Read Ouroboros 4: End for Free Online

rippling a lake. Though she didn’t suddenly leap forward and trash the entire brig, Harrington did not let up. His hand hovered next to his gun, and the look in his eye told Carson he would shoot her if he had to.
    On some level, Carson could understand that. If he took an enormous step back from this situation, he could appreciate Harrington was simply following procedure.
    Procedure be damned.
    Carson deliberately fixed Harrington with a warning look. ‘The Captain wants to see us in the discussion room,’ he inclined his head towards Nida, but didn’t turn to face her. He kept staring at Harrington, instead.
    Without words, Carson was trying to convey to Harrington that if he tried anything, Carson would step in.
    Maybe Nida could sense how tense the situation had become, because she offered a light and terribly awkward laugh. One that easily reminded him of the old Nida. The bumbling, klutz of a cadet he’d met all those months ago now.
    This, however, was not the old Nida.
    She took a step towards Harrington, and immediately the wary brute of a man snapped his gaze over to her.
    Rather than double back in fear, she dipped her head low, as if she was trying to look up into his eyes.
    She paused.
    ‘I’m not your enemy,’ she broke her silence, her voice low and full of import, ‘I’ve got no problem with you doing your job, though. If you want to shadow me with that gun, go ahead. If you want to post a security team in every room I visit, do it. But I must pass on this warning: the entire Coalition could be at stake. We need to prepare for an immanent attack. Now, are you going to let me take my message to the Captain, or are you going to get in my way? History will remember your actions, Harrington. So pick wisely.’
    That was not how you addressed a superior. Not if you wanted to stay in the Academy.
    Harrington bristled. ‘Cadet—’
    ‘You’ve made it clear I’m no longer a member of the Coalition, or at least not one worthy of protection. So don't try to railroad me with the chain of command. Either stop me from going to see the Captain, or don’t.’
    The hair along the back of Carson’s arms and neck stood on end.
    Damn.
    So much for not being the worst recruit in 1000 years anymore, Nida could have passed for a seasoned admiral now.
    Harrington’s brow stiffened, the bridge of his nose crinkling as one lip hooked up over his teeth. He was either getting ready to shoot or shout at her.
    He did neither. Instead, with a quick look at the other guard, he motioned to the door. ‘You try anything . . .’ he trailed off as he fixed Nida with a warning look.
    ‘Trust me, the only thing I’m trying to do, is stop my mistake, I mean the entity’s mistake,’ Nida whirled on her foot and headed for the door.
    Carson stiffened.
    He’d heard what she’d said, that little vocal stumble: my mistake.
    The words sent a torrent of nerves through his back and gut.
    The entity wasn’t taking control again, right? Her implant wouldn’t suddenly malfunction and send every object and person in this room spiraling towards her, right?
    He couldn’t take another one of those attacks. Nor could he stomach the prospect the entity was still affecting her, despite her modified implant.
    It strengthened his resolve to get this all over with and get her the help she needed.
    Though they hadn’t yet had a chance to plan what they’d do once the threat of the Vex attack passed, he now realized how important it was to deal with the entity.
    He didn’t care how long it took or how many resources it would consume, he’d find some way to pull that entity from her. To get rid of it once and for all, returning Nida to normal.
    He didn’t breathe a word of this; even though the entity was ostensibly under control, he knew the price of threatening it. Clasping a hand to his neck, he remembered what it felt like to be pinned against the ceiling, waiting for death.
    As Nida walked ahead, he watched her shoulders round.