noveltune Chapter 209: Interrogation
Chapter 209: Interrogation
Amanda was displeased, and for good reason.
Kyle had only been injured that afternoon, yet less than half a day later, he was already being subjected to questioning.
And it certainly didn’t help that the people involved were from the capital.
Had they been officers from the Montclair Base, no one would have dared step into this room. Not while Veronica remained commander.
Unfortunately, Amanda knew this was beyond even Veronica’s authority.
In this matter, there was nothing she, Veronica, or anyone else could do.
Kyle let out a quiet sigh before saying, "I am good now. Just get me some water."
Amanda nodded and closed the lunch pod’s lid.
As she turned around, she found Layena standing nearby with a glass of water in hand, her expression visibly tense.
Amanda gave her a small nod before taking the glass and handing it to Kyle.
Meanwhile, one of the three officers pulled a chair over and sat across from him, while the remaining two stayed on either side of the door, standing like silent sentinels.
They wore black uniforms, their hats pulled low enough to conceal their eyes. A golden eagle insignia gleamed on each of their chests, while tricolored strips ran neatly along their shoulders.
Their posture was impeccable.
And when they moved, Kyle didn’t hear so much as a single footstep.
They looked less like officers and more like personal guards assigned to the man seated across from him.
Coming to the one seated, the man appeared to be in his early forties. Fine wrinkles lined the corners of his drooping eyes, while his face was slightly long and lean. His frame was thin, his hair an ashy shade of gray.
Despite the circumstances, he sat comfortably in his chair, almost leisurely, one leg crossed over the other.
His expression was warm.
Welcoming, even.
"Cadet Kyle," he began, his tone courteous, "I am fully aware that my visit is rather inconsiderate given your condition. However, as fate would have it, I am currently in Montclair, and my return flight departs in a little under an hour. I believed it best to conclude this matter while the opportunity presented itself."
Kyle gave a small nod before asking, "And who are you?"
He didn’t hesitate despite sensing that the man held a position of considerable authority.
The man’s smile deepened slightly.
"How careless of me."
Placing a hand over his chest, he inclined his head a fraction.
"My name is Pascal Cyrus. I serve as the Deputy Chief of the Surveillance Department and, on occasion, as a counselor. As for how you address me, I shall leave that entirely to your discretion."
Kyle nodded.
"I am Astortia Kyle. May I ask something before you begin questioning me?"
Blake was, admittedly, a little taken aback.
The younger Astortia had barely interacted with many people outside his immediate circle for most of his life. And recently, he had been very isolated and cooped up in his world.
Circumstances like that tend to make people socially awkward.
Yet in just a few years, Kyle had met all kinds of individuals, and now he was handling himself remarkably well in front of someone of Cyrus’ stature.
There was no hesitation in his voice.
No visible nervousness either.
Cyrus responded with a small nod.
"Certainly. Please, ask whatever is on your mind, Cadet."
Kyle didn’t keep him waiting.
"Why are mere hitmen capable of possessing tools that can suppress the surveillance systems of the only organization protecting humanity from the Knull?"
The question silenced the room.
Layena instinctively straightened, a flicker of nervousness crossing her face. Even so, she was eager to hear the answer.
Blake, meanwhile, studied Cyrus carefully.
The man was famous for his composure.
More importantly, he was regarded as a master manipulator, someone capable of extracting information with nothing more than patience, courtesy, and a well-timed question.
But this was different.
This wasn’t an interrogation.
It was a question directed at the Corps itself.
A challenge to its competence.
And Blake was genuinely curious to see how the Deputy Chief would respond.
"Hmm."
Cyrus interlocked his fingers over one knee, his expression remaining unchanged.
"I will not take refuge behind the excuse that this was merely an anomalous incident. Especially when a similar occurrence has already transpired twice within the span of a single month."
His voice remained calm and measured. Almost conversational.
"To describe it as a failure on our part would be both reasonable and fair."
For a brief moment, his gaze drifted past Kyle, as though looking at something far beyond the walls of the room.
"Military-grade equipment has been stolen. Surveillance systems have been neutralized. If such incidents are allowed to continue unchecked, I can envision well over a hundred crimes capable of altering the course of this world."
His eyes returned to Kyle.
"And that, Cadet, is precisely why we are taking this matter very seriously."
Kyle leaned back slightly.
A part of him was satisfied.
Not because Cyrus had agreed with him, but because the man had openly acknowledged that the incident was a failure on their end.
No excuses.
No attempts to shift responsibility.
And the fact that he hadn’t been rattled by the accusation spoke more about his experience than his rank ever could.
After a brief silence, Kyle gave a small nod.
"You may ask whatever questions you have."
He had known this conversation was inevitable.
In fact, he had already discussed it with Blake beforehand.
His brother’s advice had been simple.
Tell the truth.
The Corps could very well have brought along a Truth-Seeker or a skill bearer capable of detecting lies, much like Blake himself.
Kyle had already used God’s Eye.
None of the three men were actively channeling Genesis.
Still, caution cost nothing.
"I appreciate your cooperation."
Cyrus uncrossed his legs and sat a little straighter. The warmth in his expression remained, but there was a subtle shift in his demeanor.
The counselor disappeared.
The investigator emerged.
"Then let us begin."
His eyes settled on Kyle.
"How did you survive an encounter with a Special Grade, Kyle?"
"..."
Straight for the throat.
Kyle almost admired the approach.
No probing questions or gradual build up.
No attempt to ease him into the interrogation.
The man had gone directly for the single question everyone wanted answered.
And judging by the silence that followed, everyone in the room was waiting for it.
Including Blake, Layena and maybe even Amanda?
He sighed. Here goes nothing.
°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading.