The two men who left with long faces, cursing Anya in their mind, returned with beaming faces. They faced Chief justice with newfound enthusiasm. They waited patiently when the old man was busy with the Commanding Officer.
The Chief Justice asked, waving his hand at the commanding officer to take a seat. "How are the things in the city?" The Chief justice didn't have to worry about all that. He was basically there because of Anya who returned from the unexpected life-threatening task. Since he was already there, he generally asked Commissioner Brown.
"Chief Justice, we have increased the patrol in the city. Any suspicious group or activity is being questioned immediately. The traffic is kept clear for emergency purposes. Other than the reporters causing trouble due to commotion, everything is under control." The port was completely under the control of the military so local cops had no work there.
Chief Justice faintly nodded in response. He turned to Kennedy and his team member, "What is his name again?" He questioned his assistant about a team member of Kennedy.
"IT officer Cobain." His assistant responded but his eyes were on Anya Owen who was sitting unemotionally, with an upright posture. Though she was the only woman sitting there, she showed no hint of submissiveness. Rather her presence was suppressing the other men.
"Officer Owen, Mr. Cobain will assist you to wrap the mission from today. Get to work." Chief Justice's authoritative voice sounded.
Jason's fingers rolled into a ball. The Chief Justice's decision was an insult to Anya and her professionalism. Finger at her professionalism means pointing at Team Ace. Jason was furious which he pressed down.
Anya stood up and accepted the orders. Her willingness or unwillingness doesn't matter. It was better than taking the whole mission out of her hand. "Thank you." However, her dissatisfaction was out in her tone.
Kennedy and Cobain would have been happier if everything was handed to them. They also felt it was better than leaving empty-handed.
"Thank you for the opportunity, Chief Justice. I won't disappoint you." Cobain didn't miss the chance to show his excitement for the mission and put in efforts to butter up.
Anya turned to Jason and nodded at him, mentioning 'it's alright.' Important thing was to solve the issue and get rid of Kennedy and Cobain from their backs.
Anya added, blankly looking at the old man, "With your permission, I- and Mr. Cobain will be heading out to assist the military team." Without waiting for a response, she went towards the door.
Cobain: "..."
He was confused. The mission was over, right? They just need to watch over when the ship arrives and make a report of it. Why was she interfering in others' tasks?
Cobain was an IT officer who worked in front of computers, catching small cybercrimes like cyberbullying, finding the IP address of unethical hackers, recovering the masked or deleted data, hacking to fetch any information needed for an investigation, and so on. He never worked on a complete mission or a case, just a tiny part of it. He was doing what was instructed to him without a strict period.
However Team Ace always worked on live, complex full cases. Hence everyone in Team Ace was physically active and mentally fit. They were trained like soldiers hence how they walk, greet, quick reaction, and team coordination were top notch.
But what Kennedy and Cobain like people know were the benefits Team Ace are getting without caring about the hard work they have to put in.
Kennedy sensed Cobain's confusion and jumped for his rescue. "Cob, don't just be excited." He made up a lie to cover up, "Go with Officer Owen." Then he gently pushed Cobain towards the door as he whispered, "Follow her and whenever she is about to take any action, take the lead. The military officer should pick your name if anyone asks." He encouraged his team members.
Cobain quickly responded and ran behind the slender finger who was wearing an oversized overcoat.
Inside the office room, The Chief Justice remarked, noticing the small change in Anya's behavior, "Officer Owen has quite a temper."
Jason flashed a faint smile which was filled with irritation, "I don't keep blockheaded in my team." He meant to say Cobain was blockheaded. He had no word against Anya, rather he felt bad because she wasn't only suffering by the appearance of Alvin Matthews, her hard work and dedication weren't reaping the respectable results.
Kennedy gritted his teeth and stood aside without daring to say anything against Jason. If Cobain manages to get the credits of this mission, Kennedy was also expecting a promotion. Then he was going to teach that little brat a good lesson.
How dare she mock him in front of all?
—-------
Anya had to go only one floor downstairs so she didn't bother taking the elevator and chose the stairs. Cobain, who caught up with her, sneered at her, "Officer Owen, don't show off as you do the hard work. Learn smart work." He pressed the button to call the elevator to the floor.
