Rule 2: Always Act Composed

"Beware of him that is slow to anger;for when it is long coming, it is the stronger when it comes, and the longer kept. Abused patience turns to fury."

-Francis Quarles

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"Simulation Failed." A metallic voice called out from hidden speakers.

Clarine took her helmet off her face, letting her afro-styled hair go wild. It was dark brown in color and was just barely darker than her skin color. Her sheepish smile was on lips that were larger than the norm, and her light brown eyes held a silent plea for forgiveness. "I didn't mean to kill the hostage Isle, we're sorry, aren't we Erik?" She turned to him.

Erik popped off his helmet revealing chestnut hair that was styled in a cowlick. The large round glasses perched on the bridge of his nose made his blue-green eyes look bigger than they already were, giving him almost a child's looks. "Technically speaking, I'm not the one who killed the hostage." He glanced at me.

I was quiet as I took off my helmet. My ash pink hair tumbled out, but only to an extent because it was tied up in a ponytail. Strands of hair that were too short fell in wisps around my head. Clarine opened her mouth but I silenced her with glare from my yellow ocher eyes. I put my helmet under my arm as the scenery around us became pixelated. It turned blue and dissolved leaving only a white floor with a grid on it behind. I walked stiffly past my two teammates who exchanged worried glances.

"Come on." I spoke through clenched teeth. They both knew that the less I spoke, the angrier I was.

We walked to the front of the room where our Instructor and other classmates were waiting. Clarine, Erik and I lined up in front of the class next to the Instructor, who is a big guy. Really, you have not seen buff until you have met him. He is like the John Cena of instructor's. You can't ignore him. He stood very military like, and there was even a rumor that he had been a military spy during the third world war which only ended recently in 2051. I didn't doubt it either because he was always questioning whether we were still loyal to the force or not. His brown hair that had been styled into a buzz cut only furthered that theory.

He squared his already square jaw towards us with an expression that looked like he was trying to contain his anger. He had his hands clasped behind his back with the knuckles already turning white. "Cadets," He spoke with his Texan accent. "Tell me what these three did wrong."

Many hands quickly shot into the air. It was hard to see how many hands there were though because everyone was standing. One by one, my classmates spoke about a flaw.

"They went in blind."

"They were arguing the whole time."

"The captain didn't stay focused." I glanced away angrily as the Instructor glared at me as if it was my problem. It wasn't. Clarine was already permanently the captain.

"The captain got caught out."

"They nearly let the Irregular kill them."

"They made unnecessary gambles because of bad choices beforehand."

"Uh, they killed the hostage."

"All good points," Our Instructor cut in. He then began to circle the three of us. I glanced at Erik and Clarine to see that they were taking the embarrassment far better than I was. Erik was trying to look everywhere except at our instructor and Clarine had folded her hands, placing them behind her head in a relaxed manner. "The most important thing though," he turned sharply towards me and stared at me critically. "Was that an underling acted as a captain which is against all protocols." He stared solely at me, and the look in his eyes was one that told me I would never be good enough.

He then switched his gaze from me to Clarine. "Then again, she wouldn't have had to if the Captain had been acting like a real Captain." I hadn't realized that he had been leaning down until he stood up straight. "Now let this be an example of what not to do. You three are dismissed." He then pushed us out of the arena with his two meaty hands and quickly ushered a new group of three into the simulator.

Furiously, I turned and stormed down the dull gray halls towards the girls changing room with Clarine not far behind. As Erik went in the opposite direction, I could feel his concerned gaze pressing against my back. He was always concerned about me, so that was nothing new.

The electrical lights embedded in the ceiling were spaced far apart from one another and gave off an eerie appearance with the spots of darkness. Occasionally they flickered, sending the hall into darkness. I arrived at the girls changing room and strode over to my designated locker within the multiple tows. Each one was pressed together to where there was no space inbetween each locker. There were splotches on some of them too because they weren't cleaned nearly enough. Only a few of the girls bothered to keep their designated locker clean, Clarine and I being two of them.

