An hour later, Carter was pacing up and down the hall. According to the schedule, she would be meeting her actual boss. Not the boss-boss, but still. She would also bet that should be meeting everyone else at one time if last time meant anything. She continued to psych herself up. There wasn't anything she could do except totally make a fool of herself in front of everyone else—nothing to sweat.
Behind her, the elevator doors opened. Carter instantly straightened up and leaned against the wall pretending that it was completely natural.
"That doesn't look natural in any way," a familiar voice called from the side.
Carter turned her head to see Nadia walking down the hallway toward her.
"I thought I was completely natural," Carter responded.
"Pacing up and down the hallway is not acting completely natural."
"How do you know that?"
"I was watching the cameras. I like seeing how the newbies do."
"You know you sound like a creeper, right? Don't you have work to do?"
"Nope," she said, popping the P. "I probably won't have another assignment for another week. I'm just wandering around in case something comes up."
"So, you're getting paid to watch cameras all day."
"That's what I usually do, so it's not too much of a surprise. I also watch really cringy videos on a nearly daily basis, so this is much better."
"Why are you watching cringy videos?" Carter asked her.
"People are insane. Let's just leave it at that. Sometimes they're puke worthy. Watching the newbies is much better."
"If you say so."
By this point, several people were coming down the hallway. It didn't pass Carter's notice that everyone in the group was male.
"After you're done, meet me for dinner. We can talk about it later." Once the group had met up with them, Nadia stepped back to speak to everyone.
"Hello, everyone. I'm happy to see that all of you are early. That's a good sign. You are now a part of the intelligence community. You may not be at the forefront of all the action here, but you are vital to every single mission. We cannot send out our other agents without having as much information as possible. For the next week, you will be tested to see where you will be the most useful. Before you ask, I do not know what any of the tests will be.
"Today is also the day you will get your partners. They will be agents that have been here for only a little while longer than you who do not have a partner for whatever reason. You don't have to be the best of friends with them, but you need to figure out a way to make it work. You need to have each other's backs, no matter what."
"Thanks for that lovely introduction, Agent Rice," a swarmy voice called from behind everyone.
"Agent Lawson," she said, a monotone sound replacing her usually lively way of talking, "I was asked to give a talk to the new recruits. Agent Hill asked someone from every section as a way of introducing them to the fold."
"Next time I see Agent Hill, then, I'll tell her if I wanted her input, I would have asked her."
"Yes, sir."
"Now, if all of you would follow me," Agent Lawson told the group.
As she walked, Carter turned her head toward Nadia, who had an evil stink eye and was mimicking the man. When she met Carter's gaze, she immediately shifting into a smile and mouthed "good luck" while giving her a double thumbs up.
Carter mouthed "thanks" right back to her and proceeded to be herded into the next room.
The room they were led into was filled with screens. Screens were lined against three out of the four walls. There was an open ceiling with rafters and gigantic fans that somehow spun soundlessly. There were several desks set up with monitors on them. They were directed toward the empty wall and stood in a line. Carter stood in the back of the line being the last one in the room.
"I'm going to do things a bit differently," Lawson started. "I usually let people choose their partners; I decided to make things interesting. I have a line of other agents, who will be standing with you in a minute, and they will be your partners. Now switching because they hurt your feelings or you don't feel like they're the right match. You're going to make it work. Now, turn around. Your partner will stand back-to-back with you. Do not turn around until I tell you."
In unison, the line turned around. The tension could be cut with a knife. When Carter felt another back touch hers, she jumped. She could tell that the person was a bit taller than her, her shoulders hitting just below theirs. Being at the very end, it wasn't long before Lawson gathered their attention again.
"You may now turn around. Say hello to your new partner."
Carter turned around quickly, so when the other person turned, she was completely facing him.
"You..." she stared her new partner down.