Day 59: Meeting Room 1

[damned_soldiers]

Major Cartwright had spent the latter half of the day speaking with patients, but as dinner time came she had someplace else to be. As did three specially chosen patients. Everyone seemed convinced that this would go smoothly, but as the female soldier stood there with some sort of electronic bracelet in hand, she couldn't help fiddling

Comments

[damned_soldiers]

Major Helen Blithe sat at the long table, her calloused fingers laced together as she waited beside the patient's covered dish. Although such food was typically reserved for higher-ranked individuals, it was only appropriate in light of what the chosen subjects -- no, what they all were going to do tonight. After all, it wasn't everyday that the general decided to pair "patients" with specific soldiers for a mission.

Maybe that was why she felt on edge.

Blithe wasn't naive. Some of the damn subjects had knowledge of that device. Last night's drug trial hadn't produced enough results to make it worth that kind of security breach. No doubt the general had narrowed down his list of suspects to people who actually knew about the thing. And now what? She'd been called to help assist in a project that, quite frankly, left a bad taste in her mouth. Not that she doubted General Aguilar's judgment, of course -- it's just she wanted to know whether he truly suspected her or not

[poorexample]

The final shift of the day had turned out to be a fascinating experience. Castiel hadn't expected to come across so many others who weren't human in one way or another, but after what he'd endured yesterday it was good to be reminded of it. There were others in his position, or at least in something like it. Thus far Gabriel was still the only other angel he'd come across, though he had to admit that was likely for the best

[damned_soldiers]

Having already read the reports for tonight, Blithe knew to expect two women and a man. Consequently, when the individual listed in their files as "Michael Collins" arrived, she immediately knew they were assigned together. It was a good thing, too, because she was getting tired of looking at Travis' poor attempts at smiling.

Turning to the subject, she gestured toward the seat in front of his plate. "Have a seat," Blithe instructed. "You're eating dinner in here this evening, so you may as well dig in before it gets cold."

Realizing that her words may not be enough, she added, "I'll explain a little more once you sit down." Hopefully he'd take her advice.

[poorexample]

Up until now, Castiel had hardly been acknowledged by the staff, nurse or soldier. Aguilar had spoken to him directly, but those had been special circumstances. The point was that he suddenly felt out of place, being treated almost like an equal. He was clearly still the one who would be taking orders, but that happened to be a position he was comfortable with

[damned_soldiers]

Judging by his rank, Blithe imagined that he at least appreciated the change in diet. Satisfied that he'd decided to eat a little, her hand slipped into her pocket, grasping onto the wristband resting there, but not quite revealing it yet.

"I'm Major Helen Blithe," she introduced herself after a moment. "As your escort probably told you before now, you've been selected to participate in an important mission tonight. We'll be paired together." So no funny business, was the implication. Thankfully, she had enough self-restraint to keep herself from actually saying that so early into their conversation.

"General Aguilar will soon be here to personally explain the details," Blithe added. She was sure she didn't need to explain the significance behind that. "But, as far as I understand the situation, we're expected to apprehend Martin Landel, as well as the rebel who calls himself Marc."

[poorexample]

Not soon after Castiel started eating, two other patients showed themselves and were approached by the remaining two soldiers. Six in all, then, and chances were that they were being entrusted with the same task. It made sense, of course. If one of them failed, there would be two more in the reserves

[damned_soldiers]

Blithe considered the question for a moment. "Obviously I can't speak for the general, but I'd imagine so," she answered at length. That was the typical procedure for regular missions, and she at least knew this assignment was important enough to warrant extra abilities.

"Of course, don't think there won't be any restrictions," Blithe reminded him. They couldn't have anyone getting any ridiculous ideas about escape or sabotage, after all. The red-haired woman finally produced the wristband from her pocket, holding it up for the subject to see.

"You'll be required to wear this," she explained. "It's designed to track our movements. I'm supposed to go ahead and fasten this onto your arm before General Aguilar arrives."

[poorexample]

It was a vague answer, but it wasn't a definite no. Castiel realized that being granted only some of his powers back for only a short amount of time was almost worse than getting nothing at all, and yet he still longed for the familiarity. So much of this situation was foreign to him, and while he had been handling it the best that he could, this was the first time in a while that he felt like he was in a comfortable position.

For most it would have been the opposite, but this was something he was confident he could do.

As the strange device was pulled out, his immediate reaction was still suspicion. This place had shown that it was willing to drug them, alter their mental states, and any number of other things. Allowing them to put something on him that might have debilitating effects was a bad idea no matter how he looked at it, and yet he knew this opportunity was an extremely rare one. Only three of them had been picked.

So, after a long moment of silent consideration, Castiel slowly extended his right arm forward.

[damned_soldiers]

She doubted that he liked having to wear a device, but at least he wordlessly agreed to cooperate. Good. Blithe didn't want to deal with any unexpected surprises tonight. Hopefully this was the start of a partnership that could grab them Marc and Landel's heads to present to General Aguilar. What better way to demonstrate her loyalty than to capture two of the most recent thorns in his side?

"Thank you," she said with a small nod. Then, reaching out, the soldier securely fastened it to his wrist. "As long as you cooperate, and don't try to use any of your abilities to sabotage the project, I'm sure you'll be rewarded for your trouble."

After all, the general often made a point to recognize subjects' efforts to do well.

[poorexample]

Generally, Castiel did not wear anything beyond the clothes that his vessel manifested in. The gray shirt and pants that he had originally worn in this place and the uniform that he had now were equally foreign to him, but they were at least outfits. Accessories were completely new to him, and the feel and look of the wristband around his arm was strange

[damned_soldiers]

When Harrington finally showed up, Blithe couldn't help but arch a thin eyebrow at him. Given the importance of the mission, his actions struck her as unusual. Then again, General Aguilar had been relying on him a great deal during the recent investigation. Perhaps he'd had permission to arrive late