SCP-1428 – "Cortexichildren"
Chapter 19: Operation Viridian
Disclaimers: When I began writing Cortexichildren, SCP-1428 was vacant. It is no longer vacant, but I have no intentions of publishing this on the wiki. This is mainly a crossover fic, not a SCP event log that will go on the site.
Forever reminder that I do not own anything. Fringe belongs to J.J. & co. Each SCP belongs to their respective individual author. The SCP universe belongs to that collective on that site. I do not own anything. I am a fan.
Forever reminder of how I handle alt!characters: Over There: Bob. Over Somewhere Else: Bob.
Author's Notes: Welp to torture you this is going to be an Altverse chapter. Yep, no SCP aftermath for you. Yet. Oh & this is going to be a shorter chapter in comparison to the previous one. I didn't want to break up the SCP-682 meeting into two parts & leave you on a cliffhanger. That would be beyond rude. & choppy. & I'll never write chapters as long as that again. Or least not for a while.
Also if you want sneak peeks into my thought process & snippets of chapters before they come out [yet sometimes really removed from context & abstract], check out my scpfringe tag on my tealrallythong blog on tumblr. If you're already on, you can post stuff in the scpfringe tag & I'll see it.
Reminder to myself to read The Man Who Wasn't There canon hub on the Foundation site. Aka the source of where that one excerpt comes from. Actually any document-type language about "Nobody" belongs to the SCP Foundation. I did not write it. That was not me.
Also hint: September does not experience time in a linear fashion & Over Somewhere Else experiences time differently than the other two universes. Snooping around the Foundation happens before September worked on the device & certainly before the rest of this chapter, but for the other universe & those people in it…
"Nobody" – Little is currently known about the person, entity, or group known as "Nobody". First sighted in 1954, they have had numerous appearances since. There has only been one person seen at any given time, typically described as a male Caucasian dressed in a grey suit and a fedora. If asked his identity, he replies that he's "Nobody". However, it is not known if this is the work of a single person or multiple agents of a single, unknown agency. Their agenda is currently unknown, sometimes helping the Foundation, sometimes hindering it. Caution is recommended if any field agents encounter an operative identifying themselves as "Nobody".
The person known to the Foundation as "Nobody" is seen by them as a mystery, almost a force of nature. Something unpredictable that can swoop in and change an entire operation for no apparent cause. There is no rhyme or reason to why he does what he does.
Or maybe there is.
The Foundation states that they don't know whether Nobody is an individual or an organization and in a way, both are correct. Nobody is an individual with a purpose…
It was dark. It was narrow. During a supposed "breach" most entrances and exits would be sealed off, funneling them through a set series of automated doors. All paired with security cameras. But the maintenance tunnels were still the safest bet. It would suffice.
September phased out of the dark tunnels.
"Did you see that?" "Stop right there!" "You! Freeze!"
September fixed his hat and said, as he shifted out of their universe, "You saw nobody."
Yes, he had been spotted. But there was nothing they could do.
"There is much to talk about," September told them. Them being the two Walters, the two Astrids, Lincoln, Peter, Olivia, and Broyles. September stood by the device, the rest of them sat behind a table waiting for the "briefing" of sorts to begin.
"As I have said before, you will require armed teams. There is a strong internal military presence there. But I have programmed the necessary coordinates that will allow you to bypass the great number stationed outside of the complex." He walked forward and showed them blueprints – Peter wasn't sure if September had drawn them himself or if the Observer had procured them from The Foundation. "There is a series of maintenance tunnels running underneath most of the complex. It's a tightly enclosed space, but you will travel undetected until you arrive at a series of automated doors. There are cameras stationed outside of those doors – you will need another team to dispose of them." September handed the two Astrids sitting beside each other another map. "And there is another route to that area." September focused back on the main map, "Nick and Olivia are usually stationed in this cell," he pointed to the circled box. "But… they have been relocated before. I…" September hesitated, his gaze losing focus. "I wish I could do more. But this… this is all I can. I have already overstayed my welcome. The others grow suspicious. I must head back soon. Keep the map and the rest." September pulled out another package. "The contents of this will help you plan your next course of action." He turned to Olivia and to Broyles, "Do you believe… that you can accomplish this task with your men?"
