Halfway Heroes

by Dustin Martin

“So you’re official? Neat!” Cooper said. Lydia sat on the edge of the pool, dipping her bare feet in the water.

  “Yeah, I’m supposed to start karate classes today,” Lydia said. “You ever try to be an agent?”

  “Nah,” he said, paddling in a circle. “Can’t really sneak around, can I?” He smacked his wet fins on the floor outside the pool. “And what would I do to any rogue BEPs? Slap them?” He swatted the water. “Feel the power of my seal-like slap! Hyah!”

  Lydia laughed. “Let’s not forget the foot bomb!” Cooper added. “Wah-ho!” He slammed the water with his feet, creating a wave that splashed into Nina. She frowned at her brother and submerged herself. Cooper grinned apologetically and then turned to a clock on the wall. “Oh, you’d better get going.”

  Lydia looked at the clock. Ten minutes until class started. She dried off her feet and slipped on her shoes. “Good luck! We’re rooting for you!” Cooper said.

  “Thanks!”

  Unlike the self-defense classes that everyone attended, the karate class was in a smaller room, with only one instructor, in his forties, Lydia guessed. Only one other attendee was present. “Jando?” Lydia asked. Somehow, she was unfazed that he was there. He was already outfitted in a gi, complete with a white belt.

  “What’s up?” he said, winking. “Bet you’re wondering why I’m here.”

  “Trying to stalk me?” she asked, smirking.

  “No. Not yet at least,” he said. “No, thinking about it after all your talk of being an agent did end up convincing me to go for it, too. I didn’t expect to be in the same class as you. But I can’t say I’m opposed to it.”

  The instructor clapped his hands. “We should begin. You,” he said, pointing at Lydia. He handed her a gi and a belt. “Go change.” He pointed to the locker room.

  When she returned, Jando and the instructor were warming up. Lydia hopped in. After stretching, the instructor started them off with very basic techniques. Mostly stances and how one should breathe deep while striking. It was near the end of class before Jando and Lydia were able to perform any attacks. It felt like she was learning a rigid powerful dance rather than learning actual combat.

  She couldn’t help being disappointed with the first lesson when it ended. Hope there’s more to this next time, she thought, changing back into her clothes. Jando and she were overdue for dinner, so they hurried down to the cafeteria. Wren and Donny were already waiting for them at the usual table.

  “Hey, hey,” Jando said, sitting down after getting his food. “How’s it going? Oh, we got Flyboy, too!” Aidan appeared seemingly out of thin air and sat next to Lydia.

  “Well, if it isn’t the sycophant to women beautiful, ugly, young, or old the world ’round,” Aidan said.

  Jando wagged a finger. “Come now. There’s something to appreciate about every lady. And you may want to watch yourself.” He sat up taller, invoking an air of superiority. “You are talking to a BEP agent.”

  “In training,” Lydia added.

  Aidan looked at them. “Both of you?” he asked, pointing his fork.

  “Yeah,” Jando said. “Got the same class, too. We’re the only two in there.”

  “Oh, okay,” Aidan said. “I’ll bet you’re pleased.” He dipped his head, grabbing a clump of hair in a tight fist. He stabbed at his food, eating nothing.

  “So how is it?” Wren asked, practically squealing from excitement. “Is it fun? Did you learn how to kill someone yet? You get any cool gadgets? Oh! Do you get to have one of those watches that holds a secret weapon? Like a laser or a gun?” She gasped. “That would be so awesome!”

  “No, we just practiced karate stances,” Lydia said.

  Wren stuck out her tongue. “That’s all? Man, that’s boring! But I think I’ll be an agent too! I might go talk to Arthur!”

  “It would be nice to have more lovely ladies around,” Jando said, playing with Wren’s hand.

  “Sure,” she said, holding out an inviting palm. He accepted, taking her hand in his. “We can be partners. Inseparable,” she said in a low-voiced, over-the-top fashion. “Forever.”

  Jando tried to pull away, shivering, but his hand stuck to Wren’s. Lydia snickered when she saw the ice form between their palms. Jando and everyone else joined in Lydia’s laughter as he freed himself.

  “Good one, good one,” Jando said, chuckling. He almost high-fived Wren. Then he remembered and kept his hands to himself for the rest of the meal.