Kinley Valor, age fifteen, was just about to kiss the rest of his existence goodbye. He was nestled between a large woman who was trying to quiet down her baby and a tall man who almost seemed more annoyed than he was scared. Kinley poked his head around the crates that blocked them from view, only to be pulled back by the annoyed man.

“Do you want to have us found and killed?” the man whispered so harshly, Kinley was sure he had spit on his forehead. Kinley just shook his blonde head, aqua eyes widened in mock fear. In all actuality, Kinley was more excited to be held hostage, than he was scared.

“Shh now, Darby,” the woman next to him cooed to her baby. The baby had yet to make a noise, but she was paranoid. Kinley stole a glance around the boxes, when the skinny annoyed man looked away. They were standing there.

“Where do you s’ppose all the people went, boss?” a rather large man in heavy black armor called to the one man there not wearing protective gear. He had a sly smile that both intrigued and frightened Kinley.

“I’m sure they’re around here somewhere…” the business-suit clad man almost purred. “Clear the room and assemble the troops outside for the destruction of the building.” Kinley heard the skinny man beside him gasp. The slender leader walked out of the room, leaving five, or maybe six, Kinley couldn’t tell from where he was crouched, perhaps it was five men to search the room.

“I know I shouldn’t have come into work today,” the skinny man was whining. Kinley rolled his eyes. And he had just told him that he was going to give their position away.

“You heard the boss,” the large, armor-clad man yelled. “Clear this entire room and then set up the bomb.” Kinley’s aqua eyes widened in surprise. He’d heard a lot about this terrorist group, but he had no idea that they had planned on destroying the city’s major buildings; including this bank.

“Quiet Darby,” the large woman pleaded with her still silent baby. Kinley looked at what he had to work with. The room was small. It was an office in the middle of the building. That was probably why they chose this spot for the bomb. He glanced over at the annoyed, now terrified, man and sighed. He’d be no help.

“And I just wanted to get a loan for a new bike,” Kinley said as he rushed out from behind the crates. He knew there was nothing of use inside them. They were probably just paper for the fax machine or maybe new staplers. He laughed as he pictured himself shooting staples at his captors.

“What the Hell?” the biggest man yelled as Kinley made his presence known by throwing a shoe at him. “A kid? Didn’t I say to clear the room?”

“We were just about to check that corner, sir,” one of the other armored men said nervously.

“No matter,” the big man set his eyes on Kinley. “I’ll be sure to teach this brat some manners.” The armor clad man walked forward, a large bomb in his hand. “Know what this is, kid?” Kinley shook his head. He didn’t care what happened to him. He just wanted to save the building and the woman and her baby. Alright, if he was going to be honest with himself, he just wanted to be a hero. “This here,” the man walked toward him, “is the finest bomb you’ll ever see,” he guffawed, “well, it’s going to be the last you’ll ever see.”

“Always talk with bad guys,” Kinley said, hoping it sounded much braver than he felt.

“You hear this?” the fat man laughed and looked at his fellow terrorists. “This kid thinks he’s a hero,” he laughed loudly, the other men joining in. Kinley bared his teeth and growled deep in his chest. “None of that, pipsqueak,” the big man said as he grabbed onto Kinley and successfully tapped the bomb to his chest. “Now, I think this room is clear,” he chuckled.

“What should we do with these people?” another terrorist said, pulling away a crate and revealing the woman, her baby and the annoyed man. The biggest man just rubbed his chin and smiled at Kinley.

“We’ll let the brat take care of them along with the building,” he guffawed again and started heading out the door.

“You’ll never get away with this!” Kinley hissed through his teeth. “They’ll stop you!”

“Who will stop us?” the fat man turned around right before he reached the open doorway.

“Team Sniper!” Kinley growled. The big man just walked closer to him and put his face inches from his. His breath smelled like cigars and it made Kinley gag slightly.

“Let’s get one thing straight, kid,” he pushed Kinley to the floor and stood up to his full height. “Team Sniper is a myth,” he crossed his arms over his chest. “They don’t exist.” Suddenly, the fat man’s eyes widened and he fell to the floor. There was a tall, lanky man standing behind him with bright red hair and glowing copper-colored eyes. The redhead was smirking.

