Overseer officer

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Within the briefing room, Maeve sat with a calm elegance that radiated mature beauty. She wore an aloof expression, appearing both unbothered and unapproachable. That was just a facade, in truth she felt troubled. 

Not long ago Cory had been cheerfully talking to her about a plethora of different topics. Some of those made her feel uncomfortable, but Cory's bubbly personality somehow made her unable to think of her unfavorably. 

That was why when she began acting strangely, Maeve was overcome by a flood of self conscious thoughts. 

Am I that dull of a person? Maybe I don't smile enough? Was it my tone? 

Maeve never considered herself to be an exciting person. She was always awkward when interacting with others after all. When she thought back on it, she could not clearly remember a time where she easily made friends. 

Such a thing was ironic when she considered her most fervent desire. 

Her mental bashing ended abruptly when Cory failed to return from Alina's office, shifting into genuine concern. Perhaps something bad had occurred? That thought made her fall into a pit of restlessness. Cory was her first friend in such a long time, it would be wrong for her to dismiss the possibility of her being troubled. 

Maeve had no way of knowing what had happened. The only solace being that the inspector herself appeared untroubled. Still, her restlessness did not fully dissipate. It caused her to unconsciously begin a subtle rhythm, one forged using her feet and the floor as the instruments. 

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Cory's unknown state was not all that had Maeve worried. There was also the fact that she had yet to be called to Alina's office. The second to last was already there, which meant only she was left. 

Is it because of my mom? Or could it be… 

Perhaps worrying was an overreaction. It appeared that she was being very sensitive today. However, Maeve only considered such troubles due to a certain suspicion she had been harbering for three years now. 

It was that of her second conjecture regarding her mothers death. It was one just short of being an accusation. To Maeve, the chances were high that it was the NSRA themselves who killed her mother. 

She had no solid proof of it. Just a single piece of paper that fueled her suspicion. 

However, if it was the truth, then did her being here now not equate to courting death? Her anxiety made her feel that it did. 

I need to relax my thoughts! 

She urged herself. She closed her eyes and began taking a few deep breaths. It was then that the briefing room's door slid open and the second to last rookie returned.

"Ms. Maeve, Inspector Alina is calling for you." 

The rookie called out to her. She failed to register his words at first before rising from her seat with a nod. 

"Right…" 

She said. 

The rookie explained to her where the office was situated, and she left the briefing room shortly after. Before long she stood in front of another steel door. In front of it was a sign which read: 

'Inspector Alina'

Maeve felt a tightening in her chest. She hesitated for a moment but eventually triggered the automatic opening of the door. 

She was greeted by Alina seated at her desk, her fingers crossed while she rested her chin atop them. Her lips wore a friendly smile, and while her face was still adorned by dark marks underneath her eyes, she no longer appeared tired. 

Maeve felt that her eyes shone with an emotion that she could not discern. That unknown only made her tense state worsen. 

"Hello." 

Maeve said. 

"Sit." 

Alina gestured with her eyes to the seat across her desk. The smile still etched to her lips. Maeve nodded and did as she was instructed. The dreaded moment was upon her now, she steeled herself to face whatever it would bring her; good or bad.

"Maeve, do you know why I chose to meet with you last?"

Alina asked. 

"Hmm, because I am special?" 

Maeve answered with a neutral tone and her usual aloof expression. It appeared that the combo was amusing because Alina chuckled slightly at her words. 

"Yes, you are special…" 

She said, then leaned back and pulled a file displaying on her desk, transforming it into a holographic display. It was that of Maeve's results upon her final year at the NSRA academy. 

"You are a top ranked student. That makes you special." 

Hearing such, her tension overwhelmed her for a moment. 

"Only because of that?" 

Maeve asked. Alina was confused by the question as she tilted her head slightly. 

"Yes. Why, are there any more reasons?" 

Good. So it has nothing to do with mom.  

Maeve felt a heavy relief overwhelm her. She held in a sigh as she shook her head. 

"No. No, please continue." 

Alina made a bewildered expression, but she soon dismissed it and continued. 

"Maeve Dawson, described by your teachers as: Sharp minded, competitive, domineering in combat, and skilled with a large range of weaponry. The only stated flaw was your aloofness which might hinder your ability to be a team leader. All in all, a good report." 

Alina swiped away the projected report, then asked an unexpected question. 

"Maeve, do you understand what aberrations are?" 

Maeve did not try to hide anything as she nodded. 

"Yes. I know more than most I would say." 

Alina nodded in satisfaction. 

"Good, then when you hear the term 'special officer', what do you think it means?" 

Maeve felt confused over the direction of the questioning, but answered nonetheless. 

"Considering what you asked me prior, are they officers that have special circumstances related to them like that of aberrations?" 

Alina's expression turned pleased. 

"Yes, you're exactly right… Listen Maeve, the NSRA has many ways to combat the mystical forces that infect this city. That does not mean we shy away from gaining extra tools whenever we can. These special officers are just that. But they come with risks." 

