I Hate You Hargreeves (The Umbrella Academy)

25: The Job

"I must admit, in all the time that I've been here, I've never met anyone quite like you two. Hazel and Cha-Cha, for example, are talented, certainly, but they can't see the big picture. Your spunk, your enterprising spirit, well, it reminds me a great deal of myself if I may be so vainglorious." She pulled us to her sides as we kept walking.

I gave Five the once over suspiciously. She clearly had some sort of chemistry with him. They would've been around the same age. I cringed at the notion. I was shaken from my thoughts at Five's hand towing me along.

Looking between the two, I contemplated morphing back into an adult to better keep up with their lengthy strides. Really the only reason why I'm not is because it might take a while now and look pretty pathetic to top it off.

"...If things work out for you here, one of you could potentially make a fine successor." My face soured. I'm good, thank you.

"I'd like to discuss the logistics of my family's safety at your earliest convenience. As well as this body replacement." It was shocking how at ease he was here. I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised though. Five was employed here for some time.

What of this body replacement? I understand him wanting to go back to his old self, it's all I've been thinking about for myself, it just doesn't settle well when the coin is flipped. Part of my just kinda maybe wants to grow old along side him a little. There's a pretty big gap between thirteen and fifty-eight though, so it's only right that I support him. I'd of course age match if he asked me to. I think.

"Such chutzpah. It's refreshing, I'll admit. Slow down, Five. All in good time. In fact, now that you've both finally agreed to work with us again, we've got all the time in the world. The Commission works in support of a delicate balance between the time line of events and mankind's free will."

We slowed as we observed the rows of briefcases in one room slack-jawed. We spent all of that precious time obsessing over one and the Commission has dozens, if not hundreds. It's a cruel sight to see.

"The briefcase is no longer part of your kit, Number Five. Free your mind. Your in management now. One of us. Ms. Porter, you'll receive yours in good time." I glanced at Five and he lifted his chin with his own thought. This isn't a deal he made. This is a rescue plan.

"All the people on this floor are case managers, each one responsible for one major event at a time." There were rows of case managers as far as the eye could see, all in identical cubicles.

"So many of them," we breathed in awe. Probably spend their entire break trying to leave the room. It makes you wonder how these people were chosen over the Umbrella Academy. Then again, if the Commission were to just pluck the most talented people from our society, how would society improve? Or maybe these people really are that great.

"Impressive, isn't it? Being part of something so grand. Come along." We gawked at the roar of chatter and phones ringing off the hook. "Whenever someone chooses the wrong path and the time line is changed, the Commission gets a report from field agents on the ground. These field reports are sorted and assigned to a case manager. They determine if anyone needs to be... removed from the equation to assure that their event happens as it should. Based on that determination, the case manager sends instructions via pneumatic tube to temporal assassins like you, Ms. Porter." She abruptly turned around, taking me off guard. "Any questions so far?" The Handler clapped her hands together.

"Yeah. Who was the case manager handling me?" Five asked.

"You mean the apocalypse." She caressed his face again and I scrunched my nose. The look he gave me in return was a mix of apologetic and amusement at how jealous he must think I am getting. Really I am mostly just flustered as to why he hadn't said anything or done anything about it yet.