#director henry

[outsiderisin]

Albert ‘Henry’ LaCond as known as Director Henry of the Unusual Incidents Unit.

[outsiderisin]

Day 25: Cages

Henry sighed as he received news that Agent Reality, 13, was still missing from the search team. He also got an update from one of Matthew’s teammates of an O5 Council member being missing. He didn’t need anyone to tell him it was Orchid, O5-5, as she had pension of finding trouble easily. He just hoped both would return safe as his guts got the feeling it was the Chaos Insurgency who had them both. It had been awhile since the GOI last struck.

Back over to the search team, Agent reality’s unit waited only to get bad news. The UIU agents also looked stressed as 13 had always been nice to the entire crew. Sure, she was distant still to those outside her team, but she wasn’t afraid to go over and say hi or ask if something was wrong. She also was funny with her quips or insults that she normally used light-heartedly around the base. Everyone was so worried, that even some of the normal agents were out scouting for her out. She really had made an impact on the UIU branch.

Agent Matthew and his team was busy combing the last place Orchid had been seen. Video cameras to cell phones. They all were pissed and frantic as Agent Matthew reported in to the Ethics Community which landed him talking to the rest of the O5 Council on speaker. They were approved to do whatever it took to get O5-5 back as long as it kept within protocol. Agent Matthew thanked them and hung up. If Orchid was there, she would be telling the team to relax and have some of the sweets she was carrying as they worked.

Orchid and 13 both stood in the dark, trapped by the crudely welded metal bars in the condemned meat factory. Their captors sneered as 13  paced in a circle while Orchid stood still like a statue in the middle with a smile on her. 13 was checking the weak points, exit areas, and blind spots of the room. Orchid was more worried about unnerving the men and letting 13 do her thing. Finally one of the captors broke the silence.

“Damn you two are weird.” A woman, now dubbed W1, said as 13 shrugged looking for cover points as well.

“You look even weirder. Is that a skin deformation or an ability on your face?” Orchid asked as 13 looked over and replied with,

“Nah, I think that's just her face. Good guess though”

“Shut up you bitches, we aren’t being paid to hear you talk” a man called, dubbed M1, as W1 glared at them.

“I’m sorry, but I am not being paid to be silent either. Plus you are the ones who struck up with conversation.” Orchid replied with a tone that felt like a bitchslap. Even 13 internally cringed.

“Look. Boss might want you two fucks alive, but you don’t need your legs to breath” another woman, W2, flung back as 13 smiled at Orchid’s response.

“Blood loss, shock, infection and trauma from limb loss is possible and can result in death too.”

“Very nice O5-5. You three are dismissed.” Said a new, masuline voice as a figure came in with two guard. Orchid stiffened as 13 got in front of her. 13 recognizing the voice from Henry’s office after Ted died. It was over the phone, but the yelling was quite clear. Within a short burst of firepower, the newcomer had killed their original captors as he stepped into the light.

“Can we get a break?” Orchid asked as a GOC agent stood there. 13 felt her guts twist as the guy holstered his weapon and signalled the other two to get them out.The metal barely held against the jaws of the machine as 13 carefully slipped through the newly made hole in the metal bars. Orchid cautiously following, choosing to grasp 13’s hand tightly.

“Easy, O5-5. We’ll get you back home in exchange for this one.” The leader said as Orchid shook her head no. The leader said it again a bit slower as Orchid got in his face, growling out

“I said no. You are not getting Agent Reality as you have given me no reason to do so. So unless your bitch ass gives me some, I guess we’ll just stand around.”

“She is the reason an agent is dead. He burnt up from the inside out. She needs to pay for it” He said back as 13 fliched as she tried to get Ted’s fire engulfed face out of her mind. She remembering his last threat, as she then felt a yank on her arm as Orchid had stepped back. The red mark over a side of Orchid’s face made 13 almost lose control as she snapped her attention to the leader. Her deciding to let them know what Ted had pulled while he was with them.