Broyles gave a quiet nod, confident. "We'll see what we can do."
"But before I go… Peter, I must address your device."
"What other device?" Walter's nostrils flared. "What more is there?"
"I have designed a failsafe for Peter to hold." Peter took out the box and flashed it to everyone. "It is designed to balance the fluctuations that occur in that universe. And it will also keep the two universes in sync, connected, allowing for only a team of two to stay behind to make corrections to the device, if they should arise." September swallowed, uncharacteristically nervous. Peter had never seen the Observer so shaken. "This device also doubles as a Master Key. There will be no device stationed in the other universe, and yet persons will have to cross over. The key can create and destroy portals that link back to the main device at will. You will be on the run. You may not exit at the same place you entered." September placed on his fedora and shifted down to get his briefcase. "But I must be going. I have run out of time. I hope that…" He stood up and looked at Peter and then at Walter, tipping his head gradually and characteristically to the side. "I hope that you find your Olivia." And then September disappeared.
Olivia rose up, smirking and looking at Broyles. "Let's get started then."
Olivia wished she had that same enthusiasm and smug confidence now. She swallowed, or at least tried to swallow, in order to quell her dry mouth and exhausted body. She and Broyles had spent hours preparing for this briefing. Long productive hours full of progress and understanding and agreement. Long draining hours full of exasperation and the throwing of papers, the stomping of feet, the screaming of individuals one inch away from each other wanting the same thing, but still experiencing a disconnect and the harshness that sometimes comes with it. And she had assumed that he would be by her side delivering it, despite the tension between the two of them. She had assumed that they would be a pair, the universes united in stating their plan. And yet, he had been called back for other business. And now she was alone. Even Astrid and Lincoln were a linked pair, a link between universes, assessing the skills of candidates to select for the mission, and yet she was alone. They were huddled together, looking at the screens, filing through their database full of every stat you could imagine, but she was alone. Alone staring down at these piles of papers and shaking hands.
Lincoln and Charlie were not assigned to this mission. She was alone. Yes, there would be 35 additional agents from her universe, but she was alone. Yes, she had gotten to know Lincoln and Astrid and Peter and Walter, but she felt so very alone.
And responsible. In Broyles' absence, she was left in charge. And even though she had the trust of Broyles, the trust of the Secretary, even the trust of the Observer when he had looked her in the eye to plan the rescue mission, there was a pit in her stomach. Burning. Twisting. Turning. Because she would be responsible for all agents on the ground. And she was terrified.
At first she thought her fear was foolish. She had completed countless missions to perfection. She had led hundreds of different men into situations – some of which planned at the last moment, the last hour; some of which she had to improvise as she went along, already in field. She had dealt with temporal rifts and amber and scientific anomalies countless times. And yet… those were in her universe. She knew what she was dealing with on some level, even if she didn't. Now she was heading into the unknown – heading into a universe she knew nothing about. She would be entirely responsible for the lives of all those agents and yet she could NOT guarantee their safety with certainty.
She was horrified. She had been in countless situations, but none like this. Going into a new universe, going into a military-esque foundation full of anomalies that weren't theirs – the fear made her knees quake. There were so many unknowns, so many variables, whizzing through her head. It overwhelmed her. She wondered how Astrid felt calculating such things, calculating the outcomes. Astrid did it for all their missions. She would calculate the projected loss of men, the percentage of success, the percentage of failure. Astrid did calculate success, but… it was a lower number than Olivia expected. It was a punch in the gut to see success projected so low.
Olivia wondered how her double felt when she had crossed over. Unable to get back. Trapped. Wandering the streets in vain for a way out. And then captured. If her double felt that she had been trapped before, now she was utterly trapped. And who knows what they were doing to her there. Olivia didn't have the stomach to imagine. Olivia knew what her universe planned to do with Agent Dunham; Olivia had been briefed on such matters. She knew the sides the Secretary did not show to the public. How motivated he was to unlock Agent Dunham's secrets, even if it meant killing her. And if this SCP Foundation was full of hundreds of men like the Secretary… Olivia felt that her alternate universe counterpart was lucky enough to be alive.
