Special Talents (19 page)

"Now. To begin with, you all know who I am. My name is Richard Scarborough and I'm an Assistant Director for Homeland Security. You also know that Dr. Sloan and I have been searching to locate individuals with special talents. What some of you don't know is why. That's what I'm going to tell you this morning."

He then informed them of what Jeremy had learned that day in Secretary Napolitano's office. Of the terrorist with special talents who were becoming more prevalent. And of the inability of "normal" counterterrorist units to deal with the emerging threat. When he finished, he asked if there were any questions. He knew there was going to be a barrage of them.

"So you're saying that there are other people out there – a lot of other people – who have these special talents just like we do?" Conrad asked.

"Well, I'm not sure I'd categorize it as a lot of people," said Scarborough. "But there are more of them than we'd like to see. And many of them are bent on destroy us and our way of life."

"And you want us to form some kind of team to fight these guys?" asked Frank. "Doesn't the government all ready have contingency plans for everything? Why look for ordinary people who have no experience or training with this kind of thing?"

"Because people with special talents are actually rare," said Jeremy. "Kamalene is the first – and so far, only – government worker who has been identified as having a special talent. That's why we've had to go out into the general public and look for appropriate candidates. It's not like there's a database somewhere listing all those with special talents that we can pick and choose from."

"And we're supposed to search out these terrorists with special abilities?" Janet asked.

"Kind of," said Scarborough. "Your job will be to investigate reports of strange or unusual occurrences. People who may be like you. And I'll be honest with you. You may be called upon to help stop terrorists that we've identified as having special abilities. As I said, our normal counterterrorism units aren't equipped to deal with these terrorists. You'd be a specialized unit for a specialized purpose."

"So we'd be working for the government," said Simon. "Would be get to carry a badge and gun like you do?"

"No!" Scarborough said emphatically. "You'd be considered contract workers called in for a specific job. The government has thousands of contract workers they rely on to perform various tasks. Some are very mundane like construction workers and the like. But each has a specific talent and it's more cost effective to hire out some of the work rather than employ people full time for that work. But you would not get a badge or a gun."

"So we'd be getting paid to do this?" asked Wil.

"Yes," said Scarborough. "As I said, you'd be contract workers. So you would be paid for your services. You'd be given a government pay grade rating just like any other government worker. How much you would be paid will be dependent on that pay grade. Naturally some of you would have a higher rating than others. But I can assure you that all of you would be duly compensated for whatever work you do for the government."

"This is going to be dangerous, isn't it?" Janet asked. "I mean, we'll be looking for terrorists. People who want to kill us and destroy our way of life. People who have no problem blowing themselves up to achieve their goals."

"And the 72 virgins they've been promised in heaven," said Simon, smiling coyly.

"Well, that's certainly a possibility," said Scarborough. "I won't lie to you. It could be very dangerous. Depending on the special talent any terrorists we identify have. But I'll also tell you that most of the time the job is pretty boring. A lot of leg work that goes nowhere. And there's a lot of paperwork. But yes there could be times when it's dangerous. That's something you'll have to take into consideration when making your decision."

"What if we decide not to join you?" Frank asked. "What happens then?"

"Nothing," said Scarborough. "You will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement agreeing not to discuss what you've learned here. If you violate that agreement you can be prosecuted for it. But assuming you don't violate it you'll be free to go on with your lives pretty much as they have before."

"Speak for yourself," said Conrad. "My life is all ready different. Thanks to Dr. Sloan."

"So we're not being drafted?" Janet asked.

"The government doesn't draft people for this type of work," said Scarborough. "It has to be voluntary. And I will tell you that you won't be able to tell your family or friends what you're really doing. This is highly classified and very sensitive. You will have a cover story to tell people what you're doing but your true purpose would have to remain a secret within the department."

"So you just show up at our doors one day and say you have a job for us and we're expected to just drop everything and come with you?" Simon asked. "You know, most of us have lives. Most of us make plans. Not to mention how would we explain just disappearing for no reason at all to our bosses?"

"Well, some of you don't have bosses," said Scarborough, looking directly at Simon. "As for the rest of you, it wouldn't exactly be like that. When you're needed you'll be contacted and given the specifics of your assignment. Now it's true we will be expecting you to come as quickly as possible to complete the assignment.

"But because of the nature of your jobs, you'll be receiving regular, monthly checks just as if you were a regular employee of the government instead of being paid per piece like normal contract workers. For some of you that could mean you can quit whatever job you have now. You're still free to work if you wish or pursue whatever personal endeavors you want.

"But I want it clearly understood that Secretary Napolitano will expect each and every one of you to fulfill your commitment to the department. That means that sometimes your personal lives will have to be put on hold. What we're talking about here are matters of national security and even possibly the lives of untold numbers of people. That will have to take precedence over whatever you might have going on in your personal lives at the moment."

"Okay, so who is our boss going to be?" Wil asked. "Everyone has a boss. Who's going to be deciding what we investigate?"

"Each assignment will be decided by the President of the United States, along with his advisors," said Scarborough. "The orders will come from him through the Secretary of Homeland Security, to me. I'll be your direct supervisor. You'll be reporting to me."

"What about Dr. Sloan?" asked Frank. "Where does he fit in?"

"Dr. Sloan will be a sort of team leader," said Scarborough. "He'll be in charge when I'm not around. But officially I'll be in charge of the team."

