It Could Be Worse
Episode 4: Back To School
By Sulia Serafine
[1-15-01. A Protector of the Small fanfic set in an alternate universe; all credit goes to Tamora Pierce. I'm broke, so you can't sue me.
Oh, one more thing: BAD LANGUAGE (I. E. cursing, swearing…). You have been warned!
I'd also like to thank those who gave me help with the character descriptions. If anyone else want to help me, please e-mail me at silverwLng@aol.com, okay? I'm finally getting around to working on my tiny website, and there's a new section for my Tortall stories. I'll tell you the address when I deem it worthy to be seen by you. Enjoy the chapter, I know you've been waiting for it! Please, tell me what you think. I'd also like to once again thank those who made ALLO a success. This one's for you.
P.S. Something I forgot! This Story takes place in 949 H.E, but it is an ALTERNATE UNIVERSE! AND ANY IMPORTANT CHARACTERS OF THE TAMORA PIERCE UNIVERSE I HAVEN'T PUT IN YET WILL ENTER THE STORY LATER ON, AS MAJOR CHARACTERS, NOT CAMEOS. Thank you and have a nice day.]
"So he got away?"
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I mean, this is Ozorne Tasikhe we're talking about. No one could have done a better job."
"Yeah, I guess-- ACHOO!"
"Are you okay, Neal?"
There was some sniffling heard from the communicator. "Yeah. I'm okay. Thank you. By the way, Bonehead called. He's bored out of his mind."
She smirked. "Oh, really?"
"Yeah. Paired with a guy who he says is the exact opposite of me."
"Ah. I see. He's too used to your big mouth."
"Hey!"
"I'm kidding," she chuckled. She leaned over the pipe next to the resting station to spot her partner. He was waiting impatiently beside his bike and hers. She ducked back around the corner. "Listen. We're not too far from Tortall. I'll see you soon."
"Okay. Bye."
She ended the transmission. Then Keladry brushed off the front of her field uniform. One of the links of the Hyperion bands on her leg was undone. She redid it and inspected the rest of herself. Perfect for being yelled at by the commissioner. She jogged back to her bike. "Hey. Let's go."
"It's about time," he muttered. He got on his bike. "We're two miles outside the city. Let's get to headquarters before 3 o'clock."
She nodded and put on her blue helmet. She was starting to get used to riding a motorcycle. But as for the speed…
"You're too slow," Joren called back through the database's intercom. "Come on. You're no where near the speed limit."
"As apposed to over it?" she retorted. She could hear him snort.
Dominion Jewel Protection Force Headquarters was just as she left it. Of course, Keladry had been gone for a little over a week. Still, she was glad to be back. The bright blue sky… the sun shining down on all thirty levels of the grand institution and the cool breeze on her face. The humming of hover cars was music to her ears. The tall towers and skyscrapers reflected the sun's rays as they climbed into the clouds. Nothing could spoil this sight…
…Nothing but a swearing young man.
"Stop doing that," she scolded Joren as they walked to the elevator. They entered the clear tube shaft. Keladry pressed the coordinates for the Main Offices once again and folded her arms. The floor beneath them rose up from the ground floor. Keladry watched people mill around on the walkways. There was a group of children taking a field trip. They were led in two lines across the floor. She waved to them. Then she glanced back at Joren. "I said, stop doing that."
"You're not my mother, so I don't have to listen to you," he replied coolly. "This has been the worst week of my life."
"Mine, too," she said under her breath. "I only hope Wyldon is in a good mood."
~~
"YOU LET HIM GET AWAY?"
They cringed.
"Uh, let is such a strong word… We really tried," Keladry said in a light voice. It wasn't helping.
"It does not change the fact that we were this close to capturing Ozorne Tasikhe and you let him get away!" Wyldon slammed his hands down on his desk. Keladry nearly jumped in her seat. The kind-hearted but stuffy commissioner was now on a rampage. She scratched the back of her neck nervously while Joren sat with his arms defiantly crossed.
"I know, sir. I apologize," Keladry continued, trying to calm the nearly bald man down.
"You had him in your grasp! Literally!" he held his hands out to her in a grabbing gesture. "And you loosen your grip for him to get away? Mindelan!"