And yet… Agent Dunham barely showed fear. In the car, driving either back from a case or to a case [Olivia didn't know which], her double had stated without even batting an eyelash that she had killed her step-father. Olivia was shocked and yet for her double, it was nothing. Even in the face of danger, it was nothing for her. Her poker face was absolute, her resolve unwavering. Her double was strong to survive in such a place and succeed in protecting another innocent person. For three months, she had survived. If Agent Dunham could enter into the unknown unafraid, so could – so would – she.
"Overwatch, there… there seems to have been a sighting outside Site 19."
"A sighting of WHAT, Agent?"
"N-Nobody, sir."
"… Are you certain?"
"Yes. The entity in question was spotted in matching attire – a suit and a fedora. And he – it – possessed powers we couldn't understand. It was able to walk through material objects and space. And as it slowly disappeared from sight, it addressed itself as Nobody. It said to us, 'You saw Nobody.'"
"What is your location?"
"Outside Gate D, sir. … Should we be on orange alert?"
"For the time being, yes. I will alert the others."
All of September's original explanations ran through her head. And all of his notes flashed before her eyes.
She could do this. She could do this.
They were in a much larger room now, away from the device and its space it was created in. The best 35 men and women were seated before her, as well as the familiar faces from the Other Side. Peter, Astrid, Walter, and Lincoln were seated at the front. A month or two ago, most of them [save Peter] would have glared at her with harsh eyes, but now their gazes were much softer. They trusted her. Or in Walter's case, experienced the closest thing to trust she would ever receive.
Olivia swallowed. She straightened her favorite black jacket with her Fringe Division patches. And she fiddled with finger full of red hair before abruptly focusing her attention on the mass in front of her. Her eyes unwavering.
"You have been gathered here today for Operation Viridian." She touched the wall behind her and it sprung to life, showcasing graphics of the two targets they needed to acquire. "All of you are seasoned veterans when it comes to Fringe affairs. You have seen things that you could not explain and you did not question them. You did not lose control; you completed your assignment with the utmost focus. You are the best of the best." She turned to the wall behind her. "But despite possessing the needed clearance and experience, what I need to say… is hard to say. It's hard to wrap your mind around. And this is only the beginning." Olivia pointed to the picture of her double. "This is Olivia Dunham – the Olivia Dunham of the other universe. She has been missing for…" Her voice faltered. Olivia sighed and started again, "She has been missing for three months along with Nick Lane." She pointed to the other man briefly. "Olivia Dunham is affiliated with the FBI and has worked on many Fringe cases in her universe. She is familiar with Dr. Walter Bishop's research on the Other Side, highly classified and potentially valuable information." She blinked. "Nick Lane, however, is not an agent; he is an average citizen. And the two of them are being held by this organization." Olivia turned to all of them and pointed to the logo September had drawn. "The SCP Foundation. In another universe." She saw the faces that were once so stoic and poised curl in confusion; she expected such. She once wore the same face when Peter and Walter had first informed her of this mess what seemed like ages ago. "The SCP Foundation is an organization likely sponsored by their government, much like the operation that we run. This Foundation deals with matters that the average population would not be able to understand – scientific phenomena of unknown origin. Instead of destroying these anomalies outright, they are captured and studied back in their facilities – where Agent Dunham and Nick Lane are being held against their will." With a slide of fingers against the wall, she arrived at the master map September had constructed. "Questions so far?"
Agent Aruna raised her hand, "How exactly were they taken into the other universe?"
Olivia frowned. Agent Aruna had clearance and the mental capacity to know such information, but the rest did not. It was much too… delicate. "That information is classified."
"Meaning that you don't know?" Agent Aruna had given Olivia an answer to a plot hole.
