Daniella says:I know it's been a long time since I've updated this story, sorry! The next update might also take some time, as I'm currently involved in some other projects, including the National Novel Writing Month. Still, you never know, inspiration drops by when you least expect it to!

Chapter 15

With Mark off to report to Anderson and Jason in the infirmary for the foreseeable future, the other three members of G-Force detransmuted, traipsed back to the ready room, and slumped on the couch, the exhaustion of the last couple of days gradually catching up with them. None of them felt much like talking. Princess half-heartedly fixed them dinner, and they ate it flipping through the TV channels – which were busy with reruns of footage from Traitor's Pass, from the battle of three days ago, and a bunch of talking heads expounding on theories on whether Zoltar would now switch tactics and engage with G-Force on the ground, instead of attacking cities with mechas. It was obvious to the team that the reporters had not gotten wind of the whole data transfer débâcle – which meant, in turn, that Anderson was still keeping a lid on the whole thing.

"Do you think the Chief will immediately accept that one set of data is a forgery?" asked Princess finally, collecting the dirty plates and stashing them in the dishwasher.

Tiny snorted.

"Anderson? This Chief? I wouldn't think so. He wouldn't accept without proof that it's night if you told him so – he'd go topside and look out of the window!"

"OK, he gets the two sets. Surely he can run some tests to determine their genuineness? Otherwise, how is he ever going to clear Jason? I mean, that's the whole idea, isn't it?" Princess insisted.

Keyop looked up from his computer game.

"We can all say...toot...that Jason is a great guy! And top driver! And...beep...toot...top second-in-command!"

Tiny looked doubtful.

"I don't know what we could really do. Except, perhaps, give written affidavits when asked to do so. But the question for ISO will be who gave Spectra the information about the transfer. Now, we know it was actually by chance that they found us. We even have the records to prove it. Jason was actually told by the Spectrans that it was by chance. In the end, it's just a question of who to trust. Do they trust Jason, or not? We all do, and this has to count for something!"

Tiny looked around at his other two team-mates.

"I don't want to sound like Mark, but I think we have to trust someone else besides Jason in all this. We have to trust Anderson, guys. We've trusted him with our lives before. We have to do so again, even if it seems that his single-minded suspiciousness is tearing us apart".

It was one of the longest speeches Princess and Keyop had even heard from Tiny. Princess actually felt a lump in her throat. In many ways, Tiny was the backbone of G-Force. Solid, loyal, brave and, in many ways, humble. Whereas she had rejected Mark's steadfastness in obeying the rules as simply kowtowing to Anderson, Princess appreciated Tiny's loyalty.

"Anyway, let's wait for Mark to get back from the Chief and tell us what's up", said Tiny flicking through the channels. "In the meantime, are you guys up for a game of space invaders?"

888888888888888888

Mark was pissed off, and he knew it. It was the only way for him to describe his situation, he thought sullenly on his way to Anderson's office, having taken a moment to detransmute and get a bottle of water from the vending machine. Or rather, he was frustrated with having to fight Anderson's suspicions and his own doubts, tired from the mission, angry with Jason because the latter's rash decision at Traitor's Pass led them, in a way, to the mess they were in now – and gave ammunition to those in the Federation Council who had had enough of Jason's hot-headedness. He was also angry with himself for being angry with Jason. He was angry with Princess for doubting him in front of the others, and he was angry with Tiny for agreeing with Princess. He mused bitterly that Keyop was the only one he was not angry with...at least for the time being.

Breathing in deeply in order to calm down and prepare himself to face Anderson, he knocked on the Chief's door and entered.

To be continued.

Reviews, as always, are very welcome!