Opus Veda

Pierce made her repeat the event, from when she again smuggled an illegal knife, to when she murdered her recipient. Each time she contradicted herself somewhere, and Pierce seized each mistake. Kasia's back burned with her squadmates standing behind her as she squatted underneath. Her head hung low.

Varma arrived. He dismissed everyone but the sergeant major and Lieutenant Pardo. Sermon looked back at Kasia a final time - whispered it was for the best.

Kasia repeated her story, until Varma let off a deep, disappointed sigh.

"Your actions are not only timed appallingly, they've cost us more than you could ever hope to repay."

"I will try sir-"

"You've tried enough!" his hand slashed the air, "all you've given us is a few deliveries and a dead supporter! A well connected supporter! One you don't leave laying around!"

Kasia gave everything not to cry, begging for a rope her superiors might throw her. Concrete stung her knees. Her back throbbed.

Varma turned on his adjutant.

"Leftenant Pardo. I sent you to Morden Base to cover for me while I was away. You've given me this."

"Sir I accept full responsibility for my misplaced faith in the girl, I accept any-"

"Don't grovel. It won't help. You can stay in London as a guardsman or return north as a civilian. Think about it tonight, decide by tomorrow."

"Sir…" Pardo put on a brave face but her hopes were as dashed as Kasia's. She saluted and marched out. Varma returned to Kasia.

"As for you. I now have to sacrifice precious time firefighting your mistake. I should turn you in to the police, or perhaps to Thorstein's mates..."

"He tried to rape me and prostitute my child!"

"Did he though?" Pierce stepped in, brow raised in disbelief, "it sounds like another of his propositions, which you've previously brushed off."

"I did not join-"

"You joined to become a soldier!" Varma pointed Kasia down, "you accepted greater dangers than one lecherous office manager! Do you think I kill every person who threatens me!?

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There's even more now. I've had you looked into. You recently got involved in a street fight, whilst drunk, and revealed you work here. In two months you've stabbed one client, killed another, and boasted about your identity."

Kasia sobbed. Never had she more wanted to die on the spot and be forgotten. Appeal was all she had left.

"You know I tried my best… if you leave me out there on my own after this-"

"Kasia you are never going to be a guardsman."

"I left my job for you… I wanted to contribute something, be somebody make someone like me!" Kasia's voice shattered. It was over; no quarter left, no excuse to play.

She hid in her hands and cried. The men groaned and looked aside awkwardly, untrained to deal with such emotions.

Pierce beckoned Varma into another room.

They shut themselves in the manager's room. A blinded window gave them sight of the wallowing lump in the garage.

Pierce paced about to find the words.

"She's too loose to be kicked out Sir, she'll plead and she'll brood, until one night she wants revenge instead. Mark my words it will come," he scratched his chin, "let me do the deed now. Quick and discreet."

Varma winced through the window.

"I wish I never shook her bloody hand that day. That's what you get for showing off to the cameras."

"I must say you were being particularly poncey that day Sir."

Varma chuckled, "I keep expecting another Iran don't I?"

"Aye Sir, and I'm expecting a Ukraine. We'll see soon enough what our war becomes, but tonight, optics must come second to tactics."

"I don't want her bumped off we're not terrorists. But I need her taken care of," he slapped Pierce's shoulder, "Mathias old boy, there's a third option out there. Help a budding young captain find it."

Pierce winked and searched for options. He saw two. Both unappealing, but one mildly easier.

"Let me send her next door. It'll keep her on our side and she'll think she has a chance back in. And if anyone wants more justice done to her, we'll have her to hand."

"Which next door?"

"The less disagreeable one."

Varma snorted. He disliked resorting to such measures. Pierce read his doubt.

"You've found these things in poor taste Sir, but such is the reality of funding a stateless army. Besides!" he nudged Varma's arm, "you could pay her a visit! She's quite taken by you."

"Behave you dirty old man, you won't see me in there..." Varma looked at Kasia and sighed, "she'll leave a child behind if anything happens."

"Not a child anymore, legally speaking… but Blues would take custody without digging around. Lots of people disappearing these days, Opus Veda have their uses after all."

Varma grunted, satisfied.

"Alright. If it comes to that let's make sure it happens. I know she's one recruit but I feel responsible for her."

They entered the garage. Varma paced around Kasia and left. She watched him vanish from her life.

"Look at me girl, stand..." Pierce pulled her up, "we're sick of having to waste time on you, but if you're keen on a third chance, I have a job you'll be good for."