Which Olivia took, reluctantly nodding while still maintaining eye contact with the agent. "Meaning we don't know," she admitted in faux defeat. "Our last records show that the two of them were outside Agent Dunham's apartment, at a local park. The two were taken in broad daylight and yet… the Foundation left no trace." She would tell Aruna the specifics later. Aruna could handle them. And Aruna would most likely be her second in command.
"Any other questions?" Olivia panned the room of serious faces. "Good." Olivia flicked onto the wall-screen the pictures that September had given them of the facility. "There are three classes of personnel you will encounter in this facility. First are the armed members of their army, or task forces." She enlarged a picture that highlighted the black outfitted squads. "They are heavily armed and stationed throughout the facility. If Dunham and Lane are to be moved, they would most likely escort them. And they are most likely stationed outside the cell Agent Dunham and Nick Lane are being contained in. Next are the Class-D personnel." She enlarged a picture of a man in an orange jumpsuit, haggard with a haunted stare. "These are the workers of the Foundation. They do not appear to be armed. We're uncertain if they are hostile. Avoid them." She brought in another photo and enlarged it on the individuals with white jackets and tablets. "And these are the doctors of the facility. We don't know how many there are, which have direct access to the two targets, or if they're also armed threats." Olivia brought the screen back to the detailed map. "And now, Operation Viridian."
Olivia walked away from the screen and looked again to the seated individuals before her. "Operation Viridian is a rescue mission with one objective – rescuing Agent Dunham and Nick Lane. We will be crossing over to their location through a device designed by Secretary Bishop and his aides and Dr. Walter Bishop and others from his universe. Many of them will be accompanying you on your mission." Olivia noticed that Astrid's face had twitched when her name had not been given credit. Olivia understood, but it was simpler this way. "You will be split into four teams: two away teams to search for the targets; a team to stay behind at the portal and rendezvous point; and another to patch in and disable the security cameras and other defense systems. You will now be split into your teams and briefed on your specific objectives. Agent Aruna, would you meet with me?"
As the rest of the agents receiving their stamped folders, a slender, tall, and dark-skinned woman approached Olivia. She was smiling. And her hair was coiled into an elegant bun behind her head. But her hair was also wrapped tight into secure submission; not a hair would move out of place. She wore a black windbreaker with the Fringe Division patch sewn on her right breast and similar cargo pants to Olivia. "It'll be just like old times." Her smile broke into a larger grin. "I haven't gone out into the field with you for a while now."
"Just like old times." Olivia took her friend and moved her so they were talking side-by-side, backs turned to the rest of the agents. "You're going to be the head of the Alpha Team."
Aruna pursed her lips and laughed, "Did you plan for the A-named girl to lead the Alpha team, or was it a coincidence? Oh, that's right." Her eyes narrowed, focusing on the map ahead of her, "There are no coincidences." She licked her lips and hushed her voice, "Tell me what really happened, Dunham."
"Both Agent Dunham and Nick Lane have been treated with Cortexiphan – as children. When they met, the Cortexiphan in their systems allowed them to cross over to the other universe. We don't know why. They weren't under any stress, but… perhaps just being in contact with each other… made it happen." Olivia leaned up and down on her feet, uncomfortable that she didn't know all the answers still, after three months. "The other universe experiences degradation, just like ours. Because of disturbances created in that universe, they were unable to come back under their own power. And then, the Foundation found them and captured them. And they've been running experiments."
"How do you know this information? We don't have any agents in other universes… do we?" Agent Aruna's eyes widened in fear.
"No. Or at least… I'm not aware that we do." Olivia fought back a shiver. "Do you know of the Observers? The weird bald men in the suits?"
"Yes, but barely."
"The Dr. Walter Bishop of the Other Side has a… shall we say close relationship with one of them. His name is September. He helped us created the device – hell, he did a lot of it himself. He told us where to go and what to expect." Olivia motioned to the wall with her head, "He gave us all of that. He's done a lot for us. He's been giving us status updates on the two of them. And so far… they're alive. But that's all he'll tell us."
"She's being tested on, isn't she?" Aruna winced, her face paling. "Disgusting."
