Sunday was rather fun, Korosensei watched as I trained with some of the weapons I had been given in the small shooting range in the basement, obviously surprised and pleased with my marksmanship skills. Though he couldn't hang around watching what I did all day, his teacher's duties called and he had papers to grade and assignments to prepare for the school week. Monday came quickly, and so did the looming threat of the assignment. I found myself a bit anxious in class as Korosensei set up the lab that he had planned for the class. Three students made their usual assassination attempts against Korosensei, which I found rather amusing as they came nowhere near the sleek octopus's body. I blushed as he patted me on the shoulder after setting down the equipment for my table in front of me, and he pretended not to notice my reaction as he went to the front of the classroom and started demonstrating to the class on how to perform the lab.
Everyone had some sort of similar sweets, mine was Chocolate Pocky. A new favorite of mine. We were instructed on how to extract the coloring from process foods such as the pocky, and he gave an example of it. Then, without warning, he suddenly flitted around the room and snatched away everyone's snacks, aside from mine which I was holding with a death grip. I bit his tentacle that attempted to grab the pocky, and he immediately flitted away, holding the classes treats in his arms. "I'll uh...just take the leftover samples thank you! Excuse me!" He vanished for two seconds and hid the stuff somewhere, most likely my house or the faculty lounge. As soon as he was back the entire class protested in an outrage.
"Hey wait!"
"We bought those for ourselves!"
I sighed, shaking my head. I'd have to attempt to break him of that nasty addiction to sweets. 'Firstly, sweets may be delicious, but it's better in proper moderation. Secondly, why did he have to steal the sweets from the students?'
I was brought out of my thoughts by the pretty black haired girl Okada walking up to Korosensei, she seemed rather shy and nervous, her hands behind her back holding three vials of liquid. I frowned, confused. I hadn't seen her make any assassination attempts since I got here.
"I uh..well uh.." Okada was stammering a bit in her nervous state.
"Well? Go on speak up Okada. What can I do for you?"
"Um." She held out the vials in front of her. "Poison sir. Would you drink it please?" Everyone was surprised by her blatant and forward approach. "I'm sorry. Is this weird?"
"It is certainly a very straightforward assassination attempt I'll give you that!" His face was plastered in his usual grin as always as he looked at Okada.
"See, the thing is sir, I'm not very good at being sneaky, I mean everyone else is so good at this stuff. But for me? What I'm good at is Chemistry, and I put my heart and soul into this mixture."
I ignored the comment of one of the other students as I watched Korosensei and Okada with interest, curious now.
"Your heart and soul?" He picked up on of the three vials and opened it. "Don't mind if I do then!" He tossed back his head and drank the liquids of the vial, leaning forward as the effects hit him rather quickly. He shook for a moment in what I thought was pain, till his head turned blue and spiky, looking like something from a game I had spotted while surfing the internet. Sonic was it? I giggled in amusement at the funny look.
"Quite a kick. Sodium Hydroxide I believe. Good try Miss Okada, if I were human I'd most definitely have bought the farm." I frowned, have no clue what that referenced to. I hadn't heard the saying before so it was new to me.
"Oh, I see." Okada seemed a bit downcast at the outcome of the first vial.
"Shall I try the other two we have here as well?" He asked, holding up the other two vials curiously.
"Yes please!" Okada seemed happy that he was willing to try the other two.
"Right! Down the hatch!" He started drinking the other one that was in a vial.
This time, he grew wings and weird antenna on his head, turning a color that I could only call light turquoise. I blinked twice, taking a picture with my cell phone for fun.
"Thallium Acetate. Interesting. Let's see what the last does." He drank the last one, which was in a beaker. It had a yellow color to it, and I frowned a bit, not caring for the smell of this chemical. It was a bit on the weak side compared to the other two.
His face turned a neutral expression, the color white now. He said something rather incomprehensible to me, and I giggled softly at what I did manage to pick up.
"Also young lady, as your teacher, I can't overlook the fact that you handled toxic substances unsupervised."
"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir."
"Don't worry, I have an idea. Why don't we work together on a poison that has a little more of a kick!"
