commander's quarters

@seo joohyun It's been quite some time since Joohyun has left, and the commander stays at the office, working well into the night because he simply can't sleep with the knowledge that the impending news of his parent's death will be announced in his ears in a few hours time. He's neither sad nor angry, doesn't feel remorse. He doesn't feel an ounce of guilt either; since both his father and mother had worked him to the bone as a child, showered him with something akin to bitterness and had built him to the man he is today, which, presently, he can easily label as a monster. Inguk supposes that he does fit that description: a monster. Being the commander of the Acies, with the mindset that Home is reserved for his clan and his clan only, no one else. And the one who sent his own sister to assassinate their parents. Or the one to send his sister to her death, depending of the outcome of her performance.

However, the man is snapped out of his thoughts when he receives an alarming beep resounds within his ears, not exactly coming from any device in the office, but the one in his ear. Even if the commander rarely hears the specific beep, he's heard it enough and knows fully well what's happened. It only goes off once an agent has landed themselves in trouble. Knowing Joohyun, she would have came back to report her success or failure, but taking into account the fact that she's alerted him means that she's stuck somewhere on the scene. Senses jumping into action, the commander immediately calls for a few knights to track down the occupants of House 12 in Sector C to bring them into custody, due to the violation of Rule 012 where a resident must report to headquarters when they have reached the age of fifty-five years. Then he pulls on his coat and decides to go there himself, knowing that it's probably going to be a bloody sight. Joohyun might be dead when he gets there, or she won't. She might have been able to kill neither of their parents, or only his mother, or his father. Either way she has failed the mission, though instead of being angry Inguk feels a little more disappointed. What a waste of a soldier, really.

When he arrives on the scene, he makes his way down to the basement, avoiding the usual traps that have been set up. When his foot touches the ground of the basement, Inguk immediately notices the body lying on the ground, bruised up and battered almost beyond recognition. It's Joohyun. He barely flinches at the amount of blood splattering the walls and floor and steps toward her, looking at his watch. "Forty-seven minutes and three seconds into the mission and you've failed," he says, giving her a cold glance. He knows she's alive: the rise and fall of her chest gives it away. Their father must be somewhere in the ship, probably still around the area; he can't have gotten far. "I've sent some sergeants to go look for him." He gives the room another once-over and sighs, almost irritated, "You failed, sergeant Joohyun. I had put my hopes in you, but apparently I put them too high. Do you have the silver bullets with you right now?"

@seo inguk { lol you're fine ^^ }

Joohyun came upon the house shrouded in shadows and secrets, no wonder it was the only one in a dead end. Which would make it harder if she got caught, because she wouldn't be able to hide or flee without being caught. As it was, she simply scanned her surroundings and activated the watch on her wrist, watching it scan for thermal but it seemed like nobody was around at this time. Perfect. Joohyun decided she would come through her bedroom, though it was on the second floor, that was easily accomplished as she scaled the wall, as it was brick and she could find purchase in some places where the cement was gone. It was simple to pull off the protective screen without any sound as she tried the window, realizing that it wasn't locked. Were their parents growing old and so senile that they thought nobody would come sneak into them. Joohyun took a quick glance at her watch to see where the two people would be, and found one rest in the bedroom to her left while the other one was downstairs in what was their bedroom turned into a sparring arena. Spinning her suppressor onto her gun, she stealthily sneaked into the bedroom to see their mother sleeping it seemed. The sight of the almost harmless and innocent woman didn't spring up any emotions or sentimental thoughts. Joohyun made it to the bedside with no disturbances, their father still in the basement as she brought the cold barrel up to the woman's temple and pulled the trigger. There was a brief twitch and a small splash of blood and brain matter that she wiped away with care, to make it look natural and nothing was out of place.

The female knight sighed deeply as she knew the next part would be harder, having never been able to win him because he fought as dirty as they all came. It was no surprise really when she managed to step foot into the basement without triggering any of the traps meant to kill intruders, and there was a lot, when a dagger was thrown her way. Joohyun dropped and rolled bringing her gun up only for it to be kicked out of her hands. That didn't mean she didn't have any other tricks up her sleeve as she sweeped her leg out before jumping up. A dagger slipped down from it's wrist restraint into her hand as she gripped it tightly, before advancing towards her father. That steely look in his eyes staring deep into her soul as she parried and blocked each of his swings, catching him in the cheek with her dagger. "My, you've really grown up so well my daughter. Yet you dare think that you can beat me? the man who taught you all of this and more? you're such a disappointment" he chuckled as Joohyun just growled and launched herself at him. Landing a spin kick against his jaw, she barely had time to recover before he had punched her in the abdomen. That definitely knocked the wind out of her as she gasped, backing up and glaring hatefully at the man in front of her.

