The next three fights ended just as the one before. Quick and decisive, nobody even managed to touch her at all. The grappler had eaten her knee as he charged in, another one had ended with her fist to his chest. The last guy went down from a strike to the throat. Like this her fights were short and did not even take five minutes to finish up. Due to her efficiency with taking down her sparring partners there was little to evaluate on. Everyone had been downed by a single strike of hers. Yet what was done was done.

Followed by the sparring match Nightingale proceeded from place to place. Going through the testings for gun usage, fitness, psychological condition and general knowledge.

After having written an general knowledge test and having finished a long talk with a psychologist to evaluate her condition even Nightingale felt tired. No, not tired in the physical sense, but mentally. Drained from the effort to pick the right wordings for the talk which had lasted for nearly three hours.

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Four hours later. 19:30

Now after finishing her last evaluation she was standing in front of the central tower together with Lucy. ‘’What next?’’ the redhead asked her.

‘’Food…’’ was all the tired woman mumbled as answer. Without saying another word she started to walk towards the mess. Her body craving something sweet to alleviate the tiredness of her mind.

After a short walk the two entered the mess, this time it was filled with a lot more people. Many gave her stares as the new person in the base would always draw attention. Yet nobody came close to her, maybe the sword at her side gave her this freedom of movement.

But yet again, everyone else was also armed with at least a sidearm. So maybe it was just courtesy or so. In reality though Nightingale did not care for the thoughts of others. As such she simply went towards the counter and choose her food. Filling her tablet with a pudding, a sweet tea, waffles and pancakes with syrup.

Normally she disliked sweets, yet on that day she felt like having it all. Even Lucy who was picking things next to her was silently raising a eyebrow without saying a word. ‘’What?’’ Nightingale asked her.

‘’Nothing…’’ was the answer Lucy gave her.

After having picked their dishes the two were lucky enough to find the same niche they had used before unoccupied. So once more they sat down there, eating in silence. Nightingale was enjoying the warm sweetness spreading on her tongue, filling her exhausted mind with fresh energy. Then she took a sip of the still steaming sweet tea, it was a invigorating feeling as the warmth flowed down her throat and spread in her tummy.

When she finished all the food she leaned back contentedly, actually feeling a little bit sick from all the sweet things she was not used to. But yet again it was delicious, so it was a worthwhile price to pay. It also helped her replenish her stamina. Making it a double win in her book.

Lucy offered then to bring back the tablets which Nightingale accepted thankfully, not quite feeling like moving right then. Only when Lucy came back did she stand up and left the mess together with her.

After having left the Mess and walked across the courtyard, Nightingale’s slow steps came to a stop. She then turned her head and looked deeply at Lucy for a moment. Only when the redhead began to look quite unsure about what was going on did the ex assassin speak. ‘’Lucy… you will go to fight on the frontlines right?’’ was the question she asked.

‘’That is what I am here for, the reason why I joined their ranks.’’ She answered with a slightly prideful tone of voice. After hearing this answer Nightingale kept her silence, continuing to look at Lucy. Seemingly lost in thought.

‘’I guess… Soldiers like you… Are hunting right now? So you will have a first mission too, thrown into combat… Right?’’ That was the question which needed an answer from the young woman.

‘’I will.’’ Was her firm answer to this question. Steady, strong and lacking of any fear in her voice. Not even a hint of nervosity upon that future was heard in her voice by Nightingale. Something which made her frown, her eyes flashing with a cold glint for but a second.

‘’Have you ever fought for real? Ever killed someone?’’ Nightingale spoke the last three words in a very icy voice a harsh tone. This was something important, something she had to know for the future. She needed Lucy to be ready to be part of her team, yet someone inexperienced would be dangerous. Not only for herself, but also for the future team.

‘’I have never had to fight someone in a battle of life and death, I only practiced on the shooting range and in sparring matches. Is that important?’’ Her voice slightly hesitant yet also curious.

‘’It is. Outside of the base… on this plateau, how much is it guarded?’’ Nightingale wanted to know, her mind was going through many possibilities at this moment. Trying to figure out what to do, forming a plan. Ideas came and went, till only one single one remained. Something which needed to be done.