"Uh ah! Sure!" Okada seemed excited and happy at the prospect of a possible new poison that could hurt him.
The rest of the class day went a bit too fast for my likings, P.E. was mostly the badminton game, and I was beyond nervous as I left the school building for the day. I headed back to my house, dreading the soldiers I knew were waiting for me there.
As soon as I entered the house, I was met by Mr. Black and a small squad of his lackeys. I sighed, sitting down at the dining table to listen in to the details of the mission. "Just be quick about it, I don't want any interference," I grumbled, mildly irritated.
"Fine then. Now, you will be meeting with your partner here at the main gate, where he will enter the gate code to let you inside. Once inside you are to sneak in as his new assistant, bypass the security gate points with these security cards that your partner has acquired for us, and find the lab that is holding the device. It's small, in a black box most likely. Once you have it, you are free to use any means necessary to get it out of there that you see fit. Though stealth would be preferred, it is highly unlikely you will be able to get out of there with it in one piece. There are sentry turrets everywhere and guards are heavily armed. There are sensors surrounding the device so once you have it, your partner will leave out the front, and you will have to fight your way to the rendezvous point at this river. A boat will be waiting to pick up the device. Code Word is Dark Mamba. You don't hear that from them you do not give them the device. Your alternate point of recovery is 3 miles south of there at a small airstrip. If things turn south go there, a truck will be waiting. Their code name is Dragon's Blood. Though I highly doubt anything will go wrong but if it does you will go to them understand? I will be with the second team so you will recognize me." Mr. Black was quick and to the point, using the holographic display to show me a very detailed diagram of the layout of the building.
I had told Korosensei to stay at the school until I called him to let him know that I was home safe and sound. So I was relieved that he had actually listened to me. I was handed clothes for the mission, a lab coat, short skirt and pretty blouse that hid my body armor perfectly. Along with the few weapons I was to bring along. I went to my room and dressed for the mission, carefully strapping a knife high up on my thigh beneath the skirt, being careful to make sure all of my tattoos were covered appropriately, leaving small patches of them exposed on purpose per the instructions of the soldiers.
The drive over to my drop off zone was a long one, nearly an hour away. I disliked being cramped up in the small truck between the burly men and their large guns.
As soon as we arrived, I hopped out of the truck and put on the fake glasses I was supposed to wear and headed to the first checkpoint. My partner was a scrawny man in a lab coat with a clipboard tucked under his arm. He seemed impatient as he grabbed my arm roughly and dragged me along like I was a tardy student. "You are late! In my profession that is inexcusable. Though I will make an exception tonight seeing…" He was making a show in front of the guards. I stumbled, pretending to be clumsy and shy as I blushed with embarrassment. All fake of course.
"I'm sorry sir. It won't happen again, sir."
"It better not. Though I am glad you aren't making any excuses. I hate weak women who show cowardice." He growled, scanning his ID badge. I scanned mine as well, and we passed the guard station, the guards chuckling in amusement at the sight of me following the man.
"Guess he got a new assistant. That's the third one this month…" One of the guards snickered, obviously used to this sort of behavior.
I kept my head lowered and followed the scientist through the building, helping him with different inspections every now and again and scribbling notes of things on the pad he gave me. It was all for show to make the night seem normal for the lab. Another lab rat for his errands as usual. He sent me off to run a few errands around the building, having a guard escort me around to help me with the layout. The last errand was to run checks on the systems where my target item was at. I carefully followed the handling instructions, faking finding a problem with one of the electrical lines. "I'm sorry sir, but could you step behind the blast shield? There seems to be a problem with the stands electrical lines and I don't want to run the risk of you getting hurt while I repair it." I played the innocent-minded young woman, pouting a bit and giving him the adorable puppy dog eyes. He chuckled.
