Romanov and Klitchko were in stark contrast to the Sergeant. Farmer looked at all three and couldn't help but think they belonged at a fancy dress up party. The serious look on all three of their faces indicated clearly that this is no party.
The recruits eased a little from their initial shock.
"You're late," said Sgt Smith to Klitchko and Romanov. Both of them ignored the comment.
An awkward silence reigned over the group until Sgt Smith unexpectedly throws a hard and fast punch with his right fist toward Klitchkos head. The recruits are all horrified and gasp as to what is transpiring. Without a second's hesitation, Klitchko raises her left arm and caught the Sergeants fist in the palm of her hand. His punch was forceful, but she did not budge an inch. They remained interlocked for a moment until she released her grip on his fist.
As she let his hand go the Sergeant immediately threw his elbow toward Romanovs face. It was delivered with great speed and ferocity with the intent to cause harm. As the elbow approached Romanovs face, he didn't not jump or move out of the way, he simply tilted his head slightly. The attempted assaulted missed Romanovs face by less then an inch. Sgt Smith was thrown off balance by the force of the unsuccessful elbow. The Sergeant composed himself before taking his place between Klitchko and Romanov.
The recruits were flabbergasted and very confused. Farmer looked around at the other recruits to see if they were as stunned as he was, and they were.
"You're getting old Sergeant," Romanov spoke to the shock of the recruits. He has a thick eastern European accent that is dry and monotone.
"He tried that move last time. He is getting old and forgetful," said Klitchko. She also had an eastern European accent, but it was sweetly feminine and not as strong.
With a serious look Sgt Smith turned and faced Klitchko. "Old and forgetful, something you two will know nothing about."
Klitchko then turned toward the Sergeant. It looked as if all hell was going to break loose when suddenly "Come here you silly man," Klitchko threw her arms open and invited the Sergeant in for an embrace which he happily reciprocated. Klitchko, out of habit, kissed the Sergeant on the left and right cheek. The kisses slightly embarrassed him.
"How long has it been Nat?" asked Sgt Smith.
"To long my dear friend," she replied.
He looked her up and down and sarcastically stated "You haven't changed a bit."
"Why thank you, my secret is to stay out of the sun." The Sergeant and Klitchko laughed in unison.
Sgt Smith then turns toward Romanov. His stone face has not wavered since he first appeared. He looks blankly to his front. The Sergeant walks in front of him.
"Hasn't anyone killed you yet?" the Sergeant stared and enquired.
"No, I am here, da?" English was not Romanovs first language, but he got his point across clearly.
The Sergeant threw his right hand in front of Romanov in preparation for a handshake. Romanov looked at his hand and smiled, he instead threw his arms around Sgt Smith and embraced him tightly. The two laughed.
"I don't want any of your kisses thank you Vitali," the Sergeant said cheekily.
The recruits are still confused but relieved at what they are seeing.
"You look vell Sergeant," Romanov told Sgt Smith. His accent forced the well to come out as 'vell'.
"Vell thank you," the Sergeant purposely mispronouncing the word to jokingly tease Romanov.
All three face the recruits and are smiling.
"Ok, well enough of the reunion. We can catch up later. Vitali and Natasha, these are my new recruits. They are the best class in the academy," he told them.
Farmer looked at the Sergeant. What did he just say? The best class in the academy? He has shown nothing but distain for all of us and now he is giving us praise?
"You have the best teacher in the academy," Klitchko sweetly stated as she looked upon the Sergeant. Her leather outfit making noise as she moves.
"Zee very best," Romanov iterated proudly with his accent.
"Ok, ok let's move on," the Sergeant did not like receiving praise.
"Natasha and Vitali can't stay long as they have a meeting, but I wanted to get them in to have a quick chat with you. So here they are." The Sergeant moved aside after his quick introduction.
Klitchko moves forward to speak "By our entrance I assume you all know we are not human. We were many years ago, but no longer." Her cryptic words intrigue the recruits.
