Chapter One

  Kamara

  BEEP BEEP BEEP…The incessant chiming of the alarm cut through the quiet morning. I rolled over and stretched to turn off the offending noise, not quite ready to get up for the day. The morning sun was peeking through the crack between the dark curtains. I laid there for a few moments just soaking in the feeling of my soft pillows and warm comforter. Having spent all the previous night chasing a lead on a job, I just wasn’t up for leaving the safe confines of my bed. Being half spy/half assassin, I usually ended up in some weird places, and last night was no different.

  Pushing myself into an upright position, my laptop blinked at me with messages. I grabbed the computer and padded to the kitchen. Starting the coffee pot was number one priority but then I settled down at the kitchen table to check my messages as the smell of fresh coffee permeated the air. Most were junk mail. Ugh, another one regarding the extended warranty on my cruiser, I thought as I rolled my eyes. Honestly, does anyone fall for those anymore? A few more from the local stores showing off the sales for the week, and one from HIM.

  I hadn’t heard from him in almost a week and had honestly started to worry a bit. I opened the message and read so fast, mostly just taking in key words like “doing well”, “work event”, “doctors are encouraged”. Getting up to grab a steaming mug of coffee, I started to re-read it, taking in all the words now.

  “Hey Peach, I hope this email finds you well. I know it’s been a minute in between communications but it’s been crazy on this side. The political campaign has picked up and there’s been event after event that requires my attention. Talking about that, there is a gala tonight at the Star Light Plaza. It’s going to have a whole crush of people there. Some I know you would loooove to talk to, lol. It begins at 8pm and I have already slipped your name on the list. I know this will prove to be a fruitful evening for you.

  The doctors have started me on a new physical therapy regiment. They have now added strength training to it to help encourage the muscles to develop. They are encouraged by the results. Though, to be honest, I haven't seen much of an improvement, unless you count exhaustion and soreness. I have those in spades. But, as long as they think it is working, I will continue torturing myself. I really do hope you are taking time for rest and not just working yourself into an early grave. I know you are busy being excellent and everything, but I am concerned for your well being. I hope to see you tonight, and maybe we can grab and drink and talk for a bit.

  Love, Ducky”

  He was doing well. I smiled to myself and was soothed by the comforting words he sent. I felt calmer as I read through the lighthearted message once more. I wouldn’t admit that the words he sent made me feel less alone. I was a government agent after all, trained in secrecy and solitude. I was an experienced spy; and assassin, if necessary. Being a lone wolf kind of came with the territory. I’m not soft and have no patience for the warm, fuzzy emotions. Cold and calculating is what I needed most to survive the day. But it felt nice to have someone concerned for me. Someone to worry about me from time to time.

  I wrote back a response stating that I would be there tonight, hoping we might get a few minutes to talk. Encouraged him to keep up the physical therapy, and gave him a recipe I had found for a muscle enhancing smoothie. I finished up my coffee, cleaned out the junk messages, and saved his message in a special folder. I always told myself that it wasn’t for sentimental reasons, but deep down I knew better. He was special to me. And yet no one could know. Pulling on my favorite blue jeans, black shirt, and well worn boots; I made her way out of the flat I lived in, to start my day.

  Jumping on my sleek, black motorcycle and revving it out onto the street, I kept a close watch on those around me. Number one rule of training, be prepared for anything. I wasn’t the only assassin out there, and for all I know, there was a price on my head from other governments. As one of the top assassins of the age, I had definitely made some enemies along the way.

