nodded cheerily and walked to the passenger's side of the car.
"Bye!" she waved as she opened the door. "Thanks for everything!"
"You're welcome," called back Dr. Solaris as he waved to her. She disappeared into the car, which took off only moments after.
Dr. Solaris sighed as he removed his glasses, cleaning them with a corner of his jacket. He watched the car disappear into the horizon, the bright sun blocking out its retreating figure.
"Nice girl," he said. "A little stubborn perhaps."
"Very stubborn," corrected Leon.
"Kind of like a certain someone…" began Dr. Solaris, looking to his eldest son. Leon just shoved his hands in his pockets and turned around.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said as he walked back into the base. Chris just snickered and followed after his older brother. Dr. Solaris was left alone, standing in the desert sands. He just smiled as he looked to the horizon once more. Take care, Ms. Cayden.
* * * *
Ray pushed open a pair of double doors, not caring that they were going to slam shut afterwards. She walked into the room, her skates now gone, along with her backpack. All the surrounding officials looked to her but quickly went back to their work. They had learned by now that this was normal. They needn't pay her any attention.
Ray walked down the aisle, heading towards the main monitor. General Gordan was standing there, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. Next to him was a woman with long black hair and deep emerald eyes. Unlike the general, there was a soft smile on her lips.
Ray stopped in front of them, Brian coming up behind her. He looked to the general and then the woman. Both of them knew exactly what was about to happen between the general and the young ace knight. It was the same every time she came back from a mission like this and in such a manner.
"Ray," began Gordan, drawing her full attention. "Why hadn't you contacted us sooner?"
"My communicator was broken, sir," she said softly.
"You broke another one?" he asked her in disbelief.
"Yeah, but don't worry. Dr. Solaris fixed it for me." She held out her wrist to show him the communication device. He just sighed and rubbed his temples.
"I swear, Ray. You're gonna be the death of me someday," he told her. "This was a simple mission. You were only supposed to observe them."
"I was observing them," she defended. "It's not my fault they saw me." He gave her a hard stare, and she faltered under his intense gaze. "Okay, so it was my fault, but nothing happened. I'm fine." Gordan just sighed as he turned around.
"Very well," he told her. "You're dismissed." Ray only smiled and turned around, heading out of the room. She began walking down the hallway, getting a decent distance away when someone called out to her.
"R.C!" shouted a female voice. Ray stopped and turned to see the woman with black hair and green eyes.
"Hey Abby," she greeted with a smile. Abby came up to her, and the two were soon walking side by side down the long, brightly lit hall.
"I heard from Brian that you stayed with Dr. Solaris," began Abby, striking up a conversation.
"Yeah," answered Ray, giving her a sideways glance. She got the feeling there were going to be a string of questions following.
"What's he like?"
"He's really nice and incredibly perceptive," she began, remembering just how much he had known about her and the GRC. "I mean, he knew exactly who I was, and I only gave him my nickname."
"Yeah, he knows a lot about the GRC," explained Abby. "He's been working for us for years, though people don't see much of him anymore." Ray just nodded, taking in the information. Perhaps that was why she hadn't recognized him. She had heard his name numerous times, but never once had she been able to meet with him. "He has two sons, right?"
"Yeah, Chris and Leon," she responded, placing her hands behind her head leisurely.
"What are they like?" asked Abby curiously.
"Well, Chris is kind of quiet and a little shy. He's actually the
Learning to Kill: Stories