"I, much like Vitali, am a victim of the undead. We are now, and forever shall be, vampires."
The recruits are stunned. Two vampires were standing directing in front of them. The most hated, vilified and dangerous supernatural creature of them all. Rumours filtered through society of their presence within the Academy, but it was long thought to be a myth.
Romanov agreed by shaking his head and added "So to answer your question before it is asked, da, ve have killed humans, but that vas long, long along."
The group was shocked by his brutal honesty. Silence fell amongst them. Farmer was annoyed at his straight forward remark, brushing off his past indiscretions as if it were only a slight misgiving.
"Fear not but friends, we are keepers now, not hunters. We haven't hunted in over three score," Klitchko assured the recruits.
Sgt Smith interjects "To make it clear, when Natasha says hunters, she refers to hunters of the night, or bad vampires. And when she says keepers, she means keepers of the night, or good vampires."
Romanov shook his head in agreeance but did not speak.
"Thank you, Sergeant, you are absolutely correct," said Klitchko. "We assist in the training of recruits to track and dispose of hunter vampires."
"So how about some quick questions then?" Sgt Smith could sense the recruits were uncomfortable with this new found knowledge and wanted to move forward.
"So, by the looks on your faces you have a million questions. We don't have time for that many, so I will surmise and limit the questions to survival, sunlight and appearing out of nowhere. What do you think?" he asked the group.
They all shook their heads in agreeance, still trying to process what was unfolding before them.
"Anyone else have any pressing question they wish to ask?" Farmer and Fraser both put their hands up.
"What is it Fraser?"
"Can I go to the bathroom please Sarge?"
The Sergeant looked annoyed "What are you? Two years old?"
"I drink lot of water Sarge," Fraser said as he held a painful look upon his face.
"Hold it for five minutes, you will find this very interesting," the Sergeant insisted.
"Ok, let's get cracking. So Natasha, blood. Please enlighten us," The Sergeants concise instructions were understood by Klitchko.
"Yes Sir," Klitchko said as she saluted the Sergeant sarcastically. The smile on her face disappeared and it was replaced by an acutely serious look.
"Blood is the life force of a human being. It doesn't just contain oxygen and nutrients, it contains your thoughts, feelings, emotions, passions and fears," Klitchko emphasised the word fear. She continued. "Blood is the spiritual essence of the person, so when it is extracted, the vampire is taking more than the red liquid, he is taking the victims soul."
The group quivered in unison at her graphic description.
"It is the life force, the essence, the soul of the human that vampires crave," Klitchkos words are accompanied by passionate hand gestures. "It gives the vampire strength, speed, agility and all its incredible supernatural powers." She paused and looked around at the recruits. "It gives the vampire, life". Her emphatic words drained her as she spoke them.
There was total silence. Sgt Smith, Klitchko and Romanov let the recruits absorb the information for a moment. They clearly need time to process what was said.
"So," the Sergeant piped up, cutting the silence "How do you survive if you no longer suck blood from people," he asked very crassly.
"Ve still survive on blood, da," Romanov strong accent was mixed in with his native tongue.
"It is donated blood," Klitchko quickly interjected "given very kindly by civilians who are aware of our plight. It is not blood meant for hospitals or intended for human use. We can use diseased blood or old blood or blood not viable for human consumption. As long as the blood is stored properly and not extracted from a deceased person, it is viable for vampire use. Does everyone understand?"
Farmer looks at her with disdain. He understood perfectly well. He understood she was once an uncontrollable monster who took life when she wanted it. Her overpowering urges witnessed the death of many people. Does she have a conscience for all the pain and suffering she had brought to countless people? According to her performance today, Farmer thought not.
"But donated blood is not as potent as extracted blood, it lacks the life-force of the human. It does sustain us and provide us with energy, but that energy is used up very quickly. For example, we can only vaporise and reappear a few times before we-" she pondered for a moment to find the appropriate words "require more blood."
