The Academy

Prologue

The moon was barely visible through the clouds. No wind touced the trees as they were standing perfectly still. Everything was frozen, as if waititng for the pin to drop. The quite before the storm. Before the trap could be sprung.

The house, although most would probably call it a mansion, stood silent as its owners were out for the night. It should have been empty, but things are rarely as they should be. No alarms went off and no windows were broken. The intruder moved through the shadows as if they owned the place. They knew the layout of the house so well that they might aswell have owned it. Finally, in a small room that was used as an office, behind a painting of a sea battle, they found what they were looking for. A hightech safe that the customers were told was guaranteed to keep thier possestions safe and sound. Fire proof, water proof and bullet proof. This safe could keep anything out...well almost anything as it turned out.

Hacking was such an ugly word. The intruder prefered to use the word 'reprogramming' instead. Attach a simple little device, remove the keypad cover, plug in a few wires and there was no need for a finger print or to guess someone's birthday or anniversary. A few seconds later and it was open. Inside was a simple box which the intruder grabbed and shoved into their bag. Adjusting the strap and their mask, the intruder closed the safe, removed their device and left the room. A clicking sound made them stop in their tracks and hold up their hands.

"How long has it been now?" The new comer asked. The intruder turned to see a familer face pointing a gun which they knew he had no intention of fireing.

"Three months now Detective since our last meeting." The intruder replied.

"I think you know the drill by now Phantom."

"I've always loved that name. Why don't we see if this time it will work out for you?" Phantom said. Before tossing their bag at the detective.

As he moved to cacth it, Phantom kicked the gun out of his hand before pulling his arm behind his back, casuing the detctive to cry out in pain. When his arm was realesed, the detective received a kick in the backside that sent him crasing onto the floor. Phantom kicked his gun under a table and the detective smiled at his assilent.

"Most people would take the gun." He pointed out.

"After two years you should know me better then that. I'm not like most people. You okay?"

"I'll live."

"Good." Was all Phantom said before charging down the hall at full speed, not looking back at the detective or the bag.

Phantom made thier way to the back of the house, always using a different exit, never go out the same way you came in. Impractical yes, but it keeps things interesting. Climbing out a window with grace that could rivel an Olympian, Phantom landed with a soft thud. Heading for the tree line that surrounded the house until the silence was broken by the cries of sirens and half a dozen voices yelling at them to get on their knees with thier hands up. Seeing no other option, Phantom did just that.

"I told you I would catch you." A voice called over the sirens, Phantom looked to see the dectective walking round to face them.

"Looks like you won our game detective. I have to say it's been fun." Phantom said, looking the dective in the eye. What surprised him was that thier was no anger or resentment in their voice, nor any traces of sarcasim, very different to what the detective was used to when making an arest. "Before you take me away, I have one request. Will you shake my hand?" Phantom slowly held out their hand for the detective to take. He looked at the hand being offered to him and then at his fellow officers. Their faces told him not to do it, but like they said, he knew Phantom better then that. He shock Phantom's hand firlmy.

"Now I have a request."

"Name it."

"Take off the mask. After two yaers I want to see the face of the person I've been looking for all this time."

For a moment it seemed that his request would be denied, but then the mask was removed and dropped to the ground, no longer of any use to its owner. The face of a young women was revelaed to the surronding officers.

"Surprised?" She asked with genuine curiosity. The dective chuckled sofly.

"Honestly, yes. I was expecting someone older. With your skills being at the level they are."

"Maybe one day I'll tell you where I learned it all." She suggested, before putting allowing herself to be hancuffed and escorted to the police car. The detective read her rights as he shut the door on her. Finally closing a two year case. It was now time to move on to the next one.