“What was that back there?!” Lyn slammed her fist onto the table while Visette was in the process of removing her equipment.

“The mission was completed,” Visette replied while storing the ballistic mask into a large metal case along with the vest she wore.

“You went against my orders and ran off!”

“You did not specify that it was an order.”

“Oh give me a fucking break.” Lyn let out a frustrated groan. “Now I need to specify what’s an order? You pursued an unknown threat without knowing what awaited you. I didn't think you of all people would act so recklessly.”

“I had no issue in eliminating them.”

“That’s not the point.” Lyn took a seat and held her head, “You went off without saying a single word and didn't even radio in until you finished. You put yourself at risk.”

“I am required to do so am I not?” Visette inquired as she removed her glove, discovering that her hands were bruised. Firing off a bullet enhanced with psionic energy was something she hadn’t experimented with and as a result, her preparations were still lacking. When she removed her black fatigues a few abrasions were visible on her arms, likely a result of being thrown from a car.

“You...You’re hurt,” Lyn noted the injuries.

Visette seemed unperturbed and replied in a fitting manner, “I have received very minor injuries that will heal.”

“Shut up.” Lyn frowned as she retreated into Visette’s bathroom and plundered the medicine cabinet before returning with a first-aid kit, “And you’ll need something cold.”

She quickly headed for the kitchen and filled a bowl with ice and water before sitting it in front of Visette.

“Put your hands in the bowl,” Lyn said, “You can think of it as an order if that helps,” she quickly added.

Visette did as instructed without much complaint, not thinking too much of it.

Lyn began using a cotton cloth soaked in antiseptic to clean the scratches covering Visette’s arms.

“I shouldn’t have let Commander Wakefield assign you tasks like that,” She spoke regretfully.

“I have no issue with it.”

“And that’s the problem...I don’t care about how strong you are as an Abnormal, you aren’t someone’s personal tool, Visette. You need to keep that in mind.”

Visette turned her curiosity-filled gaze to Lyn. Minerva created her to be a tool and nothing else so she couldn’t understand why Lyn didn’t seem to think the same.

Lyn met her eyes and paused for a moment before a red light briefly lit up the room and a distant siren echoed.

“...Anyway, if you’re feeling well enough you can go to the academy tomorrow, just get some rest.” Lyn stood up and returned the first-aid kit, “I don’t know what the Commander is planning but you shouldn’t have to worry about an assignment for the next week or so.”

“Understood.” Visette nodded.

Lyn departed, leaving Visette to silently contemplate her earlier fight. She felt that her performance lacked efficiency and thought of ways which she could correct it. Even as she went to sleep, her mind didn’t stop replaying the scene of the battle.

…

Elsewhere, the assassination of Councilor Fredrickson and the firefight in the Upper Wards drew a lot of attention. Especially since it took place on the same day a funeral was held for another deceased councilor.

Several streets were blocked off and a small portion of the Upper Wards was isolated so investigators could unravel what happened.

In the center of Fredrickson's residence, Investigator Warrick Lewis, someone who had run afoul of Lyn in the past examined the scene while speaking to other investigators. It seemed that in the four years since that event came with a promotion as his vest read “Chief Investigator.”

“We have four dead guards, eight assailants of unknown origin, a dead councilor, and how many witnesses?”

“One or two, Sir,” A woman answered.

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“Ah, Sir, here’s the autopsy for Councilor Wilson you asked for.” A young man rushed in with a file in hand.

“Let me see that.” Warrick grabbed the folder and scanned through the medical report. “A clean break.”

“I’m sorry, Sir?” The female investigator spoke.

“Councilor Wilson’s accident. He fell at a perfect angle and snapped his neck cleanly. You know what the odds of that are?”

“No, I don’t, Sir.”

“Very fucking low,” Warrick replied as he handed the folder back to the young man. “Make a copy of this and return it when you’re done.”

“So, ignoring the four dead guards who died from gunshot wounds. Six of these men had their throats slit and one died from a gunshot to the head and the last one had his neck opened and was shot by a sniper’s bullet. Do you know what that means?” Warrick asked as he scanned the bullet holes that decorated the room.

“It means a group of Abnormals was present, Sir?” The woman replied with uncertainty.