“Ted fucken abused his power with the UIU. I got a list of nearly brain dead patients he created with his ability for you. He also didn’t respect the team and often tried to invade our heads without permission.” 13 yelled,knowing Ted always had an excuse for his behavior, as she carried on “I have seen some shit that my subconscious has blocked out. A few dozen incognito hazards, entities that run on memories, etc. So when he forced his way into my head, he probably saw one of the hazards which lead to his own demise. His own fault, not mine”

“Bullshit. Leo check would ya.” the leader called while 13 tried to back away, but failed as Leo, who looked like Ted, entered her mind. The same event occurring as 13 tried to grab the man, but Orchid quickly dragging her to an exit. Them soon running in the night together as 13 choked on tears. Them only stopping once as 13 could hardly breath as Orchid told her it wasn’t her fault. She had spoken the truth, the GOC hadn’t listened and paid in full.

They kept going when they ran into the search team who tackle hugged 13 who clung to as many agents as possible. Within 3 hours, Orchid got the same treatment from her team as Henry came down to see both members and to make sure all was well. He was thankful they were okay as the respective side broke off and away from each other. 13 uneasily falling asleep in the back with Agent Space  watching over hear. Orchid making phone calls as she made sure her men and woman got some sleep on their drive home.

The GOC denied any agents being there, the following week as 13 rolled her eyes. Typical of the Suits to deny they were ever there. Her knowing she would have to be wary for a while till something more threatening came along. She wondered if Agent Theory could held her with that whenever they came back from THAT Library.

[outsiderisin]

Day 8: Skin

13 was surprised to see Matthew so soon considering what had happened during the outbreak of scp-610 in a small town which was thankfully in the middle of nowhere. He wasn’t in uniform either which threw 13 off even more, once she had noticed. Laura noted her silence as grasped her shoulder as 13 looked over to her.

“Reality, I mean 13… You okay? You know him?” Laura asked in a whisper

“Yeah. Agent Matthew, a member of the MTF group called: The Red Right Hand. He protects O5-5 personally, I heard.” 13 hissed back as Matthew talked to the desk and was pointed over to them.

“I’ll get Henry. Stay on site” Laura cursed as she bolted off leaving 13 to be approached by the man alone. He tried to smile for her, but it look forced and unnatural. 13 scrunched up her nose at it which made Matthew stop trying as he sighed softly.

“Why are you here?” 13 asked, not masking her surprise or shock while having an aggressive undertone.

“To talk to you...since…. You know.” Matthew said, glancing to his wrist where 13 saw another eye peering through his skin at her. She slapped her hand around his wrist with the eye as hard as she could before dragging the man outside. Matthew yelped at the action as he quickly stumbled forward along, tears in his eyes as  he felt her grip leave his wrist.

Matthew looked at his wrist and his eye there seeing why it hurt so bad. 13 hand was holding thumbtack which now sat in the eye. He sobbed trying to carefully pull them out, but it hurt too much as he closed his eyes. His wrist staying open from the tacks as it appeared very unfocused and cloudy 13 watched for a moment, before turning away.

“Wait. Please. 13. Don't ...don't. I’m sorry, okay?!” Matthew cried out realizing she was leaving as 13 tried to ignore the man’s pleads to at least listen.

“No. I don’t accept your apology for the very reason that you were the sole reason of that outbreak. You don’t get to come to my work with a: I’m sorry stick, and then walk away like nothing happened. Especially after what happened at the fast food joint with Clef.” 13 snarled as she stopped and turned back to Matthew who sat still as he looked ground. The wrist eye crying water and blood as 13 felt her heart clunch in pain.

“I’m sorry… I just wanted… to make things right.” Matthew said through his sobs as he looked up at her with his glowing eyes, “But I guess… I should have thought this… more through consider what… position I put you in.”

13 jerked her gaze away as she saw Laura and Henry rush by the ajared door and out of sight as Matthew began to get up. 13 return focus on him as could only glance up to her face as she closed her eyes and stormed over. Matthew took a step back and landed into a planter as 13 grabbed his wounded wrist . Him panicking when his eye on the wrist suddenly wasn’t in pain and could see clearly. 13 let go as he checked it over as 13 flopped down beside him, eyes still closed.

“I am still mad at you okay? I am on edge from Clef and really don’t want to see any Skipper right now. You showing up has not helped, but I also shouldn’t have lost my shit on you. Even if you were being careless.” 13 said opening her eyes and gently touching Matthew’s pinky finger with her own. Matthew sniffed and nodded.

