Anna sat in front of a middle-aged man. They were alone inside of his office.
"That concludes my report, Director Berkeley," Anna said.
Because of the severity of the incident, Anna had to report to the director of the intelligence agency, one of the most important people in Gladakia. As a lady born into a wealthy family, Anna could tell that the chair she was sitting in was made of high-quality leather, and the table was of expensive wood. The entire room was decorated with luxury.
"What you just told me certainly sounds unbelievable. However, it matches perfectly with my son and the other witnesses' reports." Director Berkeley locked his fingers and rested his elbows on the tabletop.
"Yes, Sir. As unbelievable as it sounds, everything we told you is nothing but the truth." Anna said sternly.
"If that's really the case, then you guys are really something." Director Berkeley smiled. "Regardless, protocol calls for further investigation. Before that's over, try to keep your recognition to a minimum."
"Yes, Sir."
"Ms.Hastings, that's all I have for you today. Please bring my regards to your mother."
"Of course."
"Oh, right! I almost forgot. The principal is in good health now. He resumed his work this morning. His first request was for you, Anna. After this meeting, go to his office. Your friends should be waiting for you there. Other than that, you are dismissed." The director said with a slight hint of anticipation.
Anna knew something was up, but it didn't seem all that bad.
"Yes Sir."
As Anna walked out of the GIA building, her mind was crowded with thoughts. The mercenary incident took place a day earlier. The remaining hostiles were taken care of by the combat instructors. At the end of the day, nobody was seriously hurt. The situation couldn't have gone any smoother, and it was all thanks to Anna and her friends.
However, upsetting news came from the incident. The Derunce Empire, the country that the mercenaries' equipment came from, signed a ceasefire with Gladakia 5 years ago. It was the country Anna's dad went to fight in. If the incident proves that the Derunce Empire wanted to breach the ceasefire, Gladakia would be fighting a 3-fronted war, putting them at a major disadvantage.
Anna was walking down the bustling, brick-paved city streets. Carriages carrying goods passed by non-stop. The market was crowded with people. Laughters could be heard outside the doors of the pub. The town was peaceful, completely oblivious to the utter hell occurring at the front lines.
This very peace is what my family strives to protect, Anna thought.
Anna's mind then wandered to Jason, the first person to die at her hands. She felt good when it crossed her mind, but then immediately shivered at her own cruelty. She knew that good soldiers don't see their enemies as people, at least that's what the years of mental training have taught her, but the real deal was far from what she imagined. As she sank deeper into the guilt of murder, she was reminded of Charl and everybody in the school whom she saved. It made her feel a little better.
"Ms.Hastings, what's got you feeling so down?" The lady tending the bakery called out to her as Anna walked past the stall.
Anna was pulled out of her thoughts and looked up at the baker.
"Hi, Mrs.Clark. Not much. A lot of things have been going on, that's all." Anna said as she pulled off her signature smile.
"That's the smile I am used to seeing. Is it a boy, Ms.Hastings? Bring him to me and I will give him a good talking." Mrs.Clark returned Anna's smile.
"No, no. Thanks for worrying." Anna chuckled and waved goodbye.
"Well, then. Have a nice day, Ms.Hastings."
"You, too."
Now that Anna had recovered her bright smile, the townspeople started greeting her as usual as she walked down the street.
"Hi, Anna!"
"Good day, Ms.Hastings."
"Hey! Look! It's that pretty lady living on the hill!"
Anna kindly returned everybody's greetings. Even though Anna stood at the top of the social hierarchy, she held no grudge toward those below her. Not a very common sight in the Gladakian capital. Everybody knew about Anna and treated her with warmth, so Anna returned the hospitality.
The cloud on her mind had been cleared. If the smiles of her people are in danger, she would not hesitate to take a life in order to defend them.
Anna stood in front of the door to the principal's office. The broken window had been taped off. She knocked twice on the door, and then opened it and walked in. The smell of the bleach used to clean the blood lingered in the air. The principal was sitting at his desk. He was an old man in his 60s. Wrinkles covered his face and his hair had turned silver. Even though he looked fragile, he gave off a vibe indicating that he was not an easy man to deal with. At the sides of the room were couches, on them sat Chris, Will, Theo, and Charl.
"Good morning, Sergeant Hastings, we have been waiting for you." The principal greeted Anna.
Anna quickly straightened up and returned his greeting with a salute.
"It's an honor to meet you, Admiral Howard. Also… Sergeant Hastings?"
"No, no. The honor is mine. As for the sergeant, you will understand soon enough."
After a couple of minutes of conversation, Anna gained a grip on the situation. The incident that took place the previous day had made the school board realize how lax the security was at the academy, simply because nobody would expect an enemy attack in the capital. Also, the students' lack of ability to protect themselves played a huge role. Anna's group's outstanding performance had sparked an idea within the school board directors. The reason why the students were not allowed to carry firearms was because of the frequent conflicts occurring inside the school. However, they could trust Anna, and naturally, the people she trusts as well. So they have come up with a solution.
"So you want me to lead a squad responsible for the school's security?" Anna asked.
"Yes. Everybody here has excelled well past what the academy can offer, but we can't let you graduate just yet. So, please spend the remainder of your school years providing a safe place for the other students." The principal proposed.
"As for the funding, our family should be able to handle it," Chris spoke from one of the couches, and Charl beside him nodded.
"My family can provide you with all the intelligence details." Theo raised his hand from the other side of the room.
Anna looked around the room. It didn't seem like anyone was opposed to this idea. Will sat quietly, probably embarrassed about how there was nothing for him to contribute.
