I looked through the window of the plane below me at the landing spot of the military private jet. I played with my old weathered pendant bracelet on my right hand, trying to calm my inner nerves.
'Lifetimes could pass before I would ever hear a "Good Job Solider" after this assignment'
The jet landed smoothly as I took a breath and stood straight, almost hitting the ceiling of the rather large aircraft itself. I quickly grabbed my things from the overhead compartments, and straightened my military suit and cap as the door slowly opened, tucking a stray strand of hair back into the low light hair bun.
A cold breeze nipped my nose, and the air moved my hair as I looked at the familiar snow covered land . It was filled with the most horrid memories I could think of and it was just part of my life now. Not batting an eye to anything that went on during my sentence to serve the government. My emotionless face looked straight towards a man as I climbed the stairs down the jet. Two Navy Seals stood by his side guarding him. He was dressed lightly surprising since the weather this time of the year reached negative forty.
The General of this facility or more informally known as "father" had his arms crossed over his chest. He was a handsome man, a prideful man, and a man no doubt. Well built with dark blond hair that was always slicked back heavily with gel, determined sharp green eyes and under my honor, he did not look over 25.
As I looked at his face, his eyes contained an untamed anger. I didn't know what to anticipate but I was ready for a fight if needed. After all these years the general was both bark and bite, everyone respected him not only because he was in charge of 15 of 14 sectors, and second to the man in charge, but his presence was what made him The General. I may not be known as his daughter but I am known as his shadow and the only one remaining from a failed experiment long ago.
I looked up at his narrowed eyes scanning my face for any signs of discomfort or weakness. I stood my ground knowing he wouldn't find it, and even if I was scared, he would never see it in my eyes.
We stared at each other for quite a while. Then he spoke coldly. "Grab this maggot's things, we're late. Tch...you disgust me. " He turned sharply with his heels as the two soldiers took my things and we walked hastily. Passing through the facility and the rush of agents was as busy as usual. I was used to this, and still blames me for an accident that happened long ago.
I looked at him as he walked ahead. Clearly he was upset about something, I could tell as his hands were balled up into fists on his sides. 'Not good, something bad might be going on somewhere. Seems like business never ends.' I sighed as not 5 minutes from coming back a mission, a meeting was being held with the Federation of International Unanimous Protection Agency (FIUPA).
Watching people debating is usually entertaining, and obviously I have a different perspective than them. The don't usually know that what they say most of the time only benefits them and not the people of their country. I on rare occasions am called upon as one of my well known specifications are economics and socio-political matters.
My studies comprise of higher level collage materials not because I am deemed intelligent but my curriculum here on the base is at a whole another level than the rest of the world. Before even entering, my ears picked up the faint sound of people talking inside the large meeting room. We turned a corner and walked through the large doors. The large room was filled with commotion as voices bounced back and forth from their lips. People from around the world were sitting at a large round table, some with translators, others without. The majority of them had angry faces, and I heard some of their conversations.
"We can't help you, it's too risky."
"We're sorry, We can't risk any more innocent people, much less a whole army."
"Look here comes the General, maybe he can come up with something. But who's that with him?"
"You don't know who that is? That's the General's daughter, she's the youngest person to ever work for the government."
"You mean to say that's Kira Alexander? The Kira Alexander?"
"You bet your oil industry that's her."
"Please, will someone just come to an arrangement, I am running out of time."
The General was composed and walked heavily with each step. "Now everyone, settle down, we shall see what can we do to solve this problem." I walked behind him in silence and sat at the large round table filled with representatives from different countries. Some people did stare, and talked amongst their neighbors. I stood next to him as I waited for him to gesture me to take a seat.
As we took our seats, the general whispered into my ear. "Know your place maggot." With that, he regained his honorable composure, and the meeting began.
A few hours later...
"One of your schools is being targeted you say?" Said the General as he rubbed his chin in deep consideration. His tone of voice meant he was seriously taking it into consideration which caught me by surprise. Although business is business and everyone at this table is here to make the world a better place.
"Yes, and it's no use for us, we tried to track them down with the most advanced technology we have, but it seems like they just vanished from the face of the earth, and the attacks won't stop. We won't be able to fight them off our selfs. We have received recent information, and they plan on doing something soon, but we still haven't gotten any word on what. They are taunting us." Japan's representative said with a determined expression.
