Page 71 of My Tiny Giant
With both army officials being of the same rank and having equally large egos, the situation was tricky. In the Ravil Army, the rank of general was higher than in the Voranian. General Hicrai had more authority, being the head of the entire Ravil Army. However, since we were in Voran, General Craxus held more power over things locally.
In any case, there were definitely too many generals in the room for my liking.
“It was my fault the lieutenant failed to appear at his evaluation yesterday,” I was hardly lying—Agan had spent the day with me. “It won’t happen again.”
“Emma,” Agan scolded me softly, tugging at my ear. “General, in no way is Lieutenant Nowak to blame for my actions. I have little trust in further lab procedures and no desire to be the subject of further evaluations, especially since there is no guarantee for any of it to help me return to my previous size.”
General Hicrai faced him. “We believe that the medical evaluations are in the interests of the Ravil Army. As a Ravil warrior it is your duty to submit to them.”
“With all due respect, General,” I objected. “Since the evaluations are performed by the Voranian government—”
“I strongly suggest you remain out of it,” General Hicrai cut me off. “None of it falls under the jurisdiction of Earth. In fact, there is no reason for you to be here at all.”
“Lieutenant Nowak brought me here, General,” Agan said louder. “She is the one who will get me out of here when all this stuff is over.”
I didn’t know what exactly constituted insubordination in Ravil Army, but I was certain that if Agan hadn’t crossed that line yet, he most definitely was treading dangerously close to it. If his behavior resulted in disciplinary actions against him, we risked being separated one way or the other.
“I beg your pardon, everyone, but we need to start,” the Voranian in white coveralls interjected.
Both generals stared at him then back at Agan and me.
“Before anything starts, I need to know I’ll be allowed to leave as soon as he is done with me.” Agan gestured at the man in the coveralls.
“You’re not the one making decisions here,” General Hicrai snapped in reply.
I quietly touched Agan’s foot on my shoulder.
“Well.” He folded his arms across his chest. “If you ever plan to use me for any mission again—”
General Craxus stopped him with a gesture then exchanged a look with the Ravil general.
“Give me your promise you’ll be here the same time tomorrow,” General Craxus demanded.
“If you let me leave today, I’ll come back tomorrow,” Agan conceded, with not much enthusiasm.
“We’re ready for you, Lieutenant.” The one who looked like a lab technician quickly moved in, eager to get going.
General Hicrai glowered at both Voranians but didn’t contradict them. Instead, he hissed at Agan, “From now on, make sure you’re on time, Lieutenant Drankai. Every. Single. Day.”
I stepped around him on my way to the gurney hovering nearby.
“Have a seat, please,” The Voranian in the coveralls invited Agan.
I flattened my hand, allowing Agan to step on it, then lowered him to the gurney where he walked off my hand onto the white padded surface.
With a soft humming noise, the gurney came into motion, gliding toward the wide-open double doors. I moved to follow, but General Craxus stopped me by placing his hand on my shoulder.
“I would ask you to remain here,” he said.
“Why?” I anxiously glanced over his shoulder, keeping my eye on Agan.
“For a number of reasons. The main one being that your presence in the lab is completely unnecessary.”
He was right, of course. I wasn’t a scientist or a medical professional. Neither was I a relative of Agan to insist on my accompanying him.
“Agan!” I called as the gurney was about to disappear through the doors. “I’ll wait right here for you. Okay?”
“I’ll be fine, Eleven.” He lifted a hand, giving me a wave.