MHG-V3-4 (Initial Draft)

Chapter 12 - Samantha's Job

** (strategy meeting with Mark)

Samantha touched her chest area, unnecessarily confirming that her self defence weapon was still safely concealed there and then nervously knocked on the door. Ever since that incident two weeks ago she was afraid of being around Mark, so all the more the thought of being alone with him terrified her.

I'll fry your head next time, if you give me a chance, she thought as she gritted her teeth.

"Come in." Her enemy's voice came from within and with beating heart she opened the door and stepped inside.

"Ah, you made it." Mark said, stepping up from his desk and smiling at her craftily.

"If you so much as touch me..." Samantha began.

"Nonsense!" Mark said, waving his hand dismissively. "There won't be any repeat of that time, so you can relax. From now on its all business. Shall I show you to your office?"

Samantha narrowed her eyes and nodded.

"It might seem a bit strange at first, but I'm sure you'll get used to it." Mark said as he led her down corridors. "You'll have three people under you and all of them are genius hackers. Of course they are also all adults, but you'll just have to be assertive and tell them what to do. That's your job afterall."

"Ah.. yes." Samantha said. Three people under her, all adults. It was a tall ask for a thirteen year old girl. But she wasn't just any thirteen year old girl. She was brilliant and ambitious. And she had a tough personality. She partly contributed growing up without a mother to the way she came out.

Mark led her into a small room deep in the compound. It was small, with no windows, amd even the lights were dimmed. Three people sat at terminals while a fourth desk lay empty in the center. One curved wall was filled with panel displays. The seated two men and one women stood as she entered and bowed.

"These will be your workers." Mark said. "They will introduce themselves I'm sure, but before I leave let me explain your reaponsibility to you."

Samantha nodded for him to continue.

"Currently the nsa is under continual attack from many different sources, and it is this groups job to keep the nsa network protected, and to also fight back against intruders and if necessary to cripple them. Our biggest threat at the moment comes from the relentless attack of a particular source - two synthsous that you know of as Teruko and Ayaka."

Samantha gasped. Teruko and Ayaka were attacking this place? Relentlessly?

"Is it.. true?"

"I wont blame you if you don't believe me." Mark said, smiling. "But you can ask them. They fight against them everyday. Well, I must be off. I trust you will ensure a sweet victory on behalf of the nsa. For now."

Then Mark bowed and left.

Samantha turned back to look at the three remaining. She suddenly felt very conscious of her age and quickly bowed and introduced herself.

"My name is Samantha Kang. Please take care of me."

"Welcome Samantha. My name is Kita Haruo. I am in charge if systems defence. Please don't be shy. The nsa is unique in that age, gender, etc, means nothing. Skill and skill alone are the qualifying factors. If you've been appointed to this position it will be because you're well capable of it."

"Ah thank you." Samantha said to his kind words.

"He's right." The next man said. "Here in this place, ability is god. If you're able, you can go anywhere and do anything."