| "New People, New Mission, New Device" | ||
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She had tried not to notice what she had seen, tried so hard that she had been forced to glance up at the stranger briefly. And then she tried not
to notice
his surprise too. She smiled to herself, almost chuckling as she gazed at her notebook. Sometimes she tried so hard to be tactful that
she failed abysmally. Paige had moved past the stranger and as Bella casually looked up at her they exchanged slight smiles. Bella nervously played with her pencil and once again staring at her sketches, suddenly she knew how to fix her design and quickly fixed the drawing, relieved for the element of distraction. She heard the conversation between Paige and the head honchos; she was being much more pleasant than Bella would have been. But then she was in a dark mood anyway. Paige sat down as Bella looked up, she noticed that Gray didn't look happy, Oh well. `How's the arm?' a whisper heard across the room. Bella glanced over at Paige and noticed the cast. Strange that she didn't notice it before. That must have been painful. Oh well, bones heal, of that she had personal experience. Gray began the briefing. The where's, the when's, the who's the why's. She'd heard it all before, a bad guy, needs putting down. A search and kill mission, at least it would be quick and painless. No questions. Paige's turn. So Bella was guarding the rear, irritating but expected, she was the new member to the team, why should she be anywhere near point? She shrugged to herself. Whatever. No questions. Simon's turn. Typical stuff, not enough info�ooo, new device. Thermal detector, no she hadn't seen one before but with the short demonstration she figured she could cope, it wasn't quantum physics. 45 minutes? Why on earth would anyone need that much time to get ready? She caught Paige's eyes as the woman approached her. She got the distinct feeling that she was avoiding something, but who was she to judge, whatever. She'd talk to Paige and then let the woman get back to whatever it was in her past that was confronting her now. It wasn't any of her business anyway. Her business now was the egress point. "Bella," Paige said offering her hand. Bella took it as she stood up. "It's been awhile," she said with a small smile. "Yeah," Paige smiled back, "Gray never said anything but it's good to have you on board. When did you get into the city?" "About two weeks ago, upper east, working as a fashion designer." Paige nodded her head, "that's perfect." "And you?" "Unemployed at the moment. I'm mostly concentrating on making Gray's life exciting and action packed." Bella shook her head, "that doesn't surprise me." Well that was Paige, first thing she really remembers Paige doing was giving section a headache with the running away from the boat. "Yeah, well, you know. This is Jordan, I don't know if you guys worked together or not." "Good to meet you," Jordan said shaking Bella's hand. "Good to meet you, too," Bella replied. They hadn't worked together in her memory but hey that wasn't always the best. "Jaime," Paige beckoned for him and he approached and he did slowly. They were introduced, another new face, that's how transfers go. This new face seemed reserved with the words and body language too she noticed, but she had noticed his eyes when Paige had entered. Bella grabbed up her sketchbook as Paige hustled them along offering to show them the ready rooms. Bella supposed it was time to go. There was tension, there was history, and there was a mission. The ready rooms were indeed spacious; a locker was assigned to her and she changed into her mission clothes. Weapons were handed out, and she attached them to herself in the appropriate places, checking and clearing each one before she did. There was little talk on her behalf; she preferred the option of listening to the others; that was how you learned things. She was ready, and waited for the others before she moved out with them to the take off point. Return |
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