Title: Reinforcements, After Armageddon
Author: Pinkcat4569
Rating: T
Description: After the events of Armageddon the ARC's secrets are out. A new program is developed to train civilians to become spotters: people who report on the formation of anomalies and creature sightings and pass the information along. But is this a good idea?
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, this is all for fun.
Author's Note: The idea for this installment of the After Armageddon series came from Julie Winchester. I may have gone in a different direction then she intended, but as she reminded me, it was just a suggestion.
I live in Tornado Alley in the USA. We have spotters who go out looking for storms that could form tornadoes. There are classes offered for volunteer spotters through colleges and weather services. We also have storm chasers, people who chase down tornadoes to film them. I think these people are insane whereas I see spotters as more cautious, wanting to alert people. In this story, the ARC spotters are based on tornado spotters. I may include some creature chasers too, people who are insane enough to chase down creatures. We'll see.
Ch.1 is Very Long. it's over 2500 words
Reinforcements, After Armageddon
Chapter 1: ARC Outreach
The team gathered in Ops. "Thank you for all assembling," said Lester. "I know you all have work to do so I'll make it brief. First of all, I want to thank you all for your devoted service. As you know, the anomalies have significantly died down, but they have not ceased."
"They won't cease, not completely," said Matt.
"Oh, thank you for sharing that futuristic Intel, Anderson. I, however, am not privy to events that fall after this millennium."
The others smirked.
"What time are you from anyway? You aren't from thousands of years in the future are you?" asked Connor
"Can't say, sorry."
"No, of course, not," continued Lester. "He can't give us anything useful, just annoying bits and pieces. Useless. Anyway, as I was saying, the anomalies have not ceased. I know you all are trying to adjust to life now that the anomalies and creatures are out in the open. I know the events of Armageddon pushed us all beyond our limits. You all performed exceptionally then. I know you will perform admirable. Now."
"Uh-oh," said Connor. "He's about to hit us with something."
"Temple's right," said Becker.
"Shame on you two," said Abby. "Don't be so paranoid. Right, Jess?"
Jess held a stack of papers. She didn't answer Abby, just frowned. Then she stepped forward and handed each team member a press release. After she gave one to Becker, she took a large step back.
Connor laughed. "Oh, God! She's afraid to be too close to Action Man! This can't be good."
Becker read out loud, "ARC Outreach, the newly formed, ARC-affiliated civilian outreach program. It is the first stop for citizens wanting to know more about the ARC, anomalies, and creatures."
Lester met Becker's stare. "Oh, good. Let's let them in the loop shall we?"
Jess giggled. "That's exactly what you said!"
"You aren't behind this…program?" asked Matt.
"No. I am not. I don't like blabbing our secrets," said Lester. "I was outvoted."
"ARC Outreach?" asked Abby.
"Keep reading," suggested Lester.
Abby read out loud, "ARC Outreach compiles, stores, and distributes information on anomalies and creatures. Civilians with questions and concerns regarding anomalies, creatures, and their own safety, can start their search for information at ARC Outreach."
"So it's like a library or database?" asked Jess.
"Something like that," said Lester. "I was hoping it would be only basic stuff. However, they seem to want levels of information from basic to more advance."
"This is a bad idea," said Becker.
"I agree," said Matt.
"There's more," said Lester.
He read, "In addition to educating and informing, ARC Outreach will also coordinate volunteers in the fields of computers, paleontology, animal biology, medicine, and etc. During an anomaly or creature incursion, Outreach becomes the community's link to the ARC and the place through which communication, information, and emergency resources are distributed.
"Volunteers?" asked Matt. "Volunteering in what way?"
"They better stay bloody far away from me," said Becker.
"No worries," said Connor. "They wouldn't let civilians that close to the ARC or our classified info."
Jess and Lester traded glances.
"The next part is the fun bit," said Lester. "Oh, Jess you may want to back further away from Becker. We all might want to keep our distance."
"Why?" asked Becker.
"Because, sweetie," said Jess to Becker, "you're about to explode."
He looked confused, but Lester motioned to the next part of the press release.
Becker read, "In addition ARC Outreach is the official branch for all ARC-affiliated observers training in Great Britain."
"Observer training?" asked Abby.
Becker had gone pale. "Please. Tell me please, that they aren't that dumb."
"Who?" asked Emily.
"The idiots who run this place," said Becker.
"Besides me, you mean?" asked Lester. Then he chuckled. "Yes, Becker, apparently they are precisely that dumb."
Matt began rubbing his temples. "What will these observers be observing?" asked Matt.
Becker groaned. "Us, Matt. They'll be observing us, getting in our way and distracting us from our jobs. So instead of us protecting them, the observers will become dinosaur chowder."
Connor chuckled.
"Let's try to keep that from happening," said Lester.
"They suggest that we bring ordinary citizens into the ARC? That would be incredibly foolish," said Emily.
"It would," agreed Becker.