“I understand… Thanks for not throwing me in a reality bend” He said after slowly entwining his hand with 13’s. 13 let out a puff of air with a smile as she moved her thumb over Matthew’s knuckles. His skin was like velvet to her fingertips as she shifted closer, so their arm’s could brush each other..

“I didn’t even think about doing that… heh.” 13 hissed out as Matthew hummed also moving closer so that their arms touched. It felt like a long time they laid like that. 13 feeling calmer while Matthew stopped sniffling as they got up in silence and walked back inside together. Henry was relieved and then upset at 13 as Matthew lied about being here to thank her for the help and to truthfully, bring a message from the O5 council to Henry. Laura escorted Matthew out as 13 followed Henry to his office.

The letter was read in silence by Henry before handed to her folded up. He patted her bandaged arm before dismissing her to the hallways. Once outside the door, 13 looked at her bandaged arm and was glad she had flopped down next to Matthew with the unbandaged one as she felt the ghost of his skin against hers. 13 then rubbed the feeling away and left to her office to read the letter in peace.

@star-reads-a03

[outsiderisin]

Aftermath.

13 sat in near terror as she glared at the mobile task force members that sat across from her. Laura was holding her hand as Alex hugged her. Ted, for once, didn’t make sarcastic remarks at her and genuinely seemed concerned as he towered behind her, glaring at the MTF members. John soon returning with some hot coffee for everyone, but 13 who he gave a steaming cup of hot chocolate to. Him passing out coffee to the rest of the team, leaving the MTF to get their own.

Down the hall, voices could be heard unclearly. It had everyone on edge as 13 tried to focus on her cup, but the commander of the MTF kept distracting her. He almost refused to meet her gaze as if he was ashamed to, even with his helmet on. The rest, just looked through her in silent judgement as the voices got louder again. 13 looking over with a troubled look as Laura and Alex tighten their grips. John placing a hand on her shoulder as Ted brushed some loose hair behind her ear.

“God, you idiots are close.” quipped a slender woman.

“It’s call comfort dumbass. I ain’t a fan of 13 here, but watching your first partner die before your eyes still sucks; and then having assholes trying to fuck with your mind because of it doesn’t help.” Ted snapped back as the MTF tensed. 13’s crew tensed back  as she glared more at the slender woman.

“Well we wouldn’t be here if 13 would of let us…” started a buff man when 13 snapped

“Shut up!” Everyone falling quiet as 13 realized her voice had mixed with someone else’s and all the MTF’s gazes lead to the Commander. He had shifted more upright as he looked rather pissed at the buff man. Him looking away and seemed to look eyes with 13 as she finally saw his name badge finally, Matthew. She instantly shooting straight up, dropping her hot chocolate, as Matthew calmily followed her lead.

Both teams tensed as 13 and Matthew stared at each other for a moment as he then pulled off his helmet. His team clamoring in alarm as his brown eyes locked with 13’s for only a moment before breaking away. 13’s mind scrambled to think of something to say, deciding on:

“You okay? I heard you lost your commander...sorry.”

“Don’t” Matthew ordered, before covering with, “I mean don’t be sorry… It’s expected in our field of work. Please forgive me for not being able to save Agent Drummer. I can see he was well beloved here.” 13 nodded as she signalled her team to stand down a bit as they did. The MTF looking more confused as Matthew did the same. The team seemed to refuse as 13 felt her legs shake a bit. Last thing Henry or her needed was a brawl with a MTF crew in his reception area. Matthew sighed deeply and snarled back to his team without looking,

“Stand the fuck down guys.There has been enough bloodshed for 13 and I right now. I get protocol has been broken, but that is on Kondraki; not 13. Besides, if these guys are this tight knit, it would probably raise more concerns and problems than solutions” 

“COULD NOT OF PUT IT BETTER MYSELF!!” shouted Henry as he stormed into the room and got himself a cup of coffee with a disapproving stare at the forgotten cup on the floor. The two business looking men that had come with the MTF looked frazzled as Henry glared at them. Matthew quickly putting on his helmet and stood at attention. The rest of his team followed as the business looking men silently ordered them to follow. Once gone, everyone took in a full breath as 13 flopped down.

