Original X-roads-2003

    “The point is,” Astan waved his hand in the middle of the table. “To get jobs there and integrate.”
    “You’re never going to get jobs at the energy processing plant.” Meseet baulked and took a bite of her food.
    Astan looked at Meseet in silence and blinked. “You don’t have to. You can date someone who works there if you can’t get in janitorial or maintenance.”
    “But Joia said she can get some of us in maintenance.” Cria cut in.
    “You’re not leaving me behind, Cria.” Faul warned.
    “If we do what Joia says, we can only do it once.” Astan complained. “There will be no dry run. She can’t get us jobs, only badges and bypasses on the plant.”
    “It will take too long.” Cria argued. “Setting up fake identities, going to work every day. It will take months.”
    “But no one will see it coming.” Aston waved his hand.
    “Yes they will.” Zahran had crept up behind the group without them noticing and stood behind Astan. “If you want in on the energy raid you will have to leave tomorrow and follow the plan. If you can not follow the plan, you can not raid. Not now, not ever. You think you know better than I, I know you do. I see you four sitting over here planning, and plotting. You think you know better than me, but you know nothing. You know nothing of Chasarue, or his plans.”
    Zahran studied the group carefully and chastised them, “I am giving you this opportunity to prove yourselves, and to keep you from foolishly wasting your lives on your own endeavors that are doomed to fail.”
    His eyes turned sharply on Meseet, “And you, Meseet, whom I regard as a daughter. What will they do to you if captured? What leverage will they hold over me, if you are caught? You who do not know Chasarue, as I know him. You who do not know the tortures he’s capable of, what would I do to spare you that knowledge…” His eyes almost pleaded to her, “Do you think he doesn’t know the power he would have over me, if he held you in his hands?”
    He shook his head, “You must stick to the plan. Every detail. Prove to me you can be trusted. In time you will have experience to make decisions on your own. Then, and only then will I put you in charge of your own missions.”