Between The Lines

[Sandra Erickson]

Oh, thank goodness. *I chuckle, somewhat nervously. Let's just say I don't do well when presenting to a group. In fact, I would make a complete fool of myself.* I'm not the best actress, though I feel you could pull off such a spectacle flawlessly. But, sure, I can talk with Wilson at some point, when would this next meeting be?

[Alexander Ludovico]

You flatter me. *I grin* But yes, I could. As for the meeting, no time was set yet. It depends on when everyone reports back that they're finished with their current assignments. If the time hasn't been decided on before you finish compiling your report, I suggest you contact Wilson to set up a personal meeting.

[Sandra Erickson]

*I nod slowly.* I can get the report done fairly quickly. The hard part is presenting it in a way that isn't accusatory, despite the fact that it is exactly what I'm doing. It could very well be that the gun was stolen, or that I made a technical error. *I pause, shaking my head, almost laughing.* Well, perhaps not the latter.

[Alexander Ludovico]

*I pat her on the shoulder as I move back towards the door* I'm sure you'll figure it out. Oh, and forward me a copy when you have it typed up, would you? I'm off to find our fearless leader and see if he's settled on a meeting time yet.

[Sandra Erickson]

*I nod a goodbye to him, brain already working out my report.* Thanks so much. Honestly, what would I do without you? Get fired, probably. *I chuckle.* Have fun with our fearless leader, then.

[Sandra Erickson]

*I sit down with a few sheets of paper, scribbling madly in half-cursive scrawl. My handa writing is fairly awfull. After I work out a general outline, I begin the report via computer. The introduction is easy enough. I make a lot of notes while sorting through the 'evidence' on my paper.*

*Now we reach the difficult part. I need to talk about the agent whose gun was in the footage. I start typing and stop not a minute later, biting my lip.

And it seems there is an agent

I regret to inform you that

I might be wrong, but it seems that there was a

*It's hopeless. No more beating around the bush. I just have to present evidence, I'm not writing an editorial.*

At precisely 01:34:23 on the feed, a flash of white appears, and then the footage is cut. After clarifying the video, I found that this was a BLI gun. I was able to enter it into the weaponry database... *Good enough for now. That is certainly a good start. I save and close, giving my tired mind a small break.*

[Sandra Erickson]

*I finish the final draft of my report and send it off to Vico as he requested. I'm actually a little proud of my first official task, although it was only a small report. It will help Wilson to understand the outlines of my job, my work ethic, etc. Just as I am about to shut down the main monitor, a small beep sounds. I have one new message.*

Hello Sandra. Miss me?

*Well, isn't that odd? I stare at the 4 words for a few moments, as there is more to the message, and the rest will just appear on the screen. Then I shake my head, confused. I probably should leave this matter alone, but against my good logic I reply.*

I'm sorry, who is this?

[Alexander Ludovico]

*Message sent 12:10 pm*
TO: Sandra Erikson
FROM: James Holloway

Hello, Sandra! This is Vico, popping in to say hello. And before you ask, no, there's no reason why I'm using Mr. Holloway's account. I'm not even quite sure who he is. Using my own account just seemed rather mundane; I'm sure he won't mind. Anyhow, don't bother replying to this. I just wanted to let you know that I'll be stopping by sometime in the next hour or so. So don't go anywhere!

[Sandra Erickson]

*I didn't have much to do after that meeting. I twiddled my thumbs for a bit and generally wasted time, browsing the lovely universe of online shopping for a couple odds and ends. Two emails appeared, one from some Holloway fellow, and an unknown. I read the message that was not from a Holloway at all but from Vico. His habit of using other emails was amusing, I admit. I had nothing to do at the moment so I just sat back, leaving the monitor on. As much as I feel laziness doesn't suit me, I can't complain.*

[Alexander Ludovico]

*We're nearly to Sandra's office when I get a transmission from Riley, and pause long enough to confirm the time* Right, then, we've got to get a move on. Just up here!

*I knock on Sandra's door, then open it like usual without waiting for a reply. She's sitting behind the desk, and I grin and swing the door wide* I brought you a challenge! And some visitors. This is Angeline, Rachel, and Amy, all of Unit 8. You might remember them from the meeting. And as for the challenge... *I close the door when everyone's inside, and walk over to the desk* I have someone I'd like you to, ah, research. But it had better be off the record. I'm not sure he deserves an official investigation.

[Sandra Erickson]

*I turn and smile at the group. Vico is joined by that Miss Pacis that dropped in the other day, as well as two other ladies I recognize.* Yes, hello. Male yourselves at home, I know it's a tad bare. *I raise an eyebrow at Vico. His 'challenge' sounded right up my alley. Finding out everything about someone from nothing.* Well, I'm not really a stranger to doing things off record. Sometimes what needs to be done isn't in the rulebook. Heh. But yes, just give me a name and I'll get whatever you need to know.

[Alexander Ludovico]

Well you see, that's part of the problem *I lean against a bookcase, taking out my cord and starting to knot it up* I don't have a name. Just a - what do the killjoys call it? A "call sign"? He goes by "The Oracle of Battery City," and deals in information. Like I said, though, I'm not sure he needs official inquiry. His usefulness may outweigh his illegality. I'm sorry I really don't have more information than that; he's caucasian and of average height, but I don't know his eye color and his voice was disguised for the most part. I think you can narrow your search somewhat, though; the average citizen wouldn't fit the bill for obvious reasons. I'd look into employees of Better Living or our partner branches, professors and top students at the university, things like that. Someone with intelligence and access.

*I glance over my shoulder at the other three, smiling slightly* I don't suppose any of you have had dealings with him, or heard of killjoys who have?

[Rachel Mahoney]

*i shake my head* none that I'm aware of or actually... *i close my eyes thinking* I think I once did a long time ago when I was searching for my missing brother

[Angeline Pacis]

The only dealing I've ever had with him myself was during the Killjoy raid, when he was over the intercom. I think I've heard of him before, though. If my memory is correct, there was an employee who turned up dead in his house last month. There was a...letter, I think it was...next to the body that said that he was giving Better Living intelligence to the Killjoys. It was an anonymous letter, but there were a few people in the breakroom one day that said something along the lines of "I bet the Oracle didn't like the competition". *I shrug, searching my brain for more.* That's all I've ever heard, really....

[Sandra Erickson]

*I sigh, typing the word 'oracle' into a couple search boxes. No luck, of course. I didn't expect it.* His record isn't here. Of course, it could be in those higher-ups, which no one has let me into yet, for some deluded reason. *I huff and close the browser, turning to Miss Pacis.* So there's talk? Or there has been. That means there must be something somewhere. I mean, I would assume. I can take a more direct approach and contact him myself, but it might make it harder to keep this under wraps if thats our intention.