Joren snickered.
"And don't think you're not to blame either, Stone!"
"But--"
"No but's! You are an experienced special operative. This may have been one of your more profiled cases, but record shows you usually do better under pressure," Wyldon said through gritted teeth. "And that being the case, you have no excuse like Mindelan here does and gives you twice the punishment!"
Keladry smirked inwardly. Joren seemed a shade paler than he usually was.
"And so," Wyldon took a deep breath, "I'm assigning you to a training case."
The two young officers exchanged bewildered looks.
"Sir?" Keladry gulped.
Wyldon sat down in his chair and leaned back. His eyes had a suspicious glint in them. "Meaning: First Class B Officer Keladry Mindelan and Special Operative Joren Stone are now assigned to train a rookie officer fresh from the academy out on the field. You'll receive his name at the Assignments office. That is all. Dismissed."
Keladry's jaw would have hit the floor if it could. She stood up. "But… but sir!"
"Mindelan! I said, dismissed!" He pointed at the door. Joren slid out of his chair muttering something and went out the door. Keladry sighed and followed. The two officers trudged dejectedly to the Assignments office down the hall without saying a word. When they reached it, they slumped down into the plush office chairs waiting for their turn in line.
"I can't believe this," Joren said as he laid his head back and groaned.
"This is terrible," Keladry covered her face with her hands.
"This is all your fault, you know," he glared at her and lifted his head.
"My fault? Why not yours?" she dropped her hands.
He folded his arms. "I've never, never, screwed up a mission in my entire life. You're obviously bad luck." He rolled his eyes. "I told them I worked alone."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. High and Mighty," she sarcastically replied. She stood up when the secretary beckoned for her. "Let's make the best of it, okay?"
"Whatever."
"Excuse me, we need to find the name of the rookie officer straight out of the academy? It's by orders of Commissioner Wyldon," Keladry told the woman at the desk. She nodded and began to type in the command.
"Hmm… His name is Cleon Kennan, new third class B… Age: 22 assigned to be at the Academy for another month before assigned a place at Headquarters."
Joren stood up when he overheard the word 'academy'. He leaned over the desk. "Wait a second. Are you saying that we will have to move into the academy for a month until he officially gets out?"
The secretary looked at her screen again. "Yes. That's right."
"Hell no!" Joren roared. "I'm never going back there again!"
"Hey! Stone, get a hold of yourself!" Keladry yelled. She grabbed a hold of his arm to prevent him from leaping over the counter and grappling with the secretary's computer. She smiled politely while continuing to hold him back. "I'm so sorry, miss. Uh… is there anything else that you can tell us about Officer Kennan?"
The woman scooted her chair back while watching Joren desperately trying to grab her computer database. She pushed her wire frame glasses back up the bridge of her nose and looked at the screen. "It says here that he is the best sharp shooter at the academy and that is why he's being put on probation out on the field without apprenticeship here at Headquarters."
"Who gives a damn?" Joren yelled and reached farther. Keladry yanked him back with all her strength. They went tumbling to the floor. At the loud crash and sounds of curses, everyone in the office stared at them. A few began to whisper, but the rest remained quiet and tried hard to pretend they didn't see that.
"Get off!" Keladry cried. "Just get a grip, Stone! We're training a rookie!"
"God," he moaned, getting off of her. "My career is over…"
She punched him in the arm angrily and stood up. "No, it's not. Now come on. We'll go visit Neal in the infirmary."
Joren immediately stopped his groaning and stared at her. He raised one eyebrow suspiciously. "Squealin' Nealan is here?'
Her anger from before was forgotten. Keladry almost burst into laughter at the nickname. She covered her mouth and shook her head. "What did you call him?"
He shrugged. "That's what everyone in my graduating class called him. He doesn't scream. He squeals. Pansy."
Keladry got into defense-mode as they left the Main Offices. "Hey, now. He's my friend. Don't make fun of him."
"I'll do what I want, Mindelan. So, lead on. Let's see the punk."
She glared at him as they boarded another elevator and rode it to the infirmary. Dr. Baird waved to Keladry as she walked past the front desk and to the private rooms. She knocked on the last one. Joren yawned.
