“However,” he went on, “I find it ironic that the one who accused you of treason was himself corrupt beyond measure. And that you risked your life to expose him.” Martin shook his head, his gaze becoming intense. “I’ve watched you through the years, Sebastian. I know you better than most. Though you did make me doubt you the night you escaped with those dragons, in this, at least, I can admit when I’ve been wrong. If there is evil festering in your soul, I’ve yet to see it.” His smile had no humor in it whatsoever. “Though that does throw everything the Order believes into question, doesn’t it?”

I took a quiet breath. “The Order can change,” I said carefully. “I’ve lived with some of these dragons. I’ve seen what they’re really like. They want nothing to do with Talon or the war. All they want is to live freely, without the fear of St. George coming for them in the middle of the night.” I paused; Martin was watching me intently, eyes dark, but he wasn’t openly protesting or calling me a heretic. Still, I chose my next words carefully. “Sir, if you would just talk to one of them, let them explain their side, you would see that they’re not all soulless monsters. Honestly, some of them are a lot like us. At the very least, they don’t deserve to be slaughtered just for existing.”

Martin sighed. “Perhaps it is as you say, Sebastian,” he said. “Perhaps it is time for the Order to look at things anew. Unfortunately, we cannot do anything about it now. Let us first see if we survive the night before we talk of change.”

“Sir?”

Martin looked up as Tristan came into the room and saluted just inside the door. “We’re ready, sir,” he announced. “Everyone is in position, and the rest of the base is locked down. We’re just waiting on your orders.”

Martin nodded. “I guess it’s nearly time, isn’t it?” he mused, rising heavily from his seat. Gazing at each of us in turn, he gave a small smile. “Sebastian, St. Anthony, I can truly say it’s been a pleasure serving with you. Good luck to us all.”

Chapter 41: DANTE

DANTE

It’s time.

I stood on the raised dais at the back of the command center, gazing at the bank of screens in front of me. Each showed satellite images of a familiar desert, a familiar cluster of buildings in the middle of the darkness. On one screen, the base was dark, save for a large square building in the very center. This structure was brightly lit, and that made me suspicious.