"That is amazing," Fraser blurted out. "So if you take blood directly from a human it gives you more power?" he eagerly asked.
Klitchko and Romanov looked at each other.
"Much more power," Romanov said in an eerie tone.
"So how does vapourising thing work?" Fraser couldn't control his curiosity.
"You can have that bathroom break now Fraser," Sgt Smith said.
"And miss this, I don't think so Sarge, I can wait."
"Of course you can. But that might as well be our next question. So, how does this VAPORISING THING work, as Fraser so eloquently asked," The Sergeant said, dismissive of Frasers poor word choice.
"Vampires possess different powers. Not all of us can transport from one place to another. We both can, obviously, but most cant. Vitali can levitate, whereas I can't. I can read minds, but Vitali cannot." Klitchko informed the recruits who are glued to her every word.
She continued "But transporting isn't easy. You need to know your destination. This auditorium is a large, opened space, and we have been here before, so we know it's a safe place to transport to. We couldn't transport to your classroom but, it's small and filled with chairs and tables. If we resurrect into a physical entity such as a wall, door, or chair it could kill us. Does that make sense?" Klitchko had given this talk before, she made things as easy as possible to understand for the uninitiated recruits.
The recruits all nodded slowly, they understand, but are still overwhelmed by what they are hearing.
"You can read minds?" Fraser again interrupted.
"I tell you what," Sgt Smith is agitated with Fraser and gives him a deathly stare. "You read my mind to find out what is going to happen next time you speak out of turn."
Fraser mimes but does not speak aloud "Sorry."
Klitchko carries on and draws her gaze towards Dell "Yes, I can read minds." Dell didn't know what to do, her heart began to race, she turned her head to the ground, but she could still feel Klitchkos cold stare upon her.
Romanov also looked upon Dell "Vom vorbi mai târziu." He spoke to Klitchko in Romanian to disguise his intent. It translates to 'we will speak later'.
"Da," she replied, meanings 'yes'.
"Unul mic are mare secret," the Sergeant joined in the secret conversation. His words meaning 'little one has big secret'.
"You speak another language Sarge," Fraser shouted, instantly regretting his outburst "Oops."
Sgt Smith turned to Fraser and shook his head, "You can go to the bathroom now, and as punishment, I want you to go and fetch Tobin from the classroom, I'm sure he has had enough of sitting. On the double boy, chop, chop. And DO NOT tell him what you have seen here, that is an order."
Fraser quickly stood and shouted "Yes Sir," then ran off.
"It's time for a lesson in humility," the Sergeant said. He turned himself, Romanov and Klitchko around away from the recruits and whispered something to them. They nodded in agreeance then suddenly, two very loud whip crack sounds were heard and Romanov and Klitchko disappeared into a haze of cloud.
The recruits not accustomed to noise jumped back, the Sergeant did not move.
"So, who here has learnt something new today?" he questioned the group. They all nodded their heads, still amazed by what had transpired.
"Both their stories are quite remarkable, maybe one day when we have more time they can elaborate on their past." The Sergeant was excited as he spoke about his close friends.
The Sergeant looked at Farmer, "Sorry Farmer, did you have a question for Vitali and Nat?"
Farmer has a very serious look on his face, "I was going to ask if they have any remorse for all the innocent lives they have taken over the years?"
Sgt Smith knew why he wanted to ask that question, but this is not the time nor place to engage in such a serious topic.
"How about we leave that for another day recruit?" he replied, trying to keep the conversation civil.
"How about today?" Farmer snapped back.
The Sergeant was clearly annoyed at his disrespectful retort.
"NO," he replied angrily.
The recruits were taken back by the aggressiveness of the conversation and could feel the tension between Farmer and the Sergeant. None of them dared speak as they did not want to test Sgt Smiths patience any further.
