Chapter 18: Storm in Agency
Alex sat in his office, the steady hum of the ceiling fan doing little to cut through the silence. A mug of coffee, its flavour "Vanilla Almond Blaze," steamed quietly beside a pile of unattended paperwork. The new flavor was a surprise —sweet, a little nutty, and oddly comforting. He took a sip, let it linger.
Calm, but not at peace.
It had been days without a single emergency. Not a rogue villain, not a monster attack. Not even a malfunctioning drone report. Only unsettling news from the military frontlines—creatures and animals awakening to powers at an accelerating rate. Something was brewing, and the silence felt too deliberate.
Bliss and Healer had already been dispatched to the frontline as support. Before sending them, Alex had prepared them with carefully chosen items.
For Bliss, he had summoned a necklace—delicate, with a translucent jewel that shimmered in various colors.
Item: Elemental Aegis Pendant
Effect: Automatically creates a temporary shield of the appropriate element (ice, fire, earth, wind, etc.) based on incoming danger. Triggers subconsciously, allowing the wearer to react even under duress.
Healer, ever precise and thoughtful, received a tool of both elegance and versatility.
Item: Morphic Scalpel
Appearance: Takes the form of a silver hairpin when not in use.
Effect: Adapts its shape into any surgical tool needed, from blade to suture device. Enhances precision and automatically sterilizes itself. Designed to respond to the user's medical knowledge and intent.
Alex leaned back in his chair, eyes scanning the quiet room. No alarms. No reports. Just waiting.
Just as Alex reached for his communicator to call Yurei, the door to his office creaked open.
"Thinking of me?" Yurei said with a small smirk as she stepped inside, sharp heels clicking on the floor. She held a file folder in one hand and a slim black card in the other.
Alex blinked in surprise. "You really have a habit of doing that."
She handed him the folder first. "Report from the surveillance on Sunlight Foundation. Nothing definitive yet, but enough red flags to keep them under watch." Then she placed the black access card on his desk. "And as promised, here's your clearance for the restricted database."
Alex gave a small nod, fingers brushing the smooth surface of the card. "Thanks… Finally."
He looked up at her. "Though I gotta ask—why so quiet lately? No missions, no alerts? Just coffee and paperwork."
Yurei sighed and leaned against the edge of his desk. "That's because the other Dispatchers, especially Josh Dell, have ramped up their operations. They're pushing hard, pulling every thread for results."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Any reason for the sudden enthusiasm?"
"Headquarters sent someone," she replied, crossing her arms. "A strict Evaluator named Jacob Dell. Former hero—he went by the name Blitz. Retired now, but he's in charge of evaluations for the month."
Alex's brows lifted higher. "Dell… as in related to Josh Dell?"
Yurei nodded. "His grandfather."
Alex let out a low whistle. "That explains a lot."
Yurei's expression darkened just slightly. "He's a no-nonsense type. Known for either boosting careers or tearing them apart. This evaluation month is important. Everyone's on edge—even the top performers."
Alex glanced at the access card again, fingers drumming lightly. "Guess I'd better start pulling some weight too."
Yurei gave him a small smile. "You're already doing more than you think. Just be ready. Things won't stay quiet for long."
Yurei glanced at her watch and stood upright. "I've got a packed schedule today. Jacob Dell isn't just evaluating Dispatchers—he's starting from the bottom. Recruits come first."
Alex tilted his head. "So he's building the report from the ground up."
"Exactly," she confirmed. "Every trainee in this building is on his radar. That includes yours… and everyone else's. The evaluations will cover capabilities, behavior, compatibility with their teams, and potential."
She moved toward the door but paused. "You should tell your team to be ready. Jacob doesn't miss a thing—and he doesn't care about emotional baggage or potential. Just results."
Alex leaned back in his chair, coffee cooling on the desk beside him. "That's not going to sit well with some of them."
Yurei's tone softened slightly. "It's not supposed to. He breaks down weak links, but those who survive his scrutiny? They come out forged."
She stepped out, calling back without turning her head, "Good luck, Dispatcher Thorne. Make sure your recruits don't make you look bad."
The door closed gently behind her.
Alex stared at the access card for a long moment, then slowly opened the file folder. Reports, names, timestamps. Redacted lines. Half-finished reports on Sunlight Foundation… and a few more about rising item-host incidents.
"Forged or discarded," he muttered under his breath, sipping what was now lukewarm Vanilla Almond Blaze.
Alex wasn't too worried about Buster—Kian had proven himself over and over again. Whether working alongside his summoned heroes or collaborating with other official teams, he showed grit and composure far beyond most recruits his age. And with Toru's electric pistols already being tested in active police patrols across the city, there was no denying his contribution either.
But Leena... she weighed on his mind.
She hadn't yet produced anything of direct, tangible value. Her mutated sunflowers had potential, yes, but potential alone might not be enough under Jacob Dell's scrutiny. The flowers could store and emit emotional energy, making them volatile and unpredictable. If she managed to tone them down—regulate the absorption so they became harmless or even helpful—they could become a powerful support tool for both civilians and heroes.
He rubbed his chin and let out a soft breath. Maybe Jacob would see the potential in her work. Maybe he'd give her more time. Or maybe he'd recommend removal.
Alex didn't like gambling on maybes.
With that thought, he stood up and grabbed his coat, sliding the database access card into his pocket. He headed toward the workshop area where his recruits often gathered.
They deserved to hear it directly.
He would tell them about the evaluation, prepare them, and make sure they understood what was at stake—not just for their future, but for the entire team.
Alex made his way through the hallway, his steps quick and focused. When he reached the recruits' common space, he found them all in the shared workshop—Kian sparring with a practice dummy, Toru scribbling notes while a new device sparked faintly beside him, and Leena hunched over her planter beds.
He cleared his throat. "We've got an update. An important one."
All three looked up.
"There's going to be an evaluation. Agency-wide. Recruits first, then heroes, then dispatchers," Alex said, pausing. "And the one heading it? Jacob Dell. Former hero—Blitz."
Kian's face lit up. "Blitz? You mean the Blitz? Lightning Jet Hero Blitz?" He grinned wide, nearly bouncing on his heels. "He was my childhood hero!"
Toru, on the other hand, barely blinked. "Cool. If I pass, great. If not... well, some private agency will take me. They like my merges." He leaned back, arms behind his head. "Only joined here 'cause of you anyway, Alex."
Alex smiled faintly at that. Then he turned toward Leena.
"And you? How's your progress going?"
Leena's hands twitched nervously over the planter bed. "The sunflowers... they're improving. I've been trying to tone down the emotional energy buildup. Still not stable, though," she admitted. Her voice dropped to a murmur. "But... another plant mutated. I don't know if it's useful yet."
Alex's brow lifted slightly. "Then let's take a look. Lead the way."
Leena hesitated, then nodded and stood up, wiping dirt from her gloves. "It's in the back greenhouse. Isolated."
Kian and Toru exchanged glances but followed silently. Whatever it was, if Leena's ability could create something meaningful under pressure, now was the time to show it.
[End of Chapter]