It was about another 30 minutes of fighting before Joohyun was down on the ground, blood trailing down her chin as she struggled to breath with her broken ribs. Her father looked no better than her yet he was still standing as he leaned over her, amazed that she had lasted so long before leaving a note next to her, instructing her to bring it back to that traitor of a commander that she followed before he disappeared from her sight. Vision spotted, with a couple of more bones broken and losing blood quickly, Joohyun did the only thing she could, she pressed the alarm button on her watch that only alerted Inguk. He had promised death if she wasn't able to kill them but it didn't matter, she most likely wouldn't survive anyways and didn't need anybody knowing about this mission of assassination.

@jung jessica Inguk's second in command had informed him of the arrival of a foreign delegate on board, however the girl never told him for what purpose has the delegate stepped foot on the ship. There's a growing suspicion inside the commander that it has to do with the annual renewal of the shared lands contract, however it's a bit early for her to come now. He's not expecting her for a week. After the call from the second in command, the knock on his door comes not five minutes later; visitors have a limited amount of time on the ship after all, and the escorts have to be quick. "You may enter," he calls, letting the door open to reveal the delegate. She has long hair and icy eyes, an air of a practiced professionalism. Out of everything, it's the crest on her uniform that stands out the most. So it's Dulcedo's turn to represent the union, huh? "You have a limited amount of time on board this ship, am I correct?" he asks her, eyes never leaving her face. His lips are neither in a smile nor a frown. and under his brows he holds a long gaze. "State the purpose of your presence here, and depending on the significance of your affairs I might prolong your stay. However," he narrows his eyes, "you will not take a step forward nor backward, and neither will you raise your voice nor your hands in any form of disrespect. Am I clear?" he asks, resting his elbows on the mahogany desk. He does not trust those from the Dulcedo clan, and people can't blame him for that. Not even Jessica.

@seo inguk It was obvious that people were aware of her presence and didn't like it one bit. As Jessica was lead by two Acies knights and delegate through the foreign space station's intricate layout, she attracted a glare or murderous glance from every pair of eyes around her; their vision leering towards to the crest of the Dulcedo clan that was on the side of her arm and chest on the delegate coat that she was wearing. It was the standard protocol that she wore the crest somewhere when making a public appearance. At last, she had arrived before the double doors of the commander's quarters. With a knock, they were let in and one of the doors were opened to let Jessica walk though and enter into the room. Once she heard the door close, she started on her introduction. "Hello, I'm Jessica, delegate from Dulcedo." She respectfully said, looking right at the superior male that was sitting at his desk. Commander of Acies, Seo Inguk. The man had dark hair, eyes that seemed to hold an unlimited amount of vigilance, a pale complexion, and a steely aura about him. The handsome, charming type at first quick glance, but with just a bit more of a lingering gaze, still the handsome type, but also the deadly type.

@seo joohyun Inguk's eyes linger on the door after she leaves, as they do after all the times she has left the room. It's a repeated scene that he experiences from time to time, and he wonders at this point from where had they gotten to this point. Surely when they have grown up with each other, something had went wrong. A decade ago Inguk would have never imagined for things to turn out this way, but it evidently did. "Joohyun, sweet Joohyun," he mumbles to himself, smiling albeit bitterly. She has always been good to him, no matter what her circumstances and no matter how badly she was treated. Sometimes Inguk feels like he doesn't deserve a sister like her, like he shouldn't even have a sister at all. But fate is cruel; their parents are heartless and Inguk is even crueler. The commander had sent her off to this mission only because he has to. To test her emotional strength, her loyalty, and especially her skills in the battlefield. After all, the man she is sent to assassinate tonight is the man that had single-handedly taught Inguk how to snap someone's neck when he was eight. It's not going to be an easy task. Chuckling to himself, the commander reclines back to his seat and decides to wait until the sun rises. The night is still too young to retreat back into the comforts of his bed.
(Sorry it's short fml)

