The President was in the oval office sitting down getting ready for this meeting. President Ray Mason was sitting down, his time in the oval office had been stressful. But nothing compared to the past month, ever since that Storm things had been going down hill. He remembered the speech he gave the day of the Storm. Then things began to progress, all sorts of weird things happening across the country. The whole rumors of super powers were dismissed, but after yesterday it was time to take federal action. He gave a speech on live television about what happened in Atlanta, how they'd get stronger as a nation, how the person would be punished it didn't matter if they could move walls and shake the foudnation of the earth itself they couldn't ruin the country. Now he was going over some information that a high ranking CIA operative Cori had sent him.
All this information was unbelivable, a project to experiment with superhuman abilities, documentation and proof that it caused the global storm three weeks ago, re-engineered extera-terrestial alien technology, and the fact that said aliens had tried and failed to invade the planet and they had been detained somewhere on this planet. "This is insane, Director, Cori Woods is almost here..and this meeting can start? I understand you have a more..militaristic approach about we should approach this issue, and deal with potential superhuman individuals. I must admit I'm eager to hear Ms Woods opinion first before I make my own, these people no matter what abilities they may or may not have many of them might still be U.S Citizens."
Director Verdock rolled both hands into fists at his side, and his knuckles cracked. Yes he had a more direct approach to deal with these........things, but you could not consider them U.S. fucking citizens. Because in fact they arent citizens, they are monsters. Hell bent on causing destruction and mayhem. "Mr. President I assure you if you let me take over the super power front, I can contain it within a week and keep all damage within the predetermined amount specified. These.....Empowered ,as we have labeled them, are nothing more than super powered insane criminals sir. I can only hope Ms Woods does not have a sympathetic approach."
The door opened and Cori Woods was escorted in by a man in a suit, who curtly nodded and returned outside the office. Another operative may have been nervous or tense, but within the short window since last night, she felt properly prepared. Even as she prepared, though, there were new developments happening in Atlanta alone, and it was almost too much to keep up with. Being the woman of grace she was, she stepped forward to formally introduce herself, offering a firm handshake to both the Director and President. "Good morning and thank you both for inviting me here. I've put together a comprehensive portfolio about, um, my findings, but I'll walk you through it, of course," she explained, handing both thick binders before sitting down across the table.
"I...retrieved documents that explain everything, outlined in those binders for your eyes only. And it's inconvieable, what has happened: there is an unaffilated organization called Coalition. According to the information, they obtained alien technology. The storm three weeks ago was caused when they attempted to-- I'm not even sure what they were thinking. Duplicate it to use it as a weapon? But that Storm is exactly what created the superhumans we see now. And, just to confirm, they are superhumans, Mr. President. I've seen first hand what they're capable of." Wondering if she had talked too much--over both these powerful men--she pulled back a bit and cleared her throat, red eyes flickering between both.
Ray could tell that Director Verdock didn't have a sympathetic stance towards these superhuman individuals, although he could hardly blame him with everything that happened especially with that hospital in Atlanta. "You will certainly have the leading authority, as well as Cori as it was the CIA who brought this to the United States attention, but I still think some discretion is needed. Yes there's been some chaos, and some suffering, but we can't jump to the conclusion that every person who has these abilities is a killer." He wondered what Ms Woods approach, and relaxed in his chair as she entered.
He shook her hand as she came in and was ready to hear what she had to say.He accepted his binder and began a preview of looking through the information she had."This Coalition seems to be a very dangerous organization, I read about what they did in their efforts to kill you to prevent this information from getting into the CIA''s hands if anything they should be a priority just as much as these Empowered individuals if not more seeing as how there responsible for not only the powers, but also the Storm three weeks ago. I see at this point as far as I'm concerned there not rumors, so Verdock what do you suggest?"
Verdock held his wrist by his right hand behind his back and narrowed his eyes. "Mr.President I have to urge extreme prejudice. We have had strange reports of these empowered people, enought to warrant labeling them, and now that we have proof it is obvious. We have to keep the proof out of public hands about what happened, and then hunt down every Empowered we can. They are all dangerous criminals. It does not matter if there are any nice ones, the bad ones have gone too far. They have ruined anything these...creatures...could have obtained." Verdock sighed. "And as far as this new organization is concerned......we should leave them alone. They seem to want to get rid of these Empowered, so we can deal with them after this crisis has passed."
"We can't ignore Coalition--with all due respect," she said maybe too quickly. "When they attacked, it was with a platoon's worth full of armed men, trained to kill. They killed American civilians in trying to retrieve the information I've given to you this morning. I don't know what their goal is in regards to the Empowered now that we all have to deal with them, but I haven't seen any evidence of them acting against these superhumans either." Cori paused, searching for words. "Whatever we do...I think we need men in the field on both fronts: searching out more intelligence on Coalition because we know so little. But I do agree with Director Verdock that we must act against the Empowered, as well. They're too dangeorus. And who knows how that Storm affected them--it may have altered their minds too or something."
Director Verdock narrowed his eyes at Cori. "Ms Woods, do you presume to have all knowledge at your disposal? That your rank allows you to everything?"
Cori could feel the heat creeping to her ears, but she only swallowed hoping she wasn't turniing too red. "No, Sir, not at all. It's just that I have experienced these dangers first hand--both Coalition and the Empowered--so I feel like my input is valuable." She paused again, deciding whether or not to voice her thoughts. She decided wrong, her tone ice: "But, please, feel free to educate us with your experience, Sir."
Ray wasn't expecting all of this. This discussion was not going to be as smooth as he planned, but with the matters they were discussing this was to be expected. "I agree we need to take action against individuals with powers..but what exactly that action should be" Ray paused as Verdock didn't bother to let him finish as he explained why they needed to do what he said and soon. "I'll say this..The Coalition took the lives of innoncent American citizens, not to mention they experimented with highly dangerous foreign technology that could have even worst disastorous effects then it did on the planet, then what?" He said stressing the point that while the Empowered where the main issues The Coalition had already shown to be a dangerous third party. "Her direct experience is something you don't have Director" He could sense the tension and actually wanted to smile but not now.
Director Verdock could almost feel a vein popping in his forehead. If onyl they knew........."Sir I was appointed head of the entire CIA for a reason. Believe it or not, not everything is shared amongst the politicians of DC. You people here are busy, you have other things to worry about." Verdock gripped his wrist so tight he could feel it almost cracking. "But in this case I shall share. This is not the first report of Coalition I have had. And right now, the Empowered are more of a trheat than Coalition can ever be." Director Verdock then looked at Cori. "Ms Woods you will remember your place. And you will remember you are not the Director. I am."
"Then what do you suggest, Director Verdock?" she asked, sitting up straighter to frown at him.
"I suggest we immediatley outlaw all Empowered. Any empowered that surrenders willingly will be spared, apart from the ones that have commited mass murder but we dont tell them this. We send those ones to trial, find them guilty, and have them executed. Humanely for the publics sake. We send all empowered to government facilities for testing and safeguarding." Verdock laughed in his head, safeguarding.........."Coalition's goals are slightly obscure, but they are interested in the Empowered. We can use this Mr President."
Ray had to nod his head in agrement Verdock was picked for a reason, and he thought it was about time to bring up the proposition he'd been talking about with Congress. "I can accept and believe that perhaps some information about The Coalition has circulated around before, my only concern is there willingness to kill American citizens to cover up information. "I must say Verdock..first off..your idea is..effective but extreme..I still believe there are some of these people that may be good U.S. Citizens who didn't even want abilities, or abilities that may not even be dangerous or even those willing to co-operate with the laws. First I want to tell you this the CIA will be in charge of the anti superhuman actions against the Empowered, Verdock of course your in charge, but we'd like Cori to run the Task Force and submit directly to you." Ray paused to let that sink in.
"So Cori will be in charge of everything else field missions ect regarding them, however her department will focus on Empowered, you still have the CIA to run after all she'll just run every major executive descision by you, and you can of course get as involved as you can be with the task force as well. Second there's been talks to allow this Task Force to have authority over Homeland Security, the military, national-guard, FBI, and even police forces whenever is neccessary. But I will say this..what your suggesting..I really don't want to do but I admit if it turns out all the Empowered is dangerous I will 100% support these actions Director Verdock, and I'll even propose a bill to put them into action. However this is a democracy, and without Congress, and the Supreme Court I can't authorize that only what's already been put on the table. We're in the talks of developing facilities to contain these individuals across the country, so I can authorize the CIA to began rounding them up and removing them from society for now. Deadly force can be used against those who prove dangerous or those who've already commited heinous acts whether or not their powers were used to support them. I will inform you that this is illegal, but this is an emergency situation based off what happens the next few weeks or months we can make a desiscion about whether or not an Anti Empowered Bill needs to be passed and if the extremes you want will be neccessary." Ray said releasing all the information he had and his final opinion on the matter.
Director Verdock was not one to smile often, but he did let out a partial upward side lip raise. This was just what he needed. He had been given authority, and now even more freedom to do as he wished. He knew what was at stake, and he knew he was the only one who had the courage to do what needed to be done. But Cori Woods........Verdock sideways glanced at her. She had been given more privelage than he wanted her to have.......the Verdock thought of something. The President had given her a chance, or a rope. Maybe that rope was long enough so she could hang herself with it. "Excellent ideas sir. But If I may, despite the previous words said, shall we allow Ms Woods to have more? She certainly is motivated. And has the attitude to boot. She is in charge of the task force, and all Empowered Operations, so lets give her the access she needs to do her job. I would like to promote Ms Woods to Director of the Georgia branch. That way she is able to have all the freedom to act she needs, and we should give her level 1 access." Level 1 access was the highest level of security access an agent could have, right below directior access.
Cori remained silent as the men discussed what plan of action to take with the information she gave them. Needless to say, she was pleasantly surprised when President Mason himself declared her in charge of the field techniques that would fight the empowered. A rare smile--two in one week, impressive--started to show and she thought it was excitement that had her and Verdock sharing knowing glances. However, she found herself stunned by his suggestions and taken off guard. The smile faded and her brows furrowed together inquisitively. However, she didn't dare interupt. This was exactly what she wanted: to excellently serve her country with the goal of rising through its ranks. So despite that nagging feeling in the back of her mind telling her to protest and be appropriately humble for once in her life, she didn't.
"Director Verdock, that..that's quite an honor that I can't say I expected," she said carefully, her ears ringing. "I appreciate the proposed opportunity and responsibility and I'll take it on seriously."
Ray was surprised by Director Verdock's change in attitude but in some ways he wasn't. Verdock wasn't neccessarily a bad man, he was a man who liked to get the job done. What some say as a cruel strike he saw as a willingness to get the things done that others didn't at all costs. Still he couldn't give in to such an extreme motion so early especially illegally, it was bad enough he was doing what he was doing. Still he'd feel bad if Verdock turned out to be right and lives were loss but it was a risk he was willing to take for the sake of democracy. "Alright Verdock.. I can agree to that, I'll grant your request congratulations Cori Woods. I know you'll serve your country well, and Verdock..we do tend to disagree but you know I picked you for a reason so needless to say I know you'll do the same, we can get a handle on this situation, and although I know I couldn't immediately authorize the actions you requested I hope this compromise turns out for the best..."He spoke confidently but still in the back of his mind he'd seen the footage of the hospital in Atlanta, if they all turned to be like this he'd be the first one to push Verdock's bill mainly due to all the sleep he'd loose at night knowing he had a chance to start now.
Director Verdock nodded. "Understood sir. Now, may we depart? We have much work to do." Verdock indeed had much to do. So much planning, so much strategy, so little time. And Woods.....oh Woods. Verdock inwardly smiled. She was a pain in his ass. This will show her that women have no place in the CIA.
Cori blinked at the Director and hesitated. This was it? She had expected--or at least hoped--for more direction, of any sort, and the size of her role was quickly dawning on her. "Right... Uh, thank you. I'll stay in touch," she said, looking between them.
"Alright this meeting is adjourned, we're having make-shift facilities set up right now. Get everything set up by Monday we can start removing Empowered individuals from society. Like I said this is illegal, if they have a prior criminal record that makes it easier, build up from that..if they don't just do it swiftly..if there going to be lots of people who notice there missing plant evidence of crime or criminal history if neccessary or just blame it on Empowered themselves it's not as if they haven't shownt he capability to make people go away..let's get to work, we have a coutnry to fix." President Ray began organizing the paper work on his desk, he had a speech later today yesterday he'd talked about Atlanta, today he was going to talk about the whole country.
Director Verdock nodded, walked over to the door, and held it open as he motioned for Cori to walk through first. As rhey walked down the halls and to their own respective means of travel Verdock spoke. "I assume you will treat this temporary grant of power with care. After this fiasco of an event, maybe you can even keep it. Just so long as you are actually able to end this Empowered nightmare."
Despite the generous promotion, Cori could sense the tension between them and the coolness of his tone. "I don't want to keep it, sir, with all due respect. I'm aiming for the top, but I appreciate the sentiment," she responded before coming to a pause where they would go their seperate ways. "And I won't be a second choice when I'm there."
Lemons
Alby47
