The Weston Agency

Precision Blade

Taria closed her eyes and breathed in deep through her nose. In her mind's eye, she saw the bamboo shoot sliced into pieces. Her curved blade was an extension of her arms and it made precision, angled cuts into the hard plant. It was cut into 4 pieces before it even hit the ground.

Lanala always loved to watch Taria train. Watching her visualize built an excited tension before she would strike forward and lay the bamboo to waste. Taria's eyes shot open and Lanala jumped a bit when she struck out furiously at the bamboo. As she visualized, four quick cuts back and forth cut the bamboo into four pieces, none hitting the ground before she finished.

The silence in the air was broken by a sudden noise that broke Taria's concentration and caused her to whirl around. She spotted Lanala, red-faced and grinning sheepishly, tightly clasping her hands together.

"What was that?" Taria asked.

"Um... nothing. I was just... um... you're really good!"

"Nothing! You mean you didn't hear that... slapping noise?"

"Um, clapping, actually. Sorry," Lanala said.

"Clapping? Wait, did you really-"

"Oh, come on, Taria! That was so cool! I couldn't help myself!"

Taria sighed and sheathed her katana, trying not to be angry. It was rather cute that Lanala had gotten so excited, after all. It was hard to be angry at someone as sweet as Lanala anyway.

"Well thanks for the audience," Taria said. "I didn't even know you were there."

"I didn't want to interrupt you. But I actually came down here for a reason. Artema has a solo mission for you. A pretty important one, too."

"Oh?" Taria asked, raising an eyebrow. "Is she finally sending me to take down the witch?"

"Close," Lanala said. "But Artema can give you the details."

"So why a solo mission? Did she give you a reason for that?"

"Well, Artema did mention that the Director is still breathing down her neck after the last rescue mission went pear shaped and won't give her authorization to send more than one agent."

"What? That sounds like bullshit to me," Taria said.

"Tell me about it. But, given the mission, Artema also said she wants our best fighter on the case."

Taria grunted. "Then she should send herself. Or Meryn. That girl kicks major ass these days."

"Artema knows you've been craving action at this point, too. And there's nobody better to send in and get this done once and for all."

Taria furrowed her brow. "Once and for all? Wait... you don't mean..."

Lanala nodded. "Yep. It's finally time. You're going to bring in Aurora."

...

The woman doubled over in pain when a solid fist hit her stomach. Taria, clad in her usual outfit of the black tank top, tight shorts and yoga sandals, wasn't expected to be some kind of master class fighter. But the woman guarding the back door to the cabin soon got to know very quickly just how hard Taria could throw a punch.

Their exchange had started off innocently enough, with Taria approaching the back door pretending that her car had broken down and that she needed to use the phone. When the woman told her to leave, Taria pleaded with her and the woman pretended to relent, only pulling out a rag and soaking it in Aurora's knockout solution. But Taria was prepared for this and started absolutely pummelling the woman without mercy.