"We have skilled agents here at the base, I am sure they are more than welcome to help you." Said the general as he stood from his chair. I listened attentively to each word as everyone looked at the General.
"There is no need, everyone here had deliberated before you came. Like you General Barrett we pride ourselves in what we believe in and our special forces but we cannot find ourselves finding conflict with these beings who threaten our fellow companion. All of us have already decided a candidate for this mission." England spoke and as I looked around the table as their eyes seemed to lock in our area.
"Oh, is that so? And who may that be?" The General said as he looked at me.
The Japanese representative spoke as the rest of the room silenced.
"The only person who has survived from your Top Secret Program you started 40 years ago."
"It was discussed that that project will never be brought up again!"
He slammed his hands on the marble table cracking it slightly as I looked at my hands without reacting to his backlash.
He then sat down and composed himself and looked at me. I could see his glare from the corner of my eyes.
"You are dismissed." I stood quickly and without a second thought, came out of the board room, more surprised than scared. I was surprised that someone knew of my duties, but I couldn't celebrate just yet because I didn't know what was going to go on after that meeting ended.
So to get my mind off of things and the only thing that made living here livable was my good teacher/ ex Air Force lieutenant: Lieutenant James Francoeur.
He left for a year for duties and then just as I had been deployed for my mission he was said to come back the next day. It had been too long since I've seen him, and just being around him made me feel human. I feel like I had a stronger connection to him than father.
I ended taking the longer route as I walked down the busier sections of the facility and no one particularly knows me but when they see my badge automatically know I am not to be approached. I keep walking and the amount of people become less and less until I am in an "abandoned sector" of the facility where I live.
But walking to where Francoeur's office is, I reached his door with a hidden anticipation. As I opened it my mouth quickly became dry. The small art room I had frequently walked to growing up, was empty. Closing the door, I realized two possible reasons why he probably wasn't here. He was put in charge of a mission, or he was discharged.
I walked back a few steps and made my way the long way back to my corridors. When I thought about it I was finally alone in a place where no one would even know my name. I reached my front door when it was open, at first my eyes widened as the familiar scent of coffee was in the air and I opened the door quickly. It caught me off guard for a second. "General Alexander Sir." I responded to the General in a salute.
"At ease." His voice cold as usual. I closed the door and stepped inside.
"The meeting sir?" I said quietly and he huffed.
"They didn't take no for an answer that's all I have to say." He sighed and rubbed his temple as if I had given him the headache. "You are to leave in 0' 2,400 hours. You will be given information on your task and that is all the information I have for you." He said as stood and narrowed his eyes. "Yes sir, I shall get ready." I said without a second thought.
"Oh and Kira." "Yes sir?" I responded quickly. "You're going to have to attend as a boy, I'm sure that shouldn't be a problem." Walking past me, without looking back he walked with his hands behind his back and sighed.
I looked at him seriously, not moving a muscle as he chuckled as if me attending as a boy gave him some sort of gratification. He left and closed my door hard. Staring at the door for a while I looked at my watch and rubbed my face. I was to be diploid to Japan in 24 hours. I opened my closet, and packed the small amount of clothes that were worn from the many times I had used them, and shoes as I put them in the suitcase I had brought from my mission. Knowing that the technology I had been developing out of sheet boredom I had to get it somehow before being deployed. That's what I did next was go to my tech room and download all the information I had acquired throughout the years and uploading it to a laptop I built.
Walking back to my small room which was a 7x7 minimalistic room which was large enough to suffice I took a shower in the corner of the room. I changed and looked around me. I was not sure how long I was going to stay in Japan, but it was going to be a long time. I walked towards a picture of James and I when I was smaller. Looking at the picture, my stoic face softened as I stared at the younger version of me. Glossy hollow looking eyes staring at the person who took the picture and next to her a smiling teacher who was hugging her.
I set it down, and once I packed everything up tried to fall asleep. The concrete wall was cold as the wind shook my window in the dead of winter and somehow I managed to fall asleep in the cold.
.
.
.
A few hours later...
I woke up before my alarm as I grabbed my things, changed, and exited my quarters in haste and in front of me was the General. "Sir." I saluted and he began to walk as I followed behind him. He then spoke in a quiet tone.
