The Training Room: Chapter 5

I.

I stared at the flames until they slowly flickered out. All I could think of was a door being removed, the monsters turned loose upon the world. I gathered myself and raced to Dr. Director's quarters. I was desperate to warn her, to somehow save her. I should have known better.

II.

"Remember, Willy, Global Justice is a noble idea. We bring justice to parts of the globe that have never seen it before. The director is determined that we will live up to our name, and I'm with him one hundred percent."

"But," I looked up at the eye patched woman, "it's an awful big world."

"It gets smaller everyday, Willy. We have to make sure justice happens, or there may not be a world."

"Wow." I stared at her with awed eyes. "That's what I want to do when I grow up. Bring justice to the world."

"You will, Willy. That's why your studies and exercises are so important, Now, you will work harder, won't you."

I straightened my ten year old shoulders, "Yes, ma'am. I'm gonna be the best."

She patted my shoulder, "I know you will, Willy, I know you will." She turned and left.

I did not see her again for seven months.

III.

R & D had come up with a pocket laser that looked like a square cell phone. It only had two discharges, both lethal, before the energy cell was drained. I carried one with me always, now. Even he couldn't dodge a laser. With it in my hand, I jimmied the seal on Dr. Director's quarters, moving silently into the room. Silence. No music, no tv, no computer, none of the normal sounds of someone relaxing off duty. I gripped my weapon tighter. Movement. I clenched my teeth to stop their chattering. Whirling I brought my weapon to bear on...a naked Dr. Betty Director towel drying her hair.

"DU! What the hell do you think you're doing?" She screamed, trying frantically to wrap the too small towel around herself.

"I...I...I..."

She spun back into the bathroom, her bare back reproaching me. "Get the hell out of here, Du. I'll speak to you shortly."

"I...I...Dr. Director, I..."

"Out! Now!"

I stiffened my weakening resolve. "Dr. Director, I have reason to believe that your life or well being may be in danger. This is an emergency, I have to speak to you now."

The silence stretched, tightening my already wired nerves.

"All right, get my robe out of the bedroom and bring it here."

I fetched her cover, a slim hand reaching around the door to snatch it from me. A moment later a patchless Betty Director strode into the living area. Her eyes drilling into me. Eyes? She must have read my question in my body language.

Striding to a chair, she said over her shoulder, "It's a false eye. I don't wear the patch when I'm off duty."

I had never seen her without her patch.

IV.

"All right, Will, I just received confirmation of my appointment as Director of Global Justice. As one of my first acts, I am promoting you to full agent. You did well on those three missions you assisted me on. I think it's time you stepped up."

"Thank you, Ma'am." I was filled with pride that my friend trusted me so much.

V.

Sitting wrapped in her long, dark blue, velor robe, Dr. Director glared at me. "All right, Agent Du, explain yourself."

I stood to attention, "Dr. Director, when I returned to my quarters after the evaluation, there was writing on the mirror. It said, 'Let the lesson begin'."

She looked at me, "Fine, let's go look at this message, then call forensics."

"You can't."

"Why not?"

"It was written in blue flames. They went out as I read them."

"If there was fire, there was heat. Forensics will be able to read it."

"There was no trace, Ma'am."

I could see the disbelief in her eyes. "Will," she drew a deep, slow, calming breath, "are you still on about Stoppable?"

"Ma'am, it was him. I'm sure of it."

I could see the skepticism and anger in eyes changing slowly to compassion and pity. "Will, let's look at this logically. How did whoever leave a burning message on your mirror?"

"I don't know."

"How did he know when you would be in your quarters?"

"I don't know."

"For that matter, how did he get in? This is one of the most, if not the most, secure facilities in the world. How did he get in?"

"I don't know."

"Will, what do you know?"

"I know that Stoppable somehow gained entry to this facility and left a message for me. I know that he's coming for you next."

She rubbed her temples with slim fingers, "Agent Du, this obsession you've developed about Stoppable is unhealthy." She raised her eyes to mine. "Ron Stoppable is a loyal, brave, if somewhat inept, sidekick. He is obviously in love with Possible, and would do anything for her. But, he has neither the ability or the knowledge to do what you say he's done. Possible, maybe. But not Stoppable."

"Ma'am, I..."

She raised her hand to halt me. "Agent Du, you will return to your quarters and confine yourself there until I send for you. Do you understand."

"Ma'am, yes, Ma'am." I spoke through clenched teeth.

"Will, you need help, and I'm going to see that you get it. Now go to your quarters."

I left without another word.

VI.

I remained at headquarters under semi-arrest for a month. Barely a week had gone by when the scuttlebutt began. Mission failures, agents found incapacitated either by alcohol or other means. A gathering storm of incompetence and failure. And through it shone the glittering success of Kim Possible. Finishing missions that Global Justice started. Rescuing captured agents. A growing string of golden success to match against GJ's expanding defeats. No one would talk to me, or even meet my eyes, but I still managed to keep abreast. One morning I was awakened abruptly. My gear taken away, civilian clothing handed to me, and whisked to this "Rest" facility. A secure asylum for GJ agents. No commitment papers necessary. After all, we are all trained and dangerous agents, an obvious threat to the world at large if we crack. I have gained a reputation with the staff as "recalcitrant". After all, why should I talk to these fools, they won't believe me.

VII.

I've been in this place for five months now, five long, interminable, frustrating months. Helpless. An attendant approached me as I sat on the veranda.

"Mr. Du, you have a visitor."

"Who would want to visit a failure?" My bitterness has begun, in spite of my best efforts, to break out now and again.

"Dr. Director, sir, she says it's urgent."

I rose reluctantly and followed him to the visitor's lounge. I peered through the doorway at my former 'friend' and superior. The time had not been kind to her. She had lost weight, the skin stretched tight on her cheeks. Her eyes nervously glancing about the room, she sat with her hands clasped together.

"To what do I owe the honor?" I announced myself on entering.

Her patchless face raised to mine, her good eye twitching. "Will, he came to see me last night."