A New Beginning

Chapter One

"Agents! Do NOT slouch!" yelled the General.

Agent Romanov straightened her posture, coughing to hide her snicker. Unlike Agent Romanov, Agent Bond did not try to hide her snicker, and was loud enough for the General to hear.

"Agent Bond!" screamed the General, whose name was a secret. "Why are you laughing?!" she demanded.

"Laughing?" inquired Agent Bond, a mock confused expression on her face. "Who, me?? No, I wasn't laughing!"

Agent Romanov stayed silent, her gaze flickering from Agent Bond to the general.

"I was obviously snickering, sir," corrected Agent Bond, a slight amused tone in her answer.

The General's face turned an interesting shade of red. "SIR?!"

Agent Romanov groaned softly, just barely containing herself from slapping her own forehead in exasperation. Seeing Agent Bond, who had realized her mistake and was looking very much uncomfortable, Agent Romanov decided to try to fix the mistake.

"With all due respect, ma'am sergeant, other agents, including me, have made the same mistake; Agent Bond is no exception," said Agent Romanov, feeling proud of herself.

The General sighed, the red tinge in her face disappearing. "That is true. Thank you Romanov." She turned to Agent Bond. "Bond! Remember to address me appropriately in the future! Mistakes like that will not go unnoticed!"

Agent Bond nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

"Agents! To your stance!" yelled the general once again.

Agent Romanov stood tall and straight, acknowledging the general's command. So did Agent Bond, albeit with much more noise.

"SIR, YES, SIR! Oh, sorry-- MA'AM, YES, MA'AM!" Agent Bond saluted.

A small smile played on the General's lips. "That's much better, thank you, Agent Bond."

"No thanks needed, ma'am-- it's my duty." Agent Bond puffed her chest out in pride, thinking she may finally be on the General's good side.

"Romanov! Get Agent Bond ready and suited up!" commanded the General. "Drills will start at 1900 hours."

"Ma'am, yes, ma'am!" responded Agent Romanov. She looked at Agent Bond, who seemed a bit nervous. Romanov felt that Bond had a good reason to-- she had no idea what the General had in mind for her at Fort Unicorn.

"Oh, and don't forget to give Agent Bond a Unicorn Shield," added the General. "She'll definitely need it in the future."

Agent Romanov nodded knowingly, remembering a recent quest. Romanov had nearly lost her life.

"Understood, ma'am." Romanov turned to Agent Bond. "C'mon!" Bond followed obediently.

* * *

It was 1900 hours, the sky was a light blue, with a hint of purple and pink, and the sun was starting to set. The General screamed at Agents Bond and Romanov to march, Bond marching with perfect form after several hours of practice with Romanov.

"LEFT. LEFT. LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT!" shouted the General. The teenaged agents marched along with the rhythm, earning satisfaction from the General. "Good job, agents!" The General watched them march before deciding that that was enough for the day. "At ease!" The agents stopped, standing up straight and poised. "Head to the showers! Five minutes for you--" the General pointed at Romanov, "-- and seven minutes for you." She pointed at Bond. "The rookies always get more leniency." The General smirked.

"Yes, ma'am!" chorused the young women.

"Your uniform will be given to you at 0700 hours tomorrow, Bond," said the general.