Fools

"This is shocking!"

Alex nodded fervently as Ted continued, "I cannot believe they sent us out on our first real assignment."

"This is a test!" Zen shot out tersely, he kept gripping his weapon in between both hands, his nerves growing as the time approached.

"Yeah, Yeah, we know Zen, but still it's the very first assignment assigned directly to us. We are headed out into this mess as oficial Ruenen members!" Tom smiled, "This is almost too easy, we've been awaiting for this moment for years! All of our training, I'm-"

Alex cut in, "ready to kick some ass!!"

The three grinned at each other ecstatic at the opportunity.

"We won't be full members if you fuck this up! You'd better not fuck this up twins," it was Zen again, the nerves clearly getting the better of him, "my father may be watching and I will not allow any of you to ruin this opportunity." He turned his head all the way around and glared at the rear of the vehicle. He was surprised and peeved when Violet did not react, she continued to gaze haughtily out the rear window.

"I'm also talking to you Violet, make sure you stay out the way, especially since you have no fighting abiliti- put your finger down before I break it!"

Violet ignored his tantrum and continued throwing him the finger, she was dead sick of Zen and his antics, he kept this shit up she might just put him in his place.

Zen opened his mouth, Violet rolled her eyes, she had no doubt it was once again to berate her when Kieren spoke form the drivers seat. "Zen, give it a rest, put your weapon away until we know if we will need it. We were chosen as a team. Violet is as valuable as you and I. Focus on how to proceed with the task at hand as smoothly as possible and leave the scolding to our superiors." Zen shut his mouth with a loud hmph and Violet in turn felt Kieren's gaze turn to her- she ignored it.

There were multiple reason for her atrocious mood on this fine morning. For starters, it was five in the morning, ridiculous considering that they had gone to sleep at three in the morning, and that it was their fault she had gotten no sleep. To follow up, they had been handed an envelope, given a key to a vehicle -an address programmed into the navigation system- and told they could open the envelope once they arrived. The vehicle had turned out the be an old 2001 blue dilapidated Jeep, for five people, and Violet as the sixth and smallest had been shoved into the rear cargo area.

As if all that was not enough to warrant her foul mood, she had once more been tossed into the 'ocean' with Kieren and his guards. Violet had truly hoped that the Queen's wishes would have ensured she be dispatched to a different team, but it would appear, the queen had chosen another option. Throw them together, and observe. Violet glowered at her feet, they would be watching her like an eagle watches a fat juicy prairie dog. Zen was right, she was going to be awfully restricted, playing stupid and useless while the five fools before her, who apart from Kieren, had never even taken a life, called the shots.

A particularly nasty pot hole jostled Violet into the window, she looked up shooting daggers at Kieren. He grinned looking back through the rear view mirror, he was childishly opting to claim her attention any way possible. "How are you doing back there?"

Violet gritted her teeth, she could wipe that smirk of his face with a few well selected words, taking a deep breath she opted for peace and grumbled, "peachy."

Half an hour later they arrived at their destination, Violet kicked open the rear door vehemently and prowled away from the Jeep.

They had arrived at an old abandoned business complex, compromised almost entirely of worn brick warehouses, and cracked car lots. "Hey this is the old park meadows district, it was abandoned after that chemical explosion almost sixty years ago, over two-hundred people died."

"Yeah, you're right Alex, this is mostly a non ability area, and Kill, we are about twenty minutes from one of your safe houses right?"

"Yes, but that's irrelevant, open the envelope."

Violet stood at over a foots length from the rest, the prickle on her neck alerted her to the gazes of several people. Violet repressed the urge to go after them, she detested being watched, assassins who were watched died.

Alex opened the envelope and read out their assignment, "Your mission is the SAFE handoff of Karl Dimitrox, he has been found, captured, and gagged for your convenience. You must ensure that Dimitrox arrives alive. He is here, in one of the buildings, find him and escort him to the Serpent Kings Headquarters in Solis Lake.

