My foot jiggled incessantly under the table as I stared at the screen. Not even Cas’ hand in mine helped to soothe my anxiety.

The Guardians lining the stage were motionless but I knew they were alert. They expected us to attack again. Aquila had told us that she’d leaked that we would attack during the press conference. She’d smiled when someone asked if we were going to and said no but the Council reschedule, they’ll look weak.

It was a good point, they would look weak if they bowed to us. All they could do was increase the security and be cautious. It was evident that they had done just that. Guardians in reinforced armour stood poised, ready to attack. Heavy-duty guns dangled from their belts in place of the usual stun batons.

The stage was set up outside the headquarters again but it looked very different from the last time I’d seen it. Soot streaked the building and the glass doors behind the stage were smashed with blood smeared across them.

No one was shot down there, were they? I asked, suspicion tickling at my mind.

Don’t think so, Gem sent back.

I nodded grimly. This was all part of the act. Harvey and the other Councillors had constructed a story to make the universe believe they were still in control and to minimise the attack.

The Council tune started playing over the speakers, swelling in volume as anger swelled within me. Gods, I wanted to come face to face with Harvey again. I longed to punch him. Maybe that was the one upside of the plan failing? At least I’d get that opportunity. I’d managed to convince him that I was harmless enough to be alone in a room with him last time I was arrested, surely I could do it again.

I’d take that letter opener on his desk and jam it into his neck. That would help. I could almost feel the heat of his blood flowing over my hands as I forced the small blade in. It would be a slow death. A nice painful one. Maybe he’d choke on his own blood.

The music reached a deafening pitch before giving away to cheers as Harvey strode onto the stage, waving and smiling. It saddened me to see his smile. I knew it was fake but still, I’d hoped that he’d look worse.

He stopped at the podium, still waving. We couldn’t see the crowd today. The fighter posing as a Guardian we’d usually used had been involved in the attack and none of the new Guardians were ours. I assumed that he was waving at an almost empty, definitely unenthusiastic lot though. The Council were losing supporters by the day.

Harvey brought his hand down and arranged his face into a solemn expression. He looked fairly calm but his eyes were darting around, I noted with pleasure.

“As I’m sure you are aware by now, yesterday, our Council Headquarters was attacked by a terrorist organisation,” he started, falling quiet as boos and hisses sounded.

He allowed them to go on for some time before holding up his hands to silence them.

“I am happy to announce that every single Council Member survived and only six Guardians were injured or killed in the fight!”

Cheers went off again but the Command Centre was filled with confused buzzing.

“So, he’s just openly lying about everything now?” Gem asked.

“It appears so,” Aquila said, leaning forwards and narrowing her eyes.

“Luckily, our security measures meant that we were able to foresee the attack and myself, the Councillors and workers here were able to withdraw to various safe rooms strategically placed throughout the building. Our Guardians were able to subdue the terrorists before they could get far into the building however one managed to slip through our guard and set a charge on one of the top floors, believing that to be where myself and the other Councillors were,” he paused for effect again as gasps could be heard.

The editing of this stream made it seem like the audience were hanging on his every word.

“Unfortunately, we believe that the terrorist was killed in the blast but no one else was hurt by it. Following on from this savage act of brutality, we have managed to uncover a previously hidden ring of terrorists right here in Nova! This pervasive group have disrupted our sense of safety so now, we must ask you, the happy citizens of Nova and beyond, to be on the lookout for people who arouse your suspicions. They might be friends, neighbours, or even teachers. Now, I don’t say this to scare you but to inform you,” he paused again to let the whispers die down.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at his words. Of course he meant to scare people. That was his whole point. He wanted people to be too scared to leave their houses. To be so constantly fearful of other people that they don’t look too closely at what the Council are doing.

“All reports will be investigated fully and justice will be swift. The Emergency Investigation helplines have already been sent to your wrist monitors. If you see anything suspicious, report it. It’s better to be safe than to live in fear.”

I snorted at that. He was laying it on too thick. It was truly laughable but my laugh died in my throat as a rock hurtled through the air towards Harvey. It thudded against his chest and he stared down at it in confusion as Guardians streamed from the stage to apprehend the thrower.

“I thought you said we didn’t have anyone there?” Gem asked, looking around at Aquila.

Aquila blinked slowly as she watched Harvey moved the rock aside with his foot. Sadly, he didn’t seem injured.

“We don’t,” she said slowly as the Guardians dragged a woman onto the stage.

The woman was dressed in rags but she wasn’t particularly thin. Her hair was tousled but clean enough and most damningly, she hadn’t been beaten.

“This was planned,” I whispered.

“Terrorism and attacks against the Council will not be tolerated! It is very easy to report people and they will be dealt with swiftly. Guardians, escort this woman to the nearest holding facility!” he ordered dramatically.

The woman walked willingly off the stage, flanked by Guardians who barely touched her.

“Let this be a message to everyone watching. The Council will act quickly and continue to protect every person living under our care!” he announced before cheers overwhelmed the speakers once more.

He grinned and waved at the cameras before striding from the stage slowly, savouring the fake applause.

I turned back to the table as the screens went black. Anger swirled in me at the ridiculous display Harvey had just put on. It had been a pointless press conference. We hadn’t learnt anything other than that the Council were now encouraging people to report each other. That wasn’t much of a change from how things were before but it still made me furious.

He hadn’t said anything real about the attack or about Peggy. I wanted to scream.

I glanced around the table. It was obvious that everyone was thinking the same thing as me except Aquila, her face was troubled.

She met my gaze.

“Aries, I’d like to speak with you in the side room,” she said, cocking her head towards a door on the far side of the room.

I’d always just assumed it was a store cupboard or something but apparently not.

I nodded, taking in her troubled expression. Rising from the chair, I glanced at Andy who was watching us worriedly. Elliot looked concerned too but neither of them said anything as I followed Aquila into the small room.

It was lined with shelves and small but I could tell from the silence that accompanied the door closing, it was soundproofed.

I waited for her to speak, my stomach turning anxiously.

“We’re going to have to move forwards with the plan a lot quicker than we expected,” she said.

Icy slithered down my spine.

“Why? Is Peggy okay?” I asked.

Aquila pursed her lips as if trying to work out what to say.

“I’ll give the full report to the team and explain the situation. For now, she seems okay and the Council have not moved her but we need to act quickly. I just wanted to give you one last chance to change your mind. This is going to be dangerous and I want to make sure you understand the risks. Are you sure you want to do this?”

I drew a deep breath in, feeling unsteady despite already having my answer.

What’s going on in there? Is everything okay? Cas asked worriedly.

“Yes.”