New Life : A Second Chance

That night, before going out to meet Nitocris as Ice, Kyle had to knock Xing Han out. He didn't want Xing Han to know that he was going out, for Xing Han would definitely ask a million questions or insist on following.

Kyle couldn't have either.

So he simply put Xing Han into deep sleep, to ensure that he wouldn't wake up or be aware that he wasn't inside the room. Kyle didn't like using drugs, so utilising the pressure points and hypnotism was the best way to go.

Though some may say that playing with the mind and nerves was just as bad. Kyle disagreed, for his method didn't have any side effects nor long term effects. It was simply him 'persuading' the brain to do certain things.

Once done, and he was sure that Xing Han was asleep, Kyle changed into 'Ice'. This time, he wore his mask. Since Big Bro Nic asked for his help, it meant he would need to be incognito anyway. It certainly saved him from having to do the tedious make-up.

'Ice' went out the door and Hawthorne was there. He looked at Kyle once, up and down, shrugged and walked to his room. Kyle grinned and went out.

Upon reaching Nitocris's HQ, Kyle reached into his pocket and took out a card. It was an ID card, issued by the Black Dragon. It had the Black Dragon logo as a holographic 3D image embedded on it, and a microchip at the back.

Unlike other identification cards, this one did not have a picture of his face on it. The microchip served as a means to get information of the bearer from it.

Naturally, Ice held one of the highest ID card and it allowed him access to the highest level in the building. In order to enter Nitocris's office, Kyle would have to go through three levels of security.

The first was, obviously, the front desk.

In order to be able to enter, one would have to give their ID card and have a thumbprint scan. If the thumbprint scan did not match with the data on the microchip, the person would be shot on sight. Not to kill, but to maim and then torture for information.

To get up to Nitocris's office, Kyle would have to use the special lift. This was the second level of security. Only those on the list (which was updated daily) would be able to access the lift. Two cards needed to be inserted into the lift slots for the doors to open: the ID card of the approved guest and the lift supervisor's card.

The final security clearance was at the secretary's desk just before Nitocris's room. He would need to go through the usual ID scan, and have a body scan before surrendering his weapons.

Even though they already knew that Ice was coming, he still had to go through the usual security measures. However, it was different when he reached the last security stop.

When he opened the door, he recognised John, the secretary. He gave one brief nod to John, who took one look at 'Ice's trademark ice-blue eyes and masked face'. Instead of asking for Kyle's ID, he returned the nod and then went back to his work.

Kyle frowned.

He didn't say a thing but went to walk past the desk as per normal. However, just as he was right in front of the desk, he suddenly stopped. He turned and in a flash, Kyle had reached over the desk, grabbed the guy by the throat, and brought it to his face.

"What's with this laid-back attitude?! You easily let anyone into Big Bro's office?!" Kyle hissed.

John chocked and tried to get free from Kyle's iron grip, but it was no use.

"No matter WHO walks that door, no matter who you think it is, always ... ALWAYS check the identity," Kyle growled, then flung him back to the chair in disgust.

"I'm even wearing a fucking mask, you idiot," Kyle said, giving him a backhanded slap on the cheek. It was so hard that John's head swung to the side, and his cheek was already red and bruising and some teeth were broken.

Just as Kyle was going to give him another backhanded slap on the other side of the cheek, Nitocris's voice was heard from the door, "That's enough, Ice."

Kyle glared at the now puffed-up bloodied face guy in front of him, sending shivers down his spine.

"You're lucky," Kyle hissed.

Then Kyle turned and whined at Nitocris, "Whyyyyy?? It was just one gentle tap!"

Nitocris just gave him a bored look, turned and walked back into his office, internally shaking his head.

The moment Kyle's ID was inserted at the entrance log, Nitocris had been notified. As he sat at his desk, working, he monitored Kyle via the security cameras until Kyle reached outside his office. He sighed when he saw how stupid John was being.

True, no one could actually mistake Ice for anyone else.

It wasn't because of those unique coloured eyes of his. After all, it was something that anyone could copy simply by wearing the same contact lenses Kyle was using (not that anyone knew). It was his aura that sealed the deal.

No one would be able to duplicate it. Even when he wasn't doing anything, 'Ice' was like a cobra that was ready to strike. Also, anyone who had been subjected to his 'death glare' would unconsciously just start shivering whenever Ice walked by.

There wasn't anyone, who had come into contact with Ice, who wouldn't be able to recognise him - even just from the back profile.

His reputation was well deserved.

However, Kyle was the type that took procedures very seriously. Even if you were sure of his identity, you do not skip the security process.

Nitocris just sighed, rubbed his temples and walked out to stop Kyle. If left alone, John would probably be maimed for life.

Nitocris couldn't quite understand how the goofy kid, with an extremely goofy best friend, could turn around and be that cold killer Ice. He, himself, couldn't be two completely separate personas. He merely softened a bit with his Mother, but that was it.

What you see is what you get.

All the time.

After stopping Kyle, he walked back to his desk, fully aware that Kyle followed him in. Just as he sat down and before Kyle closed the door, Nitocris said, "John, the Cold Room for 3 weeks."

John, the bloodied face guy, shivered once again.

Kyle grinned, then closed the door.

? Building Tx ?

Kyle was fully dressed in his black ninja outfit, perfectly blending into the night, staring at the building he had to infiltrate. He pursed his lips while scratching his head then sighed.

[How's the security?]

[Everything is as clockwork, brother] Kay replied, munching on an apple while looking intently at all the security feeds of the building on her laptop [They haven't changed a single thing]

[Thanks]

When Nitocris had told him about this, Kyle had initially thought Big Bro had gone mad. This was a simple data retrieval mission, so why was he immobilised? There were so many ways to get the information Nitocris wanted, such as either bribing the personnel involved or threaten them.

However, the moment Nitocris revealed that this had something to do with Richard's child trafficking 'business', Kyle shut his mouth. For something like this, Kyle definitely wanted to be personally involved. He didn't want anything to go wrong.

Nitocris wanted everything to be done without the use of any 'outside' help, thus reducing the risk of exposure or discovery.

He wanted Kyle to go in and out, with no one the wiser as to what had happened.

[These people seriously should learn to use comptures] Kyle complained while checking his equipment [You could just hack into their system and voila! Like, they are still using filing cabinets? Seriously?!]

Kay laughed, her voice twinkling in his mind [It may not be efficient in terms of productivity but it sure is effective against leaking of company secrets]

Kyle sighed.

[Floor 30, window #16] Kay reported.

[Got it] Kyle said, looking at the building and locating the window that Kay identified.

Kay had improved the fly bugs and they were used for this mission. The building was alarmed, from the doors to the windows but they had neglected to place them on the windows in the middle of the building.

Perhaps it was them thinking of 'cutting cost'. The lower 1/3 and upper 1/3 windows were alarmed and always locked (which set the alarm) so anyone trying to get in would trigger the alarm.

They envisioned people getting in from below and abseiling from above, but most likely didn't think anyone could reach the middle part without alerting anyone.

Fine by Kyle. It made his job easier. Still, Kay surveyed the entire building and actually found one window within the 'no alarm' zone, that was slightly open. Kyle prefered to use the safest method, so an open window in a 'no alarm' zone was the optimum choice.

As Kyle got into position to scale the walls, Kyle felt immense gratitude towards Nitocris for this.

In truth, Nitocris could have gotten one of his highly skilled subordinates to do this, but he had known how important this 'child trafficking' issue was with Kyle. He had noted it during Richard's mission.

Thus, Nitocris chose to hand the mission to him.

Nitocris was not the type to show his emotions or affection - unless it was to his mother. However, Kyle could feel and sense the care that Nitocris had been showering upon him.

They were small acts but he noticed them.