Year End's Plan

The subway was of the most popular methods of transportation in New York City; taking cost into consideration.  Like all services, there were times when it was congested and times it was empty. Getting into a subway station unnoticed is all about how people perceive you.  However, getting in as The Mirage was a different task entirely.

Tyler had been taking the subway for years without really noticing its security.  After a few short rides, he was pretty sure he knew how to get in as The Mirage.  One night, instead of doing his normal rounds, he went to see if his plan would work.  Entering through the 103 St. B/C line station, and making his way to the platform, there were still people milling around.  Finding a way off the platform he started traversing the subway.

This became his routine for the next few weeks; combing the subway, and its service ways, for indications of Order bases.  On the night before the Convergence Industries holiday party, he was walking along the subway when Susie said “You know how many miles of subway there are in Manhattan alone.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they were more spread out across the other burrows.”

“I know that.  They must have, at least, one of them in all the major neighborhoods.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re using the abandoned tunnels now that I think about it.”  Tyler said.

“Another night perhaps.  Are you sure that you don’t want to try the flash drive yet?” his sister asked.

He stopped walking, thinking he heard someone, and said “I want to try it at The Lab first.  I have no reason to believe it won’t be useful but I also don’t trust it enough to plug it into my computer.”  Taking a look around, he let out a sigh and continued with “I think I’ll get out here for tonight.  Big event tomorrow and we both know Dad will want our help.”

Serene brought up a map of how to get back out of the subway as fast as possible.  Once on the surface, he made his normal rounds and went home.  The next day was the Convergence Industries holiday party, an annual event just before Christmas.  Most years, the event was mostly just the higher ups but this year more people would be there.  This year, and the following years, the event would be held in Mrs. Smith’s memory.

The morning was filled with making sure the details, both last minute and long decided, were correct.  Everything from the decertations and menu was gone over again with Mr.  Smith, his children, and his own father.  Before they would take one more walk around Tyler’s grandfather said “Son, why don’t Tyler and I walk about one side and you two the other.”

“Good idea dad.” Mr. Smith said, leading his daughter along the room.

The two men turned and started walking along the other side; Tyler could tell his grandfather wanted to talk about something.  Finally, he said “Tyler, I’m going to be blunt about this.  I know you’re The Mirage.”

The two stopped and Tyler didn’t say anything at first.  He looked to the older man and said “I’m guessing I didn’t hide my paper trial well enough then.”

“You were doing a good job on that frontier.  It’s when you used my clearance code that I noticed.”  The man said, ruffling his grandson’s hair.  He continued with “I got a notice someone had used it so I allowed the transaction to go on to see what would happen.  It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the rest from there.”

“Are you asking me to stop?”

“Not necessarily, I saw what kind of plans you have.  What I am saying is that I’m going to make the whole process easier for you.” Mr. Smith said; Tyler stopping in his tracks.  Looking at the boy he continued with “With the authorities making a proper investigation into your identity I’ll set something up that allows you to get what you need without company ties.  Give me some time to get it set up.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Consider it a gift.  I don’t need to know what you order, legally you didn’t do that anyway.  This conversation didn’t happen anyway.”

“Right, of course.  I appreciate it all the same; someone else knowing feels good.” Tyler said looking over at his sister.  The four made their way around the room, deciding everything looked good and left.  Throughout the rest of the day, they would go over other details like the guest list.

Finally, it was time to get ready for the event.  Mr. Smith was first to be ready and now waited for his children.  He was sitting in the living room when there was a knock at the front door.  Opening it, he found Jenifer standing there with her mother.  Mrs. Williams had on casual clothes but Jenifer was dressed up in a light blue dress, as she was Tyler’s date for the evening.

Letting them both in Mr. Smith said “Hello ladies; nice to see you. Thanks for letting her be out tonight.”

Mrs. Williams made a hand gesture while saying “Of course, you’re only young once and she’ll be in more than responsible company.”

“You’re welcome to sit and wait while Tyler and Susie finish getting ready.” Mrs. Smith said, only just noticing Jenifer already took a seat.

She accepted his invitation and closed the front door.  Walking into the living room she said “Only for a few minutes, my shift starts soon.  I also wanted to say how sorry I am again for your loss.”

“It’s apricated, as always.  We’re getting by all in our own ways; I get the sense that your daughter has been a big help for Tyler through all this.” He said, politely offering a seat.

