Chapter One: The Meeting
Social Welfare Agency ("the Agency") Complex, Undisclosed location, Italy
"Morning Giuse," called Priscilla upon seeing a rather overly serious- looking man in the corridor. "How are the girls?" she continued.
"Henrietta's in her room," Giuse replied. "I gave her a day-off today so she can just rest or do whatever she wants...within the Agency of course."
"You really are spoiling her, eh, Giuse?" Priscilla teased giving a rascal smile.
Giuse didn't react, instead he continued to stride slowly with Priscilla.
"Oh, come on Giuse, you're always too serious, I was just kidding!"
"Well, what could I do? We were supposed to have CQB training today but Chief Lorenzo called in an emergency meeting. So I didn't know what else to give Henrietta to do." Giuse explained in response.
"That's nice of you though...anyway, what do you think's going on? Another Padania threat?" Priscilla wondered.
"Who knows? They're always up to something and the Agency's always up to something to..." Giuse's voice faded as they reached the meeting room. Upon entering, not only the other Handlers (Jean, Marco, and Hirscher), certain members of Sections 1 and 2, and Chief Lorenzo were there. To Giuse's surprise there was also Madame Monica Petris-Italy's Minister of Defense and overseer of the Agency.
Both the new arrivals straightened up but Chief Lorenzo quickly motioned them to the empty chairs. As soon as they sat down, Madame Petris spoke.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Chief Lorenzo, Chief Draghi, good morning. I am sorry for this rather surprise meeting but there is something I need to discuss with you...
"You see, the Agency is not the only institution of its kind out there...There are also some institutions that are like it though with their differences..." Madame Petris continued. At those words, the Handlers were visibly uncomfortable. Other agencies like us using girls as weapons? They thought.
"One of such agencies," spoke Madame Petris, "is the Seishou Academy in Japan. Like us, the Academy trains young 'girls' as weapons. Unlike us, their 'girls' are not full human beings but are 'guns personified' so they speak...
"Even I get confused how that can be possible but the way I understand it is like it is the 'hypostatic union' of two natures in one being if you remember your philosophy and theology...We are after all, in Italy...
"In any case, here is the Academy's profile and some pertinent information," she handed them folders marked as "Classified". As she spoke, the staff browsed through the folders.
This is weird, Giuse thought, I never knew such...beings exist...Madame Petris' voice quickly brought him back to the room.
"Do you remember the Defence Summit we had with the Japanese PM and Defence Minister last week? One of the agreements included in the final treaty was partnership between the Agency and the Academy. Practically, this means co-training with the Academy. In short, an exchange student program."
Uncomfortable murmurs filled the room immediately. Some were too eager to voice their opinions.
"But Madame! We are not some ordinary school! This is unacceptable!" Chief Draghi
"Would you like the Agency to be compromised?!" complained another from Section 1.
"Enough!" Madame Petris shouted. "Don't forget who is overseeing the Agency and who is in charge of your federal funds," she further warned. With that, everyone fell quiet. Apparently, the administrators were sensitive with the issue of money the Agency's budget being reduced in the last five years due to Italy's deficit.
"Think of it this way: this will be the perfect opportunity to widen our intelligence, counter-intelligence, technological, and combat knowledge. If all goes well, this cooperation may be regularized and bear fruit. And as for the worries of leakage...
"I will directly supervise this program and I will also be directly liable to the PM. Besides, we also hold the Academy in their necks, so to speak."
"Madame Minister, if you will, I have a question," said Hirscher. The Minister nodded her agreement and so Hirscher asked, "who will get to be sent to that Academy?"
"Good question," replied Madame Petris, "each one of the girls is highly capable. Therefore, it would be unfair if we simply pick one. We have to give each one of them an equal chance. Thus, we'll use an old-fashioned method: drawing lots." With that, she took from her bag a small box. "The box contains the names of the girls. Obviously, who gets picked goes. Ms. Ferro, would you please do the honors."
As the strait-laced agent approached the box, the Handlers were nervous. Not one of them was willing to give up their sorella, particularly Giuse who had developed quite a special care on Henrietta.
Ferro approached the box and shook it. She inserted her left hand and picked the paper her hand first found. The agent then drew her hand.
The paper read "RICO".