"AS I WAS SAYING, trainees should be vigilant and always ready. Unplanned missions and action scenes can happen anytime, anywhere." Anne continues her lecture. She's one of the trainers for the rookies. If I'm the owner, she's the next in line, same as Gloria's role in this organization.
"Since an unplanned mission is the best and experience is the best teacher—your lifeline starts now!" Half of her students groaned, only few can handle their blood rush. "Move!"
They snappily moved to the safe zone. That place is filled with numerous weapons and gears. Since they're still rookies, they're wearing double protection gears. "They can't handle themselves that much. They're still at the beginning of their own catastrophic story."
They moved to their designated vans. Some elites also joined them. They are thirty rookies at first but now only fifteen of them survived - to be in this round. I'm not allowed to use my helicopters, the enemies will easily notice us if I insist. "I do love danger, but I can't risk the thrill for the newbies."
Anne and I are separated inside the car but I can still hear her preaching the rookies. "When you get to the place of meeting, always remember that you're on a mission. All of your actions are monitored not just by your superiors but also by your enemies. That place is not a simple meat plant. Good luck."
'So, this bitch didn't tell them what kind of meat our opponents are selling. This is exciting.'
"If anyone of you can't handle this mission, better throw yourself in the window right now before we even get there." That's Elaine, Anne's colleague and assistant proctor. She and Anne love to compete, even Leo surrendered with their cliché type of games.
I know Anne's making faces right now. We all hate when someone's taking the spotlight. That's what she feels for sure.
"Get ready, your lifeline starts...now!"
The cars stopped and they all went out one by one. Well, they are about to reach the legal age. Most of them are 16-17 year olds. They don't look young though. We only pick those who have a minimum height of 5'6.
'We don't discriminate and mock those who are below. It's just that, our organization is too tough to handle and the standards are too high for the average. We disguise in different roles. Maybe being shorter can be an advantage too, but nah. My company, my rules. Deal with it or leave the fuck out.'
Gloria's not around, she has something to do. Well, that's what she said. Leo's not here too. Eros, one of the elites is driving the car where Me, Anne, Elaine and some of the elites are in. When all the vans reached its destination, I watched all the rookies as they easily scattered and surrounded the area. I sighed with relief when I realized that all of them heed Anne's constant reminders. "Those rookies don't know me, yet. They still don't know who is behind the voice in the invitation they've received before."
I watched them behind the shadows. I assess them like a food taster. "Oh, that sounds so sensual. What I mean is, I assess them critically. I don't mold potential traitors and weak shits inside my den. "
My eyes fell on the kid near the light switch. I exhaled sharply. I thought some of them were perfectly fine, turns out he's planning something stupid. Anne and the other elites were busy negotiating. While the trainees are on it too. But this kid was able to piss me off.
I moved out the car brisk walking and parkouring the grounds in order to stopped the stupid kid from making a gigantic mistake. "This kid will suffer my punishment later."
"Are you out of your mind kid?" His eyes furrowed. "Who are you? Are you the owner?" then he grinned. "I will ace this round if I'll be able to bring your head." He has the guts now. 'What a sneaky Tasmanian devil.'
He attacked first and I kept on dodging. He's strong, but too predictable. "You're making a scene." He looked challenged. "I don't care, that's the reason why we are here. To kill you, them."
'As far as I remember, I didn't give any kind of order to kill anybody in this vicinity. I just tasked them to capture all foes and close this damn factory.' Before his punch landed on my cheek, A cocking of a gun captured both of our attention. "Now, the real owner has appeared." A man in a disheveled dark grey suit holding a standard 9x19 Glock pistol on his right hand while a smoking cigarette on his left. "Freeze!" he's about to pull the trigger when my dagger landed on his throat.
The kid froze in both fear and disbelief. He looks like he's about to puke or pee. "Hold your puke kid." I calmly said before taking the man's body and throwing it to the giant meat grinder beside us. The poor boy fell on his knees. "What the... Is this…"
It's my turn to grin now. "Yes, little boy. This is a human-meat factory. I just turned the owner into a ground meat." He's now speechless. "He's one of the products now."
As if on cue, the sound of firing guns were heard from the inside of the plant. I can't help but to shake my head. "I said make it peaceful not give them an eternal repose."
The next thing I knew, people are busy attacking and defending themselves. Good thing Gloria wasn't here, or else this place will be in a chaotic state. I pressed the secret button from my earpiece. "Don't kill them. (all)"
"Roger that." they all responded
"Get up, kid. Before this factory explodes."
