The six youngsters were led into the large office by two burly men. "And what who are you?" Marcus asked, taking the folder the taller man handed him. Lily looked up. "Sir. My name is Laura Hunts. These are my associates. Denver Tracy, Alyssa and Jason Slake, Matthew Liners, and Harry Danvers."
Marcus looked them down like a tiger looks down his prey. Sizing them up with a straight face. The six youngsters seemed clean to him based on the files on them. Laura Hunts. Arrested multiple times for numerous cases of car theft, shoplifting and attempted murder. Quite a record for a 19-year-old girl..... Marcus smirked faintly. He liked it.
Denver Tracy. A slippery fish in the streets. accused of theft and shoplifting. Alyssa and Jason. Twins who were the Double Trouble according to authorities. Theft, and starting street fights. Nice! Harry Danvers. The face behind the hacker codenamed KeyLoger.
A Black Hat hacker who used his skill to transfer money to bank accounts for a career. 'He actually made money off of this?' Houston thought. He grinned and flipped through to the last person. Mathew Liners. A tough guy who had been born and raised on the streets. Beat guys twice his size to a pulp.
He himself was quite muscular from what Marcus could see as he glanced up at him. His cold grey eyes and short jet black hair. He looked like a fighter. And Marcus could tell he was. "They seem clean." The shorter agent reported. "Indeed....." Marcus Houston ran a hand over his beard. "This.....is much need....their abilities and skills, I mean."
The two agents looked at each other and then to their master. "Now, what makes you youngsters come to my humble organisation. Not many know of us...." Dylan/Denver stepped up. "Harry found it while surfing the web.....sir. He told us and we agreed this was our calling." Lily shivered. His words were so persuasive.
Marcus Houston nodded. You must all pledge allegiance to me, and swear to never double-cross. If you do......you and everyone you love and care about will die. Understood?" Lily had never seen a man force someone to bow low to him and threaten their lives......all while wearing a smile.
But something was different about Marcus Houston's smile. It was......almost insane. No....it was insane. Marcus Houston was mentally unstable. And that's what made him unpredictable and dangerous. Lily, Dylan, Amber, Jay, Mark and Henry lowered to one knee and gritted their teeth. "We pledge allegiance to you, and swear not to double cross or betray you..."
They knew they would eventually. And so did Marcus Houston. They always did......but this was different. These youngsters were hiding something. He could see it int the one named 'Harry' 's eyes. His eyes held fear. Fear was not uncommon in the sight of Marcus Houston. Almost, if not everyone was frightened to death of Marcus Houston.
But this was a different type of fear. He was afraid of Marcus knowing something. He saw it in what was his name? Oh yes, Jason's eyes too. The rest had eyes of stone,.The one who called herself Laura......her eyes had a hint of hidden emotion in them.....was that...hate? The one named Denver as well, his eyes held something nearly impossible to decipher. But Marcus decided to play along.
"Kris. chips if you please." He ordered. The taller agent, with a buzzcut and soft eyes, pulled out a chip inserted and pressed it to each of the kids' necks inserting a tracker chip under the first layer of skin. Lily winced as she felt the wired, inch long, thin device shoot under her skin. She knew this was a risk they had to take. "Double-cross me," Marcus Houston sat back down in his black leather chair. "and the chip will self-destruct on my command. I have a button that will set off as many as 50 chips at once."
Lily lifted her head, locking eyes with the man who had many a time taken lives of her mother's allies. "We don't plan on betraying you......sir." She added. She had waited for effect. To show he wasn't the top boss of her.
Marcus nodded. "I would hope not dear." He waved his hand at them. "Jackson.....show our new trainees to their dorm rooms." Jackson, the shorter but still tall agent. A stern-faced muscle who's ear piercing just made him more intimidating. "Yes, sir." He said. "Come along, kids." He walked out and to an elevator.
The six followed him. They walked by a training room, a gym, a lounge, and a couple meeting rooms. The young agents they passed looked aggressive and plain evil. Well......they were. "We have to put on a show of aggressiveness and not show fear" Lily whispered to Jay who nodded and slipped back to the others to pass on the info.
"So....." Lily moved up next to Jackson. "How long till some people reach top ranks?" Jackson looked down at her with a bored yet amused face. "Not many actually reach the top." He put his hand to the back of his head and scratched his neck. "It takes real skill to impress Marcus Houston. He's the guy at the top. The big Boss. The Man Behind the Scenes. You have to prove your stuff to earn his respect."
Lily nodded, interested. "And who has reached that point in ranking?" He sighed as if a memory had been struck. "Sandy Plattan, Wesley Harvard, and a couple more I have no idea what their names are. My dad is one of them. Nate Johnas. (The guy who was shot in chapter 9) I haven't heard from him in a while. But I'm sure he's on an important mission for Mr. Houston." Lily mentally noted the names and almost everything else Jackson was leaking to her. "Cool, cool...Hey...." She stopped and stared in interest at a door clearly marked in bolded red letters;
RESTRICTED AREA
Jackson stopped beside her and gripped her shoulder roughly. "That is.....restricted area...." Lily mentally rolled her eyes. 'Like that wasn't already obvious.' "None goes in there. Unless they are sent. By Mr Houston of course." Lily felt Jackson's warm breath on the back of her neck. Of course, she was going to go there......when she had time and the rank......Which she planned on achieving soon. Her mother and Uncle's life depended on it.
"Anyways...." Jackson steered her away from the door that screamed 'Evil Dungeon!' Dylan could see the look on Lily's face. She was determined. "Here is the girls' dorm." He gestured to a room. You two girls go in. Make friends, make friendship bracelets, whatever you females do when you are together. But a warning....." Lily and Amber looked back at him. "Jennifer will tear your head off if you mess with her."
The two nodded and went in. "Now, boys." Jackson walked on a bit to the boys' dorm. "Here is your room. Be smart. There is much pecking order around here." Mark, Dylan, Jay and Henry nodded and went in. Who knew what awaited both the girls and the boys......
Hope you all enjoyed this Chapter!!! Don't forget to vote and comment! :)
YOU ARE READING
Crossfire ~ {Book 2 in the Emerald of Annihilation Trilogy} #Wattys2017
ActionThe jade is the key. For better or for worse. For life, or for death. Lily is faced with family problems. Alex wants her to take over her role as the director of the X Force since she is thinking of retiring form the job. Jack finds valuable informa...
