Page 106 of Rescuing Mia
I nod, blinking back tears.
“It was like my whole world had been turned upside down. Everything I thought I knew, everything I dedicated my life to... it was all a lie. And the worst part was, I had no idea how far up the chain of command the corruption extended.”
Mitzy sets the tablet down, her expression grave. “But you didn’t stop. You kept digging, kept searching for the truth.”
I take a shuddering breath, the weight of my actions settling heavily on my shoulders.
“I had to. I couldn’t just turn a blind eye, not when I knew what was at stake. But the more I uncovered, the more dangerous it became. I was risking everything, but I couldn’t stop. Not until I had the whole picture, not until I had the evidence to prove what was really going on.”
Skye squeezes my hand, her voice filled with quiet strength. “And that’s exactly what you did. You risked everything to bring the truth to light, and that takes an incredible amount of courage.”
I look up at her, a small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.
“I just did what anyone would have done in my position.”
But even as I say the words, I know they’re not true.
Not everyone would have had the strength to keep going, to keep fighting in the face of such overwhelming odds.
The room falls silent, the only sound the soft hum of the ship’s engines and the occasional creaking of the hull. I watch as Mitzy works, her fingers flying across the keyboard, her eyes darting back and forth as she scans the information on the screen.
“Mia, what does this character mean?” Mitzy tilts my tablet to show me the screen: ??.
“That’sshàobing.”
“Shàobing?What does it mean?”
“Loosely?” I pause, considering the translation into English. “Translation into English isn’t always precise, butshàobingmeans sentry or sentinel.”
Mitzy suddenly stops. Her eyes widen and a look of disbelief washes over her features. She leans in close as if trying to confirm what she’s seeing. I glance over at Skye and see the same tension mirrored in her expression. She meets my gaze, a silent question passing between us.
“What is it?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Mia—have you seen this symbol before?” Mitzy takes a deep breath, her eyes still glued to the screen.
“Yes. It was on the card key that was used to access our deuterium supply locker. It’s not a Red Phoenix department. At least, not one I’ve heard of before.”
Mitzy looks to Skye. “I’ve seen it before. Honestly, I didn’t recognize it as a symbol. It was just some lines scratched into… Well, that doesn’t matter.”
“Sentinel?” Skye leans forward, her brow furrowed. “You don’t think…”
“I prefer not jumping to conclusions, but…” Mitzy leans back, cupping her chin. “I just don’t know.”
“The meaning can change depending on context and syntax. Sometimes, it can refer to a lookout or scout, someone who keeps watch for danger, but in other contexts, it can have a more militaristic connotation, like a guardian or defender. Or it can be a sentry. Or sentinel.”
Mitzy’s eyes narrow, her expression calculating. “And in the context of these files? The deuterium shipments?”
I pause, my mind whirling as I try to piece together the fragments of information.
“In the files, the character is often paired with other symbols and codes. It seemed to be part of a larger system, a way of identifyingcertain shipments or transactions. I think… I think it might be a codename. A way for Red Phoenix to communicate with their partners or buyers without raising suspicion.”
Skye’s eyes widen, her voice low and urgent. “Partners? Buyers? You mean—for the deuterium?”
I nod, my throat tight. “I didn’t understand it then, but looking back—it makes sense. The excess deuterium, the encrypted files, the coded messages… It was all part of a larger operation. A way to move the deuterium without anyone knowing.”
Mitzy’s jaw clenches, her eyes blazing.
A chill runs down my spine. Mitzy would be a fierce opponent. I’m glad she’s on my side, and I try to make myself as useful as possible.