Anya paused in her steps as her lips arced slightly. She knew the gentleman image of Cobain as only in front of the Chief Justice. His ego and pride were hurt to see a woman doing better than him. Yet he was there to snatch away her work.
How ridiculous!
Turning behind, Anya held no expression while saying, "Mr. Cobain, please do the smart work and come to the fourth floor." Then she skipped away in the blink of an eye.
Before Cobain could even realize it, she was on the fourth floor. "What a b*tch!" He cursed her and used the stairs. He assumed she was afraid to coordinate with him and lose the mission hence she was trying to avoid him.
The fourth floor was filled with military officials who were working on how to take control of the ship and the security around the area.
Anya displayed the special identity badge she had received from Jason. The soldier who looked at it, greeted the special officer immediately, "Officer Owen, the discussion is in the last room towards your right." It wasn't uncommon.
Anya thanked him and proceeded.
Cobain who went downstairs was blocked. He showed his badge but it didn't work as it was just an IT officer badge, lower value than a cop. Infuriated, Cobain flared up, "I am working on this mission. How dare you stop me?" He only needs to maintain a good image for the seniors.
Anya's face darkened hearing him mentioned as 'Mission'. This man had a loose tongue. She couldn't explain anything about the aim of the mission to him. "He is assisting me." She said loud enough to be heard.
Cobain didn't hide his scowl. She could have waited for him instead of showing off like that. Couldn't she?
Anya hadn't paid attention to him. She didn't have time to waste in the elevator. Noticing him shrugging off the soldiers without giving them the respect they deserved and his fierce glare at her, she didn't forget to add, "Let him enter after the check."
Cobain: "..."
"You-" He didn't dare to complete it aloud. "F*cking b*tch." He muttered through his teeth while the soldier checked him. Irrespective of the ranks and jobs, everyone respected each other in the military. So Cobain's behavior easily offended the soldiers.
However, it wasn't time to argue with Cobain. So they let him enter after they took his mobile and put it on flight mode. Excluding the higher staff, others weren't allowed to use cellphones hence it was common. However, Cobain held a grudge against the woman who entered the room.
.....
Anya knocked on the door before pushing it to half-open. A person identified her, "Officer Owen, join us." It was Major Reth who was on a speed boat.
Anya entered the room that was filled with different military officers. The senior was Major, who had a few captains and sergeants under him. There was a table in the center with a ship layout print on it.
Major Reth took the lead, "Let's skip the greeting and introduction, Officer Owen, this is our plan, do you have any suggestions?"
They naturally made space for her to stand. Anya looked at the multiple paths of entry and exit in the rescue points and furrowed immediately, "This is the basic model when the Johnsons bought the ship. PSR has been modified."
They didn't take her words lightly. They were already aware a lady officer wasn't only bringing the ship back to the country, she will be assisting them. They had no reason to look down on her.
Anya grabbed a red marker and circled on the paper where a green line was dotted out, "These two doors are sealed. This door opens a path to the crew space. We shouldn't open it until all the guests are evacuated."
She looked around, "I need a computer or laptop."
Just then there was a knock on the door. The door was already pushed open so everyone's eyes fell on Cobain who was watching Anya, "Officer Owen let me assist you." He sounded and looked like a trustable assistant, completely opposite to how he behaved with her.
Anya didn't bother. She signaled the man to enter the room. Reth pointed at the desk at the corner, "Computer is over there."
"Mr. Cobain, hack into Johnson's database and fetch the modified PSR architecture immediately," Anya instructed him without bother. She had no problem getting a hand. After all, the main aim is the safety of the people.
"Copied that." Cobain sat down and grabbed the keyboard. He was prepared to show off his skills and impress everyone. His aim wasn't saving people or completing missions but winning over Anya Owen.
Since there was no other computer, he thought he had an advantage over Anya who would have to wait for him to use the computer.
It wasn't his mistake to have such an opinion. His duty was always like fetching data or finding the origin of data while sitting in front of the computer. So he assumed Anya's job was also working on a computer.
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