Chapter One: The Mission

Thinking back on my life, I think I got a pretty good deal. I had a devoted father, awesome grandparents (and great-grandparents), a pretty cool step-mom, three insane younger brothers, an adorable little sister, and a multitude of uncles, aunts, and cousins. I'm a straight A student in high school, I play football and run track, I have some awesome friends, my future was bright. (Hey Queen_of_Earth here I'm not describing any life in particular here, just what I wish my life was)

When those government guys approached me at the beginning of my sophomore year offering me a job, I was right to be little wary. It seemed way too good to be true. A lifetime of employment, excellent pay, and I get to do what I was planning to do anyway: fight bad guys.

If I survived.

And even if I died, my family would still be taken care of. What did I have to lose? (Their quote, not mine).

Today, I'm not sure if I should have slapped them or kissed them. I probably should have done both.

June 12, 2016

6:14 A.M

Somewhere in South Korea

Third Person P.O.V

When the helicopter landed many of the men on the beach were surprised to see what appeared to be a sixteen-year-old girl jump out. This doesn't mean that at least 99% of them weren't turned on by her presence. She was tall, 5' 11", with long black hair hanging to her waist in a tight braid, lightly tanned skin suggested she spent a lot of time in the sun and she appeared to be physically fit. Loose camo pants hid long, shapely legs that could have run any of those soldiers into the dust. A denim jacket, several sizes to large, was draped over her shoulders, but men closest to her could tell that she had a knock out body. A pair of sunglasses hid her eyes from view.

The girl walked over to the nearest soldier. "Morning' soldier", she said in a warm tone that further hardened all present males "Do you know where I can find Colonel Martin?"

"Um, certainly ma'am", he mumbled "The colonel is down that dirt road in the second hut to your left".

"Thank you soldier", she said before heading down the specified road.

"Um, ma'am!" the soldier called.

The girl turned "Yes?"

"I'm Private William Barkley, are you that special agent we were told to expect?" he said uncertainly. The other soldier leaned forward expectantly. If this girl was the person they were told to expect than this mission just got a whole lot better.

The smiled at him causing him, and all present soldiers, to blush deep crimson. "That's right, Private. I'm Phoenix, but you can call me Nix"

"Oh- well- um" Private Barkley stuttered, "I should accompany you Agent Nix. Security reasons, you know. We can never be too careful" he composed himself as he quickly stepped next to her.

Phoenix raised one black eyebrow at Private Barkley causing him to redden even more. Then she shrugged "Suit yourself" she said simply before she started walking.

Before he followed her, Barkley couldn't resist shooting a smug look at his fellow men. He was a new to the area and it gave him satisfaction to know that the men would be insanely jealous to know that he would have the opportunity to spend a few meager minutes alone with the very beautiful Nix. At his look, the soldiers glared murderously at him, promising future pain.

Barkley grinned. Even if he got kicked in the nuts for the rest of his life the few minutes he spent with Nix would be completely worth it.

First Person's P.O.V

While I walked up the dirt road I couldn't help, but glance at Private Barkley. He seemed very smug about something, but I couldn't figure out what. He was very good-looking, I had to admit. He had sandy blond hair, warm brown eyes, a light sprinkle of freckles over his nose, and well-muscled. My kind of guy, I thought appreciably.

I shook my head. No, no, no, I chided myself, I'm here to work, not meet guys. Besides he's too old for me.

My name is Aura Pallas Majestas Hunter (no comment please).

I told Private Barkley my name was Phoenix, because that's the code name the government gave me after I survived "the Merge" (that's what I call it) and I started my life as a top secret assassin/agent.

Seriously, the brightest minds in the world and they couldn't think of a better code name? Talk about cliché, considering my abnormalities. They might as well have called me Wolverina. (Hey! Who can guess what Aura's super power is? 10 points to the first person that gets right!)

As Private Barkley and I entered the camp Colonel Grant Martin exited what I figured was the command hut. The fifty plus year old Army veteran grinned at me "Hey there kiddo! How's my favorite soldier?" he said as he walked over to engulf me in massive bear hug.

The soldiers in the camp and Private Barkley stared at us open-mouthed. The colonel actually wasn't the friendliest of men, and he was huge too, at least 6' 5", with a presence that commanded respect, so it must have shocked the soldiers to see him react so happily towards me. He's actually an old family friend and I've known him since I was two. He's actually the one that convinced my dad to sign me up for kung fu when I was little.

"I'm doing great Colonel" I said genuinely happy to see him "A little irritated that the governments' lap dog/pole–up-their-butt goons hauled me off to Korea without much of an explanation, but happy to see you"

He grinned at my description of the agents in charge of my assignments and said "Well let's fix that problem now then" he suddenly sobered up a bit "Then I'm afraid you'll have to leave immediately"

I nodded, figuring as much "Those morons like things done fast and have know interest in having a little pleasure"

Martin and the surrounding soldiers, who were listening to our conversation, burst out laughing when they heard my innuendo. Martin shook his head "Where do you learn these things girl?" That's when he noticed the soldiers hanging around "What are you maggots standing around for? Back to work!" he barked in the tone that the men knew him best for.

They went back to work.

Then he smiled at me "Now let's get down to business kiddo"

I followed him to the command hut and paused at the door. Turning around I saw Private Barkley still standing there. I smiled at him making blush. What's that about? I wondered, before saying "Thank you for walking me here Private. You may return to you work now"

He snapped to attention "Of- of course Agent. It- it's been pleasure meeting you sir- ma'am- um" he stuttered uncertainly before hurrying back to the beach.

Upon entering the hut I saw Martin staring at me with a funny expression on his face. "What?" I asked.

He shook his head "Nothing"

I raised an eyebrow at him, but he didn't elaborate. "So" I said, changing the subject "the mission"

"Yes, yes the mission" he muttered gathering his notes. To show a the respect I had for the colonel I removed my sunglasses to reveal my indigo colored eyes "The government has received reports that North Korea has recently been researching a dangerous new weapon. It hasn't been specified what kind of weapon, but we know it could prove to be dangerous. Your mission is to destroy the lab and exterminate the scientists that are researching the weapon and bring back the data for our purpose. Got it?"

"Got it. Make lab go boom, make scientists go bye-bye, and plagiarize their lab reports for an A in science. That it?" I checked.

The Colonel tried to keep a straight face, but it was a losing battle and he laughed, "Fuck kiddo where do you come up with these things?"

I grinned at him "I'm a special girl"

Still chuckling he said, "There's a helicopter waiting for you on the other side of the camp. There's a also a Ranger team waiting too, this is only your second mission so they want to keep an eye on you" he rolled his eyes "Their names are Captain Addams, Second Lieutenant Jamison, Sergeant Sanders, and Sergeant Blake. Be warned Sergeant Blake is a bit of a dick"

"Got it," I said as a gathered the equipment by the door.

"Let's rock n' roll"