The Fall of KORPS, The Rise of MI9: KORPS Takedown

Chapter 8

The following morning was calm as the teens lay in the tent, listening to the sounds of other campers moving around. Frank was busy cooking breakfast when he suddenly dropped a saucepan in shock, causing the heads of his agents to appear in the tent doorway. "Frank?" Frank was too busy staring at a man and five familiar teenagers across the field to hear Aneisha's worried call. "Dan, keep an eye on the food, please." Frank didn't wait to see whether Dan moved; he was already strolling halfway across the grass with a disbelieving grin. "I don't think I can quite believe what I'm seeing right now! Edward Dixon-Halliday! In the flesh!" The other man turned and stopped dead in his tracks as he recognised the voice. "Frank? Is it really you? After all these years?" Edward pulled him into a rough bear hug, and Frank couldn't hold back tears. When he pulled away, Edward was grinning. "I thought you were dead, Edward!" The teens stopped what they had been doing and rushed towards him with a squeal. "We've all missed you so much." Edward clapped a hand on Frank's shoulder. "I resurfaced not long after these guys graduated, and we built an elite team. I assume you've got new agents?" Frank nodded as Oscar pointed across the field. "Yeah. A bunch of juvenile sixteen-year-olds." Liberty charged towards them with her sister and teammates hot on her heels. "Libby!" The girl grinned as she ran straight to Oscar and jumped into his arms, and he spun her around as she squealed, ignoring their teammates' confusion. "Oscar? You already know this girl?" Oscar nodded as he gently placed Liberty back on her feet and pulled a necklace from his pocket, causing Liberty's face to light up in excitement. "You found it! Oscar is the boy I danced with on the night we had to protect the princess. The vibe I got from him was strange, and I'm ashamed to admit I thought he was working for KORPS." Frank tried to stifle a laugh, and Liberty playfully slapped his arm. "He's the reason you decided to return to KORPS?" She groaned. "Shut up."

Frank and Edward sat outside the tent all morning, catching up on everything they'd missed in the last few years. The teens were left to their own devices, giving them time to get acquainted; of course, they chose twenty questions. It didn't last long, as Liberty and Oscar wouldn't stop giggling together. Madison and Keri shared a knowing smile as they watched Liberty and Oscar getting closer; Liberty needed someone who could bring out the best in her. "They look adorable together." Carrie and Rose scowled; it was clear neither teen was happy about the attention Oscar was receiving. "Jealousy is never a good look. You're acting like brats." Daisy's hushed remark caused the pair to scowl even more, which only made their friends laugh. "Rose and Carrie have been crushing on Oscar since they first laid eyes on him. It's pathetic." She leaned her head on Blane's shoulder, smiling as he kissed her hair. Sensing the tension mounting, Dan had an idea. "Who wants to play stuck in the mud?" Predictably, Liberty instantly stood with a squeal. "Me!" Carrie couldn't help grinning at Liberty's seemingly endless supply of energy. "That's a great idea. We're not used to being inactive for extended periods anymore." Daisy rolled her eyes. "Speak for yourself. Oscar, perhaps you and Keri can be it?" The group scattered with a shout as Keri and Oscar took off across the field in opposite directions. "Look out, Libs! I'm coming for you first!" Liberty saw Keri charging towards her in her peripheral vision, so she took the opportunity to taunt the girl. "Show me what you've got then, Summers! Come at me!" As the redhead approached, Liberty threw herself into a backflip and landed behind her. She saw her friends staring as she ran away. "What? You've seen me do that loads of times, guys." Dan gestured to her body with a sheepish smile. "I wasn't sure if you were fit enough for that yet, Libs. You only came out of the hospital a week ago. You nearly died." She grimaced slightly as she turned to run away again. "Yeah, I probably shouldn't do it. Shit, that hurt like hell."

That evening, Edward and his team disassembled their tent, preparing to leave so they could return to work. "We'll help you load up, won't we, team?" Frank's question was stern, meaning there were no arguments to be had, but Liberty still wormed her way out of helping. "Has anyone seen Oscar?" There were sniggers from the girls, and that was when Frank noticed his missing girl. "His disappearance wouldn't have something to do with Liberty, would it, ladies?" Keri grinned as she pointed to the wooded area, where Edward saw Oscar's foot dangling from a tree branch. "Leave them." Edward's expression was playful, and it didn't take Frank too long to realise where his mind had wandered. "Oh." Oscar and Liberty sat together in the tree, quietly watching the clouds above their heads. "I'm glad I got another chance to see you, Libby." She smiled prettily at him, and he continued. "I wanted to chat with you before I leave again in case I don't see you for a while." Liberty grinned. "That happens a lot in this job." Oscar nodded. "The night we danced, I felt an instant connection to you - one I never felt with Rose or Carrie - and I wanted to know if you felt the same." Liberty smiled as she pulled him close, and he automatically wrapped his arms around her as she shivered. "I felt safe in your arms that night and feel even safer now. It's like we were meant to be together." He gave her a questioning look, and she knew what he was thinking. "I told my team I needed to return to KORPS because I had a bad feeling about the boy I danced with. I couldn't tell them the real reason was that I needed information about my mum. Frank would've never let me go." Oscar nodded before pulling a slip of paper from his pocket with a smile. "I understand. My phone number. I can't guarantee I'll reply immediately, but if you ever need to talk, I'll be there for you." He gently kissed her lips before pulling away with a sad smile. "I wish I didn't have to go, Libs, but Dad will be doing his nut looking for me." Liberty giggled. "I love you, Oscar." He smiled. "I love you too, Liberty."