#386

The bag in Pasco’s right hand was a technological marvel. The aramid and carbon fibers were woven together in a specific pattern pattern to resist dimensional interference. The lining specifically constructed to act as a faraday cage, cutting any electromagnetic signals from passing through the fabric. The band around the opening required both a pass code as well as a blood offering that doubled as a bio-signature.

It cost more than Pasco earned in a year,

And on the bag, in the actually multi-universally permanent, permanent marker, someone had written ‘snek’.

Pasco did his best to keep his face straight as he held out the bag to the current shift lead.

Andrews sighed and took it. “Where was it this time?”

Falling into an lazy sort of parade rest, Pasco answered “Watching the phase mice again, ma’am. It was just hiding in the infrared spectrum to avoid detection.”

“It doesn’t have eyes, Argall,” Andrews said.

Pasco had to work not to roll his eyes at that. What did it matter if it didn’t have eyes? It was also a rubber snake that, by all appearances, moved of its own free will. He swallowed back what he wanted to say and instead gave a little shrug. “Don’t know what to say, ma’am. The phase mice lab is one of the most reliable places to find it.”

She hummed as she set the bag down almost absently down on the desk behind her. (He really hoped that the ‘snek’ got back to its box this time.) “You’ve been sent after this OOO a lot, haven’t you?”

Pasco blinked at the question. “I don’t know if I would say ‘a lot’, ma’am.”

“I would,” she said. “According to the logs, if you’re on shift, you’re who they call, even if you’re not working this section.”

“I’ve been put on the task a few times,” he said, because he wasn’t sure what she wanted him to say. Yes, he was good at catching UO-M-2863, but he hadn’t really noticed it being a thing like she was implying.

She hummed again and leaned back against the desk. The bag tipped over to hang slightly off the edge. Pascal tried not to wince. “More than a few, which I think means something.”

“Ma’am?”

“Report to HR at the end of your shift, you’re being temporarily transferred.”

Which at least was better than being temporally transferred, Pasco guessed.

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I got some new markers yesterday and I wanted to test them out 👀👀