No Life, Only Death

by Francheska Fifield

  Another shot comes flying and Nick jumps and rolls, making the shot miss him by less than a centimeter. “Ouch!” He looked over. Bill’s right arm is out of play. Bill switches hands, but he is not as good and all his shots miss the figure that is dancing on the beams above them. A shot flies down as he jumps to the ground. The shot hits Bill in the helmet and he is pronounced dead. The figure across the room is thin and small. It is a young boy. Could be a girl but not many are here, not many want to be here.

  He remembered Celeste’s face when he told her he was coming here. He then uses the anger that builds up in him and fires. He or she sidesteps and dances around the room. All the while getting closer and closer. He managed to hit the left arm. It counts as just a scrape, not even disabling him or her.

  Nick continues to fire. He runs out of bullets and the figure stands in front of him. They lift their gun and shoot. Nick grabs his chest, they are fake bullets - more like paintballs really - but they still hurt on impact. He then drops and is pronounced dead. The buzzer sounds, pronouncing the end of battle.

  Nick and the others stood and removed their helmets. The figure did not; he or she just stands there. The Sergeant and lady come into the room. The mystery fighter jumps up, grabs a beam and spins up, landing on top of the beam. Acrobatics. That would explain it. Still, twenty feet is pretty high to jump.

  “Well boys, how did you like fighting my super soldier? Three years of intense training has made her the best there is.”

  “Enhancements?” Nick put the question out there. If it was so, then no wonder they got their butts kicked.

  The lady frowned. “No. Sergeant, did you not tell them it would be a fair fight?”

  “I did indeed Jane, but you cannot blame them for wondering. She is an impressive killing machine. No boys, your opponent has no enhancements. She was thoroughly checked beforehand by our top physicians. No foreign substances or artificial parts.”

  Nick frowned. No drugs or artificial parts. The girl must have had some hellish training.

  “We got our asses kicked by a girl? No way!”

  “John, girls can fight too.” John is sometimes a bit chauvinistic. He thinks girls should wait at home and let their men protect them. Nick and he had fought over it before, as he pointed out that that was what he had done with Celeste and she had died. John had felt bad after learning the whole story from Bill, and since then they had been friends.

  “Can we meet her?” Nick admitted to himself that he was curious. This girl had never been to any of the Fighting Academies or he would have already heard of her.

  “Of course. Helen, come down.”

  The girl dropped to the floor, landing gracefully on her feet. She made it look effortless.

  “Remove your helmet, Helen.”

  The lady must be her handler. A handler, someone who has “prepared” their little bird to make it through Battle Academy, brings in every solitaire that isn’t brought in by recruiters. Handlers usually work for some organization that wants a foot in the military. The girl looks straight at Nick, then turns back to Jane and shakes her head no. She obviously has some disfigurement. Maybe that is why she is a soldier.

  “Helen, now!” The sweetness of Jane’s voice sounded angry and annoyed. Nick could feel the glare that the girl gave Jane without even seeing it. But she reached for her helmet anyway.

  “Fine Jane, make my life more difficult,” she said as she lifted her helmet. Long reddish brown hair spilled out. Nick could see that it was a ponytail. She stood facing the Sergeant and Jane, so he couldn’t see her face yet.

  “Turn and shake hands with your opponents. It is good sportsmanship, Helen.” Helen turned and held out her hand.

  “I’m Helen; it’s a pleasure to meet you all.” She looked straight at Nick though; when he looked at her face. She appeared shy and unsure of her path, he knew why.

  “Celeste?” He whispered her name and stared at her. He couldn’t take her hand and shake it. He couldn’t introduce himself to her. He doesn’t need to. She is Celeste grown up. Celeste who is supposed to be dead. Celeste who he received confirmation of her death. Celeste that he loved and fought for. Celeste, alive.

