On the Run

Agency Shenanigans Pt.3

You stared down at the expense report, the words blurring together. You reread the same paragraph five times and didn't comprehend the words.

Your mind was still on a few nights ago when your housemates learned that the one man that was supposed to help them, was dead.

"The fuck you mean he's dead?!" Bakugo was the first to react, shouting. Your shocked eyes stare at him. Midoriya's hands feel ice-cold in your own, and you feel like ice water was doused on you.

"He's dead," you say again, voice devoid of all emotion. 

Shock roils through the room, leaving many paralyzed in their seats. Iida grips his hair, pacing the living room floor, Shinso slides down the wall he was leaning against previously, and Mina runs towards the guest bathroom.

"...How?" Midoriya whispers. Your eyes turn to him, no longer wide, but filled with sympathy and sadness.

"At first, it was a regular attempt on his life, but it turned fatal. The killer, James Doe, was a server, giving the chairman his dinner and medication for the night. He was poisoned, and his medication made it worse for him to recover."

You shook your head, remembering the night vividly. "He died two days after his killer was booked. I told him personally, and all he did was smile."

"Chairman Jang was a kind man. While there were rumors that he had a criminal past and current criminal connections,  he didn't deserve to die the way he did."

Chairman Jang was humble, always donating freely to those in need. You tried to separate rumors from real-life meetings, but you knew he wasn't completely innocent. 

Bakugo rubbed his hands down his face, feeling frustration, anger, and despair flood him. They were hopelessly screwed.

You shook your head, trying and failing to get your mind on track. Luckily, Gaea was closed for the day, mostly due to the slowdown of crime. It allowed for you to catch up on paperwork, as well as allow a break for your sidekicks. 

But, you still had work to do, an agency to run, sidekicks to mentor, people to save and protect, and children to care for. You didn't have time to worry about that.

Put it in a box for later, you remind yourself.

After a quick pep talk, you finally regain focus, reading and marking important notes on the expense report.

********************************************************

Meanwhile, the sidekicks of Gaea were preparing for their quarterly bonding/ team morale activity. Every three months, a survey is taken, where the heroes choose what activity they would like to do. It was usually announced spontaneously, and a select few knew the actual activity.

The sidekicks were extremely excited. Being a sidekick at Gaea meant spontaneity, and there was always a surprise waiting as they worked. All the more reason why everyone gunned for a spot at Gaea. 

"Alright Gaea!" Arsenal shouts, gathering the attention of the heroes in the lobby. "Let's head out to the buses and head to our event location!"

Sidekicks big and small went out to the buses, chattering amongst themselves, wondering just where they were going. 

Forty-five minutes later, with nonstop nagging from Aerial and Energizer, they arrived at an abandoned-looking lot, old train cars and storage containers lining their path. On a bright banner, "Giant Party Sports" signaled the entrance to their newest activity.

The heroes were going paintballing!

Whoops and cheers rang out around Arsenal, and she smirked. 

They arrived at the lounge, watching as other large parties exited from the arena. Some looked professional and armored in bullet-proof gear, specialized guns, and custom masks. Some wore army fatigues and dressed for war.