So it is done

Jonathan and Cinder

As he leaned against the wall and looked out the large panoramic window, Jonathan could see the surface of the water slowly passing beneath him. He was transfixed, it was as if Jonathan was trying to find answers to his questions in the reflections.

Huh, if he had been trained in another Tradition – who knows, maybe that's what he would be doing right now?

However, the water of the vast ocean dividing the continents of this world did not respond to his thoughts, only continuing to roll over silently, causing him to sigh. Then with a shake of his head, he returned his mind back to his own reality before turning away and picking up his trusty cane. Leisurely, he took the few more steps to his desk, staring at the unfinished sheets of paper full of typed letters.

Not that Jonathan really counted on being able to solve a couple more government problems on his way to the summit to solve other government problems. Still, work had a way of piling up in the few days that no one was doing it. Plus, thanks to teleportation, he need not worry about moving documents that were state secrets – or that documents left unattended would find their way into the hands of people with whom Jonathan did not wish to share confidential information.

After making himself a little more comfortable at his desk, Jonathan reached out toward his pen and the pencil next to it, preparing his workspace. With a start, he returned to the list of documents he had taken from his desk along with a small folder, the 'sensitive' material in question.

Jonathan's avialinkor had already travelled some distance from the city to its destination, but the flight to Atlas was not instantaneous, they were due to arrive at best by six p.m. tonight, maybe eight. In other words, Jonathan could devote at least a few hours to solving problems.

The first thing that caught his eye was a report on the status of the RATS. With the passing of Aisa, her position had been inherited by Jonathan himself, temporarily being appointed as 'acting director'. Thankfully, for his full workload, not for long. Just below the brief report that Jonathan had seen before, in far more prominent detail, was an explanation of the contents of the folder.

The brief about the new director, well the prospective one, then...

Jonathan would have been happy to hand over the reins directly to Cinder, but at the moment, she was still eighteen and only halfway through her first year at Hunter Academy. Yes, she may have already found a place in the RATS hierarchy, albeit as a 'trainee', but the leap from the position of trainee to the director's chair was too quick, unexpected, and too unreasonable even with Jonathan's pull...

Not as abrupt as the jump from criminal and courier to king, really.

Jonathan grinned slightly at the joke.

She's definitely her Father's daughter, it seems.

Setting the report aside, Jonathan reached into the accompanying folder and then without much trouble pulled out several files. Files on recommended candidates for the position of director of RATS – very sensitive information.

The first one is a short and slightly overweight balding middle-aged man with a weary look with his mouth sporting drooping corners. He's the current deputy director of logistics. A scrupulous, meticulous, good manager. And because of that same nature, he did not make a lot of friends.

By doing his job well, he has earned a good reference from his former bosses, but not from his subordinates. In addition, there was still an unpleasant story that happened about five years ago, accusation of embezzlement. Still, an internal investigation had found no evidence of his crimes, otherwise he would not have held his post in the RATS for long after. But, his reputation after the incident, especially given his character, has never fully recovered. It would be quite the miracle if there wouldn't be an internal revolt, or some factional war, within RATS if he's appointed as Director.