Day 142 - The Young Ones

 The Young Ones

 Matthew Ryan Fischer

 

Queenie had been busy, arming her men, doubling numbers on patrols, and tasking some of her best to find the gunman and handle it themselves without the Agents. She held private meetings with the other bosses, but made her own plans despite what she agreed to or told them.

She called Ace to her office. Ace had been an Agent himself for over a decade, but retired when he had his son. He had trained five of the current Agents, and there was a good chance that whenever Gideon got around to nominating someone, Ace would be the one to conduct the testing.

“I remember when we used to call you Seven. You were a lot younger then.”

“We were all a lot younger then, but you were still a Queen.”

“The families need protection. The bosses have agreed that the Agents are not enough. I need someone who can make sure my men are in top form.”

Ace was silent.

“You don’t agree? Or you’re upset your son will lose a bit of prestige?”

“I trusted the system for most of my life. I’m sure the bosses don’t want to weaken the foundation that has given us years of peace. My son’s place is secure. I am not afraid for him. He will handle whatever is decided.”

“The system will hold. If the system broke from having a few more armed men, then it’s not a system worth having. Maybe if the Agents worked a little faster, we wouldn’t be in this situation. Regardless, you’re one of the best. Will you train my men?”

“My job is to serve.”

“And my women?”

“If that’s what you want. Give me their names.”

“I’ll send them to your dojo and you can start training them tomorrow.”

Ace nodded and excused himself.

Queenie called in the young one, her grandniece, and explained what was expected.

“Jade, you will train with the men and you will beat them. But more importantly than that, you will train with Agents and you will learn to master their secrets as well.”

Jade nodded in agreement.

“That will be your day. But at night, I have another task I must ask of you. We are very nearly at war, and our family must be ready. I don’t know who will be our allies or our enemies. I will do my best to determine that before the time comes. But I need you to do the same. Starting with The Dragon’s Claw. We may not have the most men, but if we can steal their loyalty, the other families will have reason to fear.”