Defying the Odds/Chapter 1: Questions

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Chapters: Prologue 1 2 3 4 5 6 Epilogue
==Defying the Odds/Chapter 1: Questions==
GUN Headquarters, Central City, United Federation - April 19, 2015, 11:00
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The United Federation is in a state of near collapse. Trust in the country's government is at an all-time low and has been since a dark force attacked thirteen months prior. Rebel factions have begun sprouting all over Central City and the surrounding areas, as well as near other major cities. Unable to return home due to incredibly tight border controls since the disaster, Astrid Alessia and Charlotte Prowler have been temporarily living in what is known as the "Secure Zone", which is located on the outskirts of Central City. Nearby is G.U.N Headquarters, which survived the attack, and Astrid and Charlotte had been called in to talk with Jacob Lawson, an agent of the army's Science and Intelligence Division.
The meeting room the three stood in was brightly lit, with the white walls reflecting the light. At the front of the room there were glass windows on either side of the wooden door which touched the ceiling and the floor. People could be seen walking past in the corridor. At the back of the room was a single average-sized window which overlooked the temporary civilian housing, as well as other buildings. Charlotte was looking out of the window with a somewhat saddened expression on her face. She heard a noise in the background, but ignored it, continuing to stare out of the window. She heard the noise again.
"Charlotte," Jacob said, attempting to gain her attention, "You listening?"
The lioness jolted. "Sorry, I must've zoned out for a moment," she replied, unfolding her arms and turning towards the wooden table that Jacob and Astrid stood by.
"I s'pose I should probably ask how the both of you have been, shouldn't I?" Jacob asked.
"We have been living as best we can, considering the state the city is in," Astrid replied.
"And you, Miss Prowler?" Jacob asked, turning his head towards the girl.
There was a short pause before she replied. "I want to see my father..."
Another pause filled the room, although this time it was a bit longer. Jacob looked at Astrid, as if asking to respond for him. She simply raised an eyebrow slightly. Not knowing how to respond, the agent turned on a television on the wall and began speaking.
"Anyway, moving onto why you're both here," he said, picking up a small remote control. Astrid and Charlotte began paying attention to the screen. "Recently, we sent a G.U.N agent to go out and investigate one of the many rebel factions setting up shop in Westopolis. The largest, in fact."
"The Convicted," Astrid interrupted.
"Correct," he said, clicking a button on the remote to show a map of Westopolis on the screen. A circle on the image encompassed an area just to the east of the city centre. "This is where their base is. As you know already, The Convicted is headed up by Mr. Niall Ferdinand, a former soldier who planned to detonate explosives in Empire City in 1996. We suspect that his followers have captured our agent."
"You want us to save them, yes?" Charlotte assumed.
"Right," he replied, "You will be leaving today at sixteen-hundred hours. So I suggest you meet up with your escort and get prepared."
"Why us? Can't you get your own agents to do it? Why make civilians do it?" Charlotte inquired, obviously hesitant.
"Because for a start, we have agents elsewhere doing other important tasks," Jacob replied, turning off the TV. His voice drifted off for a moment before he continued. "And Ferdinand will be expecting G.U.N. Not a child with weapons training and an assassin."
Jacob began walking towards the door, "I'll see you in a few hours ladies."
Astrid stopped him as he opened the door. "You seem to want to conclude this meeting quickly, Agent."
"What do you mean?"
"You are usually more detailed in your briefings. The response to Charlotte's question was false. I could hear your tone of voice. It was not sincere."
"I can assure you it was, Astrid."
"You are leaving out vital information."
Jacob closed the door and sighed. He was about to state something that he hoped he'd never have to reveal.
"The agent I mentioned," he began before he restarted his sentence, "The G.U.N agent is Amelia Alessia."
Astrid let go of Jacob and froze. So many questions ran through her head so quickly.
"Alessia... A relative of Astrid's?" Charlotte asked, slightly confused as to why this was kept.
Jacob responded plainly and bluntly, "Officially, Amelia Alessia was pronounced dead a few hours after being shot in a Southern County high street in the Anglian Islands on March 4th 2010, aged 16."
Astrid then whispered, "But it was such a normal day..."
Jacob then left the room. Neither Charlotte or Astrid stopped him from leaving this time. Charlotte looked worried. She'd never seen Astrid act this way in the time that she'd known her. She walked up to the vixen, who hung her head low, thinking about what happened on that day.
"Astrid... A-are you alright?" Charlotte asked, approaching slowly.
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Summerset Bakery, Crescent Lane, Southern County, Anglian Islands - March 4, 2010, 14:00
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It was so normal. It was bright, but with gusty winds. The roads were calm, the people were happy and I was happy. I held her hand as we walked down the street. I remember being shorter than her. She was about 16 or 17, I was 12.
"How'd you get him to give you more money, Amy?" I asked, referring to that pig of an uncle I once had.
"Oh he didn't give me anything," she said, shaking her head, "I found it."
We entered the bakery. It smelt fantastic. All of the bread was fresh and warm. Sweet treats such as pecan plaits and cakes filled the display on one end of the shop, while the other was filled with freshly baked bread and baguettes. The baker greeted us as we entered and she returned the favour. I was to shy to do so at the time, so I just produced a nervous smile. The baker was a kind old man. We picked the bread we wanted and he sliced it for us, before proceeding to place it in a nicely presented paper bag.
Then we heard screaming. Across the road was a bank. In front of it stood a young man with a handgun pointed at his head. He stood there in shock whilst another man yelled at him. She gave me the bread.
"Stay here and be brave. I'll be back in a sec," she said, before leaving to face the bank robber.
I did as she said. I stood by the window and watched as she carefully edged her way towards him. She raised her hands and talked to him. He got angrier and straightened his shooting arm. She stepped closer. He yelled.
"Don't you move a fucking step closer!" he barked.
She ignored him. She took that extra step. A loud bang filled the street. She fell to the ground. He ran into the bank. Moments later, police arrived. With guns. They followed him into the bank and came back out with him soon after. She was being treated by paramedics before an ambulance arrived. She was not moving anymore. A tear rolled down my face. The paramedics took her into the ambulance.
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"And that was the last time I ever saw my sister," Astrid said, with a sombre expression on her face.
Charlotte didn't know how to respond. She wanted to say something, but nothing came from her mouth.
"I will find her," Astrid said, now with both upset and determination in her eyes. 
She left the room with haste, leaving Charlotte to catch up.
"Astrid, wait!" she yelled, chasing the assassin, "We're going to need help."
"I know. I have someone in mind."
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