He activates a projection above the table. My image fills the air—still frame from the broadcast, flanked by Alliance officers.
“Collaborator,” he says mildly. “Sympathizer. Manipulated human.”
“Creative,” I say.
“You can refute it,” he continues. “Publicly. Denounce Kael. Clarify that you were coerced. That you were embedded for intelligence purposes.”
“And then what?” I ask.
“You return to League service,” he says. “Restored. Commended even.”
“For betraying him.”
“For correcting a miscalculation.”
I hold his gaze.
“You don’t care about me,” I say quietly. “You care about narrative integrity.”
“I care about preventing uncontrolled escalation,” he replies.
“By escalating in a controlled way,” I counter.
He inclines his head faintly. “Precisely.”
I let the silence stretch long enough to make him uncomfortable, though he hides it well.
“You’re moving faster than expected,” I say at last.
“I adapt,” he replies.
“You’re afraid.”
The word lands between us.
His eyes narrow almost imperceptibly. “Of what?”
“Of losing control of the story,” I answer.
Valen studies me for a long moment before speaking again.
“You have twenty-four hours,” he says. “After that, the broadcast tribunal proceeds.”
“Tribunal,” I repeat.
“Yes,” he says calmly. “Public questioning. Transparent process. You will either reaffirm Alliance stability… or confirm your betrayal.”
“And if I refuse?”
“You will be remanded indefinitely.”
“And Kael?”
Valen’s mouth tightens faintly. “His actions will determine his fate.”
He rises smoothly.
“I would prefer not to waste you,” he says. “You have potential.”