  Coming to the first stop of the day: work. I walked through the doors of a very average, unassuming building. Its gray concrete outer walls with very few windows or ornamentation, made it easy to overlook. No one would look twice at it, unless they knew the purpose of the building, and were looking to hire the occupants for whatever squabbles needed a helping hand. And there was always some type of unrest that the wealthy and power hungry citizens needed help with. You could find an assassin, a spy, or your own security team, including hackers. This was where the powerful came to for help when others thought to take that power from them. The Company was a prestigious corporation that prided itself in its excellence of their employees. They took only the best in each field, and continued training them to be better than the competition. Not that there was much of a competition. The Company was the best of the best. Everyone knew it, and anyone who wanted to be a part of it, had to prove themselves. And I had, at a young age. I had been approached by them at age 14, when she was still in Junior academy. Unlike school, the Junior academy was known for their training regiment on top of their regular schooling as well. They have a reputation for turning out the best fighters and most people consider the Junior Academy to be The Company’s own breeding ground.

  By age 23, I had moved through the ranks of The Company. I was able to choose my own assignments, and had even headed a few team efforts, though I preferred to work alone. Too many mistakes can be made with a group of people. It was much easier to work by myself. Plus, I couldn’t allow people to get too close; they could find out my secret and expose me. Those enemies I have, didn’t just involve the scum of the gutters that I had met from time to time in my job. There were a few cadets at The Company that would love to take me down a peg or two. I don’t make friends. They are a waste of time and an inconvenience.

  “Good afternoon, Commander Armut.” The blonde receptionist smiled at me warmly. Oriel was the nicest person I had ever met. With her short blonde hair, and her always full candy bowl, I don’t think I have ever seen a frown on her face. I heard she was only a receptionist here by choice, and could probably put me on my ass in the sparring ring if she wanted. I couldn’t see it, but I’ve been wrong before. “I have a few messages for you, and the Captain told me to have you see him as soon as you got here.” She handed over the pink post-it notes, with a nod and a smile.

  “Thanks, Oriel. Let him know I’m on my way up will ya?” I responded as I grabbed a treat out of the candy bowl. As much of a hard ass I am, I just don’t have it in me to be mean to her. Not that I was a mean person, but I did tend to get bored with small talk, and I usually just kept to myself.

  “Of course! I will let him know right away,” Oriel started dialing his extension before I was even to the stairwell. I never took the elevator. As someone who had to stay in peak physical health or it was game over, I am a firm believer in exercising in everyday life. And the thought of being stuck in a small moving box with no way out, was enough to make me sweat.

  I took the stairs two at a time, and pushed myself to make it to the top floor in record time. I had to be careful when I pushed the limits of my physical prowess. I was abnormally fast and had strength most people couldn’t compare to. It was all part of my secret, one I was willing to take to my grave. Making it to the top, I opened the door and stepped into the familiar corridor. The smell of cleaning products and air freshener met my nose, as I walked to the Captain’s office. Not bothering to knock, I stepped into his office and sat down in one of the swivel chairs in front of his desk. Captain Voda sat at his desk, reading a page of what looked like a very boring financial ledger. I met the Captain when I was all of 14 at the Junior Academy. He came in to recruit some of the older students that were about to graduate, and he noticed me on the sparring mat.

  I stood there on the mat, staring at the older student I was sparring with. The rest of the students in the class were gathered around to watch and learn from our mistakes. The older kids always seemed to underestimate me since I was smaller and younger than them. But I had more to prove, and with no friends, there was nothing to stop me from training and honing my skills every waking moment. The mountain of a boy lunged at me, and I rolled out of the way. He was good, but I was better. His face was bright red and I could tell by the fury in his eyes that he never expected me to out maneuver him for so long. Grinning at him would goad him into a mistake, so I smiled and winked. He let out a scream of rage and barrelled towards me, exactly what I wanted him to do. Just as he was about to tackle me to the ground, I moved to the side, grabbed his arm, and flipped him over my back, using his own momentum against him. He landed flat on the mat, knocking the air out of his lungs. With one swift move, I set my foot against his throat and pushed just enough to make his beady eyes round out in fear. “Enough Kamara, Edwin has suffered enough humiliation at your hands. Let him up.” The teacher said while marking our scores on the clipboard, completely unfazed by our fight. I moved away from Edwin before he could retaliate. I’m sure he and his thuggish friends will try to catch me unaware later to mete out their revenge. I bowed slightly to Edwin in acknowledgement, as we were taught to do. And when I looked up, I saw him: Captain Voda. He was watching me intently. Not sure what to think of me I’m sure. I stood proud, staring back at him, making no attempt to hide the fact I was taking his measure too. He walked towards me and stuck out his hand. “I’m Captain Voda with The Company. We only hire the best, and I think you are the best I’ve ever seen. Would you like to talk more about what The Company can do for you?” I shook his hand, hoping he didn’t feel the small tremor of trepidation in my small hand. “I’m Kamara Armut, and it would be an honor to talk with you, Captain.” I knew then my life would change forever.

