A/N: New project, new possibilities! After a lot of thinking I decided to upload this one but the rate of uploads won 't be that frequent. At least until I finish the other.
The only thing I would be glad for is to leave a review on this chapter. It would help greatly in whether I should keep going or leave it until the other one is finished.
If you have any questions feel free to ask and I accept every sort of criticism.
Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 1: A new life
- Flare wake up already! It's 3 p.m.!
- Coming!
It seemed like it is going to be another usual day. Flare is a special harpy who works as a doctor for extra species. She's special because she doesn't forget anything - unlike the other of her kind who forgets almost everything after three steps. Also, she has four talons while other from her species have only three.
It's been two years since the Bill of Species happened. Until this, humans didn't know that the so called extra-species existed such as centaurs, lamias, mermaids, harpies and so on. Some of the extra species - the representatives - live with host families, so does Flare. She's been living with the Brown family in Swansea since the start of this. Her hosts, George and Zoe Brown had been very kind to her, they even allowed her to start her business at home. Today Flare had rush hours so she took a nap to relax a bit.
- Good afternoon Mrs. Brown. Back from work?
- Yes, I've just arrived. By the way, you have very important guests who wait in the living room for you.
- Guests? That's unusual. Well, I'll take a look, then.
She thought that only a few people wanted to see her. That made her scared and her snow white feathers rose up from this thought.
Ah, Flare, nice to see you!
The thought was right. Two humans sat on the couch. A man and a woman. The woman was Andrea Colt, her inspector. She is a tall and athletic woman with brown hair and blue eyes. She is kind but strict with a bit of wickedness in her eyes. She was wearing the agency's suit, as well as the man on her right. He's John Davis, Andrea's guard and personal assistant. He looks thin and pale and almost never speaks but has an enormous power due to the special training he does. Now both looked at Flare as she got into the room.
- Good afternoon Mrs. Colt, Mr. Davis! What brought you here?
- Actually, we would like to talk to you about something. - Mrs. Colt began. - We have a one-time offer for you.
- Oh, and what would it be?
- Do you know something about the M.O.N.?
- No, what's it?
- It's a task force made up from extra-species to hold the law on their half while police does the human law enforcement. Until this time extra-species with uhm, how should I put it, low brain capacity such as slimes, fauns and harpies weren't allowed in this task force but thanks to a new law, in special cases they can be recruited as well.
- And how do I come into the picture?
- Well, I thought you would be a great member because of three things.
- What would those be?
- Your intelligence, speed and your medical knowledge.
- O.K. maybe? What would be the benefits of joining?
- Nest, food, armory, training and naturally payment. You would be the medic and scout of the team. A team consists of four extra-species and a human, in this case me. So, what do you say?
- Can I have some time to think it over?
- Naturally. We'll be back tomorrow at the same time. So be good and think it over really well. See you tomorrow!
As they went out Mr. Davis whispered in a creepy tone:
- Think it over well Ms. Fenichs.
Nobody used her first name except him.
As night came she got even more frustrated, she couldn't eat a bite. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were afraid that something is wrong with her. So Mr. Brown asked:
- Flare are you O.K.?
- Yes, but I am scared of the offer that Mrs. Colt gave me in the afternoon. You are very kind people and I love being here with you but at the same time the idea of helping my own kind is very tempting.
- We love the time being spent with you as well but this offer is a serious thing to think it over. We're sorry but in this question we can't help you.
The rest of the dinner went on quietly. Because of the pressure on her she was awake all night. As she thought about leaving she started to cry but she had already made the decision. She is going to join the M.O.N. It was 4 o'clock in the morning when she cried herself into sleep.
Her alarm clock buzzed annoyingly. She only got 4 hours of sleep. She felt dizzy and her eyes were red from crying. As she got up, she noticed that it was unusually quiet. Every morning there were lots of patients who made a huge noise waiting for their appointment which usually starts at 8 o'clock. She quickly got dressed and flew out of her room. Somebody knocked on the door. As she opened it, she noticed that two men with the suit of the agency stood at the gate. That was the cause why the patients didn't come. She noticed the black van that was parking in front of the house. On the van, there was an emblem with the name M.O.N. under it. The hind doors of the van opened and Mrs. Colt and Mr. Davis got out of it. As they got closer Flare started to shake but quickly got over it.
