Familiar, yet unacquainted

Contrary to what everyone expected, Inspector Alina did not continue to guide them around any longer. She merely escorted them to the elevator, then upon arrival at the 18th floor of the SW-4 Station, she quickly ordered for a few support officers to serve as their new guides. 

Apparently, they each would be given a private desk along with a few expected equipment such as their communicators, badges, and standard weaponry. The anticipated practicing of Advance-Grade weaponry, along with mystical tools would be saved for a different date it seemed. 

Soon the rookies were all taken away towards their respective desks. However, Maeve was not among them. She had been singled out by Alina and taken to a different corner of the floor. Alina then reached into a different part of her suit and retrieved a small device before handing it to Maeve. The device was not too different from a cell phone, it was rectangular in shape, its surface hosted a black screen, and its body was thin. 

"Here, this is your communicator. Inside it is a downloaded code, all the details regarding special officers can be found there. For now, try not to let them know just how much information regarding their situation you possess. There are things people would rather others not know." 

Having never used a communicator before, Maeve tilted her head slightly as she asked. 

"Inspector Alina, how is this any different than a regular phone?" 

Alina's soft lips curled from subtle mirth.

"For one you don't need data packages to make calls. The security is far more advanced too. But the best part is—" 

Instead of continuing to explain, Alina closed the small gap between them. She reached for the communicator while simultaneously grasping Maeve's hand. Her fingers touched the communicator's black screen, bringing it to life before parts of its very structure began to dissolve into a stream of living metal. Alina adjusted Maeve's hand before placing the swarming device atop her wrist, the once rectangular device began to bend while growing more narrow, then after a second it settled around her wrist as a metallic bracelet with a screen upon its surface. 

"—Its nano-tech features. It naturally also has holographic technology. So yeah, more advanced than a phone." 

Maeve examined it with some intrigue. She eventually looked past it, and questioned Alina over a different matter which was bothering her. 

"Um, Inspector Alina, do you know what happened with Cory Hudson? She was meant to head to your office but didn't return." 

Alina chuckled. 

"She is fine if that is what you are worried about. Actually, she is one of the higher risk special officers we have ever taken, so try not to grow too fond of her."

Maeve wished to inquire more over the specifics. There was no point in doing so though, she likely already held the answers within the device wrapped around her wrist. Maeve found herself hoping that whatever tribulation the bubbly girl faced was not a cruel one. 

"Alright…" 

*****

After her discussion with the beautiful inspector Maeve returned to the main space of floor 18. There a support officer was already waiting. It was a young man with short golden hair and green eyes. He wore the black suit to perfection, paired perfectly with a professional temperament. 

"Follow me." 

She was led into the back right corner of the large space, however to Maeve's surprise she was not made to sit upon vacant desks found there but was instead directed into a private room. The room was perfectly squared and forged of steel alloy from nearly all sides. 

The only exception was her immediate left side which saw the glass exterior of the SW-4 Station substitute for a wall. Beyond it was the vast landscape of district 4, its skyscrapers all illuminated by a vast white radiance which covered the sky. Opposite to the door was a massive screened monitor that clung onto the alloy wall. Then to the left were three desks, their backs to the glass wall. To the right were only two desks. 

Sitting upon them were two familiar figures and one unfamiliar. Two paid notice to her entrance which made Maeve feel a pang of discomfort. She did not greet the gazes however, choosing to ask her escort a question instead. 

"Why only five desks, shouldn't there be ten?" 

The support officer smiled. 

"Inspector Alina said this room is special. I do not know the specifics though, so I'm afraid that you will have to ask her." 

Are they all my responsibility then? 

She pondered, then thanked the support officer after he pointed out which was her desk. As it turned out, hers was neighboring two rookies that she already became acquainted with. On the left side, the first desk was occupied by Archie Morris, the middle aged man with a gentle bearing. The end of that small row was Cory Hudson's desk, its seat currently vacant. 

"Ah fate desires us to continue this acquaintance of ours it seems Ms. Maeve." 

