Gabriel dropped her head, clenching her hands into fists at her thighs. She disagreed with it all and was so angry, she could hear blood rushing in her ears. So her voice was elevated when she stiffly answered, "Yes, Sirs, that's correct. I'm sorry to disappoint and I. . . understand. . . the consequences of my failures."

The far right shadow spoke again. "We will overlook your shortcomings for now. Focus on your task at hand and you may be duly rewarded. When these complications you complain of are eradicated, you will need to make yourself available to lure our target in to us. She will be an integral cog in the F.O.W.L. operation. Is this understood?"

Gabriel nodded weakly, watching the monitor go black without the silhouettes even bothering to dismiss her. She stood there numbly, trying to gather her thoughts. Yet only one thing continued to come to mind.

How am I going to convince anyone to join F.O.W.L. when I'd give my own life to escape it?



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