Author's note: Helios’ undercover name is “Odysseus” and that is what the other Brekkens will call him. "Arrowhead" is his comm codename. However, for all intents and purposes, the “omniscient narrator” and Cara will still refer to him as “Helios.” Again, this story belongs to me - please do not reproduce without my permission or claim it as your own work.
Constructive feedback is always appreciated. :D

Brekken Military Base, Terra V

Helios followed the General into the busy command center of the base. She stopped on the upper level, looking down. Her gaze missed nothing as it scanned over the soldiers walking around and seated at the various consoles below her. Her eyes glinted with pride and a smug smile curled her lips.

Taking in the surroundings as well, Helios nodded appreciatively from the doorway. A part of him could not help but admire the efficiency of the Brekken military system.

He watched as the General whispered something in the ear of her aide. Surprise briefly sparked across the man's face, but he nodded once. He left the room quickly, glancing at Helios with barely concealed mistrust and curiosity. Within moments, he returned with a small case.

Nodding in approval, the General turned to Helios, motioning him over to stand beside her. The case was given to him. “The money you wanted in exchange for the information. You can count it, if you like, but it's all there. Now…" She ran a finger down his arm slowly, the tip of her tongue snaking out to run over her lower lip. "I’ve shown you mine…I do believe it’s time for you to show me yours.” She held out her hand. "The microdisk, please."

He handed it to her without a moment of hesitation, a charming smile on his face. "No need to count the money. I trust you. It was...nice...doing business with you...my lady.”

A sudden commotion behind them made them both turn sharply to see what was going on. The General's vaguely pleasant demeaner vanished, and she spoke in an irritated voice. “What is so important that you have to make such an entrance, Colonel?

Colonel Heracles pulled Cara forward forcefully, maintaining a tight grip on her hair and her arm. “We found his slave snooping around. She subdued one of your foot-soldiers, General, and was tampering with the main computer system. Our intelligence database identified her DNA, and we have reason to believe that she and her ‘master,’” he pointed at Helios, “are actually spies for the Alliance.”

“The Alliance?!" The General muttered a curse word. "Whose incompetence is to blame for her escape?” The General growled, glaring at both the Colonel and Cara.

“The two guards that were supposed to be guarding her were found in the mess hall. Don’t worry, General. They are being severly disciplined as we speak. ”

The General walked over slowly, her entire stance making the Colonel cower and swallow nervously. “Oh, I’m not worried," she said in a sickly sweet voice. "Although you should be…especially if this spy was able to download any information off our database.”

“W-we checked her thoroughly, General. We found n-nothing.”

“Good. Guess it's your lucky day, Colonel. Take her to the prison. Keep her there until we decide whether to torture her and then kill her or just kill her outright. And as for you…” She turned to Helios, who was already flanked by two of her strongest personal guards. “You...I am most disappointed in. I trusted you and shared my table with you. I think a slow, painful, public death is in order.”

Helios’ face was a stone mask. “General, you’re making a big mistake," he said in a low, steady voice.

“Oh, really?" She laughed. "I don’t think so. And to show you how sure I am that this is the right thing to do, I’ll kill you myself.”

“I repeat, General, you’re making a big mistake.”

The General narrowed her eyes and frowned. “How dare you talk to me like that? Explain yourself, traitor. ”

Helios stood up to his full, imposing height, his yellow eyes flashing angrily. “I am no traitor, General. In fact I am your superior. I am Correspondent Omega – an undercover agent working in the Alliance. I am in a position of great power, and you may have just blown my cover with this fiasco. My security clearance code is Alpha 001X. Have one of your lackeys look it up in the Brekken top security mainframe. I’ll even give you a DNA sample for verification if you want.”

The General growled quietly before nodding to one of her lieutenants who walked briskly to the nearest console. The next few minutes were fraught with tension and suspense as they waited for the results. Suddenly, the lieutenant paled and looked at Helios fearfully before quickly gesturing the General over to look at the screen. The General walked over, annoyed, but then she audibly gasped. She quickly turned and got down on one knee, placing her lance on the floor beside her and bowing her head.

“Sir! I apologize. I did not know.”

Helios glared condescendingly down at her. “I see that. It's fine for now, but don’t make this mistake again, General, or I will be forced to tell the Great Mother. Now take the Alliance spy away. I’ll deal with her personally later – she can't be allowed to live now that she knows. For the time being, we have work to do.”

“What?” Cara asked tremulously, a sinking feeling in her stomach. Colonel Heracles slapped her hard for speaking, and she hit the wall with the force of his blow.

The Brekken general looked as surprised as Cara was by Helios’ command. “You’ll deal with her personally? But you’re of such high rank....surely, it would be more appropriate if I or one of my subordinates took care of the spy. Besides, how are we to know if you will deal with her as impartially as you should? No offense, sir, but you have spent many years among their people, and you might find it in yourself to feel pity towards her. And, who knows what sort of training she has had to withstand torture? She may prey upon your pity and play it to her advantage, not to mention attempt to seduce you with her feminine wiles.”

Helios smirked, his entire being exuding masculine confidence. “She’s served her purpose already. She’s no use to me now except for the information she can supply. Besides...are you saying I am not strong enough to subdue and overcome one little spy?”

“Of course not, s-sir! That was not my intention, and I apologize completely. I’ll have my guards take her below immediately, sir!” The General motioned quickly to her men to take Cara away. “I am at your service, sir, in whatever way you require.” She tried to smile seductively. “And I mean, in whatever way. I hope my little...faux pas won’t stand in the way of our having a very productive working relationship.”

“That’s just what I like to hear.”