"A partner?" I cried angrily. I jumped up slapping my hands on Craig's desk.
"Yes Alice, it has come to our attention that while the terrorist attacks are getting worst it's not a good idea for you to be running around on your own. It's dangerous!" He exclaimed just as angrily as I was.
"I don't care. I'm fine on my own. I've been working solo for nearly two years now, I'm fine." I growl.
"You are obviously not fine. Look at those injuries." He argues. My eyes quickly glance at the bandages on my shoulder. Those damn monsters . . .
"That was a one time thing. I was being stupid and reckless. I got distracted just once and-" Craig cut me off shaking his head.
"Just once? Nothing is promised to happen just once. What about next time? You may not be lucky enough to get away with only one injury. Your to good of an agent to be lost over something like that. We need you, the world needs you. Your the ideal operative to fight these-" It was my turn to interrupt him.
"I get it. You don't want me to die so you can just use me." I snap crossing my arms. I fall back into the plush chair behind me.
"Alice-"
"No, I get it! Really. If I was you I wouldn't want to lose my most precious toy either. Now who's this 'partner' you've chosen for me, anyways?" I ask. A twinge of pain shot through my arm as I shrugged my shoulders.
"Piers Nivans." I swear at that moment I nearly fell out of my chair.
"Him?" I gag. I thought back to the incident back in Edonia and Lanshiang. Everyone at BSAA knew about it. Piers Nivans was deemed a legend of sort.
"Yes him. I've already briefed him and he has accepted you as his new partner. I've even prepared a mission for the two of you."
"No training together? I don't even get to meet him first? Oh yeah that sounds smart. Your telling me going out alone is dangerous but to just throw me in the battlefield with some nitwit is smart? He'll get me killed."
"Alice, don't think into it to much. Piers is a great young man and we're not hesitant to ensure you that you'll make a great pair."
"Alright then, when do I get to meet this kid?" I ask.
"This kid, is actually only a year younger than you." A husky voice said from behind me. I stand and swivel around to the face of the one and only Piers Nivans. He's tall, maybe just about 6ft, so 4/5 inches taller than me. He has a large muscular frame and a broad jaw line. His eyes are a light brooding blue. His hair is light brown worn short, slightly spiking up in a bedhead fashion. He wore the standard operative uniform and stood rigidly ready for an attack.
"Oh, well my bad." I snapped crossing my arms once again. He didn't really look 31. He looked 25, or 26 maybe. He looked like a real member of the BSAA, unlike me and my getup.
I have short dark brown choppy hair. My bangs cover my right eye, which is a 'limitation' in battle, as Craig says. My eyes are an inhuman red. My skin is the average tan but covered in various scars from my job. My most obvious scars being the 2 ragged ones on my exposed left cheek or the three parallel scars on my neck. I wear a red crew neck tank top with a black leather jacket over it. The jacket has a high collar and it flows down to my mid-calf, another 'limitation' according to Craig. I wear a brown belt around my dark blue spandex pants. While they're spandex they hang a little loose looking almost like regular old jeans. I have my black boots with a white fur lining and white strings. To complete my look I have black fingerless gloves.
A long time ago I've stopped fallowing the fashion code around here. While some operatives liked the BSAA standard uniform I did not. I preferred my light, and well bad ass, clothing over the uniform. I got hell from my boss Craig for weeks until he gave up.
I pop out of my train of thought and fix my gaze on Piers. Was this 'kid' really the perfect partner for me?
"Hey, how long were you listening to our, ya know, conversation?" I asked.
"Since you walked in." He confirmed what I feared most. I felt a moment of guilt but shrugged it off. Being called a nitwit who would kill me isn't that insulting, right?
"Right, hey boss, what's our 'mission'?" I asked turning back to Craig. He sighed opening up a filing folder. He span it around showing a picture of an older man. He has slightly balding gray hair and a few inches long beard. He wore glasses and a suit.
"Your mission is this, or him. His name is Richard Black. Some information has come back telling us that this man is our newest threat."
"Newest threat? What about the 55% group, or that Edward guy?" I asked I thought about the recent terrorist attacks and the groups behind them.
"For now we have teams working on those cases. Anyways, our intelligence said that this man is preparing for an attack, a large one. We believe he's planning to release the virus in New York city." My jaw dropped. The virus being dropped in such a place would have really bad consequences. The virus would spread so quickly that there's be no beating it. That would be the becoming of mankind.
"Your kidding right? I mean if that happens-" I began.
"Yes. Alice that's why its important for you two work together."
"Why send us?" I glance over at Piers who actually said something. I was beginning to fear that he never talks, and that's never fun.
