Chapter 1
30th Day, Upper Fire Month, 1 CE
"Do you know why you're here?"
"Because Jorge said you wanted to see me, sir."
Sir Luis snorted at Liam's reply. Liam kept a straight face, trying to figure out what he had done wrong. Maybe he was screwing up without realising it, but he couldn't imagine himself making any mistakes during his endlessly dreary duties as he escorted House Restelo's caravans back and forth between Hoburns and Canta.
"We're moving you to B Company," Sir Luis told him.
Liam stared at the powerfully-built man, who looked comically out of place behind his tiny desk. The desk was in a tent off to the side of the main administrative area of the camp, which had been built on a platform under a public pavilion. From what he could see, the tent and those nearby were where the more sensitive aspects of the labour camp's operations were discussed.
"May I ask why, sir?"
"Most would jump at the opportunity to join B Company without question," Sir Luis noted, "but maybe I should have expected this from you. Duerte says you've been carrying your tasks not without question, but without fail. Why is that?"
"…because that's my job, sir?"
"…just to be certain, you didn't dream of becoming a soldier growing up, did you?"
He wasn't sure if he had any dreams of the future growing up. Reality occupied his every breathing moment.
"No, sir."
"Then my question stands: why?"