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invasive gaze.
    Harnel shrugs indifferently. “Look green to me.”
    “If this mission is so important shouldn’t someone else do it? What about Martin? She’s—” I stop myself from saying gorgeous.
    “Martin’s not fit for this mission.” Harnel snorts and leans in like he has a secret. “Look, you have what it takes. We’ve been watching you since San Jose. Top in every class and holding the most kills this year. Given your age and ability now, you have nowhere to go but up. Think what you could do for your family.” He pauses, opening a blue folder and thumbing through a few papers. “Keira Marie Donavan, Destin Florida and only seventeen years old. Impressive,” he says, genuinely.
    “Wait. So, I’ve been chosen for this mission because you think I’m good, and not because I’m being punished?” I exhale.
    A successful mission could mean faster surgery for Lindy, and at a better facility, as long as I don’t fail anyway. I shake that thought away. If I have to hog-tie that guy Mr. Gelding, or whatever his name is, I’ll get him back here. There’s no way I’m going to turn assassin.
    “Punished for what?” Harnel asks, tilting his square head.
    “Nothing. I just… Usually…I’ve heard…Never mind.”
    Harnel rubs his freshly-shaven angular jaw, considering me. “You’re an Agent of SEEK. You took an oath to do this job for your country, but I understand your concern for your family. If your vow isn’t enough to motivate you, do it for them. Think what your sister will need after her operation, she’s got years of rehabilitation ahead of her. Do this for her.”
    That’s the most sincere any commanding officer has been with me. He’s not blackmailing me—he’s giving me, and Lindy, the opportunity we need.
    Straightening my back I say, “I’ll do it, Sir.”
    “Raise your right hand and repeat after me…”
    Thumb over my palm I lift my pledge hand, steady as an oak, and repeat the lines he feeds me.
    “I, Keira Donavan, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Federation of Kistall against all enemies, alien and domestic; that my allegiance to the Branch of Operations under SEEK shall be true and will bring honor to the office into which I am about to enter.”
    “Good. Now that you’re sworn in let’s go over your target’s background. Jonathan Steed, nineteen years old.”
    I choke. “Nineteen?”
    “Yes, that’s why you’re a good fit. You’re the only Agent we have that won’t view him like the child he is.”
    “I see.”
    “Don’t let his age fool you. Like you, he’s extremely bright—so much so that he has invented an anti-hacking program and sold it for hundreds of millions of dollars.”
    “I’m sorry. Did you say hundreds of millions?”
    “Agent Donavan, there will be time for questions after the briefing; however, we have also included every detail in your packet.”
    “Sorry,” I mutter, putting my hands in my lap to show I’ll listen quietly.
    Harnel rattles off a few more details about the target that I promptly forget. All I keep thinking is this guy has hundreds of millions at nineteen. Why join the Brotherhood? He could do anything, be anyone, and he chose to fight SEEK. Harnel’s right, I shouldn’t underestimate him because of his age.
    I try to listen to Harnel’s words. My stomach grumbles with anxiety.
    “…there are no more details on why he dropped out of college to join the Brotherhood, we’re assuming that he was recruited but our sources cannot confirm. Remember this guy could be dangerous. He’s been hidden under the radar so we don’t really know for sure what his temperament looks like. Use caution on approach. He’s probably expecting someone from SEEK to contact him. That’s why you’re our best shot. Understand?”
    “Yes, Sir,” I say, not really sure what I’ve just agreed to.
    “Make us proud.” Harnel stands then, crisply saluting me.
    “Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.” I rise to attention,