About a dozen people sat within the meeting room on the second floor, chatting quietly.  The room could fit forty people in it comfortably in its current configuration, with a presentation podium in the front corner off to the side of the video screen main wall.  It didn’t see much use on a regular basis, since each of the companies within the Paragon Center had their own meeting and conference rooms.  However, for the occasional joint meeting, or even for large gatherings, it got cleaned out in a hurry.

Today, at nearly eight o’clock in the evening, slightly over a dozen people from all aspects of the center’s community sat within.

At precisely 7:59, the Paragon Center Security Chief strode in, followed by two security officer sergeants.  He strode to the podium, while the sergeants took their seats in the front row.  At exactly the stroke of the hour, he began, “Thank you all for your attendance this evening.  As I am sure you are all aware, over the last few days, the various departments of the government have passed new legislation and issued a variety of administrative orders regarding the status of individuals with unusual abilities, whether or not those abilities have been caused by the various ‘Upsurge’ attacks.”

He paused, “I am sure everyone has seen the reports of the discontinuance of the Alliance as part of local law enforcement, as well as the change in status reflecting the appointment of members of the militia known as the United Defiance Party as replacements for the Alliance.  While I would normally assume that everyone has also seen the public response of the Alliance, I will mention that the Alliance, through their spokesperson Silver Spider, have come out in opposition to the new laws, while also indicating that they will continue to protect innocent people from criminal and violent behavior, regardless of an individual’s status as an Upsurger or not.”

“The purpose of this security briefing is to discuss what obligations employees of the Paragon Center have to maintain compliance to the new legal code.  The short answer is, the same as before, which as a private company, we have to abide by the law, whatever it may be or our personal opinion of that law.  Obviously Dr. George has issued is specific instructions to clinic employees, which essentially comes down to they will continue to treat patients regardless of their status and will abide by all standard medical privacy and confidentiality agreements.”

“We are here today to discuss the possibilities of harassment of employees or patients by outside parties, including law enforcement personnel.   It may also be that outside organizations may target employees because of the Paragon Center’s primary mission, which is an outreach to all people, including specifically those affected by the Upsurge attacks, but also the Center’s relatively close relationship with Alliance members, including the Alliance call center located within this building.”

“Dr. William Foster, who funds the security of this building, and to whom I specifically report, has authorized and increased security presence, so we will be hiring additional officers per shift.  Obviously, if you know anyone who has the appropriate experience and appropriate attitudes in protecting and helping ALL people, we are currently in the application process and I encourage you to bring this to their attention.”

“Sergeant Lincoln is going to discuss certain aspects of the legal situation and what our obligations are in detail.  After that, Sergeant Thomas will be discussing protocols for the safety, both physical and electronic that will allow us to continue to protect you, our employees, as well as our patients and customers. I would appreciate your undivided attention to these briefings.  While all of our employees will eventually get similar briefings, that takes time, and all of you have been designated as department leads for any questions that your colleagues may have.” He paused, then smiled slightly, “I know that we all have reasons for working here, many of them different, but eventually they come down to we want to help people in some way.  We can continue to do that, and my team will insure the safety of everyone who wants to do that.”  With that he stepped to the side, and stated, “Sergeant Lincoln, if you would be so kind,” before sitting in the first chair next to the podium, back absolutely straight.

At 9:45, Oliver Thomas Smith, aka Brett Oliver Anderson aka Ghost Venom, security chief of the Paragon Center sat down behind his desk in his office on the second floor, pulling a glass and a bottle of blended whiskey from off the small cabinet to the side.    He breathed deeply in, then poured a small amount into the glass.   He sipped quietly, looking at his computer screen for several minutes.  He could hear, and more importantly, smell the person who seemed to be pacing in the outer security office, muttering to themselves.  He smiled slightly, seemed like most everybody in the building except for his security team, and ironically the staff at the fusion restaurant, were afraid to talk to him.

After several minutes, she approached the door, which while open, didn’t quite allow a few for him to see her directly.  She paused again, and he shook his head, “Please do come in Nurse Petrovka,” he said in a gentle tone.

She startled but walked into the room.  She glanced at the whiskey bottle and glass, then looked straight ahead.  “I really didn’t mean to bother Chief Smith, I was just, uhm, leaving.”

“Please sit down Ms. Petrovka, I really don’t bite, regardless of the gossip,” he smiled slightly at his own joke, even if the blonde haired nurse didn’t.    “Can I offer you a drink? I believe you are off duty, and Dr. Foster grants certain allowances when you were as many hours as I do.”  She nodded, and he poured her a small glass.

They sat quietly for a few moments, and he prompted her again, “You seem hesitant to broach the topic, whatever it may be, which I have to say, is not really my style.”  She startled again at that again, so he stopped what he was about to say, and said again, “I am not omniscient Ms. Petrovka, there’s just security cameras in the outer office and an alert came up on my screen when the door opened since Officer Nguyen went down to get her lunch.”

She smiled slightly, and then started, “Well, I have something to report, but its really nothing, I think I am just jumping at ghosts, Chief Smith.”

“Well, first, please call me Oliver, and I really don’t bite. Hopefully its not one of the various gossip stories again?” he asked jokingly?

She started again, “Gossip stories?”

He laughed out loud, “The only people who gossip more than army sergeants, Nurse Petrovka, are nurses.  I should know, I used to date one.”  He sobered slightly at that, before continuing, “I wouldn’t be much of a security chief if I didn’t listen to gossip.  Let’s see, one of the more recent ones that I have heard about myself is that I have seven different children and three ex-wives.” She blushed at that one, although he continued without apparent notice,  “Although I am not even really sure how old people think I am to have that many kids, let alone that many marriages, but hey, gossip makes the world go ’round.”

“Seriously though, you should hear the one about Sergeant Thomas, but I really doubt that you came all the way up here instead of going home to actually gossip.  But, if it makes you feel any better, I like to keep the mystery among the staff, adds to my aura,” before laughing again.  “Between you and me, though, I have no wives, ex or current, although I am seeing someone who is completely unaffiliated with the Paragon Center.”

She paused, obviously gathering her courage, “Well, before I get to it, can you tell me how I was selected for the security briefing, I guess the department lead thing.  I was just told to be there.”

“Sure, its not confidential, or at least not for you.  Who you share it with is up to you, of course.  Dr. Ferriero recommended you, and that was good enough for me. Now, why don’t we discuss why you are really here.”

She took a deep breath, and said, ‘I think I have been attacked by an Upsurger.”

His manner changed, subtly, but she could almost sense the an aura of controlled violence immediately from the laughter.  Still calm, but very serious.  He asked, “Why do you say you think?  Was it here at the Center? At home? Somewhere else?”

She said in a small, but frustrated voice, “I don’t know.  I seem to have memory gaps.  I think here, but I am not really sure.”

“Without getting into details, have you discussed this with Dr. Downs in your sessions?  I am not trying to pry, as those are confidential and your business, I was just wondering if there might be alternatives.”

“No, I haven’t, and I don’t know why.  It just doesn’t feel right for some reason.”

“Well, I am certainly not an expert in that arena, but that might be a good avenue to investigate.   However, we can always pursue other areas of discovery too.  Not everyone remembers, but because of what we do here, there are extensive security monitoring devices and recordings.  Encrypted and protected of course for privacy.  Let’s do a couple of things, we can make sure you are escorted as you leave of course to your vehicle. We can also discuss security arrangements for your residence and transportation to and from work.  But if you really think it was here, why don’t we review what you do remember, dates and such and then I can began an analysis of the recordings to see what we can find.   Will take some time obviously, but if you want to compile a list of the times and dates of when you are missing time, we can………

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