Perfect School

Kyle:

I didn't have the time to process the fact that she looked familiar, nor that she was young enough to be my daughter. This child was quick and dangerous. To someone with any less experience than I she would have been extremely lethal. As it was I could only barely hold my own. However there was a pattern to the way she fought that was my saving grace. It was a pattern I couldn't place, but knew how to counter. It was muscle memory.

A well known feeling shot through my arm in her last move. “The fuck,” I muttered and my arm went briefly numb. It was enough to give her the upper hand. A knife sank into my thigh and I was on the ground. Next thing I knew I was resting imminent death by the hand of this small girl, it should have been effortless on my part to knock her of, but it wasn't. My leg was numb, my arm was tingling, I was only barely holding the girl off. Then she slumped over, completely limp.

I was utterly baffled. There was no reason for her pass out, I hadn't caused enough damage. There was a wound on her arm but it didn't look like it had bled that much. I knelt over her, careful of the knife sticking out of my leg. My stomach twisted as I inspected her. It was more than that she was genuinely a child, I couldn't shake the feeling that she looked like Michael. It was his style after all that she had used.

Paublo:

My shoulder impacted into the door throwing splinters into the room as it banged open. I only had one second to look inside. I saw Kira on the ground, unmoving. A man injured and with a knife kneeling over her. I had to save her, and with a yell I charged the man, my weight and strength bowling him over. After slamming him into a control console of some sort, I drew back a fist slamming it into the man's chest.

I drew back again, aiming for the face this time. My fist swung, but with a jerk I stopped the motion. Ky blood turned to ice, my face going white. "S-sir? Kyle?". I demanded before the weight of what I had just done sank in. Never in my life had i moved so fast in getting away from someone. Never before had i felt such horror even as i turned guilty eyes towards Kyra who i knew was right behind me. I couldn't stop the apologies from falling from my mouth.

Kyra:

My eyes went wide and a breath escaped me in a kind ow whimper. He was all scratched up and bloody. I rushed over to him, my gas mask dangling around my neck.

“Dad! Dad?” I hit the ground on my need hard. He certainly recognized me but wasn't able to get words out before he passed out. My blood ran cold with thoughts of what must have happened in the room, Paublo's words didn't even register.

“Dad's here,” I spoke into the mic trying to control my panic. I tied a tourniquet around his thigh then pulled on the knife. It came out with a sucking sound. “And we found her. She isn't conscious.” I gave the last bit for Jonah who had given us instructions to locate Kira since her mic was out.

“A-A-A f-five, you need to bring the van in. We'll cover you.” I told my brother.


Andrew:

I was frozen in my place trying to comprehend Kyra's words. Her voice was strained with emotion I was not used to hearing from her, she was scared.

“Hold that A5. Location A3, A4?” Jonah as always was trying to keep things under control.

“We need the van now! They're both bleeding. Unconscious!” Kyra almost shouted in the mic. She was calling shots not under her command. It was my family, and I couldn't ignore that need. I started the van.

Paublo:

I stammered out an apology again and again before biting my tongue to keep from speaking any more. Sucking deep breaths I moved over hesitantly. I started to reach for Kyra's shoulder but pulled my hand back instead. I didn't know what to say or do anymore.

Jonah:

I had to ask for their location again before I got an answer. I ran through the hallways uninterrupted, I assumed the compound had been evacuated after the leaders were all dead. Bursting onto the control room I immediately went to Kira passed out on the floor. I was not pleased with my team.

Andrew was already disobeying me so I went ahead and gave him instructions on how to safely get here and where we would be. I told Paublo to move the father while I scooped up Kira in my arms after tending to her more pressing wounds. Kyra stood by to cover us if necessary.

With everyone plus our new passenger loaded up, we got out of there quickly enough. I drove us back with Paublo next to me, not saying a word to any of them. The twins were in the back tending to the injured.

Zero:

I chewed on my lip as I watched through the cameras. Kira's pulse was steady, Kyle was certainly a surprise to see and I made sure to document his care to give to Ally but mostly I fretted. Chewing my nails to pieces I wondered how the team would deal with this turn of events. I'd tried to get Jonah to let me use a 16bit encryption software that changed every minute so I could be a part of communications as well as to let me do a wireless hack into their camera controls. But he'd wanted to be in charge and so I had left it as is. But with my screens filling with information on the twins and their father I worried more especially for Paublo and Kira who had incapacitated Kyle.

