RCC - Stories and Stuff!

All Starts and Ends on the Bench

Written by Lacuna
Title by Rachel
Pre-read and edited by Galaxy, Ducky and Rachel

cw: mentions of weapons, war, assassination and minor injuries

I know that I can't go back and it's not like I'm trying to

Lacuna stopped next to the wooden bench that served as a station. She shook off the snow that collected on her great coat, also rubbing her still sore shoulder. A hiss left her mouth as her hand passed by the newly healed gun wound.

Her eyes looked at the horizon, waiting for the vehicle that would take her to the frontlines. After waiting for a while she took out her silver pocket watch, looking at the time. She sighed, tucking the watch back into her overcoat.

"Nice rifle you got there." a person said from Lacuna's backside, where the bench was. "A Karabiner 98k, right?" she asked.

Lacuna turned back, looking at the girl. The girl wore a simple black suit, quite contrasting her pink hair. "Who are you?" she asked. She could see the girl was civil and could guess she probably worked for the government in one shape or form. That was the only possible reason for her knowing the rifle as Karabiner 98ks were strictly used only by the military and police personnel.

"Galaxy. Or that's what I go by in the sector." She said, casually pulling out a knife and starting to play with it. "But onto you. I've never seen someone this stoic while going back to the frontlines. They are usually not happy with the situation." She said, looking directly in Lacuna's eyes. "I'll boldy guess you either somehow got a promotion or you are a little bit crazy."

"And you are casually playing with a knife right now. Look who's talking." Lacuna answered, looking back into Galaxy's mismatched eyes. "I just know there's no escape from what I choose to do. And at this point in the war, everyone will somehow end in the frontlines when their time comes. The earlier the better, right?" She took out her pocket watch once more, looking towards the horizon. "Would like to talk more but I have to go."

Galaxy watched as the soldier got on the vehicle, this time taking out a gun to fiddle with. "Hope you survive. I would like to have a talk with you as well." She said with a smile on her face. Lacuna just looked back and tipped her cap in response.

I just want to gaze into that endless sky

Galaxy watched as the vehicle got lost in the horizon. "I think we can talk now." she said as she turned to her side on the bench. "And you said that no one would be here so doing the deal would be easy."

"Well... The Secret Police doesn't deal with the discards from the hospital. I couldn't know someone would be here." Ducky came and sat on the bench as well, taking her hat off her head. "We already talked about the target on the phone. So what do you think about the payment?" she asked, taking out a check to write.

Galaxy sat silent for a minute, thinking as she loaded the gun in her hand. "Tha plan I have on my mind could be a bit hard to pull off bu-"

"Is there not an easy way to do it?" Ducky interrupted, tapping her fingers on her knee.

"I was about to talk about that ma'am. But I can pull it off, cause I've pulled it off before." Galaxy said, aiming for a tree and firing her gun. "Sorry for the noise, this is the most effective way of cleaning it." She put the gun back into her jacket. "Anyways... The payment. I'll be the one providing the weapon so I'll also have to add it... Could you give me a minute? I'll quickly calculate it."

Ducky nodded in response, questioning if giving the job to Galaxy was the best idea. The death of the target could heavily affect the war, shortening it quite a bit. And if the assassination failed, the opponent could understand the county's plans and that would be bad.

"125,000." Galaxy said. "As I said the weapon will be mine so it is a bit more expensive." patting the gun inside her jacket as she also glanced at Ducky from the side.

Ducky sighed, taking out another piece of paper. "You're giving me the higher price just so you can get a weapon from me again, don't you?" She scribbled something on the paper. "So what do you think about a Ross Mk IIIB? Will be yours forever. I can get you one directly from the factory."

"That's amazing. Then it's 115,000." Galaxy said as she took the check and the promise for the rifle. "Then I'll go, there's no reason for me to stay here." She said, getting up from the bench and walking in a direction.

I just wanna make you understand why I try

Ducky took out her notes checking where her next meeting was.

"You don't have to check. Our meeting is here." A girl wearing a trench coat stopped her car, getting out of it. "Here, these are all the information I got." She handed Ducky a small box full of little notes.

Ducky opened the box taking a quick look inside. "Notes, tapes, photos... These are great Rachel." She closed the box, putting it next to herself. "Want to sit?"

Rachel looked between Ducky and the bench she sat on. "Yeah. I'm not on a mission right now." She cleaned the snow on the bench before sitting. "I really want to ask. Is there a reason why you plan your meetings in this bench in the middle of nowhere?"

A smile formed on Ducky's face. "Guess it." She laughed, silencing herself quickly. "Sorry, your expression was so good. But yeah. Guess it. You're one of our best agents. Try to guess it."

Rachel just sighed. "Alright. I'll play your game." A smile getting to its place on her face. "First things first, this place is in the middle of nowhere, the closest facility being the military hospital. The most logical answer would be that no one would be here, unless someone was getting transferred into or out of the hospital."

"Ding ding ding. Right."

"To be honest, I was waiting for something more complex from you but fine." Rachel said, a tad disappointed. "Now, I'll go just because you disappointed me. Want a ride home?" she asked.

Ducky got up from the bench, walking towards the car. "Of course. Wait..." She stopped for a moment. "You have one eye, riding a car should be illegal for you cause, you know, depth perception."

Rachel looked at Ducky, laughing. "Says the one who lends out military weapons to hitmen for assassinations. That is illegal on paper as well. Now get in, I'm giving you the ride home."

So please don't give me those eyes