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Zeff entered Lawrence’s office easily enough, passing two silent sentries outside the General’s door. He supposed it was a good sign that they didn’t stop and search him, at least, but then, it wasn’t like General Lawrence needed anyone to protect him from Zeff. In the Vanguard, ranking tended to also denote a person’s strength, and Lawrence was certainly not an exception to this.

The office itself was more functional than impressive. Zeff had never known his general to suffer any fools or excesses, and this room very much reflected that, he felt. A simple round chamber with a single window, lamp, filing cabinet, desk, computer, and two chairs. No decorations for either the wood-planked walls or the old cobble floor.

Lawrence stood as Zeff entered. The man’s reaper, Dergoz, clung to his arm instead of floating freely. And since Dergoz appeared as a bat, the sight of him looked slightly awkward and terrible at the same time, almost as if the reaper were attempting to bite into the General and drink his blood. With both eyes closed, though, the reaper was probably just sleeping.

“Captain Zeff,” said Lawrence. “Thank you for coming.” He looked to be in his fifties, but Zeff knew the man’s history to be much older than that, spanning upwards of seventy years with the Vanguard.

“Good to see you, ensir.”

“Please, have a seat.”

Zeff sat, as did Lawrence.

‘Is Dergoz alright?’ asked Axiolis.

“He is just tired,” said Lawrence.

Zeff tilted his head. “Have you recently seen combat, General?”

“It doesn’t matter now. I’m sure you’re more curious as to why you’re here.”

Zeff nodded.

“I apologize for not telling you. We were afraid you would not come if you knew.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Because it has to do with your daughter. She has become a fugitive from the Vanguard.”

Zeff reared back in his chair. A fugitive? Gema might have been reckless, sure, but he couldn’t imagine her pulling anything that foolish. Moreover, he was sure that he’d found a very reasonable reaper to help guide her.