The Dossiers of Asset 108 Collection

by J M Guillen

  Regardless, Anya in a yellow sundress and black flats took me completely off guard.

  “Looking good, Petrova,” Delacruz jerked a chin at her. “It’s nice to see you aren’t joining the overalls trend.”

  “I’m not,” she said.

  “Okay.” I cocked an eye at her. “What gives?”

  “Continuing our discussion regarding Asset weapon training, it occurred to me that perhaps I should become more accustomed to appearing as a median human.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Affirmative.” She gazed directly at me. “If I’m to spend any time training you in the use of firearms, you’ll most certainly be in torpor. For this reason, I’ll spend some time acclimating to this mindset.”

  “Are you certain you weren’t just eavesdropping on our conversation about team uniforms?” Wyatt leaned toward the table. “Because, Petrova, I am okay with this look.”

  Before Anya had opened her mouth to respond, the door at the front of the room slid open. Demetrius Stone strolled in. He gave me a nod and Anya a smile.

  “Hello, cadre.” Just as he sat in one of the chairs, Designate Ling entered the room. To look at her, one never would have guessed Facility Prime had just been assaulted by Irrational forces.

  As always, the Designate dressed meticulously: pencil skirt, black high heels, and perfect, understated makeup. Her glasses hung around her neck, and her hair had been swept up in a tight bun.

  Good afternoon, Assets. She smiled as she took her place in the front of the room. Let’s get started, shall we?

  3

  In the end, the Facility needed very little from us.

  The Crowns of every Asset in play over the course of the past seventy-two hours will undergo synaptic replication. The Designate folded her arms. To do anything else is to risk the loss of information that we simply cannot afford to let slip by.

  “Designate?” I cleared my throat. “Do we have any intel on the location of the Designates who were… affected by Irrational Relic 0918?”

  It is unfortunately difficult to say how many Designates may have been compromised. Her smile grew tight. We lost fifteen Designates in the conflict, several of whom are known to have died. However, some of those are very much alive and made away from Facility Prime with dangerous relics of interest.

  “Fifteen.” Rachel shook her in head. “If even a third of those became compromised…”

  “One rogue Designate ruined our day.” Wyatt leaned forward on the table. “Tell me we’re taking precautions. Necessary measures against them.”

  Resources are being utilized. The Designate nodded, and glanced around the room. It is expected that, with the Mediterranean conflict behind us, teams can begin to assess our numbers and determine some hardline facts.

  “Because they will be a problem.” Wyatt leaned on the table. “And when they are, is there any question about who will be tasked with that problem?”

  None. The Designate tapped something on her tablet, then glanced up at us. I assure you that, should one of these individuals be a concern, the Citadel Initiative will be our first response.

  “I’m so pleased to have been part of all this.” Stone turned toward me. “I don’t always get to feel helpful, Alpha, not in these situations. But I feel like we worked together quite well.”

  “Yeah.” I nodded at him. “Me too.”

  I did. I truly did.

  With the resolution of 108’s relationship with the astral aberrant, the Citadel Assets are considered to be the perfect tool for these situations.

  “Yes.” I wriggled in my seat a bit. “Good.”

  I didn’t exactly feel that my relationship had been resolved. Amir had performed some kind of crazy mojo and the thing had vanished. I knew he’d styled himself as a master of summoning and binding aetheric creatures…

  But I couldn’t bring myself to hope that the wolf had been destroyed. The creature hadn’t appeared again during the combat, but that was all I knew.

  The Designates could make assumptions. But, as far as I was concerned, I’d keep an open mind.

  While the Citadel Initiative was conceptualized in response to Aberration 45171R and Sadhana, this initial excursion concluded beyond our satisfaction.

  We satisfied her. Wyatt arched an eyebrow as he linked to me alone. I bet it was me.

  That said, the concept of applying a Catalyst Asset to the Citadel isn’t off the table.

  “Um?” Delacruz leaned forward. “As in, Bishop take the Catalyst packet?”

  Bishop would remain cadre Alpha, of course. The initial configuration of the team involved Gideon DuMarque as Catalyst. While Gideon is irreplaceable, it still may be in the best interest of the team to have a Catalyst in place.

  “I…” Delacruz sat back, thoughtful. “I don’t like it.”

  Pardon me? The Designate seemed genuinely confused.

  “Bishop is a reckless, cowboy asshole.” Delacruz gave me a sly wink. “When you go back over the phaneric intel after you scrape our Crowns, you’re going to find crazy choice after crazy choice in this dossier.”

  We are aware of his nature. The Designate still seemed off balance. This is why he has the position he does.

  “So, he may be an asshole, but he’s also a genius when he’s thinking on the fly. When he acts on instinct and doesn’t question himself, he pulls off some truly amazing maneuvers.” She turned to me. “Seriously, dude. I’d forgotten all about the spike in the middle of the sea.”

  “The homework with the statues was pretty cool,” Wyatt admitted. “They were like wrecking balls.”

  “I think what Asset Delacruz is attempting to communicate,” Anya spoke primly, “is that we often find ourselves in situations where we are reliant on Michael’s instincts.”

  “When we’re in trouble and grasping at straws.” Rachel nodded. “Right. No one is better.”

  “Mike is who we look to when things get really bad,” Sofia continued. “He worked well with Gideon because they trusted each other. But that was a unique relationship.” She paused for a moment. “You don’t have another Gideon DuMarque hidden away in the basement at Facility Prime, I bet.”

  So, as a cadre, you have some concerns about being assigned a new Catalyst?

  “Designate, if I may.” Stone cleared his throat and sat up. “I’ve been present for some of Michael’s strategies, and much of the time, what they require is intimate trust.” He waved at me genially. “The man gets inspired, and he just runs with it.”

  “Gideon knew how to trust Michael,” Anya said. “It is possible that a new Catalyst wouldn’t.”

  “So,” Sofia continued, “in that situation, if he had to clear each choice through a third party, it might be too late.”

  Because of the fluidity of these events. The Designate nodded.

  “Correct.” Delacruz turned to me. “As an Asset of the Citadel, I’d rather just follow 108. I trust his judgements. I know he’s always going to make certain I come home.”

  “He’ll tear apart anyone who tries to stop him,” Rachel said quietly.

  I wasn’t tearing up.

  That was someone else.

  This isn’t an idea that has been considered, I’ll admit. The Designate nodded slowly. It’s possible to continue the Citadel Initiative without a Catalyst by assigning a permanent Designate contact instead.

  “That might work out better,” Wyatt drawled. “If it’s a possibility.”

  Is that a configuration you would be amenable to, 108? Designate Ling turned toward me. Here are the implications: If we go forward, I am your assigned Facility contact. These Assets would remain as your permanent cadre.

  For a moment, I said nothing.

  My friends gazed at me.

  Anya gave the tiniest of nods.

  “Yeah,” I said, my voice rough. “Yeah, that would be perfect.”

  4

  “Sofia!” I called down the hallway. “Wait a sec?” I trotted up to her.

  “What now?” She gave me
a crooked grin. “This girl has to go get drunk.”

  “I wanted to thank you.” I gave a small, casual shrug. “For bringing up your feelings in the meeting.” I paused.

  “About the Calayst?”

  “Right.” I nodded. “That meant a lot to me.”

  “Well, I was honest.” She shrugged. “Imagine if you had to check all your crazy plans with a third party. You know how many times I’d be dead already?”

  “Nah.” I grinned. “I just appreciate you being willing to tell the Designate what you thought.”

  “Well…” She chuckled. “I speak her mind, Mike.”

  “That’s another thing.” The smile slipped from my face. “I wanted to tell you about someone.”

  “Okay?”

  “Elle Quirke was our Gatekeeper when we went into the Yucatán. She’s the only other person who came out, and her mind shattered during the experience.”

  “That was during your first encounter with the Variance.” She nodded, a tiny motion.

  “Elle had a laugh like a crystal bell.” I smiled at Delacruz. “She was a small thing but always happy. Always so upbeat.”

  “Until the Yucatán.”

  “Yeah.” I felt my face become grim. “Like the rest of my cadre, Elle never really came back.”

  “I’m sorry, Mike.” Delacruz took a breath. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”

  “Sofia, Elle was the only person who ever called me ‘Mike.’” I shrugged. “That’s why it was kind of a deal. That’s why I teased you about stopping.”

  “Oh.” She brought one hand to her face. “Oh, Bishop. I had no idea. I’ll stop. I—!”

  I held up my hand.

  She silenced.

  “Elle excelled as our Gatekeeper; and lived as a brave, fierce woman. Elle Quirke was one of the best friends I ever had.”

  Delacruz met my eyes.

  “Sofia, I’d like you to call me Mike.” I gave her a soft smile. “Please.”

  Taking Shots

  I had no idea what to wear.

  I easily had two dozen suits in my closet, one in every color for every occasion. Some had even been tailored slightly larger in the chest during that brief time I thought I might enjoy working out.

  I did not enjoy working out.

  “Not this.” I stood in front of a full-length mirror, wearing a T-shirt, blue jeans, and tennis shoes. Creases all crisp, they were definitely new.

  It just wasn’t what I was accustomed to wearing.

  I felt like a schlub.

  While I searched through my closet for different shirt, my phone rang. I peered at the caller ID and then sighed.

  GUTHRIE, W.

  “Yeah?” I trapped the phone between my ear and my shoulder. “You’re not calling to tell me you’ll be late tomorrow?”

  “No,” Wyatt sounded offended. “I can be on time, Hoss.”

  “You are never on time.” I glanced at another shirt and scowled.

  It didn’t turn into a better shirt despite my dirty look.

  “I am for the big stuff.” His tone took on a touch of solemnity. “Gideon was good people, Hoss. One of the best. I wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Yeah, buddy.” I sighed. “I know.”

  “Thing is,” I heard Wyatt smile over the phone, “I’m actually early. I touched down in SFO an hour ago.”

  “What?” I turned and sat on my bed. “Seriously? Wyatt Guthrie is hours early?”

  “I caught a cab, and I’m at a bar downtown.”

  “Is it just a bar?” I grinned, waiting for him to name some classy location like Pole Position or Loose Lips.

  “Just a bar.” He paused for a moment. “I figured you and I might go and do something a little more interesting this evening though.”

  “This evening?” I frowned. “I’m afraid I can’t, man. I didn’t know you’d be here, and I made other arrangements.”

  “I haven’t even told you what it is.” Mischief lit his voice. “What if I told you I’d arranged to spend a lovely evening with a couple of ladies here locally?”

  “Ladies?” I rolled my eyes, even though I knew he couldn’t hear me do that. “Do they have names like Bunny and Elecktra?”

  “I’m serious!” I could imagine the pout on his face. “I set it all up. Twins, man. We’re taking them out for shots. Met ’em on the AOL.”

  “What?” I shook my head. “You’re still into that Internet thing?”

  “You really need to pay attention to computers, Bishop.” I heard Wyatt take a drink. “They’re the future, I’m telling you.”

  “I’m telling you, I can’t.” I sighed. “Anyway, I wasn’t going to tell you this, but I’ve met someone.”

  “What?”

  “No, I don’t mean…” I paused. “I don’t mean met met. I have an appointment, and I’m kind of nervous about it.”

  “Super-suave Bishop? Nervous?”

  “I’ve been sitting here for almost an hour trying to figure out what to wear. You know that feeling when you’re looking at three dozen outfits and feel like you have nothing to wear?”

  “All the time,” Wyatt said. “Especially when I have a date with someone, but I haven’t met met them.”

  “It’s not really a date,” I explained. “I met this Russian girl—”

  “Russian?” Wyatt let out a low whistle. “Them ladies know how to take care of a guy, Bishop.”

  “What?”

  “I know it’s cold in Russia, but you can bet she won’t be an ice princess… if you know what I mean.”

  “It’s not like that,” I protested. “She’s actually giving me…” I took a deep breath. “Shooting lessons.”

  “You’re taking shooting lessons?”

  “Yeah, big deal.”

  “You’re taking shooting lessons from a woman.”

  “We didn’t all grow up killing raccoons so we could eat.”

  “You haven’t lived ’til you’ve eaten raccoon.” I heard him take another sip. “That’s not my point.”

  “Is your point that you don’t think a woman should be able to shoot?”

  “No,” he scoffed. “Now you’re just being ridiculous. My mother was an amazing shot.”

  “So what is your point?” I stood up, went back to my closet, and resumed my clothes search.

  “You know how you go on a date every night of the week?” Wyatt asked.

  “Not every night.”

  “Well. You make fun of me for going to strip clubs, but I think what you do is way worse.”

  “Please explain.”

  “At these clubs, these ladies know exactly what I’m there for. I pay them and I pay them well. Then I go home and they go home. Everybody’s happy.”

  “I still don’t see your point?”

  “You go on dates. You go on two dozen dates a month.” He took a drink, and I heard the ice clink in his glass. “How many of those ladies do you take home to your mama? D’ ya think while you’re dancing the night away, they’re hopin’ you might offer them something significant? D’ ya think they get tired of wasting their time with schmoozy losers?”

  “Well.” I didn’t quite know what to say that. “I mean…”

  “Let me ask you a question. Last week, when you went out for drinks with whatever floofy little thing you went out with, how long did it take you to figure out which Brooks Brothers suit to wear?”

  “What kind of question is that?”

  “Answer.”

  “Probably five, ten minutes.”

  “And you expect me to believe that tonight you stood there for an hour for a Russian girl that isn’t a date?”

  “You are blowing this way out of context.” I stood in front of the mirror and held a black turtleneck to my chest.

  Yeah. That might do.

  “You know it’s okay with me if you actually like a lady, right?” Wyatt cleared his throat. “It’s okay to admit you’d like a relationship that isn’t just a one-time thing.”

  “It’s not lik
e that at all,” I repeated. “I met her while out. We talked. She promised she’d teach me how to shoot.”

  “Is she hot?”

  “She’s crazy hot,” I confirmed. “But a little odd. It’s not romantic, either way.”

  “Maybe it should be, that’s all I’m sayin’.”

  I sighed.

  “Bishop, tomorrow afternoon, we’re attending a funeral.” He cleared his throat. “A funeral of a really good man.”

  “Yeah,” I agreed.

  “Life’s short, Hoss. If you like this girl, and actually think you can make some kind of connection… Don’t waste time. That’s all I’m sayin’.”

  That…

  That hit me. Struck me a little differently than the things Wyatt typically said.

  “Yeah.” I paused. “I’ll think about it.”

  “You do that.” I heard his grin. “In the meantime, I’ll see you tomorrow. After my date with those twins.”

  “Fair enough.” I chuckled and hung up the phone.

  I gazed at myself in the mirror and nodded.

  Yeah. This would do.

  Thing was Wyatt wasn’t entirely wrong. I did like this Anya chic, but I didn’t expect anything to come from it. It wasn’t like she was just some date.

  She was wonderful.

  “I can give it some time.” I smiled, selecting my slacks. “See how things work out.”

  That made sense. No sense rushing into anything.

  It wasn’t as if the world would end tomorrow.

  ###

  Dear Wayward Wanderer,

  You have come far with me, down a strangling rabbit-hole of weird technology and uncanny powers. You have read stories of eldritch realities and the terrible cultists that seek to destroy existence as we know it.

  But are “Irrats” everything they are said to be? Do people with unusual powers really threaten existence as we know it?

  You may recall, about fifteen hundred pages ago, a young woman Michael and Wyatt encountered. This young Irrational, Elizabeth Shepherd, has a story all her own, a tale that starts in the months before Rationality Zero.

  Her perspectives may prove enlightening.

  Here is my free gift to you. Please enjoy this glimpse into another side of our world.