Disclaimer: I own Andi, that is it for this chapter.
Learning to Breathe
Chapter five: More than Useless
I couldn't sleep. This day was going to bite. It's not that I didn't want to, it just never came. Instead, I was awake until nearly two in the morning trying to make myself tired. Then I went to sleep for maybe three hours before getting dragged out of bed by Zartan. Honestly, we don't even have to be there til like seven, and he's waking me up at five thirty! Can't a girl get a little sleep on a Sunday?
Anyway, I showered, got dressed, and grabbed some weird berry flavored poptart on the way out the door. Some twenty minutes later, we're on the big base. It ain't even half-past six! Did I mention this day would bite?
So, we finally get to go into the office thingy where they hold most of their meetings (or at least I think they just meet in one room.) and wouldn't you know it? We're the first ones there! (okay, Cobra Commander was waiting, but nice thought.)
As it turns out, no one else can tell time. Bludd came in behind us; Mindbender was five minutes late and closely followed by two fellows I didn't recognize. And just as the Commander orders Bludd to shut the door (he was closest), Destro saunters in with some brunette with glasses, who I assumed to be the Baroness. Ten minutes late, might I add. They didn't even get into the room good before the fireworks started.
"What is that and what is it doing here?" She asked. I instinctively looked around for some kind of animal, as did Bludd, before realizing that she was talking about me.
"Atlantis will be sitting in on the meeting today." Zartan informed her. I'll give the guy props for keeping his cool. I was about ready to hit her.
"Who authorized this?" She asked. Gee, pick a dumb question.
"I did." Cobra Commander sneered. Well, I couldn't see his face, but I bet that's what he was doing.
"Why?" Miss Four-eyes askes. Destro puts a hand on her shoulder, supposedly to clam her down. I think he'd be better off with some of Mindbender's sedatives.
"She is the active commander of Shadowatch." Cobra Commander said nastily. "And since she has cleared her psychiatric evaluation, she will be joining us to learn first- hand what will be happening in this organization."
More like he didn't want us browsing in recordkeeping anymore. Such a shame, that Madame Harris was a nice lady.
"I don't know how you managed this, Zartan…" Destro started, before being promptly cut off.
"No, you listen." Zartan growled, standing up. "Whether or not you like the kid is not my concern, but she has already prover herself to be more physically capeable than you or your ladyfriend. Atlantis stayes, deal with it."
Wow. I don't think anyone has ever stood up for me like that before. Maybe my parents, but not exactly when facing a superior. Mom is terrified of him, and Dad just wants to stay out of trouble. But I digress…
Destro inc. sat down, as did my boss, and then the Commander started to talk. The budget concerns bored me, so I facinated myself with the way that the light danced around on the metal table. I was broken out of my reverie when I realized that someone had asked me a question.
"Yes?" I answered, hoping that it was the right answer. Apparently it was, cause the Commander nodded and turned the floor over to Mindbender. Bungler gave some report on a project Gladiator that I had never heard of, and then the two funny dudes took the floor.
They wore red, and looked identical. I'm betting twins.
"The latest deal sponsored by Extensive Enterprises is a success." They said in unison. Yep. Definitely twins.
"The C.E.O.'s at Typhoon Industries was very pleased to have made the deal." One spoke.
"In exchange for some help with the IRS," the other said, "they have given us the plans to their latest invention."
"That's why we like smaller companies." The Commander said. They went on to talk about some kind of special material that would blend in with the environment, or its wearer's skin. Good for some metamorphs, maybe, but mostly for stealth suits. My suspicions were confirmed when Mindbender was "volunteered" to make the suits. He didn't look to happy about that either.
And now it was apparently our turn to give a report. Boss stood up and I half- way listened. Mainly, it was some kind of progress report on us.
Actually, it went well until he asked to transfer us to another base for progressive training. I don't know what "progressive training" is, but if we have to go to the other end of the country to start it, count me out. Major Bludd looked happy to see us go; Destro looked like someone had slapped him.
"Why would you need to leave?" Destro asked. "We have more resources here than at any other base."
"And more distractions." Zartan countered. "Winter break is coming, and I intend to make the most of it."
"I'll bet you do." Destro said. "Trying to stage some kind of coup behind our backs!"
"What is your problem?" I asked. "You have been trying to get my team thrown out since we got here!"
"You have no place!" the Baroness shouted. "Just a child who wants to eat at the grown-up's table."
"At least I earned my place." I glared at her. She seemed to retreat, and then Destro was on me.