Jenifer pretended that she couldn’t hear what they were talking about; texting Tyler that she was there.  Her mother looked at her and said “I hear about it a lot.  ‘Tyler opening up about this or that.’  I’m just glad she can be there for him.”

While the parents were talking, Tyler had finished getting ready and met his sister standing outside her room.  He was wearing a plain black suit combo with a purple tie; Susie wearing a black with silver dress with a matching bag.  She was clearly eavesdropping on the conversation below and said “We might want to make our appearance downstairs.  The parents started talking about us.”

It was at that point Tyler received the text so they went downstairs.  Appearing at the bottom of the staircase Mrs. Williams said “Well don’t you two look nice.  I hope that you all have a good time.”

Susie turned away, a little embarrassed, while Mr. Smith said “The event ends at about ten o’clock.  We’ll have her home around then.”

“Believe me, I’m not worried about when she’ll be back.” The woman said and motioned her daughter over to her.  Giving her a kiss on the forehead, she said “Have fun and take some pictures.”

“Alright mom, will do.  Now get to work so you aren’t late.”  Jenifer said, practically pushing her mom out the door.

“Well, you all look very nice; have to make a good impression while there.” Mr. Smith said and turned away.

As he made sure he had everything Susie turned to Jenifer and said “Don’t be stressed out about being a spectacle of yourself.  That’s our job as his children.”

“Seriously though, there will likely be a reporter or two at the event.  If you just stick with us, you’ll be in good shape.” Tyler said giving a warm smile.

She put her arms around the smith siblings and said “Don’t worry guys.  I might have never been at a formal event like this but I’m here for you two.”

Tyler heard his father grabed his keys and open the front door.  Waving the teens on, he said “Alright kids, let’s get going.  Dinner to eat and people to mingle with.”

It wasn’t a long drive to the event location, a route practiced more than a few times.  Naturally, they were some of the first to show up; only arriving after some of the company’s higher-ups.  They walked into the event hall and took in the sight; the lights were only on half brightness and there were different holiday decorations lit up.  The tables were set up so the guests could mingle while there was a bar section set up at the back of the venue.  Tyler noted the door to the outside part of the venue was unlocked; outdoor lighting also visible.

Jenifer took this all in while Mr. Smith said “Alright, best behavior.  There’s, about, an hour where people are expected to mingle and talk.  Afterward, there’s the dinner and then some talking from company heads.”

“We know dad, go talk with other people.” Susie said, jokingly, pushing him.

Walking over to the table that they would sit at Jenifer said “Well this place is nice.  You do this every year?”

“We’ve only started attending last year.  Convergence Industries has been hosting some kind of party for decades now.” Tyler said as they took a seat.

“Did you ever find out if Brenda is coming?” Susie asked.

“Yeah, I imagine she’ll be around soon enough.  Both her parents are coming actually.” Tyler answered.

“Have either of you seen her around much after school?  I know she doesn’t do any school activities so I haven’t seen her much.” Jenifer said keeping an eye out.

The two siblings shared a quick look and Tyler said “Not really, now that I think about it.  Haven’t seen her much since that day at The Roost now that you mention it.”

A moment of silence passed, letting the thought rest in the back of their mind.  Jenifer, finally, said “We’ll have to check in with her tonight.  We are still her friends.”

More and more people filled the event hall, both people Tyler worked with and many he didn’t.  About an hour after they showed up, and twenty minutes after the teens tried to look like they belonged there, Brenda showed up.  Susie spotted her first and brought Tyler and Jenifer to her.  She was trying to find the table her family would sit at when the group found her.

Turning around, she was wearing a black dress with purple accents through it.  Flashing a smile, she said “Hay guys, nice place, right?”

“Yeah, don’t get us started on the painstaking decision process this all entailed.” Tyler said.  He looked around a moment and continued with “So I’m just going to ask; are you avoiding us?”

“What, of course not.  I’ve just been doing my own things with The Lab being an active crime scene.  You don’t expect that to hold much longer, do you?” she asked.

“Can’t say.  I don’t think it’ll be much longer.” Susie said.

“Are these your friends dear?” a woman walking toward them said.  She had a darker complexion, short brown hair, was just above average height and wore a floor-length navy dress.  Putting a hand on Brenda’s shoulder “Nice to meet you dears.  I’m Brenda’s mother.”

Tyler shook her hand while saying “Nice to meet you Mrs. Jones.  I’m Tyler, this is my sister Susie, and this is Jenifer Williams.”