"Come in," Neal called. Keladry turned the doorknob. There were some doors at Headquarters that still had to be opened manually, just as there were plenty in poor under-budgeted Carthak. They entered. Neal was in his bed still, in hospital gown and robe. He was happily watching the holo-screen's cartoons. Keladry smirked.
"Still a child," she commented.
"And a pansy," Joren added.
Neal sat up when he saw the blonde operative. "Joren Stone! Here? What the…"
"Partner, remember?" Keladry lifted up her hand.
"Nice to see you, Queenscove. It seems you're still as big and goofy as ever," Joren smirked dangerously. Neal shrank back into his bed.
"Uh… heheh…right, Stone. H-how are you?"
Keladry frowned. Neal was afraid of Joren? Neal was older than Joren! How could that be?
"How are you feeling?" Keladry asked, cutting into the conversation.
"Better," Neal nodded in reply. "Dad says I might be out in three months. I'm still-- ACHOO!"
Joren stepped back to avoid getting sneezed on. Neal reached for a tissue and blew his nose. Keladry sat down in one of the metal chairs. She shrugged. "That's good. It's better than four months."
"Yeah, but at least he won't be stuck training a rookie," Joren muttered.
Neal grinned. "You're kidding me…"
"Oh shut up, Bonehead," Keladry huffed, out of character.
~~
The Academy of the DJPF was one of Keladry's fondest memories. It was where she learned most of her skills. The three prestigious towers surrounded the group of gray and blue buildings that the academy consisted of. In the center was the large courtyard, which a football game could easily be played on, scattered with trees, tables, and benches. Surrounded it were buildings all lined up with the three towers. And all three stories high. Some were classrooms. Others were dorms. It was a consistent pattern.
Keladry listened to the sounds her shoes made on the polished tile floor as she entered the main lobby. There was a high ceiling with a crystal chandelier and several large light fixtures throughout the room. Teenagers, as well as adults, in the gray academy uniforms filled the lobby, talking or conversing with each other, or asking questions from academy employees.
A few cadets watched Joren and Keladry enter from the fountain in the center. They awed at the honorable first-class officers, speculating among themselves as to the great reason Keladry and Joren were there.
"Too bad it's a lousy reason," she thought to herself and looked past the cadets. She remembered the fountain, three fish and a mermaid, spouting water every which way. The light stone was unblemished by time.
"Hurry up. Let's go," Joren grabbed her arm and proceeded to drag her to the front desk. A man was watching over a secretary's shoulder as she typed. He was pointing out something wrong. The man looked up at them. He was tall, heavyset, and paler than Joren. His brown hair continually fell in front of his eyes.
"Welcome back to the Academy, Officers," he smiled with perfect white teeth. "I'm Gareth Naxen, Jr., the Headmaster here. How can I help alumni such as yourselves?"
Keladry bowed slightly. She remembered Headmaster Naxen from her short time there. "Yes, Headmaster, we're looking for Officer Cleon Kennan? The sharp shooter?"
He nodded. "Cleon! Oh, yes. We were expecting you. Salma, can you find where Cleon is right now?"
"Yes," the woman nodded. She searched her files. "He was scheduled to have a talk with the guidance counselor about post-graduation, but he should be in the court yard eating lunch now. He always eats there."
Gareth rubbed his hands together. "That's perfect." He addressed the two young officers again. "I'm sure you remember where the courtyard is. If there's any more trouble, just come here to Miss Aynnar and ask."
Salma smiled and nodded. Keladry cleared her throat. "Actually, could you tell us what he looks like?"
"He's a red-head, um, tall," Salma bit her lip trying to recall. "Yes, and he should already be wearing the casual uniform of DJPF."
"Colors?" Joren asked with a yawn.
"Green, like his eyes," Gareth chimed in. "The young man has a great sense of humor. You won't be able to miss him. Have a nice day." And with that, he went back to conversing with Salma. Keladry and Joren went past the front desk and through the sliding doors into the triangular courtyard.
Joren looked around him. "I'm in hell, I'm in hell, I'm in hell…"
"Hey!" she chided him. "Don't do that. I happen to love this place. Years after graduation people still talk about the academy in reverence and fondness. I know I do."