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  While his hair was starting to gray at the temples, and a few more lines ran along his face, he still looked the same as he did that day. All militarian with a hint of humor in his steady brown eyes. I don’t consider myself to have many friends, but I would count him as one .He had taken me under his wing and became like a father figure. Not that I would ever admit that to his face. He had always treated me with respect and was one of the few people I was able to let loose and joke with. I tended to be more on the serious side, but had always felt a kinship with the Captain. And even though time had grayed his hair and lined his face, he was still able to keep up with the rigors of the job. Often putting the new guys in their places in the office’s gym.

  “Sure come on in, Armut. Don’t let something as simple as respect for my privacy keep you from just walking into my office. It’s not like I could be busy or anything.” The Captain said sarcastically, barely looking up from his ledger.

  “Well you working would be a nice change. Plus, you’re the one who requested my presence, so you shouldn’t be surprised when I show up.” I shrugged my shoulders, not feeling the least bit apologetic. ”I also know that Oriel told you I was coming, so again, you shouldn’t be surprised. What did you expect me to do? Stand outside in the hallway and wait to be called in like a good girl? Ha! When have I ever?”

  “Do you wake up every day and choose to irritate me? Or is it just a lucky happenstance that you are always so sarcastic? Inquiring minds wanna know.” He asked, sardonically.

  “Oh, this is me being sweet. You should see me when I’m being really sassy. It would be enough to make you cry under that oversized desk.” Smiling and twirling around in my chair, I continued to bait him. “Tell me, is there a reason your desk is so overly large? I think there are more than just a few inquiring minds that want to know the answer to that. It’s almost like you are trying to compensate for something.” I darted a look across his desk, and chuckled at the look of incredulity on the face of the Captain.

  “One of these days, you will remember that I am the boss around here, but I can see that day is not today.” He muttered to himself. I chuckled. I know he loves our banter. “If I had known you would be such a sarcastic ass, I might have left you alone to fend for yourself all those years ago.”

  “It wasn’t THAT many years ago,” I scoffed. “And I am the product of The Company. You should be proud that I am such a pain in the ass to everyone.”

  “Yes, well, I didn’t know you’d be such a pain in mine. But since you seem to be in such a hurry, I have gotten wind of some nasty rumors regarding our own government. I need you to investigate them. If these are true, we might be looking at the beginning of a war.” He said.

  “A war? You sure you’re not just being dramatic? There hasn't been a war since the Great War of the Planets.” I stopped spinning the chair immediately. It had been a long while since the Great War, but it wasn’t one that is easily forgotten. So much needless violence in such a short time. And all over one thing: power.

  That’s all these were anyways, everyone wanted power but not the responsibility that came with it. And while there wasn’t exactly peace among all the races after the Treaty of the Great War was signed, there was never an actual war again. Just little skirmishes between small groups of people. But it would take just a seed of unrest to grow into an all out war. Power was an incredibly seductive thing.

  “It could involve several entities, actually. These rumors are disturbing and will be detrimental to anyone involved. I am hoping you can prove them to be false. I don’t want to think about what this could mean. ” Captain looked serious enough.

  After several long moments, I snapped impatiently “Well what are the rumors, or are you just going to leave me in the dark some more?”

