Despite the school being a military academy, the carrying of firearms is strictly forbidden, due to "past incidents". Anna is the only exception. She is well trusted with a weapon and the school understands what the Golden Rose means to her. She visits the weaponsmithing department head, Mr.Douglas, monthly for a routine checkup. Even though she has never fired a bullet out of the pistol, it's still a very high-class weapon that requires constant maintenance.
Anna arrived in front of the door of Mr.Douglas's office. She gently knocked on the door.
"Come in." A deep voice came from behind the door.
Anna slowly opened the door and entered the room. Sitting in the middle at a metal workbench covered by blueprints was a stubby man in his 50s. His hair was messy beyond recovery, just like the room. There were tools lying everywhere. Schematics and blueprints were scattered on the ground. Nuts and bolts piled outside of his drawers.
"Oh, Anna. It's always refreshing to see you. Is it time to check up on the Golden Rose again?" Mr.Douglas said as he looked around for his glasses and put them on.
"Yes, Mr.Douglas."
"Great, let me take a look."
Anna took the golden pistol out of her holster and handed it to Mr.Douglas. He took the pistol, briefly examined the exterior.
"The outside looks normal, clearly lacks use, as usual. Anna, why don't you do target practice with the Golden Rose?" Mr.Douglas asked.
"It's my father's last gift for me. I treat it more like an accessory rather than a tool."
"It's a shame. Such a well-built weapon." Mr.Douglas sighed as he skillfully disassembled the pistol.
He took his time examining each and every piece. His face shows clear awe as he inspects the golden components.
"As expected of the Hastings Firearms' prized possession. I can't even begin to reverse engineer such a complex pistol with the tools at the academy. The chamber is perfectly compatible with almost every cartridge there is." Mr.Douglas said as he started reassembling the gun.
"You say that every time, Mr.Douglas." Anna chuckled.
"And it only becomes more true every time I say it. Anyways, Anna, it looks good. If you don't use it, there is nothing for me to do." Mr.Douglas handed the Golden Rose back to Anna.
"Well, don't expect any work anytime soon then, Mr.Douglas." Anna walked towards the door.
Mr.Douglas let out a hearty laugh as Anna left the room.
Before Mr.Douglas became the academy's smithing department head, he worked as the director of the country's most advanced research laboratory. He was responsible for the creation of many tools of warfare, from a standard serving small arms to weapons of mass destruction. He was valuable personnel. They were lucky to have such a talented individual working at the academy.
As soon as Anna got into the hallway, she heard loud chattering around the corner. She walked towards the commotion and saw a crowd in the middle of the hallway, and her friend Theo was tiptoeing at the edge of the crowd. She tapped him on the shoulder and asked,
"Theo, what's going on?"
Theo turned around. He was a very short guy with fluffy brown hair. He didn't know his ways around a gun but is extraordinarily efficient with any type of melee weapon. He was small, agile, and quiet, perfect for infiltration operations, which is what he specializes in. The problem is that nobody takes him seriously because he is too cute. For someone who doesn't know Theo's actual age, they could easily mistake him for a grade-schooler.
"Oh, Anna. I think people are picking on Will again. I am not really sure, though, since I can't see over the crowd." Theo said.
Not again, Anna thought to herself. Anna, who is famous and popular in the academy, brings a lot of attention to Will by being his childhood friend. As someone from a family that barely contributes to the war, he is often bullied.
"Maggot, who do you think you are to hang around Anna all the time. I'm sure she hates being around you but doesn't say anything out of pity." A smug voice came over from the center of the crowd.
Anna expected Will to say something, but instead, there was just a moment of silence.
"I am sure that's not true. Anna is a very nice person, and she has been friends with Will for a long time." It was Emily's voice. It sounded like she was on the verge of tears.
"And who are you? Daughter of a warrant officer? Officers are worse than trash. They just sit in their safe little rooms while people like us go off to fend for our own lives." The same smug voice came over again.
"Enough. You can slander me all you want, but don't bring Emily into this." Will said in a cold tone, one that Anna doesn't hear very often.
"Oh? Maggot, you grew some balls, huh? How dare you talk back to me? I will deal with the little girl as soon as I am done with you." There was the sound of knuckles cracking and the rustling of clothes.
"Stop!" Anna yelled. She finally made her way through the crowd. Emily was on the floor, sobbing. A big guy was holding Will up by his collar. The big guy turned around and looked at Anna with creepy eyes.
"Oh, Anna, it's you! My name is Logan, remember me? I was in your class 2 years ago. Anyways, don't mind me, I am just helping you out here. I know you've wanted to get rid of this little maggot here for the longest time, let me help you." Logan smiled smugly and pulled his fist.
"Enough! Who are you to decide what's good for me? I don't even know you. Just put Will down and we can resolve this at the principal's office." Anna was getting angry.
"You don't know me? How could you say that, Anna? Is it Will's fault? Of course, everything is Will's fault! You fucking maggot, what did you do to Anna?" Logan's fist began to travel towards Will's face.
"No!" Anna leaped forward, trying to stop Logan's hand, but there wasn't enough time.
BOOM! The sound of a gunshot came from behind the crowd. Everybody paused. Logan dropped Will onto the ground and is now shaking in fear. The crowd started dispersing. The sound of screaming and running footsteps fills the hallway.
BOOM! Another shot is fired. Everybody crouched, shivering with their hands above their heads.
"That's more like it." The voice came from a man dressed in mercenary attire walking towards them at the end of the hallway. He was holding an automatic rifle, pointed towards the ceiling. There were four other men following him, all armed with automatic firearms. They were all equipped with military-grade equipment. The looks on their cold, calm faces show their seasoned experiences. They weren't simple terrorists, but well-trained soldiers.