  He dropped to the ground, not taking his eyes from her face. His body and mind were confused, trying to push him into oblivion to release him from the shock, but he refuses, just staring at her. She turned back to her handler.

  “See, I told you this was a bad idea. He could have gone on being fine and never knowing about me until graduation, if then. But no, you had to make sure we could both “handle” this. You knew full well I could. But look at him!”

  Helen tried to hold her temper in check, but it got away from her as she looked back at Nick and his dumbstruck reaction to her. She had expected anger, maybe joy, but never this. She leaned down towards him. He scooted back an inch. He thought he was seeing a ghost.

  “Nick, snap out of it. You need to be in top condition for the fights next week. We cannot have you dumbstruck with a mere girl.”

  The Sergeant was only trying to help, Helen told herself, thinking she would like to turn around and smack him.

  “Oh my God, now I recognize you! You are Celeste! Nick showed me your picture when he first arrived! His childhood sweetheart! I thought you died?”

  The question, which Nick could not bring himself to utter, snapped him out of it. He stood up and looked at this ‘Helen’ as she slowly rose. “How?” He asked only one thing and she cannot give it to him.

  “I… my name is Helen. I know who you think I am. I got detailed reports on all of you before fighting you and I know about your loss. I am sorry, this is so difficult for you. I argued that this would not be wise given the situation but your Sergeant assured us you are more than capable of handling this.

  “They figured it best you meet me first and have time to adjust, in case you did have a bad reaction, so it wouldn’t be in the middle of a tournament next week or anything. I see now that perhaps they were right but I still think it an unnecessarily cruel.”

  The girl, Helen, smiled shyly at him. She was holding out her hand still. He shook it. No matter what she said, he knew she was Celeste. Her hands felt like Celeste’s. Her smile was Celeste’s. His Celeste alive, and yet why would she not tell him who she was? Celeste loved him and she would not hide from him.

  Still, three years is a long time, who knows what she went through if she escaped the planet. It could have changed her. Or maybe she had no memory and they used that to their advantage. They, this mystery handler of hers who knows the Sergeant so well and yet has never been here in the three years he has. He released her hand; she smiled, then went to politely shake hands with Bill and John. Bill was still in a little bit of shock. John seemed confused.

  “So are you his dead girlfriend or not?”

  John didn’t mean it to be rude, but the silence was overwhelming and he was right. Nick needed to know. The girl looked sadly at Nick, and for everyone in the room except Nick, that is answer enough. He wasn’t about to take everyone’s word on it. He would find out for sure himself.

  “Well, all of this fighting has given me an appetite. Sergeant, if you would be so kind as to have your boys lead my girl to her dorm, we could grab a bite to eat and catch up.”

  Jane linked arms with the Sergeant and he smiled at her. “Of course, Jane. Boys, she is in the Eagles Dorm. I believe dorm room number ten.”

  Helen frowned at them. “I do not need an escort; I know this place inside and out. I could sneak into the Head Master General’s room in broad daylight without anyone seeing or hearing me.”

  Nick whistled. That is an impressive boast. But she obviously believed it. So did her handler and the Sergeant says nothing against it either.

  “Dear, let the boys be gentlemen. They do not get the chance often and it is important that they learn, sucking up is a big part of the military.”

  Helen nodded her head and waited for the boys to lead the way. Nick held out his arm. She looked at i
t like it is a snake but took it anyway. The other two ran off to spread the word about the new girl.

  Nick decided to start on a topic that is less personal, if for no other reason than to preserve his sanity.

  “The Eagles dorm is for military personal. Ones that have been decorated or are Sergeant or higher. The ones that make it in are young and are still not old enough to have completed their training. What rank are you?”

  “I wonder why you choose this topic. A minute ago you thought I was your girlfriend, returned from the grave. It is a quick transition.”

  “You denied being Celeste, should I think you a liar?”

  She sighed and shook her head. “Of course not. I am just saying it must be hard, is all.”

