Brave Deceit
by Sara Coutanche
Keira took a deep breath. "In for a penny, in for a pound," she thought to herself.
She gave the little red man one of her famous disarming smiles. "I am looking forward to discussing those plans in further detail - but first, would it be too much trouble to ask for a drink?"
The little man looked a little distressed. "Oh, I am so sorry. Forgive my breach of etiquette," he replied, calling for a robot to come in and serve them. "And please do be seated, Dr Tabinthis."
"Thank you, I will" Keira replied, grateful for a chance to think about her next move.
The robot came in and served them the usual bolah, and for a few moments nothing was said. Keira finally broke the silence with what she hoped was a sensible question.
"So, which aspects of the plan shall we begin with?"
The man looked at her thoughtfully. "Perhaps we should move straight to the most important detail... the assassination."
Keira nodded in an equally thoughtful manner. "Nothing like starting with the most err... important detail. I have, in fact, been giving the whole matter a great deal of thought, and I am troubled about certain aspects..."
The man nodded. "And what might those be?" he asked.
"Well," continued Keira "Before I say anything further, would you go over the plan one more time, out loud, so that I can check if I have understood perfectly?"
The little man looked at her strangely. "I suppose I could. But I am not sure how this will help you at all... I mean, most of it was your idea."
Keira could almost feel her head spinning as she tried to keep ahead of a conversation of which she was totally ignorant. "I know that," she almost snapped "Humour me!"
With a shrug the little man outlined a horrific plan of murder, intrigue and deception. Keira was hard put to keep any emotion from showing on her face as she realised she was listening to the Fandenian government's fool-proof plot to take over Earth.
When the tale had been told, Keira sat quietly for a moment, desparately trying to think what she should do next, and acutely aware of a pair of bright green eyes fixed upon her.
Choices: