The Legacy of Blackthorn - Part 1: The Contract

[Exanderous]

"Sir, I need a moment of your time," said a man with a pressed, charcoal suit with matching tie and tinted sunglasses as he entered the "big man"'s office. The name "Jensen" was scribed on a decorative nameplate pinned to his right breast, and he resonated a scent that one could compare to that of a new car. He looked like the quintessence of a spy action flick.

Holograms of what presumably was the a globe of the entire planet floated about the room and highlighted major cities and various points of interest, and the office was augmented with the most fancy, tasteful decor. Jensen couldn't help but notice the velvet decor that laced the ceiling and the expensive, archaic looking artifacts that were perched throughout the room.

"This better be good, Jensen." From behind the tall and polished mahogany desk and expensive swivel chair, He spoke. His voice carried authority and brandished a demand for respect. Jensen's confident demeanor was abruptly vanquished as his voice started to shake.

"Administrator, I have the report you wanted. It has all the details of the facilities and individuals you requested."

"Thank you Jensen. Leave it on my desk."

"Yes sir," Jensen replied. In a straight, upright posture and disciplined fashion, the agent walked towards the Administrator's desk and placed a plain yellow folder labeled "top secret" down. Jensen held his breath as he paused and tilted his head at an angle to mimic the folder's position. In a rather OCD fashion, he arranged the folder slightly to center it on his boss's desk. He t turned to exit the office when he was suddenly stopped by The Administrator's deep, commanding voice, but this time his voice carried a sting of sarcasm.

"Oh, and Jensen." "Yes sir?" "Take those damn sun glasses off boy. You are in an underground cave son! That and you look like a terrible James Bond movie took a shit and you popped out."

"R-Roger that sir." Mouth slightly agape, Jensen's once straight posture slumped with defeat and he exited the office.

The one appropriately called the Administrator stood on his feet and left his chair to swivel and creak ever so slightly. His pitch black hair was long and rested heavily on his shoulders. It resembled the darkest night with gray streaks that seemingly resembled the luminous glow of the moon. His azure eye was set on the view out of his window, which constituted the entire wall of the floor his office resided on inside the building. His left eye was covered by a black, high tech eye patch with a crown of thorns that resembled the color of a ghostly white glow. His countenance was covered in scars that he had earned, and the natural creases in his brow led those who gazed upon him to feel like each mark had a very specific story.

The window revealed the installation his office currently resided in, which resembled a military research facility that was fortified with: iron gates, locks, sliding doors, metal detectors, security with manned and unmanned measures galore, and technology. But the cave-like formations all around in the peripheral vision provided a safe haven for the facility underground. When they said Black Thorn operated in the seam of darkness, they weren't kidding.

His gaze was interrupted along with his silence as he let his inner thoughts escape into the corporal plane.

"The selected individuals should be arriving shortly. Better hurry, can't keep them waiting." He picked up the folder on his desk and sifted his fingers through its contents. As plain as the folder was, it possessed many a dossier on key individuals specifically selected for an important task. Now, all he had to do was brief them. "After all, we pride ourselves on being professional, don't we?" The Administrator muttered as he navigated hallways and corridors. He was courteous to respond to all of the "Good morning sir," and "Good to see you, boss" type greetings from the staff that passed him to and fro with a small nod and hearty smile.

After arriving at two metallic, gigantic doors with the familiar crown of thorns embedded within the steel, the authoritative figure straightened his posture and rested his palms against his thighs. six bullet sized holes opened and tiny black prongs popped out revealing a laser security scanner. As green traces of light scattered around him while gathering his biometric date, a small camera that resembled an iris of a human eye opened in the middle of the Black Thorn logo.

The camera started to mimic the rapid movements of an eye as it analyzed the data it was receiving. The sound of a British female citizen spoke out and greeted the Administrator with prompt identification. "S.A.L.I. now online. Height, identified. Cybernetic augmentation, confirmed. Biometric status, confirmed. Now preparing retinal and blood identification scan."

The Administrator sighed as he placed his good, uncovered eye level to S.A.L.I.'s camera. A small, red light shot directly into the pupil and split into little tiny specs that outlined the iris of the interrogated leader's eye.

"I swear I feel like I would have an easier time breaking into Fort Knox then getting into my own briefing chamber..."

