“So, there wasn’t really anything to report?” Kerilyn asked the two groups as they reconvened at the intelligence office three hours after they had begun their patrol through the red light district. Everyone in the two groups nodded, with Ellie, Freya, and Lexi in particular nodding emphatically. Kerilyn looked at the three of them. “I assume the two of you had a…less than stellar time there, correct?”
The three nodded. “We had gotten more than one solicitation for…many things. If it weren’t for Aidan and Brandon, there’s no telling what would have happened.”
Kerilyn gave the two of them an approving nod. “Thank you for protecting your classmates. Normally, I wouldn’t even dare sending even my own agents into the district, but considering the circumstances, we felt it was a necessary task in the event some terrorists flee into the district.”
Brandon nodded. “Well, then I guess we’ll have to station guards at the entrance to prevent them from escaping there. There’s no way I’d want to go back there again. Nothing but booze, brawls, and prostitutes.”
Kerilyn chuckled. “Don’t worry, we have no intention of ever sending you back. If everything goes well, hopefully this event will just go as planned, and you’ll all be heading back to your academy with a boring report for your instructor. With that said, you all are dismissed for the night. Just be sure to complete your reports for the day before you head to bed. I’ll meet you here at eight in the morning sharp.”
Everyone relaxed their muscles as the stuffy atmosphere almost immediately changed to one of a more relaxed nature. Aidan and Brandon walked up to Maxim and the other guys as Amanda walked over to the other women, separating based on gender. Aidan looked at Maxim. “So, it sounds like you all had an interesting day, especially with the diner owner and that mysterious informant.”
Maxim nodded. “Yeah, we all were pretty shocked when we received–wait a minute, how did you guys know about that? We had just finished reporting when you all arrived back.”
“Let’s just say that we heard you all talking before we entered, so we took the liberty of listening in.”
Kolten glanced at Brandon and Aidan. “Eavesdropping huh? Gotta get every advantage you can to get the highest grade.”
Aidan chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. “Nah, nothing like that. We heard voices on the outside so we thought that maybe she was meeting with her superiors or an informant, so we listened in originally to make sure we could enter without interrupting. We didin’t listen in to try to get an advantage or anything, I promise. Though, I am wondering how Class Two is doing with their field study. After all, we are in direct competition with them.”
Maxim shrugged. “Who knows. Most likely, they got the spots we were supposed to go to before we were sent to Hathea. I wouldn’t be surprised if they got some easy tasks considering this is the first field study for either of us.”
Melek nodded. “Unfortunately, I think we got the short end of the stick when it comes to locations and tasks, but that could also be because the academy has higher hopes for us. I mean, they specifically created this class for us and relegated the previous top class for our sakes.”
Aidan grinned. “Well, we’ll just have to show them tomorrow that their faith in us was well placed! We may be in different groups, but we’re all still a part of the same class, and we have the same goal of preventing terrorists from executing their plans.”
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A couple hours later, after the groups had written their reports and had begun to go to bed, Maxim had left his room, his portable communicator in hand. Taking an elevator, he had exited the building and walked a few hundred feet away from the building, making sure he wasn’t followed. Confident he was by himself, he tapped a few familiar prompts on his communicator, calling Rina. Within seconds, she answered. “So, I heard that Zara managed to give you all the information I had dug up.”
“Yeah, she did, but how did you know what we were investigating?”
“I got a tip not long after you last contacted me about what was going on. I was told I couldn’t tell you, as it would provide your group an unfair advantage.”
“I…see. Well, what can you tell me about Ziven?”
“He’s someone who, at the time, was among the bravest soldiers we had ever met. He was ferocious when he fought the invaders, yet was kind and understanding to others, especially to children. When an orphanage was liberated, and the bodies of all the kids were found inside, something inside him changed. He became hyper-fixated on nothing but killing and fighting, ignoring those who were rescued. His behavior…was concerning enough that he was forcibly placed in a reserve unit for a couple weeks until the final battle, in which he was put in command of a small task force with the mission of infiltrating another enemy ship and trying to neutralize it from within. After the war, he continued his erratic behavior, suggesting military force to solve any and all problems. Then it was discovered that he held some…troubling beliefs. However, due to his bravery in the war, he continued his career in the military. It wasn’t until he was denied the promotion that things took a turn for the worse, and now here we are in the present.”
“I see…and what Zara brought over was all that you were able to uncover since his dishonorable discharge?”
“You are correct. He didn’t leave as big of a paper trail as I would have liked, but he also wasn’t exactly hiding what he was doing either. That weapons shop you went to earlier today that was on the top of the list? The owner is a friend of his family and was spotted leaving Hathea just a couple hours ago while you were being briefed on your Redlight District patrol on a stolen freighter. However, he was smuggling in weapons for him for the past year. It was all done behind his legal business, but as a result, he and his group are well armed. Do NOT underestimate his skills Maxim. I mean it.”
“I won’t, you have my word. You of all people know I was placed in the class to protect them. I promise I won’t let a single one die on my watch.”
“I know you won’t. But please just…be careful. I don’t want to report to your parents that you were killed. That’s not a call I’d be wanting to make.”
“I promise you won’t be making that call. I won’t be going down that easily, but is that all you wanted me to contact you for?”
“Yes and no. While I wanted to tell you to not underestimate Ziven, I also needed to tell you that your parents did confirm their presence on the planet they’re on. Not as strong as what happened on Belth, but it’s still a sizeable operation.”
“I see…thank you for keeping me updated. Let me know if something major happens please.”
“That was the plan. Anyways, I know it’s night over there, and that you need to get to bed. Just remember what I told you. You may need to go all out if needed.”
“I won’t hesitate if needed. I’ll contact you with what happens when I can.”
“I’ll be ready whenever you call. Goodnight Maxim.”
“Goodnight Rina.”
As Maxim ended the call, he heard some footsteps behind him. Looking back, he saw Kerilyn. “So, that was an interesting chat you had, Maxim.”
“...if that’s what you call interesting, then I think–”
“Maxim Sharp. Eldest child of Eric and Bridget Sharp, the two heroes of the Republic. Assigned to the class created by the head of the Republic himself at the behest of your parents in order to provide protection before your classmates are ready for their true purpose. Personally trained by your parents, as well as mastering both the Steiger and Cedeno schools of saber fighting and in the process of mastering the newly formed Verin school, you’re considered to be one of the strongest warriors already at the age of eighteen. Anything else I should know?”
“H–how…”
“I had someone I trust in the intelligence agency take a look into all of you before you had arrived, but you were the only one he couldn’t get any information on. After you were asked by name in a text that magically gave you a ton of information, information I knew only one person was capable of obtaining so quickly. I had a hunch that you were a Sharp, but I couldn’t prove it, not yet. After you left for your patrol, I called in every favor I had with the chief, who then gave me your file after some convincing.”
“I see…well the agency sure has a good agent…however, you need to keep that knowledge to yourself, otherwise–”
“I’ll be charged with treason and labeled a threat to national security. Those were the exact words the chief told me. So, care to explain what was so important that your parents came out of hiding to be involved with politics again?”
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