There was a time when her father's approval was the only thing she wanted. He had always been distant, and to her he was the gold standard of what a Templar should be. That the war that they waged against the darkness was a righteous one, that they had the noblest of causes. They were humanity's last bastion against supernatural evil, they were monster hunters, beasts, demons, undead, eldritch—it was their duty to destroy it.
That was what he had drilled into her head and she had believed him. Believed that might made right and there was no one more mighty than the Templars. Maybe it had been Rachel's influence, maybe it had been hiding her sexuality for years instead of being happy, or perhaps it was because she was overlooked for promotion because she had been born female. Maybe it was the fact that she had just grown up over the past three years but all she knew was she no longer believed in the fairy tale that her father had preached.
The Templars were no longer the lions they once were, their power was fading in a time where they still hadn't modernized their libraries. And if the past two weeks had taught her anything, the Templars were just as petty as any other organization. That their corruption ran as deep as any other powerful organization and they were to busy hiding behind their morals to realize how terrible they were.
Charlie was proof of it, and as much as she adored her grandfather, it was clear he wasn't unaware of the fact that they had taken away her ability to have children. Nor did he seem perturbed that a child had her choice stripped away from her. Charlie following the story up with the fact that there had been Templars willing to take advantage of a child.
The Templars had lost their way, and at this point she wasn't sure what she wanted her father to do about it. She wasn't even sure where he was stationed, and she knew that even if her grandfather knew he probably wouldn't share that information with her. Which was the only reason she was standing in front of her old base. She didn't want to be here, but at least she'd finally get some answers.
"Quinn?"
Quinn freezes, of all the people she had hoped to avoid, Finn Hudson was one of them. There is a brief moment when she wonders if running was an acceptable course of action, but instead she turns to look at him, focusing on his sleeve, the two yellow stripes showed that he had indeed gotten promoted since she had last seen him. It was a surprise, but it had been three years. She flicks her eyes up to Finn, noting the confused look on his face. "Finn, it's been awhile," she says smoothly, "Congratulations on your promotion," she says nodding towards his sleeve.
Finn blinked and nodded still confused, "Did you quit? You're not in uniform—I mean I looked for you at some of the other bases, when I visited but it's like you fell off the face of the Earth."
"I assume you didn't ask Sue?" Quinn presses. It had been Sue who had accepted her transfer request. When Finn looks like he's about to start complaining about how unfair Sue is, she raises her hand. "I've been in Europe. Things have been good, I lead my own team. Though it's mostly supervision, they're all capable Templars, but I'm not here to catch up with you Finn, I'm here to see Sue."
A disappointed look crosses Finn's face for a moment, but he nods. "Maybe we can catch up—"
"That's not a good idea Finn, I've got business in the city but once that is over my vacation will be over and I'll be heading back to Europe." Quinn explained quickly. She didn't want Finn getting any ideas and the last thing she wanted to do was deal with his jealousy over the fact that she now outranked him. "So where is Sue?"
Finn narrowed his eyes slightly before sighing, "Probably arguing with the Seneschal in your father's old office."
Quinn nodded before turning, she hesitates for a moment and then looks at Finn for a moment. "If you want to impress Sue, you need to work hard and you need to prove to her that you're capable. Everyone has to learn to pull their own weight, and even though you've managed to get to get promoted to your current rank, I don't think Sue sees you as capable. So prove that you deserve that rank." It was the only advice that she could give him. She owed him that much at least. With her words of wisdom passed she heads to her father's old office.
There's something different about the base, it had been three long years, but she was certain it used to be busier than it was. It was almost as if they were working with a skeleton crew. She stops in front of her father's office and winces slightly, it brought up feelings that she had thought she had dealt with but she knocks on the door and without waiting for permission she walks in.
"In case you haven't realized William, I've been doing everything in my power to save this base. Every one of the Templars that I trained have gone on to do excellent things, while yours—I'd say they were pathetic, but we both know that you promoted them based on favoritism than any skill that they had," Sue barked at William even as she rubbed at her temples.
"Doing everything by demoting everyone who didn't meet your insane standards? You don't have the authority—"
Sue rolled her eyes, and paused when she finally noticed Quinn. "Stop complaining William, I left Finn alone. I even ignored the fact that you gave him two undeserved promotions. I've always had the authority, I outrank you. You're a seneschal, you were never in the field. We may have the same rank but we've never been equals, you have a fancy title, but you've never been in the field. You're supposed to be in charge of administration, which you've done a piss poor job of. I have no idea why Russell ever listened to you. Now if you'll excuse me it seems like we have a guest."
Will turned sharply, is eyes widening at Quinn's presence, "Quinn." He waits patiently for the usual salute, it takes him a moment to realize that Quinn wasn't make any movement. "I see your time in Europe—"
"She outranks us," Sue said calmly. "France, Germany, Belgium, Luxemburg, she's been making a name for herself all over Europe. I imagine being Lawrence July's grand daughter hasn't hurt, and I hear that you spent a summer being trained by Cassandra."
Quinn shrugged her shoulders, "I'm not here to reminisce; I just want to find my father. I assumed that one of you would know where to find him."
Sue narrowed her eyes slowly, "I haven't heard from your father in about a year."
"He's been assigned to a special in Nebraska, he's a good man who raised an excellent Templar. Now that you're back—perhaps you and Finn—"
"Still gay. Still not interested. We don't have a base in Nebraska."
Sue frowned slightly Russell's whereabouts were supposed to be private. "All I know is that he was recruited by the Blossom Family."
"The who?"
This time Sue and Will exchanged looks. "There has been a lot of movement Stateside Quinn. Al Motta who had a seat at the council is sick. Cancer, people are making moves to fill his seat. His only child was never Templar material," Sue explained slowly.
"The Lodges, the McMahons, the lesser known houses are starting to make a play. Once upon a time your father would be considered to be the heir apparent for the seat. However, the name Fabray doesn't hold the same weight it did. Still joining a side might elevate his status."
"Doesn't explain why my father is in Nebraska," Quinn frowned.
"So go ask him?" Sue said flatly as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "He does have a phone you know. Pick up yours and call him. He might be happy to hear from you."
Quinn frowned at this, she hadn't found any real answers and she turns to leave she wasn't going to just go to Nebraska to start searching for her father, when all she really wanted to do was murder him. "Will, tell him I request his presence in New York. I'm not stepping foot in bumfuck Nebraska."
Sue studied Quinn for a moment, "If you're going to pick a fight with this faction Quinn, I'm going to suggest treading carefully."
"I really don't give two shits about the war that's brewing. At this point I am aware of how corrupt the Templars have become. That's not what this is about. But I assure you that a reckoning is coming, and I suggest you both choose the right side."
"Your grandfather's?" Will sputtered. "He barely respects tradition—and without tradition—"
Quinn didn't bother to wait for William to finish his shitty diatribe, walking out. Tradition, without progress was worthless. They were supposed to be the good guys, and yet they had remained stagnant and let the rot fester. As much as she adored her grandfather, he was part of the old guard and he couldn't be trusted. Flipping open her phone, she texts Sam, not caring if she was interrupting his vacation. There was work to be done and he was one of the few Templars that she trusted. But maybe she needed to rethink being in the Templars.
After a moment's pause she flips through her contacts and lands on the number that she was given, and dials it. She listens to the ring tone, once then twice, and before it can ring for the third time, someone picks up the phone.
'Sebastian Smythe's office, this is Cole speaking. How may I help you?'
"I'd like to speak to Sebastian Smythe, this is Quinn Fabray. He mentioned a job opportunity."
