The Opposed Alliance

~Five

Celine

My very first mission started that same night, sleep being a nuisance to me now I let the night become familiar to me. Carter says that my first induction is here in Portland and that it is considered my 'training'.

"Past the city hall, near the ports. Can't miss it. We have located that he is in some sort of bar place called Unwind. His name is Alejandro. Let me know when you get there." Carter orders through the walkie-talkie, and I agree to them obediently. I don't tell him that I think it is weird he knows the locations of all these people along with their names. I know he has spies, so then why doesn't he get them to do this work for him? I sigh, he is a weird old man.

Getting closer to the ports, the sea breeze whips my hair around, night still falling on Maine. I was afraid, nervous and had no idea as to how all this even works. Carter told me to watch out for other differents, bad differents. His main rival was Allegiance Inc. and that they were ruthless, the worst yet. But how will I even know if they are differents and not regular people, and if I have made eye to eye with the Allegiance? This is all so confusing to me.

Kicking a rock out of my way, I glance and the streets ahead, lights from above helping me guide my way past cracks and rigid parts of the street in need to be redone. Feeling nasty and in need of a shower, I was still in the same white T that had "Don't get too close" written on it. Black, ripped skinny jeans and converse with a skull on it to top it all off, with the backpack Carter gave me slung on my shoulder. I didn't know how to recruit someone or yet alone protect myself if a bad different, or Variant tried to hurt or possibly kill me.

Turning onto a street that leads downward, I see my destination in sight, seeming packed with music blasting through the windows. I take in a breath and reach for the walkie-talkie.

"Hey, grandpa," I joked "Destination in sight. What's the plan?" I let go of the button and wait for a reply at the other end.

"Okay, so first of all, don't call me grandpa," I laugh "And second, there is no plan." Rolling my eyes, I respond.

"Annnnnnd what do you mean by that? There has to be a plan. I have no idea what I'm doing, let alone the skill to do anything. Don't badasses like me still have to train to become good at their skill and kick the booty of other badasses? I can't just walk there all confident and get my ass kicked! That's lame." Walking slower, Carter reassures me with more 'words of the wise.'

"Celine, when I tested you, I learned something very different about you that I haven't seen. You don't need training, your body already knows what to do. Kind of like breathing and blinking. It's without thought and natural to your body. That's why we really need you the most. I wanted you to trust in yourself but you ask way too many questions, so now you know why I specifically told you. Any more questions, princess" He jokes back

I smile at his comment, letting it slide for now. "Okay then, sweet. Well, anyways, what do I tell this kid? I mean I am not very convincing." I talk back and Carter gives a sigh in annoyance.

"You'll figure it out." And he cuts off, leaving me alone.

Taking in a deep breath and attaching the talkie to my pants again. I make my way over to the club, dubstep shaking the ground around it like an earthquake.

I hate clubs I think to myself and let myself enter. Not only does the music hit me but the wave of strong liquor invades my nose with the smell of a burning body. Way worse than The Hub.

I cough and make my way to the bar stand. The purple walls and gleaming lights swirling around make my head spin. This place is awful. People are jumping up and down to the beat and some kiss against walls or sit at tables and enjoy their strong beverage. Turning to the bartender in disgust, I ask "Can I get a water?" He returns a nod to me and walks towards the back to deliver my drink. I bet no one has asked for a simple request like that all night. I sigh and shake my head.