"Amazing news comrade." I can't tell if Lucian is being sarcastic but he certainly sounds careful. "You must share the success rate of such an ambitious experiment." 

"A near ninety five percent...comrade," Lazarus smiles sweetly but his voice is knife edged. It seems like that question struck a nerve.

Ninety five percent. Those statistics are close to impossible. We've been experimenting with genetic manipulation for years but have never achieved anything close to a twenty percent success rate. Most of our specimens end up dying after a few months. 

Which is why I plan to shut down that entire division once I take over the Sympathizers. I glance over at General Lyra, who is eyeing General Grievous curiously. She currently has an iron hold on the organisation but nothing lasts forever. 

Someone would have to take the reins eventually, just like she did when her predecessor stepped down. And I plan to be the Plutonian who does so.

It is the same with the Trinity. Up until now, the three of us had a fair shot at first in command but if Lazarus's experiments with my father turn out to be successful, there is no doubt that he will resume the position. 

It stings when I think about my own father working behind my back to make someone else more powerful. He feels more like the enemy than family. 

"And when would we be granted the privilege of visiting this promising facility? I would love to see your specimens in person." General Lyra speaks over the crowd and everyone hushes, curious to know more. 

"By the end of this week. We want to make sure that everything is ready for your visit. And we would be honoured to extend an invitation to any commander or General interested. We would certainly need your support if we were to take this to a larger scale." Lazarus answers even though the question was directed at General Grievous. 

I wonder when and how the two became so close. Certainly hadn't been on my watch. 

I glance at my father who is staring proudly at Lazarus, like he's the son he never had. It causes my stomach to clench, an unfamiliar jealousy rising up to heat my skin. In all my years, neither father nor mother has ever looked at me like that.

"Well we would certainly like to see it in real time. The whole thing sounds rather absurd." Lazarus's father, General Aldric says. "Grievous, are you certain of this? You're risking your reputation on my unpredictable spawn?"

The fact that he uses the word 'spawn' is an insult in itself. I can feel Lazarus tensing up next to me, his barely controlled rage causing his fists to shake. I put my palm on his thigh in an attempt to calm him but he's too focused on his father. 

"It would be an honour to have you at our first visitation," General Grievous says. "PG Lazarus has shown such promise, such dedication. I am sure he will do perfect as first in command."

This time it feels like I've been slapped. My very own father announcing to the entire council that he is backing Lazarus. There are a few eyes that turn my way but I remain impassive, my hand slipping from Lazarus to grip my seat. 

"I will be there. I look forward to witnessing such revolutionary developments." I say and Lazarus beams at me. 

The discomfort is there again. I can't understand it but I feel it every time I look at him. I love him so much. It's a consuming sort of feeling that makes me feel like I'm drowning but I doubt anyone could ever feel the same way. 

It honestly scares me. There's the fear that he will somehow slip through my fingers, like I'm about to lose him at any moment. Only I don't know how or why.

The dates and coordinates are shared and the guest list subsequently decided soon after. Most of the generals have agreed to attend the official visit to the centre but Lucian remains undecided. 

We take a break and I find him by the refreshments table. He looks torn between the finger sandwich and the rolled butter mushrooms. 

"What do you think?" Out of everyone here, I'm most curious about his opinion. 

Lucian turns to me, looking like he'd just only realised I was there. "I don't have an opinion. Yet." 

I cross my arms over my chest. "Then why aren't you going for the expedition to Earth?"

"Why? Would you like me to be there?" He casts me a lazy smile and worry tightens my chest. His eyes are red rimmed, there's something going on with him but I've been too busy to notice. Too preoccupied to help. 

I lean closer, my voice much softer. "Lucian, you don't look well. You haven't looked well in awhile. Tell me how I can help. Tell me what I need to do."

He laughs, picking up a pitcher and filling his glass with some fruit punch. "There's nothing wrong with me, Luna. You're looking at all the wrong issues." 

"You're clearly hurt. There's a wound on your thigh." I look down at the wet patch on his uniform, my frown deepening. "Come on, let me get that looked at." 

I hold his arm but he flinches and draws back immediately. He's never reacted so forcefully, like I'm some vermin who touched his skin. I swallow my hurt and grab his arm stubbornly. 

"Come on." 

"I don't need your help," He seethes. "Or you." 

Those words sting enough to draw tears. It is only when he notices my eyes water, does he finally relent. I quickly wipe the tears forming and lead him to my squad's room. We have a first aid kit lying around some where. I scavenge through the cabinets until I finally find one. 

I force him into a pair of shorts and he sits down before me, long legs splayed open. He can't seem to meet my eyes when I look at the horrible wound on his inner leg. It looks like there's a burn wound in the centre and then mounds of flesh surrounding the coagulated blood like he's been hurt in that exact spot repeatedly. 

"I burnt myself with a laser gun," He says before I can even ask him what happened. 

"It looks like you've burned yourself here quite a few times." I take out some antiseptic and place it over his wound. Lucian draws a breath, clearly in pain. 

I place some medicament and wrap the leg with a bandage. "You're father. He clearly frightens you." 

"Our parents are all horrible. Don't you think?" He smiles at me but the truth in his words makes me wince. 

