Side Special: The Academy

 

Setting - Location and time is unknown. A lone ATU Jacket is folded up laying on top of a bed, it's adorned with its usual identifying insignia and it's owner clearly sewn onto the front, reading as Adrian Kino, ATU, London UK.

Adrian - [Narrating] It was a kid’s dream, maybe even cliché, or just downright silly of me...  taking after your dad and making a family thing out of a job profession.

 

            *Adrian picks up the jacket in both hands and begins to unfold it carefully.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] It could've been Jewellery, a family business... no my dad was something else entirely. It wasn't even a cop or the army... no it was the Anti-Terrorist Unit. That's right, Anti-Terror. What used to be a covert company is now a military-police like company, run not by the government but by a board of directors and hired out operations in each country.

 

            *Adrian puts the jacket on with an enthusiastic ruffle of his collar once it's on his back, he picks up a cap from a nearby stand and places it on with both hands.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] My name is Adrian, and this is how I started my career... with a screech and a bang.

 

Setting - A few weeks ago before Adrian and his initial enlistment, Adrian is sat down at a desk speaking to an ATU recruiter with his father standing behind him, we don't see his appearance or anything that looks like him. Adrian looks excited discussing his future career potential.

Adrian - [Narrating] My dad was ecstatic that his only son wanted to follow his footsteps.  I know I made him proud when I signed that form. All I could think about however, were my sisters. We were all close, I love those girls and we did everything together. I wanted to protect their future.

 

            *Adrian stands up shaking hands with the recruiter, Adrian looks happy now having made his decision.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] I think my only gripe back then wasn’t the fact I was going to have to do training and it would be hard...

 

            *Adrian suddenly finds himself no longer in his home country, he's handing his passport and some documents to a travel official, a large banner in the background looks like it has the Union Jack on it.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] ...It was what country it would take place in...

 

                *Adrian passes through the security checkpoint not longer after, and out into the main lobby of the airport carrying one large bag and wheeling another behind him, he looks around trying to figure out where he can get a cab.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] I wasn't as upset as I should've been, I just assumed it was all part of the process.

 

 

Setting - The main ATU base in london, a little time has passed since Adrian's arrival into the UK. Currently undergoing training he approaches two people with a smile, Sanjuro and Simon, they return his smile with greetings. All three of them are dressed in the ATU duty uniform.

Adrian - [Narrating] I quickly made some new friends however, these two... turned out to be some of the best I made.

 

            *Sanjuro is being his happily bubbly self all smiling and cocky, he's playing with a yo-yo. Simon is simply adjusting the glasses on his nose, his arms were in a folded position as if he was pondering like a university student.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] Smiles and wisecracks Sanjuro... carefree, but he's pretty confident about himself. I enjoy his company. He always makes me smile and loves my accent apparently. Sensible and calm Simon. He sorta balances out Sanjuro, but he’s not a total opposite. He's pretty good at keeping me and him out of trouble, unless he's in on it too.

 

            *A loud booming voice interrupts them with a startle causing them to almost jump out of their uniforms; they take a gander back to see their usual Trainer.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] My trainer however was pretty rough... and strict.

Crix - [Shouting] Al'wight at attention ladies and gentlemen!

 

            *The three lads as well as a few other ATU newbies all form a straight line standing at attention. A shadow  passes across them as the trainer walks by as if inspecting them, some of the agents look nervous.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] Not to mention... imposing.

Crix - Sooo... week three... I'm amazed some of you are still here.

Adrian - [Narrating] This is Crix.

 

            *Adrian keeps focus on Crix, a tall brown bear, he has no hair so only his fur adorns the top of his head and ears. He stands with arms crossed surveying the new recruits in front of him.

 

Crix - You all got through basic fitness training, which is a start in my books. To give your weary bones a rest, we'll be doing some basic firearms handling next.

 

            *Crix takes a step to one side, allowing Elly who was nearby to step up front. She has a serious look in her face.

 

Crix - This is Lieutenant Nelson. She'll be assisting us today.

Elly - Anyone who cracks a joke about Nelson's Column will become part of the targets.

Adrian - [Narrating] I could already tell Sanjuro was just about to do what she said not to do.

 

            *Sanjuro is trying so hard to stifle a laugh or crack a joke.

