Chaotic Order

Alina donned a bright smile when she heard Maeve's decision. She slid over the overseer contract and handed Maeve a pen for the signing. Maeve read over the unspoken specifics before placing her signature. As she returned the contract she could not help but ask. 

"Inspector Alina, could it be that you really wanted me to accept this deal?" 

Alina took hold of the contract. 

"Huh, why do you think so?" 

She asked, clearly feigning ignorance. 

"Well putting aside my status as a top graduate student, you went out of your way to mention a tempting bait when I appeared indecisive. That was why I was wondering if you had a specific reason for wanting me to accept." 

Alina's gained an amused tinge within her beautiful smile. 

"Ah, yes I suppose I did want to lure you into this… I was in your position once. Back then I almost turned down the offer due to my righteousness. However, the inspector managed to convince me. Years later I find myself as a Second Stage Esper at an age much younger than most. This job trashed my righteous nature by exposing me to how our world truly is. If I had not accepted it, then I would have lost that version of myself regardless, and have little benefits to show for it… You are bound to be a good egg Maeve, and I think it would be a shame to let you lag behind your potential over a naive sense of ideals." 

Maeve wanted to further inquire, yet Alina did not let her. She stood, placed Maeve's contract away, then instructed. 

"Now that the signings are over let's go back to the briefing room. We will discuss your role another day." 

Forced to let the topic go, Maeve nodded. The two then exited the office. When they returned, the eager rookies all adjusted themselves accordingly. Maeve returned to her seat as well.

Alina waited for them to settle down before she began. 

"Perfect. With the signings complete, we can at last continue with our briefings. It goes without saying, but as officers of the NSRA you will naturally be facing supernatural forces on a regular basis. Some of you already have well rounded knowledge on it due to the circumstances that led you here, but I need everyone to be on the same page." 

She reached into her pocket and once more retrieved the silver bracelet. Once she secured it to her slender wrist, Alina waved her hand to project a holographic image. Before them were a few different icons. Each of them seemed to hold information which Alina intended to go over. 

"Let us start by distinguishing between aberrations and monster races… While an aberration can end up as monsters, those monsters are unique beings born with the nature of the aberration. Monster races on the other hand are groups of creatures that have existed since before Judgment Day and sought salvation within Bastion's walls. It's these monsters that our Monster Hunting Division specializes in finding and eradicating. Currently we estimate that there are around sixty monster races living in hiding within Bastion's walls. Further details regarding their characteristics will require you to rise the ranks so that is all I can explain about them."

Alina's hand movement caused the aberration icon to expand and reveal new information text. 

"As the name of our division suggests, our specialization is dealing with aberrations. There are two types of aberrations: Dormant and Conscious… Dormant aberrations are best described as a strange and unique phenomena that affects an individual or place. They are not things or objects, nor do they have thought or will. They are born spontaneously from either an individual or a population. There is always a catalyst that triggers their birth. Our job is usually to investigate what the catalyst was and deal with it accordingly. This is the reason the academies had a course in psychology. Your gun doesn't always have to be the answer."

She swiped the air once more and the holographic projection shifted. 

"While the chances of a dormant aberration being born is around 0.005%. There is a 1 in 10 chance that the dormant aberration will experience what is called: An awakening. This sees the previously specific or contained phenomena suddenly begin to expand and intensify as well as gain new attributes that it previously lacked. While that alone may not trigger the next step and some dormant aberrations naturally expand without ever transcending, there is still a chance for these aberrations to experience an evolution and transcend from a phenomena or effect to a thing with its own weight of existence. If that occurs then they are then classified as conscious aberrations."

The displayed information entered into the conscious icon and a new set of information began to appear. 

"Conscious aberrations are not all intelligent, many simply gain a will, instinct, or warped purpose that they follow in a sloppy manner. Some manifest into living objects, however there are those that gain an actual body. Those that do can be considered aberration monsters. They are unique creatures and that alone makes them separate from the monster races. If an aberration turns into a conscious monster then we will use force to destroy its body. However, if it is an object then we might try to seal it and use it as an artifact. Everything depends on the case."

Alina spared everyone a careful look, before smiling slightly. 

"Does your situation now suddenly make sense? Many of you present are only here due to encountering aberrations, right? You can use what you learned today and apply it to your past." 

Returning to her briefing, Alina made the holographic projection exit the aberration icon and enter upon a new one. 

"Now then, to further understand the nature of aberrations, we must first understand what we have dubbed: The Primal Laws. From what mystic researchers have observed these four laws remain as constant behavioral aspects of the supernatural. The only order to the chaos if you will…"

Expanding the first set of information with a leisure gesture, she began her explanation of the laws. 

"The Law of Existence. It dictates that once an aberration is spontaneously born, it can not spontaneously disappear without targeted action taken against it."

She swiped and the second law appeared. 

"The Law of Reaction. It dictates that the world reacts to the beings that inhabit it. Those can be either emotions, beliefs, or mere observation. From what we know, this was not so prevalent before the descent of The Eternal Flames. It is also the reason why Bastion has heavy regulations over cameras and why they are not found on most streets or buildings. If an aberration is observed directly then it helps it solidify itself into reality, increasing the chances of it transcending. On that note…"

She swiped to the third law. 

"The Law of Transcendence. It dictates that all existing things can transcend and strengthen their existence through accommodation and evolution of other elements. This is perfectly showcased in the way espers of the fourth stage and above use anchors to support their souls."

She then revealed the fourth and final law. 

"The Law of Connections. It dictates that all things, even aberrations and monsters, have corresponding symbols connected to them. These symbols can be used to affect the being connected to it and is the key factor in most divination techniques." 

Alina finished her explanation of the laws then turned the display into orbs of information that were shot into the rookie's scanner cards. With that done, she walked over to the briefing room door before turning to all the rookies present. 

"As officers, your main job is to assist inspectors upon their cases. This also includes any potential battles they may find themselves in. We will be heading to the training grounds where I will give you the last part of today's briefing. That is in regards to espers and their capabilities."