Chapter 159: Interrogation
Lin was placed in a cell with walls of reinforced volcanic glass, thick enough to contain even a dragon’s full strength. Two guards remained posted outside, their weapons drawn and their attention focused entirely on her.
In his own cell several levels above, Grim was piecing together fragments of conversations carried through the thermal vent system. The rebels were definitely preparing for a major assault, but more concerning was what he was learning about their expectations.
"...if the princess is genuine, she might convince them to withdraw..." drifted through one vent.
"...or she might signal them to attack..." came from another.
"...human could be a spy sending messages..." echoed from a third.
The rebels were clearly divided about whether their supposed defectors were genuine refugees or advance scouts for the attacking force. That division could work in their favor—if they could exploit it correctly.
Meanwhile, Captain Zhen was experiencing his own crisis in the intelligence wing. The interrogator assigned to him was a dragon he recognized. Someone who might know enough about the real Captain Zhen to expose their deception.
"Tell me about your service with the Third Reconnaissance Squadron," the interrogator was saying. "Specifically, your role in the Thermal Ridge incident."
Captain Zhen’s mind raced. He had no idea what the Thermal Ridge incident was, but he needed to respond in a way that wouldn’t expose his ignorance.