AEGIS: The Report
Originally Published by Jason Cochrane on Aug 24, 2016 at 06:20 AM
The Director and her aide were once more in their elements. Director Thorne was seated comfortably behind her desk. Captain Danvers was standing comfortably at ease before the desk. It was becoming apparent to both parties that this was to be the default arrangement between the two.
The conversation had been on the verge of happening since the incident in the Embarkation Room. Candidate Pulsar had unexpectedly dematerialised while the technicians were calibrating the Description Engine for Candidates G’Em and Tindar. Director Thorne had little choice but to dispatch Jean and the remaining candidates to retrieve Pulsar. Prudently Special Agents Hooper and White had also been instructed to accompany the untested superhumans.
In little less than two hours the band returned reporting a subjective time lapse of the better part of a day. A report had been filed by the Agents while the novice heroes continued into the Embarkation Room without further incident. The report of the whole adventure was currently the elephant in the room.
“Just to confirm Ma’am,” Captain Trevor Danvers paused. “You believe them?”
“I do. Agents Hooper and White confirm their story. You and I have both read the report.” Director Talia Thorne seemed largely untroubled by the contents of the report.
“It seems… so incredible Ma’am. Saving a whole reality from an evil version of themselves.”
“If you have not already guessed Captain, when you are dealing with superhumans they do seven impossible things before breakfast.” Director Thorne kept her tone neutral. Apparently the Alice in Wonderland quote was lost on the good Captain. “Also, it wasn’t evil versions of the candidates. It was an alternate version of Jean. I’ve learned that things quickly become surreal when Jean is thrown into the mix.” Finally a hint of displeasure entered into the delivery.
“I’ve never heard anyone use Jean’s last name Ma’am”
“No one has. I’m certain Hooper and Avonmora know who she is and where she comes from but they won’t say. I’m content to let them keep their secrets” Talia paused before sourly adding, “…for now.”
“What does Jean do here at AEGIS Outreach Ma’am.”
Director Thorne’s retort was tinged with a hint of irritation. “Mostly annoy me.”
“I mean her job.”
“I think that is her job.” Director Thorne placed a distinct distasteful emphasis on the word “is”.
“I know she isn’t an Agent.” Trevor Danvers finally let his formal mask slip a fraction to muse aloud. “If she isn’t accredited with Outreach, I don’t understand why she’s here.”
The Director rested her chin on her clasped hands. With Captain Danvers finally talking like a normal human being Talia felt it wise to encourage the conversation. “I inherited her from Headmaster Summers over at Claremont. When I took Hooper and Avonmora from his employment everyone conveniently neglected to mention that it was a package deal.”
“Why don’t you dismiss her?” To Trevor it was a sincere question and valid option. He was a good soldier and if a good solider was dismissed then they left. Even if Jean wasn’t a solider, at least good manners should lead to a similar outcome. In Trevor’s recollection Jean had always been polite in his presence.
“I don’t believe you have ever tried to keep a dimensional hopper out of a facility. I’ve tried dampener technology, warding spells, even a ‘keep out’ sign. Nothing works.” Director Thorne delivered the line in deadpan despite the inclusion of mild humour. It was difficult to decipher what emotion, if any, lurked beneath the bland delivery of the words. “At least she isn’t destructive.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.” Trevor could feel the world starting to escape his comprehension once more. The conversation was beginning to further confirm his suspicions that normalcy was something that just didn’t happen at AEGIS Outreach.
“Jean,” Talia paused looking for the right word, “…helps.”
“Helps Ma’am?” With confusion emerging Trevor retreated to familiar customs. The formal mask resumed it’s customary place.
“Yes. Helps. She arrives unasked and helps when and where she sees fit. I’d have her detained but…”
Trevor thought he sensed a conversation thread that he could latch onto; one that would demonstrate he was paying attention. “But you can’t contain her.”
“Hmm… what? Oh yes. There is that but it’s her collateral damage index that impresses me. It’s on par with the Freedom League and Atom Family. Jean is one of the safest superhumans currently on record. Her performance in the field is simply exemplary. You don’t get that good without lots of training.”
“Who trained her? And why?”
“That is part of the mystery that irritates me Trevor. Jean appears to be benign but by her own admission she has what she calls ‘her boss’. I don’t know who or what her employer is nor do I know their agenda.”
“From what you have said, I don’t understand your motives in permitting Jean to join the candidates in the Description Engine Ma’am.”
“Partly to control Pulsar and partly because she would have eventually broke in or something to test it out. This way at least her presence is partly controlled. She should be distracted keeping the candidates safe and the candidates can monitor her and hopefully keep her out of mischief as well.”
Originally Published by Jason Cochrane on Aug 24, 2016 at 06:20 AM
The Director and her aide were once more in their elements. Director Thorne was seated comfortably behind her desk. Captain Danvers was standing comfortably at ease before the desk. It was becoming apparent to both parties that this was to be the default arrangement between the two.
The conversation had been on the verge of happening since the incident in the Embarkation Room. Candidate Pulsar had unexpectedly dematerialised while the technicians were calibrating the Description Engine for Candidates G’Em and Tindar. Director Thorne had little choice but to dispatch Jean and the remaining candidates to retrieve Pulsar. Prudently Special Agents Hooper and White had also been instructed to accompany the untested superhumans.
In little less than two hours the band returned reporting a subjective time lapse of the better part of a day. A report had been filed by the Agents while the novice heroes continued into the Embarkation Room without further incident. The report of the whole adventure was currently the elephant in the room.
“Just to confirm Ma’am,” Captain Trevor Danvers paused. “You believe them?”
“I do. Agents Hooper and White confirm their story. You and I have both read the report.” Director Talia Thorne seemed largely untroubled by the contents of the report.
“It seems… so incredible Ma’am. Saving a whole reality from an evil version of themselves.”
“If you have not already guessed Captain, when you are dealing with superhumans they do seven impossible things before breakfast.” Director Thorne kept her tone neutral. Apparently the Alice in Wonderland quote was lost on the good Captain. “Also, it wasn’t evil versions of the candidates. It was an alternate version of Jean. I’ve learned that things quickly become surreal when Jean is thrown into the mix.” Finally a hint of displeasure entered into the delivery.
“I’ve never heard anyone use Jean’s last name Ma’am”
“No one has. I’m certain Hooper and Avonmora know who she is and where she comes from but they won’t say. I’m content to let them keep their secrets” Talia paused before sourly adding, “…for now.”
“What does Jean do here at AEGIS Outreach Ma’am.”
Director Thorne’s retort was tinged with a hint of irritation. “Mostly annoy me.”
“I mean her job.”
“I think that is her job.” Director Thorne placed a distinct distasteful emphasis on the word “is”.
“I know she isn’t an Agent.” Trevor Danvers finally let his formal mask slip a fraction to muse aloud. “If she isn’t accredited with Outreach, I don’t understand why she’s here.”
The Director rested her chin on her clasped hands. With Captain Danvers finally talking like a normal human being Talia felt it wise to encourage the conversation. “I inherited her from Headmaster Summers over at Claremont. When I took Hooper and Avonmora from his employment everyone conveniently neglected to mention that it was a package deal.”
“Why don’t you dismiss her?” To Trevor it was a sincere question and valid option. He was a good soldier and if a good solider was dismissed then they left. Even if Jean wasn’t a solider, at least good manners should lead to a similar outcome. In Trevor’s recollection Jean had always been polite in his presence.
“I don’t believe you have ever tried to keep a dimensional hopper out of a facility. I’ve tried dampener technology, warding spells, even a ‘keep out’ sign. Nothing works.” Director Thorne delivered the line in deadpan despite the inclusion of mild humour. It was difficult to decipher what emotion, if any, lurked beneath the bland delivery of the words. “At least she isn’t destructive.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.” Trevor could feel the world starting to escape his comprehension once more. The conversation was beginning to further confirm his suspicions that normalcy was something that just didn’t happen at AEGIS Outreach.
“Jean,” Talia paused looking for the right word, “…helps.”
“Helps Ma’am?” With confusion emerging Trevor retreated to familiar customs. The formal mask resumed it’s customary place.
“Yes. Helps. She arrives unasked and helps when and where she sees fit. I’d have her detained but…”
Trevor thought he sensed a conversation thread that he could latch onto; one that would demonstrate he was paying attention. “But you can’t contain her.”
“Hmm… what? Oh yes. There is that but it’s her collateral damage index that impresses me. It’s on par with the Freedom League and Atom Family. Jean is one of the safest superhumans currently on record. Her performance in the field is simply exemplary. You don’t get that good without lots of training.”
“Who trained her? And why?”
“That is part of the mystery that irritates me Trevor. Jean appears to be benign but by her own admission she has what she calls ‘her boss’. I don’t know who or what her employer is nor do I know their agenda.”
“From what you have said, I don’t understand your motives in permitting Jean to join the candidates in the Description Engine Ma’am.”
“Partly to control Pulsar and partly because she would have eventually broke in or something to test it out. This way at least her presence is partly controlled. She should be distracted keeping the candidates safe and the candidates can monitor her and hopefully keep her out of mischief as well.”
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