Chapter 2

Helping a friend

Sapphire raised her fists and focused on the green circles, waiting for P.H.I.L.S. to give her the signal to start. She took a deep breath and toggled back and forth on her feet.

"You may begin," the AI spoke, and Sapphire went to town. She threw her fists out, and as they met the green circles, they turned red. She threw her feet up and used some kicks to the get the circles on the bottom row, while her fists took care of the top.

"Any improvement?" Sapphire asked once all of the circles were red.

"I'm afraid not, Agent Sapphire," the AI replied, "your time was the exact same as it was the last time you did this exercise: 1 minute and 3 seconds."

"Not good enough," Sapphire muttered to herself. "Restart the simulation."

Meanwhile, the Director sat in his office, monitoring Sapphire's progress. He liked to watch his Insurgents train in private, see how much better they are getting. He took a drag of his new cigarette and let out a quick breath.

"Councilor," he told his assistant, who came running to his side. "Go and send a message to Garnet and see if he will assist Agent Sapphire. She needs the help." The Councilor nodded, but before he headed off, he dropped off a message.

"Sir, you have an entry request," he told his boss, and the Director rolled his eyes.

"From who and why?" he asked, putting down his cigarette, his eyes not leaving the screen he was watching.

"Agent Sapphire's love interest. I am guessing he's here for her."

The Director mentally groaned. That boy got on his nerves. "Bring him in, but do not let him stay for long."

"Director?" Niko began. "I know I'm not an Insurgent, but I wish to assist Sapphire in her training. She's really proud of her position at number one but when Garnet took it she went to town training by herself, no breaks whatsoever. While I myself train endlessly, I had been doing that for the last Chaos knows how many years and I always saw Sapphire, before all this, as a way to escape training and to have fun. You can't get on top by training so much you faint from exhaustion…and will you stop smoking for a second?"

Niko, having had a cigarette once before and hating the taste it left in his mouth and the scent it left on his clothes, had always hated smoking. What is more is that he really hated it when people smoke whilst he was talking to them. Niko calmed down a bit, getting agitated by the Director smoking while he was talking and continued.

"As I was saying," He continued. "You can't just train and train if you wanna get on top. You must know when to have some while you're training. Find something in everyday life outside the agency as a training tool. For me, it was the board game Operation. I trained myself to play using my Psychokinesis, and I got better by playing by myself or with my little brother Skye. I also went to the arcade and played all the games that would help with my combat prowess, like Dance Dance Revolution for my agility, Time Crisis for my aiming skill with firearms, and the bumper cars for my driving skills. You must be able to train and have fun doing it. What I'm trying to ask is can I take Sapphire out to the arcade for a little fun and training?"

The Director raised an eyebrow as he lit a new cigarette with his cyan and black lighter. He took a drag and turned back to his window. "Niko, Sapphire enjoys her training," he replied firstly. "To her, it's like a game. You, especially being one of her closest...friends, should know that." He turned around to face Niko then, face carefully guarded by shadows. "Even if I would let you, she would most likely refuse." He took another drag.

"I can, however, permit you to go train with her and Garnet here," he added, keeping his posture well. "She's a serious person, boy. If she wants to train to get her spot back, she's going to do it the right way."

"You know what my name means in Japanese?" Niko asked. "It means smile. When I see her train, I see that, but beneath the facial smiling, I don't see her happiness. I respect your way of doing things, I really do, but maybe a change in scenery would do Sapphire some justice in my honest opinion. As much as I can understand her refusal, I feel like there has got to be a way to help her train without wanting to have some sort of position back, that shouldn't matter. I wanted to see my real mother again, so I trained and trained until I knew I was ready!"

Niko decided that this wasn't getting him anywhere and went to the training room to ask Sapphire himself.

This boy and his foolish ways of thinking were going to get someone killed. Sapphire would never get her spot back if she went to an arcade, and the Director knew that she knew that. "Training simulator seven," he called after Niko as he put his cigarette out and clasped his hands behind his back. He too left his office and started towards the viewing bay, a large window that overlooked the training room.

As Niko approached the training room's immediate entrance, a female AI, P.H.I.L.S., stopped him. "To verify personal, please place a bare hand onto the scanner," the AI spoke, repeating her automated message. As she did, the scanner by the door blinked.

"Oh well," Niko said as he did so and the simulation began. Niko looked around at the target and smirked.

"Child's play." He said destroy the targets and ending the simulation earlier than even Garnet expected. "How's that?"

"New record," The AI said. "48.5 seconds."

Niko walked up to Sapphire. "Hey Sapph. I know you're busy and all with your training, but you mind coming with me, there's something I want to show you. I'll give you a hint; it's something that'll help you get your spot back!"

Sapphire gritted her teeth. "Niko, I'm really not in the mood, especially since you just barged in and showed off." She shook her head, "Garnet, go get the plasma staffs," she ordered, and Garnet started for the corner of the room. "P.H.I.L.S., activate standard battle," Sapphire ordered, and a screen in the corner of the room came to life.

"Who are the combatants?" the AI asked thoughtfully as Sapphire caught the plasma staff thrown her way.

"Garnet and I," she replied, and their armored faces flashed on the screen.

"Begin when you are ready, Agents Sapphire and Garnet."

Sapphire stepped up, and looked over her shoulder at Niko. "Now, if you don't have any more showing off to do, or if you're done trying to drag me away from training, I'm going to do what's best for me." She yawned behind her armor, wondering how late it was.

Niko sighed and left.

"She's really dedicated to getting that spot back." Niko said to himself.

"That's right, Niko." said a soft voice. "She's as stubborn as I am."

Niko looked around to see a woman looking at him.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"I'm not really here, or alive, but I'm Allison."