CHAPTER 27
Her mind was a relentless battlefield. She was risking severe punishment—solitary confinement, hard labor, or worse—if she was caught. She was violating multiple regulations by simply being awake and out of her assigned quarters after lights out.
She stopped just outside the main circle of light cast by the guard’s desk, relying on the uniform’s dark color for cover. She took a deep, steadying breath, preparing the technical lie.
She knew the guard would be drowsy, but she also knew he would be armed. If she failed to sound authoritative, the consequences would be severe.
She cleared her throat softly, loud enough to cut through the silence but quiet enough not to alarm.
The guard, startled, bolted upright. “Recruit,” the guard said, peering at her. “What are you doing her
