Packing away your existence in two weeks is not an easy task. Not only did I have to pack up my entire apartment, I had to rent a storage unit, take a leave from my job, move all my stuff, and call all the utility companies to cancel my service. True this looks like it would only take a couple of days but when you're doing it on your own it takes longer. I had thought to ask Cor to help me but it seemed unfair. She had put her life on hold while I was in the hospital she shouldn't have to keep it there until I get my shit together.
So now I'm back in ol' Sunnydale. I had to rent a small truck to get here. I figure a college dorm has a bed and a desk. However I assume it doesn't have a lamp, a TV, my laptop, a bed set, pillows or any of the other little things that become necessary to a well lived in space. I'm going to be spending the entire summer there so you can bet I'm doing it in some comfort. The furniture and some of my other belongings went into storage for the summer.
The most wonderful thing about all of this, not including the thirty something hour drive to get here, is that when I return to Cleveland I have to find a new apartment. My landlord made no guarantees that I would get my apartment back or another one in the building. Looking the campus over I make my way to the admissions office. I have no idea where Professor Walsh's office is and she had failed to mention it.
Getting directions from the secretary I walk to Dr. Walsh's office. The campus is relatively empty and I don't encounter anyone, not that I was really expecting to. Still a small part of me wishes to see Buffy. I considered telling her I would be around this summer but tossed that out not long after I thought of it. Since I woke up Buffy has avoided me like the plague. I told Giles I was awake and he made some inquiries about my health but left it at that. He didn't even think to ask if I was staying in Sunnydale or going back to Cleveland, not that he even knows I am in Cleveland. It seems that he is a little distracted now that he has found himself gainfully unemployed. Wesley has left town and so has Cor. This summer is going to suck.
Knocking on the office door I wait patiently for an invitation. It only takes a minute. Opening the door I see Dr. Walsh with beefstick, I mean Riley. Now this is interesting. Taking the seat Walsh motions to I direct my attention to her avoiding Riley. For some strange reason I feel embarrassed. I've slept with this man but in Buffy's body. It hasn't happened nor will it but it did for me at one time.
"Ms. Lehane very prompt of you, I approve." Walsh opens as if I need her approval for anything in my life. Merely nodding my head I wait for her to continue. "I would like to introduce you to Riley Finn he's your captain. He will instruct you in your training regiment and lead you out in teams. Here is your schedule, room number, and key. Finn will show you around the initiative today after you have settled in. Meet him here in three hours." She states simply while handing me my key and a couple of papers. Feeling I have been dismissed I merely stand up and make my way to the door.
Walking to my dorm room I see it's in Meir hall, a bit of irony there I think. My room is on the ground floor, not something I appreciate. Looking over the room I notice that I have been granted a bathroom of my own. This must be the RA's room during the school year. At least I am guaranteed some privacy; I have never been overly fond of sharing a bathroom with complete strangers. Checking out the bed I find it's cheap but serviceable. Had to buy new sheets for this bed which I found to be ridiculous. I have a queen in storage and had to buy twin sheets for this bed. Something I will probably never use again after this summer. What a waste of money.
Going back outside I move the truck closer to the dorm and begin the process of unpacking. Two hours later I have everything stored in the room and have the truck returned. I spend the remaining hour unpacking my things. It's a slow and slightly tedious process. The knowledge that I have to repack everything in a couple of months makes this all feel even more tedious.
The knock on the door is a small relief; I was getting a little bored. Opening the door I see Riley waiting almost eagerly on the other side. I motion in to see if he wants to come in, he merely shakes his head no. Grabbing my key I shut the door and lock it. "Lead the way." I tell him while motioning down the corridor.
"Well Faith this is the whole of the campus. It's not much but the size is considerable considering the size of the town. What do you think?" Riley asks me after what feel was a very long and convoluted tour. It's not that I don't appreciate getting a tour and learning the outlay of the school it's just did he have to give the history of the place?
"I think it will suit my purposes just fine especially considering I had no choice but to be here." I tell him with a sickly sweet smile.
"Well yes Walsh does tend to get a little over demanding at times." He says while adjusting his collar.
"So how is it that Walsh has control of all of this?" I ask hopeful that he might be willingly to give a better explanation of the Initiative.
