Paranormal Group, Australian Federal Police National Headquarters, Canberra
Australia became a nation on 1 January 1901 when six British colonies—New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania—united to form the Commonwealth of Australia. This process is known as Federation. Aph.gov.au website
Joey was sitting at his desk doing what the Australian Federal Police did for most of their time, paperwork, when his phone chirped.
He picked it up and looked at the screen.
Alexa ** ADF strange can you call me **
Joey snorted, finished his current paperwork and called Alexa.
"Hey, Alexa, what can I do for you?"
“Sir, thanks for calling back.”
"Is this about one of your assigned tasks?"
“Yes. I’m over at the ADF HQJOC having the initial meeting with my contact.”
"You’re wondering what you can share?"
“Partially, sir.”
"Free to talk?"
“No, sir.”
"You’re being awfully formal, are you actually worried about your safety?"
“Quite concerned, yes.”
"Preconceived ideas about shifters?"
“Yes, their initial thoughts were around control and contain, not integration.”
"Do you expect physical violence?"
“Unlikely, sir, but the threat exists.”
"I'm going to SMS you every fifteen minutes or so, if I don't get a response from you, I'll declare an emergency, OK?"
“Thanks, that's a better solution, sir.”
"Each time, respond with something other than the words "I'm fine". We'll keep that as our 'oh, shit' code. So 'great', 'wonderful', 'fantastic', 'OK', and so on will be fine, but 'I'm fine' and I’ll call in the cavalry."
“That sounds acceptable, sir.”
"So, has the ADF set up a special group for this?"
“Yes, sir.”
“You suspect some preconceived ideas about this?”
“Apparently, they’re getting their information from a Commander McClaine, who’s a bit of an expert on the supernatural. Otherwise, it seems to be from my contact who is well read on the topic.”
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“Oh, shit.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Your biggest problem?”
“Lack of information flow.”
“You mean between us and them?”
“To a point. If there is a blockage in one place, then there probably is in others.”
"Who’s your contact again?"
“Lieutenant Charles Mbabazi, NV2 security clearance.”
"OK. This is all disappointing, but not surprising. It doesn't really change anything, as there is still the ban on electrical transmission of information. If you seem unable to push the discussion there in the required directions, all we can do is send this up the chain and make those on higher salaries earn their money."
“Right, so to confirm, I can share anything from our group except names and an individual’s details, but it must be verbally as there can be no electronic transfers of documents classified as PV, but lessor documents are fine. You will get back to me shortly on the other query.”
"The other query is my plan to regularly SMS you?"
“Yes, sir.”
"You’re planning on having a show & tell?"
“Yes, that is my plan.
"SMS me what branch of the ADF these people are in, and I'll liaise with the Military Police from another branch. Let's not give them a home ground advantage."
“OK, that should be fine, sir.”
Joey hung up and then his phone chimed.
He looked at the screen.
Alexa ** all navy **
Joey smiled, that made it easy.
Joey ** your spidey senses playing up? **
Alexa ** yes **
Joey ** stay safe **
He looked up the contact details for the person he had usually dealt with in the Army Military Police. Even though there was an overriding body that controlled all of the Military Police across all parts of the ADF, each branch had they own unit. He called his contact.
"Carpenter."
"Hey, Marty. It's Joey Smythe from the AFP here."
"Joey! I was going to give you call this week."
"Something up?"
"Just these strange rumours going around about this new 'x files' group over there."
"It's called the Paranormal Group, and I'm in it."
"Ya kidding me!"
"Nope. But if I told you any more, I'd have to shoot you."
Marty laughed. "Seriously, what’s this all about?"
"Can't give you too much information, but the big reveal is happening in a few weeks. At the moment, I can tell you, it's no joke, it's all real, and the stuff I've already seen is turning my hair grey."
"You're kidding me?"
"Nup. In fact, this call is sort of about that. We reasonably secure?"
"Yeah."
"We have a member of the AFP Paranormal Group over at the HQJOC (B) facility who has raised a red flag about the situation she’s in. She's proceeding but has notified me so I can arrange backup in case things go squirrelly. Do you have a contact for me there?"
"I'm actually on my way there at the moment. About ten minutes out."
"Alright, I'll leave here now, it will take me about 30 to 40 minutes. I'll SMS you the people she will be meeting with. Give me a call once you are there."
He sent the SMS then picked up his jacket, pulled his weapons out of his locked drawer and put them on, then left.
About fifteen minutes later, he received a call in his car.
"Senior Constable Smythe, ADF, can I help you?"
"Hey, Joey, it's Marty."
"The name of our officer is Constable Alexa Smirn. She has a meeting this morning with this Lieutenant Charles Mbabazi about that topic we’re not allowed to talk about. The name Commodore Anthony McClaine came up during the meeting and she started getting concerned about the direction the discussion was going."
"Yeah, he's a few cards short of a full deck. At least she's not a werewolf."
Joey paused. "For the sake of argument, let's assume she is. What difference is this going to make?"
"He's a bit narrow minded. Start talking religion and anyone not following his flavour of God's automatically a demon worshiping fiend."
"Is she in physical danger?"
"Probably not?" he paused for a moment, thinking through what he knew. “Maybe?”
"You're not filling me with confidence here."
"I’m not filling me with confidence, either. The system's showing her as in the general mess hall. Let me pull up surveillance. She's in an AFP uniform?"
"Should be."
"OK. She's sitting by herself. It all looks OK."
"I'm having her regularly contact me with updates. Her gut's concerned about this, but there's no real issues in sight. I've gotta admit that the hairs on the back of my neck are acting up as well."
"Hmm. I'll get a team on standby. He's Navy, why'd you call me?"
"That's exactly why."
Marty laughed and said, "You sneaky bastard, see you soon."