Prologue~

"This is a huge problem," she muttered, tapping a few keys on the expansive board surrounding her. "It was a mistake to put your idea into action. Having third graders form BLU and RED teams, assign them classes and go as far to have them fight against each other? Mr. Youngblood, do you realize what's going to happen right?"

The large screen behind her displayed two teams, children smiling and laughing, determined to win. It was obvious which was on RED and BLU, their colored apparel making it clearly evident. They weren't exactly wielding weapons, but toy guns, inflatable bats, and non-dangerous playful bombs were being used, making it all too obvious. All too similar to Blutarch and Redmond's rivalries between each other. It just wasn't right. Mr. Youngblood slowly nodded his expression blank. He feared for his students. "They were the only group who got to participate in it. A parent complained on how it seemed too brutal and we put a stop to it right away miss. I bet these kids don't even remember those days. Plus it was only for those who signed up for the games."

She shot him a dark glare, folding her hands in her lap. "It isn't acceptable!" she retorted. "You know too much about TF Industries and abused the knowledge!"

The man stiffened, regretting of what he did in the past. Those littlie games were almost identical to the battle between the Mann brothers. Redmond recruited nine deadly mercenaries to fight with the nine mercenaries his brother recruited. Five days a week, those mercenaries were placed into RED and BLU teams, killing each other for great pay, with the exception of respawning after being killed. The teams were however, surprisingly matched, and the feud between the two siblings continued as one tried to outlive the other through life extending machines, which barely kept them breathing.

The littlie games that were imposed on that year were exactly the same as the Mann brother's feuds, the children "dying" after being touched by a weapon, and respawning in a separate location to keep fighting till the time was up. Based on the number of kills and efficiency, they were paid with prizes, whether it was simple cash pay or toys. Mr. Youngblood bit his lip. He knew she was running out of patience. "You still never said what would happen…"

"Ah yes." She switched the screens back to the bases, which were monitoring the mercenaries. "I have chosen nine kids, who will become apprentices for the RED team. They don't know yet about them. Obviously, you know what becomes of them."

On the screen displayed third graders, although their appearances might as well have been changed over the years they have grown up. His body went rigid and he could feel the color draining from his face. It was nine out of what? The hundred plus students. It wasn't a lot, yet he opposed the idea of placing one student in, let alone nine. Were there going to be nine more for the men on BLU? He didn't want to ask.

He didn't want to know.

It was obvious the Mann brothers found out about Youngblood's games for the children and found it amusing to watch them mimic the mercenaries. The bloody battles between RED and BLU were somewhat well known around adults and older teenagers, but people usually ignored it or stuck to one side.

She remained silent, her snakelike glare unbearable. Scratching the back of his neck, Youngblood took a deep breath. "I suppose that is all?" he whispered. "Or can you tell me how they will end up being with RED? I doubt their parents or guardians will allow this. If I do say so myself, they are still rather too young to work at this sort of job..."

"Does it look like I'm stupid?!" she sneered, folding her legs. "I have my ways. I guess you'll have fun watching them cope. Any more questions Mr. Youngblood?"

"No."

She swiveled around in her chair, ceasing to pay him anymore attention. After all, she had no intention of talking to him again. A bastard.

That's what he was.

Mr. Youngblood gave the woman one more glance before leaving.

11:30 PM.

It was late. Geez, he thought, lazily draping his coat over a chair. He had students to teach the next day and he most definitely didn't want to fall asleep on top of them. He had almost fallen asleep up the elevator and was stumbling across the hallway to his apartment, repeatedly poking the key incorrectly into the door keyhole till he finally got it right. "Dammit," he cursed, as he spotted his bedroom door ajar, lights on. "Did I seriously leave the lights on?"

Mr. Youngblood ran a hand through his damp brown hair, sighing. Walking in, he shut the door behind him. Sometimes, he wished a teleporter could be just provided anywhere. Unfortunately the teleporters of today weren't as cheap. "Hello there."

Youngblood's eyes snapped open, focusing on the woman sitting on the edge of his bed. Black hair tied into a loose low bun, glasses framing her soft brown eyes, and purple dress hugging her body. Miss Pauling smiled shyly, waving. "How the fuck…."

She said nothing, patting the spot next to her. "Haven't seen you in so long."

Youngblood managed a weak smile, but he wasn't up for midnight fun and games. His smile melted away in seconds. "Get out," he snarled. He didn't care anymore. All he wanted was sleep and to forget everything. Eradicate the past conservations from his brain. "Don't know how the hell you got into the apartment, but Pauling, you better get out. I'm not in the fucking mood."

Her grin still remained, and her eyes held an innocent glaze. "Neither is the Administrator."

He froze, eyes widening. "Do I need to show you to the door, Pauling?"

"She isn't exactly happy with you." She stood up, smoothing down the crinkles in her purple attire. She had a messenger bag slung over her shoulder, one hand reaching inside. She was a beautiful woman, and Youngblood wanted to hit himself for yelling at her. "Pierre…"

The man stiffened with horror as she pulled a large knife from the bag. Energy rushed back into his system, his fist lunging for her face. Miss Pauling ducked, plunging the blade.

"Pierre Youngblood…" she whispered.

She pulled the blade out of his body with one swift movement, stuffing it into her bag. "The Administrator wasn't really happy with you. She could sense you would protect those children. There was simply no use for you anymore." She leaned forward, planting a kiss on his forehead. "G'night Mr. Youngblood."

She took one glance at him before exiting the bedroom. She withdrew a cellphone out of her bag, tapping in a number. It rang for a few moments, till the Administrator's icy voice streamed in. "Yes," she replied. "Actually, I thought the Director was easier to kill. Pierre actually had the nerve to lunge at me." The Director was another victim, a filmmaker used by the Administrator to spy on the mercenaries for anything she possibly could use against them in the future. After keeping the employees in check, she ordered Miss Pauling to kill him.

She leaned against the doorframe, nodding. "You sure you want me to leave the body here? …okay."

Miss Pauling nodded then sighed, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. Turning off the lights, she eased out of the ajar apartment door, making a slow walk to the elevator. She smiled.

Her work for today was completed.