Dark*Matter: Discovery, the Beginning

[Falkus]

"There are a number of a Hoffmann Institute employees with a wide variety supernatural abilities, ranging from simple, to extraordinarily powerful. I can't disclose exact demographics to you just yet, of course, but there's several at each facility we control, both serving as agents and in other positions, primarily research and support," Smtih explained.

 

[Friadoc]

oO Gee, this ain't familiar Oo thinks Cade with a chuckle as he signs and initials the forms quickly and in the proper places. It is obvious that he's signed similar forms before and reads them quickly, one might think too quickly, but something about how Cade does it shows an experience with NDAs and such.

"Done and done," says Cade as he hands the paperwork back to Mr. Smith. "Now, my sword and sidearm, please? It's the egyptian one from the library and the S&W Model 1076 Tactical Model with combat laser sighting."

It is definately obvious that Cade has felt 'underdressed' without his sidearm, very underdressed.

"Clips missin' a couple rounds," adds Cade with a wry smile.

 

[yestotom]

Cyrus is anxious to be a part of all of this, but not so anxious that he won't take whatever time is necessary to read every word and to ask questions about each and everything he doesn't understand.

Assuming he does not uncover any deal-breakers, Cyrus signs the documents and adds, "I, too, would like to get my weapons back. Of course, any upgrades that the institute can provide would be greatly appreciated."

 

[industrygothica]

"So," Nick says. "What now? When do we get the grand tour? I mean, this obviously isn't your main headquarters, and I guess we have a new boss to meet, too."

 

[iwatt]

Larry's signature is amessy scrawl through all the apropriate forms. He didn't even trouble himself with reading the textk, and handed it over immeadiately. He seemed apparently unconcerned with what the specifics said. Just go with the flow.

"Do a lot of Hoffman agents have 'supernatural abilities?' I know I don't...and in the interest of fairness, I think we should know what sort of things we can expect from our co-workers at least."

His laziness had payed off. Of course someone else would ctch anything important and bring it to the attention of the rest. "Well, I've go to tell you that I'm a magician." Waiting for the rest to turn and look, Larry goes into a small performance of sleight of hand. His appearnace seems to transform and before you stands Hogo The Magnificent. A dissapearing tricks, a flower out of thin air for Merdith, all standard parlour tricks he'd done a thousand times. "But I'm guessing that's not supernatural enough for you," he finishes with a grin.

 

[kinem]

Diego scans through the contract. It was pretty much what he expected, and he doubted it mattered anyway. Contract or no, the Institute obviously regards itself as above the law. And Smith said it himself, agents lie and cheat and break the law at will to protect their secrets. Does anyone think they will take a contact violator to court? This contract is not worth the paper it's printed on.

Still, he signed it. He didn't want to return to his boring job at McDonald's, and he suspected it was already too late to back out.

He wondered if he should mention his suspicions that he could 'speed up' people. After all, if anyone could help him to understand it, it was the Institute. But he wasn't sure what they would do to him. And after all, he had no solid evidence; he could always mention it later and say he hadn't known about it until then.

He clapped at Larry's act. "Not bad. Now all you have to do is learn to make animated skeletons vanish."

 

[Falkus]

Once all the forms were signed, Smith gathered them up. He seemed unimpressed by Larry's impromptu magic act. "Congratulations," he said. "You are now officially field agents for the Hoffmann Institute."

"First, you'll need to be equipped," he continued, and then handed out laminated ID cards and cellphones to each of you. "These are your ID cards, don't lose them. They contain a chip with your biometric information that will allow you access to our sensitive facilities, as well as serving as your login password for the OSIRS computer network. As field agents, you'll have level three access. The cellphones are specially encrypted, and use our own cell network, to minimze the chances of the NSA listening in with the ECHELON system, as well as anybody else who'd be interested in Institute business."

"As for your weapons, and your sword, they're in the basement. If you don't own a gun, there are a few nine millimeters handguns of various models and concealed carry holsters down there as well. Please take one and familiarize yourself with it as soon as you can."

He handed each of you another business card with another address downtown. "This is our Chicago building. Not the public one, of course. Fortunately, we have an opening for a team here in Chicago, so you won't be required to relocate. Report to the director tommorow morning."

 

[Shayuri]

Feeling a bit in a daze, Meredith accepts the items offered, studying her ID card owlishly before putting it in her wallet in her purse. The building location gets a long look too, then is also stowed away. It all seems so far away, still. Guns. Skeletons. Swords. Burning urns. Could this really be her world?

It is now.

"We...I mean...are we here all going to be on the same team?" she asks. "If so, maybe we should introduce ourselves at least."

 

[Friadoc]

It takes an act of will, a forcible act of will, for Cade to not bury Mr. Smith in questions; biometric chips, secure networks, encrypted cellphones, and all of it ready before they even confirmed their acceptance of the offer.

oO I wonder what the cipher strength is on these puppies, Oo thinks Cade as he looks at his cellphone, not only does he confirm it is on, he does a quick run through on the on-board options for the device as he listens.

"I bet that p!sses the NSA off to no end," says Cade when Agent Smith mentions ECHELON. "I'm gonna miss starting off my phone calls with "I am a terrorist" when I call for movie times, though."

After slipping his Hoffmann ID card into a flip wallet, similar to those used by the FBI or Undercover Cops, Cade pockets it, the cellphone, and the business card as he listens in on the final details for tomorrows meeting.

When Meredith asks for introductions, Cade smiles that country boy grin of his and says, "Cade Black, owner, president, CEO and sole employee of Black Ops Incorporated, a freelance security solution provider."

It is obvious from the chuckle after Cade says the above, that he is not where near as egotistical as the spiel he says would suggest.

"Oregonian in exile," adds Cade quickly.

 

[iwatt]

"We...I mean...are we here all going to be on the same team?" she asks. "If so, maybe we should introduce ourselves at least."

"The name's Larry. Larry Higgins. A born and bred Cubs fan, a true son of the windy city, and of course, always at the disposal of a beautiful lady." The last was said with a twinkle and a wink of an eye. "And now of course a fully fledged occult hunter."

Turning towards Cade, he adds "Well Mr. Black, I could use your help choosing a nice gun. The Glock I picked up during the shooting was OK, but you were carrying a nice piece of hardware yourself." He finsihes with a chuckle and another alusion to cinema, "And if you're going to be Mr. Black, I'll be Mr. Blue."