Above Your Paygrade (Elite)

[Helena Rahal]

Everyone knows that
I'm in over my head

Cross country trips... would these become the norm for Helena with her new position at the head of the Company? The ball at Vegas and now a trip to assess the sitrep of the Elite and decide on its future. Avian knew that Helena was going to ascertain the exact situation of the group, what Avian did not know was that Helena wanted to have the Elite be directly under her purview. Avian did not trust Helena with the truth of who Avian really was, what her true motives and morals were. Helena needed an ace in the hole, a trump card should Avian's true colors be something that Helena could not cope with.

Reading over the briefs conducted by the personnel officer though did not shape up a pretty picture for what Helena was expecting to find when she made it to the facility. The facility was still being serviced by the Company, keeping those who used it ready for their missions when they were called upon. However, like the a lot of the main organization, there was too many members who were listed as M.I.A. or who had gone dark. Currently, only three members of the group were accounted for...

Closing up the umbrella as she came in from the street, Helena shook off the droplets of rain from her body and proceeded to the elevator. Inputting the access code and sliding in her badge into the compartment, she took a soft sigh while the elevator creaked as it took her into the complex. The Elite were completely supplied with everything they needed from food, training equipment, and munitions. The place could be turned into a fortress if the Company ever found itself under attack... but hopefully that never came to pass.

Stepping out of the elevator, Helena navigated herself into the living quarters of the facility, taking a seat on the sofa. She was early, as she looked to the clock and saw the hands read 3:23 in the afternoon, having sent out an e-mail a week ahead of her visit stating that she would come for a meeting at 3:30. Arriving early would give her a chance to catch whoever was here off guard...

[Marcus Rodgers]

Din ho ya raat ho
Who mere saath ho
Jab uski baat ho
Jhoom lia re…
<>

There was to be a meeting of the Elite at three-thirty PM. The Elite, however, had dropped like flies, dwindled down so far that only she, Marcus, and Trevor were left. It would be a small meeting. Mira knew that one of the co-directors of the Company, Helena Rahal, was coming to see them. She did not know where the other co-director was or why she would not be present. Mira would have liked to meet her. She was a stranger, an unknown to them. Helena was not too acquainted with the Elite either, but at least she had been a part of the Company.

It took some time, but Mira was ready to meet with Ms. Rahal at three twenty-five. She liked to be early. As for Marcus, she was fairly certain he would be on time. He usually had no sense of time, but he tended to do as Mira asked. They were a perfect team, and Mira’s joining of the Elite had most likely been one of Quinn’s and Michaels’ best decisions. Marcus agreed, of course. There was no more keeping secrets between them, and both of them were excellent at their respective jobs.

The remaining Elite had kept their headquarters in excellent working order, even though there was a lull in activity. Actually, perhaps it was that lull that gave them the time to keep everything in order. Mira, for her part, had kept everything clean, while Marcus had kept all technology up to date. She believed Trevor was probably taking care of security. While they waited for official orders, Marcus and Mira had gone back to their old private detective days, and accepted some cases that were easy enough and did not expose their relations to the Company.

At three twenty-five, Mira arrived in the kitchen, fully dressed for an interview. She expected to pour herself a glass of water to ensure that her voice was smooth and did not go out. As such, she was quite surprised to find a woman she identified as Helena Rahal sitting on the sofa, waiting patiently. “Director Rahal,” Mira said pleasantly, moving instead to the living room to shake the woman’s hand. “Mira Rodgers, covert operations specialist. Pleased to meet you.” She smiled. “I’m sure my husband will be along on time. In the meantime, would you like anything to eat or drink? We have kept the kitchen well stocked.”

</>

Word count: 400 even.

Attire: Mira: This.
Excerpt: Sunidhi Chauhan, “Crazy Kiya Re.”
Notes: Translation:
Whether it be day or night
that he be with me
whenever anyone speaks of him
my soul dances….

[Trevor Taylor]

I learned how to fall today- Didnt think it would kill you
To settle a debt I thought never would be paid
Found out I was wrong today. Too weak to continue!
One final defense, to fall- Still unbroken!

