Chapter 63 – Recall

I looked at the Island in the distance. We were coming up to a side port, where I had gone with Paladin Bloodclaw to the training island. Not the one where civilian ships docked. The sky was overcast and drizzling.

Looking out through the windows of the control room. I noted my father standing in the rain on the pier, with a dark raincoat. “I think I might be in trouble,” I told Mousethief. He looked to where I was looking.

“He is probably worried. I mean you did create a volcano,” Mousethief said with a chuckle.

“I didn’t do any of that. It was all Lionel’s fault,” I replied sticking to the story I had put on the report.

“Well you were there. Then there was a volcano. That is what Mousethief knows.” I let out a sigh, since I knew he was teasing me. He cut the engine and we left the control room. The cutter slid right next to the pier. Creatures quickly moved to secure the ship and gangplank was rolled out to connect to the pier.

I went down it, mindful of my hindpaws, since it was slippery. “Father,” I said gave him a hug. He returned it.

“Mittens. You stress me out. Why did you take that mission? That shouldn’t have gone to you,” he broke the hug. “Everyone is an uproar and you have even been recalled. A volcano, really?” he asked me.

“Ah, well it accidentally happened and wasn’t my fault. There was another cat who was working for the snakes,” I explained.

“I read your report and the questions can wait. I am just glad you are okay.” Tom Cat let out a long sigh as the drizzle hit me. Thankfully I was wearing a raincoat as well. “Let’s get going. High Cleric Maximilian wants to see you. There are also two other High Clerics that have arrived.”

“So don’t make jokes or lie,” I replied.

“Exactly. They are quite upset about losing the island,” my father said.

“But they are happy about the volcano? Since they want to set them off?” I asked. He paused and looked at me.

“Why would they want to do that Mittens? Don’t talk nonsense,” he said, and I shivered. Had Mousethief been lying to me. I glanced over at him, and he shook his head and then made a locking motion with his paw near his mouth.

Of course, that knowledge was secret from my father. Secrets within secrets. Everywhere there were plots and secrets I didn’t fully understand. It didn’t matter too much, since I would get a slap on the wrist at worst. I had also practiced with Mousethief on the trip back, with him asking me a lot of questions about the events.

I even half believed them now, with how much he had questioned me to make sure my story was consistent. He had been intense and even did difficult questions, like why I had run away.

We made our way to the Organization’s building. We then went up to the third floor and to a conference room. “Assassin Mittens,” Gary greeted me.

“Master Assassin Gary, it is good to see you,” I replied to the elderly mouse.

“Come sit, next to me.” My father went somewhere else without a word. I sat next to Gary. “You are to be questioned about the events on your last mission. Answer truthfully and all will be fine. I will be present along with your father and Paladin Bloodclaw. High Cleric Maximilian will lead the questioning while two other High Clerics will be listening in. They will not be allowed to ask you questions directly.”

“Um, why is that?” I asked.

“Part of our agreement with the Covenant Church. We can’t have our members questioned by whomever has a bone to pick. We answer to High Cleric Maximilian. It is also to prevent factions from forming in the organization or conflicting orders.” I nodded at this.

“Now, was everything in your report accurate?” he asked me.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Give me your paw,” Gary said. I held it out and he dug his tiny digits into my fur just above my paw. “Was everything in your report accurate?”

“Yes,” I replied once again.

“Hmmm, very well.” He let my paw go. “I don’t like being surprised in these meetings. And your father has a blind spot that is bigger than Paladin Bloodclaw regarding you.”

“What will probably happen?” I asked.

“Since there was an enemy agent present from the snakes, and the creatures on the island were already lost, the main issue is the volcano and your decision to flee,” Gary said and I nodded at that. “You clearly can’t cause a volcano and I doubt you did a blood ritual. Did you?”

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“No. Absolutely not,” I replied.

“Then the volcano is on this Lionel and your retreat. You said you incapacitated him?”

“Yes, but then everything started shaking and the chamber was in danger of collapse. I didn’t realize there would be a volcano. I was retreating back to rendezvous with Mousethief and confirm the main threat had been neutralized.”

“Hmm, then there will be no issues. Just remain calm, no matter what happens. You are one of us, and I am on your side.”

“Thanks Master Gary,” I replied.

“No, thank you Mittens. It is always good to have fresh blood tackling the harder stuff and coming back alive,” he replied. The conference room door opened. Paladin Bloodclaw was the first to stomp inside, followed by my father. Then High Cleric Maximilian, along with two other mice. I noted the other two were wearing swords at their hips. Everyone took their seats.

“We are gathered here today for the inquest into Assassin Mittens actions,” High Cleric Maximilian said. He then laid out the basic information of the mission, missing creatures, no response from the island and how I had quickly responded.

