Matt scanned the misty, Irish seascape, his mood getting darker with every second. Where was that assasin? His boss should have known better than to hire HER. This was real life war, and she was just a mere child. Ok, she was thirteen. But still.

Finally, a figure appeared, jogging towards him with impeccable ease. At last! Glaring at the ninja-clad figure, named River, that trotted up to a stop in front of him, shocking blue eyes piercing his soul joyfully, as if she knew she was late and was proud of it.

“You’re late, agent,” Matt noted grumpily, an obvious point.

“I am,” River responded.

“Well, report,” he sighed.

“The victim has been dealt with.”

“And?”

“Kai is dead.”

“What?” The master spy that had gone with River on their mission— dead? “How?”

“Enemy blade. He got caught. I escaped.”

“Well, you have a new mission. The princess.”

River’s eyes widened. “The princess? Why?”

“Grubby urchins like you aren’t concerned it the matter. Do you job.”

“Ok.” River shrugged and turned to walk away.

“And Agent?”

She turned.

“You’re walking on thin ice,” he said softly. “Stop disobeying orders, Agent. Get the job done.” “Of course.”

Chewing a wad of gum, Matt turned to walk away. Shaking his head, he thought about how River was such a good agent, if she just had some direction.

That was when the arrow pierced his neck. He slumped over, dead at once.

A figure appeared out of the mist, placing a foot on Matt’s body. Yanking the arrow out, they turned and looked seaward. Pulling some more gum out of Matt’s pocket, they popped it in their mouth, turned, and started walking away, in the direction of the palace.

They were River.