"Security measures are in place for a reason, you know," replied the A.I. It almost seemed to mimic the art of sarcasm humanity has mastered perfectly.

"Yeah, Yeah, SALI. Just hurry it up. Our guests will be arriving shortly. You did receive their biometric and security clearance data already, correct?"

"The company requested has been successfully been entered into our database. Iris confirmed. Please stand by for the blood identification security measure."

"Good. I don't want you to vaporize my agents before their mission is done." The laser turned off and the Administrator stood upright once more; this time his countenance started to wince. A black circle no bigger than a bottle cap was revealed by a rotating panel built into the wall.

"God I hate this one, SALI. Do I really have to do this again?"

"It will only hurt for a moment. Please place your right thumb on the panel."

With a small sigh, the Administrator complied with the rather pushy A.I. As he rested his thumb on the designated panel, a large needle shot out at an insurmountable amount of speed and punctured the skin. Blood slowly seeped into the panel as small, red pathways lit up and traced back into S.A.L.I's eye.

"Blood analysis complete. Identification procedure complete. Welcome back, Administrator."

The massive doors started to grind and roar as they submerged into the floor beneath him revealing the briefing chamber. A giant table took residence in the center of the humongous room with the familiar logo embedded in the middle as well. A quite large blue holographic screen appeared behind a chair that was distinct from the others surrounding the sphere; it was coated with black and red paint instead of the plated gold that the others possessed.

"You knew it was me the whole time you wench."

"Now now, that is no way to speak to a lady. And I enjoy making you jump through hoops every now and then, Sire."

"Well you have made that much very clear, SALI. I only wish I was Clairvoyant enough to catch you as you are barking at me to jump so I can decommission you with a clear conscience."

"You wouldn't do that Sire, you love me too much."

"That I do. When shall my guests arrive?"

"Lieutenant Jensen is letting them through now, sire. Briefing should commence within the hour."

The Administrator folded his hands behind the small of his back with a smirk.

"Excellent..."

[Dragon444]

Amaret looked to the man who had introduced himself as "Jensen". The man had a faintly blue aura about him, almost icy in color.
Jensen, after talking for a brief time (Amaret wasn't paying attention, he wanted to get on with the briefing) turned and walked down the hall, making turns that Amaret memorized as habit. Finally, they reached a door.
"You know the drill. Mercs especially have to follow security procedures," Jensen stated.
"Then you also know that retinal scans on a blind man don't do much," Amaret replied. "But I'm sure your A.I. knows this as well." He turned toward the door and said, "SALI, lead me through your hoops. I want this over with."
The 'eye' came out. "Hello, again, Amaret..." the A.I. said before the tests.

After the tests, the door openned and Amaret walked into a room with a lone man who's aura was a bright orange.
"Hello, again, Administrator..." he said, taking a seet at the foot of the table. "I still don't see how you manage to track me down so easily."

[alondor]

Warren Had been working in a lab at the facility when the call had come in. Picking up the phone he had agreed to meet the administrator, merely as a formality for an employee of Blackthorn did not say no to anything positive relating to The Administrator. Warren had waited for a few minutes, The Administrator always sent escorts for breifings with him [Administrator]. When the guy who introduced himself as Hank arrived Warren had been waiting for some time. It was rather fortunate that the breifing room was on the same floor as the labs.

"I can see it from here Hank, thanks" Warren said with a smile

Jensen walked off as Warren walked up to the door. "Good Morning SALI. How many people have already passed these hoops today?"

"Not many Warren, you will be the third to this meeting" said the machine

"Then lets get a move on" Warren replied

Warren walked in just as some man he did not know expressed shock at the speed that The Administrator was able to locate him

Warren decided to make his presence known by answering the question, "He does it the same way he does everything, a vast net of people that answer to him for various jobs. Good Morning sir," then turning towards the other man and putting out his hand having not felt a reason not to, "Hello, my name is Warren"

[Exanderous]

The Administrator let a small smirk creep into his features as the gentlemen entered the briefing chamber. His guests started to arrive. Seeing it as necessary for the situation, the enigmatic figure slid off a black trench coat and placed it on the back of his signature chair.

The Administrator, with an attire of a black pin striped sleeveless vest over a white, long-sleeved collared dress shirt and pressed black dress pants, looked like he just stepped out of a business train conductor catalog. He wouldn't have it any other way. Stories circulated around Black Thorn that even when he was involved in operations, he dressed up in an extremely professional manner every day, even if he was on a blood contract.

