-Always mystify, mislead and surprise the enemy if possible.
Thomas J. Jackson

A faint but persistent thumping sound had Global Dynamic's Head of Security bringing her sharp brown gaze to the sky. Standing between Carter and Fargo on the helicopter landing site, Jo scrutinized the horizon, taking only a moment before catching a glimpse of the black and white Bell 412 transport helicopter making its way toward them.

"There it is." Fargo pointed into the distance, his movements slightly hindered by the tailored dark grey fitted suit; one of the many that he had acquired upon being thrust into the role of Director since the timeline alteration.

Jo glanced from her boss to her previous partner. Carter stood stoically, his hands clasped and hanging slack in front of him. She could tell by his focusedstare that Fargo's utterance had been in vain for him as well. He watched as the helicopter flew closer and closer, growing in their field of vision ominously. Jo could tell that despite his placid demeanor, he was anxious for this all to be past them; just as her own military at ease stance didn't give away the nerves that churned in her gut.

The wind blew at an increasing speed around Carter, Jo and Fargo as the helicopter loomed closer. They shielded their faces while it… as gingerly as a 3 ton piece of metal can, glided down to the marked landing zone.

The high pitched scream of the rotors began to die off, signaling the trio's go ahead to approach. Someone inside yanked the door open, wearing an all black flight suit the man stepped out ducking his head down. Turning back towards the helicopter, he held the hatch as another man in a grey suit with a silver briefcase exited.

"SSA Rick Conrad." The man introduced himself reaching his hand out and nodding curtly to Fargo as he came to stand in front of them.

"Welcome to Eureka." Fargo grasped his hand firmly like Jo had taught him. "This is Sheriff Jack Carter and Global Dynamics Head of Security Jo Lupo."

The special agent ran a critical eye over three of the most powerful and integral figures in Eureka; seemingly trying to assess their competence in a single glance.

"Good to meet you all." His tone was hardly warm despite his diction. The group began to make there way inside.

"These..." Conrad gestured behind him to the two beefy men following silently on either side. "Are my men, they will need all your security footage and personnel files."

Fargo pressed his thumb to a pad beside the GD entrance door, the thick glass swishing open in response.

"I'm sorry Agent Conrad, but clearance for this investigation only allows access to incident reports from all involved parties and limited security footage. As Head of Security I can't allow your men to breach protocols by viewing classifies personnel files." Jo stopped in front of the office that she and her men had prepared for the investigator. It was previously used by a chemical engineer who had been redacted before Jo and the rest of them had entered this timeline. Stripped of all its classified research material, it was just a stark room with grey walls, a few file cabinets and a desk. "This is your workspace. It has all of Global Dynamics' case files for the theft, as well as the police report from Sheriff Carter and a computer that is plugged into the GD network."

"Mrs. Lupo…" He began after signaling his men inside.

"Ms. Lupo." Jo corrected, holding back an eye roll when she noticed the small smile play on his face.

", if this was standard operating procedure I wouldn't argue with you, but this investigation does not fall under SOP."

Carter's hands slipped into his pockets. "How is this different then any of the other investigations that General Mansfield has initiated?"

Conrad turned to face the Sheriff, "For one, Mansfield didn't send me to Eureka. The Secretary of Defense did."

Jo and Carter tried to school their shock at his clarification. Fargo's jaw literally dropped open.

"The sec…you…you mean THE Secretary of Defense?" He managed to choke out.

"One and the same, Director. Due to General Mansfield's role in the handling of the DED matter, the secretary informed him that an agent not under his purview would handle the investigation."

Carter didn't want to know how that conversation had gone down. He just couldn't see hardnosed Mansfield taking such an obvious slap in the face without putting up some sort of fight.

Conrad pulled something from his jacket pocket and handed it to Jo.

"Top Secret clearance level." Jo read off the I.D. Even her clearance wasn't that high.

"I am going to be needing full access as I requested; refusing would only raise suspicion and then I wouldn't waste my time to ask." With a curt nod, Conrad took back his I.D. and stepped into the workspace.

Once Conrad was out of earshot, Fargo rushed to stand closer to Jo and Carter. Before he could start rambling nervously, they stood on each side of him and led him farther away.

"The Secretary of Defense AND top clearance?" Fargo hissed, obviously overwhelmed.

"This doesn't change anything." Jo assured him, despite her own growing doubts.

"Jo is right Fargo. It doesn't matter who sent him or what security level he has. Just stick to the plan and try not to draw attention to yourself." Carter shared a look with his ex-deputy.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Fargo asked defensively, catching their silent exchange.

"Don't you have Director stuff to do?" Jo asked, knowing full well he had a day of demonstrations and a few conference calls.

"Yeah."

It took him a moment of shrinking beneath their stares to take the hint. "Okay, well I better get to work."