Collateral Damage

Chapter 1

Some people people are born with tragedy in their blood. Col thought, as she dodged another blow and retaliated with a left hook.
She imagined Old Man speaking to her as her opponent landed a jab in her stomach.
Col. You have to keep your guard up. His voice chided from the back of her mind.
You must show them why you are ranked a First Alpha agent.
She ducked again, and forged forward with a flurry of hits to their head, most being blocked.
Less aggressive, Col.
She growled and pushed harder. The hits kept coming, but she didn't bother blocking them. If she could just get a little closer...
Crack! Finally her fist collided with the target she was aiming for— their jaw. The trainer's body crumpled to the floor.
"And that is how you defend yourself." Col smirked and spit out some blood onto the training mat. She took in the satisfaction of the lesser ranked agents' expressions of awe. She grinned bigger.
"That is actually not how you defend yourself." Old Man chided from the corner. Col sighed.
"That was sloppy Col."
The other agents of Project A nervously glanced from Col to Old Man.
"Nice of you to drop by, Old Man." Col cooed, and blew a strand of blonde hair out of her face. His mouth almost twitched into a smile, but he suppressed it.
"That is Advisor Larren to you, Miss Reid. Again. Agent Taylor, you're up." He ordered.
Col knew he respected her enough not to call her by her first name. She despised that name. She ran a few random quotes through her head as she watched her best friend and partner, Texas, rise.
"Fight it or accept it." Purred the Lion.
Texas stood in front of her, and assumed her stance.
"Fear it, or control it." Howled the Wolf.
"Begin!" Larren barked.
Texas moved with unnerving speed, but Col had sparred so many times, she saw the next hit coming, and veered left. Texas didn't seem fazed at all.
Fight it, or accept it.
She spun in a circle, attempting a round house, but she was so tall, Col expected this attack too and rolled underneath her, grabbing her friend's leg as she tumbled.
Col ended up on top, pinning Texas' arms against the padded mat. Texas' curly red hair stood out against the blue floor. Her green eyes showed no signs of frustration, or anger. Col was a different story.
Texas kicked her Col off with both feet and sent her sprawling. She skidded to a halt in front of the other agents. Adrenaline pumped through her veins, and she stood up, growling.
"Your defense is down, Miss Reid!" Larren hinted above the sound of blood rushing to her head.
She stepped forward, arms raised to defend her face. It was at this moment, that Texas came at her with all she had. Her instincts kicked in, and everything went into slow motion.
Fear it, or control it.
Col saw Texas' muscles tense in her abdomen and she leapt over the low sweep just in time, and rolled across the room. She landed off the mat and into a security guard who was just walking in through the doors.
"My bad!" She exclaimed as she tried to dodge another hit. She was too late and the punch landed, and busted her lip. Blood flowed down her chin and dropped to the floor. Her friend went in for another hit, but Col saw this one ahead of time and as soon as she threw the punch, her green eyes flashed with regret.
Col grabbed her hand, twisted it behind her back, and kicked her face-first onto the ground.
"Match!" The now-conscious trainer exclaimed tiredly.
"That's all for today. Back to your quarters please." Old Man said.
They filed in line, and she held a hand out to Texas and pulled her up.
"Sorry about that." She smiled.
"I busted your lip." Texas shrugged, towering over Col.
They went to leave, but Larren stopped them.
"Agent Taylor, you are to clean up and report to Lab 81 immediately." He told her.
She stood up straight and saluted him, then marched off.
"Col." He addressed her once Texas was out of sight. She was surprised he addressed her by her preferred name and not Miss Reid or Agent.
"Yes, sir?"
He sighed and suddenly she could see how much he'd aged since she was brought here. It had been only five years, but there were bags under his eyes and worry lines etched into his face. Silver strands peppered his dark brown hair. Even his strong chin seemed softer.
"Sir?" She pressed with uncertainty. He stood up straighter once again and his professionalism was again impenetrable.
She hated it.
"You have a mission to attend to. Details will be given once you report to Lab 81 as well. I expect you to be clean and your wounds dressed."
The sides of her mouth twitched. She knew he cared that she was hurt when he said things like that. Even as stiff as his words were.
"Yes sir, Agent Larren." She saluted him and walked off slightly disappointed. He was the closest thing to a father she had, as silly as it seemed. He was her advisor, but he hand picked her to be the first. The first of a new type of agent. The number tattooed on her right arm said so.
00001. It stared back at her.
"Oh, and First Alpha, Col." He called after her down the hallway.
"Yes, sir?"
He smiled. A true smile.
"You did good today."
Her insides warmed and she was satisfied. She returned the smile.
"Thank you." She hesitated. "Old Man."
And with that, she turned and walked down the hallway, towards the barracks.