A salt pepper haired figure in sleeping wear slams his hand onto his desk in fury. The security and various staff members flinch at the crunching sound. “How is it possible that such an incident was not only not noticed, but failed to be recorded! I thought and was told that the Academy’s systems were unhackable and tampering proof! Yet here I have two culprits who not only destroyed the computers labs but waltzed out without being caught by security. Please explain that to me!” Principal Conrad roared.

None of the members dare meet Principal Conrad’s furious gaze. “Fine, don’t answer that question. Then at least explain to me, what they wanted? Did they steal anything, what was it?” Principal Conrad sharply asked.

The Chief of Security a middle-aged man with a mustache and sideburns takes a step forward. “Preliminary searches, show that nothing was taken or hacked, simply the feeds were kept on loop for about fifteen minutes. The area hit that sustained the damages, was the computer labs linked to the dorms. No student was hurt in the event and had it been an attack on the school or kidnapping for a student, they would have attacked elsewhere with a distraction or a more abandoned area. From the bullet fragments, we don’t believe that that the school was the target nor any of the students-,” The Chief of security said.

Principal Conrad rudely growled in interruption, “Based on what assumptions? Could this be a test of the facilities security?”

The Chief of Security remains calm and composed despite the rude interruption. “As previously stated sir, had it been any of those two events, the incident would have caused massive damage to the school facility itself to ensure a plausible screen to kidnap a student or attack the school. The damage to the computer lab was nothing major initially but the damage since then was only caused as a means to destroy evidence of the battle in the labs and destroy any means of finding the identity of the two parties involved.

We have two types of bullet casings, one from a handgun and the other from an M16. Two forces were rather aggressive, suddenly and somehow began to fight. One of the party members was wounded in the scuffle as the other fled. The wounded party left a mine behind to cover the blood evidence. With the death of Jensen, all blood evidence was destroyed as his blood splattered across the entire computer lab. And even if we do manage to find a drop of the culprit’s blood, the sample will be tampered with and be of no use,” stated the Chief of Security.

“What is your suggestion as Chief of Security,” Principal Conrad asked.

“Increase our vigilance and security measures, sir,” replied, the Chief of Security.

Principal Conrad stiffly says, “And will that prevent such an incident from happening again?”

“I don’t know, sir,” the Chief of Security honestly answered. “What I do know is that we are dealing with two highly dangerous and trained opposing parties. All we can do is increase security and our vigilance to ensure that neither party has the opportunity to enter into a scuffle.”

A woman with auburn hair and glasses chimes in and says, “I agree with the Chief. From the sound of it, it is simply two students who hate each other for being a member of another opposing group. We simply need to keep a closer eye on the new students and I am sure given enough time, the teenager's blood will cool. After all, children will be children, and this is simply an act of teenage rebellion, testing the boundaries.”

Principal Conrad warily eyes the school’s guidance counselor, Miss Pettyworth. “If these were the actions of two students, then you are right, but they still need to be punished. A good man is dead because of them. However, you may be right, they may never fight again and we may never find the culprits behind this incident. And should that be the case, Chief of Security, you know what needs to be done,” Principal Conrad flatly stated.

The Chief of Security nodded his head gravely in understanding. The incident and all traces would be erased and the death of Jensen would be reclassified as accidental. The Academy would ensure that his widow and children would receive a generous trust fund to last them their entire life.

Principal Conrad glances at his watch, 3:35 a.m. With a bitter sigh, Principal Conrad says, “Those who can get some rest, please go and try and get some. And as for the rest, well, I guess you have an early day’s start, starting now.”

The members swiftly shuffle away as Principal Conrad takes a seat at his desk and begins to glance through the files on his desk. Shortly afterward, a man with dark hair, one golden eye, and an eyepatch appeared. James Stark firmly says, “Sir, I was called for.”

Without glancing up from his work Principal Conrad says, “I’m sure, you’re aware of the events that transpired.” Without waiting for a reply, Principal Conrad continues, “And, you’re fully aware of the single Z class student that is not yet an active participant of the class. I’m certain that you would have preferred to directly have him enrolled into the class, but I felt that his safety could not be guaranteed and with this incident, I fear even more so, that there will be more than one party to be attracted by the scent of blood in the water.”

James Stark is silent for a moment, before steadily saying, “Yes, and given the incident, I completely agree with you, his enrollment needs to be postponed. We will slowly ease him into the class until he becomes a full member.”

Principal Conrad grunts in satisfaction as James Stark takes that as a sign and queue for him to leave. “We cannot have him unprotected Stark, he must be accompanied at all times. Is that understood?” Principal Conrad sternly stated.

James Stark turns around and flatly replies, “Perfectly, sir. Is that all.”

Principal Conrad glances up and retorts, “It would serve you well to remember under whose employee you’re under now.”

James Stark merely bows his head and departs without a further response. Principal Conrad studies the retreating figure gravely for a moment, before returning to his budget sheets. Principal Conrad now had the tedious task of cutting expenses to fund the emergency renovation of the computer lab. It is a wonderful thing to be in power.