"They deal with science and experimentation. So…" Olivia let the sentence wander. She was going to vomit if she thought about it anymore. "Here." She gave Aruna a grey folder with OPERATION VIRIDIAN: ALPHA TEAM stamped onto it in black. "You'll be meeting in room three, along with the Omega team."
Aruna rolled her eyes. "Now it HAS to be on purpose. Aruna-Alpha, Olivia-Omega? Who names these things?"
Olivia swatted her friend's back. "No one asked for your take on the matter. Get to your assigned space, agent."
"No need to get so feisty," Aruna smirked. "I'll see you there, then."
Now only 24 individuals. In a much smaller room, but there were no tables, and all chairs were facing directly at Olivia. And all the chairs were occupied, save for one – Aruna's, who was standing beside her.
"You have been selected for the two away teams. Teams Alpha and Omega will be directly responsible for securing the two targets: Agent Olivia Dunham and civilian Nick Lane. I will be leading the Omega team." Like the larger conference room, the room behind them had a wall linked directly into their system. Olivia touched the wall and laid out September's map before the agents. "As mentioned in your documents, we will enter the complex from the maintenance tunnels. However, we don't know the degree of detection we'll face as we're navigating through the tunnels. If this Foundation is anything like us, they'll have technology monitoring potential invaders coming in from other universes, monitoring the rifts created by such events. Or they might simply have motion sensor devices and other monitoring equipment planted into the tunnels – we don't know." Olivia enlarged on the outlines that she and Broyles had planned. "We will be sticking to this green path, avoiding as many open areas and workers as possible. Ideally, we only want to target the armed task force members. But if any Class-D or doctor personnel exhibit aggression and attack, you have our permission to engage." Olivia turned to Aruna, wondering if she had anything else to add, or if she wanted to continue with the explanation.
Aruna answered the agents with her characteristic laid back and calming smile. "If you didn't already know, I am Agent Aruna and I will be leading the Alpha team. Ideally, we want the Delta Team to disable any technology before we reach the stretch leading up to the targets, but in the event that that doesn't happen… we will need to be cautious. We don't know what kind of a system they use to move their task force around. We don't know where they're stationed. We don't know how many are stationed outside of their cell, or if there will be armed members inside the cell waiting for us. And here," Aruna brought a series of pictures and their position on September's map to the attention of the agents. "These are a series of gates – possibly with a flowing electric current – stationed all the way leading up to the target's location. If the Delta Team is unable to disable them, we will have to find another way around." Aruna moved those pictures to the side of the screen and brought her attention again to the faces in front of her. "Stay alert. We likely only have one shot." Aruna looked back to Olivia.
Olivia nodded. "Yes, this is a one-time only operation. We do not know how much this Foundation knows about other universes, but if we fail to rescue them, who knows what kind of measures they would take to keep us from entering their universe again. Or, in the worst case scenario, they find ways to cross over to our universe and disable our technology and further capitalize their operations here. We can't take any chances; we must succeed." Olivia cleared her throat. "Once we have secured Nick Lane and Agent Dunham, we will continue along the green path to the rendezvous point on the map here – unless the Beta Team is unable to hold their position. If that is the case, we will standby as Agent Lee and Peter Bishop secure another location. Are there any questions?"
"No?" Aruna smirked. "Then you're dismissed."
As the agents trickled out of the room and as Olivia started to collect the few things she brought with her, Aruna exhaled deeply and asked, "We really DO have one shot at this, don't we?"
"The Broyles from the Other Side is particularly worried that their universe is militant – think David Robert Jones. If we give them any chance to retaliate, he thinks they will take that chance. And from the looks of how massive their facility is… they have the means to do so." Olivia shivered, "The more I think about it… the more I'm grateful I wasn't taken instead."
"Of course YOU weren't taken. You don't have Cortexiphan."
Olivia gave Aruna an uneasy smile. "Yeah. Right."
