kay

Working as the prophetic consultant for the timeline meant a lot of visions and a lot of paperwork. Kyra was mostly isolated in her work, save for her meetings with AJ and the few times she interacted with other employees in the main building's cafeteria. 

She was unaware of how meticulous the process was to keep her away from running into a certain Agent Dolly on those occasions. 

In through the door walked AJ.

“Good afternoon, Kyra.”

“Hello.”

She had been waiting for him already, leaned back in her chair and held some paperwork loosely in her right hand. She let them slip from her grasp and fall onto the desk.

AJ invited himself to come and stand by her desk. He did not sit down, remaining on his high ground. 

“So… any chance of storms for today?”

“I’m not a weatherman.”

“You know what I mean.”

Kyra inhaled, letting the air circulate through her brain. 

“Last night, I… I saw something strange.”

“Go on.”

“Another field job being altered. Involving two agents.”

Kyra didn’t know if it was safe to press with AJ. What would he tell her without becoming suspicious? Without knowing what she was thinking?

How long did he think it would take before I found out?

“Alright. Make sure the paperwork gets completed by the deadline. We’re pushing some of those back to comply with the Kennedy facilitation.”

That’s it?

“Did you need me for something else?” Kyra asked, perturbed. 

AJ fiddled around in his tank. 

“You’ve been a long time employee, Seer. I only came in because… it’s come to my attention that you have an opportunity for an upreach. More power.”

“I thought I was just a cog in the machine. Equal to everyone else.”

“Well, some cogs are more equal than others.”

Silence.

“Look, you’re smart. I’m sure you can figure out what I mean. You’re up for a promotion.”

Kyra tapped her fingers on her desk.

“What kind of promotion?”

She was looking down. At the things covering her desk. The new belongings she had acquired during her time at her job.

“For a position much like the Handler’s.”

Kyra stopped cold at her desk. “I’m up for the Handler’s job?”

AJ clacked his fish like teeth together. “Not precisely. It would be very personalized to your skills, of course. However, the Handler has become much more focused on an agent of hers that she’s in charge of. And I feel that… she’s letting personal emotions become mixed with business.” He gestured with his hands, interlacing his fingers together.

Kyra hummed. “...So what does that mean?”

I’m not taking that job. In fact, I don’t want anything more to do with this place anymore.

AJ took a few steps backward. “It means that you sleep on it. If I were you, though, I’d take advantage of your time and power here. Why not step up on the ladder?”

Kyra suddenly perked up. “Would that mean that I wouldn't be holed up here anymore? I’d be moved to a new location? The main building?”

AJ scratched the back of his head. “I’m… afraid not. Your attention and use to the Commission is much more effective when you’re isolated. Agents need not see you.”

Of course. 

That was all the reassurance Kyra needed. She wasn’t going to be brought into the light, not ever. And it was clear AJ had planned to keep up this game indefinitely, just to squeeze everything they needed from her out. The promotion was only an illusion of change. Keeping her on the teat. 

“Right. Well… I guess I’ll think about it.”

AJ headed toward the door, tipping his finger toward her like he was satisfied. “That’s what I thought. Good on you.”

“Just close the door on your way out.”