Once the rag tag group had finally all left, Kacey took a moment to soak in the silence. He was able to relax, he had been doing nothing but sitting around, but just being near all these combative taggers was enough to give him back pain.

[color=SandyBrown]“Aaaah, gotta love some peace and quiet.”[/color] He muttered as he made his way back to his spot in the office. As he sat he let out a sigh and got a beer from his bag. He pulled off his mask and pushed his hair out of his eyes before putting his feet up and relaxing. After about an hour and a half he was getting bored, so he figured he might as well check in with the recon team. He switched his radio on and tried to sound as polite as he could.

[color=SandyBrown]“Morning sunshine, how are our new recruits going?”[/color] He said as he held the mask near his face. [color=SandyBrown]“You’re watching that Nitrous one aren’t you?”[/color] Data had seemed to be fairly interested in Nitrous, Kacey wasn’t sure why. Perhaps the guy had some interesting skill set that he wasn’t aware of, might be why Data recommended him.

[color=BlueViolet]“He seems to be doing well, operating as expected. Seems I was right about his technical skills, would fit in pretty well with my crowd if he made it through.”[/color] The voice said with a quiet contemplation.

[color=SandyBrown]“Okay settle down, we don’t even know if he is going to make it yet. Try not to recruit him before we know if he can cut it.”[/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“I know, I’m just saying. But do you really think this test is enough? It’s a lot easier than other years.”[/color] Data said with a condescending tone. [color=BlueViolet]“I know we need members but I don’t know if this is a good idea”[/color]

[color=SandyBrown]“Don’t worry about it, this is enough. In fact, I think this type of thing is the best. If we give them some sort of specific challenge then we are never going to find their skills, we are just going to see them all try and do the same thing. There was a saying like that wasn’t there? Something about a fish and a foot race…”[/color] Kacey said as he rubbed his temples in a vain effort to job his memory.

[color=BlueViolet]“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid”[/color] Data recited in a rather smug tone. [color=BlueViolet]“Famous Albert Einstein quote, not entirely applicable here either, as it speaks from a theoretical standpoint about the merit of education. Don’t you know anything about historical figures?”[/color]

[color=SandyBrown]“Some of us aren’t nerds”[/color] Kacey replied with a grin. [color=SandyBrown]“But, since we are on the topic, how are the others going?”[/color]

[color=BlueViolet]“Rude! But if you must know, I’ll get the others to check in.”[/color] After a few moments of silence the radio sounded again.

[color=BlueViolet]“Well most are doing pretty well, seems most are underway with their tagging. One is way ahead of the pack it seems, and one of them hasn’t made it yet. The short one, seems younger than the rest. Apparently she is getting close though”[/color] Data reported. 

[color=SandyBrown]“Well that’s to be expected. She is a little young, her gear wasn’t even working properly”[/color] Kacey said, remembering the malfunctioning board.

[color=BlueViolet]“What? How could you stop yourself from fixing it right there, that doesn’t sound like you”[/color] The voice replies, poking a little fun at Kacey

[color=SandyBrown]“Well I did a little tune up..."[/color] Kacey said, a little embarrassed that he had been called out.

[color=SandyBrown]"But to be honest I’m kinda expecting her to fail She seems a little under experienced. The rest seem rather capable though, if a little… psychopathic? No that’s the wrong word… Energetic. That fits.”[/color] He said as he reached into his bag and pulled out another beer.

[color=BlueViolet]“Well who knows, still a couple hours to go, anything is possible. Well I gotta get back to watching, I’ll let you enjoy your sad alone drinking. I might join you when I get back though. You’re buying of course.”[/color] The voice said with a smug tone.

[color=SandyBrown]“Looking forward to it”[/color] Kacey replied before switching off the radio. He took another sip before he heard a loud noise come from outside. He quickly grabbed his mask on in preparation for a quick retreat, but it seemed as though one of the potential recruits had returned. Kacey took note of the time.

[color=SandyBrown]“Two hours?”[/color] He muttered, somewhat surprised as the girl grabbed a chair. [color=SandyBrown]“Guess she wasn’t all talk…”[/color] He shuffled his chair over towards hers and returned the gesture.