"She's part of the private sector but has control of a small portion of the army's research and development team. We report to both Professor Walsh and to Colonel McNamara. We take our orders from the Colonel and he reports to a council of General's. I'm in charge of you though and that's the important part that you need to remember. Walsh has told me that you will be working one on one with her in her research but for the sake of your ROTC credits you will train with us." He tells me giving me very little information regardless of all the crap that just spewed out of his mouth. Nodding my understanding I follow him into a fraternity house.
Walking up to a full length mirror I can't help but wonder what kind of frat house is this? Clearly whoever decorated the place was a major narcissist. Soldier boy gets in front of the mirror and stares at it blankly for a couple of seconds. I watch in mild fascination as a beam scans his body and the mirror shifts aside revealing a white room. Stepping into the room I'm surprised to see it's an elevator. I watch as the door opens to reveal what looks like a military base mixed with a science lab. The white box of an elevator prevented me from being able to tell how far underground we are but my estimate is at least three stories. I wonder how and when they were able to build it.
Following Captain America down the stairs he leads me to a med lab where Walsh is waiting for me. "Come back in 30 minutes." She states simply turning back to the table she was working on when we came in. I watch Riley leave and turn my attention back to the mad scientist. "Take a seat Lehane; I'm going to take a retinal scan so you can be programmed into the computer. Then I'm going to need a blood sample as well. Finally we will finish off with a physical exam." Not bothering to respond I take a seat and wait for the poking and prodding to begin. Who needs aliens when you have mad scientist?
The pokes and prods take relatively no time at all. I wonder what she will find in my blood, if it marks out that I am different. The physical is a little disturbing but I am comfortable in my own skin. Stripping down to nothing I watch as the nut bag examines my body head to toe taking notes of what I'm not quite sure. Getting the signal to get dressed I do without a word. Taking the indicated seat again I wait patiently for Walsh.
"Do you know what made those marks on your neck Lehane?" Walsh asks curiously.
"Yes." I state simply not willing to offer more than necessary.
"Would you mind telling me what it was?" She asks innocently.
"A vampire." I say hating the innocent coy round around she is willing to play. I remember what the Initiative is about and I'm already sick of it.
"Very good I figured you knew about vampires from the reports I received from Cleveland." That comment makes me wonder how much my commanding officer in Cleveland actually knows about me. "Now what I failed to mention about the Initiative is that we study Xenomorphs. Our goal is to use them to help us develop a better soldier and bio weaponry. From what I've learned about you Lehane I feel you will be very beneficial to my research." With that statement I can see I've been dismissed. Riley walks in as I stand up and I wonder if the whole thing has been staged.
Following Finn out of the lab I let my mind review what little I know about Professor Walsh and realize that I know virtually nothing. I'm walking blind into the whole Initiative thing and it makes me a little nervous. Finn's tour includes the armory, the labs, the containment cells, and the communications room. I ask if I will be meeting the Colonel but am given a negative. Nodding at all the appropriate places I wait for the tour to be over and to be returned to Walsh.
Once again delivered to Walsh I watch as she dismisses Finn. Leading me through the labyrinth of labs she directs me to lab room 316. This is will be your personal lab. As much as you will work with me you will also work solo. There are several species of Xenomorphs and honestly I don't have enough doctors to study them all. You will play a role in this aspect of research by dissecting those that do not survive. You will document anatomical variations, theorize on methods of extermination and discover strengths and weaknesses of each species we give you. You will report to me all of your findings. Everything you need should be here." She says while showing off the lab.
Looking around I spot a microscope, a dissection kit, a lab coat, and a large cabinet holding what I assume to be necessary medical supplies. The dissection table sits in the middle of the room taking up the majority of the space. Staring at my new lab space I can't help but be a little surprised. "So when do I get to work?" I ask out of curiosity and a small desire to actually study demons in a completely new way.
"Tomorrow, I'm giving you the rest of the day to settle in. You'll have classes in the morning, then training for two hours with Finn and then research either with me or on your own. Finn will give you your patrol schedule once he assesses your combat capabilities." Accepting my dismissal I nod and make my way out. Getting back upstairs and out of the frat house I marvel once again that they were able to build the whole underground military research base. The size of it alone means it covers the whole length of the campus. Shaking my head in awe of everything I just learned I make my way to the cafeteria feeling my stomach finally start to complain of hunger.