Jonah:

I didn't speak even when Kira woke up in the back seat. I let the twins deal with her. When we arrived at the rented house I had Paublo help get everyone inside. I grabbed my phone once everyone was inside and turned it over and over in my hands, debating with myself. I wondered if it would hurt Kira, or is she would care at all. Always before she had been the one to contact Marie, but I had the chance now to show loyalty by throwing Kira under the bus. I imagined if I was the one who had failed that she would let Marie know without any guilt.

I pressed call and waited for her to answer. The call was brief, I didn't give much information on the mission other than what had happened with Kira. Marie thanked me for letting her know of Kira's health then ended the call. I walked into the house after that to face my team.

Kira:

I sat on my bed, staring at the floor.  I worked over an emotion in my head, running it over and examining it from every angle I could.  In my hands I held my phone, just now finished with a phone call to Marie.  Jonah had taken it upon himself to call and explain the aftermath of the mission, including my own failure.  I didn't fault him for that, she herself was out of commission and he had every right to make the call on his own or not.  But that still left a sour taste in my mouth and it was the reason of this sourness that I examined.  Unable to place it I eventually stored it in my mind and pushed myself to my feet.
After I had inspected my injuries and the care I'd received.  Eventually I just sponged off in the bathroom to clean off the remaining blood.  Changing took longer than I cared to admit, my wounds limiting my ability but I soon left my room in a tanktop and a new pair of shorts.  I then began making way to the kitchen first, intending on refueling with food and water.

Jonah:


Kyra and Paublo were still showering when I came in. I checked with Andrew that his father wouldn't be causing trouble then went to the kitchen to clean up. Kira was in the kitchen already but I didn't say anything, choosing to let her speak first. Dampening a towel I started scrubbing dried blood off my arms. The top half off my gear had already been removed and I was dressed in a black t-shirt. After scrubbing blood off I saw three claw marks down the inside of my arm.

"You contacted Marie." I made the statement without any inflection in my voice while I filled a glass for my third drink. This one I sipped slower, settling against the counter with one arm folded. "I suppose it was only a matter of time." I glanced at him only once and his injuries before shrugging it off. He'd be fine.

Jonah:


“I figured someone should let her know. And you, being unconscious, couldn't do it,” I said with a little shrug. I washed my hands under the faucet but there was still blood under my nails. “Care to explain what happened?”

"The man you sent me after was well trained. He had orders for the guards to attack all likely sniper positions. I had chosen points not as likely and still I took fire. Knocked out my communications, my rifle, and hit me. My orders were to remove the threat, so I went after him. I had to fight my way through guards and then I fought him. I collapsed while trying to drive a knife through his heart." I glanced up at him again. "I take it since I am alive the man has been eliminated?"

Jonah:

“That man is Kyle O'Shay. Kyra and Andrew's father,” I answered her, crossing my arms and leaning against the sink. She looked worn out, but it didn't lessen my disappointment in her.

I paused mid sip before carefully placing the glass down on the counter. "You telling me this information means he is alive." I kept my hand on the counter though my fingers itched to take up one of the knives from the knife block. Settling my gaze on the hallway I did calculations and scenarios in my head on how fast I could finish my job.

Jonah:

My eyes narrowed. “The job is done Kira, those orders no longer apply,” I told her. “Besides, if you tried anything against him you would be dead in a second. In your fragile state even Andrew could kill you.”

"You assume much." I gave him a flat look then pushed off from the counter. I left my glass and the knives behind though I still itched to grab one. "The job is never done. He was hired to protect our targets. I do not doubt he wont return into our lives. Not after what you have shared." As I made my way towards the hallway I glanced over my shoulder at him. "Perhaps I would lose in physical combat. But I still have a gun and I don't need much else. Come get me when it is time to eat."

Jonah:

At dinner I sent Kyra to give Kira a plate in her room rather than have her join us.  Then I questioned my team on their motives and let them know how disappointed I was with their final actions.  Kyra was indignant.