A much smaller team deserved a much smaller room. There were seven agents seated around a long and circular table on one side, and Lincoln and Peter seated on the other. Olivia chuckled when she saw the divide. She sat with the men from the Other Side, hoping the divide wasn't because of Over Here-Over There preconceived notions and tensions. But then again, she had been like those agents, too.
When she was settled in and comfortable, she began. "You seven have been selected for the Beta Team. You will be accompanied by Peter Bishop and the Lincoln Lee from the Other Side." Olivia looked at the two of them and smiled. "They are with you because your objective is vital to ensuring all our survival – you must look after the portal created between the two universes. It's the entry point as well as the escape route."
Peter thought it would be easier if he stepped in and simplified all the science-speak that had drawled on for pages in their documents thanks to his father. "I'm Peter Bishop. We enter through the other universe in what could be considered a portal." Peter looked down as Olivia accessed the graphics on the table. "There will be men manning the device back in this universe and I will be manning another device ensuring that we all stay safe."
"And does he get the device because he's the Secretary's boy?" This came from an agent with cropped blond hair and a scar on his jar.
"No, I get the device because I understand how it works," Peter grinned. "But thanks for playing."
Olivia cleared her throat. "Yes. Alright. The portal will stay open once we all pass through it. Bishop will then close the portal and Agent Lee will lead you to the rendezvous point here." Olivia focused in on the blue path, still in the maintenance tunnels. "Bishop and Agent Lee will wait there with two men while the rest keep the tunnels clean for the remaining three teams to later come through." Olivia leaned in, "However, in the event that the situation turns dire and the remaining teams do not have time to come to the marked rendezvous point, or if the tunnels are overrun with task force members and you are unable to hold your location, you will have to move." Olivia pulled away from the blue marked areas. The entire length of the map was visible.
Peter picked up where she had left off, "In that case, we will have to be quick and mobile. I will worry about the calculations on the fly. You all will ensure that nothing happens to me. Or at least that nothing happens to the device." Peter pulled out the small thing and showed it to them, whisking it around in his right hand. "In the wrong hands, especially in the clutches of the Foundation, this could be catastrophic."
"We're putting all our hopes of escape on that wee thing?" It was the same man again. "Wow. I wish I was on the Alpha team."
"Agent Parker, I would like you to refrain from your unnecessary commentary." Olivia threw him an icy glare, "Is that understood? Or do I need to remove you from the operation entirely?"
"I understand, Agent Dunham. No you don't need to remove me, Agent Dunham."
"Are there any more questions directly concerning your objectives?" Olivia panned the room.
Agent Parker raised his hand again.
Olivia held back the sensation to roll her eyes. "Yes, Agent Parker?"
"What are the chances that the other teams don't make the rendezvous point, for whatever reason?" He scratched his chin and pointed to the rest of the blue marks. "Like you said, only in the worst case scenario will we be running around trying to find our scattered comrades. What did Agent Farnsworth calculate?" He looked Olivia square in the eyes.
She sighed. While Parker was a thorn in her side and a mouthful of expletives, he was good at his job. Olivia brought up Astrid's graphics noting multiple scenarios in order of their likelihood.
Parker squinted his eyes, not believing the figures before him, and found himself at a loss for words. After a few minutes turning them over in his head, he finally murmured, "That's… that's different than what I expected."
"It's hard to calculate matters of another universe, Agent Parker, but Agent Farnsworth did her best." Olivia tried to force a smile, but it came out uneasy – just like the one she gave Aruna a bit ago. "If you have any other questions, I'm sure Agent Lee and Peter Bishop will be able to assist you. I have another team I have to meet with. Please excuse me." She got up, nodded her head to acknowledge those in the room, and ushered herself out.
Peter smirked at Agent Parker, "It is pretty small, isn't it?"
And now the last team. The Delta Team. The smallest team of all. And they deserved the smallest room.
Olivia sat down in one of the six chairs surrounding a smaller table. Right beside her was Astrid. And next to them were four agents.
