Operation Honey Trap vs The Emperor of the Apocalypse-Chapter 201: Into the Dungeons

The ham radio crackled to life, and Han’s voice came across the air.

"Victor Kilo Seven Alpha Papa Echo, this is Victor Kilo Seven Hotel November, over."

"Hello Victor Kilo Seven Hotel November," said Alton. "I don’t have long, this is important."

"Roger that, go ahead Victor Kilo Seven Alpha Papa Echo," said Han.

"Have the goods arrived at Midas yet? I repeat, do you have the goods at Midas?" asked Alton.

Midas was their code name for King Island, which was to be their staging area for weapons and soldiers, halfway between the Mainland and the Island.

"Affirmative, the goods have arrived at Midas. That’s affirmative, Victor Kilo Seven Alpha Papa Echo."

"Have you spoken with Victor Kilo Seven Papa Alpha since he left SP?" Alton used Rutherglen’s call sign of VK7PA.

"Affirmative, Victor Kilo Seven Papa Alpha is back on air. He’s located near the boat," Han deliberately kept things vague.

"Good," grunted Alton. "Tell him to gather as many fruits as he can, and bring them to SP. One or two hundred would be what’s needed."

’Fruits’ was their code for ’recruits’.

"Roger that. Two hundred fruits requested for delivery to SP."

"The General needs Miro. Send him to MONA with nine of his friends. Tell them to swim, and they need to leave now, it’s urgent. Tell Miro to stay out of sight until he hears the whistle."

"Roger that Victor Kilo Seven Alpha Papa Echo."

"Stay on the air waves for the next forty-eight hours, Victor Kilo Seven Hotel November. 73 from Victor Kilo Seven Alpha Papa Echo. Over and out."

"73 from Victor Kilo Seven Hotel November. Stay safe." Han wrapped up the call and started to run.

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Delphi had to admit the Emperor knew how to put on a good show. He had sent a whole Company of soldiers to escort her and the Platoon from the Deloraine Barracks back to the capital.

She was locked inside a palace carriage. It was a very plush prison; the seats were lined with velvet, the drapes were silk, wool carpets lined the floors. She was fed and watered and treated with the utmost respect by the handful of commissioned officers who were allowed to speak with her.

She could feel the palace drawing inexorably closer and closer, and despite her best intentions not to feel anything, the feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach grew. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

She knew what was about to happen. She would do her best to survive in case she could still be useful to the Rebellion from inside the palace, but she also wasn’t afraid to die for the cause, if that was what the Emperor had in store for her... or if living became untenable, though she really hoped that it wouldn’t come to that...

Despite being certain that she would never be able to sleep, she collapsed into a handful of hours of restless sleep that left her feeling worse than when she had had no sleep at all.

She woke and ate the food that had been left for her, figuring she would need her strength for what was to come.

She hoped Alton wouldn’t be stupid enough to mount a rescue attempt. They all knew from the mission planning they’d done for the bombing, that the palace was completely impenetrable without a huge army to lay siege to it.

She prayed that he and the team would understand why she had to do what she did... It wasn’t really a decision that took any thought when you could trade your one life to save so many...

She finally heard the rumbling of the carriage wheels as it crossed the wooden ramp onto the ferry.

She closed her eyes, attempting to compose and steel herself. She had never dreamed she would find herself back on this hateful ferry, crossing the harbour to return to that prison island.

The short trip across the water seemed interminable. She both wished it would never come to an end, and that the waiting would all be over.

The carriage exited the ferry on the far side, and she heard the shouts of the guards on the walls as they opened the palace gates for them. No one looked in to check on her identity, so the path must have been cleared for her entry.

The carriage came to a stop, and an older palace maid she recognised as one of the Emperor’s right-hand people, unlocked the door and poked her head in.

"Miss Chastain, welcome back to the palace," there was no welcome in her eyes or her voice. "We can do this the hard way, or the easy way," she sounded bored. "If you prefer the easy way, then follow me. Otherwise, I can have the soldiers tie you up and carry you."

"I’ll walk thanks," said Delphi drily.

She climbed out of the carriage and followed the maid, suddenly thankful for the shelter of her jilbab, headscarf and veil, which hid her from all of the curious eyes.

The woman set off at a fast clip, and Delphi trotted along behind her, immediately noticing that she was heading towards the dungeons.

That was at least something, she thought. She far preferred to be openly treated as a prisoner, than the farce that she was somebody’s fiancée.

Delphi had never visited the dungeons before, and she looked around with interest, as they passed through a heavily fortified guard house.

The maid nodded at the guards on duty, and she and Delphi were ushered through like prison royalty, if there was such a thing.

It appeared that they were expected, she thought sourly. She wondered how long the Emperor had been preparing this reception for her. Was this all since yesterday? Or had he known she was alive for longer, and been readying her a cosy spot in the dungeons?

The maid stopped at an innocuous looking door that had a guard on each side of it.

Delphi looked at the two men, but neither of them dared raised his eyes to look at her.

One of the men entered a code to unlock the door.

"After you, Miss Chastain," said the maid with a malicious look, gesturing for her to enter the room.

She stepped into the tightly guarded room with trepidation, and what she saw caused her to take a small involuntary gasp, which she quickly stifled, but not before the maid had taken note and a horrid small smile appeared on her face.