Theora did her best to disguise the combination of relief and vindication that she felt at the latest report that had been delivered to the board.
I knew you’d make it, Samantha.
“Don’t think that this report clears you, Agent Rangiir. She’s not even ascended halfway yet. And, this doesn’t address the matter of you attacking your Observant,” the Director stated seriously.
These words brought a smug smile to Karrenne, who was sitting nearby. Theora’s only consolation to being looked down on by the woman was that she still hadn’t fully recovered from her Fragment being destroyed. Whenever Theora occasionally caught her rubbing or clutching at her aching head, her frustration was soothed.
“And you, Observant Acantha, shouldn’t look so pleased either. Your interference with Agent Rangiir’s work crossed the line and almost resulted in the true death of a promising ascendant.”
Karrenne’s face paled. It was Theora’s turn to be smug now.
The director shook his head unhappily as he tapped his finger atop a stack of papers. “Is humanity’s continued existence a game to both of you? Are you children? Your behavior is an embarrassment to the Ministry of Preservation.”
Neither woman looked pleased by that statement.
The director leaned back in his chair and sighed heavily. “Acantha, you’re being reassigned.”
“What?!” Karrenne stood quickly and winced as her headache flared up with the movement.
“This isn’t the first time a complaint has been raised against you in this department, but it will be the last. Your assignment to Theora’s case was intended to officially evaluate if you could remain professional despite personal grievances, and you have failed in spectacular fashion. Pack your things and meet with Administrator Niral for further details.”
“But–!”
The director slammed his fist down on the table in front of him at the same time as his Mid Diamond killing intent flooded the small room. The Low Diamond Officers sitting on either side of the Director shifted uncomfortably in their seats, but the Sapphires in the room–Karrenne and Theora included–fell to their knees from the pressure.
“Are you questioning my orders?” The weight of the Director’s aura seemed to increase with every word.
Can’t… breathe!
Karrenne frantically shook her head in response to his question, but it felt like forever before the director’s killing intent was withdrawn. When he finally relented, Theora took in a shuddering breath. Even with Resilience high enough to hold her breath for hours, the Director's aura was still potent enough to make her feel like the wind was knocked out of her. She never got used to it.
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“You’re dismissed.”
Karrenne shakily stood while keeping her eyes trained on the ground. Bowing stiffly to the director once, she left the room without further comment.
“As for you, Agent...”
Theora didn't want to be berated while kneeling before the board, so she, too, unsteadily rose to her feet.
“You have overinvested our resources into this singular ascendant. The qi consumed by the rift’s time compression alone–! This isn’t even factoring in–!” The Director looked lost for words for a moment. “What were you thinking, betting on an inexperienced Spire Dweller like that?”
“Isn’t that what we’re meant to do for Priority Ascendants? Give them some extra help up to the top?” Theora protested weakly.
He looked unamused by her argument. “Your reputation for skirting the line is almost as well known as Karrenne’s for being difficult to work with. You nearly broke the terms of your [Geas] in trying to feed that ascendant information! Do you think your talent with Fragments makes you immune to consequences?”
Theora resisted the urge to shift her gaze to the ground. “The investment will pay off when she exits the Spire! It’s worth–”
“If,” the Director corrected. “If she exits the Spire.”
“She will!” Theora asserted. “I’ve always had a good eye for this sort of thing.”
He huffed as he settled back into his seat. “Yes, and your aptitude for this line of work is why you’ve been spared from demotion or reassignment… for now. And, given how your Observant's oversteps put your charge in danger, I've determined that your punishment for assaulting their Fragment will also be reduced.” Theora was encouraged by this turn of events until the Director continued. “However, your obvious favoritism and excessive expenditures cannot be overlooked. A new Observant, Killian, will be assigned to you until you’ve proven you’re capable of being more objective with your investments. He’s currently filling in for you with your ascendants, and upon your return, will begin reporting on your interactions with them.”
Theora’s stomach dropped. “All of them? Can he even handle that many Fragments?”
"You are not the only one with talent, Agent." For one of the first times during this entire meeting, a board member besides the Director spoke up. “Granted, Killian's will be more limited in their interactive capabilities than yours, but they will suffice for his role. We trust his discretion to modify the complexity of his Fragments as needed.”
Theora opened her mouth to object, but a warning burst of the Director’s killing intent caused her to immediately discard her complaints.
“Be grateful that we’ve permitted you to keep watching over your ascendants at all. And, don’t think we’ll be so lenient a second time if Killian reports something questionable." The Director stared her down for several seconds until Theora bowed in acknowledgment of his words. "You’re dismissed.”
She turned to leave.
“Oh, and Agent?”
Theora stopped.
“For your sake, I hope she completes the ascent. Do not further shame our department.”