"So, what do you say? Sergeant Hastings." The principal is starting to press Anna.
"Um, we are all students here, I don't think we will be up for the task. I mean, what would everybody even be doing?" Anna refuted.
"That's easy, Private Gordon here is a brilliant strategist. Mr.Arden is an excellent operator. Private Berkeley is a scout besting many we have in the Army. And Ms.Arden is an efficient field medic. All you are missing is a long-range marksman. I will leave the recruitment up to you, Sergeant Hastings." The principal smiled. He clearly anticipated her question.
Damn, this old man has thought of everything, Anna thought.
"Well, now that I think about it, it's not really a bad idea. I think I am in." Anna said.
"And as for the rest of you, does anyone have any objections?" The principal glanced around the room. Nobody responded.
"Great! Then, Ms.Hastings, I hereby grant you the title sergeant. Your code name from now on will be known as the 'Golden Rose'. Your classified special operations unit will be designated as 'Team Spectre'. Like spectres, you will operate in the dark and protect the school from the shadows. You will report directly to the secretary of defense, Jennifer Campbell." The principal said as he pulled out a stack of documents from his desk. "As a front, I will form a new branch of the student council, the disciplinary committee. This is so that other students won't get suspicious when they see you together all the time."
Anna was overwhelmed. She was receiving a code name. Only those with extinguished achievements and served important roles in the military received code names. They were what was passed down in the legends. She thought the name couldn't have matched her any better.
"Aunty Jenny?" Anna asked.
"Yes. Your new commander will be your mother's younger sister. She specifically requested to supervise you."
While Lydia, Anna's mother, trained for field operations, her sister Jennifer worked her way up the brass and is now the acting secretary of defense, working directly under the 5-Star General.
"Anyways, that's all for the future. We need to wait for the GIA to conclude the investigation. Until that's over, please keep the disclosure of everything we talked about today to a minimum. However, you are free to start with your recruitment process." The principal said while dismissing them with a wave.
"Ahhh. Theo, how was I supposed to relieve my stress when my personal body pillow wasn't around?" Anna held Theo tightly with her arms, pressing her chest against his head.
Anna could hear Charl's gasp beside her and Will's frustrating exhale. They were standing outside the principal's office.
"Oh my." Chris was surprised at Anna's impetuous behavior.
Theo sighed and pushed Anna away.
"Stop doing this, Anna, it's embarrassing. Both for me and you." Theo said grumpily.
"No! You are so cute. Who on Earth could resist hugging this little guy? Right, Charl?" Anna put her hands on Theo's shoulders and turned him toward Charl as if she was showing off her new toy.
"What? Y-Yeah, I guess." Charl stuttered and blushed, but she couldn't take her eyes off Theo. He reminded Charl of one of those life-sized plushies she used to own as a child.
"Quit it already," Will spoke out. He was clearly unhappy with the situation. "Let's discuss what we should do next."
Will began to walk down the hallway. The squad followed behind him.
"So, Anna-" Will was interrupted by Chris.
"It's Sergeant Hastings now."
"R-Right."
"Hehe." Anna stuck out her tongue and scratched the back of her head.
Anna's bashful face was a sight to take in, Will thought.
"Anyways, Sergeant Hastings, what's our next step?"
"Well, like Director Berkely and the principal said, there isn't much for us to do before the curtain falls on the investigation. I guess, for now, let's look for a new Team Spectre operator."
"The principal said we will need a marksman," Chris said. "Anna, you should be a pretty good judge when it comes to marksmanship, right? Since Charl told me your father was the legendary Major Sean Hastings."
"… That's right. He was…" Anna's mood quickly shifted. She began looking a little down.
Chris looked around and saw the other three eyeing him. Then he realized what he said. Anna was really sensitive when it came to anything about her father. His departure left a great toll on her.
"Sorry, that's not what I meant." Chris apologized.
"No, that's fine. But you are right. I know a thing or two about marksmanship." The hint of sadness was instantly wiped off of Anna's face. "You guys wanna go to the academy shooting range this afternoon? There should be a rifle marksmanship club practicing there. We can do some scouting."
"Sure, that sounds like a good idea," Chris responded.
"Alright then, let's meet at the flagpole in front of the front gate at 1800."
"Yes, Sir." The three boys answered with a salute. Charl didn't catch on to what was happening and awkwardly followed suit afterward.
"Yes… Sir." She said quietly.
"Aww shucks. I can't tell whether you guys are doing this on purpose to embarrass me or not."
"I'm home," Anna said as she opened the gates to her mansion. Her property was granted by the government. It was massive, just being short of a castle. Anna was born here, yet she still hasn't gone into every single room. The mansion wasn't sophisticatedly decorated like some other noble houses, since Anna's parents were soldiers who spent weeks sleeping in hastily constructed jungle shelters, after all. In her country, there weren't a lot of field operators high up in the social hierarchy. The high-class wealthy people were mostly ranked, officers and government officials. Therefore, the aristocratic soldiers were highly respected as it meant that they had done something truly outstanding for their country.
"Welcome back, Ms.Hastings." Anna was greeted by one of the young, new maids training under Maria.
"Oh, hi, Leah. Where is my mother?" Anna started taking off the jacket that was part of her uniform and handed it to Leah.
"Mrs.Hastings should be in the study right now," Leah answered.
Leah was a pretty little lady. She was around Anna's age. The military wasn't the only career path in Gladakia. Those who don't want to attend the military academy can choose from a wide range of other specialized schools, such as a business school or a home economics school.
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