enter with them. Once inside, you will meet with our contact. Marsh Harris. She owns a bookstore named ‘The Midnight Quill’ on the edge of town square. She will give you the information she’s collected, and from there it is up to the two of you to get into the lab.
The train will take you within 20 miles of the gates, but you will have to walk the rest of the way, or find a caravan to join. There is no contingency. If you are captured, there will be no extraction.
Both of you have been here long enough to understand the cost of war. I don’t have to explain to you how dangerous this weapon will be if it stays in their hands. It must be retrieved at all costs.”
She finished, awaiting their response. Postures straight, they both saluted and replied, “Yes ma’am.”
“Excellent. You are dismissed to pack and ready yourselves for tomorrow.”
Carver turned towards the door, ignoring Clara at his heels.
“Operative Richards, please. Stay one more moment.”
Carver looked over his shoulder as Clara turned to face Command again. The woman did not speak again, clearly waiting until he exited. If they were to be partners, why wasn’t he receiving the same information she was?
He didn’t like it. He didn’t like any of this. Was this because of last time?
With no choice but to obey, he waited in the hallway until Clara was finished.
He rolled his shoulders back and cracked his neck.
The minutes ticked by like an eternity, but he knew it couldn’t have been more than five before she stepped into the hallway, a glare on her face before she even spotted him.
As much as he wanted to say something to her, he felt like Clara needed to be the one to break the silence. He was desperate to know what had been said, but he didn’t need to ask to know she wouldn’t share.
Eventually, after a moment of awkwardness, and with a deep sigh, she acknowledged him. “This is not what I expected from my summons today.” The frustration in her voice was clear.
“I’m doing great, Clara. Nice to see you’ve survived too.” Carver spit back with more venom than he intended or knew he had.
Her eyes widened, “Don’t pretend this is a picnic for you either. I’m certainly not the one who landed us here.”
“You’re the one who climbed the ranks enough to be awarded the nickname ‘Eclipse’ so yeah, you kind of are.”
Her face flushed, “I never asked for the name. And what was I supposed to do? I threw myself into training. They didn’t think I’d make it, and I proved everyone wrong.”
Carver’s heart wrenched at the way she emphasized everyone.
He knew without a doubt that he was included in that statement.
He inhaled, exhaling slowly. They had to fulfill this assignment.
And they had to do it together. Orders were orders.
He couldn’t change the past, but maybe he could make this situation a little less volatile.
And save the world. And keep them both alive at the same time. That was a long list.
Though the way Clara looked at him, he could survive this assignment and still lose his life. She was an assassin.
“Listen,” Carver attempted to slip into a different role, “I didn’t pick this,” he held his hands up quickly, “And clearly this wasn’t your idea either.
I guess we should be proud of the fact that we’ve risen to the top in both of our fields.
” Maybe our breakup was worth it, he wanted to add but wasn’t sure she would appreciate that, “We’re both here because we love our kingdom.
” Clara nodded, nervously chewing her bottom lip.
“And we both know the cost if we can’t accomplish this. ”
Her face was calmer now, “We will accomplish this.” Success. Her first admission to a willingness to work with him.
“Yes,” he agreed quickly, “But we won’t be able to if we’re constantly at each other’s throats. We have to figure out how to work together and…” he paused, “dare I say trust each other?”
“I don’t trust you.” He knew the response was coming, still the cold tone felt like a knife plunged in his chest.
“I know,” he nodded, “And I share the same sentiments,” she looked ready to interject but he held up a hand continuing, “but we are partners for this assignment and must work as such or we—not just we, our kingdom—won’t survive.”
“So what do you suggest?” She crossed her arms over her chest, leaning back onto one foot. It was a more relaxed position for her, but her eyes still scanned him waiting for a reason to fight.
Carver had expected far more of an argument at his suggestion, but maybe she had matured more than he was giving her credit for.
“I suggest we do what they said and go pack.” She shifted and looked ready to lunge at him, maybe she hasn’t matured as much as I hoped, “And then, meet back here after everyone is asleep. That will give us time to process on our own and prepare for the assignment so we can figure out how to work together.”
“Fine.” Her tone remained curt, though it was at least civil.
Carver nodded in response. It took immense effort and self-control to turn and walk away from her again.
This wasn’t exactly the reunion he had hoped for.
Actually, he hadn’t dared to hope for a reunion.
He always assumed it was a matter of time before one of them ended up dead.
And she wasn’t supposed to still be here.
Their break-up was a matter of protection.
Yes, he had done it under a leader’s suggestion.
In order to protect Clara. But he wouldn’t pretend it wasn’t partially self-serving.
He couldn’t bear the thought of ever having to watch her die.
Even now, fear slithered into his chest as he walked back to his room. What was he going to do with this?
“This isn’t good,” he groaned, slumping against a wall when he was far enough down the hall she couldn’t see him.
Somehow, somehow he would protect Clara and fulfill this mission.
He had to. Both were equally important in his mind, no matter how hard he tried to put his kingdom above her.
She would always be a distraction. A perfect, smart, completely lovely distraction.
A distraction he couldn’t afford three years ago, and one he certainly couldn’t afford now.