Finger's tapping the table twice each time. A glance of acknowledgment from our Earth counterparts. Lazarus in the room with the arms dealers. Lazarus on Earth two cycles before us. Alya being shot in my place. Lucian narrowly escaping with his life. 

I sit on the bed with my head in my hands. My hair is still wet, water drips on the floor with a soft plop every few seconds. These thoughts swim in my mind on a loop. Are they connected or separate but equally significant events? 

Lazarus never answered my question, instead he deflected them like most would do when they didn't want to tell the truth. He left the room, going only the stars know where, leaving me here to my vices. 

The silence ensuing his absence only magnifies the cacophony of doubts being thrown around in my mind. I need answers. I can't sleep, can't rest, can't do anything until I know at least something of use. 

And I'm not going to get that here. 

I stand up and slip into a plain silk blouse and pants. I grab my communicator and text the only  Plutonian who seems to have some sort of idea of what's going on. Someone I trust. 

Lucian tells me to meet him in the white region and my driver takes us through the city. I lean against the window, watching the colourful lights and the Plutonians sauntering by the sidewalk. Some of them ready to party through the night, others currently in embrace looking like they're done for the day. 

I must have succumbed to sleep along the way because my driver has to nudge me awake, his expression cautious when I finally stir. 

"We're here, PG Luna." 

The SyStem towers over the otherwise bare army base, most of the facilities here either outdoors or single story training rooms. Dark blue microlights streamline through every inch of its walls, making the building look alive at night. 

I thank my driver and get out, heading straight for the White Region. Lucian's seated in the auditorium, a series of images splayed out on the hundreds of monitors before us. I take a seat next to him and notice the redness in his eyes. 

He looks just as tired if not more than I am right now. 

"Want some?" He holds out a glass for me and I take hold of the steaming hot drink. 

"Is this what I think it is?" I ask hopefully and he nods, making me grin. I take a sip of the coffee and relish at the sweet bitterness. 

In Pluto we have much stronger substances to keep one awake and vigilant but after trying the coffee from Earth, Lucian and I have become big fans. The effects aren't as potent but there's something about the taste, it just keeps me wanting more. 

The biosphere here is strictly controlled and not many natural substances from Earth are allowed, including coffee beans. Lucian however, always manages to sneak in a few batches from time to time. 

"Mmmhm," I sigh and Lucian takes a sip of his, his expression serene.

"It is delicious," He agrees. "And much needed." 

"Can't sleep?" I ask him the obvious and his mouth forms a grim line. 

"Me too." I settle in and stare at the monitors before us. Thousands of screens showcasing every part of the planet and so many others. "So what are we looking at?" 

Lucian fiddles with the remote sensor on his seat, keying in the time frame and dates. 

I watch as the many screens in the centre become one, all conforming to a single frame giving  me full view of the command centre. There are a few officers I recognise on duty, all of them busy granting access to flight paths. 

My fingers tightens around the cushioned seat handle when I see Lazarus and his squad getting into his ship on the army base. The ship gears into pre-flight mode, I can see the thrusters lighting up, a stark green glow around the base of the craft. 

His signature black disc shaped ship hovers in the air and I can imagine the dialogue going through the ear pieces on those officers in the command centre. A quick and precise deduction of coordinates and time stamps as they wait for clearance. 

I watch the dot on the officer's screen turn blue, an indication that the flight path has been approved. The disc rises up slowly before disappearing into space, where it camouflages perfectly into nothingness. 

Lucian zooms in to the hovering screen in front of the officer who cleared the flight. My throat tightens, the fabric under my fingers threatening to give way. 

The time frame indicates two cycles prior to our visit and the destination clocked in to Earth. I close my eyes and lean against the seat, trying to work through my thoughts. 

"Something doesn't add up." I murmur. 

Lucian scoffs. "It never has with him." 

I ignore his jab and think through the series of events. The tablet I found in the bar with the assassination plans, the tapping of fingers during our call with Earth. 

I glance hesitantly at the four corners of the theatre and Lucian places a hand over mine, his thumb brushing my skin softly. 

"I checked before you came. No blinking green lights." There's the ghost of a smile on his face, my paranoia mirroring his must humour him but we are both too tired to laugh. 

I sigh defeatedly, no point keeping it in anymore. It's clear someone -most likely Lazarus- wants Lucian dead and probably me as well. I then tell him about the tablet I found in Lazarus's bar. I expected Lucian to show some semblance of surprise but he looks like I just told him the most obvious thing. 

"Luna, this is hardly news." He notes grimly. 

I sit up, crossing my legs over each other to get more comfortable. "I know. I know, Lucian. I just never thought he would actually act on it." 

"You're surprised he targeted you as well. That Alya got shot when she was acting as you." He studies me with those stark blue eyes of his and it's as if he can read every expression on my face. 

I look down, the disappointment evident and he runs a hand across my cheek, so tender and light before they entangle with my hair. 