"Anything you say, Miss." He went behind the blast shield, watching me from behind the glass. I smiled and leaned behind the stand holding the device, and carefully unscrewed the panel, setting it aside to work on one or two specific alarm wires. I cut both of them and jumped when the alarm blared. The guard froze for a second, then pulled up his gun, aiming at me. "Those were the alarm trip wires. Your trying to steal the device aren't you?!" He growled at me, cocking his gun. I stood slowly, hands held up. A smirk crossed my face as I dropped the glasses, walking towards him, a sultry look on my face. He was surprised by my actions, not sure what to do since I was unarmed.
"Or maybe I just wanted to distract everyone from what I want to do?" I smiled warmly, then suddenly clapped my hands in front of me, stunning the man with a high-frequency blast that temporarily knocked him out. I slugged him in the temple hard, rendering him unconscious. I unhooked the device from its base stand carefully, wrapping it in a bulletproof bag and started walking down the corridors. I was met with both exits on either end of the hallway blocked by armed guards. All of them were carrying either M184 or 50 caliber guns.
"Stop right there! Put the device down, now!" Someone shouted at me, obviously in charge.
"I don't think so. I'm here to take this precious little device with me, and take it I shall." I raised a gun faster than they could blink and shot the man in charge dead between the eyes, shocking all of them as I killed three more guards at the same moment. Silence for a brief two seconds as everyone realized what had happened as three of their comrades, and their superiors bodies fell to the ground dead.
"OPEN FIRE! AIM TO KILL!" Someone shouted, taking over quickly. Bullets flew around me in a hailstorm of death. I grinned, the bullets ripping through my clothes, most poorly aimed though a few hit my arms and legs and one grazed my cheek. I dodged the rest, however, running at them as fast as I could, launching over them and slamming into two of the guards, I sliced through one's jugular with a karambit knife, the other I tore through his brachial artery, both of them gushing blood onto their still living comrades nearby. They freaked out a bit some shooting each other by accident as they tried to turn around to shoot me. I slammed my fist into one man's rib cage, ripping out his heart and dropping it onto the floor in front of them. They freaked out even more so now, and half of them ran away in fear as I ran for the exits, covered in both my blood and the blood of the dead guards.
I sliced through two more guards shins as I dropped into a slide to dodge a standing auto turrets range, catching the bag with the device on the other side of the hallway.
I was on the second floor, and as soon as I reached the glass windows I slammed through them, a shower of glass surrounding me as I unfurled my wings from beneath my clothes, dropping the lab coat as I flew off into the night, bullets flying after me and hitting me a few times. I winced as a few tore through my wings. I quickly increased my speed to avoid them and disappeared out of sight. The New Moon holding no light for them to keep up with my position now that I was airborne.
A mile from the place, I landed near the first drop point. As I walked up, I scented blood, and growled softly, realizing this position was compromised. I peaked at the boat and spotted guards from the facility had been here already. I flitted quickly away and flew to the secondary position, finding the truck exactly where I had been told it would be. I landed beside it, not even fazing Mr. Black who was standing there waiting for me. "Dragon's Blood. I'm guessing that the other team was killed?"
"Yes. Guards from the facility had found them."
"Too bad, those men were good soldiers. We will retrieve their bodies in the morning. As for you, this mission is over for now. You are free to return home now." I handed him the bag with the device inside, which he checked for any damage. Upon finding none he nodded in approval. "You did a good job today Anne. Thank you for helping us." He hopped into the truck and set the bag in the back in a secure holder, then drove off, leaving me there alone.
I sighed, taking off back to my home. I took it nice and slow, hiding above the cloud line to avoid being seen by anyone. By the time I got home, it was nearly 3 AM and my body was in agony from its wounds. I could barely walk as I stumbled into the house, heading for the bathroom to wash away the blood that was clinging to my skin and still seeping from my wounds. I winced as I pulled off the clothes and tossed them into the trash to be burned, then stepped into the lukewarm water, almost screaming at the pain it sent through my body. I collapsed to my knees, shaking as I let my body slowly adjust to the pain, then shakily stood up and started cleaning the wounds out with antibacterial soap. It hurt like all hell but was necessary. I knew quite a few bullets were lodged into me, and I had no way of reaching them to remove them myself. I'd need someone's help….