Trevor had watched her fall at his feet. He had felt her last breath on his face, he had her in his hands and the pulsing of her heart had stopped. He felt her life force energy filling him, spilling out of him like milk overflowing in a glass. He had seen Lilith die. Like he had seen Shoshanna die. He felt the guilt and pain of their deaths. One who had to be killed for the greater good, and one who could have been saved. It always felt wrong to him when someone died, who might have lived. Had Lilith followed another path, she might have done something to be a savior, rather than a destroyer. She might have been loved, known the joy of family, she might have been happy living in the light...but she had become a devotee of darkness.

He was haunted by dreams of war and death, but most of all dreams of those two women. They haunted him, like the ghosts of tragedies past. He wanted to rid himself of the memories, but he knew that wasn't possible. It was his cross to bear. All of this pain and suffering, all the madness. It was his gift. It was his curse.

He had saved the world. It was his hands that had saved the world. No other moment in his life had been so significant. Lucius Kilvayne became President while he saved the world. He was a historian who had made history happen. It was a lot for him to take in.

He had taken to beefing up the Elite headquarters' security, despite the loss of most of those in the team. It was unfortunate the state they were in as an organization. The Company was no better off, really. Only a handful of agents itself, and the Elite reduced to three members. Sorry fucking state to be in, honestly. He sighed, as he walked the empty corridors of the building. He had not left the building for months, because he had no real home outside of this place to speak of.

He felt someone enter the building at 3:23, and thought it strange, so he had left his quarters to seek out who it was. The energy felt familiar, but unlike that of the Rodgers' life force signatures. This was someone he had met in Kingston. He wasn't sure which, though. As he approached the kitchen two minutes later, he felt Mira Rodgers' presence. Well, that meant the meeting was starting for sure. The one in the kitchen was Helena Rahal, then. He was more relaxed now that he figured that out.

He stepped into the kitchen, and smiled.

"Hello, Mira," He said, before turning to the new Company Director, " I am the explosives guy, though I have broader talents. You might recognize me as the man who defeated Lilith. Trevor Taylor is my name, and saving the world is my game."

[Helena Rahal]

When all we know is falling and crumbling
Who is it that you look to, to turn to
Where is the hero?
Look inside of you.

Helena accepted Mira's handshake as the woman entered the room, the two had met before but under vastly different circumstances. The first battle of D.C., then later in Kingston as well, though their time together had been quite brief. Mira remained as beautiful as Helena could remember though, despite whatever missions the Elite had put her through, as well as those two engagements. There must have been a great amount of resilience and strength in her to not let the weight of her position take a physical toll.

"A pleasure to see you again Mrs. Rogers and in good health. This is... a better circumstance than our previous meetings." Little chance of being hit by a stray bullet or some sort of attack from a hostile Special here. The worst thing that could happen was a stray bottle cork flying and breaking someones nose. "I'll take just a glass of water, thank you."

However at that time, Trevor Taylor decided to make his appearance, though he looked far from his best. While it was not clearly written on his face, there were subtle signs in his facial expression that something was bothering him. Perhaps it was the meeting and that Helena could ultimately disband the group, or something like a parking ticket.

"Mr. Taylor, I know exactly who, and what, you are. I know everything about all of you that I need and want to know. For what it is worth, your service and valor for this organization have been exemplary and you have truly earned the mantle of The Elite."

The benefits of having all the redacted files at her hands without the redaction, of having a precog associate, and all the information brokers that anyone could possibly need to operate an intelligence and black ops agency. If Helena wanted, she could know every time anyone went the bathroom and just how much coffee they actually drank on a daily basis. However, she was did not need to be spying on her own employees... most of them anyhow, especially the Elite who had served in such an outstanding fashion.

"Just the three then? I was hoping that the personnel officer had made a mistake. Four would have been better..." Helena sighed, four would have been much better. Four man teams were the standard when it came to black operation missions, three was a problem. Acquiring another member or five would definitely need to be bumped up into the priorities...