After pulling out a small gold watch linked to shimmering chain out of a breast pocket, The Administrator commended the two operatives for keeping an important element in any business in mind: punctuality.

"Mr. Stillman, Mr. Amaret, it is a pleasure to see you here, and early to boot. Please, have a seat. We will begin shortly when the others arrive."

With a friendly smile and welcoming gesture wafted to the seats, he continued with a notable smart alec tone, "And for the record Mr. Amaret, you could be scattered about the metaphorical four corners of the earth and I would still find you, good sir."

[Forgotten Dragon's Ire]

Connell Mac'Branain walked up to Jensen and asked "Normal room right?"

"Yes sir""I'll show myself to the room no need to trouble yourself." With that Connell set off down the hallway and went inside the screening room. "Hello there SALI nice day for a mission." Connell greeted, as he underwent the screening process.
"Hello there Connell welcome back I take it your last mission was successful."
"Well considering I'm still alive that's a given."
"Blood analysis complete. Identification procedure complete. You can go in now."
"Thanks SALI" he said as his form faded from view to be replaced by an identical image that opened the door and walked in the room.

"Good morning Sir." Connell said as he walked in the door to the Administrator and to Warren he said "Don't believe we have met, my name is Connell Mac'Branain, nice to meet you." as well as shaking his hand. Turning to the left Connell continued "Nice to see you again Amaret."

[Dragon444]

Amaret shook the hand of the man who had introduced himself as Warren. He watched as his own silver aura temporarily mixed with the royal purple of Warren. He then looked at the other who addressed him, seeing nothing, a puzzled look briefly passed his face before he noticed the deep brown he knew so well. He walked over to the aura and patted Connel on his back, breakin the illusion by surprising the caster, yet again.
He then took his seat and leaned back, dropping his boots on the table as if it were a foot rest.
"Well, might as well get comfortable while we wait. And Connel, you'll never fool me with that old trick," he stated casually. He pulled his coat a tad tighter and crossed his bare arms. Looking, for all intents and purposes, like he were about to sleep, even though he wasn't.

[Ciarda]

"You know, aah will neva undastand why you men seem to think you have to show off to each other all the taahme. Especially when there ain't no women 'round to 'preciate it. Course... Aahm here now so, feel free to continue... Aah do SO love a man that knows how to use his... talents..."

The drawling voice dripped with sweet, southern seduction, and the body that it came from was equally sweet on the eyes, despite the dirt that coated her boots and clothing in a fine dust. From the doorway, they could, at first, only see a shapely hour-glass figure silhouetted against the light.

A light chuckle emanated through the room as the curvaceous bombshell that was Adele Laveau made her way in, the four-inch heels that she wore clicking lightly with each step. Those who knew the Louisiana native could tell that she had been pulled from the field, not only by the sufficient glow in her dark skin, but also based solely on the tightly-wound head-wrap that covered her hair and was, in turn coated in a fine layer of dust and dirt. Adele was known for her impeccable appearance from head to toe and maintained it, even abroad. No doubt she had changed in-transit on the plane back- or, knowing Adele, it could very well have been in the halls just outside...

"Well hello there, Administrator," she chimed as she made her way through the conference room, flashing her superior a smile- though this one was genuinely nice, without as much of the seductive nature as the one she gave everyone else. "So naahce of you invaahte me to this little git-t'getha."

As she made her way through the conference room, you'd think this was commonplace for her- showing up from the field dressed in a ruffled skirt and fitted top. She seemed oblivious to the looks that she received though, from her coworkers and made her way to a seat, where she then proceeded to remove the head-wrap, revealing short, thin dread-locks- or were those microbraids? "Ah, that feels SO much betta..." she sighed and ran a hand through her hair, loosening it up and away from her scalp. It fell into her face, hiding that soft, doe-eyed stare for just a moment before she quickly brushed it away and turned back to the gentlemen in the room with a small grin.

"Now, boys, who's up for entertainin' a lady till the rest of our esteemed coworkers get here?" she asked, flashing a smile round the room, mentally taking notes about each of them, but also seeing if there were any present that she already knew. Many of the names she recognized from when she had had her brief stint in HR.

