Just As Suddenly… part 1

Chapter 6
Just As Suddenly…

Felix’s footsteps echoed through the pale, metallic halls as he headed toward the chief’s office. People shifted aside to greet him as he passed. He watched from the corner of his eye as they stepped aside — until the sound of ukulele strings cut through the corridor.

Two figures approached from the opposite direction.

A young woman, humming cheerfully as she strummed her ukulele, and a young man behind her, tugging on her hair in a desperate attempt to make her stop.

“Come on, you’re disturbing everyone.” The young man said. But the orange-haired girl continued playing with her eyes shut, head bobbing up and down, yelping every time he tugged on her frizzy orange hair.

Felix placed his hand on his hip, waiting for them to step to the side. But she continued, her little instrument nudged him in the small corridor.

“Huh…”

The young man beside her, who stood taller than Felix, apologized and bowed lightly, wearing gauge earrings that stretched his skin, “I’m so sorry for her, sir.” His tone passively apologetic, more annoyed at her than repentant towards him.

His blue eye twitched underneath the young man’s shadow, then glanced over to the carefree girl.

“Partner problems. I understand.” Felix nodded.

“Ah…Is this kind of thing common?”

“Rico, what’s the hold— ” the girl turned around and screamed, “UUUUP!”

The girl rushed back, pointing her finger at Felix’s face, “You!”

“Hm?”

“Kate, it’s rude to point at people.” The tall, lanky figure forced her hand to her side.

“You’re Felix Aster! He’s Felix Aster! Black Cat! I didn’t think I’d see you — I thought you were always out on missions!” She squealed.

Felix looked annoyed for a moment, but the first thing he noticed on her freckled face were her mismatched eyes — one a dark brown, and the other, a glowing bright crimson.

“I see…” His expression softened, mumbling to himself, “Starting to think there were more than just a handful of successes.”

“I’m sorry, sir? What do you mean?”

“It’s Blue Phantom, not Black Cat.”

“Right! I heard about that, I’m sorry sir Blue Phantom, sir!” Her wide smile revealed her tooth gap.

“You said sir, twice.” The lanky man beside her whispered.

“New recruits, I take it?”

“Yes! Name’s Kaitlin McCay of the Golden Lion, sir! Code name, Agent Carrot! This here beside me is Rico!”

“Rico Bryce, sir. Also Golden Lion, from Project ASTRAEA’s Batch Delta.” The tall, young man introduced himself.

Felix leaned in with a thumb on his chin, staring at her teeth as she spoke, “… The Yliaster was supposed to fix biological flaws. A mutation, perhaps?”

“The doctors said that there’s still a tooth inside her mouth, which is causing that.” Rico explained.

“Also we’re big fans! Can I have your autograph?!” She screamed.

Taken aback, Felix lightly scratched his cheek, “Uh, I guess… You have a pen?”

With a bright red face, the girl slapped Rico’s chest repeatedly as she squealed, “Rico, a pen, give me a pen. Now. Right now!”

“I don’t have a pen.” The lanky man responded.

“Mhmmm!” She squealed in a disappointed manner, “I… can’t get your autograph.”

Felix snapped his finger and replied, “Next time we meet, bring a pen instead of a ukulele. Then I might be able to sign something for you.”

“Yes!” She nodded her head rapidly, “Hope that we meet again soon! Please, take my ukulele as a gift!”

“I’d… rather not.”

She leaned in too close for Felix’s comfort, “Why not?! Do you hate the ukulele?!”

“No, it’s just… There’s only one instrument I play, and it’s not the ukulele. But, I’d rather listen to you play it someday… just not today.”

“I will practice hard and make you proud!” She saluted him. “Come along, Rico! We must hurry to our mission!” She excitedly strolled on.

“You’re the one who stopped…” Rico mumbled to himself as he started walking behind her.

Felix raised his eyebrow, “What was that about?”

The young man turned and faced the blue-eyed agent, “She’s excited to see the poster boy of Project ASTRAEA. I’d be lying if I didn’t feel a bit similar, since…” his eyes were a simple copper — not possessing the glow that Felix and Kaitlin had.

“Since?” Felix raised an eyebrow.

“I’d love to talk to you another time, sir, but I have to catch my idiot. She’s excited to deploy on her first mission.”

“I get it. Some advice, don’t let her get killed. She’ll never live it down.”

“Ah, of course, sir. They gave us some easy transport mission for our first time. And we’ll be protected by a professional, Anastasia Frost.”

“Ah, the Tundra…”

“Yes, sir. Thank you for the concern. Kate, wait!” Before Rico could run after her.

Felix reached out, “Wait, one last question before you go.”

“What is it?” The lanky man turned around.

“Her name is Kaitlin, right? And her codename is Carrot.”

“Uh, yes sir.”

“You wouldn’t happen to know someone called Agent Vermilion, would you? Or is that you, Rico?”

“Uh, no sir. We’re also pretty new here, so I don’t know much about anyone yet.” He shrugged.

“Right. Take care, make sure she doesn’t get killed.”

Rico smirked, playing with the hole in his ear, “Of course, and you too… What’s that saying around here? Good luck, and leave it all to chance.”

“It’s good luck, and leave nothing to chance.”

“Thank you, sir. That means a lot coming from you.” He grinned widely.

As Rico left, Felix placed his hand on his hip, “Could’ve just asked me for good luck, rookie.” 

~