‘’The perimeter around the base is observed, the rest of the plateau… is not. Only some odd patrols sweep it every now and then. Below is another perimeter as you should have noticed before, which is also heavily guarded in secrecy. So there is no need to observe the whole plateau and spread out the manpower of our base.’’ Was the long answer Nightingale got from Lucy.

‘’In that case… can you go and get a combat knife? I need to show you something. After that… meet me in thirty minutes at the gate.’’ Having said that she turned around and began walking towards the central tower. Leaving behind a hesitant and very confused Lucy.

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19:45

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

‘’I cannot allow that.’’ Colonel Bann said. ‘’Also why would you make such a request?’’ He asked with stern voice. He demanded an answer of her, and he wanted a good one. As such Nightingale thought a bit before answering. ‘’It has to be done. As explained, the risk will become lower, efficiency of named factors will rise. At least that is what I think will happen if she is strong enough. I would appreciate if we could treat it as a test run. I admit my ways may be dangerous, strange and maybe even foolish. Yet that is all I know.’’ Her last words were spoken in a much more somber tone than those before.

After that silence fell upon the room like a thick blanket. It kept wrapping the two people into its tight embrace for a long time. Only when the Colonel spoke again was the silence banished. ‘’Fine, a test. Do not overdo it! Nothing severe! nothing lasting. Under these conditions I shall accept and prepare what needs to be done. How long will you take?’’

‘’Twenty minutes.’’ was the answer she gave him to which the Colonel slowly nodded.

‘’Fine, but only this once. And only because I trust in your precision. But even if it works out like you think it will. In the future we will adapt another method. Are we clear?’’ To his demand Nightingale nodded.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20:00~

Shortly after her talk with Colonel Bann, Nightingale walked across the base. Her mind was once more in deep thoughts, still going through many scenarios and ideas. As such she took much longer then needed to reach the gate.

When the young woman finally arrived Lucy was already standing there, leaning against the wall next to the gate. A single knife held in her hand, which her gaze seemed to be focused on.

‘’Ready?’’ Nightingale asked her as she drew close enough. Her somber voice seemingly dragging Lucy out of her thoughts. ‘’I am.’’ She answered with a firm nod.

Then without another word the two left through two small side gates next to the big vehicle gates. The guards gave Lucy a nod, but remained silent otherwise. Then the pair of women started to follow the road, at least for a while.

At the T junction the two stopped. Nightingale thought for a bit about the map she had been shown upon request by Bann. Then she nodded and changed direction slightly. ‘’Come…’’ she said quietly and began to walk across the short strip of grass.

‘’You know where you want to go? How?’’ She was asked by Lucy as the two entered the forest, which encompassed this whole plateau except the fortress and its surroundings.

While carefully stepping over a few branches, avoiding patches of moss and loose rocks Nightingale answered her. ‘’I do, just follow.’’ Was her answer, her eyes never leaving the ground. She still was avoiding leaving any traces as much as possible when moving in such terrain. One more of her countless habits which had before ensured her safety, raising the odds of her survival on a mission.

For at least ten minutes the two walked through the forest of leaf and needle trees. With the now fading sun darkness quickly descended within the shade of the forests roof. Yet Nightingale’s steps never slowed for even a moment. Continuing to find their way just as confidently as they had when it was still bright.

Finally arriving at the place Nightingale had made out to be her destination. Which was a very small clearing. Maybe twenty by twenty meters. At its center stood a single willow, it's roots fed by the waters of a small spring as its waters gurgled and flowed in a small stream. Soft noises rang out from the water that ascended to the surface there. Slowly flowing towards the other end of the clearing. Vanishing in a line of trees behind which one could sometimes see the lights of a far away city. When the wind moved the bushes and branches blocking the view. This clearing was near the edge of the plateau, only twenty more meters from the clearing to the edge.

Yet besides the sound of flowing water and the sound of the wind gently playing with the grass and trees there was no sound to be heard. The first stars appearing high above her while the moon rose slowly from its slumber.

When Lucy finally stumbled into the clearing Nightingale had an irritable expression, the ex-assassin had clearly heard the girl's tactless movements and harsh breathing as she fought through the thicket. Because of this she had trouble keeping the disbelief out of her voice when she spoke ‘’You have trouble with just this?’’

