It feels like roots have grown beneath my feet and burrowed their way into the ground, locking me in place. My body stiffens and my breath stills as all of the most powerful Plutonians on this planet fix their domineering gazes on me.

"Please carry on with your briefing, Commander," General Grievous waves a hand towards Commander Inspiron.

She clears her throat and reads from the sheets of paper in front of her. Her words pierce the air like needles and they are so shocking, I almost forget to breathe.

"A group of twelve humans attacked a Plutonian officer in the cafeteria during their breakfast session. All of the slaves were above the age of eighteen and their numbers were approximately from the same batch as officer Aria. They claim that the Plutonian officer had abused one of their friends which lead to them ganging up on him."

The whole thing sounds so absurd. I've never seen anything like that in the entire eleven years of being here.

"This is the third incident. The first one occurred on the tracks just one day after officer Aria's speech. The humans in the wagon assaulted two amateur Plutonian officers which lead to a blood bath. The humans were killed and only one Plutonian survived," Commander Inspiron says and I swallow hard as my fingertips go numb from apprehension.

This happened after my speech?

"Perhaps officer Aria would like to take to the floor? Since we are talking about her," Lazarus turns around in his seat and casts me a wicked smile. This is the first time I've seen him so happy since we've been back from the mission.

"Good idea, your honor. Officer Aria, kindly take the stand," Commander Inspiron instructs and I have no choice but to obey.

My squad members cast me worried looks as I leave them and walk to the front to stand behind the podium. My body is shaking but I keep myself steady and face all the Commanders with a placid expression.

"The second incident occurred a mere three days after officer Aria's speech at the human quarters. A group of humans of mixed age groups tried to break down the doors keeping them inside after work hours. This has resulted in significant damage to those doors requiring extra maintenance. After thorough interrogations, we have learnt that the humans believe officer Aria is being abused. They think she was forced to lie during that speech."

"I can't believe we wasted resources in building new quarters for all those ungrateful humans. We should have left them in the South to work till they died," Lazarus berates angrily.

"That doesn't make sense economically. Unless you plan to bring in a thousand new humans every month to replenish those who died for nothing," Lucian snaps.

The tension in the room grows tenfold, I am certain that if one of us had a knife we would be able to cut through the air.

"Let us get back to the issue at hand. The reason for these rebellious acts have to be understood and extinguished immediately before it spreads like wild fire." Luna's mother speaks up for the first time and her pale eyes are focused on me. "Your speech was prepared for you, correct?"

I nod my head but when the Commanders glare at me I answer through the speakerphone.

"Yes."

"Then how did it create such a back lash? The purpose of the speech was to encourage humans to join as fighters but instead they have started fighting against us," She says. "Please explain yourself, officer Aria. What do you think of this?"

I clutch the edges of the lectern hard and swallow my apprehension. My eyes briefly flit to Lucian's face and I see him staring back at me looking worried.

"I don't know why this happened. I read the speech by the letter," I state firmly.

"Our report states that you vomited all over a PR officers shoes right after your speech," Commander Inspiron says. "Why is that?"

"I was nervous. I've never had to address a crowd like that before," I lie smoothly and some of the Commanders nod in satisfaction.

"I suppose it is plausible-," Commander Inspiron speaks but she is cut off by Lazarus suddenly.

"Are you sure it was because of your nerves? I'm not sure if everyone here is aware but this is the same girl who claimed she wanted to escape when she was thirteen years old. It doesn't come as a surprise to me that these rebellious acts were instigated by her." He leans forward as the crowd behind erupts into a fit of murmurs and whispers.

"If I wanted to escape so badly I would never have joined the army, fought for my creators and saved my general," I say through gritted teeth and my fingers clutch the thin frame so tightly, it creaks under the pressure.

Everyone's eyes widen in shock at my words and Luna's face goes red with anger.

"How dare you speak to the Trinity like that?" She almost screams at me. Even General Grievous and General Ursa look appalled.

"I apologize," I quickly say before she bursts like a balloon. "I solemnly swear that my allegiance lies with the empire. To insinuate otherwise is hurtful and degrading, especially since I would give my life to the Plutonian's cause."

My ridiculous words appease most of the Commander's and Generals, even Luna calms down slightly but not Lazarus. His eyes narrow to slits as he stares at me and it feels like he could read through my every word and he didn't buy it one bit.

"It is true. Officer Aria did save my life. If she wasn't loyal, she could have killed me and left me for dead," General Lyra says.

I frown slightly in confusion, wondering why she said that. She was the armed one not me, I wouldn't have been able to kill her even if I had wanted to. It's obvious she is helping me by making me look good and can't help but wonder why.

"Yes, despite the humans turpitude, officer Aria has proven herself to be a good officer so far. However, the slaves need to be taught a lesson and officer Aria should be banned from the slave quarters hence forth, since her presence seems to instigate them," Commander Bardotta suggests.

I turn towards him in shock but what he says next is even worse.

"As a suitable punishment I would like to propose that we select humans to join as fighters instead of waiting for them to volunteer. Since no one has volunteered after officer Aria and Ruthess Rosie's match."

My eyes widen in horror and I have the sudden urge to pounce on Commander Bardotta and gouge his eyes out. The pits were no picnic and if a slave didn't have the drive to fight, there is no way they will survive.

"You mean we force slaves to become fighters?" Lucian asks in surprise. "How will they make good army officers if they don't even want to fight in the first place?"

"All those in favor please raise your hands," General Grievous raises his hand and half of the Commander's do the same.