[Marik]

Tigres' truck screeched to a halt outside the HQ building. A moment's misgiving flitted across the large man's face as he contemplated the doors of Blackthorn. The last one, each time was meant to be the last. That was why he had never officially joined the shady organization, telling himself he'd walk away. But once more the unwavering hand of the shadowy operatives had brought him back. Again.

Jumping down from the truck, he checked his multitool in it's holster at his side and strode towards the entrance. His long, loping stride took him briskly through the reception, a quick flash of his identity badge establishing his credentials with the desk dweller at the front door. An agent, whose name Tigres neither knew nor truthfully cared for, was waiting as he had known there would be. This place was nothing if not predictable and the Cajun found a certain comfort in the stuffy formality of his surroundings. It reassured him to know his precious machines and engines helped the smooth running of the facade that they insisted on keeping above board. It had never fooled him though he knew the sinister feeling that pervaded the entire building had roots in reality.

Arriving at the meeting room, Tigres grinned at the security systems. He happened to know the man who had designed the sytem and knew there were certain failsafes built in, though he obviously didn't know their secrets for 'security reasons'. Entering, the big man nodded at the obvious leader in the room and took a seat.

[Dragon444]

Amaret flicked his "sight" around the room as it continued filling. A woman with a platinum and gold aura, quite breathtaking. And a man with a neon orange aura.
Amaret moved only slightly as he looked at the newcomers. His coat opened a small bit, to reveal his scars. His hair fell back, making hir blindfold glaringly obvious. Aside from that, he still looked to be asleep.

[Wardonis]

The simple wooden chair Greg had fallen asleep in fell back and he fell with it, crashing to the floor. He groaned before rolling over and climbing to his knees. He squinted against the bright sunlight that fell on him as it struggled to find its way through the venison blinds. Righting the chair and using it to pull himself to his feet he resumed the seat he’d occupied all night. Reaching out to the bottle on the table he took it in hand and lifted it to pour, the short glass the bottle was aimed for had stains and spots in it but he didn’t seem to notice. His hand paused as his eye caught a blinking light on the corner of his computer. Resuming the pour he haphazardly over filled the glass, alcohol rolling down the sides of it. Placing the bottle back on the table he took the glass up in hand and stood, making his way over to the desk his computer sat upon.

He pushed the power button and stared down into the glass he held. Within the swirling liquid memories greeted him; some happy, most painful. He could almost hear his children’s laughter as they played in the back yard. His boys, David and Tyler, playing catch; throwing a baseball back and forth as Gunnar their young golden retriever ran between them chasing it. His four year old daughter Megan in her princess dress tugging on his sleeve saying “Daddy Daddy, push me on the swing”. He remembered looking up into Lauren, his wife’s laughing eyes as she watched him pushed his daughter. He remembered the dog getting lucky with a jump and catching the ball, taking off with it and both boys going after him. He remembered happiness and laughing.

Then memories of the accident began to surface. The rain falling on him as people buzzed around him like a cloud of flies. He remembered the two years he spent submerged in a tank of liquid with a mask on as men in white coats holding clip boards pumped fluids into him and repaired his body. He remembered when they took them out of that tank, how it took him months just to learn how to walk normal again, how they told him that his family believed he was dead, remembered crying when they told him he would never be allowed to see his family again.

The visions faded and he could see the glass in his hand again, even if it was a bit blurry at the moment; held in the fake artificial hand they built and attached to him. No matter how real it looked or felt he knew the truth. Turmoil boiled up inside him and he turned hurling the still full glass in rage at the far wall. It hit and shattered, liquid and glass peppering the small room. He sank into the computer chair, his head in his hands.

“You have one new email.” the computer said through the speakers.

“That’s why it was blinking.” he said to himself. With a sigh he reached over and grabbed the mouse and used it to open his email. It was from Black Thorn, another mission. He grimaced as he read. The email held no details aside from calling him to a meeting. He looked at the date of the meeting; wondering how far off it was he checked it against the computers calendar and was shocked to find that it was to be held that very day.

“Alright you one eyed piece of shit, I’ll do it, but this is the last time. You hear me, the last time.” This last part he yelled at the computer screen before ripping the mouse from the computer and sending it through the screen. He hurriedly shaved and showered before dressing in a black 3-piece suit. As he was about to put the tie on he decided to leave it off, a deliberate affront to the Administrator’s “professionalism”.

Twenty minutes later he endured SALI’s torture-like inspection to only discover he wasn’t late. He’d hoped that he’d be a little late, he knew it would get under the bastards skin. Not recognizing anyone else in the room except the one eyed man, whose gaze he purposely avoided; Greg made his way to an empty chair towards the back and slunk into it, his thoughts quickly turning to the past.

[Abel Teller]

The hidden doors to Black Thorn’s underground facility opened wide for a large black Ford sedan as it rolled down the corridor, on either side sat similar sedans and multiple work stations for the army of mechanics and support personnel of the organization. The car pulled up and stopped in front of a fenced off section of the garage waited outside the gate as security systems scanned the vehicle and driver, once the scans were completed the gate slid open and the sedan pulled in and parked in between two large black SUV’s. The Revelator stepped out of the car and walked over to one of the work bench’s with gun parts and several diagrams spread out across it and after some digging found the coffee maker and started making a fresh pot of coffee.

He sat down at the bench and took off his hat and jacket and looked over a few of the diagrams as he began piecing the weapon spread out in front of him back together, listening to the coffee pot burble every now and again as he worked. Not five minutes had passed after he sat down and there was a knock at one of the doors in the wall behind him as Jensen walked through,

“Um, excuse me sir.”

“Jensen you’re just in time, hand me that trigger assembly on the table there next to you.”

“Sure, are you still working on that old 1911? I thought you would have had that thing finished by now.” He said as he picked up the delicate parts and brought them across the workshop to the table Revelator was working at.

“It’s vintage 1943, I’m more surprised that I can actually still find parts for it. Anyways, what can I do for you this morning?” he said as he took a sip of his coffee.

“Oh for me nothing,” Jensen said as he poured himself a cup of coffee, “But I’m pretty sure your running late for a briefing with the boss, about 15 minutes late to be precise.”

Revelator stopped what he was doing and stared at the gun he was working on for a second then back at Jensen with a look of ‘Did you really wait this long to tell me that?’. With a sigh he put his project down, put on his jacket and hat, smacked Jensen in the back of head made two cups of coffee and made his way through the complex to the briefing room.

"S.A.L.I. now online. Height, identified. Supernatural ability, confirmed. Biometric status, confirmed. Now preparing retinal and blood identification scan."
“Damnit S.A.L.I. is this really necessary, I’m running kind of late here.”
“Sorry Revelator but procedures are in place for a reason.”
“See, you even know it’s me already.” He said as S.A.L.I. took a sample of his blood and scanned his retina. “I think you just get enjoyment out of making us do your little dance.”
“Well if you were on time once I might be nicer.” The A.I. said as the large doors opened and allowed Revelator through. He walked over to the end of the table were The Administrator sat and sat one of the cups of coffee down in front of him.

“Nice of you to join us.” The Administrator said to him as Revelator took his seat next to the boss. “I am entirely too hung over to be sitting through this all day and I only just found out about it.” His deep baritone adding to the bass of The Administrator’s and filling the room.

[alondor]

A few minutes after the last person walked in the Administrator said in his very businesslike manner “Everyone, this is the team you will be working with for this mission, introduce yourselves so everyone knows you.”
When no one jumped straight up and began Warren decided he would go first.

Rising from his seat slowly he begins, “Hello everyone, I am Warren Stillman. I have worked in all field related areas except the Special Forces and Infantry. I have done this because each area just does not seem to fit my personality, I am trying to live by that old saying ‘love what you do, and you will never work a day in your life.’ My current area is Ordinance where I do enjoy the pretty colors I make during missions.” At this point a small chuckle is heard before Warren continues “Physical work is not my strong suit, anything that could be argued to be more brain work then brawn and I can help.”

After saying this he sits down and looks around waiting for someone else

[Dragon444]

Amaret took a quick glance around the room: bright orange at the head of the table; royal purple who had just introduced himself; deep brown who still seemed to be pondering how the blind can see what others can't; platinum and gold who's appearance and frame distracted; neon green who didn't exactly seem pleased to be here; blood red, the aura of which failed to cover his false arm; and the most recent addition, black as night who seemed almost overjoyed to be chosen for yet another mission.
Amaret stood, his coat falling open at the front, a lock of his hair falling in front of his face.
"The name's Amaret. I'm a merc," he said by way of introduction. "Some of you have seen that in spite of my physical handicap, I can still tell fake from actual."
At this point, he brushed the stray lock of hair out of his face and sat once more. This time remaining alert in appearance as well as mindset.