“Paublo and I finished our job even after it was more than we planned.  We did everything you asked!”  She defended herself.

“I didn't ask you to take command.”

“My dad was bleeding on the floor next to Kira.  You weren't right there.  You didn't make any decisions on that and it needed to be addressed immediately.”  There was fury in her voice.  

“Even then Kyra, you should have informed me of the situation instead of calling the shots yourself.  And you,” I turned to Andrew.  “You directly disobeyed my order.”

“You told me to wait in a situation that had no time for waiting,” He said with a shrug, completely guiltless.  

I let out a breath.  “Paublo, you’re the only one who fully completed the mission by following all orders.  Well done,” I said while looking ant the other two.  Andrew was hunched in his chair and Kyra was sulking silently, staring at her food.

Kira:

When Kyra brought me my plate I understood my banishment. But soon after I could hear everyone's chattering in the dining room. Leaving my plate alone on my bed untouched I went to my gear bag and strapped a spare knife to my leg before leaving my room. I didn't bother being stealthy about it, but I also didn't make much noise as I went down the hallway to Kyra and Andrew's room. Slipping inside I closed the door behind me and leaned against the door with my arms folded. "You didn't kill me. Either dumb luck happened or you hesitated." I watched the bed and Kyle in it with an impassive gaze. "I believe it is the latter."

Paublo:

I sighed softly and poked at my food. For once in my life. I didn't want praise, and I wasn't hungry. I'd been having guilt gnaw at my stomach since we'd gotten back and the idea of eating made me want to hurl. Glancing up I started to speak, "Jonah, does it.......never mind..." I bit back the question though it still lived on the tip of my tongue. Does it matter that they disobeyed? We got the job done.

Kyra:

“I guess I should join Kira in her room. All the screw ups can eat together,” I said in a mock cheerful tone. “Come on Andrew, you’re one of us too.” I scooted back my chair and looked at my brother. He had that look about him like maybe I should calm down, then he squinted.

“Kira's in her room alone,” was all he said then immediately got up from the table and ran out of the kitchen. I was close behind him with my heart beating hard.

Kira:

I had returned to my room when I heard feet pounding down the hallway. I gave my doorway a glance before returning to my food. It wasn't until my door was opened in a jerk that I looked up again to see Andrew in my doorway. "Is dinner done for you already?" I motioned for him to come in if he so wished while shifting to make room on my bed. "You must be here to either check on me or tell me something important. You aren't prone to quickness like this. What has Jonah said then? Your father was still sleeping when I checked on him." I kept my gaze on my food though I used a thumb nail to scratch along the band of the knife strapped to my thigh still. It was only after that I slowly looked up at him, blinking with an eyebrow slightly raised.

Andrew:

I went over and sat on her floor. “I was checking to make sure you weren't trying to kill him,” I confirmed her assumption. “'So why didn't you?” I sat criss-crossed on the floor looking up at her on the bed.

"Because I don't believe in luck, and he could have killed me." I stated simply. "I collapsed on him, and no matter how long it took Paublo, Kyra, or Jonah to come into the room, someone skilled like him should have easily been able to push me off and kill me. He didn't." I poked at my food then glanced down at him. "I wanted to know why. He was asleep. I left." Shrugging I set the plate beside me on the bed so I could undo the Velcro keeping the knife to my leg.

Andrew:

“I don't think he would willingly kill a kid if he didn't have to. You have a young face. Maybe you reminded him of his own daughter.” I threw out a few possibilities. “I'm surprised you didn't kill him in the first place. I know Kyra always thought he was the greatest assassin to ever live, but I didn't.”

"Best is relative, and he was seriously trying to kill me while we were fighting. As for not killing him...apparently you should give your Father credit. He held his own well enough. If I hadn't collapsed I would have had him." I considered for a long moment before looking at him, "He isn't one you hear rumored about, or one of the supposed legends. Makes him in some ways better in that regard, though could be the work of a good oracle instead."

Andrew:

I shrugged. “He stopped for a while when we were born, and then our mom died. I guess we weren't enough to keep him from it.” It wasn't really an answer to her question. “I guess I should be thankful that you passed out. Jonah isn't to happy about it. Everyone's in trouble but Paublo.”