Director Strange practically threw Michael and Agent Tamara from his office the instant Michael's right palm made contact with the tablet displaying the employment contract.
Naturally, Michael meticulously scrutinized the contract before appending his signature. It was nothing like a Demonic Contract and more like what he imagined a secret service contract would look like.
Afterwards, Agent Tamara took Michael to the 41st Floor that belonged to her Risk Management Department.
Out of the elevator, Agent Tamara assumed the role of tour guide. "I'm the Department Manager. You may refer to me as 'Department Manager' or 'Department Manager Tamara' to distinguish from the other Department Managers. I'll assign you a partner to show you the ropes in and out of HQ. In fact, they should be waiting for us in my office."
The two passed more storage and file rooms than offices across the 41st Floor. Department Manager Tamara explained: "Essentially, the department exists to process cases that have been dealt with by the Branches. Only cases related to other Material Dimensions or of high Rank 0 and beyond are managed exclusively by our Field Agents."
"Wait, you're saying I can have missions in parallel Earths?" Michael instantly thought of several comic universes.
"The Material Magick Bureau is a multi-dimensional organization that operates across numerous Martial Dimensions, more than I can possibly recount. Each Material Dimension hosts its own headquarters, affiliates of the Bureau, or a small operational base. To traverse Dimensions, one must attain the rank of a Level 1 Agent; therefore, such missions are currently beyond your reach."
"Will my Grace Period extend to other Dimensions? Might I encounter alternate versions of myself?" Michael inquired.
"Yes, your Grace Period will be recognized in Material Dimensions, among those connected to the Divine and Demonic realms. As for encountering other versions of yourself, the answer is no, but let's leave it at that. Ah, here we are, my office."
Unlike the brisk dismissal from Director Strange, Department Manager Tamara's office buzzed with activity. Three secretaries, buried beneath piles of files – Michael presumed they were paper copies – scarcely noticed their entrance.
A short-haired blonde woman adorned in Material Magick Bureau gym attire, with an MMB towel slung over her shoulder, awaited them impatiently in Department Manager Tamara's office. "It's about time!" she greeted them curtly.
"Apologies for summoning you during your break, Agent Vasquez, but this time, I'm extending you a favor, so kindly drop the attitude," Department Manager Tamara retorted firmly.
Agent Vasquez scoffed but complied, shooting Michael an inquisitive glance. "Who's that?"
"Michael Mir. Agent Mir, meet Rank 0 Agent Grace Vasquez. Agent Vasquez, Agent Mir is a special case recruit," Department Manager Tamara introduced.
"That's new..." Agent Vasquez remarked, her expression guarded.
"It's a rare occurrence," Department Manager Tamara explained, settling into her seat behind the desk. "Agent Mir signed a Demonic Contract and now enjoys a Grace Period of two years. As part of the agreement, he's contracted as a Rank 0 Agent. You'll be his mentor and partner," she concluded with a warm smile.
Agent Vasquez remained impassive as she processed the revelation. "He's just a regular person?"
"Essentially, yes. However, he's already formed his Pool of Magick Ions," Department Manager Tamara clarified.
"Any background in the military? Mercenaries? Intelligence agencies?" Agent Vasquez fired off questions.
"Just a regular person," Department Manager Tamara interjected before Agent Vasquez could elaborate further.
"Who happened to sign a Demonic Contract?" Agent Vasquez's disbelief was palpable.
"Believe it or not," Department Manager Tamara responded evenly.
"I don't."
"Then you should start."
"Department Manager?"
"Yes?" Department Manager Tamara replied, maintaining her composure.
"Are you messing with me?"
"Not today," Department Manager Tamara assured her.
"Alright," Agent Vasquez sighed, her tension easing slightly. "Why the heck am I here again?" she snapped, frustration evident.
"Watch the attitude," Department Manager Tamara admonished gently.
"Sorry," Agent Vasquez amended, her tone contrite. "Why am I here again, Ma'am?" she asked more respectfully.
"Agent Mir, why are you here?" Department Manager Tamara set Agent Vasquez's presence aside, her attention solely on Michael.
"Because you offered me the means to achieve the First Metamorphosis within my Grace Period," Michael replied, discomforted by Agent Vasquez's demeanor and the exchange between her and Department Manager Tamara. While he comprehended their dynamic, he found himself distancing from his assigned partner due to their initial interaction. He refrained from mentioning the Second Metamorphosis, not wanting to exacerbate the situation, even though it looms on his agenda for the next two years.
"Despite Agent Mir's rank, he's still a novice in our field, necessitating guidance every step of the way. Whoever takes on that responsibility will receive special rewards for their effort – better rates for Merit Points and elevated clearance in the Exchange Center," Department Manager Tamara reasoned.
