[Gale POV]
It hasn't been a good week. First, there was that condition for the expedition, next everyone we talked to about it either ft-out rejected us or nervously said no. Normally I would think it was because they were afraid of Lily but Ivan said they seemed to be acting weird before he even said anything about her. I suspect that whatever group Brick was a part of has finally made a move besides stalking us. All this conspiracy stuff is too annoying to deal with. Lily asked me if we could appeal to the chief and see if we could get out of the condition pced on the expedition. Unfortunately, he said that wouldn't be happening because it was implemented to show some transparency. People are worried about what Lily has been up to and someone heard that she was pnning an operation at the Shift. So they wanted someone to oversee it and show that she wasn't creating anything dangerous.
"Why does everything have to get so complicated?"(Gale)
I suddenly heard a familiar voice reply from behind me.
"That is because it involves several people's schemes and a lot of unresolved issues."(Lily)
I saw Lily holding a clipboard in her familiar b coat. She was taking notes from the look of it, on what could be anyone's guess. Kim sometimes made it a game to figure out what she was writing about in them. I still remember her face when she saw Lily writing about what the underside of her nails had when she got back. Sometimes I think she does it intentionally to get that reaction, but it is still funny.
"I have to wonder what the end goal of this is though."(Lily)
"Wasn't Brick using some fragment of the cocoon to control a mutant? Maybe it has something to do with that."(Gale)
"Yes, but the cocoon was a finite resource that could not be moved far from the Shift that created it. If they wanted to use it, it would be short-term."(Lily)
I tilted my head because Lily mentioned something new about the cocoon.
"Wait, what do you mean it couldn't be moved?"(Gale)
Lily stopped writing for a moment before realizing something.
"Oh, that's right I never mentioned it to you. Whenever the cocoon was moved a rge distance from the Shift, the air started to chill and a small snowstorm would occur. There was also one point when it stopped moving and floated in the air unable to move forward. We were able to move it backward though, which was good."(Lily)
We made it to the Lab and started to hear Kim and Jill's voices from behind the door.
"Please just the tip!"(Jill)
"Never say that out loud again!"(Kim)
"Only if you do it."(Jill)
I turned over to Lily to say something but she was too busy writing on what appeared to be her third page with her cheeks red. I stood there unsure of what to do before Ivan showed up with a confused look on his face.
"Why are you standing outside?"(Ivan)
"Um, well."(Gale)
"We can brush your tails ter, we've already spent hours on them."(Kim)
Ivan instantly recognized who was shouting behind the door.
"You said you would do anything for me if I won that game."(Jill)
"Yes but everyone will be back soon."(Kim)
"Then we will make them wait like they already are."(Jill)
There was an almost deafening silence after Jill spoke followed by a loud yell.
"WHAT!"(Kim)
"They've been outside, someone showed up ter than two of them."(Jill)
Sounds of someone scrambling to put something away echoed from behind the door.
"Hey we were still using that!"(Jill)
"Later I promise we can spend as long as you want on it too."(Kim)
"Ok but be prepared to drown in my fluff when we are done."(Jill)
Suddenly the door opened and on the other side was a red-faced Kim.
"So how much did you hear?"(Kim)
"Only a tip. I mean a bit!"(Gale)
Before she could blow a gasket Ivan started to walk in between us.
"As entertaining as this scene would be we need to discuss the current issue we share."(Ivan)
As Kim took a breath to calm herself I let out a sigh of relief.
"I'm gonna guess no one has given their approval for our trip to the Shift."(Kim)
Lily shook her head to indicate no.
"More of the same from me I'm afraid."(Ivan)
"I'm almost out of the groups that I trust. Soon I may have to go to the people who look down on non-espers but won't do anything other than that."(Gale)
"We are down to that. I did not want to work with any of them."(Lily)
She spoke with an unenthusiastic tone at the thought of it.
"I'll handle it tomorrow. Ivan can't because they'll look down on him and the rest of you will probably attack them before they are done speaking."(Gale)
Lily nodded in agreement to my statement.
"That is probably for the best."(Lily)
The next morning I got someone to sign off on the mission but it seemed too easy like they were waiting for me. I met with Lily on my way to file the paperwork and let her know my concerns.
"So you think this is part of their pn somehow?"(Lily)
"I don't doubt it for a moment, but I don't think we have much of a choice in the matter."(Gale)
"How so?"(Lily)
"While we will have to keep an eye on them during the operation it will also allow us to see if they are reted to the group that snuck into your b"(Gale)
"Or they could be unreted to it and just want to mess with me."(Lily)
"True and while I don't understand conspiracy very well, I have a hunch this is one of them. And this seems like a lot to go through just to mess with you."(Gale)
"That's a fair point."(Lily)
Lily grabbed my arm as we continued to our destination which caused my face to heat up. I slowly reached my hand towards hers and intertwined our fingers.
"We should go on another date before we leave for the expedition."(Lily)
"Yes, we should."(Gale)
[Boss POV]
I was in my office receiving a report from a member of my organization who had a smile indicating that it was good news.
"Sir, Gale has gone to one of our smaller groups for approval."(member)
"That's good now make sure Audrey is a part of their little outing."(Boss)
"Yes sir."(member)
The man saluted before leaving my office. Now all I have to do is wait for the good news.