"She has more experience than you, child!" Metalhead shouted.
"Just in the bedroom." Major Bludd commented, making four-eyes sqeal and Destro fume. So the rumours are true…
"And what about your sabotaging our practice mission?" Zartan shouted. "You almost killed two of the team!"
"What mission?" Bimbo lied. Bitch.
"Don't lie to me!" I hissed. "We both know you conveniently 'forgot' to mark those oxygen tanks! Do us both a favor and just admit it!"
"I don't think I have anything to speak to the likes of you about!" she growled. Actually, it sounded more like a kitten who's just gettng the hang of growling.
And who is she calling useless?
"What was that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"What do you think it meant, girl?" She taunted. This was going to get ugly.
I could almost here Ry yelling "Cat Fight" in the back of my mind.
"If you have some kind of comment, just say it!" I shouted. She gritted her teeth. "What? Don't wanna make a fool of yourself? Too late for that, bitch! You've already started this, so why not stick around and watch it in?"
And as I waved at my career as it flew out the window, the Baroness started to scream.
"You are nothing more than a genetic accident, you wretch!" She shrieked.
"Wretch? Is that all you've got?" I shouted. I was probably asking for it, but I'm no quitter.
"I can't believe a mistake like you was even allowed to set foot on the parking lot!" the woman shouted. "I don't know how something as useless and ugly as you are was even allowed to be born, you little bitch! You should have never been allowed to see the light of day!"
And as she continued to rant and turn violet, I thought about how close to the bone she had struck. Although neither of my parents had used the term to describe me, they certainly hadn't intended for me to be born in the first place; it just kind of happened, and occurred three months ahead of schedule. Add in the fact that I spent the first months of my life in a Torronto intensive care unit, and the story bears a remarkable parallel. I turned my attention back on her only to overhear her say "I don't even know how your mother even stands to look at you let alone… aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!"
Nobody insults my family and gets away with it! Screw this play nice stuff, I want to see blood, Dammit!
Currently, I had jumped across the table and pinned little miss Romania to the wall.
"Let me make this clear to you, you can talk trash about me all you want, but don't ever drag my mother into this. Or even my father, for that matter. One more remark of the like and I will slash you open and watch the blood drain from your body, are we clear?" I dropped my voice and looked straight into her eyes.
She looked scared. Why would she feel that way? YOU know, it could be the razor sharp fin pressing into her neck. Yep, that could be it.
"You psychotic little… Aaaggghhh!!!" Screamed the bitch. I had just stepped on her foot with my size nine combat boots, clenched my free hand around her right wrist, and twisted it backwards. Didn't I say that this would get ugly?
"That was not question." I growled, tightening my grip on her hand. I know my hands are big, but jeez, the woman's arm felt like a noodle. No actual muscle there at all, which made torturing her a lot easier. "Don't trash my family? Are we clear?"
"Yes! Yes, we're clear, now let me go!" She screamed. I morphed tan again and stepped off of her foot.
I should note here that, in theory, someone should have tried to get between us by now. However, Zartan was occupied with fighting Destro, Cobra Commander shouted, but didn't get close, the Crimson Guard just sat there like goldfish, and Mindbender and Major Bludd seemed to have opened a betting pool on us. From the looks of it, Bludd lost.
"Enough of this!" Cobra Commander shouted. "Atlantis, get back on your side of the table! Destro! Zartan! Quit trying to tear each other apart and sit down!"
For once, I did as I was told. I'm already in trouble, so there no need to push it. Especially since Zartan looks like he still wants to fight somebody. He may not be Dad, but I ain't takin' that chance.
"You should all be ashamed of yourselves!" the Commander shouted. "Especially you!" He pointed straight at the Baroness as he said this. Looks like somebody's in time out.
"But she started it!" She shouted back.
Really, can't she come up with anything more mature?
"I do not care!" The Commander shouted. I think he's turning crimson under that veil- thing. "You will sit back down and behave like a mature adult!"
"Yes, Commander." She resigned. She looked like a five-year old in time out.
The rest of the meeting, I never heard. I was too occupied with my thoughts for the time being. Or rather, who was thinking them.
You should have killed her.
Not without just reason, Rae.
She disrespected the entire family, Josie. Why don't you just butt-out?
I admit that she needs to be taught a lesson, Rae, but not with witnesses around!
Josie, no one would have opposed us if we had done it.
And we wouldn't have a job if we did.
See? I don't talk to myself. The voices talk to me. Damn.