"Well there is no reason to beat around the bush, I am here to ascertain the situation of the group and decide upon the future of this group. That however is an issue better discussed with all present in the room. Mr. Rodgers, if you would please make yourself known."

[Marcus Rodgers]

<>

A pause. Then, all around the room, there was a crackling sound, of a microphone coming to life. “Good afternoon, Director Rahal,” a disembodied voice said, coming through not only unseen speakers, but also their cellphones, the television, the radio, seemingly everywhere. “I’m here. Perfectly fine. Go ahead; I’m listening.”

While Marcus Rodgers was never one to mess about regarding his work, he was a prankster in every other way. The man out in the field and the man at home or with friends seemed to be two completely different people; the one focused, driven, and dangerous; and the other, goofy, spontaneous and, well, still dangerous. There was no mistaking; whatever the case, the man knew how to fuck you up twelve ways from Sunday.

Mira, however, was not impressed. “Marcus Elijah Rodgers,” she said through clenched teeth. “Venga acá.”

Through the myriad speakers came a loud and pretentiously irritated sigh, then a rustling of papers and a click; everything fell silent. Mira glanced at Helena with a look that said I’m so sorry about my husband, then rolled her eyes and took both of Helena’s hands in hers.

“Congratulations on the promotion, Director. As few as we are, I hope we’ll exceed your standards.” She nodded to Trevor and gave him a smile. “We’re still as effective a team as ever. Speaking of, how is Director Morrison? I have yet to meet her. It would have been interesting to speak with her.”

Marcus finally chose to make an appearance then. He was adjusting a black tie over a white dress shirt, with black slacks and shoes to match. Mira exhaled. At least he had come properly dressed and not in a bathrobe or something else silly. He was forever finding loopholes in the instructions she gave him.

“Welcome,” Marcus said to Helena, shaking her hand. He only had one free hand, as the other was balancing a box of pizza on its palm. “Do you like Hawaiian pizza? I have some.”

</>

Word count: w/e.
Attire: Marcus: Black suit sans jacket.
Excerpt: none.
Notes: meh.

[Helena Rahal]

I follow you if you follow me

Helena rolled her eyes as the voice crackled through the speaker system, the digitized voice of Mr. Rogers. Apparently the rumors of him being a prankster and a bit of wildcard were not overblown after all, especially with the apologetic look that Mira gave on behalf of her husband. It brought a bit of a smile to her face, it was not exactly a trait she desired of her agents but it proved that they were beyond robotic operatives sent to do bidding without a second thought. Helena wanted agents who would question orders even if they were meant to still fulfill them.

Perhaps it was because of her own measure, questioning constantly whether what she had been asked to do was truly the right thing. Though the world was none the wiser, she had sided with the Dominion in both of the pivotal clashes between them and the government. It was a secret she intended to take with her to the grave, not because she regretted it however, but because of the repercussions of it coming to light. If she had it to do over again, she would have still made those same choices, for she had seen the lengths that the previous regime would go to obliterate something they didn't understand.

"Thank you kindly Mrs. Rogers. It came as a huge shock and a bit of a daunting task but I think I am up to the challenging of moving the Company and by extension the Elite forward." If she was not, then she had thoroughly convinced herself of the lie that she was ready for it. At least enough to fool others that she was capable, that would suffice in event that she actually lacked the resolve, will, and know how to fulfill such a lofty idea.

"I have no doubts about your skills as individuals, all of your dossiers are esiquite and speak highly of your abilities. Yet at just three agents, it does go against the standards when it comes to squad size and utility. Though I suppose we are in an era of unorthodox methods and happenings." Like a Kilvayne president, Ark not being totally reviled, and a Johessman alliance... nay a sisterhood. The latter of the trio being something that Helena would have never thought to ever come to fruition in all of her wildest dreams.

"Codirector Morrison was unfortunately unable to make this visit with other objectives as her priority. Given that I already had some history with the Elite, it also was decided that I would be the better of the two of us to come and ascertain the situation." Helena lied, the smallest of lies. After the Company Ball, Helena had suggest to Avian that she try and track down a few of the members who had gone MIA, the rest was a lie of convenience. What strings Helena was crafting, if not for the seriousness of the situation, she would have laughed.

