Chapter 3: A Plan in Hand
"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me today, Mr. Link." The man behind the desk stood and shook Jet's hand firmly.
"Just Jet's fine, Sr." he responded as he took the man's hand.
"Of course, Jet." The man agreed, gesturing for him to sit.
"We are glad you decided to take us up on the offer. I was honestly expecting we would not hear back from you for at least a month. May I ask what made up your mind so soon?"
Jet shrugged and lied.
"Got bored on the first day with nothing to do. Though a job might at least get me out for a walk."
The man behind the desk smiled amiably and did not press the falsehood. Sliding a folder across the desk he changed the subject.
"I'm glad then. Here are the forms my superiors put together for our proposal. You may read them at your leisure but I'm afraid they cannot leave my office. On top you will observe the employment contract for your signature, already signed by all the proper authorities."
"That's mighty nice of you." Jet mutters as he flips through the pages almost dismissively. His enhanced cognitive processing, designed for instant reactions during high speed flight, allows him to read each page as it slides by. After a pause to consider once again he lifts the pen and signs the last page, passing the folder back to the man, who seems a bit taken aback.
"Ah–excellent. Will we be needing Dr. Gillmore's signature as well?" He asks, taking the documents and reviewing the signature. Jet scowled at him.
"Why would you think you'd need his signature?"
Jet is aware why they might think that, but his irritation at the man before him is real. Sure, Dr. Gillmore had had a hand in his creation as a cyborg under Black Ghost, as was recognized by the UN as the go-to human contact for the cyborgs as a team, but Jet was his own person. After years as a thing he was making his own decisions and living his own life, so the question of whether or not he needed his 'handler's' signature was insulting.
The man behind the desk seemed to realize this only a moment after he said it, stammering out an excuse.
"We, and the government, would not want to step on any toes at the UN by… poaching you from Dr. Gillmore's team. The UN recognizes your global importance and contributions, and we don't want anyone upset that you have chosen to work with our government on an exclusive basis."
Jet narrowed his eyes at the man and his decent excuse, and decided to let the comment go.
"That's fine, I'll just tell Gillmore myself when we talk next." As he stood to leave he looked down at him, aware all at once how fragile even large men could be, and how different he was from everyone around him now. The choice had not been his, but here he was now, living with the consequences of his actions.
"Anything else I should know?"
"Not from me." The man says, also getting up.
"My assistant will meet you in the hall and has some things to go over with you." He offers his hand to Jet. Jet takes it readily enough, but puts a tad extra force in the grip as he shakes the man's hand slowly.
"Until we meet again then."
Out in the hall a woman dressed in a sharp suit and tie leads Jet on a tour of the offices while explaining what his job will entail. It was all in the forms he just read, but he listens anyway as she goes over it with him. After the tour they rake a rest in the cafe part of the canteen as she explains the final points.
"And finally, we have some safe houses for you to choose from, all of which are ready for you to move into. Your effects can be picked up if you'd like, so please choose from this list and I can make the arrangements." She tries to hand him a stack of papers but he gently refuses them.
"I'm living back in my old apartment, from two years ago. I'd paid for five years when I left so it's still in my name. And I don't think the landlord would give me a full refund."
"That's fine." She says dismissively, now trying to slide the stack to his side of the table.
"You can certainly keep the apartment, or cancel it, and we'll refund the difference. A government safehouse will be far nicer and more private than a New York apartment, and you have a right to it as stated in your employment contract. So please, do not feel pressured." She pressured him, pushing the papers ever closer.
"No thanks." He rebuffed, outright ignoring the paper's now.
"I grew up in that part of the city, and the neighbors are great people. If you need me short notice I can always take off from the roof. The employment agreement also stated that you would be slowly revealing me to the public, so there shouldn't be too big an issue with that, right"
Thoroughly rejected, the papers were regathered and stowed away.
"That is certainly the case, but I might ask you to reconsider if your superiors insist."
"That's alright, I'll tell them to reconsider if they bug you about it."
Her smile was tired but understanding as she stood and took her leave, giving Jet a firm handshake that reminded him of Cathy again.