I didn’t speak a word on the way to the stadium. Slava had grown quiet, giving me my space even if he looked deathly curious. The Colonel had jeopardized my entire brigade, to spite me. I would hate doing this, and I despised the implication of it. But he has left me no choice.

  It was time for the nuclear option.

  When I arrived, I sprinted to the high-rankers' booth, popped my head in, and looked around. She wasn’t here yet. I walked back outside onto the terrace, looking down the stairs the high-rankers had to use to arrive. I stood to the side, a respectful distance from the entrance as I put my stream to my ear, pretending to be on a call.

  Finally, she walked up the stairs, followed by Vasili and Warren, Calder’s father. I caught her attention and then waited politely. She took her time finishing her conversation, and panic shot through me at every second she made me wait. Finally, she finished her conversation, bidding her two companions goodbye as she locked me with a cold stare.

  “Yes, child? What’s wrong?”

  “Mother, I need to speak with you urgently. Alone, if that’s alright?”

  “Of course, there is a private booth inside. We shall speak there,” she said, striding through the entrance, greeting some of the others as she walked between them toward a concealed door, almost hidden behind the bar. She held it open for me as I walked through to a wonderful private booth, a long couch surrounding a table with ashtrays and glasses waiting to be used. She sat down, gesturing to the seat across from her.

  “What seems to be the problem, Sofia?” her voice sounded concerned, and I cringed as I realized not even my mask could hide the panic in me.

  “Mother, I need your help. I believe the Colonel is actively jeopardizing my brigade, so I have come to report some of his misdeeds,” I said flatly, whipping out my stream to go through the list.

  “Firstly, he has shown blatant bias in dealing with certain individuals. Such as when the civvie tried to assassinate me, all he did was put him in a cell for one night.”

  I kept going, despite Mother’s raised eyebrow, “On the flip side, a lieutenant Aku Zenzele was assaulted along with the civvie by six other lieutenants. He had five of them…” The image of the man screaming barged into my mind, trying to make itself at home behind my eyes.

  I shook the image away and kept going, even as his screams whispered in my ears, “he had five of them executed. Publicly, in front of all of my sleeveless and his entire Brigade. So, assault results in a slow, public execution, while attempted murder against your daughter results in a twelve-hour stint in a cell? Not likely. If I may, I believe that he should be stripped of his rank, and be put under house arrest until his punishment is decided.”

  I looked up from my stream to gauge her reaction and felt my blood run cold, my hands freeze as my body stopped responding.

  She was smiling. Smiling, even the aged side of her face had her lip curled up.

  I have only seen my mother smile twice in my entire life. The first time I left the tower was also the first time I saw her smile. Her face displayed all over Kaleidos as she held up that American president's head with a big grin on her face. And the second time was…

  Mother was working late, as usual, and I was with her rather than Slava for some reason. I woddled up to her, planning on showing off my teddy bear, Mr. Granola. I stood aside, waiting patiently. I didn’t want to be shouted at for bothering her again.

  I stood there for three minutes, growing bored enough to ask, “Momma, what are you doing?” even as my eyes traced her hunched back, her hand on her forehead.

  She always seemed down. Maybe I can make her happy? Slava always smiles when I’m around.

  “Sofia, I have told you. You must call me mother, alright?” she said as she waved a hand, letting me know she was too busy, as usual.

  “Right… sorry mother. I’ll see you later,” I said, depressed, dragging Mr Granola away. Was Mr. Granola the problem? I thought his bowtie looked nice.

  “...perhaps it is good for you to start learning this, I suppose. Come here,” she said to my back.

  I turned around so fast I didn't even have time to bring Mr Granola with me. Mother never called me to her unless I was in trouble. I ran up to her chair, standing politely as my hands shook. I hadn't done anything wrong... had I?

  “You asked me what I was doing. I need to prepare the colonization of the sixteenth floor, and I need to make sure that it will be divided as efficiently as possible. We always have a food shortage, so maybe that..”

  She started talking, about food and people and things I didn’t understand, but I was just relieved I wasn't in trouble.

  She glanced down at me, and then I realized she had asked a question.

  “Sorry momma, what did you say?”

  Irritation flashed through her eyes before she sighed and beckoned me closer. She lifted me onto her knee, and I saw maps of all kinds lay before her.

  “I asked if you have started learning geography yet?”

  “What’s that?” I asked, sitting as still as possible. I knew it! Mr. Granola’s bowtie was nice! That's why she was holding me.

  “...You are being home-schooled from now on,” she said flatly, muttering under her breath, “Fucking useless, can’t even teach an eight-year-old geography.”

  I’m seven, I turn eight in forty-one days. But I didn’t correct her. I didn’t want the hiding.

