Scenarios

Tidbit #21

"I'm in." I reattach the cover to the vent. Serena's voice comes in response. 

"Perfect. You know what to do next. You've got the map memorized?" It was hard as hell, but just last night I finally completely memorized multiple maps of the Pentagon. 

"Yes," I affirm. 

"Good job. Get ears in that meeting, write everything down. We're counting on you, Carly." The line clicks off. She's still listening, but she's muted herself. No distractions. I get moving. Vents are small, so I transform into a little viper for easier traversal. I bring up the ventilation map in my head and it's floor plan equivalent. A flick of my tongue reveals countless scents. With my senses fully extended, I'm on the move. 

I make a barely discernible sound as my scales scrape against the metal of the vent. Almost there. Finally I come across a light in the floor. I transform back into a human, and the superior eyesight reveals an opening that gives me a perfect view of the meeting room below. There's only one person in there now, but more soon start filing in. I silently pull out a tablet and open a notepad app. Now prepared, I wait for everyone to arrive and the meeting to start. 

As people come in, I recognize different faces. The president himself is here. The vice president as well. A few different heads of the government that I can't be bothered to remember the names of. I don't know how Baxter did it, but he got info that the U.S. government would be meeting today to discuss a certain problem that holds great interest to us. Joey's on a mission in another dimension right now, so it was up to Serena to act on this info before the opportunity passed. 

Breaking into the Pentagon is not a simple task, but teleportation and shapeshifting just makes everything easier. My thoughts cease as the president calls for the start of the meeting. "Alright. For the record, we're here to discuss the problem of-" He stops to read what's on a paper. "Endromidus." Well, at least he got the pronunciation right. "I know a few of you already have solutions to propose," He shifts in his seat. "so, let's hear it." 

Every word said, I type it into the tablet. Serena wants to read it all over when I'm back. Another voice speaks up. I think it's the Secretary of Homeland Security. 

"I suggest we simply send in some forces and gain the control we've never had. We have the forces available. Endromidus has always been a security risk, but it's never been this big of a risk until recently. Not only do they hold weapons and vehicles of war that wouldn't be allowed in any other settlement, but they experiment privately with technology that could be very dangerous if left in the wrong hands. 

"That's not even to mention the risk that they pose to the continued subtlety of the Secret World. Nonhumans move around completely unobscured, magic is practiced publicly, undead roam freely. And common humans are allowed to see it all. And it's not like the town is closed off from the public. They welcome newcomers and actually reveal everything about the Secret World to them.

"If it were any other settlement, we would not tolerate the independence they have. They have their own government, their own laws. We've allowed this to go on long enough." The Secretary seems to have finished. Another man raises his hand politely. 

"May I add something?" He asks. The secretary sits, and the new guy stands. I don't know this one's name or title. He's an older man, and completely bald. "I understand your concern, Mr. Secretary, but I must ask: is an assault really the answer? Their leader, Protector Joey, he's proven that he's willing to die to protect this town and the people in it from anyone or anything that would seek to harm it. Many of his people share this same zeal. There would be casualties. Hundreds would die before Endromidus surrendered, if they didn't fight to the last. And not just them, but our own soldiers.