Riker glanced down through the frosted tint of his windows, spying Breccia as she came up to the Organization Building.
Things were calm now, but he knew of the storm ahead. He also knew Sanchez and Kelly would be by soon. Stotler's death was still very fresh on everyone's conscience, so when they said they had urgent news, a part of him feared what it was.
"I don't know what to think..." He mumbled, partially to Arlia, and partially to himself. The news could be the break they needed, but from the sound of Kelly's voice over the phone, it wasn't optimistic.
"Sir." Donna called through the speaker. "Breccia is here to see you."
"Bring her up...when Sanchez and Kelly arrive, bring them up to."
Down below, as she climbed on the Elevator, Breccia contemplated her and Riker's upcoming conversation.
Surely he was mad about her recent failure. Those cuff buttons would've worked, though she and the lab didn't design them with inhalation and flames in mind. So many unexpected things happened during the Gala, no one could've planned for it.
And, if it's true a Pokemon's love for it's trainer is able to break the control...well, considering how her fellow colleagues treat Pokemon, no wonder that wasn't discovered until now.
Her heart sank.
Was she truly the only person who knew how to treat Pokemon with dignity around here?
Remembering how gentle Morice was with Flora and Riker's relationship with Arlia...
They call us lowlives, and many are, but-
The ding of the elevator door drew her from her imaginings. As she stepped out into the hall leading to Riker's office. Kelly and Sanchez came from behind her after exiting the stairwell.
"I see we're heading to the same place." Kelly said, nudging Breccia in a joking manner. "Any idea why Riker called you up here?"
Breccia answered with a shake of the head before knocking.
Instead of receiving a verbal response, Arlia opened the door and ushered them inside.
"Lock it behind you." Riker was still standing by his widow, hands in his pockets and a very obvious sign of fatigue in his posture. "First things first." He directed his attention to Breccia. "About your experiments. After what happened at the mansion-"
"I didn't expect-" Breccia tried to explain herself but was silenced when Riker held up a hand.
"No one expected what happened. I'm not blaming you, I simply want to know what your next move is."
Breccia felt a cold wash of relief flood over her. Riker was being more understanding than she expected. "The devices need to be made stronger. Fire resistant. That should eliminate any further problems." She gritted her teeth. "That's going to involve more funding that I think we have."
Kelly added: "We should be able to kick some money your way. We're pressed pretty thin but it's the best we can do."
Riker motioned to Arlia. "She'll be willing to help if any extra man power is needed. It's all I have at the moment." He frowned. "I'd ask to send more from other regions but this situation is affecting all of us."
Kelly had a folder under her arm, waiting for Riker to finish speaking before she spoke up. "Laurent was able to get some information on who's masterminding our little problem." She glanced at Breccia. "It's confidential, it's probably best to dismiss her."
"I called her up here for this very reason." Riker sat at his desk. "If I didn't want her to know, she wouldn't be here." He pointed to the table top before him as a silent command to place the folder. He remained quiet when shifting through the paperwork, which included a hand written confession and a picture of the captured perp.
Breccia watched Riker's face, unable to read any emotion. If something was bothering him, she wasn't able to tell.
"This doesn't make sense." He finally muttered, almost stupefied with disbelief. "Laurent said it was someone familiar with our Organization but it can't..."
Kelly pursed her lips, as if she could feel the gravity of his confusion. "It's your father."