The Silver Wolf

Chapter 5

(Carmen's POV)

As I watch Jules walk away, I hope that something I said got through to her. Le Chevre had been set to guard me next, and he wasn't too happy about it. I tried to strike up conversation, but he ignored me. Does everyone in here hate me? I let out a small chuckle. Of course they do, I'm the reason they blew up VILE island. Le Chevre turned to me, suspicion evident.

"What are you laughing about?"

I gave out another small chuckle. This is Jean-Paul, through and through, only letting his guard down around one person.

"Oh, I was just thinking about how literally everyone here hates me, even if we've never met before."
Le Chevre let out a small sigh.

"Not everyone."
I nodded. El Topo didn't make enemies, we could have even been friends, if not for our radically opposing sides.

"How is he? Have you two finally gone on a proper date yet?"

With this, the goat went red in the face and turned back around. I waited with an eyebrow raised.

"That restaurant recommendation was wonderful, Antonio loved it."

I smirked. I remember seeing Jean-Paul looking for restaurants for Antonio's birthday. I had glided in next to him, dropped a piece of paper, and left. The owner of the place owed me, so I had organised a romantic dinner for the two of them. I didn't watch in, I was on another caper, but from our next fight I could see that they were closer than ever. Le Chevre had stopped talking, shutting down any of my attempts at conversation, so I went back to planning a way to save Jules. Even if I was stuck here, I needed to get her out. I was lost in my thoughts when an unknown operative had come up to my cell.

"I'm taking her to her punishment now, you can go."

I looked up, surprised. I supposed it was another torturous interrogation, but with the lunatics that run the place, I could never be sure. I got cuffed and was led off down a hallway. I tried to call out to Le Chevre, but he didn't respond.

"Say hi to Antonio for me!"

The operative raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything as they led me through the base. We stopped, and I got roughly pushed into a classroom. I saw the shocked faces of VILE operatives in training, and the grinning face of Coach Brunt.

"Ah, Lambkins, you're just in time! Recruits, this is the famous Carmen Sandiego, otherwise known as your new training dummy!"
She let out a sadistic laugh, and I stared daggers at her. Turning my gaze to the class, I saw a few people squirming, a few laughing with Brunt, and most staring at me with pure hatred in their eyes. As Coach Brunt walked over to me, I braced myself. When she released me from my cuffs, most students let out a small gasp. She chuckled, noticing their shock.

"Don't worry, she won't be able to escape. Now, who wants to spar with her? Don't hold back, give her everything you've got."
She scanned the room, looking at many eager pupils. She eventually selected one, and they stood up timidly.

"Gael, why don't you give it a go? Give her a good pummelling, won't you?"

We both walked over to the sparring mats. I was tense, but not nervous. I had been training for years, and while I didn't want to hurt him, I certainly wasn't going to go easy. As we spared, I relaxed. He was good, and had been trained well, but he was nervous, sloppy. I decided to hold my taunts, he was already off his game. With a final punch to the face, he fell flat on his back. I stepped back, content.

"You didn't protect the face."

Gael got up, a little dizzy. I helped him to his feet, and he ran back to his spot, embarrassed. I offered him a friendly smile, which he didn't return. Many students seemed shocked at my friendliness; this was the rouge operative that made them blow up their last home? Another student stood up, clearly wanting to fight. Brunt called her up, and I quickly dispatched her. I offered the same smile as before, and this time I got a mumble of 'well done', before she ran back to her spot. We spared for hours, me beating each opponent. Some were friendly, others, not so much. I was gentle with some, and I felt bad that VILE had gotten to them. The rude ones I had fun with. I taunted them and made sure that their loss was embarrassing. I could see Brunt getting madder and madder, and eventually turned away to make a call. Afterwards, she addressed the class again.

"Now, Carmen may have more experience, but you need to learn to play to your strengths. Or..."
There was a knock on the door, and she smirked.

"Her weaknesses."

When the door opened, Jules was standing there. I was shocked. Of course, we were going to have to fight. Of course, Brunt would be that cruel. I realised that this might not be all bad. Sure, I didn't want to hurt her, but this may be my only chance to get her mask off. If Doctor Bellum's history was anything to go off of, this was how it would work. The mask would be controlling her, and I would need to destroy the mask. I cursed under my breath, Jules and I had never fought before, even just sparring. I didn't know her fighting style, or the best way to avoid her attacks. Did she even have one? Most of her day was spent chasing me, and I only fought VILE. With a pang, I remembered that she was VILE now. I shook those thoughts out of my mind and moved over to the sparring mat. Even if I couldn't get the mask, if I showed that Jules wasn't special, then maybe they would let her go. As much as it pained me, we would have to fight.