  Nick looked at her and wondered at her game. “It is. I loved Celeste so much. I joined to protect her, to make myself worthy of her and in the end that is what killed her. Not a day goes by that I do not wish I could have been smart enough to listen to her and never leave her side. At least we would have died together.”

  “I don’t think she would have wanted you to die. I have read your record. You are the perfect military man. You throw yourself into it whole-heartedly. I think she would have wanted you to be happy with the life you have earned yourself.”

  “And what makes you an expert on what a dead woman would want?”

  Nick stopped as he said this and Helen walked ahead a little ways. This was all supposed to be behind her now. “Nothing. But that’s how I would feel in that situation. I would look down on the man I love from heaven and wish him all the joy life can give him.”

  He took her arm again and they continued to walk. “There is no joy in life, not without her. I live for only one thing, and that is the day I can get aboard the fleet and pay those monsters back a thousand times for what they did to her.”

  This time she stopped and looked at him. “Is this how your Celeste would want you to live? Each day in complete misery waiting for death or vengeance.”

  He looked into her eyes. “No, but then she isn't here to tell me otherwise. Is she?” He took his arm from hers and walked on. “This way is number ten.”

  They walked on in silence, her only a few steps behind him. She bit back her regret. She chose this life knowing full well what it meant. In her previous anger and bitterness she just had not prepared for it to hurt this much. She followed him and used her key to open her door. He stood there waiting for her to enter before leaving. She walked across the threshold. He turned to leave and she spoke up.

  “I am so sorry.”

  He sighed and lowered his head. “Me too.”

  She nodded and closed her door. She was wrong to think visiting C12 would end it all. No. that had just started the process. This day, this moment, this ended it all. Her past was now just as Jane wanted it, the past.

  Chapter Two (Helen)

  Helen awoke to someone knocking on her door. She waited for a voice to sound revealing who it was. No voice called out to her, instead the doorknob turned and she grab a knife from under her pillow, throwing it at the wall right next to the entering person. Jane walked in, looking at first shocked. Then a feline smile passed over her face.

  “My dear, you are losing your touch. You never would have missed me a year ago. Are you perhaps getting soft?”

  “Go to hell, Jane. I missed on purpose. I figured it could be someone coming to tell me I am late for class. It wouldn’t do to kill them and get expelled. You have worked so hard to get me here after all. And if it was someone threatening, I have two more knives and a gun strategically placed in the bed.”

  “Always one step ahead, aren't you?”

  Helen smiled at her. “That’s what you pay me for.” Jane nodded her agreement.

  “Well, you are late for your first class. They thought you might be having adjustment problems and sent me to tell you it’s ok and everyone is nervous their first day. I tell you, I wanted to laugh at the instructor. Why should you be nervous? It’s not like any of those twits will even touch you in hand to hand combat. But I said they were probably right; that I would come and talk to you. Since I am here, there is something I would like to discuss with you in private.”

  “It’s ok, I found and destroyed all of the bugs last night.”

  “Are you sure?”

  I gave Jane the ‘are you serious’ look. She smiled.

  “Of course I am being foolish. So I doubt very much you are having adjustment problems. The schedule you and I had set for you is much more demanding than what they do here. However, there is the problem of Nick. Are you sure you can handle this?”

  I give her a glare, a fierce and intimidating one that threatened an ass kicking. “I can handle whatever is thrown at me. You know that better than anyone.” She nodded, as if reassuring herself.

  “Good, because he and his two little friends are snooping. Your file was stolen last night. And although nothing can be proven, the headmaster has told me personally that the list of those talented enough to do it is small.”

  “You have seen the list?” She nodded. “Are all three of them on it?” She shook her head no.

  “Bill and Nick are. So is a girl training to be a spy and a boy of no importance. Also a girl from the royal family of Dalisha.”

  I perked up at that one. I had assassinated one of her family only six months ago. “Out for revenge, maybe?”

  “I thought the same thing.”