[color=SandyBrown]“That is an impressive time. If this were a race you would come in first by a long shot. Well sadly I can’t tell you if you passed till the rest of them get back, so make yourself comfortable”[/color] He said as he went to drink from his beer. The can tapped against the filter of his mask, and Kacey let out an audible noise of disappointment before placing the can next to him and retrieving his sketch book. He continued to sketch as time passed, and the deadline drew closer. In the last 15 minutes people seemed to come in one by one. 

First came the guy that drew a circle on the ground, Kacey was pretty sure his name was Dax, but he was worried he would say the name wrong so he just waved as the man arrived back. He was going to be very sure not to piss him off, he seemed the type to have somewhat of a temper.

Next followed the colourful one, Neon. Kacey was glad to see him come back, his art was always a sight to see. It was the reason that Kacey chose him, it’s always refreshing to see someone rebel the way this guy seemed to.

Nitrous was the next one to return. He came strutting in with the same confidence as before. Apparently his abilities were good, so Kacey was glad to have him here, but his smugness was almost enough to make an apathetic guy like Kacey speak up. Almost.

Next came the older lady, Smiles. Kacey was a little relieved to see her, she seemed to have a sense of humour about the whole situation. Kacey had to stifle a giggle as she called out Nitrous. Not to mention her abilities are useful for more… direct missions.

And as time ticked down and time approached midnight, Kacey let out a sigh and stood up, quickly placing his book back into his bag.

[color=SandyBrown]“It seems as though this is everyone we are going to have arrive on time. Now then-“[/color] He started, before the doors quickly swung open and in ran the last recruit. The younger girl came in breathing heavy and dropping onto the ground.

[color=Cyan]“I’m back… did- did I make it?”[/color]

Kacey looked down at the exhausted girl for a moment, surprised that she had arrived at all, before looking down to his watch. The time read 11:59, and ticked over to 0:00 as he was looking at it. Kacey was shocked, but ultimately relived.

[color=SandyBrown]“Well, I’m sorry...”[/color] He started, leaving a small pause as he spoke, letting the moment soak in. [color=SandyBrown]“But it looks like you made it just in time. And with a broken gear too. Not bad”[/color] He said before offering a hand to help her up.

[color=SandyBrown]“Well then”[/color] He said as he looked around the group of recruits. [color=SandyBrown]“It appears that you have all made it back in time. This means that you have all completed the necessary requirements to pass.”[/color] He said with a small round of applause.

[color=SandyBrown]“But that’s not all that is required. We do need to see if your work is up to scratch. If you will give me a moment”[/color] Kacey said as he turned his radio on and turned his back to the group. He conversed for a while to determine the results, before turning around towards the group.

[color=SandyBrown]“Well then, it appears that…”[/color] He started, before pausing again. Kacey barely got a chance to mess with people like this so he was savouring it.

[color=SandyBrown]“You all pass”[/color] He said with another small round of applause. He reached up and pulled at his gas mask, removing it and holding it in his arm as he moved his hair out of his way with his hand. He glanced around the group with his sharp blue eyes that seemed to be stuck in a permanent scowl.

[color=SandyBrown]“That thing gets annoying after a while…”[/color] He muttered as he rubbed his jaw. [color=SandyBrown]“But yes, allow me to be the first to offer you all a position in the Ratpack”[/color]

He offered everyone a wide smile as he waved to a figure that had just entered the warehouse. The figure walked past the group before stopping next to Kacey. They were rather tall, just a little shorter than Kacey himself and were dressed in all black except for a bright purple mask that didn’t seem to have any discernible facial features.

[color=SandyBrown]“This is another member of the pack. And the one that had their goons out watching you all night.”[/color] Kacey said as he gestured to the figure next to him.

[color=BlueViolet]“Hello! My name is Data”[/color] The figure announced in a soft and calm voice that sounded almost robotic, as if it were coming from a speaker. [color=BlueViolet]“I’m the head of recon and intel at the pack. It’s good to meet you”[/color] She said, offering a wave. As she spoke the mask lit up with dots and formed pictures, lingering on a small picture of a character waving rather energetically.

[color=SandyBrown]“Well then, it seems as though the time for introductions has finally arrived”[/color] Kacey said as he glanced down at the young girl and offered her a playful wink. 

[color=SandyBrown]“Oh and I’m not expecting everyone else to take their mask off. You can if you want, I just don’t really care if people see my face”[/color]

Kacey grinned as he looked over the group. He was all too relived that the hard part of his job was done for the night.