I pulled on the lock on my locker. It didn't open. I did it again, yielding the same result. Seeing as how I was struggling to open the locker like always, Clarine came up beside me with a smile on her face and opened the lock with a tug. I glared at her, but it was more like a playful glare than an actual one. "Don't think that lets you off the hook."

She chuckled and went to her locker a few doors down. She opened hers with a tug, but paused after opening it. She turned to me. "I'm sorry Isle. I know that was your one chance to become a part of the field division and I blew it for you." Her face saddened, revealing that she was truly upset that she had ruined it for me.

I felt my anger subside as I slipped off the bullet proof jacket and hung it on its designated hook. The hurt on Clarine's face was usually a foreign expression, so I couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Glancing at her out of the corner of my eye, I said, "Yeah you blew it, but maybe if I'm lucky I'll get another chance." A small smile creeped up into my face to show that I wasn't as mad as before. With her bubbly and ever changing personality, it was nearly impossible to stay mad at her.

I felt around my back until I found the zipper on the outfit. I grabbed it and unzipped my one piece outfit as far as it would go. I swiftly stepped out of it and hung the dark outfit on its hook. Grabbing the set of clothes that were set aside, I changed into them just as fast. I smoothed out the wrinkles in my black pants and white button up shirt before grabbing the black sneakers laying on the bottom. Slipping on some socks, I sat on the metal bench in the middle of the row and tied my shoes. I nabbed the over-the-shoulder bag that was hanging and slung it over my shoulder. I then fumbled in my bag for my ID. I took a golden badge in the shape of a shield with the words 'Special Police Science Division', and pinned it to the top left side of my shirt.

I attempted to close my locker, but an inch before closing it, it came to a halt. Furrowing my eyebrows, I shoved it harder. It moved forward a little only to bounce back a second later. I shoved it again with a little more force this time, but it only bounced back farther. I growled under my breath and shoved the door in rapid succession. By the twelfth time, I didn't catch it as it bounced back and it hit me in the face with a resounding smack. Startled, I stumbled back from impact. Clarine busted out laughing and she clutched her stomach when I turned to glare at her. She reached over and gently pushed on my locker door. It closed with a loud click. She began laughing even harder this time and had to place a hand on the lockers to keep herself from falling.

I stormed by Clarine and lightly shoved her into the lockers. Not meant to hurt, but just enough to get the point across. "Don't stay mad too long!" She called out to me as I left the room.

I briefly turned back. "Sure thing Clarine." I spoke sarcastically and gave a mock salute before turning the corner.

Once more, I strode down the dull and dark hallway. The only noises to be heard were my shoes against the solid concrete and the occasional spark of the lights above. At some point en route to my destination, there was a spot of darkness where multiple lights in a row had gone out. It had happened before so there was nothing new about it, but it always happened so close to my working spot that I was the one that was supposed to report it. It wouldn't get fixed for at least a week until I bothered to do it, mostly because no one else would.

I sighed as I rounded another corner and entered a bustling foyer that connected different sections of the police station. People rushed about in a frenzy, carrying papers and on calls. Everyone in the area was always in a hurry, dealing with another Irregular or something of the sort. Every single person that passed by wore a similar badge to mine. The 'Special Police' was what we were called. We dealt with people we called Irregulars, or humans with superpowers. Ever since twelve years ago, they began popping up without a warning. No one knows who was the first, but whoever it was must had been corrupt right to the core because the rest of them are completely rotten. If there ever was a good Irregular I would quit my job at the drop of a hat.

Although this place was normally busy, today was really hopping. As a girl with a brown ponytail ran past I grabbed her shoulder. She squeaked in surprise and turned to me. "What's all the commotion about today?" I asked plainly.

She looked a little frightened but answered nonetheless. "There's supposed to be something big happening soon. The Chief wants all of us to be prepared."

"Thanks," I mumbled bitterly.