"Consider it done!" Agent Vasquez interjected eagerly. "You can rely on me, Department Manager! There's no need to involve anyone else. I'll draft a new employment agreement immediately and be the best Partner Agent Mir could ask for!"
Department Manager Tamara considered Agent Vasquez's abrupt enthusiasm before turning to Michael. "What's your take on this?"
"Do I have a say in this?" Michael interjected.
"No-" Agent Vasquez began, but Department Manager Tamara cut her off.
"Yes."
'She's eccentric, but perhaps that's the norm around here. Who am I to judge? Even if her personality isn't to my liking, Department Manager Tamara won't squander my Grace Period on an incompetent Agent,' Michael reflected silently.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
"Department Manager Tamara, you know my preferences. I'll trust your judgment," Michael stated.
"Then it's settled," Agent Vasquez declared confidently.
"Yes, indeed," Department Manager Tamara concurred. "Agent Vasquez, please escort Agent Mir to his quarters. I'll have his room number and a new contract sent to you shortly."
"Agent Mir, take some time to settle into your room. You'll find various uniforms and a Bureau device, along with a tablet. Use it to explore the Bureau's database – it should answer many of your questions. Agent Vasquez, I hope you won't mind cutting your training short?"
"Not at all!"
"Then, after you've both freshened up, Agent Vasquez, please complete Agent Mir's registration process promptly. If you encounter any issues, report them immediately. The sooner you finish, the sooner I can assign Agent Mir his first mission."
"Mid Rank 0?" Agent Vasquez prodded, her disinterest in missions lacking Merit Points evident.
"We'll see," Department Manager Tamara replied firmly, shutting down further discussion. "Off you go," she gestured dismissively.
Agent Vasquez seized Michael's arm, her perspiration apparent, perhaps intensified by the prospect of improved rewards.
Her assertive manner brought back memories of his brief stint with MK in The Debinger, softening his defenses as he allowed her to lead him away.
"Department Manager," Agent Vasquez called back into the office as they departed.
"What is it?" Department Manager Tamara responded, her tone neutral.
"You didn't choose me solely because of my name, did you?" Agent Vasquez inquired.
Department Manager Tamara paused momentarily before responding, leaving the question hanging in the air.
…
"Okay. We can drop the formalities now. Sorry for my earlier attitude. I might have given you the wrong impression. You don't have to be wary of me, and I'm not just saying that because of the benefits," Grace admitted as they navigated the circular hallway toward the elevators.
Her sincerity outside of Department Manager Tamara's office caught Michael off guard, prompting an inward sigh. 'Perhaps I can give this professional relationship a chance.'
"Can I pose a personal question?" he ventured as they walked.
"We're partners from today onward, capital P, so expect plenty of personal questions," Grace remarked casually.
"How old are you?" Michael inquired, followed by, "I'm twenty-three."
"I'm twenty-eight. I thought you were younger. Why the curiosity? Do you have a thing for older women?" Grace responded, her tone light.
"I actually thought you were older. But it's all good; I do have a thing for older women," Michael retorted, his response a departure from his usual demeanor.
Grace chuckled. "You have no idea how barren this place is – the Risk Management Department. Maybe I'll play with you if you win a fight against me, rookie," she teased, playfully grabbing his shoulder and leaning in close to his ear, reveling in her victory as Michael's cheeks flushed.
"Remember those words," Michael stuttered, flustered yet already determined to embrace change. 'She's not the first,' he stuck out his nose, reminiscing about his first kiss. "I was curious about your years of experience, mainly. Assuming you finished high school at eighteen and joined the Bureau right after graduation, that puts you at nine years, unless there are some unique circumstances... Are there?"
"The Bureau doesn't typically recruit children unless there are 'unique circumstances' at play, but that wasn't the case for me. To give you some context compared to your journey here, I finished high school, served as an MP for a couple of years, pursued my master's in criminology while in service, and a few months before my discharge to the private sector, I was approached by an MMB recruiter. I completed the Bureau's training program last year and am now just two months shy of completing my first year as a Rank 0 Agent," Grace explained.
"That's... quite the journey," Michael conceded, acknowledging the disparity in experience despite her being five years his senior. He couldn't deny that his present self couldn't hold a candle to twenty-three-year-old Grace, especially without String's powers.
"Willing to share what you were up to before you made the Demonic Contract and how you managed the Grace Period?" Grace inquired.
"I didn't do much," Michael replied, opting for honesty over embellishment. "After graduating, I worked odd jobs, mostly in security. It was for a small company – nothing like 'Modern Warfare'..."