 

Simon - [Whisper] Sanjuro don't do it, shut up!

 

            *Elly gets “In your face” close to Sanjuro who suddenly stops smirking, scowling at him rather dangerously.

 

Elly - Something funny Private?

Sanjuro - N-No sir.

 

            *Elly turns to one side away from Sanjuro as if to proceed walking down the line.

 

Elly - Good, don’t smirk too much, I might just wipe it off next time.

Adrian - [Narrating] I had already gotten the impression she wouldn't enjoy any sort of tom-foolery, I just didn't expect myself to find that... attractive.

 

            *Elly stops as she gets to Adrian and looks at him in the face. He tries to not make eye contact.

 

Crix - [Background] I'll give one rule now...

Elly - Hmm, you're an American arn't you?

Adrian - Yes ma'me.

 

            *Elly turns to him arms crossed and speaks to him; he's still avoiding eye contact.

 

Elly - Why don't you try looking me in the eyes instead of pretending I'm not here? It won’t be so obvious then.

Adrian - [Narrating] I wasn't sure if she was trying to make me feel better or set me up.

 

            *Adrian's looks down slightly and slowly so he looks straight at her, she's neither smiling nor scowling at him.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] Despite her seriousness... those eyes were... I dunno... it was like looking into a beautiful ocean.

Elly - That's better. Remember talk to us, not to the ceiling.

 

            *Elly turns and walks away from the line, just her tail following her out of the panel. Adrian's cheeks are turning a very very light red.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] If it wasn't for the fact I was in training, I would've sparked up bright red then... And possibly be taken out on a stretcher afterwards... That day, we were taught how to handle guns a bit better. Fortunately my old man had already taught me, which seemed to impress Crix and Elly.

 

            *Time passes... Adrian finds himself jogging to a relatively fast rhythm on a treadmill, he doesn't appear to be breaking a sweat nor show signs of fatigue,.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] Over the next few months we got put through some serious training covering a variety of exercises and skills. Physical Training...

 

            *Simon however is still at the firing ranges he takes up a long high powered rifle with a scope, he fires off one round and then a second seconds after. Two bleeps and verbal confirmations can be heard from the cubical computer.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] Firearms and weapons. Simon really out-shined everyone. Despite his glasses he became a superior marksman.

 

            *Sanjuro on the other hand is at the Tech Center working on computer parts and hardware. Lisa is nearby giving him helpful instructions to help with his work.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] General investigation and Computer information. Sanjuro headed down this route most, he always liked his video games.

 

            *Adrian finds himself in an open field dressed up in full body armour, he has an Rifle with an attached grenade launcher on the underside. He's fiddling with it in the mist of a daydream.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] I only really excelled in physical training and combat, so I spent more time rounding out generally rather than specialising.

 

            *A pop is heard from Adrian's rifle from the grenade launcher as it's fired off. Adrian puts on a shocked expression as it explodes about a hundred yards away.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] Of course... I still made the occasional mistake.

 

            *Adrian looks behind him to assess what has happened and sees Elly approaching him. She looks absolutely pissed and seems to be a bit charred and covered in marks but remains uninjured.

 

Adrian - Ummm... are you okay sir?

 

            *Before Adrian can say anything else Elly punches Adrian in the face as hard as she can an audible crack can be heard from two ends, his nose and Ely's fist, he falls flat on the floor not unconscious but completely dazed.

 

Elly - IDIOT!

Adrian - [Narrating] I found out just how hard she could hit a guy... I was in re-hab for a week. She broke a couple of knuckles.

 

Setting - At the ATU base a day or so later. Adrian is sitting upright on a hospital bed in the Med Bay. He's looking at a photo frame, a picture containing himself and his two sisters when they were younger.

Adrian - [Narrating] I didn't hold it against her. I deserved it for being careless. Besides... Time in the med bay gave me time to reflect on home and what I missed most.

 

            *A red furry arm pokes into his view handing him a candy bar.

 

Andrea - Who are they? Family?

Adrian - Me and my sisters.

 

            *Adrian looks up to see Andrea O'Nell the base's commanding officer.

 

Adrian - Commander?

Andrea - I heard from Crix kid... so what happened in your words?

 

            *Adrian takes it from her and Andrea takes a seat up to next to him.