You may be under the impression that he is a Ruenen member posing as an enemy, so I shall correct that here. Karl is a serial killer, he stalks old women who resemble his mother and strangles them. Karl is highly competent and while he has no ability he has been capable enough to create a group of fellow sociopaths who view him as their leader and of whom several have abilities.

When you opened the envelope the tracking chip in his right molar was activated, his group will come after you. You are prohibited from removing the tracking chip, and it is encouraged that you bring in his click members. They will no doubt be after your necks, but kill only if you absolutely must. You have a time limit of four hours. Inability to complete your delegated task will result in your dismal from the academy."

Alex looked up, she held out a file with a name and picture, 'Karl Dimitrox' she looked serious. " We should get moving, it's a two hour drive from here to Solis Lake, and it's going to rain."

Kieren took charge instantly, he handed out nano tech ear pieces while instructing the group. "Zen, Tom, come with me, we will bring Dimitrox back. Violet, Ted, Alex, tear out the back seats, we won't fit otherwise. Keep an eye out for approaching enemies and relay all relevant information."

Ted and Alex made quick work of the back seats as Violet looked around, a quick walk of their surrounding area enlightened Violet as to how their process was being monitored. It would have been challenging to send someone to follow them, so the Ruenen had opted for setting up cameras, and she was willing to bet her life, their entire route was mapped and monitored. It made sense, Kieren was too important to chance, they were bound to have members stationed within a few miles, ready to respond.

Grunts and a dragging sound reached their ears, they looked back to see Tom and Zen carrying a huge unconscious man, Dimitrox. Violet rolled her eyes, how disgusting, the man was severely obese, smelled like a sewer, and was faking it.

Violet called out, "If he wants to play dead help him." Zen yelled back, "did you not hear the report, he has to be returned safely."

Violet leaned against the car, "no, he has to be turned in alive, a little battered and unconscious doesn't take away from 'alive'."

Dimitrox opened his eyes as they arrived by the car, his gaze instantly settled on Violet and even with the gag in his mouth the loud moan he directed at her reached their ears. He tried to shuffle forward but was stopped by a fist, Kieren shot him a scathing glance as he hit the ground like a sack of potatoes, "I prefer you unconscious."

Back in the vehicle, the seating arrangements had shifted, Violet sat in Alex's lap in the passenger seat while the boys watched Dimitrox in the rear. They commenced the drive to Solis Lake in silence, aware that the Ruenen had selected Solis Lake for a reason. The promised downpour had begun, the road to Solis Lake wound up and down through canyons and cliffs, and it would be treacherous in constant rain. The forest surrounding the lake was eerie, dense, and uninhabited, adding to the chances that they would be attacked from every side.

They made it almost thirty miles into the forest when Violet who could not shake the prickle in her skin, looked out the window, pressed both hands on the glass and called out, "Stop Kieren! Stop! Turn around!"

They all jolted, Kieren pressed on the brakes, looked around, saw nothing, felt nothing, then looked at her in concern, "Violet this is the only road to- where are you- hey Violet!"

Violet had opened the door and ran out into the rain, she ran past the vehicle, seemed to observe several trees, then ran back to the car door. She jumped in and hurriedly pressed Kieren again, "turn around!"

"What the fuck is the problem Violet?" Zen shouted, there is nothing here-"

"Shut up Zen! Kieren look at me! We have to go back!" Kieren nodded slowly when Zen interrupted them leaning forward and shoving Violet, "what is your deal?! There's nothing here!!"

Violet punched him hard drawing blood from his nose, she launched forward and pinned him onto Dimitrox, "We have driven into a barrier you useless spineless moron! Those trees, they've been inscribed, they're marking joints now and if we don't get out-"

Violet whipped around and this time they all felt it, a car was approaching them from the front, but it never arrived. A loud cracking noise filled the air, Violet somewhat heard Kieren shout, "get out now!" but it was much to late, a sudden explosion encapsulated them and Violet felt her body jolt abruptly out of the vehicle. She heard Alex scream out as they both landed near a tree.

Wiping blood from her face Violet rose looking for her team members, something about this wasn't right.