Graduation Exam (IX) or Sarah (I)

Planet: Tarsonis

Year:2529

Place: Confederate ??? Academy

-- Jun 11, 2529 - Confederate calendar - Day of the graduation exam --

Rishul strolled onto the second floor of the northern building with a conflicted yet saddened look. In front of him stood the back of Sarah, Popovich's fourth and last rat. 'Is it right to call Sarah a rat? I mean yeah she joined Popovich. But she obviously told him nothing,' thought Rishul.

His hand shook when he thought back to all the nights he, Sarah, and to an extent Caesar, spent comforting each other. 'Caesar, you motherfucker. I understand you can no longer risk everyone's freedom. Especially when Sarah's mind is so frail.

I get that Kai finding out she's a rat has forced your hand. Still, why me?' Rishul sighed, he locked eyes with the turning Sarah. The two stood face to face as the cameras zoomed in. And everything went silent.

"Rishul?" Said Sarah. Her voice was soft, kind, and sweet. Something rare, after years of being within this place.

Rishul's conflicted eyes hardened, surprising the recruits, staff, nobles, and even those within his group. They watched as he removed his psi-screener, pistol, then rifle before inflaming his hands.

'I know the answer,' thought Rishul.

Everybody looked upon Sarah. Her hands shook, her eyes widened, her gun fell. 'They know,' thought Sarah. Her actions were unbecoming of a ghost...both of their actions were.

"We know," said Rishul. Watching Sarah come to terms with the news, she removed her psi-screen, then her guns, and finally. Raised her fists.

While her wavering mind slowly picked up on Rishul's words. "I'm here. Because you chose him over the confederacy." 'Because the confederacy doesn't have the heart, while the others are too weak.'

His words intrigued the audience (staff, seated recruits) and nobles alike. Yet only their peers understood.

'This wasn't about Sarah or Henry joining Clark. This was about them joining the man on top!' Victoria's thoughts stretched out to the surrounding recruits. Among them was Clark, working on whatever he had planned for Caesar.

'Caesar's not loyal to the confederacy, is he?' Asked Yasha. Her words stunned everyone. But Victoria's silence, even more so.

'If Caesar's not loyal, what does he want?' Asked another. At that comment Clark stopped, his mind churned a mile a minute. Everyone did, while they hid behind their cover. Watching everything break down.

'You're the only one who can do it?' Repeated Sarah. Her voice was laced in sarcasm. Rishul paused, so she continued. 'No. It's because something else is more important.'

Although she tried to stay tough, Rishul could see the hurt in her eyes.

'You know. Everybody's mistake is seeing Caesar as something... beyond human. He's not. He lives, he loves, he hurts. That's the reason he was willing to give your unstable ass more chances than any of us. Even Victoria...especially Victoria,' said Rishul.

Although Sarah looked to be fine, Rishul sensed the turmoil in her mind.

"But can you blame me?" Asked Sarah. "He promised me freedom, in exchange for loyalty and obedience. That's a deal most of us would take." Finished Sarah, her wavering eyes filled with determination. As she channeled her energy then charged Rishul.

"No. But…" 'Your friends, our group.' "Loyalty to the confederacy should be all that matters." Finished Rishul, charging to meet Sarah.

His words Inspired some nobles while filling them with passion, compassion, and finally hatred for Popovich.

'Oh, how foolish have I been. I may not love Anabelle but she was right. I need to do more for these fiercely loyal kids. What if it were our children...what if it were little Nova,' Thought Constantino, thinking about his beautiful newborn girl while Rishul and Sarah clashed fists.

Rishul threw a right hook down at Sarah's head. She bent, dodging the blow before returning two jabs. Both hits crashed into Rishul's stomach, burning bits of her fists.

Rishul clenched his teeth, countering with a straight at Sarah's head. When she leaned back his telekinesis pulled her in, connecting her face with his fist.

Everyone's eyes widened as a torrential flame burst forth, engulfing her upper body and the surrounding area. To most surprise, Sarah emerged unharmed.

Her body was covered in a faint blue psionic shield, which started to crack under Rishul's power.

"Oh! Please," said Sarah. She stepped forward, firing a punch at Rishul's ribs. Before following up with a psionic attack on his mind.

Rishul staggered back. The psionic attack sent him into a daze. While Sarah pressed forward, desperate to keep him within range.

She channeled her psionic speed, Blitzing Rishul with impressive speed. Her fist crashed into his head, sending him careening to the ground.

'She's going to end him!' Thought the audience. Stunned by her level of brutality. As Sarah leaped towards Rishul, with dangerous levels of psionic energy. He released a wave of fire and telekinesis, shattering her barrier while burning some skin, and sending her flying.

Sarah crashed into a table while pulling Rishul's body towards her own.

'Oh, shit!' Thought Sarah. When she'd seen Rishul condense fire within his hands. A barrier came up, it grew thicker by the second as Rishul shot the fire cannon at Sarah.

*BBOOOOMMM!*

Rishul fire engulfed them and everything around. It burned the floor black, melted most plastics, and charred the roof crisp.

Smoke engulfed everything, while electrical fires ran rampant. Adding to his already increased firepower.

Most kids shuttered, the nobles eyed Popovich but all focus returned when the fire began to clear. Showing a wounded and partially burned Sarah, gasping for air.

At her feet was Rishul. Unharmed, yet barely conscious. When he tried to stand up her telekinesis held him down. When she tried to snap his limbs the flames roared, threatening to engulf her.

She signed before flooding to his mind with psionic energy, rendering him unconscious.

'I'm sorry,' said Sarah. Staring down upon his body. Most expected her to kill him, and yet she just stood there.

"I'm sorry," repeated Sarah. The adults thought she was apologizing for betraying the confederacy. But most kids knew the truth.

"I know," said a dull and worn-out voice. When Sarah turned around as the cameras zoomed in.

'OH, NO!' Gasped the nobles and most recruits.

Standing in front of Sarah was Samir! And in his hand a pistol. He pointed at her chest, causing Sarah to glance down.

As her body hit the floor, Samir smiled before strolling towards her. 'Damn, your mind is a mess. On any given day you would've seen through my hallucinations.'

Sarah's eyes rose to meet Samir. 'Truth be told. Caesar would have forgiven you, even Rishul. And we both know how much they value loyalty.

But...that's Why I'm here.

I can't have you filling Rishul with forgiveness or Caesar with love. Especially when we're this close to achieving our goal.' Samir pointed his gun at Sarah's forehead. Her eyes grew cold, angry, and were filled with hatred.

Her rage built, Samir's pistol snapped in two. The ground below them shook as Sarah's psionic energy climbed to unreal levels. 'There's a reason Caesar sent Rishul.'

"Sarah...wait-"

"I always hated your slimy ass."

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMM!*

The floor shattered, kill a few below, the cameras zoomed out before panning away. While Sarah, Rishul, and Samir's fate remained unknown.