UN Special Forces Poland Research Base

[dakota]

Looking over the reports, Khris decided there was one more factor he needed to figure in. He continued on until he found the others, and said," Ladies, I need to talk to you for a moment." He beckoned them aside and once alone, he asked," I know Rock's failure on his own has shaken you two up a bit, but we need to focus. I need your input on who you think best fills his spot. We don't have time to wait for Rock to return to duty and I need a replacement by morning. Are there any of the other you can't work with? and I need logical answers if I'm to scrub someone from my list."

[albatross]

Peacemaker nudges Dancer who speaks up, "Kris, remember our team started using completed portable testers first? The Egyptian and Gates teams haven't been learning as long. And Rock is unique. When you think of it that way you can see the rerlationship: the lower the aptitude, the faster people learn. Rock, Foxglove and Veil are all low aptitude, but Rock is top ranked and Foxglove and Veil have caught up to me and Peacemaker even though they started training later."

"But Rock didn't succeed," Peacemaker countered. "Foxglove and Veil will learn faster, but do they have enough aptitude to generate a truly strong shield?" She leaves unsaid that the same applies to herself and Dancer.

Dancer nods, "Dragon, Zee and Merrow are better choices than Veil or Foxglove."

"Foxglove is dangerous, and Veil is helpless," Peacemaker mused. "Dragon is immature, not driven like Rock was. Zee is also... odd. Merrow is a good pilot and she has a good aptitude without it being so high that it would take too long to develop it."

The girls looked at Kris.

[dakota]

"Sounds like Merrow is the best choice in both your opinions." Khris smiled. " Now for the tough question though. Can the two of you function with her? I know Rock is the ideal choice, but he's out of the picture. I was leaning towards Veil or Merrow for that, but I'm scared you'd have to make all of Veil's decisions for her. " He glanced around so there were no overhearing ears. " I need to know so the director can make an announcement at the press conference tomorrow."

[albatross]

Peacemaker looks at Khris, "Perhaps we should meet with Merrow to make sure? The other teams don't interact with us much. Rock knew a few people..." She stops.

"I've met her," Dancer says, "but we should still meet with her. The best way to find out if we can work together is to try it." She looks to Khris for confirmation.

[dakota]

Khris nodded, " I can give you two or three hours to find and introduce one another. I can have her called, but I think it would be better if you do this on your own. I don't want any cohesion to be forced and I need to knowyou can work together. If there's any doubts at all, talk to Veil and Foxglove, but I need an answer early enough to brief the new director tonight." He glanced at his watch. " I'll be in Tiger's office going over the reports again once I get some coffee. she never uses it anyways." He smirked and waited for the pair to depart before heading to the messhall.

[albatross]

Peacemaker and Dancer nod and depart to talk with Merrow. Unlike many of the other pilots, there is only so many places Merrow can be. At her tank with the rest of the Gates personel, in the base pool, or walking around in her specialized power armor.

Given that Merrow would have needed to be inside her power armor for the entire trip from Vietnam to Poland, she was almost certain to be at her tank or the pool. Indeed, Peacemaker and Dancer found her at the base pool.

An hour later the two girls find Khris in Tiger's office and tell him. "Merrow will work well with us."

"Well, better than Foxglove or Veil anyways," Peacemaker says.

[dakota]

Khris looked up from the printed report he was studying as Dancer and Peacemaker came in, rubbing his temples against the pain all the technical writings were causing her. He nodded," Fine. If you're sure she's the one, I can't find anything in these bloody reports that would make me reconsider." Setting his papers down, he stood up and stretched. " I'll go find Tiger and let her know. You two, along with Merrow, will be expected to be at the press conference tomorrow, so don't make it too late a night, okay? If the docs will let me, I'm going to see what intel Rock can give me. Telemetry is one thing, but I want his firsthand opinions, they might be helpful."

[albatross]

Peacemaker says, "We'll be rested and ready." She turns to take Dancer's arm, since Peacemaker doesn't normally need rest but Dancer does.

Dancer hesitates, "Please don't ask him yet." She says, her voice filled with concern. "We won't face the Demons until the robots arrive by ship and until we surpass Rock's skill. There will be... um... he was so scared, I don't think we should ask about that yet."

"Lets go," Peacemaker says to Dancer, "I'm sure the doctors will know what is best." Peacemaker glances over her shoulder to look at Khris thoughtfully as she tugs Dancer oit of the office.

[dakota]

"Don't worry, I'll check with the doctors first. I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight" He watched them go before heading off himself, expecting to find Tiger in the control room.

[albatross]

The Control Room is bustling with activity, Khris can tell that Tiger has just left it.

A UN soldier turns and says to Khris, "The Captain left a message for you. Said to tell you she would be in the Research Center on level A."

Indeed Tiger is standing in a large room lined with monitors. In the center is a holographic display and she is using a kinetic glove to pull up various data and shift it this way and that. The data is from Rock's encounter with the demon, and she pours over it.

[dakota]

"Enjoy it while you can," Khris said as he leaned against the door casing, watching her work," tomorrow you have to get used to telling people to do it for you." He smirked as he entered. " I talked with the girls and we're all in agreement. Rock's replacement on the team should be Merrow. I had them talk to her and they can co-exist."

[albatross]

"Merrow," Tiger nods. She looks at the floor a moment. Merrow, not Rock. Her mind explores the possibilities, revises plans, tinged with grief.

"Yes, tomorrow I'll get some new tasks and responsibilities." She looks over at Khris, "It also means I'll need more information. New base, new Polish Army guards, and we'll need to work with the Gates Foundation.... or at least keep them informed."

She takes off the glove and sets it down and turns to Khris. "I suppose we should take a little nap before morning."

[dakota]

"Ä nap huh?" Khris raissed a brow, "You need more than just a nap." Khris offered a hand to Tiger as he started to turn for the door," So, does the boss' bitch get any perks?"

[albatross]

"So I've promoted from kitty to bitch?" She slips her hand into Khris' and leleans against him. "To be honest I have no idea. I haven't seen my new quarters here. Let's find out together shall we?"

The suite of rooms for the Director looks like the suite of some high ranking military officer hastily converted to civilian use, which of course it is. Fresh paint, furniture looking a bit out of place for a secret underground base. But they sprung for leather couches and chairs, installed a tiny jacuzzi tub, and put in a queen sized bed.

The art on the wall is scenes from U.N. history, as sparse as UN victories are, most aren't immediately recognizable.

[dakota]

"No." Khris said with a grin," You're still Tigger, I'm Tigger's bitch." As they entered the suite, he scooped her up in his arms , only to toss her on the bed playfully.