That was when one of the other High Clerics cut Maximilian off as he narrated the facts he had. “Mittens is an Assassin. Not a Master Assassin. Why was she assigned such a dangerous assignment?” his voice was hard and cold. I shivered slightly and my fur stood on end.

“The title of Master Assassin denotes seniority only. The missions are picked as they come into the open list. She had completed her previous mission and immediately picked this one,” High Cleric Maximilian responded. “In addition, each Assassin has the full trust of myself and the Organization.”

“Perhaps. Or perhaps she is too young and foolish. Creating the disaster she was supposed to solve,” the High Cleric stared at me. I didn’t say anything.

“Come now Bart, no need to go overboard this early,” the third High Cleric said.

“If I can continue?” High Cleric Maximilian asked. No one objected. He continued narrating, including how I had commandeered the Metalshark for the trip. Then he had me narrate events from my perspective. I kept to the story I had put in the report.

“This Lionel, while in combat he claimed he was working for Haskins?” Maximilian asked me.

“Yes.”

“Bold! Too bold!” Bart shouted and slammed his tiny paws on the conference room table. “We need to deal with that snake immediately,” he replied.

“Indeed, but that is not the topic of this meeting,” High Cleric Maximilian replied.

“My apologies Maximilian,” Bart said and calmed down.

“Accepted. Mittens, you disabled him, why did you retreat?” Maximilian asked me.

“The chamber began to violently shake and was underground. I…well…I don’t know anything about technology or what was down there. Since the threat was neutralized I retreated. I couldn’t carry him safely due to his weight and claws. So, I left him behind,” I replied.

“You didn’t recover anything?” Maximilian asked me.

“No. There were no papers that I could see and the large cylindrical object in the center of the chamber was too big and in one piece. I didn’t know how to safely disassemble it or deactivate it. With the chamber collapsing, I chose to escape and get support.”

“Was there anyone else, any other creature in the chamber?” Maximilian asked me.

“No. But I felt uncomfortable. Only Lionel was there. I don’t know what happened to the rest of the creatures on the island, only the spiders which I fought on my way to the center of the island,” I replied.

“The spiders, was anything amiss about them?” Maximillian asked me.

“They ambushed me in the first encounter. Then they were at the front of the facility. They worked together, but were clearly feral. I have no idea how Lionel got them to cooperate, or it could have been their natural behavior, since all the other creatures disappeared. I am not sure,” I replied.

“Why didn’t you search for creatures first? Why go for the center of the island?” Maximilian asked me.

“There were no signs of other creatures. Since there was no one in the town, and I didn’t see any activity in the military base on my arrival. I decided to go for the center of the island, where they could be hiding in the jungle. It made sense at the time. Since if they were in the military base, there wouldn’t have been a loss of communications,” I explained.

“You mentioned Lionel was at one of the consoles when you entered and immediately noticed you when you entered?”

“Yes, he did something and then came around it. We talked a bit, and he suggested I join him. I refused, we fought. I crippled him, then the chamber started to shake,” I replied.

“What else did you talk about?”

“He only mentioned how his master Haskins would reward me if I helped him in his mission. He didn’t explain his mission and I figured crippling him for capture would allow me or another creature to get answers at a later time,” I replied.

“The device in the center of the room. You said it was pulsing with red light? Anything else? Take a moment to think,” Maximilian told me.

I thought about it. “Well there was a background hum and the pulsing got a little bit faster while I was down there, I think. I am sure about the hum, not sure about the red light pulsing increasing in speed,” I replied.

“Did you damage anything in your fight?”

“No equipment. Just Lionel’s legs,” I replied.

“Either of you have any questions?” Maximilian asked and looked at the two High Clerics.

“She is one of your best, already?” Bart asked.

“Yes. She is a legacy hire. Her father and grandfather were both part of the organization and have had many successful missions,” Maximilian replied.

“Then, I have nothing more to ask. We should vote,” he said.

“Agreed,” the third High Cleric replied.

“In favor of declaring the mission as nulled,” Maximilian asked.

“Agreed,” both High Clerics said at the same time and then chuckled a bit.

“Assassin Mittens. Your last mission is being declared null. While you weren’t successful, you did not fail either. Events were clearly out of your control and your prompt response brought us information, but it also might have triggered the disaster.”

“The effects of a volcanic eruption are far reaching, but it is out in the ocean, far away from other areas of civilization. But the base was lost, which will create a temporary gap in our patrol route. So while the mission will be written as a success, there will be no payout. Do you have an objection to this?” High Cleric Maximilian asked me.

I looked at Gary for advice. “I suggest no objection,” he told me.

“No objection, High Cleric Maximilian,” I replied.

“Then this mission is declared closed. And as always, top secret. Mittens, you may keep the boat, but with a crew and you are cleared to take more missions. Thank you everyone for your time.” Everyone got up and the High Clerics left first followed by Paladin Bloodclaw who gave me a nod. I think that was a bit of respect he was showing me, but it was hard to tell.