“Who doesn’t exist?” his voice was velvety smooth, even smoother and more hypnotic than the man in the business suit. Kinley’s aqua eyes grew large. He watched the redhead’s fluid motions as he took out the other five men, easily cracking their armor. “You okay, kid?” he looked down at Kinley’s fallen form. “Let’s get that bomb off ya, yeah?”

“Okay,” Kinley nodded, not sure what to say. The redhead went to work on disarming the bomb, not bothering to take it off of the blonde teen. It was powerful enough to destroy the entire building, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway.

“Geez, they just had to make it difficult,” the redhead groaned, but then took out his switchblade. He smirked and winked at Kinley, “too bad they didn’t know they’d be dealing with Hope City’s finest.” In less time than it took Kinley to tie his shoes, the redhead had the bomb disarmed. He peeled the tape off and threw the, now completely safe, bomb to the ground.

“Are you…” Kinley began as the redhead started to walk away. He turned around, copper eyes flashing. “Are you from Team Sniper?” The lanky man smiled and held his hand out help Kinley up off the floor.

“The name’s Az,” he grinned and shook the blonde’s hand. “And promise you won’t tell?” Kinley’s aqua eyes were wide as he nodded. The redhead smiled widely. “I sure am from Sniper.”

“Watch out!” Kinley screamed and pushed the redhead to the ground in time to avoid a punch from the large armored man.

“You Sniper bastards are real?” the man, clutched his midsection from the exertion. “I’ve got to tell the boss,” he reached for a radio, but Az quickly kicked it out of his hand. The redhead caught the radio in the air and smashed it with his hand. “What the Hell are you?” he wheezed.

“Can’t have you doin’ that, man,” he grinned and then kicked the big man in the head, successfully knocking him out. “C’mon, kid, we’ve gotta get out of here.” Az turned toward the terrified man and woman. “Get out while you can, we’ve taken out most of the men here.” The annoyed man nodded and grabbed the large woman and help run her out of the room. “Let’s go, kid.”

“Can I really come with you?” Kinley asked as Az began walking out of the door.

“Sure, kid, besides,” he ruffled the blonde’s hair, “you saved my ass back there.” Kinley smiled from ear to ear and followed the redhead out of the office and down to the stairs. He figured they would go downstairs, but was confused when Az began climbing the flights. It wasn’t until they reached the roof, that Kinley understood. “You ain’t afraid of heights, are ya?” Kinley shook his head. “Good.”

They ran to the center of the roof to a sleek black helicopter. Kinley gaped at its apparent coolness before he followed the redhead into the cockpit.

“Wow, this is amazing,” Kinley said as he looked around at all the buttons and switches inside of the chopper.

“Well, only the finest for us Snipers,” Az chuckled and then turned toward the control panel, “now how the Hell do you turn this on?” Kinley blinked and turned toward the lanky man.

“You mean this isn’t yours?” Kinley’s blue eyes were wide.

“Not exactly,” Az smirked and then pressed a button. The propellers started to move and the redhead let out a sigh of relief. “I’m just going to borrow it from our friends?” he pointed to the door to the roof just as ten or fifteen of the armor-clad men came pouring out. “I think it’s about time we take our leave.” Kinley nodded and the redhead lifted the chopper off the roof.

Thirty minutes and a couple accidental nosedives later, Az had successfully landed the helicopter in an open field. He jumped out and motioned Kinley to follow him. The blonde was confused. He was sure no one was tailing them, but the redhead had stopped in the middle of nowhere. They walked up to an old shack that Kinley hadn’t noticed before. Az walked up to the door and gave it a few quick knocks.

“Az Headway with guest,” the redhead beamed into a small camera where the peephole should be. The shack was silent. Az rolled his eyes and leaned closer to the camera. “Damn it, Tam, let us in!” The door creaked loudly as it opened. Az walked through and turned to face Kinley. The blonde was almost vibrating with excitement.