‘’Who would not? It is only getting darker and there is even less light below the trees, also there are no paths to follow. I honestly don’t know how you can move so fast in these conditions.’’ Lucy answered her between hastened breaths.

‘’Nothing but excuses. You just do not understand…’’ Her voice monotonously and trailing of at the end, as if remembering long gone by things.

‘’Understand what?’’ She was asked then by Lucy who had her hands rest on her knees, bend over, catching her breath.

To the question she was asked Nightingale slowly turned her head, staring directly into the eyes of Lucy who had risen up again. Then with a firm, but very quiet voice she whispered into the encroaching darkness, ‘’the dead… Need not… Ask questions...’’ Her voice sounding absent minded.

For a moment only the sound of water and wind rang out around the clearing. Then the shaking voice of Lucy broke it, adding another sound. ‘’What… do you mean?’’ she asked, taking a step back.

Nightingale did not answer, she just slowly turned towards Lucy, the pale moonlight reflecting in her eyes. Her face becoming a icy mask she took a step towards the backing of Lucy. Her right hand coming to rest on the sword’s scabbard hanging at her waist, her left hand slowly moving towards the handle.

‘’St..stop, what are you doing?!’’ Lucy half shouted while backing of, her eyes glued to the ex assassins hands.

Yet the only reaction coming from Nightingale was the quiet metallic hissing as she slowly pulled out the sword from its sheath. Silently taking step after step towards the ever backing of Lucy.

As she was only a handful of steps away from Lucy she jumped forward, fluid and swift was her motion as the sword ascended and stabbed forward. A small scream rang out into the night as the cold metal left a shallow red line on the young soldier’s cheek.

The red haired women sprang back, with a look of disbelief touching her cheek. Then she moved her hand, looking at her now red painted fingers, only then did her fearful gaze come to meet Nightingale’s eyes.

‘’Why are you doing this?’’

Then to the soldier's question, Nightingale heartlessly repeated her earlier answer.

"The dead... Need not... Ask questions". Like this Nightingale took another step forward, stabbing out again. This time even faster, closer.

Another shriek echoing out as her blade left a small gash  at the soldier's arm, this time not just a shallow scratch.

Then her blade sank, its tip pointing toward the ground. Her eyes wandering all over Lucy, yet after a moment she frowned.

Like that ignoring all words Lucy brought forth she took another step forward, then another. Now being only an arm’s reach away from Lucy she came to a stop.

The eyes of the two women met for a brief moment, only then did the red haired women pull the knife at her side, pointing it toward the ex assassin.

She took another step forward, keeping both the knife and the women in her eyes. Yet the frown on her lips deepened as she finally spoke.

‘’Why… did you not kill me…’’ with those words spoken she twisted her blade upwards and stabbed it into Lucy’s chest.  

A scream arose from Lucy as the sword buried itself into her. Then with a look of utter disbeliefe and pain she stared directly into Nightingales emotionless eyes. ‘’Why?...’’ was all her fading voice could bring forth. Then her eyes closed and her body began to fall forward.

The moment Lucy began to fall Nightingale pulled the sword back. Ignoring the nasty wet suction sound it made she stepped to the left, bringing her sword out of the way as she caught Lucy with her right.

As she held the women with her right she stabbed the sword into the ground, only then did she move closer and grabbed Lucy with both hands. Laying her down slow and carefully.  

Only now did Nightingale speak again, her coldness gone as she gently stroked the young women’s red hair. ‘’You didn’t understand…’’ she whispered quietly into the darkness. Nobody there to listen to her words, nobody but Lucy.

For roughly ten minutes she sat there like that, saying nothing anymore. Just gently stroking the red hair. Only then did slight rustling arise in the distance, slowly getting closer. It took another four minutes till the first few flashes from flashlights began to illuminate the clearing.

‘’Colonel…’’ she said neither loud nor quiet. Drawing attention to herself and the body in front of her. Suddenly a handful of lights began to focus on her, bringing painful brightness to her surroundings.

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1. A pistol used by special forces it says. My land has super strict weapon laws so I don’t really know anything about them *shrugs* but this one seemed reasonable. So don’t ask me for details and take my apologies if I mess something up.