Alina reached for the papers resting to the side of the table for the first time. She then flipped them over and used a hand each to slide them towards Maeve. 

"Maeve as a top student you receive the privilege, or perhaps the displeasure, of having this choice…" 

She began tapping the contract to her right with her index finger. 

"The first is to be a regular officer and have a standard path of ascension. This involves the standard yearly salary of 240,000 Credits, 20,000 Credits per month. With it are all the usual benefits of a regular active officer." 

Alina then began tapping the contract to her left.

"The other option is more lucrative but it will come with a higher risk. I want you to be an overseer officer, the one responsible for looking after the special officers. The pay is higher with a yearly salary of 1,000,000 Credits, around 83,000 per month. It requires you to make weekly reports regarding any alarming traits, actions, or sudden behavioral changes of the special officers. If they are hiding something from us, it is your job to catch it. If they are assigned to a case, you will likely be on it with them. If an inspector is absent, then you will serve the leader role… So what do you think?" 

Maeve was left surprised over this development. She was naturally unaware of such a role within the NSRA. Still, something immediately bothered her. She frowned slightly as she asked. 

"Inspector Alina, earlier you stated that my biggest flaw is my aloofness. I hate to admit it myself, but it is true. Are you sure you want me to act as a leader or supervisor of any sort?"

Alina gave a beautiful smile. 

"If you don't face it, then the flaw will never disappear." 

The smile shifted into one touched by a tinge of sadness. 

"And besides, while they are all people, they are tools first. I want you to improve your aloofness, yes. But what I value more is your ability to kill… Maeve, if you accept this then you are agreeing to be their overseer and their executioner. They are always walking on the edge, if they lose themselves and fall, even if they endanger a life by pure accident. You will have to stop them. So beyond just the allure of the benefits, ask yourself… Can you kill a victim?" 

The question stirred Maeve's heart and mind into immediate conflict. In an effort to delay answering, she asked. 

"Why use the word victim?" 

Alina's expression turned somewhat sorrowful… Or perhaps it was an expression better described as distant pity. 

"I was an overseer officer myself for a long time. Well, even now I get handed those types of people. What I learned over the years was that they are all just victims of their own humanity. If it wasn't for the fact that we manifest aberrations then many of the friends I made would still be alive… So can you?" 

Asked once more, Maeve did not know how to answer. Before she did, Alina added. 

"Actually Maeve, they don't mention this in the contract because it tends to cloud people's judgment, but accepting does place you as a top candidate for The Esper Program." 

A top candidate huh… 

Alina was not wrong, hearing such did indeed cloud Maeve's judgment.

Maeve was entering the NSRA with a jumbled mess of motivations and desires. She wanted to know the truth behind what occurred with her mother, saving her judgment over its justification until after. However ultimately, that was a short term goal. 

She just wanted closure, and if it was the NSRA who were responsible then she would do her best to hear out why? If it was due to corruption then she would cut it out accordingly. She didn't want revenge. The NSRA was the pillar that protected what humanity had left to claim, their only home in an infernal world.

She would ensure that it remained pure, that it continued to fully pursue its purpose for existing without any ugly flaws surfacing from within. 

Believing herself the one worthy to make that judgment was the epitome of arrogance. However, Maeve did not care. Ever since she discovered the mystical forces of the world, she was overcome by a sole desire. 

She wanted to save humanity. 

She had always looked up to her mother, but what inspired her most was the cause that she stood for. At first Maeve was content with becoming another soldier in the field, yet the more she thought over it, the more she became dissatisfied with such a role. 

It was then when she began asking herself: Why stop there? Why only defend Bastion? Why ignore the biggest issues of them all?

What Maeve wanted was the complete eradication of both The Eternal Flames and The Fallen. 

If someone heard her say such, then they would call her insane for believing that she alone could do so. Yet who said it had to be done alone? The Esper Program existed, a result of humanity's desperate search for salvation.

Maeve would become an esper. She would rise the stages and reach the peak of power available to her. If that was not enough still then she would push past that ceiling. Whatever it took… Certainly, those who doubt the validity of such a monumental desire would follow her then. She hoped that they would at least. 

But that was for a distant future, a distant dream still. She had yet to take a step forward. That was why such an offer was tempting. At the same time though, the idea of executing those who are victims of aberrations was unpleasant. 

Sure, Maeve had a grand goal. However, she refused to forget what the point of it all was. She didn't want to trample over a few lives in the present for the sake of becoming an esper quicker. Those two contradicting desires clashed viciously within her, making her unable to decide. Alina did not disturb her thought process. Then after a few minutes of silence Maeve gave her answer. 

"Okay, I'll become an overseer officer." 

If she could not pass on this opportunity, and if she could not bear the thought of killing someone who is only a victim of the supernatural, then all she would need to do is ensure that they never fall off the thin edge which they walk.