Such was Archie's greeting. Maeve nodded whilst doing her utmost to portray a welcoming smile. 

"It's a pleasure."

She spoke neutrally then turned to face the other side of the room. 

Occupying one of the two remaining desks was a familiar, yet unacquainted figure, a rookie like Maeve and Archie. He was a tall man with a relaxed temperament. The man possessed a lean body, jet black hair and eyes, and he wore the standard black suits of the NSRA, though he neglected its jacket. 

The suit was worn with enough grace, however his sharp eyes portrayed a perpetual disinterest which he didn't wish to or bothered to hide. His lips were dry and upon his lower face was a thin goatee stubble. He appeared utterly disheveled when one also noted the few strands of hair which stuck out from his slick back hairstyle. It was a sharp contrast from the neatness of his suit. 

Maeve did not know him, however back in the briefing room she heard his name be called for the contract signing. 

Marcel O'Daniel.

From afar, the man named Marcel felt unapproachable. Maeve had no desire to do so at least, and yet having accepted the role as the overseer she knew that he likely fell under her watch. So despite not wishing it, she found herself closing the distance between them. 

Arriving before his desk she cleared her throat and reached out a hand. 

"Hello there, we have yet to meet. I'm Maeve Dawson, who might you be?" 

Marcel had his vision fixed upon the holographic monitor of his desk. His eyes did not betray much interest in what he was watching, yet whatever it was it seemed to have been so enthralling that he failed to register Maeve's voice. 

No matter, she just had to try again. 

"Hello there, I'm Maeve Dawson." 

She said, this time her words were louder than before. Her hand still hung.

Marcel did not react though. 

"That's strange. I must be growing deaf, or perhaps mute?" 

She murmured. Maeve tilted her head towards the curiously observing Archie. 

"Archie, hello…" 

Her words sounded neutral, while her volume was of a normal level. Archie's expression shifted into confusion, but he was too kind of a person to ignore someone once they addressed him. Waving slightly, he gave a dubious reply. 

"Hello Ms. Maeve." 

"Nope, not deaf, nor mute either."

That confirmed it, Marcel O'Daniel was ignoring her. She gained such a conformation in an odd manner, but Maeve Dawson was an odd person to begin with. She did not think of it as a flaw for everyone had their quirks. 

However, while she usually fell into a pit of nervousness when encountering social situations thanks to her aloofness, Maeve was a prideful person deep down. At least when it mattered most. She failed to express herself more than she succeeded, but she tried so hard to be kind because that is what she wished others to be in return. 

Yet this man had spat before her kindness. If he would not accept it with a gentle tug, then she would shove it down his throat. It was then that Maeve entered it, the cold state she always entered back when competing against her peers in the NSRA Academy. 

The next second, Maeve collapsed Marcel's chair with a swift and powerful kick upon its base. Marcel showed a hint of emotion for the first time today as his eyes widened in surprise. He slammed into the floor with a thud before he exploded from it with a new found vigor. 

His previous sharp, but lazy gaze gave way to one of fury. 

What met that enraged gaze were cold green ones safely tucked behind a pair of black rimmed glasses. 

"Why the fuck—?!"

"Hello there, I'm Maeve Dawson. I don't take kindly to being disrespected so next time listen when I talk to you." 

Maeve said, her voice icy. She once more reached out a hand. Marcel's furious gaze faltered when faced with Maeve's own. Then it fell upon her stretched out hand, full of new found wariness. It seemed that he was grappling with the choice of escalating the situation or giving in and submitting. 

After a few breaths, he sighed. With it was a hint of annoyance as he roughly took hold of her slender hand. Despite the difference in size, Maeve's grip was not inferior to his. They shook it as two sharp gazes clashed like blades. 

"Marcel O'Daniel, nice to meet you."

Marcel's voice was deep, its melody full of unmasked hostility. Maeve curled her soft lips into a smile. The sight was enchanting, and gorgeous; but also cold, and vicious. 

Her smile was equally sweet as it was deadly.