Sensing my drop in mood, the girl hurriedly scurried off to avoid becoming victim to any negative outcome I may produce. I wasn't frustrated at the girl, oh no, I was frustrated that 'all of us' didn't include the science department which I just so happened to be in charge of. If it wasn't related to genetics, physics, chemicals, and the like, my division wouldn't be involved. On occasion, if I'm lucky, the higher-ups would even tell me to stay out of the way.

These thoughts whirled in my head as I went down the nearby stone slab stairs towards the labs. With a more dramatic sigh than I had meant, I pushed open the double doors. If this had been an anime, a shining white light would have appeared and something like rose petals would have come spiraling out, but this was reality. Although having that happen would be quite interesting to say the least.

Metal tables were haphazardly lying about with mixtures and chemicals of odd materials on top. Papers were scattered around the room and a few had fluttered to the ground without going noticed. There were a few workers in there, but they were too absorbed in their experiments and data to notice that I had come in. Not like it mattered to me though, I didn't need them bothering me while I worked. I turned, going through one of two doors and entering my working space.

It was a fairly dark room with only two measly lamps to light it. Granted it wasn't a large room and there wasn't much room to move around in, but this is where I spent most of my hours. On a few nearby shelves, there were books in not-so neat stacks and other trinkets that I had picked up over the years of working here. Perhaps training would be a better expression than working, although I'm technically doing both. Thinking about other things, I absentmindedly set my bag down on top of the single wooden desk next to an uncomfortable metal chair tucked underneath it. I sat down and picked up a small stack of papers. There weren't many papers that had piled up because I normally kept up with my work, so I never had to worry about the stress of missing a due date.

After skimming over the paper and its contents, I set it down and began calculating half completed formulas. I had to figure out the exact amount of tetracycline I needed to complete the rest of the mixture. If too much of it is added it becomes a lethal poison. Too little and there is no affect at all. I sighed. It was so much harder to create something from scratch than from a template, especially when it deals with Irregulars.

Moving on for the time being, I set the papers to the side and brought out my laptop from the bag. I then pushed aside the bag and opened it up. As it booted up I examined its features. I noticed for the first time how many nicks and scratches it had accumulated. There was gash in the bottom left hand side from where someone had pushed it off the table and had hit the ledge. The entire right side on the lid was slightly misshapen from when the same someone knocked over a mildly corrosive chemical on it.

I sighed. Humans were troublesome creatures. You would tell them to do something, and if they believed that they were on the same level of authority, they would do the opposite on purpose. Humans evolve despite the major setbacks that they cause themselves. They are destructive creatures that create marvels and wonder the world for something new, but when it appears before them they react in violence. They are amazing creatures. All except for one.

There was a quick knock on the door before it was pushed open without invitation. Speak of the devil and the devil shall appear.

"I didn't even give you permission to come in." My features were set into a scowl as he walked into the room. He flashed an award winning smile that would have made most girls melt. Key word: most.

"I just thought I would deliver these papers to you." He held out a small packet to me with a smirk and I quickly snatched it from his hands. Anything he did just immediately got on my nerves, even the smallest of actions like now.

"Just let the Runners take care of it, Axel." I grit my teeth. The Runners go back and forth in between different sections of the station delivering papers, messages, anything that needed to get someplace else really. Unlike normal people, Axel didn't let the Runners do their job. Instead he decided to take papers to people personally, especially me, and boy oh boy was it frustrating. He ran a hand through his messy hair that looked like freshly fallen snow, and it somehow made him look worse and better at the same time. His soft brown eyes glittered mischievously in the lighting of the semi-dark room.

"You seem angry today, er..." He trailed off and glanced away, seemingly gathering his thoughts to say something teasing. "Angrier." He looked back to me and flashed a quick smirk. "What's up Einstein?"

I wrinkled my nose at the overused nickname. "I keep telling you not to call me that. Isle is my name and I expect you say it that way. Eye-sl." Even as I said this I knew he would never listen to my request, mainly because it annoyed me and he didn't have to listen. We were technically on the same level on the authority so he could do anything he pleased as long as it didn't break the rules. He wasn't one to break any rules at all anyways. Everyone has broken a rule or two before, but he never has. He was so incredibly law and rule abiding it was strange. It made a person question why.

