Page 30 of The Program

In a less miserable situation she would have clapped her hands and performed a little wiggle-dance to celebrate her victory, but this time she could tell was not the time for giddiness. Instead, she thought through her question and took the conversation seriously.

‘What happened between you and T?’

There wasn’t much to tell there, so I said as such. ‘He never showed. Left a note that said he wasn’t coming with me and that I’d be fine on my own and that was that.’

Out of the corner of my eye I could see her lips pull down in displeasure on my behalf, concern radiating off of her. ‘And you’re okay? With him leaving you…?’

I shrugged. ‘I wouldn’t say I’m okay, but I’m over it if that’s what you’re asking. That was three solars ago, and he’s shown his true colours enough for me to let my feelings for him go. Clearly he didn’t feel the same way about me, and it was silly to think a guard would fall for me. Any other questions?’ I guided the conversation away from him, uncomfortable with talking about it.

‘Yes, but first… You weren’t wrong to feel things for him. Sure, you got duped by the guy, but that just means he’s not worth it because you’re worth a fuck tonne more than that. Fuck him. I’m glad you’re moving on. But that leads me to my next question, if it’s not T that’s got you down in the dumps, who does?’

I frowned, refusing to look at her. I knew all it would take would be one glance and she’d see right through me. Well, she was already seeing right through me, but looking at her would force me to admit it out loud and I didn’t think I was ready for that.

‘What makes you think there was someone else?’ was my stupid, stupid response. Of course she wouldn’t believe such a blatant attempt to divert the conversation.

‘Artemis,spill.’

I tried to fight the crushing sensation when I thought back to those few short weeks spent with those people. People I’d trusted, and only some who had deserved that trust.

My shoulders slumped in defeat. ‘We were assigned teams. My team… they were amazing. Reece, a Yu’Rom-Terran mutt, was so kind. I think he was my first ever friend outside of you. Unfortunately, he was under constant scrutiny after some nasty – and completely false – accusations. The last I saw of him he was being arrested for it, but we all knew it wasn’t him.’

‘And… you had feelings for this Reece fellow?’ she probed.

I smiled at the thought. ‘They were all attractive in their own ways. He was just… my friend. He thinks I’m Arthur Mercer, themalecadet, and he’s only interested in women.’

‘So there would be potential for more if he knew you’re a woman?’ she asked, hope alighting her tone.

‘I don’t know. Probably not. I’m not sure any of them would be happy with me for deceiving them, especially – ‘ I cut myself off before I could say anymore. If she learned about Bromm I’d never hear the end of it.

‘Especially who?’

I ignored her question and carried on. ‘There was also Adara. She was my friend, too. A tiny little pink Griknot female. Clumsy, scatterbrained, but so caring and loyal. And smart. Not only is she a Chief Warrant Officer, but she figured out I was a woman practically from the start. And she was in a relationship with the captain. He was a different story completely. One time, he showed up at my dorm while chasing her down, but he’d forgotten his pants. He was wondering around the ship in just his underwear.’

Libby laughed at that, the sound bright and happy. I didn’t want to put an end to it, but what I had to say next would certainly void all humour.

‘He was working with The Program, though. I discovered he had surveillance footage of me changing into my disguise at the Entario Waystation.’

‘Fuck, really?’

‘Yup. And you already know which guard brought me back to you,’ I mumbled.

‘Fucking T. If I weren’t so grateful to have you with me right now I’d kill him myself.’

‘You can, if you want,’ I offered, the hint of a smile pulling at my lips.

‘Nah, you deserve to be the one to make him suffer.’

I snorted. I had no intentions of killing or torturing anyone. Except maybe Lucias Demari. I’d enjoy making that bastard scream.

‘But the captain nor Adara were the ones to put that sullen look in your eyes. Keep going,’ she pushed.

Again, I ignored her prompting. ‘After Reece was falsely accused- ‘

‘Wait,’ she interrupted. ‘You never said what he was accused of.’

I pursed my lips, not even wanting to think about the horrible things he was framed for and summarised the drama that had occurred over my time on The Carina.

‘That’s awful…’

---