Reason to Live II
Prologue: Everyday Routine
(Frederick's P.O.V)
"How long has it been…?" is a frequent question I ask myself each day as I open the curtains of my window in my room.
The Social Welfare Agency. An agency located in Rome which I believed to promote projects to supports the physically challenged under the auspices of the Prime Minister's Office in Rome. That's what they made the public to believe…
"Morning, Frederick. Had a nice sleep?"
"Same old bunk, Triela…"
Actually, it gathers people from all over the world and modifies them into cyborgs; and use them to do the Government's dirty works. Yeah, you would probably get the point by now on what I had been talking about since the start. No? I guess there's no helping it.
"Ah! Morning, Henrietta!"
"…Morning Triela, Frederick, Claes…."
"You seem to have a rough night…" I ask curiously as I scoop some beans served in my plate; with a compliment of an omelet from the chef.
"Well…sort of…"
"What's wrong?"
"I can't sleep. I've been dreaming of Jóse's death sequence often…"
"…Nightmares…" we exclaim together before we continue on digesting our breakfast
That's right. We were those 'kids' used by the Government to DO the Government's dirty works and get it done RIGHT. Unbelievable? Well, believe it. Our lives seem normal here in the agency. Morning talks, conversations, friends, lessons, and dates…you name it! That's our regular daily activity here in the SWA…
…when we have no assignments
"Morning guys!"
"Morning Petra." Answer Triela with a little yawn. "That's unusual for you to wake up this early…"
"I fell asleep in Mr. Sandro's room again after last night's investigation…noticed it this morning when he's working on some more paperwork." I stopped.
"Investigation?"
"Yeah, we uncovered another Padania supporter. It'll be this afternoon. Don't be surprised if you're assigned."
"Me?"
"Well, you and Triela. Have fun, both of you. Henrietta, Rico, and I will be your back up if things get out of hand for both of you."
January 2nd,
Hotel Hilton, Overlooking Piazza di Spagna
1325 hrs
"Remember Frederick. You only got ONCE. Make sure there's no dents and/or bullet marks left in the room. Triela will back you up if things go wrong. Just give the call."
"Yes, yes Hillshire. I get your point. Nothing will go wrong anyway…"
"There better not be one, Frederick! I'm counting on you…" Triela's voice replied my last message as I cock and load my new Pistol I ordered through Hillshire as a…'reward' last December. Probably the only silenced pistol I've ever had; German made classic too!
"I won't screw up. Trust me. I've been doing this for weeks."
"It's a year Frederick. Be careful ok?" I let out a sigh and chuckled for a second, "I will. I'm proud to be bullet proof. Frederick, out."
So here it is: our daily activities which we call 'normal': Assassinating government designated targets. I draw two of my newly acquired Luger P08s with a built-in silencer and load the usual Parabellum 9mm rounds into the chamber. I didn't mention it was a Luger? All the weapons I use would mostly be German manufactured fire-arms; old and new. After a week using the M16A2 and the M1911A1, I decided to store it away in my room as a display. The M16A2 is a great rifle, but after holding the MP40 and StG44 for so long, the rifle feels like a toy. The M1911A1 is good, powerful, and sturdy; but I only have one and I have no intention on ordering a second one by replacing the Luger I've already ordered through Hillshire. Until now, I'm still using it as a third side-arm beside the two Mauser C/96s incase I ran out of bullets.
Besides the U.S made M1911A1, I mainly use German made firearms ranging from Sniper Rifles, Assault Rifles, Handguns, and Sub-Machineguns. I prefer the old ones better than the new one for unexplained reasons. Is it due to the conditioning I've taken when I first start as a junior operative? No, that couldn't be…
…maybe because it brings memories to the original owner of those weapons I received. Koch…my original handler; died saving me from Claymore blasts during the attack on the SWA. Right now I'm under supervision of Hillshire, my girl's handler. Didn't I mention it earlier? No? Well, Triela…she's special to me. No more extension, but she's special. Get the point? Since I don't have a handler (and considering how independent I am working alone), Hillshire is put in charge by Lorenzo as my supervisor. He's not my handler, but Triela's. I just tag along for mission briefings before I'm off for the mission I was assigned to. Not too difficult, and all round fun.
"Alright…show time!" Dressed as a hotel porter, I knocked the door and answer with the usual: "Room Service"
As the figure opened the door, I know hot action is coming up. I look at him straight in the eye, grab my silenced Luger, aim at his head, and BOOM! He took a fall backwards with blood tracing down as his other friends and bodyguards notice my presence. Quickly as I can, I grab the 2nd Silenced Luger I holstered under the uniform as I roll forward towards the nearest cover (which is a sofa) and fire both pistols at 2-3 different targets at once and knock them down. I mastered Close Quarter Battles; this includes Close Quarters Combat or CQC; all thanks to enduring training with my deceased handler. As the three opposition collapses to the ground, I quickly regain my footing and search for more sorry sons-of-bitches and nail him to the ground. It really didn't take long when the target and two if its best-of-best appeared out of the bedroom; dressed up and ready….to die.
So much for a come-back…
"Triela, tell Hillshire to send the clean up crew."
"Its done?" she asks over the intercom
"Yeah, it's done. The target has been eliminated, along with its bodyguards and two of its best-of-best."
"Awwh…" she whines "why didn't you left some for me? Damn it, don't be greedy!" Chuckling, I answer her:
"First come, first get! The clean-up crew? Bitte?"
"Ah! Yes, they'll be right there."
As I stop and look around, somehow I have the intention of searching the bodies for little 'souvenirs'. And so I did. From those victims, I'm able to rack up diaries and photos, as well as breath-refreshing bubble gums found in one of the body. But the most interesting piece I found is a picture owned by the target itself. I took close examination of it and figured out it's a photo of the man's son (probably around my age) and himself somewhere near a lake; probably a fishing trip. Behind it, a note is left:
Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada, California,
January 3rd 2006 Fishing Trip w/ beloved Old Man and myself
Let's fish again sometime in the future, Old man!
Your son,
John Michael
"Americans…?" I thought to myself
I place the photo back to his wallet and check for his passport. Good thing it's in his pocket unscathed. Quickly skimming through it, a relief flourishes through me.
"Thank God he's an Italian citizen…"
The bodies were taken out, as well as all the 'souvenirs' left behind; including the photo and passport. As I receive a welcome back and an 'award' in a form of a kiss from Triela, I had thoughts about the boy I saw in the picture. What would he think if he finds out that his father's dead? From the ID card, that man is divorced and has taken his son with him. I can say that my target is precious to him; and is probably the only family member he has left. Similar like I am back before Koch died. He's the closest thing I could get for a father after I lost my entire family.
The thought about the boy haunts my head every minute as we return to the Agency. I keep on thinking what actions would this boy take when he really figure it out who done it. Who killed his father, and why. Losing someone you love the most hurts badly, and something inside me tells me that he will take vengeance to a drastic measure if he found out. Will he go and take revenge? No…
…How far will he go to take revenge?