Helena gave Marcus a small grin as he offered pizza before a silent nod. "As it stands, I am currently inclined to say that you are ready for operations once more, though I would prefer at least one more member for a complete squad. In fact, five more members and two complete squads would make me feel even better, yet that is about as likely to happen as me striking oil at my home." Although those odds might be better than Helena suspected, she would have to ask Felicia about that possibility when she returned home.

"Before I do though, I would like to hear your positions on the group, the Company, our new Codirector, and the future of both the Company and your division."

[Trevor Taylor]

Now I am torn, thought it was over this time
And we know there's still a fire inside
And we know we're gonna let it burn
Until the image fades away

"Mr. Taylor, I know exactly who, and what, you are. I know everything about all of you that I need and want to know. For what it is worth, your service and valor for this organization have been exemplary and you have truly earned the mantle of The Elite."

Trevor nodded. Helena of course knew much about this team that she hadn't previously when they were still a secret to the woman. That was one of the perks of being made Director, as it happened. He was glad their efforts had been praised by someone openly, as well. As openly as possible, anyway. Director Harper's vision was responsible for the Elite's existence, and he hoped the current management team of Helena Rahal and Avian Morrison.

"I have no doubts about your skills as individuals, all of your dossiers are exquisite and speak highly of your abilities. Yet at just three agents, it does go against the standards when it comes to squad size and utility. Though I suppose we are in an era of unorthodox methods and happenings."

That was true enough. The world was changing, for better or worse. The conflicts and crises that had arisen from the revelation of Specials to the world had set in motion a progression toward the present moment, and a future that Trevor could not see. He knew that some had the ability to do that, however. They were certainly using that to position themselves and their allies in advantageous ways. But he had to survive with what he was given, and that was a power over life and death. A power to heal or destroy, a power to protect and a power to avenge. But he could only react to situations as they arose. It was something that kept him grounded in the perspective that he and the rest of his kind were not so different from other men and women. They had greater abilities, but no one person was so powerful that they were no longer human. It was comforting to have something humble like that to hold onto in these strange times.


"Codirector Morrison was unfortunately unable to make this visit with other objectives as her priority. Given that I already had some history with the Elite, it also was decided that I would be the better of the two of us to come and ascertain the situation."

By "some history" she must have meant the battle in Kingston and the attacks on Washington D.C., Trevor figured. She had been in the initial group for Kingston, but the Elite and Company had split their forces, with the Elite pushing into the mountains and the Company moving into Kingston proper. Both groups had walked into traps, and been taken as hostages. They had arguably a worse experience in the D.C. battles. When the Rogue Society and Resistance threatened to destroy the Capitol a coalition of the Company, the Elite, Watchers P.I. , and the Registration Task Force came to oppose them, but the outcome was such that the terrorists actually achieved some of their goals despite not fully realizing their destructive purpose. And though they had defeated Lilith and her followers, the price was too high for much celebrating afterward.


"As it stands, I am currently inclined to say that you are ready for operations once more, though I would prefer at least one more member for a complete squad. In fact, five more members and two complete squads would make me feel even better, yet that is about as likely to happen as me striking oil at my home."


"We can certainly try to recruit new members," Trevor said, hoping to show a helpfully positive attitude.

"Before I do though, I would like to hear your positions on the group, the Company, our new Codirector, and the future of both the Company and your division."

Trevor was waiting for this opportunity for some time now. He had been mulling over the current situation and had a major question to put forward. Something he felt he wasn't likely the only one waiting to find out...


"Who is our enemy now? What is our overall mission at the present time?" He asked with no hesitation, " The Registration Task Force was put to bed, the current government is setup to favor peace and justice for all, the Rogue Society is disbanded, Lilith and her minions are dead or locked away. There are few active threats to deal with, technically speaking. I suppose I would like to know if you are open to suggestions to maybe broader purposes than mere threat neutralization, or perhaps you are ahead of me on this front?"