Two loud whip cracking sounds boomed into existence, frightening the recruits again. Klitchko and Romanov reappear before them, but this they time are dressed in Academy clothing, the same clothing the Sergeant is wearing. Dark grey shirt and long pants, black boots and a grey baseball cap. All the clothing had S.P.D. embroidered on it and they have three stripped epaulettes on their shoulders, indicating the rank of Sergeant. Their long hair is hidden under their caps and their faces were no longer pale, as if they had used make up to disguise their true selves.
"Welcome Back Sergeants," Sgt Smith said.
All three stand before the recruits who are confused by what they are seeing.
Fraser runs back into the auditorium, he is accompanied by Tobin. They stand before Sgt Smith, Kiltchko and Romanov.
"Did you even go to the bathroom?" the Sergeant asked Fraser.
"No Sir, I wanted to get back A.S.A.P. to see what the-"
"You haven't met Sgt Klitchko and Sgt Romanov yet have you," Sgt Smith interrupts Fraser before he can speak any further.
"No Sir," Fraser and Tobin shout in unison.
Sgt Smith glares at Fraser. Fraser realises the Sergeant was up to something and nods his head slightly to indicate his awareness of the situation.
"Fraser take a seat," instructed Sgt Smith.
Fraser sits immediately.
"So, Tobin, I read your file, apparently you are some karate expert or something like that," he asks nonchalantly as wanders away from Tobin.
"Yes Sir, over 15 years in self def-"
"Thank you Tobin, I don't require your autobiography," he sharply interjects.
"So, you think you're pretty handy with your hands and feet?"
"Very," Tobin said boastfully.
"Mmm ok then, let's see. The two Sergeants here are from the S.P.D. Academy in Germany. Both train the elite Vampirkader. That's German for Vampire Squad, just so you know."
"You speak German too?" Fraser asked without thinking of the consequence.
Sgt Smith was too concentrated on the false story he was creating to give thought to Frasers outburst, he simply gave him an angry looked and moved on.
"You think you could take down either of them?" he asked Tobin, pointing toward Klitchko and Romanov.
"Sure, easy," his confidence annoyed the Sergeant.
"Let us see."
Sgt Smith stood beside Romanov and put one hand on his shoulder, "You can step back please Sergeant."
Romanov takes a step back.
Tobin shows initiative and stands in front of Romanov, ready to engage with him.
"No, wrong Sergeant," said Sgt Smith as he walks beside Klitchko, giving Tobin a big smile in the process.
"You don't expect me to take on a woman do you Sergeant? Because I won't," Tobin said insistently.
"So, if a witch approaches you, and witches are woman Tobin in case you didn't know, and she is about to put a spell on you that would leave you lobotomised, would sit there and do nothing?" he stared annoyed at Tobin. "If that's the case go and pack your bags right now."
Tobin knew the Sergeant was right and had no reply.
"Sgt Klitchko is a witch. Dispose of her. NOW." he yelled.
Tobin was at a loss. He knew he had to do what he was instructed, but he did not want to hurt Klitchko, unaware of her ruse and true identity.
Tobin looked at Sgt Smith and scrunched his face up in disapproval. He walked up and faced Klitchko.
"Sorry about this," Tobin told Klitchko.
He threw a half enthusiastic punch at Klitchkos right shoulder. She dodged it by moving back ever so slightly, he was surprised.
Again, he threw a punch, this time at her left shoulder and again she moved back a tinge to avoid being hit.
Tobin grew angry and it showed. He launched his right fist toward Klitchkos face, but she moves her head and avoids being hit. This is followed by a left hook toward her temple, but Klitchkos reflexes prove too quick and it misses its target.
Tobin is incensed he is unable to connect with Klitchko. He strikes at her with a series of fast and furious blows but each one is deflected or brushed aside by her quick moving hands.
Everyone in the class is astounded by her skills, except Farmer. He has not forgotten she possesses supernatural speed and agility. She may be impressing the rest of the recruits, but Farmer knows this is an unfair fight, even with Tobin's wealth of experience.