“I can’t believe I’m going to see Team Sniper!” Kinley gushed as they walked into the shack. He was slightly disappointed when they entered. “Is this…” Kinley looked around the small room. It couldn’t have been more then ten by ten feet and there wasn’t much inside. There was a bed, which looked like it hadn’t been used in a century. A desk with a lamp and some dusty papers. And, on the floor, there was an old rug with a corner flipped up.

“Ugh, damn kids always leave the door cracked,” Az said in mock anger and flipped the rug the rest of the way up. It revealed a trap door of sorts. Kinley eyed it and saw that it had a very obvious knob which he assumed as to open it. So, it confused him that the redhead grabbed onto the opposite side. Az flipped opened a corner of the wood door to show a keypad. He quickly typed a five digit code and the floor’s door opened.

“Well, security must be an issue,” Kinley found himself saying. Az had already begun descending the stairs and stopped so just his head was poking out of the whole.

“You can’t stay a mythical organization if everyone knows where you hang out,” he joked and held his hand out to the blonde. “You coming or what?” Kinley nodded and followed the lanky redhead down the stairs. It was dark, but he kept his eyes on the dimly lit floor. He didn’t even notice when Az stopped until he bumped into the older teen.

“You’re late,” a deep voice came from in front of them. Kinley couldn’t see over the redhead’s shoulders.

“Lay off, B, I was a little busy with our Silent friends,” Az grinned and Kinley heard the other man’s intake of breath.

“The Silence was up to something today?” the man sounded shocked. “How the Hell did you know about it?” Kinley could almost feel the smirk on Az’s face.

“Let’s just say I was paying a visit to our neighborhood savings and loan when my transaction got…interrupted,” Az crossed his arms over his chest.

“Damn,” the man let out a sigh. “Well, I’m glad you took care of it, but would it have killed you to call?”

“I did call, in fact,” Az paused, “I even had some Sniper backup.” The other man was silent, obviously digesting what he had just heard. “Oh, also, I think I may have found us a new recruit.” Az moved to his right so quickly that the sudden light from the room made Kinley shield his eyes.

“You brought a kid here?” the deep voice boomed angrily. Kinley moved his hand from his eyes to see a man who was possibly six foot three or four and who had more muscles than the blonde had thought possible. He raised his eyes to the man’s face which was, surprisingly young and good-looking. The man had silver eyes that shined like Az’s copper ones and black hair that, although short, spiked out a bit in the back.

“Hey, he saved my ass at the bank,” Az ruffled Kinley’s hair.

“You know we don’t take recruits under thirteen,” the tall, muscled man looked at the redhead.

“Relax, B,” Az pulled Kinley into a one-armed hug. He looked down at the blonde. “You’re over thirteen, ain’t ya?”

“I’m fifteen!” Kinley said proudly and rather louder than necessary. Az beamed and the tall man tried to hide a smile.

“Alright,” the muscled man put his hands on his knees and his face at Kinley’s level. “Are you willing to fight for your city?” Kinley nodded. He couldn’t believe this was happening. He was to become a member of Team Sniper? “Do you hate that Silence scum?” Kinley pulled down his eyebrows and nodded fiercely. The big man held out a hand to him and Kinley took it, slightly shaking. “Balin Vim and you are…?”

“Kinley Valor!” the blonde shook the large man’s hand enthusiastically. “I am so honored to become a member of Team Sniper.”

“Hold on a sec, kid,” Az walked back over and gave him another one-armed hug. “It’s not that simple.” Kinley looked back and forth between Balin and Az. “You’re gonna have to go through some training and then…” he paused, “we’re gonna hafta initiate ya.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Balin said, sounding so much nicer when it wasn’t Az he was talking to, “Az and I are the trainers and it’s actually quiet easy if you’re up to it and as far as initiations go,” he paused, eying the redhead, “it’s definitely not hazing.” Kinley relaxed a little, immediately liking the tall, muscled man.

“Az, you’re back!” a sweet voice called from the other side of the room. A small girl ran forward. She had long, light brown hair that curled at the end and eyes that were so light blue that they almost looked like Balin’s silver ones. She immediately gave Az a huge hug, his nearly six-foot frame doubled over to hers which couldn’t have been more than five feet, maybe less. “Where were you?”

