It's All About the Benjamins

[Cam Beckett]

"Hard pass," Cam said, sipping his coffee, and making a weird face.

The telepath in the room could tell that his heart was racing now from the espresso.

"Um. If you'll excuse me," he said, making an at first dignified, and then dashing exit out of the room.

[Natalie Denisov]

"I'd be happy to have dinner with you, Will," Natalie says with a slight yawn, "But first, I'm going to to grab some sleep."

[Will Stanton]

"It's a date, then," Will laughed. "Go, get your beauty sleep. All of you. Good work team."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Fair warning. I'm going to make you regret buying me dinner."

[Will Stanton]

"Yes, yes, bottomless gullet. I'll figure it out."

[Will Stanton]

Will waved as everyone filed out, having had their fill of Will's exuberance, or otherwise planning on draining his bank account for dinner.

"You needed to say something, headmistress?"

[Ashlie Minamida]

"I just wanted to ask you how much you know about your 'arrival' site on Earth and the people who found you. Your... previous incarnation was understandably loyal to them."

[Will Stanton]

"I don't much care for the phrase "previous incarnation", if you don't mind, headmistress. It's still me.

I lived with them for quite some time, you know. They made me the man I am today, in some ways."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"My apologies. And I understand that. But you weren't the only thing that was pulled through. There is a whole section of a skyscraper buried in the ice that is being covered up as they mine it for advanced technology."

[Will Stanton]

"Yeah, that'd almost certainly be the building I was in. The guy was trying to suck London into a black hole; I doubt I managed to stop him at only me."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"They claim they're keeping the site a secret as to not spark conflict, but at the same time they are acting as arbiters for what of their research they release to the world. And now we find a substance used to incapacitate you, produced by one of their shell corporations."

[Will Stanton]

"I mean, I get 'information wants to be free', but releasing everything all at once indiscriminately can cause damage. Ever watch Star Trek?

...is Star Trek the same over here?

I'll admit, the fact that Setec is involved is...disturbing."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"I understand their reasoning, but what makes their hands more trustworthy than anyone elses? Anyway, I just wanted to make sure all cards are on the table regarding this, especially since this might warrant further investigation. Preferably without rustling too many feathers. You have a good relationship with Lt. VanBuren, right? Maybe she could provide some insight."

[Will Stanton]

"I like to think I have a good relationship with everyone on the base," Will said, transparently attempting to dodge the Van Buren line. "They're my friends, ASHLIE. I trust them. I don't think they would have done this to me. I think there's another shoe to drop."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"I would just like to be prepared for that and I can't ignore the obvious connection here."

[Will Stanton]

"No, no, it makes sense to look in that direction," Will nodded. "At the very least, to ask them about it, either directly or discreetly."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"I would prefer discreetly first. I have already antagonized the Major enough."

[Will Stanton]

"If you want to go through Van Buren, it's worth a shot, but from what I remember, she didn't work with Setec. The Major was the one who oversaw everything.

Not saying that Sara couldn't pick things up if need be; she's very resourceful..."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"As long as you're okay with it. This does concern you rather directly after all."

[Will Stanton]

"I'm OK with you contacting the base and asking what's up," he said, after a moment's thought. "I...

I want to know what's going on. I'm not fully convinced secrecy is the way to go here, but you're the headmistress."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"Thanks. I'm just not convinced I would get a straight answer. Now go, celebrate your refound humanoid shape with your friends." she smiles slightly.

[Will Stanton]

"Will do, headmistress. Good luck with your phone call."