"To be honest, that surprised me too. I always knew he wanted me gone, but not you. It never once crossed my mind." Lucian's voice is so soft and soothing, it helps me swallow my sadness. 

I nod, my cheek brushing against his palm as I agree with him. 

"You're hair is still wet," He says as he strokes my skin tenderly. "I've always wondered how your hair looks so starkly white when it's wet and then light silver when dry. Like magic." 

I smile at the compliment and then look up to see him staring at me with such admiration that it hurts. I can't give in to this, him. Not right now. 

It's like I'm tearing out a part of myself when I slowly pull away. The hurt in his eyes feels like something has been ripped out of me but he puts his hand down. 

"The SA minister is in custody, right? Shall we pay him a visit?" I suggest after a bout of silence. Maybe we will finally be able to get some answers by talking to him. 

"It's late. And you heard what Bardotta said, we have to submit reports first." Lucian justifies. 

"Oh Lucian, ever the obedient Plutonian." I stand up and shoot him a teasing smile. "You of all plutonians should know the two cardinal rules that govern our planet. One: There is no such thing as late in a city that never sleeps, and two: no one ever says no to the Trinity." 

I grab his arm and drag him with me as he mutters. "Except the generals." 

The mention our parents remind me of General Lyra and I bite my lip. I've been neglecting the Sympathizers for too long, I make a mental note to make contact first thing tomorrow. But first, I need some answers. 

We take my glider past the army base and into the prison wards just a few yards away from the human quarters. True enough, no one questions us when we request to pay a visit to the human currently occupying cell number twenty two. 

The deeper levels are dedicated to the more dangerous aliens. The SA minister must not pose much of a threat because the attendant on duty only takes us one floor underground. We walk past a few dreary eyed prisoners and stop in front of his cell, the last one in the row. 

"Thank you. That will be all. We will let you know when we are done." Lucian tells our attendant but he stands still, hands braced by his sides. 

"I apologise, Your Honours. But I have clear instructions to monitor all unwarranted visits." 

"The Trinity do not need warrants," I snap at him angrily. "I give you clearance to leave."

"Those instructions were enforced by the generals." 

Silence ensues and Lucian and I stare at each other. A general's law will always take precedent so we have no choice but to talk to the minister with this Plutonian present. 

The SA minister is asleep on his designated bed, when the attendant switches his cell light on he barely stirs. His comfort irks me and I grab the buzzer and press down on it. A loud ringing noise booms through his cell making him jump up in shock. 

The sensors are connected to his bed so the minister has to get up to stop the ringing. It takes him a few seconds to realise this and he finally stands. 

The minister seems to have aged considerably since I last saw him. His face is dark and marred with lines of fatigue. There are blotches of red in the whites of his eyes and his eyeballs have sunken in, making me wonder if he's being starved here. 

A shot of guilt runs through me but then I remember that my officer was shot down on his turf. 

"Do you remember me?" I ask him through the voice panel and he blinks a few times studying my face. His eyes light up in recognition when he looks at Lucian and it takes him a while but he finally nods when he turns back to me. 

"The natives in your country tried to kill us but they are no longer available to answer our questions." His eyes widen in understanding at my words. "I want to know why. I know this wasn't your decision. Someone instructed you to carry out the order." 

From the corner of my eye I catch the attendant glance at his communicator. Lucian notices as well and he walks over to inspect his device, commanding for him to hand it over. 

I lean in, trying to use this distraction to my advantage. "I know this isn't your fault. Tell me who gave you the order and I will make it my mission to set you free." 

The ministers eyes light up with hope and he steps closer to the impenetrable barrier between us. The old man opens his mouth and just when I think he's about to speak, he glances at the attendant who is now staring at us. 

There's no mistaking the fear in his eyes. 

Lucian grabs the attendants phone again, the both of them squabbling and I knock the barrier to get the ministers attention. 

"Tell me and I will get you out. I promise." I whisper frantically. "I'm not the one who kept you here." 

His eyes's bulge with panic and he opens his mouth but it seems like he has lost his voice. He opens and closes his mouth, looking like a gaping fish.

"Zarb?" I wonder, trying to make out the words from the way he is moving his mouth. "Sad?" 

Just then the minister's face freezes, like his muscles have locked up and his head whips to the side unnaturally. He starts to convulse just as I shout for the emergency alarm. 

"He needs medical attention!" I scream at the panicking attendant who is calling someone on his device.

Within seconds the minister falls to the floor, clutching at his neck like he is choking. 

"Let me in!" I command but the attendant does nothing. The minister suddenly stops moving, his face turning pale and tongue lolling by the side of his gaping mouth. Even from the distance I can already tell he is dead. 

"This is ridiculous," I berate angrily once we are out of the building. 

"It could also mean we were getting too close," Lucian says from my side. I look up and we both stop walking when we see Lazarus perched by the pavement, still seated on his sleek black rider. He pulls out a laser gun nonchalantly and aims it directly at Lucian's face, making us both freeze.