“Oh, you’re Tyler Smith.  I’ve heard so much about you and your family.  I’m sorry to hear about your mother, of course.” Mrs. Jones said.

“Thank you, and I hope what you heard was good.  My father is around here somewhere if you wanted to talk to him.” Tyler said looking around.

The woman thanked him and gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead.  After she left, Brenda looked at the group and said “I might not always see her but it’s always a treat when I do.”

Eventually, everyone showed up and started the official hour of mingling.  Tyler saw Sam talking with some Lab colleagues, where he briefly joined in.  At some point, Susie branched off with Brenda and the two walked and talked.  Jenifer stuck close to her boyfriend, not really sure how to interact with the people there.  She spotted a reporter talking to people and taking photos; as well as the detective in charge of Mrs. Smith death, detective Lin.

“I don’t know how you’re doing this.  It can all be a little much”. She mused, walking outside.

They walked into a simple garden setting, complete with decorations and lights.  Sitting on a bench, Tyler said “Dating me is as much a public affair as well as a privet one.  Fortunately, it could always be worse; imagine dating an actual celebrates kid.”

They shared a laugh as the garden door opened.  Looking back, they saw Mr. Smith walking with detective Lin.  Tyler stood up to meet them but detective Lin said “No need to get up Mr. Smith.  I only just want a minute of your time.”

“Should I leave?’ Jenifer asked.

“That won’t be strictly necessary Miss Williams.  Like I said, just need a minute of your time.” The detective said.  She sat on a bench facing them and continued with “It’ll be formally announced tonight but I wanted to tell you personally.  We’ve got everything we can get from the scene so The Lab will be operational again, barring repairs.”

“Thank you for everything you’ve done detective.  Out of curiosity, do you have any leads on The Matriarch?” Tyler asked, leaning forward.

She leaned back a little, at the moment Tyler realized he screwed up.  The only person who the name of The Order leader was The Mirage, and the guy he handed over to her.  He also realized that she knew he misspoke as she did what he was now doing; watching for a particular reaction.  Finally, she said “We have a few leads, not all about that specifically.  We do think she has, or had rather, a connection to Convergence Industries because the automatic doors allowed her in.”

“I didn’t see your sister to tell her the news, mind passing it on?” Mr. Smith asked.  He then turned his attention to detective Lin and said “Thanks again for all your hard work.  You’re welcome to stay and enjoy the party.”

“Thank you, I’ll certainly take you up on that offer.  Please, lead the way.” Detective Lin said as the two went back inside.

The two teens stayed another minute or two, not really saying much.  They went back inside and found Susie and Brenda.  Tyler told them about The Lab being reopened, after repairs to the building and security.  Soon it was time to eat the venue dinner while staff set up a small microphone and speaker setup.  After eating, Tyler’s grandfather got up and approached the setup.

Tapping the mic a few times, getting everyone’s attention, he said “Well everyone, thank you for being here.  This company wouldn’t be able to do what it does without the help from you all.  Of course, we’ve had a loss here; and in our own walls as well.  As many of you know, Dr. Smith was my daughter-in-law so I’ve felt this loss on different levels.  Nevertheless, she was always the type to make the best of a bad situation so here we are.

“We worked where we could and did the best we can.  Well, I have some good news before this year is over; The Lab can be reopened.  We have some repairs that need to be finished, security measures that need reviewing, but the facility should be operational as early as January.  We may have suffered a terrible loss but we will rebound from this and those who did this will pay.  Now onto something significantly more boring, business reports.”

He talked for a little longer, going over different business reports and what they mean.  He sat down as Mr. Smith patted his father on the shoulder while other members of the governing board got up and talked.  The event lasted another forty minutes and then it was time for everyone to leave.  Tyler, and his family, had to stay behind to take care of the final paperwork while everyone left.  They dropped Jenifer off at her apartment complex and returned home.  Tyler decided not to head out as The Mirage that night, needing a full night’s sleep.

However, not everyone who attended the party slept well that night.  Brenda went home with her parents just after most of the people left, staying behind to see if she could help.  Once home she headed straight upstairs and got ready for the night.  Unlike most people that didn’t mean putting on pajamas.  Opening her closet, she pulled out the different parts of her outfit The Order gave her.  Slipping on her helmet she became invisible and opened her bedroom window.  She was in a trusted position for a recruit but that’s what came with the right connections.  All the same, she had business to attend to; she was The Agent after all.