"Now everybody has calmed down, let's get down to business. We are here on a special mission, and I can't tell you, kids, where it's from. All you need to do is do as I say, and you get to keep your little heads as it is, without a hole through them." He said coldly, glancing at the crowd.
Muffled screams came from the students. Fear and despair were tangible in the air. Anna slowly inched her way towards Will with Theo behind her. She wasn't scared at all as she was thoroughly trained to stay calm in every possible situation. The same thing couldn't be said for Will and Theo. They were panicking a little.
"Kchhhhh, kchhhhh." The PA system turned on.
"Oh, it seems like they finally got to the broadcasting room." Said the leader of the mercenary squad.
A voice came through the speakers.
"Good afternoon, Gladakia's Finest. We are a mercenary squad here to retrieve the son of Five-Star General Arden, Christopher Arden. If you are beside Christopher right now, please bring him to the principal's office. We have temporarily disabled the security of your school, so you won't be expecting reinforcements for the next couple of hours. We have sealed off every door. But we are still a bit short on time. So, let's do a little compromise here. Every 10 minutes I don't see Chris's handsome face waiting for me in the principal's office, my friend Jason on the second floor…"
"That's me." The squad leader watching Anna's group raised his hand.
"Will kill a hostage." The PA system turned off.
"You heard the man. Now your lives are gonna be in the hands of little Chris and his friends. You'd all better pray for him to turn himself in." The mercenary chuckled.
Anna looked at Will. He was concerned just like her. As a meritocratic state, the most talented held the highest position in the government. The Five-Star General is the highest rank in the military, therefore he had the most authority in the country. By kidnapping his son, they are basically declaring war, or maybe they are already at war.
"Anna, what should we do?" Theo whispered. He has calmed down a little, now that he has more information on the situation.
"Um, I don't know. I just know that we have to make sure nobody dies today." Anna turned around to Will. "Will, do you have any ideas? You are usually quick to think of solutions in tight situations, right?"
Will stared at the ground, deep in thought. He then looked up and glanced around the hallway. His eyes later fixated on the window.
"Theo, there's a ledge outside the window, right?" Will asked.
"Yeah, I am pretty sure. It leads to the yard, though, you can't escape from there."
"I know. I don't plan on running away. Do you have your switchblade with you?"
"Yeah, I always keep it in my pocket."
"Great. Guys, I think I have a plan."
"Really? That's good." Anna was a little relieved.
"Theo, I need you to jump through the window and get on the ledge, walk along the ledge, and get back into the hallway behind the mercenary squad."
"What? They will notice me trying to get closer to the window, though. Also, what am I supposed to do with 5 fully armed men with a switchblade?" Theo was taken back a little.
"That's where Anna comes in. Anna, I will need you to draw their attention while Theo sneaks behind them. His small figure should be masked by the other people. When he attacks the two from behind, the other three will turn their attention away. Then, you disarm the leader. I will leave the rest up to you." Will whispered as he patted both of them on their shoulders.
"What? Will, that doesn't exactly sound like a failsafe plan. This isn't training anymore, I think." Anna said.
"Yes, I know, and that's why I need you two to trust me." Will stared into Anna's eyes with a stern look.
Anna recognized that look. Whenever they are in a pinch, Will will ask Anna to trust her with those looks in his eyes. He has never failed her once.
"Okay, fine. After we are done with this, you have to treat me to dinner." Anna sighed.
"Wha-? Aren't you rich? Anyways, stop setting any more death flags and get to the plan." Will said.
"Oi! What are you brats talking about there? Wanna share it with us?" Jason noticed their whispering and called out.
Nobody made a sound.
"Ah, whatever. Has it been 10 minutes? I am getting a little trigger-happy here. It probably has. Yo, someone wanna volunteer to be the first sacrifice?" Jason asked coldly with a smile on his face as if he just told a very funny joke.
"Now's a good time, Anna," Will whispered.
Anna gave him a thumbs up.
"Wait! It hasn't been 10 minutes yet, you have to at least follow the rule your comrade set up, right?" Anna stood up and yelled across the hallway. Everybody else looked at her, scared for her life. In her distraction, Theo slowly moved towards the window.
"Oh? Who do we have here? You are not wrong, we should probably follow orders more obediently. But aren't you a brave one? What's your name, little kitten?" Jason smiled smugly and rested his rifle on his shoulder.
"My name is Anna, Anna Hastings. Can you give us some more time for Chris to turn himself in?" Anna asked calmly.
"Yeah, why not? I will give you 3 more minutes. Hmm, Hastings… That sounds familiar. Oh, right! Are you perhaps related to Hastings the Silent Devil?"
The mention of her father's name shook her.
"Y… Yes. Do you perhaps know him? He went missing about 5 years ago." Anna is starting to lose her composure.
"Oh really? The Silent Devil had a daughter? Such a pretty one at that. No, I don't know him, but I heard many stories about how he terrorized our comrades. I have no idea if he is alive or not. But didn't I hit the jackpot today? If I brought the daughter of the Silent Devil with me, I am sure to receive a huge reward. Plus, you are a pretty jewel, too. I am sure my men will like you." Jason smiled creepily and licked his lips with his tongue.
A chill went down Anna's spine, but the thought of her father possibly being alive excited her.
"Anna, this isn't going the way I planned," Will whispered at her feet.
Anna ignored him.
"Fuck off! I am never going with your disgusting pigs." Anna has completely lost her composure.
"Oh! The kitten bites! What are you gonna do? We know well that nobody is allowed to carry a gun here. Just stop resisting and come with us." Jason started walking towards Anna.
Anna put her hand on her holster under her uniform. She clenched her teeth. She has never been in a real situation before, she has never shot out of her father's parting gift before, she has never killed a person before.
"Come on, let's go." Jason is getting closer and closer.
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