Pandora's Box

Chapter 4

Autumn, 2013
Willis Tower, Main Office of the CIASF
Chicago

Upon entrance to the office, Pandora first took in the three huge screens that hung on the left side of the office, displaying various profiles of different people. The view of Chicago city caught her eye next, until Howard motioned for her to take a seat. The off-white office chair creaked as she lowered herself into it, conscious of her supposed team leader seated in the one next to her. What was it about Ryland Jarett that made her hyper-aware of him? He wasn't exactly the best looking guy she's seen, but just the way he speaks and looks at her made her hair stand on end. She decided to leave the matter to rest when Howard started to speak, deciding to give Ryland a couple of days, since they had technically only met for about an hour.

"I do hope Agent Jarett here has been treating you right, Dora." Howard started off the conversation.

Pandora stifled a smile, looking at the new scowl Rhys wore again. "The whole office has, Howard, so its' all good."

"As you can see, we don't have a lot of people. First things first, the CIASF stays completely off grid, and for good reason." Howard leaned back and picked up a controller, using it to flick the screen of the middle television, which now showed various pictures of places around the world. "We deal with sensitive cases, Dora. Cases that deal with high ranking governmental officials, ranging from New York to Rio De Janeiro. We go anywhere."

"Our cases are kept under tight security and are never aired to anyone. Secrecy is the first rule here, for if any of our cases leak, we risk the reputation and integrity of the United States. One wrong move, and we'll put our country in economical turmoil, you get me?"

"Yes, sir." Pandora replied, serious now that the situation has changed.

"Sir Benedict picked you out for your impressive skills at the academy, but that doesn't mean you're a full fledged member yet. For the next three months, you will undergo training with Agent Jarett here. Only upon his recommendation, will you be a full fledged member of the CIASF. Until then, apart from your parents, you cannot tell anyone about your job. This is a very thankless job, Dora. Are you ready for years and years of feeling unappreciated and unacknowledged for what you do for your country?"

"Sir, I've had to deal with attention my whole life. I'm very happy to be out of the limelight." Pandora responded with a chuckle.

Hearing her lighthearted response, Howard's face finally melted into an amused smile. The male in his mid-forties regarded the young blonde for a second longer, before nodding. "Then you will do fine. I can see why Sir Benedict had his eye on you. Jarett?" Rhys jumped to attention. "Bring Dora to the training room, and introduce her to our equipment. I hope you have a pleasant time here, Miss Talbott. I look forward to working with you."

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Autumn, 2013
Willis Tower, CIASF Training Level
Chicago

The whole time they were taking the elevator to descend a level, Rhys couldn't wipe the smirk off his face. Pandora Eve Talbott could not be any taller then five feet. She wouldn't last a day in the training grounds! He went through years of training under Benedict, before he was considered one of the top agents within the CIASF. Pampered little girl like the blonde he had following him out of the elevator? Not a chance, he scoffed in his head.

Turning to his left, he flicked a switched to flood the whole floor with light, and the familiar sight of the training gym filled his vision, and he was quite sure Pandora's as well. 

Mirrors lined the right side of the gym, taking the place of windows. The whole place could've passed for an underground gym had Pandora not know that the lift merely went one floor below the main office they had just been in. The space just in front of the mirrors were left empty, with a punching bag hanging on the far-end of the stretch, and a rack of gloves and other various things needed for combat training. After the empty stretch which measured at around 11 feet in length, the array of equipment were arranged in an orderly fashion. Everything from a simple treadmill to a bunch of yoga mats and balls were scattered. The air conditioning whirred into life when Rhys flicked a second switch, and then turned to Pandora with a smile that had her raising a brow warily.