 

Adrian - Isn't this a bit below you sir?

Andrea - I like to take a more hands on approach with my staff.

Adrian - Um, okay...

Adrian - [Narrating] I told her what happened. Frankly I think I deserved it. Elly told me not to touch anything, and even if it was an accident... I almost killed her.

 

            *Adrian is firing a handgun down one of the firing ranges a few days later. Elly is just behind him observing, his nose is still showing signs of injury.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] I declined the offer of pushing assault charges. I didn't think it was necessary. After that I doubled up my efforts in training. I paid attention to every order and followed every instruction to the letter.

 

            *Adrian is sat in front of a computer in the Tech Center a few hours later after the training, Lisa looks like she's teaching him something.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] I don't think Elly ever forgave me. I tried hard to make it up to her, but I could never tell if it was working.

 

            *Lisa rests a hand on Adrian's shoulder to re-assure him of something, she smiles warmly.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] This is Lisa, Elly's friend and partner. She's very kind to her co-workers, and assures me Elly is just teasing me... feels harsh...

 

Setting - Location unknown. Jason is addressing the new members of his squad, it also comprises of Adrian, Sanjuro, Simon, Elly and Lisa. They appear to be outside somewhere and all of them are dressed in full body armour and weapons.

Adrian - [Narrating] The rest of the training seemed like a blur. Before I knew it I was assigned to my first squad. Star Squad... led by Captain Jason. He seemed like a good man and a good agent.

 

            *Jason is pointing to a schematic of a building laid out on a makeshift table, they seem to be setting up for an operation.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] We only had a couple of minor operations to start with. As a fresh new squad we had to prove our capabilities.

 

            *Inside the building Adrian is behind some cover reloading his main weapon. Lisa is crouching down behind a large warehouse box near him hiding from fire.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] My first live fire exercise was a bit more nerve racking than I thought. It's one thing to shoot a gun; it's another to get shot at. NOTHING prepares you for the consequences and feelings of taking a life to protect a life. Eventually you realise in a fight it's them or you.

 

            *Later on after the operation Adrian is sitting down on some steps his rifle is across his lap he seems to be staring out into the open blankly.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] I killed three people on my first operation... I didn't know what to feel. I ended lives that seemed wasted for an ideal held by someone else.

 

            *A grey raccoon tails flicks about as it approaches him, Adrian is still staring out into space.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] ...and it was the most unlikely person that put me at ease.

Lisa - It's not a good feeling is it?

Adrian - No...

 

            *Lisa kneels down next to him placing her weapon on the ground.

 

Lisa - You knew this would happen. You knew you had to face down other people and possibly kill. Are you sure this is what you want to do?

Adrian - I want to protect my family, like my dad protected me when I was a kid. But they're back home and I'm here.

 

            *Lisa points over to a group of civilians being led away from an area by another ATU Agent.

 

Lisa - Adrian... look. Those people, we helped those people today. The people that took them against their will- they made their decision. And when they took up arms against innocents- they made their decision. And then when they decided to try to kill us... for doing what we decided to do, we had to respond. It may not have been the right response... but we had to for their benefit. Not everyone can take up arms against another person so easily.

 

            *Adrian looks at her now, she's smiling again, a common trait for Lisa

 

Lisa - I don't like to hurt others if I can avoid it, but I remind myself if I have to do this... I do it because it is necessary- for other people's sake, not my own.

 

            *Adrian looks away his expression unchanged. Lisa doesn't stop smiling.

 

Adrian - ...Cliché much?

Lisa - It might be, but it's a cliché that's true. We're not in the business to simply hurt others after all.

Adrian - *Smiles* No, we're here to protect.

 

            *Adrian and Lisa stand up together she pushes on his arm a little to give him more confidence smiling at him gently.

 

Adrian - [Narrating] She was right, even if it meant taking a life. I actually thought Lisa was a pacifist for a while. Turns out she just prefers to avoid conflicts, but accepts that it's in-escapable sometimes. I can see why she likes computers so much. It wasn't much longer before we got our first big assignment. It wasn't much longer before we got our first big assignment. The academy taught me a lot, and my friends taught me much more. But I was about to go into re-learning... and it was learning of a far different kind than modern man could comprehend in only a few days time.

 

      ...END