July 26, 2009
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The Great Xanga Round Story – Chapter 11: Evolving Plans
Author’s note: My profuse apologies in taking so long to get my chapter up. I hope you enjoy.
The Great Xanga Round Story
Chapter 11: Evolving PlansPrevious Chapter Table of Contents Next Chapter
Susanna glared at the brightly dressed specter that had appeared before her interrupting her reverie. She put the the wine glass down, regaining her composure, and was all business.
“What do you want Biana?”
Biana gave Susanna one of her trademark dazzling smiles which only served to grate on Susanna’s already taut nerves. Biana had always been like that. They’d worked together for more than five years and during that entire time Biana had never failed to find ways to make Susanna grind her teeth together. Everything from her flirty demeanor, to those frilly dresses she wore that were decidedly not regulation, to the cloyingly annoying perfume she sometimes wore. It was all so at odds with the bland and dark reality of their work that it never failed to put Susanna on edge.
It wasn’t that Susanna disliked her, it was just that her perpetually cheery attitude was so damnably annoying. It wasn’t that she wasn’t capable, either. As Susanna had worked her way up through the ranks of the organization Biana had been right there by her side progressing nearly as much. And as more and more authority was thrust upon Susanna she had found herself relying on the petite blond woman much more often. Biana’s super efficient organizational skills were a huge boon and despite her appearance she was excellent in a fight. But it was her other more unique skill set that Susanna had relied upon the most. Indeed she had just been contemplating making use of those skills when the woman had walked in the door.
Which is why, Susanna thought, it’s such a shame the probability of us continuing to work together for much longer is so slim.In quick precise movements Biana took out a report from a plain manila envelop she was carrying and handed it to her superior.
“The report you wanted.”
Susanna scanned the document quickly, pursing her lips when she got to the end.
“They’re behind schedule.”
“As you know without the entire formula it’s difficult to progress. And dangerous. Director Lars wanted to stress to you again how dangerous it is to even attempt to build this device without knowing the full formula.”
“He’s knows damn well I need more time to get that out of him.”
“Lars doesn’t understand why we can’t just tell Gregory the truth. He says he would welcome the help of a man of Gregory’s intellect on his team.”
“Lars is a simpleton. No matter. He’ll do as he’s told. Tell him to continue on as scheduled…. No…. Wait.”
Susanna paused calculating probabilities in her head. Biana waited patiently knowing by now how her boss’s mind worked.
“On second thought…. Tell him I want a prototype done and read to test by tomorrow evening at the latest.”
Susanna had the satisfaction of watching Biana’s perpetually calm demeanor shatter.
“T..t…tomorrow? Lars was asking for two weeks at the least and after yesterday’s setbacks he’s thinking he might need a month or more!”
“I am aware of the existing time line. I want it sped up.”
“But the risks!!”
“Tell them to ignore the risks and make it happen or I’ll have their hides.”
Susanna smiled. She understood Biana’s confusion. It was because Biana didn’t see the whole picture. No one did. Not even her own superiors, she suspected. It was all about the probabilities you see. Gregory was the key. He always had been. The possibility of cataclysmic destruction would only be another lever to push, another variable in the equation.
“Y…yes ma’am”Biana, looking bewildered turned to go. But Susanna stopped her.
“I wasn’t finished.” She said the words softly but Biana had learned to read the threat in them.
But Biana didn’t turn around right away. She took a moment to compose herself before taking the pen from her left ear with a flourish, spinnig around on her heel, and flipping open a notebook ready to take notes on whatever order of business Susanna had in mind. Her dazzling smile was back in place as she met Susanna’s gaze squarely. The woman had guts, Susanna had to admit. It really was a shame. Susanna gave her her most predatory grin in response.
“Now then. First order of business. For tomorrow’s test we’ll need all nonessential personnel evacuated. However we must maintain the appearance of a fully staffed and operational headquarters. Is that doable?”
“Easily.”
“Good. Secondly from now until the test I want to increase our security patrols to one every ten minutes. And double patrols on the hour.”
Another person wouldn’t have noticed it the ever so slight pause of Biana’s swift elegant pen motions as she took notes. But Susanna noticed. She sighed internally. The probability had just increased again.
“And lastly I’d like you to take over Gregory’s interrogation effective immediately. I want you to use your more… shall we say… delicate techniques to try and get him to talk.”
“I thought we’d ruled out conventional torture as being unlikely to be effective on someone like him. The knowledge is too complex and buried too deeply within his subconscious.”
The probability increases yet again.
“It doesn’t matter Biana. I want him to be as unstable as possible by the time the tests begin. You can handle that I’m sure. I’ve seen you break much tougher men.”
“Of course” Biana said smiling brilliantly. “It will be my pleasure as always.”
“I’m sure it will. Take Michael and Porter with you when you go. I want them to observe and learn the techniques you use. I’m sure you can find some use for them as well.”
“Not a problem. Will that be all ma’am?”
In such a hurry Biana? Oh I wonder why.
“Yes. You may go now. Good luck. We’re going to be counting on you.”
As Biana shut the door, Susanna could not help but become lost in the memories of years of working together. It was really quite sad. Susanna had honestly finally begun to like her. Hell, in time she suspected she might even have gotten used to that stupid nickname Biana insisted on all the men using for her. The name Biana Griggs at least sort of fit her.
But why the heck would any woman want to go by the name of Biggs?
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Comments (4)
RYC: Exactly. Usually the uniform format of that printing does NOT detract from the original work. And most, if not ALL prints do not negate italicised, bold, (and rarely) underlined. Since his formatting RUINED the voice of my entry to a MAJOR degree, he pretty much went against what you just described. I also did mention in my emails that I was aware of the poor submission coding; and wanted them to change it to the proper (by giving them the link to the original).
Yeah. I’ve noticed you tend to play DA for the sake of argument, and to kinda coerce the person you’re discussing with to be more elaborate; and to validate their points more accurately.
It’s definitely a compliment.
Hehe.. Yeah, I was a bit late getting your chapter up on the Table of Contents so I guess we are even. I am ever more curious to see how this all plays out.
Nice way to introduce Biggs. I’m curious to see how the next person hadles Gregory and Biggs’ meeting
@jeremiahstears - thanks. Yeah me too. I was trying to go for something a bit different and tie together a couple of elements from other segments. Hopefully I didn’t write the story into a dead end.