@seo inguk Joohyun plucked the two bullets out of the air with ease before slipping them into the pocket right above her heart. "Yes sir" she answers, already going through a million plans on how she can get this done. They were their parents but yet they were causing a problem and she could not allow that, she would rather rid herself of the nuisance then have her brother worry about them any longer. Joohyun was surprised yet she did not relax into the hug or respond the way she would have before as she only settled one hand on the small of his back before he pulled away. "I understand commander. I surely will not fail, and if I possibly do then I'll bring myself to you to end my unworthy life" she said in a soft tone, nothing belying what she felt. The hugging and ruffling of her like during her childhood could just be a guide to get her to succeed, trust was hard to come by when they lived in a clan like this.

Joohyun bowed once again before she left and headed back to her quarters, slipping into clothes that wouldn't be too noticeable with many nooks and crannies that she slipped her weapons into. Cracking her neck once, she pressed in a code into the secret wall compartment which slid open to reveal more weapons, and her favorite custom M1911A1 with suppressor. It would do will for the job and nobody outside of the home would be none the wiser.

That is, if Joohyun managed to kill the old man first without being caught before moving onto their mother. She slipped out of her room with a practiced ease, merely nodding her had at several Knights that passed before she exited the ship and made her way into section C. It was by luck that it was one of the closer sections near the ship as she retraced the steps that would take her back to their childhood home.

@seo joohyun Inguk's smirk grows even wider at her answer, tossing the two bullets towards her in order for her to load it into whatever gun she has stashed wherever. He knows Joohyun has countless tricks up her sleeves; only few females have made it through the Knight's training and simply being good is not enough. "I want it done tonight. What use is your training if you leave a speck of blood on the carpet?" He scowls at the thought. "Don't be sloppy." Then a thought hits him, and he walks over to her and uses a hand to tilt her chin up to look at him, smiling down at her with sincerity for the first time ever. "Joohyun. You know this means a lot to me, right? The old man and woman don't know how much they're weighing me down. I can't have them sitting around and bleeting like sheep. It's a hindrance. I hope you can understand my decisions." He wraps his arms around her in a short embrace, before pulling away and stepping back. He ruffles her hair, "I expect good news tomorrow. See you in the morning."

@seo inguk "Commander" Joohyun greeted him with formality as she took a couple of steps inside of his quarters. She was tense, wondering what he was going to give him while resisting the normal urge to shiver when she heard the undertone in his voice. That certainly didn't bode well as the knight looked anywhere else but her brother. But her eyes froze on the bullets when the glint off of them hit her in the eyes with just the right angle before a slight widening of her eyes showed her surprise. Mentally, she was shaking her head and questioning whether Inguk was sane in the mind at the moment. Just because she had an immense amount of hatred for her parents didn't mean she didn't have one small shred of feelings for them. They had given her a roof over her head during her whole life, and drilled into her the training that kept her alive. "When am I not. Would you like this done immediately commander? Permission to ask if this will be a covert mission or something that can be left messy when accomplished?" Joohyun asked, one corner of her lips rising into a small smirk before it passed.

@seo joohyun With all the work Inguk has to do, the hours pass in almost no time. As the sun sets and the daily buzz of workers in the headquarters begins to fade, he sits still in chair, waiting. The bullets are still in his palm, reflecting the rays of light, precious as pearls. He grips them tight in his hand when he hears a knock on the door, a lips working into a slow smile when he realizes that she's here. He gets to his feet and walks over to the door, opening it for her. "Joohyun," he says, welcoming her although he doesn't smile nor does he scowl. Once she's inside he closes the door and locks it behind him. "You must be wondering what kind of mission I have for you, sister, " he says, an undertone in his voice. He walks over to his desk and leans against it, taking out the two silver bullets. "I would like to regard it as a proposal, however I won't consider a 'no' for an answer. So it's more of an order," He looks at her, and he can't resist working his lips into a slow smirk. "Two bullets, for the two occupants of house twelve in sector C." Inguk knows very well that Joohyun recognizes the house. It's where the two of them grew up. "I want you to lodge these two bullets into their skulls. Succession will result in a promotion to Lieutenant, where as failure will result in your own death. Up for it, Joohyun?" he asks with a slight chuckle.

