[ While Alan may not feel he has any luck left at all, he does have some. Polaris has a stubborn catalyst in this dimension. One that won't give up no matter the odds stacked against her. If Alan can't sense her? Then, Polaris will guide her catalyst to find another way. It may not come from a place of concern or care in a way a human understands it. Perhaps it's simply a matter that Polaris wishes to amplify and make herself stronger. Perhaps it's because the Dark Presence would drown the dimension that Polaris resonates so strongly in.
Maybe the reason is beyond the understanding of humans.
Regardless, Polaris will find a way to reach the Torchbearer. Maybe what their next step does will help.
Jesse glances between the two men as they share a brief exchange. Steve has always been kind to Alan, but, even Jesse can tell Steve must know more than he let's on. He hasn't batted an eye at how their hands are interlocked, how close they are. He didn't even question or ask when Jesse demanded they meet with the rest of the field agents.
« Does he remember the loops too? Did you tell him something? It's not like he's a parautalitarian. How would he be able to remember? »
She blinks at his answer. Anyone else might say she hardly had a reaction, but a slight surprise is in those green eyes. It's clear she's worried--afraid she has made an error in how she's approached it. Scared she isn't helping him, or even worse, can't help him anymore.
Jesse gently brushes her lips against the cheek not covered in mud, dirt, blood. She squeezes his hand. ]
Thank you. [ Even if she hoped their reunion would be closer to how their relationship started... he wrote it back in. Made it real. ] Make sure you stick close to Steve. Just in case.
[ Jesse folds the manuscript page into the pocket of her tactical vest and stands up. Her hand slowly slips from his before moving to the door. Steve opens it all the way and steps aside. Jesse leaves the room, but, Polaris shimmers as if to indicate the way she's gone. The Ranger Captain motions with his head for the Writer to stand and then walk beside him. ]
You walk next to me, don't move out to touch anyone if you can avoid it. Part of the paranoia comes from the fact they've got no idea what you can do but alter reality. [ Steve closes the door behind them and begins escorting Alan back to the front entrance. ] Give them a reason to show you're on our side and they'll be more willing to have you walk around. The Director's word isn't enough after what happened with the previous one. Trench burnt more bridges at the end of the day.
[ Steve holds his hand up to the other agents in the room when they finally arrive. Estevez eyes the pair, especially Alan, but turns her attention to the Director. She stands in the middle of a taped dashed circle surrounded by small array dishes. A field agents nods and motions for Jesse to begin.
She kneels down to the center and closes her eyes.
Steve leans to Alan and lowers his voice. ]
We use Control Points to center everything back at HQ. The Director has to remove any other interference for... classified things to center parts of HQ. We're hoping if Faden can cleanse this area that it'll give us a foothold here. Somewhere your spooky Shadow doesn't control.
[ Estevez looks over her shoulder at the two. ] Does Mr. Wake even have the clearance for this?
Eh, protocols are out the window right now, Estevez. Besides. Faden is what we would call unconventional. An outlier. Best hope for the Buearu so far. [ Steve smirks. ] And, need I remind you, Wake was involved in the AWE of '10. If anyone knows how to fight the Shadow? It'll be him. Better to use him as an asset rather than bait. Don't you think?
Do all rangers have such a smug way of operations?
Only the best ones, Estevez. [ Steve gives a wide grin and the woman rolls her eyes. He looks back at Alan and nods down to Jesse. ] I'm pretty sure you know about the resonance by now, Wake. That's what she's going to use.
no subject
Maybe the reason is beyond the understanding of humans.
Regardless, Polaris will find a way to reach the Torchbearer. Maybe what their next step does will help.
Jesse glances between the two men as they share a brief exchange. Steve has always been kind to Alan, but, even Jesse can tell Steve must know more than he let's on. He hasn't batted an eye at how their hands are interlocked, how close they are. He didn't even question or ask when Jesse demanded they meet with the rest of the field agents.
« Does he remember the loops too? Did you tell him something? It's not like he's a parautalitarian. How would he be able to remember? »
She blinks at his answer. Anyone else might say she hardly had a reaction, but a slight surprise is in those green eyes. It's clear she's worried--afraid she has made an error in how she's approached it. Scared she isn't helping him, or even worse, can't help him anymore.
Jesse gently brushes her lips against the cheek not covered in mud, dirt, blood. She squeezes his hand. ]
Thank you. [ Even if she hoped their reunion would be closer to how their relationship started... he wrote it back in. Made it real. ] Make sure you stick close to Steve. Just in case.
[ Jesse folds the manuscript page into the pocket of her tactical vest and stands up. Her hand slowly slips from his before moving to the door. Steve opens it all the way and steps aside. Jesse leaves the room, but, Polaris shimmers as if to indicate the way she's gone. The Ranger Captain motions with his head for the Writer to stand and then walk beside him. ]
You walk next to me, don't move out to touch anyone if you can avoid it. Part of the paranoia comes from the fact they've got no idea what you can do but alter reality. [ Steve closes the door behind them and begins escorting Alan back to the front entrance. ] Give them a reason to show you're on our side and they'll be more willing to have you walk around. The Director's word isn't enough after what happened with the previous one. Trench burnt more bridges at the end of the day.
[ Steve holds his hand up to the other agents in the room when they finally arrive. Estevez eyes the pair, especially Alan, but turns her attention to the Director. She stands in the middle of a taped dashed circle surrounded by small array dishes. A field agents nods and motions for Jesse to begin.
She kneels down to the center and closes her eyes.
Steve leans to Alan and lowers his voice. ]
We use Control Points to center everything back at HQ. The Director has to remove any other interference for... classified things to center parts of HQ. We're hoping if Faden can cleanse this area that it'll give us a foothold here. Somewhere your spooky Shadow doesn't control.
[ Estevez looks over her shoulder at the two. ] Does Mr. Wake even have the clearance for this?
Eh, protocols are out the window right now, Estevez. Besides. Faden is what we would call unconventional. An outlier. Best hope for the Buearu so far. [ Steve smirks. ] And, need I remind you, Wake was involved in the AWE of '10. If anyone knows how to fight the Shadow? It'll be him. Better to use him as an asset rather than bait. Don't you think?
Do all rangers have such a smug way of operations?
Only the best ones, Estevez. [ Steve gives a wide grin and the woman rolls her eyes. He looks back at Alan and nods down to Jesse. ] I'm pretty sure you know about the resonance by now, Wake. That's what she's going to use.