12 Puppet and its Puppeteer (2)

Last day of the week.

Lila stood in front of the Commander's office. Two soldiers standing on either side of the door looked at Lila in annoyance.

This young woman has been standing in front of them for the past hour not saying a word. If they didn't know about the health regulations of all passengers, they would think this girl has a mental problem.

Lila knew she was freaking out the soldiers, but she needed to build up her confidence to negotiate with the Commander General. This would be her last chance to show everyone who Kara really is.

Standing on pins and needles, Lila asked one of the soldiers to alert the Commander that she needed to speak with him.

The soldiers both looked at each other, thinking this passenger might have slipped through the health screenings. Not just anyone could see the Commander General, just because they wanted to discuss something with him. She wasn't even a crew member, who does she think she is?

"The Commander is busy, please leave." The senior of the two soldiers casually brushed Lila aside.

"Isn't this his free time?.... I have something very urgent to discuss with him."

"Did you not hear me? He. Is. Busy! Leave!"

"It's about the engines...." Lila said as the soldier yelled in her face.

Hearing the word engine, both soldier quickly adjusted their manner of speaking.

"Did you say the engines?..." The younger soldier looked Lila up and down, he couldn't remember if she was someone who was working on the engines or not.

"Yes..." Lila waited there as the soldier gave her the third degree.

If she could just see the Commander for a few minutes, she'll even do a strip search.

After a while, the senior soldier knocked on the door and enter the room. Not even five minutes later the door is swung back open, and Lila is led inside.

Entering the office, Lila was amazed by the spacious office and grand windows. A quick measurement with the eyes and she could see the office is the size of three passenger rooms.

Lila thought of the number of people they could have saved with the loss of these types rooms and the replacement of more passenger rooms.

With that thought alone the beauty of the office quickly lost its appeal to Lila, as she is thought about Ms. Joy and her husband.

"What are you dallying for?...come in."

Secretary Jun watched a young woman walk in the room, and stand there in a daze. Thinking she might be another one of those spoiled rich brats on the ship who complained about everything, Secretary Jun wanted to throw her out of the Commander's presence but it wasn't his place.

Taking a deep breath, Lila walked to the center of the room and waited for the Commander to give her permission to speak.

Silently, Thomas went about signing documents and looking over reports. He initially thought it was Kara at the door, but when a titty bitty thing walked in, he knew he made a mistake.

Not the person he was expecting, Thomas went about his work, expecting her complaints to fill the office soon. However, nothing happened, not even when Jun prompt her.

Instead, a petite body walked to the front of his desk and waited.

Curiosity pegged, Thomas lifted his eyes and stared at the young women before him.

"Yes...?"

"Um...I don't know if you know who I am..." Lila stumbled over her words, as she finally got the Commander's full attention.

"There are over a hundred thousand people in this fleet...sorry if I don't recognize you."Thomas went back to his paperwork.

"Yes, I know, but considering I'm the one fixing the engines I figured that entitles me to a little acknowledgment from you." Lila was ever one to hold back her anger, especially after his cutting remark.

Does he really not know who is fixing his ships?

Stunned momentary, Thomas looked at his secretary asking if he knew what was going on?

Shaking his head no, Jun was just as bewildered as he was. Documents forgotten, Thomas folded his hands on the desk giving Lila his full undivided attention.

"What is your name?"

"Lila Yun."

"Ah!.." Recognizing Lila's name, secretary Jun precisely knew who she was.

Leaning over to Thomas' ear, Jun reminded him of Kara's request.

"You're Kara's little helper...?" Thomas said looking Lila up and down.

"No. I am no one's little helper. I am the one and only person who has been able to fix your ships' engines." Lila straightened her back to its tallest height and looked the Commander in the eye.

___

Kara was leisurely chatting in a cafeteria surrounded by a group of crew members.

These last six days, Kara has enjoyed the admiration and respect of the crew members and soldiers. Once they knew the engines could be fixed and she would be able to have them running within seven days, Kara's reputation skyrocketed.

Everyone to suck up to her, they knew her name and she loved it. Looking around at all the smiling faces, Kara couldn't get enough of this fame.

Yes, this is the life I'm supposed to lead!

She was so lost in the feel of the spotlight, she didn't see Pace approaching her. It wasn't until he cleared his throat, and sat beside her did she notice his presence.

Pace closed the distance between himself and Kara, leaning down he placed his face right next to her ears. Feeling highly uncomfortable with the intimate gesture, Kara wanted to pull away. Yet, before she could Pace said something that made her stop.

"I'm surprised to see you so happy here among everyone, while your friend is having a private conversation with the Commander." Kara visibly stiffened at Pace's words.

He now knew his previous assumptions about Kara were correct, she is a fraud.

"I wonder what she has to say to the Commander? It must be nothing if she didn't ask you to accompany her." Pulling away from Kara after getting his desired reaction, Pace left the cafeteria.

The information left sweat beading on Kara's forehead.

Lila has gone to the Commander, she actually went!?

Kara's mind was no longer in the cafeteria, her thoughts carried her away to the Commander's office, and how much Lila was about to ruin her life.

Kara didn't know when she left the cafeteria until the doors closed behind her.

Speeding down the corridors towards the Commander's office, Kara pays no attention to the stares, only focusing on reaching the Commander's office.

Rounding the corner to the Commander's office, Kara saw the two soldiers standing in front of the door, making her rethink her plan of barging in and dragging Lila out.

Palms sweating and heart racing, Kara had no idea what to do? She never though Lila would actually go to the Commander, she thought her threat was enough to keep Lila in the palm of her hand.

When did she get so bold? Why couldn't Lila just followed what she is told!?

Picturing her life ending before her eyes, Kara was in a state of turmoil.

I need to get in there, but how much has she already told him? If I go in there now will I just be delivering myself to the chopping block? She needed to know.

Straightening out her clothes, wiping the sweat from her face, Kara took a step out towards the two soldiers, when something grabbed her arm and pulled her back around the corner out of the two soldiers' sight.

Pushed against the wall, Kara came face to face with Pace.

"Pace, what are you....?"

Pace held up his index finger to his lips as his other hand covered Kara's mouth, telling her to be quiet.

Not wanting to make a scene Kara nodded her head and Pace released her mouth.

"I think we have something to discuss, don't you? Should we go to your room or mine?" Pace whispered into Kara's ear.

Kara completely had forgotten about Pace after he told her where Lila was. It didn't dawn on her that he knew her secret. She'll have to handle this first then see what she can do about Lila and the Commander.

"Mine...follow me." Kara led Pace towards her room.

Back at the Commander's office.

"You are the one fixing the engines...?" Thomas leaned back in his chair.

"Yes...and I can prove it." Lila tried to steady her voice as much as possible even though she was scared out of her mind.

Thomas looked at this young woman who seems like she didn't weight more than the chair he was sitting on, put on a brave face though he could tell she was shaking inside.

"Mmm...I'll be honest with you, I have my doubts about Kara but that doesn't mean I believe you. However,  I'm  willing to give you one chance."

"That's all I need..." Lila let out a sigh of relief, and a bright smile lit up her face.

"By the way how are the engines?"

"I just have one more ship to fix, and they will be ready whenever you are, sir."

Lila reported, happy that someone finally acknowledges her work.

Unfortunately, before she could fully enjoy her first big feat, the Commander popped the bubble with his last words.

"Good...and Lila, I don't need to tell you what the punishment will be for lying to me...do I?"

"N-No, sir!" Lila shook her head before Thomas dismissed her from his office.