John made sure they left as he stared in the direction they left in, meanwhile Alex used his ability to fix the mess. Henry suddenly flopped down on the opposing couch as he shook his head at 13. She looked to the side as he started to chuckle. Everyone looking at him now as he then laughed. His cup quivering with shakes as he did so. 13 couldn’t help but grin at him

“I…. I feel better now. Been a long while since I got to yell someone out. Oh… I mean you are still certainly in a bit of trouble for this, but very little in honesty.” Henry said as his voice turned to regret as he spoke again, “I am sorry my dear about Bobby. He loved all of you dearly. SO much, that I want you 5 to plan his wake together. For him. Please.”

“Will do Director Henry” stated everyone in unison after they glanced to each other. Henry’s voice seeming to sooth everyone nicely as he nodded. Everyone slowly filed out as 13 hung for a moment to study the man as Drummer once did and finally saw why. She then turned away and heard the heartbreaking noise of Henry beginning to cry as she shut the door behind her. Herself soon following as she only got a few steps before breaking down herself.

Meanwhile, Matthew was prepared to deal with O5-5’s fury when he returned but soon found himself being congratulated as he was promoted up to 2nd commander of The Red-Right Hand. His old team was being disassembled and relocated much to his relief as he wondered why. O5-5 soon explaining he would be putting together his own team for a more personal connection. 

Matthew thanked him for this as O5-5 smiled at him. O5-5 soon reminding Matthew to not lose sight of their true goal here as Matthew hide his disgust over it. He hated he couldn’t just turn O5-5 over due to all the black marks against him. He was trapped and just when he thought he was getting a nice thing, O5-5 managed to always dig his nails into it. Matthew soon left to his room as he flopped down on his bed. 

His mind wandering back to Agent Reality and her eyes filled with concern at him when he finally revealed his name tag to her. How she stood up and stepped forward as her hands reached out for him. She looked so worried as she seemed to struggle to ask if he was okay. He probably would have laughed if the room hadn’t been so tense. He then looked at his helmet and remember the brief look of confusion, before sorrow crossed Agent Reality’s eyes. He then brushed her away, reminding himself of Lily and what he only caused for her. 

Matthew then fell asleep as he just wanted his mind to shut up, but all he had was nightmares as Lily slowly had Agent Reality join her in dying as he woke up in a cold sweat. Him realizing he had a crush on the UIU agent as he forced himself upright and to his laptop case. He brushed it away as he turned the device on and began to work as it was easier than dealing with his own emotions.

[outsiderisin]

Director Henry: Past and Present

Henry knew he should call the Foundation or the GOC as he wrote a handwritten letter to a young lady. She had taken down a sarkic pet with Agent Drummer at a grocery store, while staying relatively calm about it. He wasn’t sure if she was an escaped D-class or an unknown threat herself. Whether she even knew she was a threat or not was beyond Henry’s knowledge. Still, he was willing to take a chance with her as he finished signing the letter. He hoped she would take the offer considering her current living situation.

Once he had sent the letter off, Henry rubbed his tired eyes as he looked over to a stack of legal paperwork. 3 agents ‘died’ last week getting what was simply a vase, but it got a crack during the move and caused a minor disaster to occur. Nothing like your agents becoming inverted, inside out versions of themselves while not noticing. He couldn’t thank the foundation enough for taking it over, though the agents cannot be separated from the vase or horrible pain begins as panic sets in. So by official record, they died in a car crash, from the powering steering malfunctioning.

It wasn’t the first time Henry had to do this kind of thing, but he never liked lying about it. It was a part of why he left the foundation years ago. He had never been a good secret keeper and had a terrible poker face. His wife was amazing with it; though their marriage was frowned upon by many in those days. Henry, as a researcher, understood why as his wife was a mobile task force member. Still they had gotten married before college and kept it alive through those years, so to work at the same company together was a dream.

It wasn’t grand, Henry would admit, but the pay was well and the benefits were beyond anything he would ever see again. He also had a decent amount of time to see his wife when she wasn’t on assignments or duty. She often shadowed him in the lab as he explained what he was looking at and for. She always took in every word and asked questions, which some of his colleagues would explain for him when he got caught up in something by accident.

Nothing was a problem for them till an O5 died of old age. Henry heard of these guys and had apparently meant one before, without knowing it back then, during his time there. The new O5 who was called O5-5 was a dick. Everyone thought they were trying to impress their peers, as he began to try to apply new rules. The rules were often being overturned by the ethics community as Henry found them to be unusual. They were trying to limit looking into the biology of certain scps that fell into certain areas of criteria.