I wrapped a towel around myself and turned off the water, grabbing my phone and dialing Korosensei's number. "Hey...I...need your help...I'm home now." No sooner had I finished saying that and the man appeared in front of me, a black expression on his face. He was beyond pissed off when he saw how beat up and damaged I was.
I sat down on a chair heavily, too weak to really say much. "What...happened…." He asked me, trying his best to hold back his anger.
"Mission was a success, though one of the teams was killed. Getting out of there proved a bit difficult, the Guards gave major resistance." He disappeared for less than a second as he grabbed the extensive med kit I had on hand.
"Let's get you fixed up first, and some food in you. Then you can tell me everything that happened." He was pissed off, and he didn't want to listen to anything just yet till he had calmed down and made sure I wasn't in danger of dying. He was beyond fast as he removed all of the bullets faster than I could blink, I found myself stitched up and bandaged in no time. I sighed in relief when he gave me a shot of morphine for the pain.
"Thank you Korosensei." I relaxed, grogginess starting to set in a bit. I was mentally and physically exhausted after the long night. Though I was perked up by the scent of well-seasoned steak and potatoes, a very old favorite of mine. I grinned as he suddenly picked me up and carried me to the kitchen, setting me down on a chair at the table, a plate of hot food set down in front of me on the table. I ate happily, pleased with the delicious meal. Once I was done eating, I leaned back, relaxed fully now as I watched him clean up in less than five seconds.
"Why do you take care of me like this?" I asked him, sleepy.
"You are my stu-"
"No. Aside from the fact that I'm your student." I cut him off, and he sighed, picking me up and carrying me to my room.
"If you must know...I like you, Anne. Your different from anyone I have met before. You're strong, and yet after all of the crap you have been through, you still hold kindness in your heart." He laid me down on my bed and tucked me in beneath the blankets. "Now, enough questions. You need to rest and recover. I'll check on you every couple of hours to make sure you are doing alright. You're pardoned from school till your body has recovered enough. Good night Anne." He was gentle, petting my head as he gave me a kiss on the cheek. He turned and left my room, turning the light out behind him and closing the door. Sleep quickly took over my mind, and I drifted off into the blissful peace of my inner mind.
I was woken around lunch the next day by Korosensei, who seemed rather annoyed. "Sorry Anne, but there's an assembly today that you are required to attend to. The principal did not listen when I told him you were hurt and needed to rest, and insisted that you show up today. I'll help you get there, all you have to do is stand there in line with your classmates and as soon as it's over I'll make sure to bring you back here immediately." He seemed upset now, concern written all over his body language as he gently helped me get dressed in my school uniform, doing his best not to aggravate my injuries. He picked me up and carried me to the school building, setting me down so I could walk on my own and head into the building. I was right behind the rest of E-Class who had just arrived, and I got into line at the end. The class seemed surprised by my sudden appearance as they looked me over, most of the students in the school spotted me and were shocked by all of the bandages on me. I stood and waited for the assembly to end, hating the taunts that were thrown at my class.
"Smug bastards could learn a lesson or two in manners," I muttered under my breath, leaving the gym as soon as they released us. Korosensei had made an appearance to help us when the council member student had ignored our class for the school handout. I ignored it though, folding up the paper and putting it away for the time being. As soon as I was outside, I leaned against the wall beside Mr. Karasuma and Korosensei, resting my body a bit. "Was it really necessary for me to be here? All they did was make fun of the class."
"Sadly, yes." Mr. Karasuma was not happy. "What happened to you anyway? You look like hell."
"I pissed off the wrong people, got into a fight. I won, but got pretty beat up." I shrugged, brushing it off as nothing. Korosensei was not pleased with this, however, and I immediately found myself in his arms and being carried back to my place. He laid me back down in bed after removing my school uniform and putting me in a nightgown.
"You need your rest now, don't push yourself too hard right now." He growled softly, obviously frustrated.
"Fine…" I sighed, curling up on my side.
Korosensei left in a rush of wind, and I shivered slightly, closing my eyes and drifting back off to sleep. I was still rather tired and would be for a few more days.