  I frowned. “But how would she know? I left no clues.”

  “I think, my dear, that that is how she knows. Her uncle was a member of our organization, as you know, before you killed him. You left no clue, which is your signature. No one had any idea. As you know though, she was recently instigated into the society to replace her uncle. The whole ‘family honor’ thing is big in Dalisha right now.”

  “So someone in the organization is trying to mark us. Well, we knew it would happen sooner or later. After all, you are too ambitious for your own good.” I smiled and knew what her remark would be.

  “My boss is ambitious and what kind of employee would I be not to follow orders?”

  “The kind with a mind of their own.”

  “Be careful what you say and to whom. You have exceeded our wildest expectations but we can have you taken care of at anytime.”

  “You mean by that tablet put in my body that houses poison? Or the electric transmitter that will stop my heart, should I refuse to obey? Please, I know all of your tricks. See, the problem is you trained me to well. I know more about your boss than you think. Besides, you wouldn’t kill me anyway.” Jane’s face was red and angry. She was seething like a wet cat.

  “Why not?”

  I turned to look her in the eye. “Because, without me you would have no one. I do the jobs and I’m the best. You trained me that way and without me you have nothing. All your effort and money was pooled into me. You would have to start from scratch and you would never find someone that would reach the levels I do.”

  Jane was full blown pissed now but she knew it was true. She had pulled a lot of strings and done a lot of bad things, all which I had kept proof of. Her status depended on me being alive and loyal to her. “Listen, if things stay the way they have been then I don’t plan on going anywhere. I like my life. I’m content with how things are. I didn’t mean to piss you off. You are by far the best handler I have ever met.”

  Jane smiled and a single tear rolled down her cheek. I knew it was a fake.

  “I remember finding you. Hurt and broken. A real survivor, having lived through all you did. I knew then that you would be different, special. And now you are. There is no other like you. And the money is good, I will admit.”

  I smiled back. “The money is really good. I shall be able to retire in a few years and travel the galaxy.”

  “Oh, I hope not! I can't lose you that quickly, there is still so much to do.”

  I nodded. I didn’t actually plan to retire. The money was good; Jane and I had an understanding so if
I wanted a vacation I got one. Paid by the company. I had never used any of my money for anything except to rent a plane to visit C12 a month or so ago. The company paid for my houses, my clothing, my training, and all other expenses I had. Most of the time we had no disagreements.

  “So I guess my job now is to find out who is curious about me.”

  “That’s all for now, really. You are in here. I think the boss wants you to be integrated more before the killings start. Being new, everyone will suspect you if people start dying right after your appearance. So you need alibis and friends and all of that.”

  I scrunched up my face. “ Friends? I don’t do the whole friendly thing well.”

  “I know, and you must work on your people skills. A few weeks from now there is a ball in honor of the graduates for the year. Very important people will be there and you will need to be able to get information from them without them realizing it. You were so good with people before your situation; I wish you had retained those skills.”

  I ignored the last comment. She was right; I had been a major people person. “In other words, I need to smooze them.”

  “Exactly, be charm itself. The beginning of the process takes you to Paris for shopping. You’ll need a new ball gown, shoes, haircut, makeup, and so on. So be prepared to be nice and get your nails done with fifty other girls.”

  I lay back onto the bed. It was more dropping like a stone than lying down though. “Great. Looking forward to it already.” Jane smiled a little devilishly at me.

  “I am going to try to be a chaperon but I have a meeting coming up, so I might not make it. Pick out an appropriate evening gown please. No dress pants.”

  I groaned. “I take it back; you are the meanest handler in the world.”

  “Well, lazy, head up and at it. Your first class is half over. You don’t want the other kids to think you are afraid, do you?”

  I knew she was baiting me and so I refused to fall for it. “Up yours. Fine, I’ll get out of bed, but only because I have some frustration to work off and a moving target is so much better than a punching bag.”