"I agree," said Lester. "Again, I was overruled."
"What, exactly, do they want us to do?" asked Matt.
Lester sighed. "It's there in the bulletin," said Lester.
Matt read, "ARC-approved Observer Training Program: A program of trained civilian, volunteer observers. The purpose of this program is to arm the civilian population with information concerning anomalies and creatures. It is believed that education goes a long way to combat paranoia and panic," read Matt.
"That doesn't sound too unreasonable," said Connor.
"So far, maybe. Let's read further," said Matt. He read, "In no way should civilian observers be considered capable of dealing with anomalies or creatures on their own. They are not active members of the ARC and will not have clearance to enter the ARC. They are merely trained with basic anomaly and creature knowledge in order to survive an encounter and/or pass on effective information to ARC and local officials."
"That doesn't sound awful," said Abby. "There's logic to it. I mean, even with the ADD it still takes minutes, sometimes longer to get to the anomaly or incursion site. Lots of bad things can happen while we're in route."
"That was the argument, Miss Maitland," said Lester. "Yes, it sounds reasonable."
"Sounds," said Becker. He sighed. "I have no problem with an educated, informed public. What I have problems with are the over-zealous nuts who think they are smarter and more capable than the professionals."
Matt nodded. "This 'outreach' will give them justification to take matters into their own hands."
"I know. I agree," said Lester. "I argued until I was quite literally blue in the face."
"Maybe it won't be that bad," suggested Jess. "Listen to this," and she read, "Observers coordinate with local ARC branches and liaisons, which send the reports to the main ARC in London. They are an additional pair of eyes: locating phenomena, observing, and transmitting information as first-hand witnesses. They are human ADD's if you will."
"There is nothing outright awful in the wording of the press release," said Jess.
"There doesn't have to be," said Becker. "It isn't what they read, but what they interpret."
Matt nodded.
"True, "said Connor, "But this program could be useful," said Connor. "I mean, it works with tornadoes."
"Tornadoes don't rip you limb from limb," said Becker. "This is going to give people the impression that they can handle anomalies and creatures on their own. We agreed when we re-started the ARC that all active field personnel must be military."
"I know, I know," said Lester. "Again, I agree."
Emily said, "I understand your concern. However, I was not specifically trained to fight creatures and I did survive."
"You're the exception," said Matt.
"Is she?" asked Connor. Abby nodded. "Neither one of us was trained for this job."
"You are all examples of ordinary people rising to meet extraordinary demands," said Lester.
"But I don't think you want your neighborhood barista trying to contain a t-Rex instead of brewing cappuccino," said Becker.
Jess giggled and the others laughed.
"My point is that there are a lot of idiots out there, and they don't need a helping hand to get themselves in trouble. I swear to God if some well-meaning moron gets one of my men killed, I'll throw him through an anomaly!"
Lester nodded. "I made a similar argument," he said, "minus the threat of bodily harm, naturally."
"Well, some of the proposed Outreach plan makes sense," said Jess. "How about this bit?" she asked, reading, "Observers can help communities avoid panic and misinformation by being a link to other authorities including the ARC. They will call for calm, advice people to stay alert, and encourage others to 'let the ARC do their job." Jess looked up. "It sounds good."
"Yes, it sounds that way, Jess," said Becker. "The problem is that people don't always follow the rules."
"To true, Captain," said Lester. "I argued to my superiors that this program was nothing but wishful, optimistic thinking."
"They didn't agree?" asked Matt.
"Since Miss Parker is handing out these press releases announcing the formation of this program, I would say, 'no."
"Wishful thinking," repeated Matt. "It sounds like it," he said, and then he read more. "Observers help the ARC in their mission to understand the anomalies. They provide important information that can be added to the ever-growing database being compiled concerning anomalies and creatures, past and present."
"You do not believe people will be sincere?" asked Emily.
"Some will, but even those are likely to find themselves out of their depth."
"In over their heads," said Jess. She sighed. "When…the future predators attacked me and Lester…I was sure I was going to die. I kept asking myself 'what had I gotten myself into."
The others looked at her in silence. Becker held out his hand. She took it, and he pulled her to his side. He kissed her head. "You're an exception too Jess. Yes, you were terrified, but you kept your head."
"And kept me alive until the others arrived," said Lester kindly.
Jess nodded. "But I…" she sighed. "I was surprised how deeply it affected me, being trapped. I…I'm not sure this is a good idea, now that I think about it…training civilians to be 'spotters."
"Spotters?" asked Emily.
Jess chuckled lightly. "Yeah. People who 'spot' a creature or anomaly and call in. I thought it sounded good at first. Anything that helps you guys," she said, looking up at Becker, "and keeps you a little safer, I'm definitely for. But what if people with good intentions get someone or several some ones killed?"
"That is the worry," said Lester. "It is not our decision, and unfortunately, it has been made. Now we are tasked with helping ARC Outreach work effectively."