“I think it was a single person who led this attack. We have two people who witnessed Fredrickson’s vehicle being attacked, albeit briefly.”

“Sir, I don’t have much knowledge about Abnormals but how could one survive a close-quarters fight with only a bladed weapon unscathed and then proceed to chase the councilor?”

“They had darkness as their advantage it looks like.” Warrick directed his gaze toward the broken ceiling lights. “There was also a sniper who seemed to be working with this group of soldiers here. He may have accidentally fired at a teammate in the confusion. We found his vantage point but there are still more questions than answers.”

“Do you mean the broken gun, Sir?”

“Yeah, maybe the sniper managed to land a shot but only ended up hitting the pistol of the lone Abnormal? I can’t be sure but I feel like it might be important.”

“Sir!” A DSF officer called out to Warrick, quickly saluting before speaking, “We’ve found something. We followed up on the report of the gunshot heard in the Lower Wards and we’ve found something.”

“Well, what is it?” Warrick asked.

“Two dead bodies. One seemed to have killed himself while the other had his throat slit. There was also radio equipment and identification cards that seemed to have been forged.”

“Alright...take me there,” Warrick ordered.

The entire situation only grew more strange as they uncovered additional details.

…

The next day arrived as expected, a report of an incident involving Councilor Fredrickson was spread out and a mandatory curfew was put in place for the entire city with the exception of government personnel.

The day proceeded just as it usually would. The only thing that was notable was the massive amount of increased security placed around the councilors and frequent patrols in the Upper Wards. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that 3/4ths of DSF officers were assigned to the districts where councilors lived.

Though, none of those things concerned Visette. She circulated her psionic power while the professor gave a lecture on the nature of Corrupted. A few sentences in and she realized that there was nothing new being taught. Since Charlie was in a separate class taking piloting courses, Visette had nothing else to do but channel psionic energy through her body.

At least, that is until she took notice of a person moving through the hall. It was a brief glance but she spotted a member of the janitorial staff. If anything, her glance was reflexive but when another janitor walked past the door followed by an additional one, she began to get suspicious.

Feeling that she should investigate further, Visette suddenly stood up and moved toward the door.

“...And that is why it is advised to remain as far away as possible when fighting Corrupted since they can- Um, Visette, are you okay?” The Professor, and the rest of the class, took notice of her.

Visette ignored him and stepped out of the room while he called out behind her, “If you need to go to the bathroom just say so!”

She closed the door behind her and focused her psionic scan on the three “janitors” briskly moving down the hall. And her expression showed a very faint amount of surprise as they were all Abnormals.

‘Charlie.’ Visette ignored the three Abnormals posing as staff and headed toward her locker.

Along the way, she continued passing by Abnormals dressed as school staff but didn't act. She only had a knife on hand and premature action could endanger Charlie.

She finally arrived at her locker on the other side of the building and opened it, starting up the radio.

[You’ve reached the communication line for Commander Wakefield. Please identify yourself.] A female voice spoke from the other side of the line.

“Visette Thales.”

[Please stand by.]

The plain radio clicked a few times and Commander Wakefield’s voice emerged.

[What is the situation?]

Visette became silent for a moment, realizing that she couldn’t tell the Commander how she discovered the Abnormals.

“It appears that an unknown group has infiltrated the academy.”

As expected, Commander Wakefield responded with a skepticism filled silence before his voice could be heard again, [...Have you discovered their goals?]

“No.”

[And you’re certain that the group is within the academy?]

“Yes, I suspect that they are Abnormals allied with the Freedom City.”

[I will mobilize a unit and alert the Governor. The gun box in your locker should also receive an unlock signal very shortly. Your orders are to secure Charlie at any cost. You are to ensure that no harm comes to her and prioritize her safety over everyone else, do you understand me?]

“Understood,” Visette replied.

The radio disconnected and the metal box inside her locker flashed with a green light before clicking open.

Visette opened the box and discovered that there was a small revolver inside as well as a minimal amount of ammo. She quickly loaded the gun and stored it inside of her waistband and decided to act carefully.

Even if she wasn’t ordered to, she planned on protecting Charlie who she deemed to be a valuable asset.