"You have been selected for the Delta Team for your essential balance of combat and technical skills. You will be assisting the Agent Farnsworth of the other universe." Astrid nodded her head and smiled at the small group. "Fringe Division did not want to sacrifice our Agent Farnsworth, no matter how hard I begged. Although I do understand how much she is needed. But, Agent Astrid here is more than enough to handle the task, too." Olivia smiled at her. "She played a key role in constructing the device that will take us to the other universe."
The rest of the agents nodded their heads in respect and approval, talking a bit amongst themselves. Astrid flashed Olivia a bigger smile and mouthed, "Thank you."
Olivia brought up the map on their table and focused in on the yellow path. "We believe there is a station where you can access the facility's technology here." Olivia's gaze narrowed, "You are the smallest team with a very vital set of objectives: eliminating their security cameras; disabling any defense systems; and unlocking doors and areas that obstruct the away teams from securing the two targets. The success of the entire operation depends on you blinding and crippling the Foundation. But," Olivia looked at the five before her, "Since you are the smallest team, you are the most vulnerable. Use stealth and speed to your advantage. Keep out of the line of fire. Try not to engage unless you have to; leave the warfare to the two away teams. But at the same time, keep yourselves alive." Olivia paused to see if there were any issues. This team was a lot quieter and a lot more focused than most – because they had to be. Olivia zeroed in on the target room circled in yellow, "When you get here, I would like two agents stationed outside – the two amongst you who are the best handling their guns."
Astrid offered a suggestion, "Or, whoever feels the most comfortable with technology comes with me. I need people with fast fingers and faster minds. We'll be on the clock and one mistake, one false button pushed or switch activated or wire cut, and the whole mission will be in jeopardy." Astrid looked at the four before her, "So who's with me?"
Two raised their hands and grinned at each other in unison.
"Agents Damien Lee and Damon Gonzalez." Olivia nodded in approval. "When you finish your objectives in your target room, you will head back to the rendezvous point following the yellow path. Again, focusing on speed and stealth. However, if there are problems with the Omega and Alpha teams in securing the targets, you have permission to follow the green path instead. Or if the Beta Team needs help with managing the safety of the tunnels, double back there. If you are needed elsewhere after you have executed your main objective, go there. Any questions?"
The agents shook their heads. Olivia assumed they would play it by ear and take it as it happened.
Olivia smiled, a true and relaxed smile, "Alright! You are dismissed."
The rest of the agents left the room, save for Astrid. "You haven't told Walter what he has to do, have you?" she asked, a bit tense.
Olivia's smiled dissipated. "No. I haven't."
"I'll go with you," Astrid offered. "It'll be easier if we spread the blow between us."
"Is he really going to take it that bad?" Olivia sighed as she got up. "No. You're right. He's going to hate us. And me especially."
"Don't worry. You're not going to be alone." Astrid gave her a half-smile. She knew Walter Bishop more than most. And she knew that it wasn't going to be easy.
"I am NOT staying behind!" Walter stood up, eyes vehement and burning. "I am NOT staying behind! I can be of assistance! I can help. I can do a great deal over there. I... I…" But then Walter started to falter. And Walter and his voice started to shake. "I… I want to make sure… that everything goes safely. That there aren't… Fringe events on the loose… and just in case Olivia and Nick… aren't themselves… I can help them." His voice broke, "Why won't you let me help them?"
"Walter." It was breaking Astrid's heart to see him this way. And she had been there – on the outside looking in, begging to be allowed in on the mission. She had been there and yet she was denying him access – and for the same reason he had with her. She loved him too much to see him hurt. A potential battlefield was no place for an old man. Especially one who could get as flustered and overwhelmed as Walter. Especially one who regressed so much when faced with certain danger. And yet, Walter could bring a lot to the table. They didn't know what they would be getting into on the Other Other Side; he would be as good a consultant as any, given his understanding of the scientific world and beyond. And yet…
"No. Absolutely not." Olivia had to be stern. Olivia had to be cold. She was in charge and she had to think for the good of the entire mission, not just one man. And she had weighed the options. She and Broyles had argued extensively over Walter's position in the whole scheme of things alone. She was making the right call and yet… why did she feel so guilty? "Your place is here with the machine, making the necessary changes if fluctuations between the universes occur and if the coordinates of the master key change. And you're the only one left, along with Secretary Bishop, who we can trust alone with the machine. Agent Farnsworth is coming with us and our Agent Farnsworth is back at headquarters doing her job." Olivia tried adopting a gentler approach. It usually worked for Astrid, so why not for her? She looked into Walter's eyes and placed her hands on either side of him, softening her tone and her gaze, "We need you here. You're the best person for this job."