@seo inguk Once finished with the clearing of her room, Seohyun changed into her more formal uniform while slipping the weapons she always had on here into secret compartments. A lot of people underestimated her because she was female but that didn't mean that she shouldn't be safer than sorry. Checking the panel in the wall, she saw that she was to go on rounds with one of the other knights to check around, and see if there were any intruders from the other clans trying to spy on them. With a quick glance around her room one final time, she exited and left while slipping into the mask that she always used in public.

-- time skip --

Massaging her shoulder, Joohyun sighed as she came back from the duties and round she had been assigned to. There had been a little scuffle but nothing that she couldn't handle but stopped in her tracks when she saw one of the generals coming towards her. "Sir" she bowed out of respect, before straightening up only to receive news that the commander had requested for her assistance on a mission. "I understand, I shall report to his quarters immediately" she saluted the general before changing her steps to take her to the commanders quarters. Joohyun made sure to knock and not walk in this time, keeping her breathing and emotions in check while delving into the part of her brain that kept her numb.

@seo joohyun Inguk watches her leave, his eyes on the door even after her footsteps have faded in the distance. He tongues the inside of his cheek, feeling completely empty. He doesn't really know what to feel, exactly; what to think. The word 'love' doesn't exist within their family, and he has long given up trying to figure what the word meant even before he had entered the Knight's training. He picks up his communication device and selects one of the contacts for the generals in the military service, putting the device up to his ear. "General," he greets, however his tone is far from cheerful and more serious, in spite of the close relationship he has with the general. However, he simply can't muster any cheerful emotions because of the earlier ordeal, "I'd like to request for the services of one of your soldiers tonight. Seo Joohyun. Yes," he waits a while, listening to the general's inquiring before explaning, "I've a mission that only she can do. Private matters," he states. He fishes out two bullets from his pocket and fiddles around with them, watching how the deadly metal catches the sunlight from the window behind him, "Tell her to come tonight. Thank you."

@seo inguk Joohyun didn't utter a sound or even move when she felt the contact of his palm against her skin. It wasn't the first time that it happened, and it was exactly what she knew would happen. She had forgotten her morals, and that they should know no weakness. There was just numbness spreading through her body as she schooled her face into s blank mask. She was only a solider, an asset to their clan and nothing else. It gave her more reason to start cutting off this part of herself, thinking that she could still maintain the relationship between her and her brother. "I thank you for you time commander" Joohyun bowed as she straightened before leaving. She glared at everybody who dared to make eye contact or inquire about the mark on her cheek as she made her way back to her room. Once there, she robotically started to clean out any memories or familial items she had kept. If this was what Inguk required of her then so be it. Even as the idea to leave and join another clan popped into her mind, she didn't give it much thought.

@seo joohyun The moment she raises her voice Inguk narrows her eyes at her, feeling his anger spike, and before another second is wasted he's taking swift steps towards her. The impact of his palm against her cheek slices the silence, loud and deafening, and he doesn't hold back. "You will respect me as your commander, sergeant," he mutters with a scarcely veiled anger before retracting his arms. "Don't speak to me of such petty things. You're a soldier, you should know better than I do. We live here to fight. We survive here to conquer. Love and kindness are for the people on the other ships. Join them if you must," he walks back to his desk and sits on the chair, resting his elbows on the table and looking at her over his fingers threaded together. "As much as I am your brother, I have a job to do. An hour is a long time. If you want my time you can beg the gods to kill me and then perhaps you can visit my grave." He blinks before leaning back in his seat, eyes still locked onto her, "If you have no further inquiries you are dismissed."

@seo inguk She released a sigh when she heard her name said like this, as if she was being reprimanded. "Do you honestly think they would settle with an excuse like that? I already had an inkling of what you would say but this complicates matters even more" Joohyun stated as she moved from her position by the door, stepping more into his quarters. A spark of anger grew in her chest at his words, baffled that he would offer something like that. She didn't need those types of materials needs, thinking that he should have known her better. "I don't want chocolates! what are chocolates going to do? merely pacify me for some time before I come back to bother you again? I don't mind you punishing me for speaking back to you oppa but this is too much! we used to be close when we were younger, yet now it's like as if you're a completely different person. You have a second-in-command that you can leave the duties to for an hour or so, so that you can visit them to give them some satisfaction. I hate having to be pulled from my duties to go be their little lapdog and deliver messages to you! What am I?...." Joohyun suddenly burst out, the words spilling forth from an inner fire while the conditioned training was forgotten in that moment. She was left breathing heavily, glare directed at the ground and mind a jumbled mess of thoughts.

