I'm Not Handler Material, Sir
Agent Phoenix was forced to take on the Handler Role for another agent when the handler in charge got incapacitated in the field. Cue shenanigans.
Apparently, September 18 is the start of Handler Week but since I'm busy with stuff (and because I'm participating in Ollix Week), I'll only be doing one day and that's today! :3
Unofficial Sequel to This
Content Warnings: In Medias Res, Probably Inaccurate Handler Duties, Historical Inaccuracies, Implied Veteran Reginald Crane
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Phoenix just took a deep breath as tried to fight the groan. "I meant the time machine thing to be a joke."
"Well, the fact you know my name is already enough to tip off several alarms. As if we'd buy the time traveler situation that readily, agent." Reginald—Agent Mason, huffed as he loaded the gun. "But you know some of the protocols in the agency. You'd think in this situation, they'd find a way to get things straight. Unbelievable."
"Compartmentalization has always been a fine line between a friend and an enemy to me, Sir... erm, Agent." Phoenix sighed, making sure their knife was sharp enough to cut rope if need be. Their service weapon was, thankfully, given back when they so politely glared at the archivist. "So, why am I also being included in this mess? Don't you have a partner in this already?"
"My partner is distracting the target. What we're going to do is try to mess with this thing called a computer."
"Excuse me but I don't know how vacuum tubes work. I'm more of someone who knows a thing or two about integrated... Sir, I do not know how any of those work."
"I'll take what I can get. Besides, no one would be willing to send us a technician to get things done."
"Wouldn't your job be more gathering the files on folders?" Phoenix frowned, trying to fight the displeasure on their face. "Not... mess with whatever you're doing."
"Don't worry, the handler in charge will handle things. Don't worry about it."
Maybe they really should have worried about it.
Phoenix's gloved fingers were soaked as they tied the bandage around the handler's wounds as they took ragged breaths to put on the headsets. "Come in, Agents Mason and Angel. Do you copy? Handler's down but stable and evac will only arrive in half an hour. Since we're already halfway there, let's just continue on the mission while we wait."
"I copy. Did you handle the cause of that explosion?" Mason answered, twisting the doorknob and closing the door. "I'm in the room. I think I see the safe."
"Took you long enough. I had to leave the party since I was panicking at the sound. You're slow, Mason."
"Well, I'm not that quick as I used to, Angel. It's been a while since the war ended. But can you stay a little longer?"
"I can. So, how's the new agent? You're more quiet but you managed to get to our handler quickly."
"I know how to take a few shortcuts." Phoenix winced, knowing full well they had an unfair advantage using their own telekinesis to clear a path to their destination. "Once you grab the file, I'll see what we can do to sabotage the computer without it being too obvious. Thankfully, Dr. Prism has been kind enough to give us a manual."
"Well, that's great. How did you even manage to get her to give up part of her research? I thought that was her baby."
"... Less talking, more snooping." Phoenix mumbled, feeling annoyed at the fact they aren't getting a visual on what either agent was looking at. Curse old timey technological constraints.
"You have got to tell me how you—ah! The familiar purr of a combination lock. Don't worry, I'll get this quickly."
"Since you two seem to be alright, I'll be heading over back to our target. Don't take too long now." Angel, one of the handlers in the future, muttered, returning back to the crowd after turning off the earpiece.
"Seems like a bit of a grump. Is that usual?" Phoenix muttered, taking a closer ear to hear the distinct click of the combination lock opening.
"Well, he, no, she's probably a bit unwilling to be on a party at the moment. Can't blame her. I'd go mad if I had to go undercover that long. But I got it."
"Congratulations." They looked at their watch and set a transmission to confirm coordinates once more. "We have time. Head over to the next room over. The computer will be taking up most of the room. I want you to follow my instructions exactly for both of our sakes."
"I can't promise that."
"..." Phoenix took a deep breath as they covered their face within their hands to fight the groan. Maybe they deserve this kind of karma.
They are absolutely not handler material.
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Agent Angel (Rogelio "Roger" Mariosa) is one of my EOD OCs, a former field agent turned handler similar to Reggie. As a field agent, he used to dress like a woman, sometimes taking on she/her pronouns for longer missions. He's still somewhat active in the field but in terms of passive surveillance and hearing gossips. Most of his current agents are more of long term covers with weekly reports disguised as friendly meetings, a contrast to Reginald Crane's hands on direct in the field style.
I'll be ending the story here since I'm running out of ideas and I just wanted to get this done. :D I hope it's still enjoyable regardless.
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