Chapter 12 · Tell me what happens next

She shoved him back into the chair. The harness cut across his ribs.

"Tell me what happens next."

"Victor locks the bastion down. He blames the attack on an external breach. He arrests every officer loyal to you."

"How many?"

"Thirty-seven in the first sweep. Twelve make it to the lower tunnels. Six of them die because you open the east route."

Her jaw tightened. "Why would I open it?"

"Because Victor puts Elias's old command badge on the broadcast feed. He says the attackers have it. You go after them."

The color drained from her face.

"He doesn't have that badge," she said.

"He does. He took it from Elias before he dumped the body."

Victor's voice cut in. "Kane, you should be careful. You are making claims about evidence you have never seen."

"I saw it on your desk. Three years from now. Black metal. One broken corner. Elias carved a line through the serial code because he hated the quartermaster."

Selena looked at Victor.

"Is that true?"

Victor didn't answer right away.

The silence landed harder than a confession.

Kane pushed against the restraints. The harness held him, but the motion forced Selena to lean closer.