- M E N A - J U R I V I C H -

     "That didn't take much," Dom states plainly as we watch Raleigh ascend in the elevator. "Quite the mission, huh?"

     "Certainly," Natalia echoes, shrugging her shoulders. "She'll be fine. She always is."

     Dom and Natalia wave at Lucas and me as they begin walking away. The two had planned a close-quarters combat exercise for themselves today, and they'd be damned if they didn't follow their schedule. I wave back, thoughts shooting through my head at the news we'd just learned. This is certainly a new mission for Maelstrom - and it's just for Adara.

     I lean back in my chair, staring at my screens in the testing area. One screen showcases a code I'd written for my new drone, covering the screen in a mountain of imports and functions. The garbled text is always enough to make everyone else balk... until they use my tech. I always try to explain it to them, but they never understand. I keep telling them anyway.

     My eyes catch on the other screen, however, showing Adara's vitals. Heart rate, blood pressure, location, everything. I smile weakly, trying to keep a positive attitude. My breath catches, though, as I look at the numbers, realizing the situation at hand.

     She's alone. Normally, we do this stuff together, but not this time. I pushed Raleigh for the reasoning to send her solo a few minutes ago, and he couldn't give me a good answer other than stealth. It makes sense, but it still irks me... I don't want her to get hurt.

     "You keep looking at that," Lucas chimes, breaking my train of thought. "Maybe you can tell when she breathes."

     I laugh, spinning my head around to look at Lucas. He leans against a table behind me, arms crossed. "I'm just nosy, huh?" I smile, earning a shrug from Lucas.

     "Can't confirm or deny," he chuckles, walking away towards the range.

     My head turns back to the screen, eyeing down the heart rate display like it would disappear if I so much as glanced away. My focus is broken, though, as a chair rolls up next to me. Lucas sits down, looking at me with his hands together. My eyes dart to his, studying his expression with precision.

     "Is this the part?" I begin with a smirk on my face. "...where you tell me that you've known her for a long time, and that she'll be fine?"

     He chuckles a bit, leaning back in the seat and placing his hands behind his head. "Actually, no."

     I flinch, surprised at the response. "W- what?"

     His chuckle turns to a laugh as he fishes his phone out of his pocket. "You really thought you had me figured out, huh?"

     I raise an eyebrow, turning my head slightly. "You really weren't going to say that?"

     "Honestly, maybe," he admits, and now it's my turn to laugh as he pulls his phone out of his pocket. "No, but seriously. The royal court is going to speak in a minute."

     My eyes go wide. "Al Kamara?"

     "Bingo," Lucas responds. My hands fly to the keyboard as I smile in anticipation. It's a bad situation, sure, but there's no way I'm going to miss this. I find the livestream as Lucas slides his chair closer.

     The stream begins, showcasing the ornate hall. The circular room highlights the twelve stands around the edge, belonging to the heads of the Al Kamaran government. Eight senators, one defense commander, the King, and the Queen make up eleven of the twelve members. The final stand, known as the voice of the people, falls to a random citizen selected for the role every six months. Very cool, at least in my opinion.

     "Where is she?" Lucas observes. One stand sits noticeably empty- Queen Alebi. All eyes are on the King as he makes his way in, settling at his pedestal with a long breath.

     "Fantastic question," I mutter, theories starting to swirl in my mind.

     "Thank you for convening on such short notice," King Shuma begins. "In accordance with the principles of this land, this meeting of the Royal Court of Al Kamara is broadcast to all in the nation and beyond. The people have a right to witness their government in moments of consequence.

     "Her Majesty the Queen is tending to personal matters and will not be joining today's conference," he addresses, some of the Senators eyeing each other with curious glances. "I have requested this meeting to affirm to the people and their representatives the continuity of governance following the succession ritual."

     "It's gotta suck to be him right now," I mumble, Lucas nodding in agreement as his eyes stay glued to the screen.

     "Following the unexpected outcome, my daughter is conscious and recovering well under the care of our doctors," he announces, some of the court members' postures relaxing. I shift in my seat slightly as he stands up straighter with the news.

     "In a moment of uncertainty, there are a few things I would like to make certain," he starts, lowering his hands from the pedestal. "To this court, the royal family has no intention to alter the line of succession."

     Lucas's eyes widen this time, leaning forward in his seat as the King continues. "In addition, there will be no conjecture from this court as to the cause of the ritual outcome. This is a challenging time for my family, and I will not tolerate such speculation and disrespect."

     The King steadies himself, the court falling deathly quiet as the two of us exchange glances. "I will now address concerns and questions."

     The chamber remains silent as Senators look at each other. "They can't ask," I say, shocked. "Anything they ask puts blood in the water."

     "Yeah," Lucas nods. "Not succession, not the cause, not even about defense-"

     "Your Majesty," one voice escapes the silence. The Voice of the People, a man in his 40's or so, looks towards the King. "We watched the heir to this nation nearly burn to death on live television. When will we know why?"

     "There it is," I whisper, my eyes burning into the screen as the camera pans back to King Shuma. A hint of frustration slips from his eyes as he grips the podium tightly.

     "The nation and this court will be made aware when we determine the cause," the King responds, his voice slightly guarded. Some of the Senators breathe in, as if the pressure just rose in the room.

     "Your Majesty," one Senator chimes in, eyebrows raised. "The people of my state would, I'm sure, like to know how the royal family seeks to determine the cause of the ritual failure."

     King Shuma's body stiffens. "The royal family possesses a massive archive of knowledge on the Kamar, as you know. I am working to exhaust this archive."

     "Good one," Lucas murmurs as the King looks around.

     "One question, your Majesty," a second Senator begins. "Will her Majesty the Queen address this court on this issue?"

     He pauses a moment longer than expected. "When she is available."

     I grit my teeth. That's not an answer. Lucas eyes me, a look of worry on his face. 'Not good,' I think. Not good.

     "We will reconvene when more information becomes available," the King says after a long wait. "Until then, I ask you and the people of this nation for patience. Thank you."

      I close the window, and the two of us lean back in our seats. I don't know what I expected, but that certainly won't stop the speculation. "No pressure, Adara," I half chuckle, half stammer as Lucas stands up with a sigh. "Don't be stupid, boss lady."