"Yeah, well it was hell for me," he replied.
"Would that be your problem with authority and all the instructors being around?" she asked casually.
"You could say that. Thank Heaven I passed the graduation tests without a problem and got out to Tusaine."
There was a sudden burst of laughter from a group of young men and women in the center of the courtyard. In the center, there were six benches set up in a circle around a pond. Trees shaded this favorite spot. Right then, cadets were laughing at someone's joke in the very center. A roasted chicken leg was flung up in the air. Another burst of laughter and there was a splash.
"This isn't happening," Joren said through gritted teeth. "Don't tell me that's--"
"Our rookie," Keladry finished. She grabbed Joren by the arm again and dragged him, unwillingly, forward to the group of cadets. As they saw the two officers approach, and being so young, they parted easily and let them through.
"What's all the commotion?" Keladry asked. She gasped when she saw.
A tall youth with sopping red hair was climbing out of the pond where he had fallen, most probably on purpose from the grins and winks he gave everyone. He laughed and was helped out by two male cadets that looked to be new at the academy. Then he shook his hair, which splattered drops of water onto everyone in the crowd.
"Nice one, Cleon!"
"Aww, Cleon, now you've gotten your brand new uniform wet and dirty!"
"Here, have some more chicken!"
"Oh, you can have the rest," Cleon laughed while taking off his uniform jacket and wringing it out. He turned around and saw them. "Hello there! My name's Cleon Kennan. Who are you?"
"We're in charge of you," Keladry smiled. Cleon reached forward and shook her hand with his wet one. She had to admit it was humorous and chuckled a bit. "What happened here?"
"Just some good-natured fun," Cleon beamed. He looked down at himself. "I hope you're not offended by the state of my uniform."
"Oh, please. You're a mockery, worse than the pansy," Joren mumbled. Keladry elbowed him in the ribs and he shot her a warning look.
"Well, hey, why don't you get to your room and change," she suggested warmly. It didn't take long to realize that Cleon was going to be just like Neal and Owen, if not worse. Cleon continued to wring out his clothing. "Seriously. Head on up to your room. My partner and I will settle in. We'll meet you at the shooting range. You can show us some of your skills, okay?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Cleon saluted and jogged away.
~~
"So, Officer Cleon, how long have you been at the academy?" Keladry asked, while reading some information sheets about him. She sat in a chair beside Joren while Cleon picked out a handgun from the Academy's arsenal. The redhead whistled.
"I guess since I was fifteen. I turned twenty-two just a month ago."
"Oh! Well, happy belated birthday," Keladry offered.
"Thanks." He studied her for a moment. "You know, you look a bit young to be a first class officer."
"She's twenty," Joren said monotonously while staring out the window. "Little Miss Perfect here broke my record for the shortest time at the academy."
Keladry stared at him. "I… I broke your record?"
He shrugged. "Who cares? You did. I don't mind. I do mind that you got us into this mess."
"Oh," she frowned. "Well, you played a big part of it, too, Joren. Anyway, Cleon, aren't you going to wear a headset and some goggles? They always made us do that here."
Cleon smiled. "Well, why don't you do it now?"
"Used to gunfire," Joren yawned. He made a shooing motion with his hand. "Well, go on. Show us what you got."
The redhead nodded and took aim of his target. He fired three rounds, all shots landing on their mark. Keladry's eyes widened as she found the difficulty of the target. She put down the papers. "Hey, that's great."
He grinned. "I could do it with my eyes closed."
And to prove his point, he glanced at his next target two feet left of the first and then closed his eyes and fired. Once again, he hit his mark without having to adjust his aim for more than five seconds. Keladry clapped softly. "I think you'll do just fine in the field with skills like that."
"Thanks!"
~~
A week passed. Cleon liked to talk almost as much as Neal and soon Keladry considered him as one of them. Despite the week of acquaintance, she already knew about his family life and everything she'd ever have to know about Cleon. The third-class rookie made friends very fast.
"So, can we take a squad car and go out to the city again today?" he asked her one day at lunch.