"You're not the first Agent who joined the Bureau from a regular background," Grace reassured. "Though, I've never heard of one with a Demonic Contract that the Bureau recruited."
"Am I going to be the only Agent who made a deal with a Demonic Entity?" Michael pondered, concerned about the potential impact on his reputation within the Bureau.
"I don't have the clearance for that answer. Personal information is confidential for anyone who's not in management, regardless of clearance. Even then, it's limited to the Director, HR, and DP's. In short, if you don't share it, others won't know," Grace emphasizing the confidentiality surrounding such matters.
As they made their way up to the 15th Floor, the serene view of the inner park unfolded before them.
"Your room is 15-14-27A. I see what they did... I'm 15-14-27B, the adjacent room," Grace remarked, noting the arrangement. Two minutes later, they reached the turn leading to a lengthy hallway, one among twenty similar corridors on the floor.
In the clockwise order, 15-14-27A marked the fourteenth hall, with 27A positioned as the first room on the left. Adjacent to 27A was 27B, and directly facing 27A stood 28A.
"Michael," Grace called out, directing him towards the palm-scanning laser for identity verification before he could access the room.
"Yes?" Michael responded, attentive to Grace's instruction.
"If you happen to encounter a tall, slender guy with short black hair and pale skin, I suggest you steer clear for the next six months. Hopefully, by then, he'll have settled down," Grace advised, a tinge of concern coloring her tone.
"Why?" Michael inquired, his suspicion already aroused, especially given the conspicuous footprints imprinted at the center of his new room. His tone hinted at his skepticism, despite his query.
"Don't make it a habit to ask when you already know the answer. Unless you're joking, which you shouldn't be. Matteo was comfortable in this room, and he's not one to find comfort easily, even though all the single residential rooms here are the same. This isn't high school, so he won't bully you, but the man is unhinged…"
Michael wheeled his trolley into the room. 'This can't be a coincidence,' he pondered silently. 'Alright. I'm ready for the challenge, if this is one of the ways you're honoring our agreement to help me reach the Second Metamorphosis...'
"I don't want to waste a single moment of my Grace Period, Grace, and neither do you. The Director didn't mention anything about retaining my benefits once it's over," Michael remarked, his determination evident in his tone.
"Okay, I'll take a quick shower and then come get you," Grace said, closing the door behind her as she left Michael to settle in.
As Michael stood alone in the room, the weight of living away from home for the first time settled upon him. He unzipped his trolley with a solemn air, beginning to unpack his clothes and essentials.
The room itself was a modest rectangle, furnished simply with a bed, a bedside cabinet, and a desk complete with a tablet. A closet stood opposite the bed, while a bathroom with a shower completed the layout. Despite Michael's preference for baths, especially during winter, he resigned himself to the convenience of the shower.
'I suppose I won't need everything I brought,' he mused, taking stock of the room's contents.
Inside the closet, he discovered a selection of clothes already provided: two suits, two sets of workout attire, two pairs of pajamas, and three sets of casual wear. Though not particularly fashionable, the fabric felt of high quality.
'I wonder if I can request different colors,' Michael noted that all the garments were various shades of black. Additionally, there were three pairs of shoes and one pair of flip flops, each adorned with the Bureau's "MMB" symbol.
Opting to introduce some variety, Michael stashed his own clothes in the closet, intending to inject a bit of diversity into the color scheme.
'While Grace showers, I should take a look at the tablet.'
Reclining on the bed, he placed his hand on the tablet's surface, withdrawing it and then replacing it. 'It's not just scanning my palm. It feels like it's tapping into my Pool of Magick Ions...'
The screen unlocked, revealing "MMB's Account:" followed by the identifier "MM2Y0GP-DCA1-HQRM". A desktop screen materialized with six icons: Personal Information, MMB's Profile, Exchange Center, Recreation, Contacts, and Requests.
As curious as Michael was about the Exchange Center, he found himself more intrigued by what information the MMB had on him.
\\\
Name: Michael Mir.
Date of Birth: 06.08.2000.
History:...»
///
'Nope!' Michael exclaimed internally as he clicked on the expand, "»" sign. 'They actually have the hospital I was born at!' He quickly scrolled down, noticing names including friends from kindergarten to Mac and Eric!
'Nearly every moment of my life up to my security job at the warehouse… Where is all the information about me summoning a Deals Maker?'
He decided to try accessing the "MMB's Profile" section next, hoping to uncover more details.
\\\
Rank: 0.
Department: Risk Management.
Magick Ions: TBD.
Missons: »
* Active: 0.
* Completed: 0.
«
Demonic Contract: »
* Missing Information.
* Grace Period: 03.09.2023-03.09.2025.
«
Partner: Grace Vasquez.
///