@seo joohyun Upon hearing her words of mild invitation, the corner of the man's lips fall and he feels his mood drop significantly. The way Joohyun speaks only leaves him feeling miraculously empty, with a trained voice and a blank stare, like a machine. But then again, both of them know that the training one endures in this clan can work trainees to the bone, shaping them, sharpening them like gears for a smooth performance. However Inguk isn't sure whether his little sister is doing this only out of habit, or whether she's afraid of what she's inquiring and might receive a lashing if she does so. "Joohyun..." he sighs, dropping his head low before pushing himself off the desk and shoving his hands into his pockets. "You already know what I'll say, don't you? I can't. I'm already busy enough as it is." Their parent's behaviours don't make sense at all to Inguk; they've raised him tough, had trained him for this and they barely gave him time to be a child during his childhood, yet they expect him to give them his time during the apex of his career. It's worse when they seem to dote on him when he has other siblings, when they have other children. He'll probably go visit them when they're in their graves, but that's a bit mean to say so he settles with a, "Tell them I'll send them flowers tomorrow. If you want I can send you some chocolate too."

@seo inguk Joohyun had lowered her eyes to the ground when she noticed that her brother was on the phone, deciding to wait until he was done so she could have his full attention. She looked up when she heard the dismissal of the person on the other end of the phone, returning him with a small smile. She didn't have to be so formal in private settings with Inguk but it was hard with how much training she had gotten ingrained into her brain. "oppa, I know it's something you might not want to hear but mother and father would like for you to visit them, they miss you and plead for just a couple of minutes out of your busy schedule" Joohyun answered in a soft tone, tired already even though she still had things to do. "it's been a long time since you've had a breather as well...maybe it's best if you go see them? Though they only really asked for you to come, I can accompany you" she stated while she kept her face blank and numb. While their parent's treatment of her still stung, she was used to it and had slowly been able to cut off her emotions for them one by one. Joohyun looked anywhere else but Inguk at that moment, trying to distract herself from the inner musings of her mind as well as to deflect him being able to see her eyes and read her emotions that always managed to show through.

@seo joohyun Inguk's usual days are filled with discussions and making plans, numbers and dates on when to meet head of departments and other commanders, and consist of more work then rest, more stress and less relaxation. Today he's on the phone with one of his bodyguards, how they have mentioned some failed attempts at breaking into the headquarters and suggesting that they upgrade their security systems as soon as they can. "If the cost is sustainable then go ahead," Inguk sighs into the earphone, leaning against the wall because he's gone through this a thousand times already, "Inform Eunhyuk quickly about the change. Yes... Mhm." He doesn't realize that the there is a knock at the door, and he turns in surprise when someone enters the room. The shocked expression however softens when he recognizes who exactly has come to see him. "Alright. I'll have to get off the phone now. Will call you in a bit." Then he presses the button on his table and gives the girl in front of a small smile. He leans his weight on the hand on his table and tilts his head. "Joohyun," he states, fondness lacing his voice, "What brings you here?"

@seo inguk Joohyun rolled her neck in an attempt to relax the muscles, which were tense from stress of her parents and the situation they forced her into. She had no intentions to broadcast to the clan that she was the younger sister of their commander, so she was sure to lose any tails she had and made sure the coast was clear before she knocked on the door of Inguk's quarters. Waiting for about 4 beats, she entered with a small bow, showing the respect that he was due. "Commander, I have some matters to talk to you about if you have a moment please?" she informed him of her purpose and waited with calm, trained breathes. Internally, Joohyun was nervous about whether or not she would be turned away so she had to stay calm, had to remain in control of her heartbeat and emotions. This was not the time to be a chicken, as she would be hassled and scolded for it by their parents. They could have came to visit him themselves rather than take her from her duties to ask something that she knew he would refuse.