"Because, Piers, your now partners with the best operative. Alice is the perfect killing machine when it comes to the virus." Craig said smirking. I fought an urge to grab that black hair and tell him to stop bragging about me. I don't like to be bragged about.
"Really now?" Piers said raising an eyebrow at him.
"Really not." I snap. "When do we deploy?"
"Today, or actually right now." This time I wanted to grab his black hair and slam his head into the desk.
"Your kidding me? I've been issued a two week vacation and its only been a week. And my shoulder! Half of the things I could do while fighting I can't do now. How am I supposed to shoot?"
"Well Alice I'm very aware that your ambidextrous. You'll do just fine."
"Keep saying that until I die, boss." I begin to walk towards the door then stop just short. I looked back my eyes briefly meeting Piers before they dashed to Craig. "Hey, throw me the file will you? I'll look over it myself. Leave in 2 hours?" Craig sighed, the kind of sigh that wonders "Why do I even try?". And really that was a good question. Craig handed the folder to Piers who tossed it to me.
"Don't disappoint me." Craig said solemnly.
"Can't make any promises." I shot back.
I curled my feet underneath me with the file in hand. I sat in my small room at BSAA headquarters. The dim light barely illuminated the words on the paper. My hand created dancing shadows that distracted me from the task at hand. I sighed finally opening the file. The paper on top is the picture of Richard Black that I saw earlier. I traced my finger on the frame of his face.
"Bastard." I growled. I tossed the photo next to me on the couch. The next paper made me squint to read the small this-is-all-business print.
Threat – Richard James Black
Given Name: Jacques Avis Lazare
DOB: 31/17/1960
Ethnicity: French
Weight: 216 lb
Height: 6' 4''
Eyes: Gray
Hair: White
Facial Hair: Beard
Scars/Markings: A feint scar across the bridge of nose. A tattoo of an X on right shoulder. Has a birth mark on right hand. Scar on left arm and right wrist.
Other: Wears glasses. Is balding on head.
Black came to the USA in 1984. After charged for the break in of Anne Marie Jones' apartment he was sentenced a prison statement of 42-120 months. After further investigation he was also charged for the break in of two other victims. He was then sentenced to 144 months months in the California state penitentiary. After he was released there was no documented activity of him for 8 years. Black was then seen as a CEO for JUMP pharmaceutical in 20011. In 2012 he traveled to his home country France where he is suspected to live.
In France he is suspected to be the current leader of the ex-branch of the 55% group. The branch had broken of with the 55% group creating there own group which is considered a threat. After the UMBRELLA incident Black had received 4 samples of the Virus, one of which has been used resulting the death of roughly 200 civilians in France. Black is foten seen at many events such as the 'Green Assassin' and the bombing in southern England. He was #4 on the FBI's most wanted list.
Number four on the FBI's most wanted list? Why did Craig want Piers and I take care of this mess? I let my head fall back. I took off my right glove and raised that hand up above me. I studied my hand angling it different ways. Could I do this? Did I want to do this? But then again do I really have the choice?
"I can do this." I groaned. I glanced at the clock and decided I had enough time to take a shower.
"So where are we going?" I asked as I walked into the garage. Craig and Piers looked up at me. They both stood around a black Mercedes. I couldn't hear their conversation over the sound of other people working.
"Did you read the file?" Craig asked. I shrugged.
"Some of it."
"Well, you two are going to New York. That's where we've last seen Black. You two will be going and finding Black. Under all circumstances you must capture him call in back up and do not let him release the virus." Craig informed me.
I threw my bag into the trunk of the Mercedes. "Gotchya boss." I walk to the drivers side and opened the door.
"Hey-" Piers began.
"I call driving." I add last moment. I swing myself inside and Piers sighed getting in on the passenger side. Before I could slam my door Craig put his arm on the top of my door.
"Of course." Craig grumbled. "Now make me proud alright? This-"
"Yeah, I know Craig. This is my duty as a member of the BSAA to protect human rights and stop the evil bad guys." I pipe up.
"Alright. Good luck you two." Craig slammed the door and I revved the engine. I glance over at Piers and smiled.
"Ready to get this party started?" I asked with a smirk.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
Turns out our 'party' was a dull near silent 6 hour drive. 6 hours. "Do you ever talk?" I ask. Piers glanced up from the book in his hand.
"When I want to." The tone of his voice cut off all possibility of a real conversation. But I hate silence and really driving isn't all that fun on a straight interstate.
"Well, how about now?" I ask. Piers was silent. "Do you like . . . cheese?" I asked.
"Cheese is alright." Silence. 1 minute . . . 2 minutes . . . 5 minutes. 5 minutes of silence.
"Why did you decide to become a member of the BSAA?" I finally ask.
