As soon I open the door the director of QSO, Raelyn, stands up from the chair across the room and looks over at me. Her face is hard to read and I feel a rare bit of nervousness coil in my stomach.
She approaches me slowly and stops only when she is within reach of me. I'm quite short at 5'2" and so I have to look up at her when she is this close. My eyes quickly sweep over her appearance taking in the slacks and jacket she wears. Her black hair is wound into a braided bun. She has her hands on her hips with one hip cocked to the side asserting her dominance.
"Well you succeeded despite basically breaking out greatest rule. We've been over this Aella. Nothing is more important than the equipment you carry on missions. That Innocent's life doesn't matter in the end." Raelyn scolds.
"I understand Rae. I don't see the harm though if I can save someone and keep the equipment safe." I say keeping my tone even. Gosh. They treat me like a damn child. I'm 22 and I've worked for this organization since I was a young girl. I'm not some rookie recruit. I grew up here.
"It's a matter of risk though." She responds.
"Why the hell am I being tested anyway. I'm the second youngest one at my security level. The only person younger than me is Ryan and he's one of the tech guys. I'm the only field agent at my level who is younger than 28. I'm not a child or one of the recruits. Hell you practically raised me Rae." I am becoming increasingly frustrated with this interaction.
"Aella we know you're not a child or one of the recruits. However you have been increasingly... reckless in your missions. The heads are getting a little concerned for your commitment to QSO so we want to ensure where your loyalties lie."
My loyalties? What the hell are they talking about. I have devoted my whole life to this organization. I was born into it. My parents used to work for QSO before they died on a mission. This is ridiculous. The fact that they are questioning me when I have given up everything for this place. For my job.
"Are you serious Rae? My whole life has been QSO. Where else would my loyalties lie?" I can tell that my patience is hanging on by a thread.
"In the Innocents of course." Rae cocks an eyebrow at me like I should know exactly what she means.
I'm taken aback. While I do care for Innocents more than the average person, I don't prioritize them. I always focus on the mission first.
"Rae I have never failed at a mission." I say.
"Aella it does not matter. It's simple really. We don't trust you. There are a few options that we want to present you to resolve this situation. One we can send you through rehabilitation training. Two we can put you into the world of Innocents and you can leave the organization. Granted that option means we will have to reform your memories so you don't accidentally reveal sensitive information. Or there we can send you on a particularly difficult mission. If you succeed on the mission you will regain our trust. So what will it be?" Rae looks at me with a scrutinizing gaze.
There is only one real option of those three. Rehabilitation training can take months to years and often includes torture and I would be fully reduced in my rank. That's not an option for me. I don't want to be an Innocent. While I value their lives QSO is my home. I have never failed at a mission so it seems like common sense to just take the option of taking that mission. That feels too easy though. I can't help but feel as if something feels off.
"Why are you even giving me an option? You know what I'm going to choose." I ask.
"It's important to QSO that we give all of our people a choice." Rae folds her arms over her chest defensively in a stance I rarely see from her. They are definitely hiding something from me. I need to figure out what is going on.
"Okay I'll take the mission. What is it? When do I start?" I match her stance and tone to see how she'll react.
"I send you the packet later today Aella. You'll start in a week. First we need you to get some rest and get fitted for what you'll be wearing." Rae pivots on her foot and begins walking away from me.
"Fitted for what? Don't you have my measurements?" I ask confused.
"You have your measurements but this is a special case. You're going to a ball and you need to fit in. Because of this you are taking dance lessons this week and will be fitted for a gown. I'm not telling you anything else. The rest of the details will be in your packet." Rae walks out of the room leaving me with just a few tech operatives.