"Um, I'm not sure. We'll see," Keladry said and drank her cup of water. Joren reluctantly sat with them, as always, stabbing his food with a fork. She frowned at him.
"Man, it was exciting yesterday when we caught that guy who was skipping out on his parole!" Cleon exclaimed. He was practically shoveling food into his mouth between sentences.
"Don't eat so fast. You'll choke just like Owen."
"Who's Owen?"
"A friend of mine. He got transferred to A district."
"Oh."
"Hey, Mindelan," Joren said.
"What?" she turned to him. It was the first time he'd spoken all lunch. He pointed to her wrist.
"Your pager."
She looked at it. "I really have to keep the sound on." She answered it. It was Neal. "Hey. What's up?"
"Has the commissioner called you yet?"
"Uh, no," she replied. "Why?"
Neal sounded a little excited. "If he does, and asks you if you want a low-class case, say yes!"
Joren grabbed her wrist and started talking. "Why would we do that, Pansy?"
"Joren!" Neal shouted. "I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to Kel! Anyway, the low class case is for Numair Salmalin and Daine Sarassri. That's why. Daine is one hot chick…"
"Neal," Kel began.
"I know, I know. Don't call women chicks," he repeated after her. Cleon snickered.
"So, where did you hear about this?"
"I, uh…"
"Eavesdropped?" Cleon supplied. "I bet your friend there tapped into the communication frequencies."
"And what if I did?" Neal asked indignantly.
Kel shook her head while Cleon guffawed with laughter. "Well, Neal. We'll say yes if he calls."
"Cool! Bye."
Less than five minutes later; Kel received a page from Wyldon. He wanted to talk to her face to face, so she had to find a communications screen. The three officers left the courtyard and went inside one of classroom buildings. There, Keladry found a public comm. screen and dialed the commissioner's number.
"Mindelan!"
"Yes, sir?"
"I have a job for you, pretty low class. Are you willing to take it?"
"No!" Joren shouted over her shoulder. Kel glared at him.
"Uh, yes sir. What is it?"
Wyldon sat back in his chair. "The two Council members of Technology, Daine Sarassri and Numair Salmalin came to me today from their place at the President's grounds and asked me to find a missing person."
"A missing person's case?"
"Yes. Do you still want to accept?"
"Yes!" Cleon flashed a thumbs-up as he leaned over her. Keladry pushed him aside.
"Uh, what he said, sir."
"Good."
Keladry cleared her throat. "And may I ask who it is that we're looking for, sir?"
"Thom Trebond."
"Trebond?" she thought. "That sounds familiar." Wyldon continued.
"He's the long lost brother of the President's advisor, Alanna Olau Trebond. Present day rumor says he was a master inventor and scientist. A technological genius, if you will."
She nodded.
"And well, all we know is that he disappeared somewhere out west. It is very important for Mr. Salmalin and Ms. Sarassri to talk to him." He picked up a disk off his desk. "I'll transfer some information from the Council Members to your database account. You can access it later. Dismissed."
He ended the transmission. Keladry sighed. "Well, looks like another road trip."
"Can I ride your motorcycle?" Cleon asked with wide, puppy-dog eyes.
"Uh… no. I think you should stay in a car, Cleon…"
"Both of you are staying in a car," Joren said almost immediately. She turned on him.
"What! But, I have a bike."
"Yes, I'm aware of that. But Cleon is a terrible driver," Joren began, "It'll save on fuel, and… there are plenty other reasons."
She rolled her eyes. "And what about your bike?"
"I don't leave my bike behind, remember?"
"Oh, how could I forget…"
Cleon tapped her on the shoulder. "Is he always going to be like this?"
"Sadly, yes."
~~
Closing Credits:
Special thanks to those who helped me with descriptions:
( Note: these people are VERY cool. Do not mess with them.)
Kestrel
Erin (Hyper Girl to the Rescue)
Sullychkk (Ack! All I remembered was your e-mail! I'M SO SORRY! E-MAIL ME, OKAY?)
And also to the people who volunteered to help with my web page:
FireLily
Jaelawyn Noble
And if anyone is good with fixing web pages, please e-mail me. My e-mail is listed at top.