Assessment
Chapter 2

There was a hint of excitement bordering on electrifying when Sydney came into the common room for the nightly meeting. She was slightly surprised to see Boom standing beside an easel trying to keep some note cards away from a more confident Bridge. Sam was speaking more with his hands then anything to Jack. While, Sky and Z were competing to see who could do the most push-ups.

"Hey guys," she said to get their attention.

"Syd!" exclaimed Jack as everyone stopped what they were doing. "We've been waiting for you. Come on and sit down."

Syd sat beside Z and Jack moved over by the geniuses so that Sky could sit by Sam. "As you all know," Jack started. "We have a few theories as to who is behind these attacks."

"Attacks?" everyone repeated at the term used.

"Bridge and Boom have been doing some tracking. What did you find guys?" Jack asked turning it over to them.

Boom looked down at his first note card as Bridge stepped forward. "Originally, Jack and Sky asked us to find out who had contact with Visiting Subject A," Bridge said and took a piece of white poster board off the easel to reveal large pictures of the two girls. "And Visiting Subject B. We did that and got these results."

Boom took the pictures down and a blank slate was exposed. "Nothing," Boom clarified. "According to the surveillance recorders, no one fits the description, expect-"he trailed off to put the pictures back on the easel.

Jack fell into a chair. "Well that doesn't do us any good. They didn't touch anything."

"They didn't have to," stated Bridge.

"Huh?" questioned Sky.

"Yeah, I don't get it," added Sydney.

"When nothing turned up, Boom and I got this great idea. See, we were all assuming that these were isolated incidents, but upon doing a background check on Visiting Subject A and Visiting Subject B, the results are surprising."

"They're always with him," said Boom stepping up. "Since becoming Commanding OverLord, there hasn't been a planet he's visited that they weren't with him."

"Now, you're telling yourselves, so what?" interjected Bridge. "But would it shock you to learn that there hasn't been one planet visited by the Commanding OverLord that has escaped incident?"

"What are you saying, Bridge?" Z asked trying to find the point.

"There's a pattern," Jack said standing. "Everywhere he goes, problems happen. And who is wherever he is?"

"The girls," answered Syd.

"Exactly," agreed Jack.

"Sam," Sky said. "You haven't seen any specious behavior from the Commanding OverLord, have you?"

"Sky!" Syd gasped. "How could you even suggest that?"

"Same pattern," he replied.

"Nothing," said Sam. "He seems to be completely clean."

"We can't write it out," said Jack. "We're going to randomize the meetings. Lunch tomorrow, same place."

"Any assignments?" asked Sam.

"You, Syd, and Z keep doing what you've been doing. Sky and I are going to see if we can't make friendly with the Commanding OverLord," said Jack.

"What about us?" asked Bridge.

"You focus on the power core. Get all the data you can and see if you can't piece together anything better then what the scientists have. Boom, investigate that fire. No detail is too insignificant. Got it?"

"Yes, sir," replied Boom and Bridge.

"Good. Then, meeting adjourned."

"Well, at least they're working together," she said stepping back from starring at the monitor over his shoulder.

"Not good enough," he reminded her. "They're moving too slow."

"I can help with that," the other girl said.

TBC