Aw, have we reached the three-quarter mark already? We’ll be done by the end of September, folks, which means I’ll then have to think of actual blogs to post on Wednesdays. This serialisation has made me a bit blog-lazy, I fear. However, that’s beside the point. Onwards…

Cheloi grabs what little respite she can before the visit of Rep Kodnell of Central Control. Kodnell, when he arrives, proves to be ruthless, intelligent and unrelenting. How is our favourite Fusion agent going to do, going up against him? It’s going to be bad enough in the briefing room, but when they have their inevitable cosy little chat afterwards, the tension — and risks — rise accordingly.

FAVOURITE QUOTES

“I voted for Grakal-Ski. I thought he’d be ideal for the Nineteen. Ambitious, intelligent, loyal. The others voted for you, after your campaigns in the Eight. I hated you for that–a woman, in charge of one of the most important territories in the war. I wondered whether we had descended to the perversity of the Fusion.” He finished his drink in one gulp and jiggled the empty glass, silently asking for a refill.

She wondered what the penalty was for killing a member of the Central Control. She knew it was death, but what kind of death? Depending on the method, it might be faintly worth it.

He laughed again at the stiffness in her tone. “You’re not as good a liar as you think you are, Sie.”
Oh, you don’t know the half of it, you bastard.

“Pull this off, Sie, and you’ll be looking at the first female generalship in Perlim history.”
“I know that, sir.”
“Fail, and we’ll skin you alive and feed you to the Emperor’s zoo animals.”
“I know that too, sir.”