Lopera: Sorry, Sir, but I respectfully decline this operation.
Major Kasyan: You're already on General Carlos's deployment list, Lieutenant.
They haven't been speaking long, but the young major's throat is already drying up. He's run through this conversation a hundred times in his head.
Wearily, he straightens the stack of lists and briefings in his hand.
Major Kasyan: "... These people are working with the Apostles Brotherhood, smuggling weapons, plotting to kill Zeno soldiers and attack our outposts ..." The intel is crystal clear.
Lopera: Am I the only one around here who isn't completely loco? These "suspects" are all just ordinary people—fishers and boatmen. They've got nothing to do with the Brotherhood.
Major Kasyan: Believe me, I've spoken to General Carlos about your concerns, but he's adamant that our informant's intel is correct.
Lopera: Then Carlos has a Paraná pinecone where his brain should be. When have I been wrong? Tell me—when?
Major Kasyan: Lieutenant, watch your tone when speaking about a superior officer!
The edges of the major's mouth twitch. He suppresses a disrespectful smile and lowers his voice.
Major Kasyan: It's just like any other security operation. We snatch up a few suspects, do some interrogations, then let them go if there's nothing fishy.
Lopera: A security operation? This your first day in São Paulo or something? If Carlos sends our people into that city, then the locals will be feeding us all lead by the day's end.
Lopera: And you wait, 'cause when they fire first, there'll be "Generalissimo Carlos" screaming—"It's a riot! It's a riot!"
Major Kasyan: ...
Major Kasyan: Lieutenant, orders are orders. I don't have any leeway with our objectives, but I'll do what I can to make sure this plays out as peacefully as possible.
Major Kasyan: Besides, you shouldn't need to get your hands dirty. You have your own mission in the city: to retrieve someone named Sandro.
Lopera: What? Sandro? Who's that?
Major Kasyan: They're keeping the details on a need-to-know basis. I guess Sandro had some unpleasant run-ins with the Brotherhood. Zeno wants to find him and bring him back for his own protection—to prevent any retaliation.
Lopera: Need-to-know? Yeah, I know exactly what I need to know; I know that Carlos needs someone to do his dirty work—and I'm not doing it.
Lopera: Let some other grunt bite that bullet. I'll be in São Paulo, picking up some própolis verde.
Lopera taps the cauldron in her arms as she flutters off without any hesitation.
Major Kasyan: sigh
The major doesn't stop her; he knows he can't. So he returns to his operation notes, while rubbing his temples with one hand.
The journey from the base to São Paulo is a well-worn path to her. As are the familiar streets that lead to her safe and hidden spot in town.
She calms her breathing as she dials and is met with a raspy, busy signal.
Lopera: ...
Hot, sticky dust rises up from São Paulo's streets and seeps through the cracks of her window blinds, mixed fragrantly with engine exhaust and the smell of old fruit.
Moldir: Hello?
Lopera: Molly!
Moldir: Pera? Why are you calling from an unsecured phone line?
Lopera: Never mind that. I need to tell you something about São Paulo before I set off.
Moldir: Before you set off? What is it? Pera, you're not causing trouble again, are you?
Lopera: That idiota Carlos is the only cause of trouble here.
Moldir: General Carlos? You've mentioned him in your reports. Father thinks ...
A vague, heavy sound from the other end interrupts the sisters' conversation.
Moldir: Hmm? Yes, it's Lopera. Understood, sir.
Lopera: Molly?
Admiral Igor: It's me.
The voice that comes next is deep yet distant and filled with restrained power, like thunder rolling over the horizon.
Lopera: Father! I was going to have Molly tell you ...
Admiral Igor: This concerns General Carlos's operation? Yes, I'm aware. The São Paulo base already submitted their plans.
Lopera: It's Carlos' paranoia on the rampage again. You can see that, can't you?
Lopera: I have to stop him, Father. If this continues, he'll have the whole city plunged into chaos.
Admiral Igor: ...
Lopera: Father ...?
The admiral's silence is unexpected. Lopera thought he would be more decisive.
In her eyes, stopping Carlos had become their highest priority.
Admiral Igor: You are on the deployment list, are you not?
Lopera: Of course, I ...
A sense of unease crawls up her spine like a spider. She knows where this conversation is headed.
Lopera: ... Yes.
Admiral Igor: Then, you are refusing your orders?
Lopera bites her lip, unable to answer.
Admiral Igor: General Carlos is your superior officer. This does not change even if he is a fool.
Admiral Igor: It's a soldier's duty to follow orders. An officer gives orders, a soldier executes them—whether it is charging a beachhead or abandoning a position.
Lopera: But, I can find out what's really happening. Father, I'll prove that his intel is wrong.
Admiral Igor: Are you a soldier, Lopera? Or a saboteur?
Admiral Igor: Lopera, if you cross that line, it could be considered treason.
Lopera: What?! No, I didn't even think of that!
Treason. The word strikes at her like a bell hammer, ringing through her skull.
Her fingers grip the edge of the table tightly, knuckles losing color.
Lopera: It can't be ...
Admiral Igor: What is the mission?
She sniffs, mustering the courage to continue.
Lopera: Sandro. I-I'm to find someone ... named Sandro.
Admiral Igor: Then find this Sandro as instructed. Complete your mission and report for duty. Do nothing else.
The name becomes a slender lifeline, a path back into his graces.
Lopera: Yes, Father. I'll find him.
Admiral Igor: I will look over your reports about the general, after you complete your mission. Moldir, is there anything else?
Muffled sounds come from the receiver as the phone is handed over.
Moldir: You know he's right, Pera.
Lopera: Hmm. Yes, I know, but how long will we keep turning a blind eye to the damage that Carlos is doing?
Moldir: Zeno is as slow to replace personnel as it is to restock supplies. There's no one available to take his post.
Moldir: But I promise I'll discuss the situation in São Paulo with Father again, when it is suitable.
There's nothing emptier than a promise awaiting suitable conditions.
Moldir: Good luck with your mission, Pera.
