SUPER SHORT

(From the perspective of the same spy who has already had a chapter.)

I sighed in annoyance, "Why did you call me in, again?"

"If you were listening before young man, you would know," Fintan sighed dramatically. "As I said before, Marella has been found out by that Biana girl." I listened more closely after I heard her name. Biana... my friend. Right? We're still friends, aren't we? Did I still care? I didn't really know, I've had so many blasts now that I'm just... lost. "We expect that she's already alerted the Black Swan," The Black Swan, right, I'm there enemy. I have been for a while, I still can't believe it. "And that leaves you as our only hope for our... covert operation, so you'll have to step it up. We have reason to believe that the Black Swan has also put a spy into Sophie's inner circle of friends, so watch-"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," I interupted, "watch out, and don't get found."

Fintan rolled his eyes, and I did the same, "We're leaving Marella on duty, still infiltrating Foxfire, in case you need more heavily armed back up."

"I won't need it, I've got the skills and you know it."

"It's a safety procaution, you know what would happen if we lost you," Fintan tried to stare me down with his hard gaze.

"I know, I know, you'd lose your best warrior-" I was cut off with a sigh.

"I meant if we lost you to the Black Swan. She'll be there to take the blame if you screw up your mission."

"Gee thanks," I replied sarcastically, "I really feel loved here."

"After all the blasts you've had, I'm surprised you can still feel at all."

Even though I can't feel hurt, I knew that was a low blow. "I may not have many feelings anymore, but I know an insult when I hear it."

"That's another thing I wanted to discuss with you," the old guy folded his hands on the table sternly, just like my father does. On reflex, I gagged. "Oh stop that, or I'll send you to the poles." By poles, he meant the place where they whip their soldiers into shape, literally, through a thick rope and highly trained telepaths, anyone who goes there is completely, and mindlessly loyal to the Neverseen. "You need to act more like your old self. You know, like a total idiot."

"I don't act like a total idiot!"

"Not after the blasts you don't, but you need to. People might get suspicious."

I leaned back in my chair, my feet on the desk Fintan was sitting at, "Relax, man. No one will know that there aren't one, but two spies in Sophie's inner circle."

"It's best to be careful. Listen to my orders and continue to get blasts regularly, that is all."

I rolled by eyes, "Oh wow, just what I always wanted-" I was cut off by a fireball grazing my ear, fury in Fintan's eyes.

"Watch it, kid. The next time you step out of line, you'll go to the poles. I'm serious this time."

"Fine, fine, it's not like I have anything left to lose," I spat. "I've lost my friends, the majority of my emotions, my life, my future, everything!"

"All to pay off your mothers debt. How noble of you. Does she mean anything to you now? Do your 'friends', even? Is that how you've lost them?" Fintan taunted. I know he wants me to slip up. I know he wants me to be a mindless drone, but that it could cost the effectiveness of the mission, since I'm the one who knows Sophie's inner circle best. He's sick of me. I don't blame him, I am too.

I only grit my teeth, "can I be dismissed yet?"

"Running away? My, that's the mark of a coward-" He tried to continue, but I just walk out. I don't feel much these days, but I know that I'm sick of him. In silence, I make my way down to the blasting room. Maybe I won't be sick of the both of us after this one.