“Amelia,” Dr. Borgen said, his voice tense, “can you come to my house? There’s someone important here who wants to see you.”
“Okay, I’ll be right there.”
Amelia didn’t even hesitate. She trusted her mentor with her life.
She hung up and immediately headed to his house. But as soon as she arrived, something felt off. Two military vehicles were parked outside, and there were guards at the door. A chill ran down her spine—this was definitely serious.
Dr. Borgen’s wife opened the door before she could even knock. “Amelia, come in, quickly.”
Amelia glanced at the guards. “Is something wrong? Are there guests?”
Her mentor’s wife squeezed her hand, voice low. “It’s Mr. Wilson from the Defense Department and Ms. Tavon from Foreign Affairs. They’ve been in the study for about an hour. I think they’re here for you.”
Amelia’s mind raced. Why would officials that high up want to see her?
“I’ll go in now,” she said.
But her mentor’s wife caught her arm. “If they ask you to do something you don’t want to, just say no. Don’t worry about us.”
Amelia managed a faint smile. “I understand.”
She made her way to the study and knocked. “Dr. Borgen, it’s me.”
“Come in.”
She opened the door and saw her mentor, plus a man and a woman, both dressed in crisp suits, radiating authority.
Dr. Borgen introduced them. “Amelia, this is Mr. Wilson and Ms. Tavon.”
Amelia nodded politely. “Mr. Wilson, Ms. Tavon.”
They nodded back, eyes cool and assessing. After exchanging a look, Ms. Tavon stood up and walked over.
“Ms. Sadinton, I’ll get straight to the point. We’re short on time,” she said. “Your uncle Greg Robert was returning from an academic conference by boat with his students. Their ship was hijacked in the Gwen Sea. The last transmission we got placed them in the Banda war zone.”
Ms. Tavon added, “We’ve also pushed the local government. Their army will cooperate fully.”
Amelia took a shaky breath. “Can I have some time to think about it?”
“Of course,” Ms. Tavon said, checking her watch. “But we need your answer by six a.m. tomorrow at the latest.”
“Thank you…”
Ms. Tavon handed over her contact information, then paused at the door. “Ms. Sadinton, there are 316 hostages. Some of them are children. I know you’re a mother too…”
“Tavon!” Dr. Borgen cut her off, his voice cold. “Are you trying to guilt-trip her? That’s enough. Please leave.”
After they left, Dr. Borgen turned to Amelia, his face etched with worry.
“Amelia, if you don’t want to do this, no one will blame you. You’ve just started getting your life back together after everything you’ve been through. If I’m honest, I don’t want you to go. They promise your safety, but once you’re there, anything could happen. It’s not right, asking you to carry this kind of burden.”

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