- So, have you decided? - asked Mrs. Colt.
- Yes. I'm going to join the organization.
- Perfect! Now please pack your equipment. We'll wait for you in the living room.
As she packed her glasses filled with medicine and different types of venom, memories came into her mind. Memories about her host family, the patients and the fun they had in these two years. She was ready to go. As she pushed her luggage through the house - it is very difficult without hands - Mrs. Colt got there.
- Let me help you.
- Thanks.
Some of the guards helped to put the equipment and the luggage into the van. Then the guards, the inspector and the assistant got into the van and they started their journey to the British M.O.N. headquarters in London. Because of her wings, Flare couldn't get into the van, so she had only one choice: to fly all the way to London.
After a couple hundred kilometers they finally reached the headquarters. The people in the van were tired, but Flare wasn't. Harpies can fly over a thousand kilometers before they need to rest. The building was huge with the same emblem and writing. She couldn't see the logo on the van at home, but now she can clearly see it. It's the logo of the Earth with a hand on it. The fingers of the hand end in claws.
- So, Flare, do you want to take a tour?
- Why not?
- In the meantime your luggage and equipment will be brought up to your new room. Is that OK for you?
- Yes, it'd be great, thanks.
As they walked into the building Flare got excited. The hall was huge with statues of different extra-species on the sides. When they arrived at the reception a cat girl greeted them with a smile.
- Oh, good morning Mrs. Colt! Have you brought another fleeing harpy?
- No, that's not the case this time. Flare, she is Claire Catnip, our receptionist. Claire, her name is Flare Fenichs, the last member of my team.
- Wait a second Mrs. Colt. You're saying that this harpy is the trump card you were so fond of? Mrs. Colt, I really respect you but we all know that harpies just don't have the qualities - and brain size - to be in the organization.
With this, Claire started to laugh so hard, that she even cried.
- Don't laugh like a fool, Claire. It doesn't suit you. She is special.
- And how? Does she lay eggs like a chicken? We would really like to have one here. - Said Claire with a foolish grin.
- She can't lay eggs, she's sterile.
- Wait, what?
- Just shut up! You're annoying me quite a bit and if you say another word you will be fired! Understood!?
- Yes, ma'am. I am really sorry about what I have said. - Claire's face turned paler by every second.
Meanwhile Flare did that she usually does when she is puzzled. Her eyes opened wide like a hawk looks at its prey. As Claire turned to her to apologize, she noticed this and fainted. Mrs. Colt turned to her and was surprised as well but didn't faint because she knew that this was normal to Flare.
- And what should we do now with Claire?
- Just splash a bucket of water on her face.
- You're the medic here and you are saying that we should just splash some water on a nekonomi's face. Are you serious? Her kind hates water!
- Yes, I know, that's why I suggest it. It works as a shock therapy. She gets a little adrenaline and jumps up as nothing happened.
- Uhmm... OK?
Mrs. Colt brought a glass of water and sprinkled it onto Claire's face. Only a few seconds later, just as Flare predicted, Claire stood up and looked puzzled.
- So it really did work.
- What did work? And why is my face wet?
- You fainted and we brought you back with an old harpy method.
- Thanks. And sorry for my behavior.
- Already forgotten.
- Ok now that everything is fine, Flare, let us move on. Have a nice day, Claire!
- Thanks, and for both of you as well!
As they went on, they passed a lot of doors which looked extremely secured. They arrived at a door which looked really thick, probably for security purposes.
- We have arrived to the second place I wanted to show you. This is the laboratory and the weapon & armor research facility. In this place, we invent medicine, upgrade the armor of the teams and research more non-violent weapons to secure both humans and extra-species. Meet our chief researcher, Emmy Tails, probably the most intelligent kitsune you will ever meet.
