A Hero's Journey -- Part 15 -

Wufei marched through the Preventers’ office, ignoring the various greetings and inquiries his co-workers offered. With his characteristic single-mindedness, he continued past the various desks and cubicles until he reached his destination, the director’s office. Startled by his appearance, Une’s young secretary jumped from her desk and tried to stop him.

“Mr. Chang, aren’t you supposed to be on vacation?” she asked, moving in front of him. “You are not due in the office for another week.”

“I’m very well aware of that, onna,” the Chinese man replied dismissively. “Now, get out of my way.”

“Mr. Chang, I’m afraid that you can’t go in there right now,” Freda cried. “Ms. Une isn’t expecting you.”

“And what does that have to do with anything, onna?” Wufei demanded, annoyed by the secretary’s persistent interference.

“Freda?”

The secretary froze as the intercom on her desk came to life. “Yes, Ms. Une?”

“What seems to be the disturbance out there?”

Releasing a deep breath, Freda leveled a dirty look at Wufei. “Mr. Chang has returned early from his vacation and would like to see you.”

There was a pause before Une replied, “I see.”

“At your convenience, of course, Ms. Une,” Freda added, smirking at Wufei’s dire look.

Wufei was further irritated by Une’s laughter. “I’m sure, Freda. However, you may show Mr. Chang in now.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Freda replied.

Opening the door, she gestured for Wufei to enter. “Director Une will see you now.”

Ignoring Freda’s broad smile, Wufei marched in Une’s office, slamming the door behind him. Straightening the jacket of her uniform, Freda returned to her desk. She was beginning to understand why Sally Po enjoyed baiting the Chinese man so much.

* * * * *

“Why do you put off with that infernal secretary?” Wufei demanded, once assured the door was closed. “And where is Sally Po?”

“To answer your first question, Freda is a woman of amazing talents, much like Sally,” Une replied evenly, turning from the window to face Wufei. “To answer your second question, Major Po is out on assignment.”

“She is supposed to be on vacation,” Wufei stated, fist clenched.

Une raised one eyebrow. “As you are suppose to be. However, her plans fell through, and she came back to work. She is currently on a surveillance assignment with one of the younger Preventers.”

“Where?” Wufei demanded.

With a sigh, Une glanced at her desk and then handed a small stack of papers. “She is currently in South America, investigating a possible militant base. We are not expecting radio contact from her for another twenty hours.”

She paused as she realized that she was already staring at Wufei’s retreating back.

“What’s going on?” she called.

He continued walking, not even bothering to turn back to look at her. “Hopefully nothing.”

As he left the building, he clutched the stack of papers tighter in his hands. ‘Why couldn’t you simply take a vacation like a normal person, Onna?’ he fumed, marching briskly to the parking lot. ‘If you’ve made me worry for nothing, you’ll pay.’


Part XV Wufei marched through the Preventers’ office, ignoring the various greetings and inquiries his co-workers offered. With his characteristic single-mindedness, he continued past the various desks and cubicles until he reached his destination, the director’s office. Startled by his appearance, Une’s young secretary jumped from her desk and tried to stop him. “Mr. Chang, aren’t you supposed to be on vacation?” she asked, moving in front of him. “You are not due in the office for another week.” “I’m very well aware of that, onna,” the Chinese man replied dismissively. “Now, get out of my way.” “Mr. Chang, I’m afraid that you can’t go in there right now,” Freda cried. “Ms. Une isn’t expecting you.” “And what does that have to do with anything, onna?” Wufei demanded, annoyed by the secretary’s persistent interference. “Freda?” The secretary froze as the intercom on her desk came to life. “Yes, Ms. Une?” “What seems to be the disturbance out there?” Releasing a deep breath, Freda leveled a dirty look at Wufei. “Mr. Chang has returned early from his vacation and would like to see you.” There was a pause before Une replied, “I see.” “At your convenience, of course, Ms. Une,” Freda added, smirking at Wufei’s dire look. Wufei was further irritated by Une’s laughter. “I’m sure, Freda. However, you may show Mr. Chang in now.” “Yes, ma’am,” Freda replied. Opening the door, she gestured for Wufei to enter. “Director Une will see you now.” Ignoring Freda’s broad smile, Wufei marched in Une’s office, slamming the door behind him. Straightening the jacket of her uniform, Freda returned to her desk. She was beginning to understand why Sally Po enjoyed baiting the Chinese man so much. * * * * * “Why do you put off with that infernal secretary?” Wufei demanded, once assured the door was closed. “And where is Sally Po?” “To answer your first question, Freda is a woman of amazing talents, much like Sally,” Une replied evenly, turning from the window to face Wufei. “To answer your second question, Major Po is out on assignment.” “She is supposed to be on vacation,” Wufei stated, fist clenched. Une raised one eyebrow. “As you are suppose to be. However, her plans fell through, and she came back to work. She is currently on a surveillance assignment with one of the younger Preventers.” “Where?” Wufei demanded. With a sigh, Une glanced at her desk and then handed a small stack of papers. “She is currently in South America, investigating a possible militant base. We are not expecting radio contact from her for another twenty hours.” She paused as she realized that she was already staring at Wufei’s retreating back. “What’s going on?” she called. He continued walking, not even bothering to turn back to look at her. “Hopefully nothing.” As he left the building, he clutched the stack of papers tighter in his hands. ‘Why couldn’t you simply take a vacation like a normal person, Onna?’ he fumed, marching briskly to the parking lot. ‘If you’ve made me worry for nothing, you’ll pay.’


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