Burden of the Pure

Chapter 2

   Sparring with Jade was always more entertaining than training with the instructors. It was casual with a hint of competition. Although I had been in the organization longer, we were well matched in combat.

   As I blocked her low kick with the ball of my foot, she asked me, “Have you heard about the new assignment?”

   “No, is it important?”

   “Very.” She replied while ducking beneath a swift jab that I threw. “Kane said that this time the mission was of importance and it was authorized by the organization, not by the government.”  

   I didn’t understand the workings of the higher ups and I especially didn’t understand politics. No one saw a need to teach me about it. Since I didn’t want Jade to witness my lack of knowledge, I simply responded with “Interesting.” Jade had caught on to my technique of hiding my ignorance, and she would always attempt explain more when I would revert to it. Although this time, she had no explanation.

   One of our instructors - Alexander- had overheard our conversation. “Quiet you two. Focus.” Jade put up a hand as an indication to pause our spar, so I complied.  She looked at Alexander with an annoyed face and said, “Hard to focus when the light reflecting of your bald head distracts us all the time.” Jade loved poking fun at everybody. Especially those of upper class and authority. Our instructors had gotten accustomed to it by now. But no matter how annoyed they would become, for obvious reasons, none dared to challenge her physically.

   “My bad Jade. Didn’t mean to let the dragon out of the cave. Or perhaps kitten is more appropriate. Since you can’t seem… to focus.”

   Alexander pointed at me as a sign to get back to work, and Jade and I resumed our training. He was a great jiujitsu master and a fantastic teacher. I rarely saw him outside the training room. Perhaps he resided outside of the base. He always radiated with confidence and looked powerful while wearing his jiujitsu clothing, along with his black belt that displayed his level of skill. Or as Jade would say, perhaps the radiance was of his head.

   Although we were not practicing any specific martial art at the moment, it was always mandatory for there to be one martial arts instructor present when ever Jade and I practice. I understood why this was necessary. It was important to enforce discipline when practicing techniques with the purpose of taking lives away. What I didn’t understand however, was why there were always at least five armed soldiers present, whenever Jade and I were training. I also never got the chance to train with any other soldiers. I wonder why. Probably because I was “special.”

   “Alright Kiddos, I’m getting bored. Let me show you something new.” Alexander began to rise from his seated position from the red floor mats of the training room, but then the voice of authority caused him to flinch and pause stop in his tracks.

   “I’m afraid that will have to wait Alex.” Kane’s voice echoed into the training room from the hall, accompanied by the rhythmic tapping produced by his steps. The end of his long black jacket followed him like a tail as he turned the corner and approached the room. Kane shook Alexander’s hand in a greeting manner, and then turned his attention to Jade and I. “Forgive me you two, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to cut your session a short. Ready yourselves and then come to the core in half an hour. You two have a new assignment.” He began to make his way out of the Room quiet hastily. Perhaps he could not withstand the stench of sweat and dried blood of the room. As he made his way through the doors, he looked back at us and said, “Oh, and equip yourselves for a number Three Level six. You’ll be departing immediately after the instructions are given.”

   On our way back to our separate rooms, Jade tried her best, but failed to contain her excitement. “It’s been sooo long since I’ve had an assignment higher than level four! I barely get them anymore. Plus, we get to work on it together! Why aren’t you happier!?”

   “I am delighted that we’re are working together again, but I don’t understand why both of us are needed for a level six task. It makes no sense.”

   I did as Kane had asked and equipped myself appropriately. I wore the typical stealth suit that the organization provided. It didn’t have defensive qualities, but it was completely soundproof. Since a number three was an assassination assignment, I figured I didn’t need any armor since we weren’t fighting as a group. Not that I would be able to hit anyway.

   I pulled out the case that contained all my weaponry from under my bed, and took out two pistols, and my favorite - the katana. Using the katana was my favorite way to kill. I only resorted to fire arms and long-range weapons if I absolutely required it. I believe that killing is something that should be done up close and personal, and that the target has the right to know who has sent them to the unknown. Stan had said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. So, I always make sure that the target’s windows and mine are open and that our souls are connected.

   I drew my katana from it’s sheath and smelled it to see if it was the same, and of course it was. It had the smell of blood that never went away, no matter how many times it was washed. I returned the blade to it’s sheath and attached it to my hip, with the symbol of what Stan called a Japanese dragon, showing at the bottom on the hilt. I strapped the two pistols’ in their holsters to my arms and made my way down to the core.

   In the core Jade, Kane, and two technicians sitting by a large computer monitors with multiple screens were awaiting my arrival.  I have no idea how it worked, but the core was a wonder of technology. Or So I’ve heard. It was a Large room with walls that seemed to be made up with an infinite number of computers and interfaces. It was able to do things from finding people all over the world, to hacking any device around the world. It was developed by the government and given to the organization for testing. Kane told me to always be careful around it, he had to pay a lot of money to keep it.

   After I stood next to jade, Kane focused his attention on us, began to give instructions.

   “I assume that you two are confused why both of you have been selected for a simple level six assignment.” Jade and I gave an affirmative nod in unison. Kane put his hands together behind his back, began to pace back and forth, then resumed his explanation.

   “Unfortunately, we don’t have the government’s support on this one, so we can’t call for back up if things go sideways. So instead of risking some mediocre soldiers, we will put our best of the very best, so there will be a good chance of a perfect mission. But as we know, nothing is guaranteed.”

   As he said those last few words a look of sadness swept over his face, and his shone with regret. Only for a second though.

   “The plan is quite simple. The tech guys behind me will shut down the security surveillance of the laboratory that is the location of your assignment. Your target is the head scientist, Dr. Linda Rae.” A picture of the scientist and another man appeared on one of the screens to the right of Jade and I. The female scientist had blond hair very pale skin, that looked almost ghostly. The man in the next picture had short curly black hair and was quite overweight.

   I began to open my mouth to question Kane about this man’s identity but before I could utter a word he had read my mind and begun to speak

   “The other man is Robert Davis. He is big in the government and has been funding Linda’s research. Do not kill this man. Security there is tight, so there will be soldiers and security ready for your arrival. Kill them all and kill Linda in front of Robert. We need to strike fear into this man’s heart.”

   Kane’s Tone seemed to progress from carefree to serious as his instructions went on.

   “Ok, now head out to Gate C and meet Stan there. He will drop you off in your Destination. And have some fun with this guys. No need to be all serious like Alexander.”

   Jade gave Kane a sarcastic salute along with a playful “Yes sir!”

   Jade and I barely but a foot out the door when Kane called out to us, “Recite U.C.O!”

   Without turning around, we called backed “Unison! Courage! Orders are absolute!”