I nod thinking about the way my father has been supporting Lazarus, that too behind my back. 

"Are you going to marry him?" Lucian suddenly asks. "I know you've always loved him." 

He doesn't need to say the name for me to know who he is talking about. My stomach clenches, lips pursing as I decide on an answer. "I don't know." 

"I wish you did. I wish you were certain enough that you stopped caring for me. Because just as I know you love him, you know how I feel about you." 

I pull back and place the kit into the cabinet. "I will never stop caring for you." 

"I wish you would." And with that Lucian leaves the room, leaving me in intrepid silence. 

My chest feels heavy once the day is over but my parents have scheduled a celebratory dinner. It feels premature because nothing's been approved yet, but who am I to refuse a dinner with the generals. 

I head back home and am surprised to see my mother waiting for me in my room. General Ursae holds up a sea blue dress, with tinges of green mimicking the colour of Lazarus's eyes. 

"I got this for you. For our dinner tonight." Her hair has been pulled back into a bun and she's already dressed up, with sea pearls adorning her wrists and neck. Her gown is a dark midnight blue. She looks beautiful but utterly drained, a shell of a person in love with someone who will never return her affections. 

"You look nice," I manage to say and she fiddles with the Neptune shaped earring on her left earlobe. 

"Your father got this set for me." She gushes and all I can think of is how he cheated on her with one of our house attendants only recently. 

I wash up and she helps me into my dress. It feels nostalgic, letting my mother get me ready. I can't remember the last time she came into my quarters. 

"You look absolutely divine. No wonder Lazarus is smitten." She says, looking at my reflection in the mirror while she brushes my hair. "He should be here at any moment."

I should have guessed that he would be here for dinner, after all it is their project we're celebrating. But still this news makes me sit up straighter. 

"Did you know about what they've been doing?" I ask General Ursae and she shakes her head. 

"I trust your father to know what is best for us. As their wives it is the least we can do." 

"So you have no more information than I do?" Her words irk me. She always lets him do what ever he wants even though she was the original Trinity in her time. Instead of wielding her power, she simply gave it all to General Grievous. 

"It is not necessary. We only have to trust the men in our lives. Let them do the work." She brushes my hair with one of my serums and admires her work. 

"But I could have been equally involved. I am his daughter after all. It hurts that I know of this only now." 

General Ursaes lips purse. "Your father said you would not have the stomach for it and I agree. You are a softie. You can't lead. But you could retain your power by marrying someone who will guide you to greatness."

I stand up and step away from her. "How many casualties have there been? How many have been mangled and marred by these experiments?" 

"There has been no such thing," She waves me off irritatedly. "But even if there was, Lazarus would be able to handle such things, not you. You of all people should know how genetic manipulation works, we do it here on Pluto as well to the half breeds."

I nod, my face grim. "Only slight alterations have caused such drastic effects. I can't imagine changing a sub species's entire framework without it having dire consequences." 

"Luna, stop worrying your pretty self with such ridiculous questions. You heard Lazarus, they have a ninety five percent success rate. Now come, dinner should be ready soon." 

She leaves my room quickly, looking like she's running away. I hate that she's so powerful yet so powerless. 

I hate that she wants me to be the same way. 

I look through my communicator, hoping to have an update from Commander Axis but there is nothing so far. I shouldn't be so impatient, I gave him the assignment only today. 

After skimming through some reports, an attendant comes to get me and I follow her to our main dining room. 

Lazarus is already there, seated next to my father. Both of them in formal attire. My uneasiness creeps in again, wondering why everyone has dressed up for the occasion when there are only four of us. 

"Luna, my darling. You look divine. Even the stars could not compare." Lazarus rushes to me, giving me a quick peck on the cheek. 

I take the seat next to him and notice that he's extra jittery. He keeps folding and unfolding his hands. 

The servers bring in our entrees and I chew on the molasses coated sea shrimps from the Oceanus Constellation. 

"You took me by surprise today." I tell both Lazarus and my father. My mother casts me a warning look but I ignore her. "How long has this been going on?" 

I point between the two of them and Lazarus grins. 

"Your father has been more supportive than mine ever was. I came up with the proposal three Earth years ago and he's been backing me ever since."

Three Earth years is a long time and yet not nearly enough for such experimentation to be successful. "And you've been able to successfully change a human into a fully functioning Plutonian? How long has their lifespan been so far?" 

General Grievous frowns. "If we wanted to talk business, we would be in the meeting room not here. Manners, Luna." 

"I would hardly call this business talk especially since I've been kept out of the loop until now. I'm simply being curious." 

"You will have your answers during our official visit to the centre. We have no obligation to answer you here." My father digs into a crustacean, ignoring my solemn expression. 

Lazarus must notice because he takes my hand in his. "I'm sorry, my love. We had to keep this under wraps from the likes of my parents and Lucian's. They would have sabotaged my progress because they don't want me in power."

He's still holding my hand when he gets down on his knees. 

"But I want you by my side forever. I want you to be my support system till the day I perish. I love you so much, Luna." He takes out a pouch from his side pocket and lifts up a ring with the shiniest rock I've ever seen. It must be diamond from Arcturus.

"Marry me, Luna. Be my betrothed." He says clearly, announcing to the entire room, once again catching me completely off guard.