  “Geography, child, is the most dangerous weapon a general has at their disposal. This”, she said holding up a map, “is the most dangerous weapon we have, daughter. We will win battles before they are even fought, with this. We will conquer the tower from right here in this room, with this.”

  She put the map down, even as her voice grew with reverence, “Alexander always, always stressed the importance of reading maps once, twice, and then six more times before deciding on an operation. By using this method, that man was able to conquer ten floors while bringing nations to their knees!”

  She grabbed my waist, whispering in my ear, “Never forget your legacy, child. And never forget this,” she hissed, a bang echoing off the walls as she slapped the map in front of us.

  I picked up the map when my hands stopped shaking, studying it closely. Maybe it was activated with a button? I couldn’t see one. No! My eyes widened with realization. Of course, it was with a code phrase. Mother always muttered something about that one place… Yes. That must be it.

  “Die America!” I yelled, pointing the map at the wall.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Mother hugged me tighter, tighter than she ever had before, laughing softly, “Yes! That’s right! We can even use it to kill that mistake of a country! Good girl Sofia!” she said, stroking my hair.

  I grinned, looking up at the funny drawing she called a map, swishing it this way and that. Out of nowhere, Mother stood, kicking Mr Granola away as she rolled up a map, handing it to me then rolling up her own.

  She got into a fighting stance, “Unguard!” she shouted happily, grinning down at me as she held the map like a sword.

  We sparred all night long. Of course, she won every match, relenting not even once. Still, when she tucked me in that night, she was smiling. That was the last time I saw her smile.

  And here in this booth, nine years later, she smiled for the third time in my entire life. “Mother…?”

  She held up a hand, amusement in her voice, “Sofia, I must say you inherited your sense of humor from me, unfortunately. But… this is one of the funniest things I have seen in years. You want me to punish a man you have a ‘campaign’ against, so I assume you are… what? Admitting defeat? Running to mommy to fix your mistakes?”

  Her smile wasn’t kind, hiding contempt and mockery as one would hide a light stain on their shirt. Badly, and without shame. “Mother, I know how this might look, and I’m sorry I have to use your authority, but this is too important. Help me, please.”

  The smile dropped from her face, and I couldn’t decide if she wanted to hit me or ignore me. A moment later, she said, “Alright, daughter. I shall give him what he deserves.”

  She got up and leaned out the door, beckoning to someone, “You're going to do it now?” I asked to her back, bewildered she would say yes so quickly.

  Not a moment later, Colonel Walker strode through the door and saluted, not even giving me a sideways glance as he stared straight ahead. My heart almost pounded out of my chest, and I smoothed my pants legs frantically, trying to make it slow down.

  “Colonel Walker, my daughter has reported to me some of your actions over the last few weeks.”

  His face didn’t fall, his salute didn't falter. He almost didn't react at all. If anything… he looked annoyed, like he’d rather be somewhere else.

  “And what actions are those, ma’am?”

  “The public execution. And how you threw one of the sleeveless into a cell for an apparent ‘assassination attempt?’”

  “Oh, yes I did those ma’am. And he definitely did try to kill her. Boris screamed it down the halls when he was being dragged away. Sure, he tried badly. But, still, he tried.”

  She tilted her head from side to side. “For these actions, there shall be consequences. Do you wish to defend yourself? Or will you accept what you deserve without complaint?”

  “I did what I thought was right, ma’am. That is my only defense,” he said flatly.

  Ignoring my beating heart, I held up my chin with pride. It was about time he learned what happens when you disobey a Grant.

  Mother didn’t speak for a moment, watching the man closely. “Colonel Leon Walker. You are to be promoted. Despite the failure that put you in this position, you have earned your redemption and far more. You shall be—”

  “Mother! How can you just—”

  She looked at me. I shut up.

  “Despite being the highest rank that is typically allowed for an A ranker, I shall promote you regardless,” she continued, still staring at me, “ You shall be made a lieutenant general, and the only ones with more authority than yourself shall be S ranks. I do not believe I need to mention the substantial increase in pay, of course.”

  She moved her hand to let him know to stop saluting, “With this newfound position, you shall be moved to the sixteenth floor. The last one I put in charge there has proved to be insubordinate. You shall take their place and rectify their failures. Am I understood?”

  “My apologies General. But no,” he said, that flat look still on his face.

  “Excuse me?” she turned to look at him now, her eyebrows raised like she didn’t believe what she just heard.

  “While I was placed here as a punishment, I have come to enjoy this position, ma’am. I believe my results speak for themselves in how I have raised the last few generations of high-rankers. So, as long as this isn't an order, I must say no.”

  “And what else would it be?”