"All those not in favor?" General Lyra asks and the other half raise theirs, including Lucian and his mother.

"I see it is a tie. We will have a re-vote during our next meeting then," Commander Bardotta concludes. "For now let us proceed to the dining hall for some refreshments."

Everyone suddenly gets up and saunters towards the exit like we'd just discussed the weather. I stare at all of their pale faces, all so calm and unbothered. Like what they'd just discussed was something so trivial, something to be forgotten the moment food was mentioned.

"Come, Aria," Lucian's voices snaps me back to my senses and I see his piercing eyes filled with disappointment. Whether he is disappointed with his failed proposal or me? I wasn't sure.

General Lyra joins us and Commander Bardotta calls out to Lucian before leaving.

"PG Lucian, it would be an honor for you to join me for refreshments. I would like to introduce you to my daughter, Sergeant Cepheis."

Lucian scowls and is about to reiterate but General Lyra squeezes his shoulder and whispers to him quietly so that only we hear her words.

"You'd better talk to his daughter if you want his vote during the next meeting."

Lucian's eyes light up in understanding and he immediately looks at me.

"Please go. You need all the votes you can get," I say tiredly. It's not like I can stop the inevitable. Lucian is going to marry a Plutonian anyway, if he can save the humans by doing so it might just make me feel better.

"Come with me," He says stubbornly but I don't move.

Lucian's face twists in agony as he stares at my stony expression and his shoulders finally slump in defeat.

"Don't worry, PG Lucian. We'll be with her," Remulus joins me and so does the rest of the squad.

Lucian nods his head and then gives me a long look before leaving the room with Commander Bardotta and General Lyra.

I follow them outside and walk down the hall to the opposite end where some drinks and food have been served. Remulus and Altair try to make me feel better by joking around but I just can't find it in my self to smile.

Even the anti social Pollux tries to talk to me and piles my plate with food assuming it will make me feel better. They coax me to eat but I have no appetite. I lean against a wall and despite my best efforts, end up staring at Lucian who is talking to a young Plutonian girl, standing next to Commander Bardotta.

She has sweet, delicate features and she is smiling at Lucian so brightly, her smile could rival the lighting above us. She pats his arm flirtatiously and I watch him shift uncomfortably, all the while keeping a polite smile on his face.

I look away, surprisingly not feeling jealous but just plain miserable.

I walk over to the end of the table to put away my untouched food and take a sip of my drink before dumping the rest.

"Lost your appetite?" Lazarus's voice makes my mouth turn sour with hatred.

I ignore him and turn around but he steps in front of me, blocking my way.

He takes a step closer which makes me back up till I am at the edge of the table, with nothing but the wall behind us.

"There are people watching," I warn him and he laughs.

"So what? Soon I will own them all and then I will finally be able to squash you like the bug you are."

"Did you come here to tell me that?"

"No. I wanted to congratulate you on your heroic efforts. If it wasn't for you General Lyra would be still stuck with the serpents, most probably dead by now. Aren't you just the perfect little savior?" His voice drips with venomous hatred and I can't stand his presence anymore.

I move to the side to leave him but he blocks my way.

"You know I dream of you ever so often. It's always the same dream. You and me in the sheets, naked," Lazarus's eyes twinkle with delight. "And it always ends with you screaming in pleasure until I slice your neck open with a knife and watch you bleed to death under me. Perhaps once Lucian is done with you, my dream might become a reality."

Adrenaline courses through my veins as my chest burns in anger. It wouldn't surprise me if he has done those very things to his previous paramours. I stand up straight and look into his eyes with as much fierceness as I can muster.

"Well you should enjoy those dreams because that will never happen. I would rather slit my own throat before I let you lay a hand on me."

Lazarus looks shocked for a moment and then I watch his hands bunch into fists. He raises his fist and for a second I think he will punch me but then he stops.

"I hear you little friend is pregnant," His lips twist into a sneer and this time I shiver in fear.

"Excuse me. May I speak with officer Aria?" General Lyra interrupts us.

Lazarus nods his head at her curtly and then walks away to join Luna and her parents. I see Lucian staring at me with his hands bunched at his sides, his face taut with tension. He sees Lazarus leave and then he turns back to the Commander's daughter.

"You are brave and yet incredibly reckless," General Lyra states. "Angering Lazarus is not a good idea."

I look down at the floor, not really in the mood to reply.

"You should watch what you say to those in rank," She advises me and I want to retort because Lazarus is the worst scum on this planet.

I hate him. I hate them all. They don't see the things I have achieved, only the flaws I have created. A deep loathing fills my being and bleeds into my every cell making me shake with anger. If only I could put these Plutonian's into the pits and show them what it feels like.

"You did the right thing with Lucian. I think you know as well as I do that Lucian will not get the support he needs to rule without succumbing a little to their demands. I'm sure you see that now," She whispers and I can't help but stare at Lucian again.

"Yes," I say, my voice laced with bitterness.

"And to be honest, for someone who cheated death at thirteen, joined the army after her first four weeks as a fighter and killed an entire hoard of serpents. I don't peg you as the type to settle as someone's mistress either."

She pats my shoulder and then walks away, leaving me to my thoughts as I lean against the wall staring after her.

I don't know why she said that but there is a truth in her words that I can't deny. It is high time I started getting serious about escaping.

Heyyy, do you guys hate Lazarus as much as Aria does lol. Also what do you think about Lucian and the commander's daughter?