[Exanderous]

While his physical countenance remained calm and poetically stoic, a brief moment of doubt flashed inside the mind. His title represented more than his blood, flesh, and sacrifice that he made to make sure his agency combated the things that go bump in the night. It was his very purpose.

To carry this secret society was only nature to him. After seeing the unique talent appear before him to heed their summon, he noticed the spark missing from their being. Of course he was confident in his staff that have earned their titles, but most have yet to go through their trials, trespasses, and tribulations to earn that right. The Administrator had an eye for talent, and if anyone could consider themselves to fit said criteria, it was the individuals residing in this very room. Their physical and mental limitations were beyond comparison to the civilized world, but this is Blackthorn, and the Administrator understood that it was his job to make sure these new bloods would bump back.

"SALI," The Administrator barked, "Have you populated the list of our attendants for this meeting?"

"But of course, Administrator. The very notion that I wouldn't have is preposterous!"

"My, aren't we touchy this morning? I am just making sure, SALI dearest. I assume everyone is already in this room and checked in?"

"That assumption is correct, your leadership," the A.I cracked sarcastically.

"Go ahead and seal the doors and soundproof the room per protocol. We can't have any wandering sound waves, now can we?"

"I like how you talk to me about protocol when I am the one that scripted it."

"Sorry, dear. You know I have to be cautious."

"I know. It is hard to get old people to change their ways."

The Administrator cracked a small, but vibrant smirk. He pointed one finger on the table as if to balance his upper body callously as the doors let out a abrupt noise of grinding steel and escaped air. "You have to forgive us. We are practically married." "I never said yes, Administrator. Commencing Telepathic linking procedures now."

A small, square door opened from the roof, and a giant, white machine that resembled a high-tech projector or telescope descended into the room. The machine was spherical in nature, but the tip of it was covered in nuts, bolts, and seemed to be resting on one large piston. The metal that comprised the invention seemed to have a beautifully polished sheen with a soothing white glow. The device leveled itself out, and red infrared lights shout out violently over the chamber. As this fantastic light show commenced, the Administrator felt like he had some explaining to do.

"For those of you who are new to the process, allow me to explain what will happen. Right now, what SALI affectionately calls "the link" is being activated. The beams of light are scanning your body, and the machine is gathering data on the frequency and patterns of your brain waves."

Almost after the last sentenced escaped the Administrator's lips, A blue blob like substance shot all around the assembled talent and caked the walls. The gelatinous substance transmuted into a thin, layer of blue light that encompassed the entire room. As the new bloods sat in wonder, The Revelator leaned back on the hind legs of his chair and kicked his feet up on the table, inherently unimpressed. Everyone else present seemed to be in awe.

What happened next was almost unbelievable, if they had forgotten where they were.

The Administrator began to speak, but not a single trace of motion through his lips was committed. Everyone could hear him inside their thoughts.

"I know this seems a tad odd, but you get used to this, or at least you better. When we say sound proof the doors, we just remove the sound variable from the equation all together. I will give you a moment to adjust. Feel free to speak with each other while I prepare to brief you of your next, exciting mission."

The floor was open for "discussion."

[Fyre]

Todd walked up the weedy garden path towards the little picket fence, he was really hamming it up and by the look on the owner’s face he was doing a good job of it too.

Jess stood up from her chair, she had just settled down with a glass of iced tea and a currant bun, drawing a blanket over her shoulders to guard against the chill in the air. Autumn would soon be here she thought. That package she had received had warned of this fellow Todd. That he would be arrive soon, and by his hamming it up she knew he was here.

“Paper madam?” Todd said, with a slight grin, Jess smiled back and took the rolled up paper from him. Gave him a tip (more for his acting that his service) and he scooted off down the path and out of site.
Jess unfurled the paper and headed straight to the sports section, there was, quite clearly, a location for the meeting. She had her lie sorted out and it would be quite a simple one to implement. Being telepathic she was able to “adjust” peoples memories, so if they questioned her they would be brought back into line with just a thought. Her hand felt the pendant hanging around her neck, given to her by her husband, lying to him would be painful though…

She stood up, went into the house, picked up a jacket and her ID. “I’m just heading to get some milk!” she called through the house to her husband. She’d sort out the cover story after her mission. It had been a while since she had done intelligence work for the company. Her natural gift had given her a distinct advantage in that area. Not many people knew of it, not even her husband (another lie she loathed), this made her quite a busy person in her early career. As she fell in love and settled down she accepted fewer and fewer missions, but this one had tantalized her. The Administrator was someone not to mess around and perhaps this one last mission would be enough for him or her to leave her alone.