  “A negotiation? Unless I am mistaken?” he asked, standing casually as he held her gaze. I don’t think a single man on Kaleidos could do the same. Except for Slava, of course.

  After a moment, she tilted her head back and forth, as if actually considering what he said. I didn’t speak up, even as every piece of me was screaming at her, telling her not to give a thing to this damn enabler.

  “The public execution was a stroke of genius that is desperately needed from the rest of these useless buffoons. But the response to the assassination attempt against my daughter…”

  “I do not know the specifics of what she told you,” he said, a grin tugging at his lips as he glanced at me.

  “But she cornered him a few days earlier, tattling to me that he was breaking out each night,” he leaned back like this was an entertaining story he had told over drinks a few times already.

  “I mean, he even got past some of the guards at the tower's entrance if my little investigation is to be believed. It’s just a childish spat ma’am, but you’ve met the boy. You know he likes barking. If it’s any consolation, I threw him in a cell until the day of the tournament. I think he has learned his lesson nicely.” He said this as if it made it okay, just brushing aside how he screamed his vow of vengeance.

  “...You are correct in your assessment. Just a children’s spat.” She nodded, glancing my way as if she could not believe I would degrade myself to his level.

  “He tried to kill me!” I protested, looking at my mother for answers.

  She ignored me.

  “Now, you said this is a negotiation. What do you want?”

  “Well, obviously I would like the pay increase you mentioned?”

  “No,” she said, and I could almost see the smugness drip off her as she leaned back into her chair.

  “Then I would ask you the same thing I asked last time we spoke. I would like permission to carry out Lieutenant Daniel’s execution.”

  “As I told you before, his father saved my life in the great loss. I will not sully this favor by saying yes to your request.”

  “Admirable of you ma’am. But as you pointed out, his father is dead. And he has proven not only detrimental but downright malicious in how he deals with the sleeveless. Even I was disturbed seeing Boris’s face after the beating he received,” he said gravely, but I knew he was enjoying himself, the liar.

  She stared at him for a long moment. The moment stretched into two. Then into four. He didn’t fidget, or keep talking, or look away. Just waited patiently for her decision.

  “...Fine,” she said with a sigh. “I’ve heard reports of his conduct long before he was under your care. He may be executed. We shall have it in a year, make it a private affair so he may put his affairs in order.”

  “My apologies ma’am,” he said, his tone deathly grave. “He’s already dead. My men made a mistake. Boris was thrown into the cell with Lieutenant Danel. I believe he most likely blamed the boy for the predicament he had found himself in and tried to assault him. Fortunately, Boris killed him in the ensuing melee.”

  He looked away with shame, “I only found out the next morning. I, of course, made sure the sleeveless under my care was healed immediately, and personally punished the men responsible for the mistake. But it was self-defense. I believe the only way to rectify my mistake is by arranging the funeral arrangements for him soon?”

  I was staring at him wide-eyed as my mind started spiraling, the walls collapsing in on me. He used the attempt against my life…. To take another? To sick a rabid dog on the man for the crime of trying to discipline it?

  And he was going to get away with this. He hadn’t needed me at all for that man’s execution, already having plans to kill the man… so why continue the wager? Why continue elevating Boris? Why, why, why?

  Mother no longer seemed amused, staring at the Colonel dangerously now. “...Well played. But do not go behind my back again. Ever.”

  The Colonel nodded deeply, even as Mother lifted her chin with begrudging respect, “And what else do you want in this ‘negotiation’?”

  “The very reason I was in this snake pit to begin with,” he pointed straight at me, “Do you mind if I steal her away for the day? She will watch the tournament with me and some of my most trusted officers.”

  She snorted softly, waving her hand toward the door, “You are her superior officer. Do as you wish”

  I felt a knife dig into my heart. Mother just kept talking, even as I felt my teeth crack, my hands shake at how casually she had betrayed me.

  She leaned back further like she was relaxing before a theater play. She nodded, then said, “I must admit. Your wager with a teenage girl is endlessly entertaining.”

  “I am no Major Shange, but I'm glad you enjoy my theatrics nonetheless,” he said with a dramatic, disgusting bow.

  She snorted, then waved a hand toward the door, “Dismissed.”

  He saluted politely, then turned to me, “You will find a reserved seat for you in section 3, Row F seat sixteen. You will be seated before I arrive.”

  Then he turned on his heel and walked out the door.

  I just looked at Mother. “How could you?”

  “It’s about time I stopped babying you,” she said as if she was suddenly uninterested in the whole affair.

  “Now, Sofia,” she said, giving me the same stare she had given Colonel Walker. “You were dismissed.”

  I saluted as tears streamed down my cheeks, “Yes Mother. Have a good day,” was the only words I could mumble out before I ran away.