  “Patience is a virtue. You should try it sometime.” He said nonchalantly. Looking down he said, “The rumors state that twins are being rounded up by the government. We have no clue what is going on once they have been arrested. We don’t even know for fact that this is happening but I've heard the same rumors over the past week from several reliable sources. There have already been riots in some of the more rural parts. They are saying that twins are being killed outright, while others are saying they are being held in a secret location. Though why they would go through the trouble of keeping them alive while it’s illegal to do so, I’ll never understand. ”

  “But that’s just it, twins are illegal, and have been for over 20 years. There hasn’t been a set of twins since then. So, why are we taking these rumors seriously if the evidence is already stacked against it?” I started to feel a trickle of sweat run down my spine, but my face was smooth and trained into polite skepticism. The talk of twins made me uncomfortable and twitchy. I had to calm my nerves before I gave something away.

  “We both know that the legality of a subject doesn’t mean anything. Come on, you know better than that. Starting to sound like a new recruit.” He eyed her skeptically. “People have always found ways to usurp the laws. I need the best I’ve got on this. And you’re it, as much as it pains me to admit it.” He said with a slight grin. “In all seriousness, this is time sensitive and you are the best for the job. I have no doubt in choosing you for this mission.” He held out the mission folder, outlining everything they had so far figured out. I glanced at it briefly and noticed there wasn’t much information there.

  “I’m sure that it pains you to admit that I am the best,” I smirked, slowing my heart rate. “But I’ll see what I can find out. Turns out, I’m heading to a political event tonight and will see if I can get anywhere on this.” I stood up and started to walk out of the office when the Captain said something that stopped me cold.

  “Oh, and Armut, these rumors include the Augusta family. This investigation needs to be conducted as quietly as possible.” I flipped open the folder and was looking at the picture of the August family. Taken in front of their sprawling house with manicured lawns and picture perfect smiles. “As one of the most influential families of our time, this could turn nasty real quick. Please be careful. And for the love of all that’s good in this world, don’t lose your temper.”

  I walked out of the building, barely muttering a good bye to Oriel. My mind was racing with the rumors and the risk it involved. Could there still be twins out there? I know it’s possible. Like the Captain said, people don’t let laws get in their way if they are stubborn enough. And the other truth is that twins have been illegal for over two decades. Anyone who knowingly has twins could be prosecuted. It was risky to go full term with twins, and the parents very seldom kept the secret well hidden. They almost always got caught. And the results were very heartbreaking when parents were found guilty in the act of harboring twins. It would be hard enough trying to conceal the existence of another baby, but twins have this uncanny ability to be drawn to one another. It’s almost like a homing beacon. They tend to always seek each other out, without even knowing it. But, the main excuse for the outlawing of twins was because of the strange phenomenon that happened to every set. No one could explain why, but every set of twins were born with supernatural powers, usually getting stronger the longer they were within each other’s presence. And that kind of unchecked power was the cause of many wars and battles. Most people in the past, before twins were outlawed, would use them as a weapon over the human population. Their powers harnessed for destruction and chaos. Hence, the main reason they were so heavily persecuted.

  But most individuals would terminate the pregnancy once twins were confirmed. It was actually stated in the laws for this to be done immediately after confirmation. Doctors were mandated to report any pregnancies that resulted in twins and often, a government official had to be there to witness the termination of them. There was paperwork and check ups involved. It wasn’t a simple thing. Some families would go on the run if they didn’t want to terminate, and they were hunted down and arrested. A diagnosis of twins was enough to tear a family apart.

  I would have to tread this investigation carefully. Anything and everything could go wrong. The first step was to get ready for the event tonight. It would be full of political families, including the Augusta's, plus anyone else who is trying to become someone in the government. I felt the excitement flood through me at the thought of a new case. It’s the thrill of the hunt for me. This one being a little more personal, as my very own twin would be at this event too. I was one of two in this world, born of the same family only minutes apart from each other. And no one knew. But now there was a threat to me secret, because Warren Augusta was my twin brother, and I had to protect him at all costs.