Honey : The Empire's Treasure 9 Eject 4

Hundred days have pa.s.sed since the majority of the fleet's engines have gone down.

All eyes are on the three young geniuses to fix the problem.

At first, Pace was thrilled to be in the spot light. The respect in the crew's eyes when they saw him, filled his ego. But as each day that pa.s.ses the once admiration turned into ridicule.

Pace was lowly losing it. No matter how many times he enters the engine room. Or look at the blue prints. Run logistic test. Everything...everything comes up perfect.

The Commander called the three of them to his conference room. He wanted answers.

Pace and Akio had arrived first. Pace was frustrated. This was his chance. His time to make a mark. His time for people to admire and respect him. And it was slipping through his fingers.

Kara was the last to walk in and take a seat.

Pace wondered for a long time, who was that girl Kara raced off to meet. Why would she waste time to go meet this girl when such a big issue was put before them.

"Is she really a genius? Has she found the solution to the problem by just looking at the engines?"

Pace observed Kara. She didn't look stressed, nor frustrated. In fact she look somewhat bored with the whole situation.

This was driving him crazy. He first impression of her can't possibly be wrong. This girl is a fraud.

At the exact moment Pace was going to grill Kara, the Commander step through the door.

"Okay people please tell me you have something." the Commander first look towards Akio.

Akio stuttered through his a.n.a.lysis, coming up with the same answers as the crew. That nothing is wrong with the engines.

"Why did I wake up another person, to waste more resources if he is going to tell me the same answer as the rest of the crew." Commander General looked towards his secretary, Mr. Jun.

"Sir there are still two more people, who I'm sure have come up with better answers." Mr. Jun quickly took himself from under the bus. And threw Pace and Kara under it instead.

The Commander's eyes shot to Pace. Sweat broke out along his back. The Commander's stare was so intense, Pace felt his heart clog his throat. Pace was struck in a wide eyed stupor.

"Umm...ummm."

It was when he caught Kara snickering face that he was bought back to himself.

*Cough* *cough*

"Sorry, I was trying to get my thoughts in order...." Pace cleared his throat before starting again.

"I believe the problem with the engines maybe do to dust particles stuck in the core's system. They haven't been pick up by the scans, due to their size. I think if we can give the engines a good cleaning, they would be up and running again."

Silent stretch in the room.

"A good cleaning?" Commander raised one eyebrow. "We have been struck drifting in s.p.a.ce for hundred days. And all that will get us moving is a good cleaning?"

Pfft...Commander laughed until he eyes got watery.

Pace hung his head in shame. He never thought the Commander would laugh at him. He thought his plan was better than what Akio gave. But looking at how the Commander was trying to regain control of himself, Pace just felt utter embarra.s.sment.

All eyes swiveled towards Kara.

_____

One hour before the meeting.

When Kara received notice of the coming meeting with the Commander, she was going out of her mind. She hadn't stepped foot in the engines room since the first day. Afraid Pace will bombarded her with questions. Along with her touching something she shouldn't touch and causing bigger problems. She has steered clear of that room.

Instead she has focus her time and energy on Lila. If she can get Lila to fix this problem no one will be the wiser. But the problem was Lila was not falling for her apologies.

Kara was not going to beg nor was she going to admit she fraudulent life to the Commander.

Years of being everyone's idol left Kara with a sense of ent.i.tlement.

Arriving in front of Lila quarters, Kara knocked on the door. Knowing Lila's schedule like the back of her hand, Kara knew she didn't need to wait long for the door to be answered.

"What is it? " Lila opened the door to once again see Kara's face.

She hasn't seen this much of Kara since childhood.

"Lila..I'm sorry...Wait!..please wait.." Kara panicked as she saw the door closing "Lila, I need your help!" She shouted into the little crease of the door before it could close in her face.

The door paused. Lila heard the stress in her voice. She shouldn't care, after all these years.

As Lila contemplated opening the door. The action was taken out of her hands as Kara quickly pushed open the door and enter her room.

"Get out Kara." Lila has always had a small frame. She knew she couldn't manually push Kara out.

"Lila just listen to me. You heard about the engines failing right."

"...."

"Yes...sorry. I didn't mean...anyway. With the engine failure, we are sitting ducks. We can't reach our target in the allotted time. Which mean a lot more people are going to wake up. Which means more supplies are going to be used. That is why they have you constantly doing inventory..."

"I know all of this already Kara." Lila cut her off. "And I also know why they woke you up."

"It won't be like last time..." Lila laughed as she heard this "I swear I'll give you credit this time."

Lila didn't even bother to respond, just shook her head.

"If you do this it will help everyone. Please stop thinking about yourself right now...."

*SLAP*

Kara didn't even know when she landed on the floor.

Lila's hand was bright red. A similar red mark was on Kara's face.

"Why don't you take your own advice. Now please leave, I want to rest before my next s.h.i.+ft."

"HAHAHAHA!" Kara started laughing like a crazy person. Scaring Lila to back away from her.

"I tried to do it the easy way. I apologize....G.o.d I apologize to you." Kara pointed to Lila in disgust.

" I didn't need to come down here to lower myself to your level. Do you know who I am. I'm Kara Asmita. People look at with respect and adoration. I was going to give you the credit of being my a.s.sistant. Now you can forget. You just lost your chance."

Kara stood up from the floor.

"You choose the wrong path Lila. You should have kept on the path I made for you."

Kara slammed the door shut behind her.