"You know what I want from you Kira. Keep my reputation in mind. This might be your longest mission yet, depending how fast you can track down this threat." He sighed as his cell rung and he resumed with making and taking calls.
The walk to the outside air department was one of the longest in my life and it usually wasn't. I wasn't instructed what to wear, and I did not really know so the only thing I did know what to wear was something warm.
I wore my old khaki combat boots, some thick khaki pants, a white long sleeve turtle neck, with a protective winter green tanker jacket and blue scarf. I didn't mind the cold but wearing something comfortable was much needed. He then was handed a manilla folder and we stepped outside to the snowy environment.
I saw the aircraft and before I could enter he stopped in front of the steps and turned to look at me. He didn't say anything he just nodded his head, and stepped aside and I began to ascend to the aircraft. I then boarded the private jet, as I took a notice, the plane was a new design, and unlike a normal aircraft, this one didn't make a sound, it just hummed.
As it took off, didn't feel a thing. I looked out the window and sat back comfortably into the seat.
.
.
.
"You need to find them"
A voice said and before I knew it I woke up.
I narrowed my eyes not knowing where the voice came from nor have I ever remember hearing it before. I shook my head and looked outside at the ocean as we still had 3 hours to reach Japan.
"Remember Kira, they didn't send me to start the race, they sent me to finish it."
I was taken care for and before I knew it the jet arrived to a private airport. Just as we landed we didn't waste any time, and went directly to an operative agent that knew of our secret services.
I was escorted with guards that walked next to me. I didn't have to carry my bags which was a surprise but that was the least of my worries. We journeyed in a limo to a very tall business building which was clearly in organization with FIUPA . Entering a very modern building, the operative greeted me . "Good morning Miss. Alexander. I am the sectors director of protection and was informed of your arrival. I do hope your flight was well. " He greeted with a bow."It was thank you Director." I bowed back respectably and in Japanese.
"Come, we have much to discuss in a short time." He said as we walked further into the building. I looked around and saw a father and what looked like his son talking to a high ranking officer of some sort, and I passed the son as I could feel his gaze on my back. I ignored it as we disappeared around a corner where his office was held. Flags were displayed on the walls and he took a seat in a big leather chair and one of his agents directed me to mine.
"Finally we get to meet . We were fortunate to be told of your duties, and might I say that I am absolutely astounded. I want to thank you for coming here and helping us at our time of need. As you may know, the reason we wanted you here, is because we were informed of the duties and your success rate is at a 97%. For someone your age to accomplish so much, and to be here in our time of need is most honorable."
I nodded my head already expecting what he was going to tell me. "Now your objective is to safe keep and protect students at this prestigious school. The Ouran Private Academy is being targeted by an unknown insurgent group. We need you to figure out who they are, and stop them." He explained.
"Tell me everything I need to know." I said confidently. The minister was brief in explaining, and I listened attentively, soaking up all the information. Soon after, I was in a car heading to my assigned headquarters.
Luckily I had the advantage of growing up with men, so for me, it's going to be easier for me to fit in. Also having a semi low voice was going to be an advantage, but I wasn't looking forward to it. I know I had to change my appearance for this mission, as I sighed a breath of relief, and I had to be aware of my surroundings to make sure nothing can hinder or disturb my mission.
We reached a small suburban area and passed some apartment complexes. We went farther out and there was much more forest than buildings. As I tried to look in front of me, it seemed like we were going to turn left and crash into trees, but just as I was about to yell I sneezed and we turned to a clear paved street with houses that looked new, and were fenced. I sighed in relief, and furrowed my brows at what just happened.
'Maybe it was an optical illusion. Yeah, that's what it was, my eyesight was distorted and I couldn't see the opening of the street.' I looked at the houses we were passing by, and we reached a house at the very end of the street on the left side. Looking at it from the window of the passenger seat, I couldn't really see the house except for the roof. It had a tall black rusted metal fence that was covered with green plants, and behind it seemed like the forest was going to consume the home.
"This is it." Said the driver. He opened my door and got my luggage out and I looked at him as he handed me my things. His eyes were covered with sunglasses, but other than that he looked pretty young. I didn't respond and tucked my hair out of the way. "Thank you very much." I said and took out the keys that I was given by the director. Looking at my keys in my hand and back to the home in front of me. "There's no turning back now." I clutched the keys as I took my first steps into a new mission.