- Welcome at the M.O.N. You must be the special unit Mrs. Colt was talking about. Well, what kind of subspecies are you? A garuda maybe?
- No, I am a normal harpy.
- You know that a normal harpy is 160 cms tall in average?
- Yes, I'm a little taller, and?
- A little taller you say? You are even taller than me!
- Why? What is your height?
- What? You don't know your own height? OK then I will tell you. I am 172 cm tall, so you must be about 180 cm.
- Thanks? Now please tell me why Mrs. Colt brought me here.
- That must be because of the suit. Every M.O.N. member wears a special suit to protect themselves. Wait a minute, I will bring yours here.
With this, she ran off. As she came back, she brought a suit which looked like a knights armor. There were plates of carbon fiber on the shoulders, back and chest. The sleeves were short like on a T-shirt and ended in straps, probably because of the wings, the pants part was knee length, probably because of the avian legs.
- Let me introduce you your suit. The plates are out of carbon fiber, strong enough to bear with hits but light enough not to be a source of flying or maneuver problems. In the middle, there is a plus sign for the medic and a wing for the scout. It is filled with a fluid which has three main reasons. If it is cold, it warms you up. If it is warm, it cools you.
- And what is the third reason?
- Well..., it's just for show off. But I have already talked too much, better get your way to the next thing that Mrs. Colt wants to show you.
- Yes, thanks for the great explanation, Emmy, now let's go on, shall we, Flare? See you next time!
As the two of them walked across the corridor, Flare noticed that they were heading to an indoor training ground with grass, trees and so on.
- As you can see, here in the center of London there isn't that much space we could build in, so the architects designed a two floor high indoor training ground so we could have a place to practice.
- But why are there trees?
- You'll see soon.
With this, Mrs. Colt went to a control panel. As she pushed some buttons, the trees disappeared and houses began to form on the field. Flare was amazed. She couldn't help herself as she fluttered in amazement.
Do you want to try it?- Mrs. Colt asked.
I'd love to.
Then let's get started.
As the houses faded, moving rods and balls emerged into the air. It was a test course for fliers.
I count from 3 to 1 and you go. The goal is to avoid touching the objects. Your time can't exceed 2 minutes. Understood?
Yes ma'am.
Ok, then 3…2…1… Go!
Flare started really fast. A huge amount of dust whirled at the start point. She maneuvered perfectly between the objects. Some time passed and when she landed Mrs. Colt stood there silently, her jaws dropped.
Wow! New track record! I can't believe it!
Why? What's my time?
1 minute 9 seconds. The best was flown two weeks ago by a wind nymph. She flew 1 minute 21 seconds.
That means…
That you're the fastest member of the M.O.N. air section. She'll be so angry when she hears it!
That will be a problem.
Not at all. She loves challenges and as she is one of the best agents she will respect your success.
I'm getting tired now. Mrs. Colt could we go to my room now?
Of course we can. It's getting late and tomorrow I will introduce you to the others. You must sleep well or you will be in a bad shape.
After some walking they reached a door on which a familiar sign was hanging.
Isn't that the sign of my suit?
Yes it is. And this is your room.
Mrs. Colt stepped to the door which opened almost instantly.
It's harpy-friendly because of the motion-sensors.
The interior of the room was simple but stunning. A huge bed, built in wardrobe, a touchscreen computer and the most fascinating thing, a window spreading all over the wall in front of the door. But something was odd.
What are these arrows on the floor?
I'll show you why.
Mrs. Colt went to the right side of the room and pushed a red button which Flare had just noticed. As she pushed the button, the window moved upwards a ramp started to rise at the end of the room.
You know this is a special room built for you. It's a take-off ramp as you can see.
Mrs. Colt pushed the button again and the room turned back to normal.
So that's it and you can modify your room however you want to but be careful. I'm heading to my office now. If you want anything ask me. The first joint training will be tomorrow at 10 o'clock. Be accurate to have a good first expression. Explore your new room, sleep well and goodbye until tomorrow.
With this, Mrs. Colt went out, leaving the speechless harpy alone.