“Sorry babe, I was out doin’ some business,” he grinned at her and Balin cleared his throat.

“Az, I told you before not to touch my sister,” the large man glared at the redhead.

“Cool it, Big Bro,” the small girl smiled. “I can take care of myself.”

“Oh? Could you take care of yourself when I found you all those years ago? When I took you into my arms and,” but Balin stopped when he realized both the girl and Az were mouthing along with him. “Well?”

“Don’t worry,” the girl walked up and embraced Balin, well, as much as she could considering the man’s huge size, “you’re still number one.” Balin smiled, but then tried to look serious. “So,” the brunette turned and faced Kinley, “who’s the new guy?”

“This here is Kinley Valor,” Az pointed to the blonde. “He saved my ass on my last mission,” Kinley heard Balin snort at the word ‘mission,’ but Az continued, “so Balin and I decided he was Sniper material.”

“Oh,” the girl walked up to Kinley, her face centimeters from his, “nice to meet you, my name is Randa Vim,” she grinned and gave him a hug. “Are you sure you’ll old enough to be here?” Kinley, though still super excited, was beginning to get sick of everyone thinking he was younger than he was, especially considering this girl looked no more than twelve, herself.

“I’m fifteen,” Kinley said, unable to hide his blush.

“Darn it, I was hoping I’d finally be older than someone,” Randa sighed and put her hands on her hips. “I’m fourteen,” she paused, “and a half.”

“And off-limits,” Balin put his arm between the two, earning an annoyed sigh from his sister and a startled gasp from Kinley.

“Oh, come off it, B,” Az rolled his eyes. “You can’t keep her locked up forever.”

“You’re right,” Balin crossed his huge muscled arms, “but I can’t at least keep her away from playboys like you.” Az would have been offended, but he shrugged considering there was some truth to the statement. “Recruit Valor,” Balin turned toward Kinley who immediately saluted, the tall man smiled slightly, “training begins tomorrow at o’six hundred,” he paused again, “be ready.” With that, Balin walked off, dragging a very unhappy Randa behind him. She blew Az and Kinley kisses just before they rounded a corner.

“Wow, everyone here is so…” Kinley couldn’t find the word. ‘Cool’ just didn’t seem to cut it. He looked to Az for help, but the redhead just chuckled.

“There are a lot of people who have pledged their allegiance to Sniper,” Az said as he began steering Kinley around the room and down one of the hallways. “Most stay at their homes and assist us only when necessary,” he paused, “like some of my friends at the bank.” Kinley nodded, though he hadn’t seen Az’s mysterious helpers.

“And what about the ones who live here?” Kinley asked as they turned another corner that led down a hallway that appeared longer than a football field.

“We’re the more,” he tried to think of the right word, “let’s just say we care a bit more, that and,” he ruffled the blonde’s hair, “we had no where else to go.” Kinley nodded. He was an orphan himself. His parents had been killed in one of the Silence group’s bombings.

“So is it just you, Balin and Randa?” Kinley asked when they finally made it to the end of the hallway to a door marked ‘Control Room.’

“Pretty much,” Az answered as he put his hand against a reader to the right of the door. “We do have some people who stop by and new recruits always have to stay here for training.” The hand reader beeped and flashed green. The door opened slowly. “There is one more person who lives here,” he motioned for Kinley to walk in.

“You stole a helicopter!” a deep, though distinctly feminine voice screamed as Az walked into the control room. Kinley looked around at all the lights and buttons. This was how the entire Sniper building was controlled. He gawked at the machinery.

“Sorry, babe, you know I couldn’t have just jumped off the building,” Az grinned and pulled up a chair next to a girl who looked no more than sixteen. She had shoulder-length brown hair that was cut in layers and when she turned to looked at Kinley, her eyes were a bright blue. Kinley could have sworn he saw green when she first turned, but shook his head.

“Oh, who’s this?” her voice was so sweet now. It sounded like bells. She turned to Az, who, once again, ruffled the boy’s blonde hair.

“This is,” he began, but Kinley decided to speak up for himself.