Jess drove to the location specified, grateful she wasn’t leaving children behind too. She hadn’t been able to have children in fact, another reason for her semi-retirement. to reduce her pressure and help with that. It hadn’t worked however and she had slowly become accustomed to it.

As she went through the innocuous front door and slid her ID through the elevator key swipe, memories of previous missions flooded back to her. Although she didn’t know this entrance, it still had that ‘smell’.

“Welcome back Jess” SALI’s voice echoed in the elevator. Jess didn’t reply, she looked at the camera and smiled.
~Here we go again!~ she thought.
“Indeed ma’am” replied SALI.
So the company had installed a telepathy detector in to SALI huh? She wondered where they had gotten that kind of tech from.

_______________________________________________
Jess looked around the room at the others gathered there. Things really had advanced since she was last here, not recognising anyone else apart from the Admin, she decided to keep quiet and just watch what was going on.

[Dragon444]

Amaret looked around with his "sight" after SALI did her thing. The entire room and its occupents now had a sickly lime green aura accompanying their own.
"Well, even for someone who views the world using something other than his eyes, this is an odd experience..." he thought, knowing the others would hear him. "When was this implemented, if I may ask?"

[Forgotten Dragon's Ire]

The initial shock of hearing voices in his head quickly wore off, for people in this line of work things rarely could be expected to be "normal". He made a living manipulating shadowstuff and light and his best friend Amaret could see better than everyone even though he was blind.

"Indeed it would be nice to know how you came across this technology, but of more importance how is everyone this fine evening. Myself I couldn't be better... well I guess that's technically a lie, I could indeed be better but the phrase is the most apt of what is available to me" after a short pause he continued
"Just listen to me ramble on about my own idiosyncrasies I'm sorry if you are forced to listen to my own internal dialogue. Speaking of dialogues that remind me of a phrase from the Dialogues of Plato Thinking is the talking of the soul with itself.
Ooh a neat tidbit... when we think all that really happens is the mind taking bits and pieces of sounds and piecing them together and interpreting them to our mind... same thing with mental images... Dang I did it again, well how is everyone before I wander off on a tangent again?"

[Wardonis]

Lost in his own waking nightmares Greg abruptly became aware something was expected of him. Everyone was looking at him expectantly. Remembering the introductions he'd only half listened to he realized that's all that was required of him. Standing he allowed his thoughts to flow out to the others through the shared link. "Hello everyone, my name is Greg. I'm not very experianced but i'm not a rookie by any means either." He began to sit down and paused half way through the motion. After a moment he resumed his feet and looked around at the others sitting at the table before focusing on the solid wood of the table itself. "I'd just like to add; CHILDREN, are NEVER an acceptable loss." His head then snapped up focused on the Administrator and on his face was a mask of undisguised hatred. The look and the expression lasted only a moment but anyone who was paying attention could hardly of missed either. Falling back into his chair his thoughts quickly evaporated into a mist of pain and darkness.

[Exanderous]

The Administer allowed the group to mingle. It was important that once he began the OPORD presentation, which contain the specific details and assignments on the next important operation, he would have their complete and undivided attention.

The seething glance laced with malice shot at the Administrator through Greg's eyes. It was more than evident that it was taking a calculated trajectory towards the Administrator's very being, but it bounced off him like pellet being thrown at a brick wall. It not only did not phase the enigmatic head of the table, but it went without an acknowledgement.

"Right. Now, if everyone is ready to begin, we will begin the operation shortly."

"Sir, new lifeforms have been identified and are currently going through our brilliantly established security protocols. Shall I direct them into the meeting?"

"How wonderful, more guests. I thought everyone was present and accounted for, SALI."

"I may or may not have invited a few more people at my discretion."

"Of course you did. Send them in."

"As you wish, Mr. Bossy pants."

The Administrator let out an exasperated sign as he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we will wait for the arrival of our new guests, and then continue the presentation. Please continue your telepathic communication with one another and get to know your abilities. The person next to you might just save your life."