But Walter snarled at Olivia, his old biases bubbling back to the surface. "Get off of me you snake!" He shoved Olivia's hands away. "Trying to charm me like you do other men. It won't work this time! I am going there with Peter and with the rest – with Astro. If Astro is going, I am going. There is nothing you can do about it."
Fine. If it was going to be this way then fine. Olivia's chest puffed out, leaning into the man, "Walter. Bishop." She didn't want to use such a harsh tone with him, but it was necessary. "I am head of command of this mission and when I say you're not going – You. Are. Not. Going. Have I made myself clear?" Her gaze would have scorched holes into a lesser man.
"Walter, please." Astrid followed through with her gentler tone. "Where we're going… it isn't safe for you. And… you don't even know how to use a gun. You don't know how to protect yourself. We… we don't want anything to happen to you. Peter and Lincoln and Broyles all agree with this decision. It's to keep you safe. We only want to keep you safe."
"Is this the good cop-bad cop routine? Because I don't have to listen to this." Walter whipped around and placed his fingers in his ears. "I'm not listening, Agent Dunham." Her name twisted out of his mouth like a curse.
Olivia yanked his arms away. "Walter! I don't have time for your immaturity right now! You are – you would be – a liability if we took you. I would have to call in five additional men to cover you. I would have to utilize more resources to brief them on their mission just to protect you from danger. And those are five men, five great agents, who could be used elsewhere. But no, they would have to babysit you." Walter would hate her after this. Or Walter would hate her MORE after this. But she didn't care. She was used to it and more importantly, she was doing her job. And she had been doing her job the last time she had hurt him. She was just following orders. And right now, she needed him to follow hers. "I can't guarantee your safety there, but I am doing what's best to guarantee the safety of Olivia and Nick when they return. And WHEN they return, they will need YOU. You will attend to them as soon as they get back. You'll give them a full check-up because you and YOU ALONE will know what's best for them. But if you die before we can even secure them, if you die before Olivia can even see you again, then I will have failed her and you." Olivia shook her head. "I want this mission to be a success. And I'm doing what's necessary. Hate me or not, you are not crossing over and that's FINAL." Olivia turned around and started to walk away. But she stopped. She clenched her fists and tipped her head, looking at her shoulder and at him through her peripheral vision, "But if I catch you scheming to cross over, or if I catch you on that other side when we're there… so help me God, Walter." And with that, she walked away.
Walter sat down, looking utterly defeated. "I just… I just want what's best for Olivia."
"But can't you see, Walter?" Astrid sat down next to him and stroked his back, "So does she. She's taken on this ENTIRE mission by herself since Broyles left. And she has done SO MUCH for Olivia – for all of us." Astrid wrapped one of her arms around him and brought him closer, hoping to comfort him. "She's done so much for us. Four months ago, even three months ago, she wouldn't have done any of this. She's… she's come a long way, Walter. And so should you."
Walter bowed his head, finally understand his place. "Yes, yes you're right. I was being selfish and foolish. I wasn't thinking about…" He paused and laughed. "She's right. She's a viper, but she's right. I am the best man, along with Walternate, to man the machine. I don't belong out there with the rest of you. But…" He turned to her and grabbed Astrid's other hand with both of his. "I want you to come home safe, Asgard. If I lose you… if I lose you, too… I don't know what I'd do with myself." He squeezed her hand tight and gave her a tight smile. "I can't have you taken away from me, too."
Astrid felt tears welling up in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Walter in a deep embrace. "I promise, Walter. I promise I'll come back safe. And with Olivia."