Chapter 6

The SI-7 Agents were called to formation. It was a drop everything and run moment when Mathias Shaw summoned his agents. A rare event, and certainly didn't bode well for any of them. There would be no cause to summon them for anything less then bad news.

There were only two beings who knew what this about to happen. One was furious and the other was terrified. Shaw scanned the area for Fox. He knew she was there. Not that she would dare leave Lion's Landing without permission knowing what she did. What he wanted more then anything was to take a switch to her backside. All the hard work he had done setting her in Varian's way was suppose to reduce the amount of dissatisfaction with Shaw's team. Instead he had found himself before the King of Stormwind completely baffled by the fact one of his agents was "ill prepared for the rigors of combat."

Shaw spotted Fox peeking around Mishka. That Fox has chosen the field medic and resident first aid trainer did not improve his mood. "Crimson Fox, could you come up here and stand next to me?"

All eyes turned to Fox. She swallowed and made her way through her fellow agents. When she reached Mathias she dipped her head and stared at her feet. "Shaw, I am so sorry."

"Save it." The dark brown eyes pinned on her for only a second. Then looked out to his people. "I am sure you are all wondering why I called you forth today. The reason is the King has found a weak point in my personal leadership. It appears I have been lax in enforcing your survival skills. Okay, that is an exaggeration. I know, personally, that each and everyone of you has what it takes in combat, stealth, and interrogations. What Crimson Fox, so eloquently demonstrated for our King, is our lack of secondary skills." He cast a contemptuous gaze at her, before smiling brightly. The attention moved out to the crowd before him, "So from here on out, every single agent will demonstrate their abilities in these skills. You will be regularly and routinely tested throughout your time with us on the following skill set by level. Cooking, Archeology, Fishing, and Fox's personal favorite of the day, First Aid."

The mention of fishing had nearly all of the SI-7 agents cringing in horror.

"Now do not be overly distressed. To atone for her lack of preparedness, Fox will be restocking the First Aid store house with two thousand bandages." Shaw nodded at her.

Fox let out the deep breath she had been holding. Shaw was known for his no nonsense approaches. She was a seasoned agent, and he would surely expect more from her then most.

Shaw watched as she relaxed before adding, "Of each and every kind of bandage."

A choking sound emerged from Fox as she turned to Shaw, "Every kind? But that will take hours!"

"Light to Heavy, Linen to Windwool, Fox, and I want them before the end of the day." Shaw growled at her. "The rest of you are dismissed."

"But Shaw..."

He was having no part of her excuses. "Fox, you will have those bandages done today, or I swear I will find something else to add to the punishment. How about cleaning fish? With all my agents camping the shores, I know how much you would enjoy that."

Mishka rushed over. She stood behind Fox and placed her hands on firmly on Fox's arms in warning. "I will see to her training."

"And you will count the bandages personally, Mishka. Do not make any mistakes, or help her make a single one for the storehouse." Shaw turned away swiftly. He wanted so much to rail at Fox. It was a long time since he felt such disappointment in one of his own. She had one job. Sure, he hadn't told her exactly what he wanted her to do. How hard could it be for a sexy woman to unwittingly entice a man who hadn't been laid in years? So far all she had managed was to make him look incapable before the King. That was unacceptable.

"I don't think I have ever seen him that angry." Fox wrung her hands. Turning to Mishka. "Have you ever seen him like? I mean calling out all the agents? Have you ever seen him give anyone a reprimand in public?"

"You have been with the SI-7 longer then I have, Fox." Mishka sighed and patted the other woman's shoulder.

"Teach me what to do, Mishka. Teach me fast."

It was hours later that Varian stood up and walked across the room. A large leather bound account book in his hand. Standing before the window he looked out. What caught his attention brought a glimmer of amusement to his eyes.

Tables had been set out. Stacks of cloth of various types sorted across them. SI-7 agents lined the right on benches working on bandages. To the left sitting alone, with Mishka standing over her, was Fox. Stacks of bandages around her. From the look of it she was carefully folding windwool before adding it to an impressive pile.

Mishka walked over, and counted through one stack. She lifted them carefully to her chest. Turning to say something to Fox, before retreated toward one of the many storehouses at Lion's Landing.

Varian looked out to see several more of Shaw's people lining the coast line, fishing poles in hand. Shaw was certainly fixing the issue that Varian had raised with him. None of the SI-7 agents seemed to be slacking off at all. It was impressive.

A man stood up from the benches, and made his way to where Fox was sitting. He leaned over appearing to say something to her. Varian tilted his head to the side. Wondering if the man was engaging her in polite conversation or possibly more. Whatever he was seeking to do, Fox failed to respond. She did not hesitate in her work, nor did she reply.

To Varian's shock the man let out a roar. Varian could hear it through the glass of his second story room. The man transformed into a Worgen before pulling a dagger and slamming it through the pile of windwool Fox had been working on. Varian sucked in his breath and held it. He fixated on Fox.

The brown eyes leveled on the dagger before rising to the angry Worgen. The next motion Varian could hardly process as the woman drove over the table. The brawl between the two moving with lightening fast reflexes that rivaled Varian's own memories as a gladiator champion in Dire Maul.

He slammed the book shut, and turned to see Shaw entering the room.

One look at the King's face caused Shaw to rush to the window. "Oh." The rogue relaxed. He settled a hand on the window frame and leaned close to enjoy the view.

"There is a Worgen trying to tear Fox apart, and all you can say is Oh?" Varian snapped out before starting for the door.

"Please, your Magesty, do not interfere with my agents." Shaw turned his eyes on the King. Although he did not give up his spot by the window.

Varian turned swiftly to look in shock at Shaw's calm resolve. "That Worgen is going to hurt Fox!"

Shaw scoffed and looked back out the window. "Really? Because that isn't what I see from here. He doesn't seem to be landing any blows at all. It's all, Fox being blood thirsty as always."

Varian was drawn back to the window. Could Shaw be telling the truth? One look revealed that he was. Fox roundhouse kicked the Worgon onto the table. She reached out to grabbed him by the shirt. In perfect form pulled back her fist. The blow connecting hard.

Mishka returned and rushed to grab Fox. The field medic unable to stop Fox from pushing the Worgen's face into the ruined bandages. Then Fox banged his head off the table. The Worgen bouncing to the ground unconscious. While Fox was grabbed by a passing Death Knight's death grip to get her away from the defenseless Worgen. Then with the added aid of another SI-7 rogue restrained her so that Mishka could administer aid to the limp Worgen.

"My agents will work things out amongst themselves." Shaw nodded down at the fray. "Don't worry so much about our Fox. I realize how you may see her, but it's a false view. She has worked under me for the last seven years in some pretty rough situations. As you can see, she has always come back alive."

Varian shook his head, "Who trained her to fight like that?"

"Life." Shaw shrugged. It was not something he ever considered. How or why his SI-7 agents gained their skills did not matter. Their ability to do what was instructed is where it counted. "She came to me with some pretty nice skills. Over the years those skills have gotten better. Do not underestimate the agent I assigned to you, my King. I would not select anyone unworthy to aid you."

Varian nodded slowly. Fox had told him she was a fighter. He had not believed her to be honest. She certainly did not look the part. Still, fish to the sea and birds to the air, so were rogues to battle. Varian had only a glimpse of her ability. How much more fierce would she have been if the daggers at her waist had come to her hands.