"Whatever you say, Einstein." My expression must have been exactly what he wanted to see because his smirk deepened. He straightened his slick grey button up vest which was on top a white shirt. "The field department will be busy for the next few days so don't expect me to visit much, though I'll always make time for you." He winked at me and I audibly groaned. The unfortunate part was that he would.

"Yippee." I said as unhappily as I could possibly make it.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and flashed me a grin as he went for the door. He had no idea how badly I wanted to smack that grin off his pretty boy face. He opened the door and Clarine was standing there. Her eyes widened when she realized who it was. He held the door open with a charming smile and she walked in, silently whistling when he exited and closed the door behind him. Her head then whipped towards me with her mouth agape but slowly twitching into a smile. She quickly moved towards my desk with a spring in her step. In her grasp were papers with the word 'application' on it.

"Isle, he was here again?!" Her voice became higher when she spoke excitedly. She fiercely grasped the papers in her hands, wrinkling them to no end. I stood up and plucked the poor tree offsprings out of her hands before they could become any more damaged.

"Yeah, and?" I sat down and laid the papers flat on the desk, trying hard to make them at least presentable before writing on them. I truly didn't see her point.

She gasped. "And?! That's all you have to say?!" She slammed her hands down on the table making the smaller contents on it rattle. "The top field squad leader, my boss, comes by to deliver stuff to you and all you can say is and?!"

My eye twitched in annoyance at her sudden outburst. "What is your real reason for being upset?" No doubt being nonchalant about the top person of the section I wanted to join was angering her, but this was Clarine we were talking about here.

As expected, she faltered, retracting her hands from the desk's surface choosing instead to lean against the wall. "He's the hottest and most popular guy here Isle, and he comes at least once everyday to see specifically you, and you think nothing of it." She crossed her arms, her face turning into one mixed of worry and happiness. "I don't know what to do with you."

"Technically, that's where you're wrong. I think something of it." I allowed my head to slump into the palm of my hand. Her face perked up immediately. "I think that he is annoying and that he disrupts my work when he comes." Her face soon after fell.

"You're going to have to report to him if you join the field though, you know that right?"

I sighed. I knew this already yet it didn't make things any easier. This was the one downside to it all. Of course with every downside comes an upside.

"Then again," Clarine placed her hand on her chin and furrowed her eyebrows in concentration. "You would see more of Michael." I heard my heart thump loudly in my chest all of a sudden and quickly wanted to move onto a new topic.

I cleared my throat and held up the papers. "Are these papers-"

"Yes!" Clarine jumped up and bounded over to my side with a giant smile on her face. "I finally was able to get you another application for the field after your previous one was lost."

I nodded as the frustration melted away from my face. "Thanks." I wasn't going to smile, but by the knowing the look on Clarine's face I could tell she already knew how happy I was. Going out into the field would help me reach my goal. It would give me a jumpstart much more than sitting behind a desk and calculating formulas all day.

"Alright then," She stood up straight and walked backwards towards the door. "Now that I can see you're satisfied, I need to go. I'm supposed to be compiling files for one of Command City's newer villains. He's supposedly super powerful so they need a profiler." She then paused by the door and pointed a thumb at her chest. "That would be me." She sighed and slouched against the door. "Though there's not much to go on. To be honest, anyone could do it. He's only made a few minor attacks so his motivation is unclear."

"You'll get the message eventually. You always do." I mumbled in an attempt to cheer her up. If she noticed this attempt, she paid no mind to it. So of course she began whining once more.

Clarine banged her head against the door a few times before speaking. "If there was something big that he did, than that would make my half of the job much easier."

As if on cue, alarms blared throughout the entire base. "Villain 106 has attacked. All field units report to the armory. This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill."

Clarine and I glanced at each other with both our eyes wide. She was a part of a smaller field unit. Without saying a word, she flung open the door and dashed out of the room. All I was left with were my thoughts and the blaring alarms around me.

"This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill."