The Future of Cobalt Academy
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 3:13 pm
[14:21] <AnE> Elsewhere on campus, the staff was... frazzled. THe majority of faculty and others who worked for the school had been called into the academy's meeting hall behind the school, with security posted outside so that no students could sneak in and snoop. "And I imagine, Dean Sssssantiago, that your phone has been abssssolutely overwhelmed with phonecallssss." The snakelike math teacher remarked from his seat, a frown painted on his scaly face. "Yes. We were-- I was unprepared for this." The dean sighed as he hung his head, another teacher chiming in, "It's ridiculous! We shouldn't NEED militant protection. This is a school. What do the people on the outside THINK we're doing here? If it had been mutants assaulting a normal school-" "But it wasn't, professor. As much as we try to to hide it, we aren't a normal school. And... maybe...maybe it's time we stop trying to kid ourselves." Surprised murmuring could be heard among the staff members.
[14:28] <SisipWork> Sisip had been called into the meeting in Demitrius's absence. She raises her voice, "Dean Santiago is right, this is only getting worse. I was called in for an interview this morning at the local TV station and it's obvious that
[14:28] <SisipWork> the normal community is eating up what they are fed. I will speak with Gains, perhaps I can start running the team through some more ... serious ... simulations. Get them outfitted with anti-riot gear. These children need to be protected." She frowns, looking around.
[14:34] <AnE> "But, Mr. San-" People hushed up as Sisip spoke, and then there were even more confused murmurs! A disgusted sigh could be heard from someone in the back, "Of course. THEY come after US, maim and kill our students and staff all after THEY'VE exposed US, and WE'VE done something wrong." Murmurmurmurmurmur. "You are aware that having thissss... 'them' against 'ussss' attitude issss-" "-probably the only way any of us are going to survive anymore." Santiago admitted this as he stood at the head of the room, arms sliding behind his back. "As we speak, Mr. Gains is on the phone with META officials. Now, the Salem PD may not do anything, but META has an obligation not only to defend humans from mutant dangers but to do the reverse as well. Unfortunately, Ms. Webster, it looks like... we may require more than just intensified simulator training." There was a twinge of regret in his voice as we spoke. "I'm going to request that you all keep yourselves available while we sort this mess out. When I have any more information, you'll all get a call." He raised his hands, then dropped them to his side helplessly.
[14:42] <SisipWork> Sisip blinked at the idea that perhaps something more was going to be required. "I'll give them the heads up." Her tablet comes out of her backpack and she taps out a message, sending it off to phones in her address book. Numbers she'd collected,
[14:42] <SisipWork> numbers given to her by Gains, team members, potential candidates, interested parties.
[14:45] <AnE> And as it had been hinted, the school was being flooded with phonecalls from parents, police, government offices. Answers were demanded! Of course, nobody saw fit to ask the real culprits what happened. It probably didn't help that blood had been spilled on both sides. There were few of the attackers who were in any condition to speak to police or META agents, and even then, their lips were sealed and their lawyers were ever-present. The number of injured on campus had only reaches into the high tens, and the number of dead was even fewer, but every loss was felt. The school had been shaken to the core. Sisip was going to get a phonecall minutes after sending out her message, as Gains had just concluded his phonecall.
[14:49] <SisipWork> Stepping to the back of the meeting Sisip answers the call, speaking quietly so as not to disturb the meeting. She doesn't leave the room, however, deciding that this wasn't something she wanted to hear word of mouth afterwards. She knew the number, she had Gains already in her phonebook. Her voice, full of seriousness and just a bit of determination, rides the phonewaves to Gains.
[14:49] <SisipWork> "Yes Sir?"
[14:52] <AnE> The meeting would be ended soon enough, with teachers skulking out out of the building. Whispers of school closings and lawsuits hung in the air, and not just in the auditorium. Gains sounded ...rather un-Gains-like when he phoned Sisip, the stress evident in his voice, "Those kids who fought off the mob yesterday -- you too, you should all be commended, Webster. I'm just sorry that it wasn't enough."
[14:59] <SisipWork> The native woman freezes. His tone was, by far, enough to unnerve her. Gains never let his stress show. Always sure of himself, at least infront of other people. A breath is taken as she nods, eyes closing. "I am too. I'm going to be making the rounds today, speaking to each of them in turn. I'll pass on your commendations to them, I know they'll appreciate hearing it." There's
[14:59] <SisipWork> a pause as she puts her thoughts to voice, "This is not going to get any better, Marcus." A... first name? "We need this team to be able to do things that we've been told not to do." She meant, of course, kill if need be. Last night was proof of that. ".. I'd like Marlo Cross back .. if that is possible." Normally she wouldn't ask. Hell, she didn't want Marlo on a 'no kill' team
[14:59] <SisipWork> . A team that was a shining beacon of hope. A team that sang 'we're mutants and we're here to help'. It was looking like there was no more room for that sort of team. It was looking like they were going to have to transition into "we keep our people alive and do what we have to do... to do so."
15:06] <AnE> "You don't need to tell me twice. This place... it's always been a target. I knew that much before I was even hired here." Liquid pouring and ice clinking in a glass could be heard in the background. Why wouldn't he be drinking after this? "Now it looks like we're going to have to take extreme measures to make sure that doesn't happen again. And if what my...ex-superiors are telling me is true, they're willing to lend their aid. But I doubt the students here are going to like the conditions under which this aid is being offered. Nothing's set in stone just yet, but... I'll tell you it doesn't look good." He paused, taking a sip of whatever he was drinking. Alcohol? Duh. "...Cross. Normally I'd ask what the hell you were on, but after this, it looks like the gloves are off. I can't parade the 'no kill' banner around anymore and take myself seriously. The team is going to have to take whatever measures it can until this is all sorted out, and god knows how long that'll be."
[15:15] <SisipWork> Aid... that student's wouldn't quite like. Military goons? If META was getting involved that was likely. Perhaps if the team was able to meet this challenge that could be avoided. "You know I wouldn't have even bothered bringing his name up if I didn't feel like ... perhaps we may need his particular ... agression." She sighs. His mother was going to kill her. "I'll get them up to
[15:15] <SisipWork> task, Marcus. After last night I don't think that anyone on the team will question the tactical change. This is their home, these are their family and friends. They'll want to keep them safe." She purses her lips, still tapping on her tablet as she takes a seat on a desk. "I'm emailing you some forms I'd like approved. Waivers to give to the Dean allowing XTeam members with the proper
[15:15] <SisipWork> licensing and training to carry weapons on campus. I don't want anyone to turn around and claim we're doing this under the table, so there's going to be a metric crapton of filing to do."
[15:22] <AnE> "Forms...?" Gains did not sound all that pleased, especially when Sisip explained what the forms were for. But his initial response was nothing but a quiet little grunt as he poured himself another drink. There was a lengthy pause before he spoke again, no doubt weighing his options before saying a word. "Here's how it's gonna be, Webster. You got a few -- and I mean, the bare. fucking. minimum amount of team members. They got their licenses for these fucking things? They'll be cleared to have them." Was he grinding his teeth? "But that don't mean I want every team member packing heat. We're not *them*. If they got the abilities to take out the enemy without resorting to their tactics, they better not even LOOK at a damn gun. You got me? As for Cross..." He hesitated! "...he's back on. Don't make me regret this, I'm only saying yes because we need every man we can get, even if those men are goddamn kids."
[15:34] <SisipWork> "Yes Sir, I understand completely. Sunder is fully licensed as is Max. There is one other that I've got my eye on and he doesn't get through until I've seen that he's not just talking out his ass. I'll make sure they know that their firearms are the final resort. If they pull it and can't justify it they will be off the team in an instant. You have my word on that." As he gives the
[15:34] <SisipWork> approval for Cross the Cobalt Pocahontas actually winces, half hoping he'd say no. "We won't let you down, Marcus, for the very simple reason... we all have too much to lose if this goes wrong."
15:43] <AnE> "Yes. ...we do. And don't go spreading this around, but I think Santiago's considering...closure." A knock on the door could be heard through the phone, Gains swearing softly under his breath, "I gotta go, Webster. That might be him now. You'll be hearing from me." And that ended the call! "...come in." Just as he expected, the dean appeared in the doorway, a troubled look on his face, "...can we talk, Marcus?"
[15:51] <SisipWork> Closure? Surely he was joking. Where would ... people go? "I'll.. keep my phone on." And with that the call ended, leaving a stunned Sisip sitting at the desk. Slowly she pulls herself together. She'd only been here a year and she'd come to think of this place as her true home... close it? They couldn't do that. Standing she grabs her tablet and heads to the door, the room all but
[15:51] <SisipWork> cleared out since the meeting ended. Shaking her head she pushes out into the quad, dark eyes closing against the sun.
[15:58] <AnE> "What's the news?" Santiago asked hesitantly as he walked through the door, taking a seat across from Gains' desk. "META is willing to offer the school aid. But they want some assurance that something like this isn't going to happen again." Gains spoke simply as he leaned back in his creaky leather chair, a half-empty bottle of whiskey resting on one side of the desk. "But, Marcus... you know we can't guarantee anything! I'm getting phonecalls from parents, they're pulling their kids out by the dozens!" The dean ran his hands through his hair with an exasperated sigh, hanging his head, "What do we do? What do I do?" "First off, Matt, you don't let anybody know that you're not 100% confident on whatever decision you make." A finger was pointed in Santiago's direction, eyes narrowed sharply behind his sunglasses.
[16:07] <AnE> "R-right...right..." Lowering his gaze, Santiago sighed, but but Gains jsut slapped a hand against the desk. "I'm serious, Matias! You can't let anyone see you doubting, and don't say you aren't because I know. I'm Marcus Motherfucking Gains." That comment had the dean chuckling a little, and Gains even smiled! "Now... seriously, Dean. This is your school, but it won't be for long if you don't make a decision. What's the best thing to keep the people safe? Our people. Mutantkind." Santiago narrowed his eyes in thought, going silent for a few moments, "...make this place...no longer a target." He sounded unusually sure of himself! Gains just nodded, "Exactly..."
[14:28] <SisipWork> Sisip had been called into the meeting in Demitrius's absence. She raises her voice, "Dean Santiago is right, this is only getting worse. I was called in for an interview this morning at the local TV station and it's obvious that
[14:28] <SisipWork> the normal community is eating up what they are fed. I will speak with Gains, perhaps I can start running the team through some more ... serious ... simulations. Get them outfitted with anti-riot gear. These children need to be protected." She frowns, looking around.
[14:34] <AnE> "But, Mr. San-" People hushed up as Sisip spoke, and then there were even more confused murmurs! A disgusted sigh could be heard from someone in the back, "Of course. THEY come after US, maim and kill our students and staff all after THEY'VE exposed US, and WE'VE done something wrong." Murmurmurmurmurmur. "You are aware that having thissss... 'them' against 'ussss' attitude issss-" "-probably the only way any of us are going to survive anymore." Santiago admitted this as he stood at the head of the room, arms sliding behind his back. "As we speak, Mr. Gains is on the phone with META officials. Now, the Salem PD may not do anything, but META has an obligation not only to defend humans from mutant dangers but to do the reverse as well. Unfortunately, Ms. Webster, it looks like... we may require more than just intensified simulator training." There was a twinge of regret in his voice as we spoke. "I'm going to request that you all keep yourselves available while we sort this mess out. When I have any more information, you'll all get a call." He raised his hands, then dropped them to his side helplessly.
[14:42] <SisipWork> Sisip blinked at the idea that perhaps something more was going to be required. "I'll give them the heads up." Her tablet comes out of her backpack and she taps out a message, sending it off to phones in her address book. Numbers she'd collected,
[14:42] <SisipWork> numbers given to her by Gains, team members, potential candidates, interested parties.
[14:45] <AnE> And as it had been hinted, the school was being flooded with phonecalls from parents, police, government offices. Answers were demanded! Of course, nobody saw fit to ask the real culprits what happened. It probably didn't help that blood had been spilled on both sides. There were few of the attackers who were in any condition to speak to police or META agents, and even then, their lips were sealed and their lawyers were ever-present. The number of injured on campus had only reaches into the high tens, and the number of dead was even fewer, but every loss was felt. The school had been shaken to the core. Sisip was going to get a phonecall minutes after sending out her message, as Gains had just concluded his phonecall.
[14:49] <SisipWork> Stepping to the back of the meeting Sisip answers the call, speaking quietly so as not to disturb the meeting. She doesn't leave the room, however, deciding that this wasn't something she wanted to hear word of mouth afterwards. She knew the number, she had Gains already in her phonebook. Her voice, full of seriousness and just a bit of determination, rides the phonewaves to Gains.
[14:49] <SisipWork> "Yes Sir?"
[14:52] <AnE> The meeting would be ended soon enough, with teachers skulking out out of the building. Whispers of school closings and lawsuits hung in the air, and not just in the auditorium. Gains sounded ...rather un-Gains-like when he phoned Sisip, the stress evident in his voice, "Those kids who fought off the mob yesterday -- you too, you should all be commended, Webster. I'm just sorry that it wasn't enough."
[14:59] <SisipWork> The native woman freezes. His tone was, by far, enough to unnerve her. Gains never let his stress show. Always sure of himself, at least infront of other people. A breath is taken as she nods, eyes closing. "I am too. I'm going to be making the rounds today, speaking to each of them in turn. I'll pass on your commendations to them, I know they'll appreciate hearing it." There's
[14:59] <SisipWork> a pause as she puts her thoughts to voice, "This is not going to get any better, Marcus." A... first name? "We need this team to be able to do things that we've been told not to do." She meant, of course, kill if need be. Last night was proof of that. ".. I'd like Marlo Cross back .. if that is possible." Normally she wouldn't ask. Hell, she didn't want Marlo on a 'no kill' team
[14:59] <SisipWork> . A team that was a shining beacon of hope. A team that sang 'we're mutants and we're here to help'. It was looking like there was no more room for that sort of team. It was looking like they were going to have to transition into "we keep our people alive and do what we have to do... to do so."
15:06] <AnE> "You don't need to tell me twice. This place... it's always been a target. I knew that much before I was even hired here." Liquid pouring and ice clinking in a glass could be heard in the background. Why wouldn't he be drinking after this? "Now it looks like we're going to have to take extreme measures to make sure that doesn't happen again. And if what my...ex-superiors are telling me is true, they're willing to lend their aid. But I doubt the students here are going to like the conditions under which this aid is being offered. Nothing's set in stone just yet, but... I'll tell you it doesn't look good." He paused, taking a sip of whatever he was drinking. Alcohol? Duh. "...Cross. Normally I'd ask what the hell you were on, but after this, it looks like the gloves are off. I can't parade the 'no kill' banner around anymore and take myself seriously. The team is going to have to take whatever measures it can until this is all sorted out, and god knows how long that'll be."
[15:15] <SisipWork> Aid... that student's wouldn't quite like. Military goons? If META was getting involved that was likely. Perhaps if the team was able to meet this challenge that could be avoided. "You know I wouldn't have even bothered bringing his name up if I didn't feel like ... perhaps we may need his particular ... agression." She sighs. His mother was going to kill her. "I'll get them up to
[15:15] <SisipWork> task, Marcus. After last night I don't think that anyone on the team will question the tactical change. This is their home, these are their family and friends. They'll want to keep them safe." She purses her lips, still tapping on her tablet as she takes a seat on a desk. "I'm emailing you some forms I'd like approved. Waivers to give to the Dean allowing XTeam members with the proper
[15:15] <SisipWork> licensing and training to carry weapons on campus. I don't want anyone to turn around and claim we're doing this under the table, so there's going to be a metric crapton of filing to do."
[15:22] <AnE> "Forms...?" Gains did not sound all that pleased, especially when Sisip explained what the forms were for. But his initial response was nothing but a quiet little grunt as he poured himself another drink. There was a lengthy pause before he spoke again, no doubt weighing his options before saying a word. "Here's how it's gonna be, Webster. You got a few -- and I mean, the bare. fucking. minimum amount of team members. They got their licenses for these fucking things? They'll be cleared to have them." Was he grinding his teeth? "But that don't mean I want every team member packing heat. We're not *them*. If they got the abilities to take out the enemy without resorting to their tactics, they better not even LOOK at a damn gun. You got me? As for Cross..." He hesitated! "...he's back on. Don't make me regret this, I'm only saying yes because we need every man we can get, even if those men are goddamn kids."
[15:34] <SisipWork> "Yes Sir, I understand completely. Sunder is fully licensed as is Max. There is one other that I've got my eye on and he doesn't get through until I've seen that he's not just talking out his ass. I'll make sure they know that their firearms are the final resort. If they pull it and can't justify it they will be off the team in an instant. You have my word on that." As he gives the
[15:34] <SisipWork> approval for Cross the Cobalt Pocahontas actually winces, half hoping he'd say no. "We won't let you down, Marcus, for the very simple reason... we all have too much to lose if this goes wrong."
15:43] <AnE> "Yes. ...we do. And don't go spreading this around, but I think Santiago's considering...closure." A knock on the door could be heard through the phone, Gains swearing softly under his breath, "I gotta go, Webster. That might be him now. You'll be hearing from me." And that ended the call! "...come in." Just as he expected, the dean appeared in the doorway, a troubled look on his face, "...can we talk, Marcus?"
[15:51] <SisipWork> Closure? Surely he was joking. Where would ... people go? "I'll.. keep my phone on." And with that the call ended, leaving a stunned Sisip sitting at the desk. Slowly she pulls herself together. She'd only been here a year and she'd come to think of this place as her true home... close it? They couldn't do that. Standing she grabs her tablet and heads to the door, the room all but
[15:51] <SisipWork> cleared out since the meeting ended. Shaking her head she pushes out into the quad, dark eyes closing against the sun.
[15:58] <AnE> "What's the news?" Santiago asked hesitantly as he walked through the door, taking a seat across from Gains' desk. "META is willing to offer the school aid. But they want some assurance that something like this isn't going to happen again." Gains spoke simply as he leaned back in his creaky leather chair, a half-empty bottle of whiskey resting on one side of the desk. "But, Marcus... you know we can't guarantee anything! I'm getting phonecalls from parents, they're pulling their kids out by the dozens!" The dean ran his hands through his hair with an exasperated sigh, hanging his head, "What do we do? What do I do?" "First off, Matt, you don't let anybody know that you're not 100% confident on whatever decision you make." A finger was pointed in Santiago's direction, eyes narrowed sharply behind his sunglasses.
[16:07] <AnE> "R-right...right..." Lowering his gaze, Santiago sighed, but but Gains jsut slapped a hand against the desk. "I'm serious, Matias! You can't let anyone see you doubting, and don't say you aren't because I know. I'm Marcus Motherfucking Gains." That comment had the dean chuckling a little, and Gains even smiled! "Now... seriously, Dean. This is your school, but it won't be for long if you don't make a decision. What's the best thing to keep the people safe? Our people. Mutantkind." Santiago narrowed his eyes in thought, going silent for a few moments, "...make this place...no longer a target." He sounded unusually sure of himself! Gains just nodded, "Exactly..."