[WP] In a school for assassins and mercenaries, you're a beloved lunch lady. You ruefully realize that you're the only person nearly everyone trusts. Then you get framed for placing hemlock in an administrator's meal. The school board rushes to fire you, throwing the academy into turmoil.
*****
Our original plan was to keep watch in shifts or some kind of arrangement like that. Where at least two people would be awake while the other two slept. But somewhere in the recesses of our minds, we all knew that would not work. We were all very exhausted from our exertions of the day so that just wouldn't work out. Amanda and I didn't even get through the first watch before dozing off, drooling and open-mouthed.
We headed for the cafeteria first, knowing that no matter what the situation was, students would still be hungry as hell, more especially after the events of the previous day. As expected, they were all there, all hunched in different groups. The whole place was buzzing with discussion, as expected of them anyway. Given the circumstances, and the fact that they were still in the dark about all that happened.
But as soon as we walked in, silence fell in the hall. Everyone kept silent, but I could feel the weight of their stares and understand what they were saying with their eyes. They needed an explanation, a clarification, something. Any words that could calm the situation down. I looked at Amanda, but she nodded for me to speak.
This was strange, because no matter the situation at hand, it seemed to me that someone with a bit of authority and power was better suited for the role Amanda was asking me to play. Someone that the people respected, and not necessarily one that they trusted - which may have been erroneous thinking, but since I was with Amanda, I thought they'd let it slide.
Nevertheless, I spoke.
"The events of yesterday are not gonna be easily fixed with a few measly explanations, coverups, and lies. As much as we'd love to say all sorts of things to assure you that you're safe, Amanda has entrusted me with this because she knows you all trust me, and because of that, I'll spare you the bullish!t and be frank with you. Spyder is under siege as we speak."
The place was buzzing with discussion again.
"And by siege, I mean specifically that there are people in our midst who are after the life of Director Amanda Keller here, and that want to destroy Spyder completely. The fact is that this would have been accomplished if not for the failed attempt at poisoning, but then we got to learn a few interesting things too. Now, they are desperate to keep their work secret until both can be accomplished, and that is why students and staff are getting killed. Somehow, Caprice, Mr. Inosuke, and Viper had caught wind of their actions, and two of them have paid the price for this find."
The students gasped and expressed exclamations of shock, sadness, and confusion.
"All these are truths which can't be denied, but here's one more; we cannot expressly guarantee your safety." I waited for the angry noises to die down before I continued. "Because, although the culprits aren't targeting any students specifically, if you do mistakenly stumble on any information or somehow pose a threat to them, they will dispose of you when the lights go off."
The students seemed to understand this perfectly. I could see Amanda and Nina nodding appreciatively, and even Viper looked a bit awestruck. Apparently, I had taken control of the situation pretty well.
"But then, to be completely honest with you once more, we are on top of the situation. We've found out a lot, and we've narrowed our search to a few individuals who could have committed the crime, thanks to the help of Caprice. By the end of today, we will produce the culprits and avert any more losses of life"
I then looked at Amanda and she nodded,
But until then, here's what will happen: for your practical classes, you are always in groups of five, yes? Then I ask that you all move in those five-man groups from now till then. All the group leaders should meet me for a debriefing, as this is how we can keep you safe and pass resources and information around safely, okay?"
***
Amanda faced the six group leaders and announced. "You're going to be watching the actions of the members of your group and reporting to me by the secret wire hidden in your clothes. We have enough reason to believe that a student is in on this, as you must understand. Your job is to keep us updated on the actions of your group members during this time, alright?"
They answered in the affirmative, hid the listening wires, and went out.
"Do you really think this is going to work?" I asked Amanda.
"We have no choice but to bet on it. Our main problem now is going to be how to investigate the part of the ICT department. From this diary Caprice wrote in, she didn't make much headway there since she was just a student, so how do we go about it?"
Nina suddenly grinned. "We will make some headway there because we're going to use the students."
"Use them? For what?"
"The sophomore class was having the lecture at the time when those two culprits retrieved the canister. I think one of them knows something, at least about who left the class during that period, don't you think?"
Amanda and I smiled. The plan was genius.
*****
To Be Continued.
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