Unsuccessful with his fists, Tobin resorts to using his legs and feet against Klitchko. Against anyone else Tobin would easily be the better fighter, but not Klitchko. His kicks, knees and sweeps are met with the same result, they are avoided, deflected or merely brushed aside. He is showing signs of exhaustion and fatigue, but he is a seasoned combatant and refuses to give up.
He tries to connect with Klitchko, this time using combinations of legs, feet, arms and hands. He even attempts a head-butt, again failing to make contact.
He is tired and weary, but he attempts one more move.
He manages to grab Klitchko on her shoulders, squeezing her shirt tight into his hands. He places his right foot into her stomach and he rolls back onto the floor and throws her, launching her hard with his well-placed foot. He rolls up immediately and looks forward with a smile on his face, happy with his accomplishment. He stands, turns around and to his amazement he sees Klitchko, crouching in a position like that of a runner at a starting block. She aligned herself mid-flight and landed on her feet. She stands up and stares at Tobin.
He is at the end of his tether. He races toward Klitchko in a fit of fury.
"ENOUGH," Sgt Smith yells.
Tobin stops dead in his tracks. He is totally exhausted from his efforts, he puffs and pants but refused to sit or take a knee.
"Well done Tobin," the Sergeant genuinely congratulates him for his efforts.
"You can go back to the classroom now. We are almost done here."
Tobin is too exhausted to argue. He walks away, shoulders slumped and dejected by the experience.
Klitchko re-joins Sgt Smith and Romanov in front of the class. She is not exhausted and not out of breath, she has no breath to take after all.
"The lesson here today is humility and respect." States Sgt Smith. "Always respect your superiors and always be humble with your abilities. No matter how good you think you are, there is always someone better, especially in a world filled with supernatural beings."
Farmer agreed with his statement, just not the way he went about proving it. Pitting a human against an ungodly creature is unfair he thought.
"Well play time is over unfortunately, Nat and Vitali must go," he said as he looked at his watch.
"Oh, one more thing," he said urgently "could you tell the recruits the about sun," he asked of Romanov and Klitchko.
"It's a star," Romanov said, the recruits were impressed with his sarcastic comment, the Sergeant not so much, he rolled his eyes at Romanov.
"Its fairly simple," Klitchko said "we just have to avoid it at all costs. We can, as you can see, come out during the day, we just remain sheltered from it. Its actually not a problem, we just have to be very careful, which is why we mostly come out at night."
"Vell said," Romanov agreed nodding his head.
"What about coffins, garlic, crosses," Fraser urgently asked.
The Sergeant rubbed his hand across his forehead in frustration but didn't scowl Fraser for his interruption.
"Next time ve vell tell you more, da. Ve must go now." Romanov said politely in his thick accent.
"Thank you for your time recruits, we will see you soon no doubt," Klitchko finalised their discussion.
The Sergeant shook both their hands and immediately the whip crack echoed loudly throughout the empty auditorium, scaring the recruits again. Klitchko and Romanov are gone.
"Well, I bet you didn't see that coming," Sgt Smith asked the group. "It's a fascinating world out there. The general public are only privy to a small amount of supernatural phenomena. The S.P.D. hierarchy do this to avoid mass panic. Throughout the next seven months you will be alerted to some uncomfortable truths, truths that should remain with you and not divulged to anyone who does not need to know. Do you all understand what I am saying?"
The recruits all nodded in agreeance. The truth was slowly being unravelled, the Academy would not just be a place of learning, but also of truths, mysteries and revelations.
"Let's finish our tour shall we recruits," Sgt Smith said and walked to the exit.
The recruits stood up and followed him, all wondering what he had in stall for them.
Farmer was still processing what he had witnessed. All his life it had been reinforced into him that vampires were the ultimate evil, worse than the devil himself. And now, he must face the realisation that he may have to work closely with them, be under their tutelage and learn from them. Farmer loathed undead creatures, vampires in particular. His hatred of them stemmed from years of negative reinforement accompanied by stories od his fathers death, stories that are innacurate, misleading and shy away from the truth.