The Academy

Chapter 7: Laughter = Trust

*©2014 This book and all it's characters, plot and ideas belong to @caped-commodore. Please do not reproduce, copy or display without expressed permission from the author, in writing.*

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Chapter 7: Laughter = Trust

I walk into the lecture hall and the first thing I notice is her. Not the six exits, not the two skylights that really should not be there (seriously, haven't these people heard of aerial attacks?), not the curvy, coffee-skinned girl working at the podium. Her. Slouching over a box of sushi. Of course, my Risk Assessment training kicked in and forced me to notice the other stuff, but it was her I noticed first.

And you know what came after noticing? Yup, that's right. Remembering. And, what with me being a healthy, 18 year old guy, I'm sure you can guess what exactly it is that I remember.

Uh-huh, when we met.

*+=FLASHBACK=+*

I blush and shake my head. I've got other things to think about. Like the fact that I haven't even prepared an introduction to my speech. I was just so focused on the lies I was gonna have to tell, I didn't even bother thinking about the basic principles of speech-making. Ah, well. I guess I'm just gonna have to wing it.

The girl at the podium gestures for me to come forward. "You must be Sub-Agent Warski," she says. I nod. "Well, you're on in two minutes," she adds, handing me a badge that looks like the Academy's logo; a stylized triangle with curved edges and the tips chopped off. "Just put this on. It's your mike. Tap twice to turn it on, once to turn it off. The podium is there purely for your own comfort. Would you like me to remove it?"

"Nah, I'm good. Thank you, though." She nods and walks away, taking a seat next to Ashwood, who seems lost in her thoughts.

I go and stand behind the podium. Tapping the badge twice, I begin. "Settle down, settle down. I'm really sorry to have interrupted your lunch, but I assure you, I would not have done so if it was not of the utmost importance that I talk to you. Food is pretty important to me, and I don't enjoy keeping anyone from it." A light laughter ripples around the room. Good, they don't all absolutely hate me. I look towards Agent Damesworth, who is sitting with Ms Harding at the front, and she gives me a slight nod of approval. By cracking a joke, I've made myself seem more trustworthy to the SciTechs, which means they'll be less likely to catch on to the lie I'm about to tell.

"I know that you're all wondering what Operations is doing in your building, and I completely understand. Hell, if Comms just suddenly pitched up outside of my dorm, I'd be curious, too. Well, wonder no more, because I'm going to tell you why. Now, don't laugh, 'cause here it is: We are here to teach you. Okay, now you can laugh. I get it, I really do. I mean, what could we possibly teach you? Hell, one of your students tried to explain to me what a mitochondria was today." More laughter, good. "Now, in all seriousness. I might not know much about Chemistry, I was always better at Physics. Come to think of it, I sucked at Physics, too. But if there is one thing that I do know about, it's combat, and the fact that you guys don't really know much about it. So, for the next month, Ops is going to be giving each of you a crash course in Basic Combat. If you have any questions, please see your Dorm Supervisors. Thank you." There is a basic, polite clapping at the end of my speech. I tap the microphone and take it off, leaving it on the podium.

I notice that Agent Damesworth is conversing with Ms Harding, and, whilst everyone else is filing out noisily, I listen in on their conversation.

"That was a terrific excuse, Agent Damesworth, and it will give us an opportunity to give our students some training. You know, just in case he makes good on his threat."

"Yes, Ms Harding, it was. As for his threat, I wouldn't worry to much about it. This is more of a precaution than an active preparation. What concerns me more is that he has so much information about one of our students."

"About that, are you absolutely sure we shouldn't brief Kyra about this? I mean, it does directly concern her. Her life could be in danger."

"I am sure. Under no circumstances is Kyra Ashwood allowed to know about this psychopath. This is top secret. Besides, she isn't permitted to leave the premises. There is no safer place than the Academy, and there is no use worrying her about something that will probably just blow over."

"But, Agent, four of the Agency's top operatives were found dead."

"Not now, Ms Harding. We'll discuss this later." She's turned away from Harding and is walking towards me. Crap. She knows I was listening. I mentally brace myself for the telling off of a lifetime.

"Sub-Agent Warski, meet me in my new office in an hour." Phew, I'm still alive. She must not have realized that I was eavesdropping. Or maybe she did, and is going to slowly torture me later. I could handle it, but I don't want to have to.

Oof! I am distracted from my thoughts by a certain tall blonde, barreling into me at a speed of infinity. Ouch, that's gonna leave a bruise, I think, rubbing my right upper arm.

"Chill, babe. If you wanted to touch me, all you had to do was ask." I smirk at her. Ashwood glares at me, but not playfully, like before. No, she's all business now.

"Shut up. Shut up and tell me why you're really here. And don't give me any bullshit about training. I know that's a lie, and I want to know the truth!"

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Dun dun DUN! Hey, guys. Long time no write, I know, I know. I'll dodge the rotten tomatoes later. But, see, this time I have a good excuse.

Okay, fine, you got me. I have no excuse. I'm a terrible person. But, hey. I'm on holiday now, so I'll be able to update more often. Yay! Also, I've got ideas. Big ideas. Astronomical ideas.

Okay, goodbye. Love you guys,
The Commodore

P.S. The story is finally moving along. Yes!