“The name’s Kinley Valor,” the blonde smiled, starting to get used to meeting all of the new people. “What’s your name?”

“Oh, my name is Tam,” she smiled, her blue eyes bright and cheery. Kinley remembered Az talking to a Tam when they entered the shack. She must have been the one to let them in. He was about to thank her, when her eyes opened and revealed a bright, angry green.

“You lay one hand on my sister and I will personally make sure that you never reproduce,” her voice was the same deep, though feminine, one she had used on Az when they came in. Suddenly, the green spiraled out of her eyes to be replaced by the blue.

“Oh,” she blinked and then smiled. “So nice to meet you.” Kinley was confused to say the least. He looked over to Az who mouthed, ‘I’ll tell you all about it later.’

“Hey, Tam,” Az called and the girl turned toward him, “Kinley here is going to need a room for his training,” Tam smiled brightly and began typing into a computer whose screen had to be at least four feet tall.

“Okay, Kinley,” she smiled, “you’re going to be in room three o’four, is that okay?” Kinley just nodded. He had no idea how the rooms were set up, so he could have been assigned a master suite or a janitor’s closet for all he knew. “Excellent,” she pulled open a filing cabinet and handed him a key. “This should be the right one.” She turned to Az. “Anything else?” The redhead shook his head and got up from the chair. “See you later, Az,” she smiled and then turned to Kinley, “you, too Kinley.”

“Bye Tam,” Kinley smiled and just as he was about to turn away, the girl’s eyes went that bright green again.

“Remember, one wrong look and my foot will be so far up your ass, you’ll be flossing with my laces,” she growled. Kinley quickly followed Az out the door and shut it behind him.

“What was that all about?” Kinley turned wide aqua eyes on the redhead. Az sort of chuckled as he began leading the blonde down more hallways.

“Tam is an…” he put a finger to his chin, “interesting case.” Kinley was sure of that. “You see, she was supposed to be a twin, but her older brother died during childbirth. Kinley immediately felt horrible. “Oh, don’t feel too bad,” Az said, reading his mind, “that green-eyed angry personality she dons every-so-often is Tam himself.”

“What?” Kinley looked confused.

“Here, I’ll explain,” he stopped walked and turned toward the blonde. “Blue-eyed Tam is girl Tam,” he smiled, “she’s sweet and will do anything for anyone.” He started walking again, Kinley struggling to keep up with the redhead’s long legs. “Green-eyed Tam,” he paused, shuddering slightly, “that’s boy Tam, he’s…let’s just say he’s a little overprotective of his sister.” Kinley blinked and just nodded dumbly.

“Az,” Kinley pulled himself out of his stupor, “do you really think I’ll make a good Sniper?” Az smiled.

“Well, you’re a little scrawny and we’ll definitely have to do something about those clothes.” Az pointed to Kinley’s rather worn-looking outfit and his naked right foot.

“Oh, I forgot I threw my shoe at the fat guy,” Kinley scratched the back of his head.

“But I think with some of my training,” he smirked, “and maybe a little bit of Balin’s, you’ll be a great Sniper in no time.” Kinley grinned widely and nearly skipped as Az walked him to his room. “You haven’t gotten a roommate yet,” the redhead said as he unlocked the door with Kinley’s key. “What with Silence offering paying jobs to its recruits it’s hard to compete.” Kinley understood. The economy wasn’t exactly in its prime since the bombings.

“Well, I’ll make up for what we lack,” Kinley said and then, realizing it sounded cocky, he blushed. “What I mean to say is…I will fight twice as hard for Sniper.” Az smiled and patted Kinley on the head.

“Okay, tiger,” he grinned, “dinner will be ready in forty-five minutes,” he paused, “think you can find the mess hall from here?” Az pointed to a large map that was taped to the back of Kinley’s door. Kinley gave it a quick glance and nodded. “I’ve got some work to do, but I’ll see you then.” The blonde watched Az walk away until the redhead’s form disappeared around a corner. Kinley sighed and lay down on the bottom bunk of his new bed.

“I’m a member of Sniper,” he smiled and closed his eyes.