A year later, Henry lost his wife during a routine run. An unusual accident his ass, as he found a few samples of Sarkic dna about the accident site. They about matched up to the standard Sarkic samples the foundation had on site which lead to investigation. That when O5-5 cracked down even harder than before. It wasn’t long before Henry had a hypothesis on why either.

Six months later, he was a part of the mobile task force as he conducted further investigations into his own theory within the ranks. He was rather surprised of how well he was a decent shot during training and that it was easy to catch on to things, even in the field. The team he was on was a back-up crew, but they helped with minor stuff like clean-up, item transfers, and GOIs deals. It was alright till O5-5 caught wind of him on the MTF. Restrictions began to appear, but often had to be ignored to do the job and with many angry phone calls to boot. Henry realized he needed to get out as he felt a noose begin to tighten around his neck. And that, he did.

Henry contacted the GOC in private down time. Them staging his death as he was taken to a base in England. He stuck around a few years with them, as the Foundation poked around for him or rather a close friend poked about for him. He knew why and got a message to her to keep her head low. He was dead and now under a new name. She did just that as Henry soon left England for America under a new identity. Him joining the UIU to at least keep an eye on the foundation from afar.

The UIU was not the best when Henry first arrived. It was a literal damn joke to almost everyone, but a few people. Even the director couldn’t give a crap and lost items all the time as Henry easily climbed ranks. Many CIA agents gave him shit over his serious attitude as he shrugged it off. At least till he got severely hurt after taking a certain phone call. Him asking for a team, but being denied even one person. The director even saying ‘it’s just a child screwing with you.’ Henry ignored him and went to the location alone.

It wasn’t a joke and his hypothesis about O5-5 was no longer a theory, but a fact. The smug bastard even saying his old name while he played dumb. Acting like he didn’t know what the man was talking about as Henry fought an unfair battle. Overran and out classed, Henry fell back on his plan C; Explosives. It worked in ruining the town’s infection, but not in destroying O5-5. 

The creature O5-5 truly was, crippled Henry’s leg painfully slow but didn’t get to finish as the explosion brought a few nearby town’s forces closer. A few foundation vehicles within them. He was whisked away as he told a fake statement to the local forces. Back at headquarters, he got to officially report his findings and shake things up for the UIU. It wasn’t instant, but over the course of 3 years, Henry became the head director.

His leg healed alright, but he needed a walking cane for the rest of his life. His field days were over. His eyes soon started to flatter from constantly working in low light as he got glasses while he made the UIU a respectable joke. Him using his past to make better connections to the Foundation and the GOC as he kept notes on O5-5 when he could. His evidence was still lacking for any confrontation. Still he had become rather untouchable for the O5 and he planned to keep it that way.

He then worked on finding people who had subtle abilities along with regular civilians who had met the unknown and wanted to help. It wasn’t always easy to get them onboard. Some refused outright, others were continuously pending, and some were right onboard. Henry couldn’t blame some for not wanting on, though it did sadden him when the Foundation took them in., but it was understandable. He just hoped to get 13 onboard, as she seemed nice according to Agent Drummer.

Two days later, Henry got to meet 13 face to face at a diner he fancied. She had traveled by bus out to meet him. Them talked as he studied her and her answers as 13 seemed to do the same thing back. By the end of it, she agreed to join under the condition that her privately would be completely respected. No prying, no digging. Henry agreed, but asked why the red tape. Her answer: Antarctica, Site 13.

That answer bothered Henry as the foundation, even to this date didn’t have a site 13 in Antarctica. That site was in North Virginia. Still he respected 13’s wishes as she knew nothing of his past. No one at the UIU knew of his past, so he had no right to demand an explanation. Besides it would come in time, as he cotton swabbed and fingerprinted her silverware and cup as she left the diner. He soon paid and left back to the apartment building that served as their base of operations.

A week later, 13 moved in with just a bag of belongings as everyone welcomed her aboard. Agent Drummer was instantly willing to show her around as he seemed the happiest to see her again. 13 smiling at the man as she let him lead the way as Henry watched from above with a frown. The dna had made a match, but to a little girl who was struck by armored vehicle 17 years ago. Henry began to worry, he had made a mistake as he opened up a new file to keep tabs on 13 as well.