"GAIA, please! Just give me one last chance!"
"GEMINI1, APHRODITE has completed the last 16 missions before you even got there. I think a partner would be good for you."
"I don't need a partner; I need to be in a different division from that bastard!" I plead.
The commander hunches over her desk and puts a hand to her forehead, her fingers entwined with her bangs. She lets out a long sigh.
" If you do well enough with your partner, maybe I'll consider letting you work solo again."
"But-"
"no buts. You've already been assigned."
She nods to HERA, her second in command, who leaves the room only to return with the bane of my existence. My eyes widen in fear.
"No… you don't mean. You wouldn't?"
" I'd introduce you to your partner, but I believe you've already met."
She gets up from her desk and makes her exit.
" I expect you to learn something GEMINI1. Don't disappoint me." She says on her way out the door.
I turn to look at APHRODITE, who's smiling in my general direction.
" Of all people, it had to be you. "I fumed.
Her smile slowly fades away.
"I know you don't like me, but it looks like we're going to be stuck together for a while. Can't you at least try to be civil?"
" You ruin my life and expect me to be civil about it." I huff.
" I ruined your life. Chiara, are you always this over dramatic?"
"We're supposed to use codenames, so would you quit calling me Chiara already! "
"fine. Come on, GEMINI1. We've got work to do."
GAIA- Ukraine
HERA- Belarus