"I wanted to help people. I began working for the police, but after I saw what was happening to the world, I knew I had to help in anyway I could."
"That's honorable." I murmur.
"Why did you join the BSAA?" He asked. I gave him a glance then focused my gaze at the road in front of me.
"I didn't have much of a choice."
"And why is that?"
"Because I didn't. Not everyone has freedom . . . Now how about some music?" I lean forwards forcefully turning on the radio. Piers went quite then turned his head towards the head.
I push the break causing the car to stop. 9551 Main Street. I stared up at the large grand hotel. I pushed myself out of the car tossing the keys to the driver who'll park the Mercedes. Piers grabbed his bag and tossed me mine. I caught it with one hand and slung the duffel bag over shoulder.
I fallowed Piers into the lobby of the hotel. The lobby was a large open area. The floors are a white marble that matches the marble columns and vast ceilings with chandeliers. To the left is elevators beyond various decorative couches and tables. To the right is the front desk with bell hops next to it.
We walked to the front desk where Piers talked to a pretty blonde girl while displaying several papers. I left my bag with the bell hop waiting on Piers. I walked back outside and glanced up at the setting sun.
I turned to the left and pushed my way pass pedestrian. If Black really succeeded in his plan to release the virus in New York, I wonder which of these people would get killed in the act. I pushed the idea away and sped up my pace. Had Piers noticed I walked off?
I take a right then a left and a left again. I noticed a little girl hunched over crying in the nook of two buildings. I bargained my possibilities. Be a normal person and keep walking or help her out. Of course I ended up opting for the second option.
"Hey kid, what's wrong?" I asked crouching down. I put a hand on her shoulder and she looked up at me through blonde hair.
"I'm lost." She whimpered.
"Lost?" She nodded and stood up. She grabbed my hand and clung to me. I was surprised she was so quick to trust a stranger. Well she is only about 8. She pulled me forward as if she knew exactly where to go.
She pulled me through a maze of people and pretty soon I had no idea where I was. "Um, where are we going?" I finally ask.
"Home." She said determined. All signs of that worried little girl was gone and instead it was a terrifying beast. Her eyes were narrowed in a haunting way. The grip on my arm was so tight it felt inhuman. Her skin looked a deathly pale and her eyes a shockingly light of a blue it was only a mere shade from white.
"But if you know the way why don't you go alone." I suggest trying to remove her hand from me.
"I need your help though. It's scary by myself." She explained giving me a puppy eyed look. I admit it, I'm a sucker for kids. If they ever pull the puppy face I'll melt and that kid will get whatever the hell he or she wants. But on her that look scared me. What's wrong with her? Her pale lips parted and she began to whistle.
The lyrics that go with the song she whistled played in my head. I'm working on the railroad. All the long day . . .
"How far is it?" I ask. This time I forcefully yanked my arm trying to get away from her. But this brat had a death grip.
"Oh it's not that long Alice." I flinched stopping in my tracks.
"How do you know my name?" I command. Once again I try to pull away with no luck. I'm stronger than the average person for many reasons. Not only was I made stronger I trained nearly everyday.
"Because Alice. I came to get you and bring you home with me." She looked up and smiled at me. Those haunting eyes . . .
"Let go of me."
"No can do Alice."
"I said let go of me!" I shouted. I didn't need to yank away again because suddenly Piers was standing across from me and grabbed the little girl. Before he had to use any force to get her to go away she simply let go of me and smiled, back to that sweet innocent look.
"Thanks for taking me home, Alice." She said. She pulled her arm free of Piers and began skipping. She stopped at the door to an apartment building and smiled at me before waving goodbye.
"What was that?" Piers asked.
"I- I don't know . . ." I trailed off. I looked down at my wrist not surprised to see the forming of a bruise in the shape of a particular small hand.
"Why were you shouting at her?" He asked this time his voice became more pressing.
"Because that thing, girl, or whatever, freaked me out alright. There's something wrong with her! She knew my name and I've never seen or met her, ever." Piers studied my face and began walking leading the way back to hotel.
"Alright. Just don't worry about it. Whatever happened is done with now. She's just a kid, probably. Now at the hotel we're staying in just a room with a small kitchen, bathroom and two king sized beds." He explained. I felt oddly comforted by his words but at the same time I wanted him to believe me. To understand the meaning of my words. But I had a feeling that wasn't what happened, or will happen.
"Just one old lousy room like that? In a hotel like that?" I ask gesturing at the glamorous hotel. "Either Craig hates me, is taking revenge, or they're having some major budget cuts." I snap. Piers gave me a look then smiled. I take me moment to register what that look is. A smile. On Piers Navins. It suit him.
Maybe this partner thing wouldn't be to bad?