"And you'll have our backs, is that it?" questioned Simon. "Running interference for us? Until it gets too hot for you and then you sell us out the first chance you get."

"Let me make something perfectly clear from the get go," said Sloan. "I have two simple rules. Don't ever lie to me. And don't ever screw me over. You follow those two rules and I'll bend over backwards defending you and do what I can to keep the brass off your backs.

"But if you cross me I'll break you myself. Some of you don't realize how serious this situation is. People are dying out there every day because of zealots who believe their way is the only way and anyone who doesn't agree with them should be eradicated from the face of the Earth. Most of those people are innocence. People who did nothing but be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"My job is to stop those zealots. Make sure they can never again hurt anyone who doesn't agree with their philosophies. That's what I'm asking you people to do here today. Help me stop some of these people that our normal measures aren't capable of dealing with. It's going to be an inconvenience at times, that's true. But you'll be help saving lives. Innocent lives. You have the right to say no and walk away. And there won't be any hard feelings if you do. Not everyone is cut out for this kind of life."

"What if we want to quit later?" asked Kamalene. "What if we decide we don't want to do it anymore and want to go back to our old lives?"

"You're free to walk away at any time," said Scarborough. "Like I said, we don't draft anyone for this type of job. You'll be free to walk away whenever you want without any restrictions. Other than you won't be able to tell anyone about what you're doing or what you've done. It will remain a classified secret."

"Any more questions?" Jeremy asked.

Everyone looked around at each other. No one spoke up. After a moment it was evident that no one had any further questions. At least not right now. Jeremy was sure there would be more later.

"Okay. Richard, I suggest we give them some time to think about it. This is a major decision for them. It shouldn't be made in haste."

"Can we talk about it?" Conrad asked. "I mean, between ourselves?"

"Sure," said Scarborough. "Take whatever time you need. But Secretary Napolitano is expecting an answer soon so don't take any longer than you have to. I'll give you the rest of the day to consider it. I'll come back tomorrow at this same time and you can give me your answer or let me know if you need more time."

"Well, that certainly sounds fair," said Jeremy looking at the group. Everyone was nodding their heads in agreement.

"Okay then," said Scarborough. "I guess I'll see you all tomorrow."

He turned and headed for the door and Simon got up and walked over to him. Simon talked to him in a hushed tone so no one else could hear them.

"What about our deal?" Simon asked. "About me walking away after one assignment?"

"It still stands," Scarborough whispered back. "You do one assignment, give me your best on it, and you walk away no questions asked."

"Okay," said Simon. "Count me in. For one assignment."

Scarborough just smiled at Simon. This was one man he knew he wouldn't be able to count on. Oh, he might do okay for a single mission. Because Scarborough had something to hold over his head. But he couldn't be counted on for the long haul. It wasn't in his nature. Jeremy escorted Scarborough out to his car.

"What do you think, Mr. Psychiatrist?" Scarborough asked. "You think they'll go for it?"

"That's hard to say. You've given them a lot to think about. Throwing in the part about saving innocent lives was a good touch. It will make them feel guilty about refusing. I'm pretty sure Janet will go for it. And Kamalene is all ready on board. The others? There's no way to tell."

"Well I can tell you that Rowe has all ready said he's out after the first mission. And I told him I'd hold up my end of the bargain as long as he does the same. To be honest, I think we might be better off without him after the first mission. I don't think he can be trusted in a pinch."

"You might be right. Well, all we can do is give them time to think it over. I'm going to leave them alone. They might feel pressured if I'm there."

"I'll be here and I'll be on time this time. I have to make my report to Secretary Napolitano at 3:00 this afternoon. I'd like you there as well. She may have some questions you can answer."

"Okay, Richard. If you think it's necessary I'll be there. And I think we'll have our answers in the morning. I'll see you at 3:00."

The two men shook hands and Richard got into his car as Jeremy went back into the house to let the others know what's going on.

Jeremy met Scarborough at the Secretary's office at 3:00 that afternoon. They didn't have to wait long until the secretary in the outer office told them they could go inside. Just as they were about to enter the office, Scarborough stopped Jeremy.

"Okay," he said, "once we're in there let me do most of the talking. Answer her questions but don't volunteer any information to her."

"Richard, I have been through this a time or two," said Jeremy. "I know how to handle myself."

"I know. But just take your cue from me. I can't explain right now. I'll explain everything later. Just go along with what I say, okay?"

"Okay," said Jeremy confused. "I don't know why you're being so mysterious."

"Jeremy, when it comes to the team, I'm looking to you for a lot of answers. I'm kind of out of my element and you're much better qualified to handle them than I am. But this is my arena. This is what I'm good at. You may have to do something that is a little unpalatable but trust me, it's necessary."

"What might I have to do?"

"I'll explain everything later."

Without another word Scarborough opened the door to the office and walked in. Confused, Jeremy followed. They both took seats and noticed that General Porter was all ready sitting in the office.

"Assistant Director Scarborough, you said you had some news," said Napolitano.

"Yes, Madam Director." He handed her a sheet of paper. "We've found 7 individuals counting Dr. Sloan and Ms. Alania. I think we have a fairly rounded team. And I think they're going to be very useful in our endeavors to fight terrorism."

"And they've agreed to join us?" Napolitano questioned.