Fall of the Spectrum

Chapter Twenty-Seven, Part Two

Athena rose from her seat. "Have a care, Commander. Though Lord Zeus has permitted you to speak, you would do well to remember your place. However," she added, turning her gaze on Hercules, "you are right. No matter what her reasons, Iris's choices are her own and as such, no one else should be held accountable for them. For the record, I do not believe her actions had anything to do with matters of romance. I'm sure all on the council will agree that if we were to look back on that time period, we would see that her defection was inevitable."

Gwen caught Athena's fleeting gaze in Hera's direction and immediately understood. Judging from Hera's expression, she had seen it too—and was far from pleased.

From what little Gwen had learned from Lyka, Iris had once served as Hera's messenger and personal aide. Apparently, Iris had been ambitious, wishing to someday be made commander of one of the Regulations Force's units. For whatever reason, Hera had repeatedly denied her this opportunity, and it was this that had led to Iris's eventual defection.

Even still, Gwen couldn't see sense in Athena putting the blame on Hera's shoulders, however subtly she may have done it. If Iris truly was as ambitious as Lyka had said—and judging by her current status as enemy to the Spectrum, she was—then giving her the position of power she had wanted would never have been enough. No matter what choice Hera had made, Iris would have found some way to exploit it.

Gwen would have said this aloud, had she been permitted to take part in the trial instead of just observe it. When she returned her attention to the Upper Echelon's tier, however, she knew it would have only made things worse. Even if Hera had caught Athena's implication, the rest of the council seemed blissfully unaware. Murmured discussions had broken out on all three levels, as well as among the operatives seated on either side of her.

"It seems there is dissention in the ranks," Forneus murmured, his gaze flickering from Gwen to Phenex.

"Can't say I like where this is going," replied Phenex, hands clenching in his lap. "At this rate, Zeus will just have them skip right over the testimonials and go straight to the verdict."

"Against his own son?" Gwen couldn't contain her surprise, lowering her voice when she noticed the curious glances of those around her. "I don't get it. Why is he so determined to find one of his own children guilty?"

Phenex snorted. "Zeus isn't exactly a 'family man', if you get my drift," he said. "Not all of the stories you've heard are based in fact, this much is true. But Zeus's history of infidelity and bouts of irrational smiting? That your story books got right."

"Of course, much has changed since then," Forneus added, giving Phenex a pointed look. "His unification with Hera has never been stronger. However—"

Gwen didn't get to hear the rest. At a gesture from Zeus, the buzz of conversation lapsed into total silence, everyone turning from gossiping with their neighbours to look at the council tiers high above them.

"The High Council has decided at this time to take a brief recess while we discuss the testimony brought before us thus far." Zeus turned his attention toward the assembly's front row, Gwen experiencing a thrill of fear when his gaze passed over her to rest on Asclepius. "The trial will reconvene in thirty minutes, at which time those who support Hercules' claim of innocence will be granted their chance to speak."

With that, everyone began filing out of the chamber. As bodies jostled her from side to side, Gwen couldn't ignore the seed of apprehension that had begun to grow inside of her, wondering what was in store for Hercules if the council found him guilty.

And that if they did, if what they were dispensing could really be called justice.

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