Name: Ivory Spiers

Age: 16

Height: 5'6"

Weight: 147lbs

Abilities: regenerative healing, natural magical aptitude, sound manipulation, hypnotism, energy-draining touch, no reflection, mild pyrokinesis 

My eyes flicker over her file. She's sixteen—just a year younger than me—but she has quite the extensive record already. Arson. Terrorism. Murder. 

There's a small picture paper clipped to the file, and I study it for a moment or two. Fiery ginger hair that reaches just below her pointed chin. Orange feathers are tangled in the vibrant locks, and I can't tell if they grow that way or if they're woven in. Her skin is deathly pale. Her gold eyes twinkle. Her lips are red red red, and her teeth are slightly pointed. The picture was taken from a security camera, and yet she's smiling. 

"So, Ju—" begins the officer sitting across the table from me. 

I grit my teeth and cut her off quickly. "It's Jaime, actually," I tell her, trying to keep my tone level. 

Next to me, General Lynch glares at me out of the corner of his eye. Calm down. 

"Just going off the file," she says, but I can see the vague distaste on her expression. 

"Yeah, well, the file's a bit outdated," I reply.

It shouldn't be outdated, considering I work directly for the government. And my file is really, really important. But that's where we are, I guess. 

She flashes an obviously fake smile, and I kind of want to punch her teeth in, but I do my best not to. It's not worth my future career. 

"Anyways," she says, lacing her fingers on the table. "Ivory Spiers has resurfaced. And given your track record, Operative, we're deploying you to try and capture her."

I nod, trying to suppress the smile tugging at my lips. "Where do I start?" I ask. 

"Get familiar with that file," she replies. "And be ready. With luck, we'll be able to bring her in soon. Once she's here, you'll get started." 

"Alright," I say, shoving down my giddiness for a moment or two while I try to focus on what this means for me. "How long do we think the op's gonna take?"

The officer hesitates. "I'm afraid I can't provide you with a precise estimate," she says. "As you know, Ivory Spiers is... difficult. But it's safe to say that you'll be gone at least a month. Is that a problem?"

"No problem at all," I assure her. 

"Forgive me for being so blunt, Operative Collyn," the officer begins slowly. I can feel her gaze level on me and resist the urge to snarl at her. "But you're... awfully young. And while your numbers are impressive, I'm just not sure how to—" she falters. "Will you be alright?" 

Oh, right. This bullshit. I can't say I'm surprised, but I was hoping just once I'd be able to have a meeting where no one commented on my age. 

I lean forward a bit, a thin smile flitting across my lips. "I am seventeen years old." I make sure to enunciate each word. Clear. Firm. Deliberate. "I've been doing this job for as long as I can remember. And while I understand your concerns..." I trail off, doing my best to correct my tone, ridding it of my usual disdain. "I can assure you that I'm fully capable of handling this mission," I finish. 

The officer's expression is a bit startled. I smirk a little, settling back into my previous position and watching her. 

"Jaime has been a model operative," Lynch jumps in, and I'm still not thrilled with his use of my first name, but at least he's coming to my defence. "They've been working for us for over a decade. Their record is spotless. Jaime might be young, but they're also one of the best we have. And I think that if anyone will be able to take down Ivory Spiers, it'll be them." 

She still doesn't look convinced, but I have General Lynch on my side. And hopefully, that's enough. 

"Alright," the officer says uncertainly, forcing a polite smile. "I'll submit you for approval, then." She stands up and makes her way towards the door when a young intern bursts into the room. 

"Do we know who's on the Ivory Spiers case?" The intern asks, glancing around with wide eyes.

They've probably never been involved with something this important before, I realize, watching them fidget anxiously. 

"We've made a decision," the officer nods, glancing at me. 

The intern's gaze settles on me, and I feel jittery from the anticipation of it all. "Alright," they say, taking a deep breath. "Okay. That's good." 

"Why are you here?" General Lynch asks impatiently. 

The intern wilts under the general's piercing glare, twisting a strand of bright green hair around anxiously. Their hesitation is irritating. I've never been the best at waiting. 

"O-oh!" The intern looks around one more time at everyone. "Ivory Spiers. She-she's here. Now. In holding." 

General Lynch looks at me expectantly. My heart rate increases when I hear the news. It's happening. It's happening. 

"So..." I can barely contain my excitement. I grin. "Does this mean—"

The general nods, a proud gleam in his eyes. "Go get her."