"Us?" asked everyone.
"Surely they have someone else to run this program?" asked Abby.
"Oh, of course," said Lester. "We won't be running it. They just want our expertise."
"You've got to be bloody joking!" yelled Becker.
"We're way too busy," said Matt.
"Yeah, remember? We're the ones actually closing anomalies and containing creatures."
"Which is why, Captain, that we have been ordered to assist by giving lectures, answering questions, and finally," he took a deep breath, "assisting with in-the-field training."
"In the what?" asked Matt.
Becker didn't even reply. He was laughing in disbelief.
Lester answered by reading that section on the press release. "Through the military, in-the-field training classes are being offered directly by the ARC. Only military personnel are eligible."
"Well, that's not quite as dumb as throwing ordinary citizens into the field," said Connor.
"No, just a batch of military personnel unfamiliar with the ARC, anomalies and creatures," said Becker, "whose skill set, military experience, and psychology are totally unknown to us."
Matt snickered. "True."
Lester read on, "Space is extremely limited. Applicants are subjected to an invasive security check and required to sign nondisclosure forms. This program is on a trial basis and will be overseen by operatives of the ARC."
"Us," said Becker, snickering.
Lester continued, "Further acceptance into the ARC is in no way implied by an applicant's acceptance into a training class."
"Ok, that whole bit there is better," said Becker.
"You specifically mean the 'invasive security check,' don't you?" asked Connor. Becker smiled.
"It still seems a bit extreme," said Abby. "Do we really need untrained, non-ARC personnel that close to anomalies or creatures?"
Lester sighed. "Believe it or not, Miss Maitland, that is the issue they are trying to address. Since Armageddon a large part of the population have been subjected to anomalies and creatures. The government worries about the same issues Mr. Anderson and the Captain have been bringing up. They figure if we train the untrained, and give a specific skill set to those without skills, perhaps they will be able to survive in an emergency."
"I get that," said Matt. "But what Becker is concerned about is that people won't limit themselves to emergencies. They'll eventually put themselves into dangerous situations that they cannot survive."
"Exactly," said Becker.
Lester chuckled. "I do understand. My hands are tied. They are sold on this program, bottom line, "said Lester. He sighed again "They need support from the population, election time and all."
The rest of the team all snickered.
"How do they think they'll get reelected if their citizenry is eaten?" asked Becker.
Lester shrugged.
"So, we're in the advisor, training specialist roles, are we?" asked Matt.
Lester nodded. "Afraid so."
Jess began to giggle. "I hadn't read all the way through this," she said. "This part is so Lester." She read, "All data collected becomes property of the ARC whether the observer is on a volunteer basis or not. Failure to comply by ARC rules and regulations, even as a volunteer, will result in immediate expulsion and possibly a ban on future anomaly or creature related activities."
Abby chuckled. "You added that part didn't you?"
Lester smiled and nodded. "And the next. Read on Jess."
Jess read, "Any images of anomalies or creatures taken while in training, even as a volunteer, become ARC property. Images taken and data gathered by anyone, whether they are in ARC-sanctioned activities or not are subject to confiscation by the ARC and the British government."
The others laughed as Lester nodded smugly.
Jess kept reading, "Any money earned by violation of the rules will be confiscated, and in addition, heavy fines and prison time may result. The ARC, training programs and volunteer classes all fall under federal statutes. Even though the ARC is its own governing body, crimes against it will result in federal charges."
Lester chuckled. "If I know how to do anything, its look after my own interests. ARC Outreach may be forced upon us, but I refuse to have some new program squeeze the ARC out of existence."
The others all laughed.
"Well, there you have it. The latest change in our new lives," said Lester. They all groaned. "Buck up everyone. Besides, we'll start you off small. I believe the first test of Outreach will be soon, Miss Parker?"
Jess nodded. "I was contacted just before the press release was sent. I was grateful they allowed to me make the arrangements myself," she said. "I chose the place for our visit, and even compiled most of what you guys are going to say. I had a whole list of criteria that I had to follow, but I did most of it myself."
"So they were lenient?" asked Emily.
Jess nodded. "Pretty much. I guess they figure who knows our job better than us?"
"So, where are we going?" asked Abby.
Lester laughed. He looked at them with an evil grin.
"I have a bad feeling about this," said Becker.
Lester chuckled. "Keep in mind, all of you, that Jess is not to blame," said Lester. "She is following orders and attempting to make a horrible situation easier for you all. Especially, you Captain."
"Oh, God," said Becker with a groan. "Now I really have a bad feeling."
Jess stood on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss. "It will be fine. I promise. I'll even come along."
"It's not too terrifying for you?" he asked.
Jess giggled and shook her head.
"See, that Action Man? Can't be too bad," said Connor.
"Would be better if Lester wasn't so giddy over it," said Matt.
Lester just smiled as he went to his office.
"Yeah. I have a bad feeling," said Becker.
End of Chapter One