the story

author's corner

clubes headquarters

—  cairo, egypt; 19.7.2017, 13:00

  "Where are you bringing me, exactly?" 

  The same question was repeated for the third time that afternoon, when Minjung found herself being whisked suddenly away from an important meeting to the CARDS Branch in Cairo, ushered by a frazzled agent who clearly was someone not meant to be frazzled. It was a bad occassion to disappear in a blink of an eye, simply because the foreign secretary of Egypt was there and serious matters were being discussed. It seemed, however, the future of the world was at stake, because a man she had only seen hovering around her superior's desk in Turkey was in front of her, muttering urgent instructions in her ear.

  And so, the car.

  Honestly, she expected a lack of response as well during the road trip. There were places to go, apologies and reparations to be made, all of which were fulfilled in the span of the forty-five minutes needed for travelling. However, now that they were in the CARDS building and rushing towards god-knows-what-else again, Minjung felt that she had a right to know things.

  "You'll know soon, ma'am." And for the third time, the same answer came, quick as bulletfire. Sighing in exasperation, the woman frowned. "Well, then, for goodness' sake, hurry up if we don't have much time." 

  A glance from the man, who might possibly be Carroll's secretary. "My apologies, ma'am. With all due respect, things are running as quickly as they possibly could." 

  Another frown. Normally, that would have hastened the process, but at CARDS, things seemed to run at another pace. How...disappointing. 

  It was at this moment that Minjung was seriously contemplating just changing and remaking the entire logistics system in CARDS when the agent finally led her to where she was supposed to be. Which was a room tucked away at some random corner of the building, filled with a table, a chair, a laptop, some papers, and a coffee machine. 

  "In here, please, ma'am." As soon as she entered, Minjung could feel the door slam shut behind her, rather than hear it. Giving another irritated sigh - had these idiots never recieve guests of high calibres? - she approached the table, which, she noticed, was made of steel, shackled to the floor, and gathered the sheef of papers, starting to read them.

  "Ah, General Romonova. Excellent; you are here." 

  Inexperience would have caused Minjung to promptly jump out of her skin, but experience had taught her to expect nothing, and prepare for everything. Having taken a seat and crossed her legs, and failing to work the coffee machine, the woman simply looked up from her file of documents at the holo-screen which was floating in front of her, recognizing her superior's voice.

  "Of course I am here. You called, didn't you?"

  "Indeed I have." The worst thing about having meetings with Carroll, Minjung reflected, was that one could never see a face, and thus never predict any emotions to come flying one's way. "And I'm glad you came." A slight pause. "I assume...you have been briefed on the matter?"

  "I have briefed myself; yes. You seriously need to contemplate training your staff, Carroll; they have absolutely no regard for procedure."

  A chuckle. "Well, then perhaps I should put you in charge, my dear. Learn from that, ah, ancient tradition running through your veins. Right. Back on topic. Since you've read the documents, I'm not going into too much detail to further waste more of your precious time. You'll be in charge of fighting, my darling, as well as what you are best at; infiltration and stealth. Any complaints?"

  "As of yet, no." Sensing the conversation nearing an end, Minjung stood, placing her hands into her trench coat's pockets once more. "Are we done? I have more important things to do, you know."

  "Of course," Carroll said in a reassuring tone, which just made her less reassured. "But there is one more thing. Do come back at your latest convenience, please. We will be holding a formal introduction to everyone. Latest by tomorrow evening."

  At that, Minjung sent a glare towards the direction of the holo-screen. There was a tense silence, until it was finally broken curtly by her, and consequently, her heels echoing towards the door.

  "I'm a very busy woman, Carroll."