This operation will be through in ten minutes. We don't waste our time on mediocre missions.
AS EXPECTED, all of them were able to stay alive. Some of them got minor scratches. They silently walk back inside their designated van. The rest of the suspects were still breathing. While a few died from the sudden explosion. "I can't say that you guys did great because someone jeopardized the plan." Anne glances at the kid I am with, a while ago.
"Can anyone share what they have learned?" A female student raised her hand. "Always listen to your trainers." Anne nodded. "What about you Mr. Vasquez?" she glanced at that courageous kid. He refused to answer. Until someone spoke. "Learn to observe and be vigilant as well."
"Why is that Mr. Enriquez?"
"What we've encountered a while ago was a factory made for cannibals." so someone is actually thinking. Impressive..
Anne smiled "That's right." then she slowly clapped her hands. What a crazy bitch acting like a good innocent teacher. "Those double-dead meats were human flesh." Some of them almost puke. "Not in my class, people. Hold it for a while." That's what I'm talking about.
"That kind of mission is one of the easiest one. Expect that your entire journey in this organization is not about being the cool guy that you've watched from action movies. Expect the worst and the best. Class dismissed."
Everyone rushed to the nearest bathroom.
I walked towards the lift and pressed the top floor. I'm kinda exhausted because of that naughty kid. If I didn't make it on time, the operation will be more disastrous.
In the nick of time, I've reached my office and settle down on my throne. I opened my drawer to see me that I forgot my business phone in my DVEm's office. I mentally cursed because of my laziness.
Anne just barged in. "Can't you knock?" her eyebrow raised. "It's just you, duh." she got that attitude from Gloria. "I didn't see Gloria. I can't even contact her."
"And you're worried?" she shook her head. "Of course not, the operation is boring without her extravagance." She's talking about the grand entrance and exit for every mission. Only her and Gloria love to perform those kinds of scenes.
I fixed my things and put it all in my purse. "Wait, where are you going? You didn't answer my question!" I ignored her and checked my reflection from my puff. "Just somewhere and don't mind Gloria she's just wandering around."
I left her dumbfounded. I need to get my business phone. I can't sleep without it by my side. While walking towards my car, my personal phone rang. I didn't mind knowing the person behind.
"Where are you?" It's Gloria.
"Parking lot, to DVEm."
"Great." She hung up.
"Yeah great…" I muttered and revved the engine of my ride. My driver is not currently around. He took a day off. I can't really contact Rina and besides I really badly want to go home. "I just want to rest and have tea."
"Thank God for the light traffic." I made it in my company building in just ten minutes. The guards bow their heads in respect. I nodded in response. I pressed the button and walked inside the lift. There's almost no people inside the building, I assumed they all left and went home since it's 5:05 in the evening.
The lift chimed. Stepping outside the lift made me quite confused since the lights in the hallway are still on. Maybe Rina is still here. I'm only a few meters away from my office when Rina's door opened and spewed out Chua.
"Oh babe! You're here!" Chua looked shocked. "Yeah, I was about to fetch you, but Rina told me you're out somewhere." He kissed my cheek. "Yep, a bit busy. I forgot my phone, so.."
"Let me usher you home." I smiled at his offer. "Okay, wait for me. Is Rina still here?" He scratches the back of his head. "Yeah, I believe she's also going home. I saw her filing things."
'Why the hell is he tense? Nevermind.'
"Wait here.." I turned my door knob and entered my office making a beeline to my desk where I saw my business phone is. "Did I forget to place it inside my drawer? I don't leave my essential things unattended though."
My gaze flew towards the security monitor on my ipad. This is connected to the surveillance camera outside my office. I saw Chua talking to someone on his phone with a slightly nervous face. 'Something's really fishy.'
I took my phone and placed it inside my bag.
The ride towards DV Residences was smooth and.. quite tensional.
"THANKS for the ride, babe."
"No problem, sweetheart."
I kissed his cheeks before unbuckling my seat belt. "Do you want me to usher you up to your penthouse?" I smiled and politely turned down his offer. "No need, babe." I opened the door. "Wow, he didn't even insist."
"Okay, see you tomorrow! I'll fetch you, let's have dinner together." I forced a smile. "Yeah, just text me. Take care!"
I watched his car drive away.
"Messy hair looks good on you." I silently uttered under my breath. I was taken out of my melancholy when my personal phone rang.
"Suspicious, isn't he?" I let her speak. "Meet me on the rooftop now. We need to talk."