Future Possibilities [Zero]

[Marjorie]

Emrys hadn't been to the ATC in a long time. Years... he read the files of some of the Candidate some times, but he hadn't yet found one that peeked his interest yet. There was one though, a fellow empath, with a particularly interesting skill. One that hadn't been seen before this particular cadet had come into the Candidate training program. Empaths were well suited to intelligence... and many other fields, but in intelligence like he worked it, those skills were invaluable. Emrys saw the potential to turn Liam into not just an intelligence officer, but possibly a one may special infiltration and strike force - or assassin. Even if that didn't wind up being the sort of role than Liam wound up filling as a Pilot, mentoring him might be worth his while anyway.

At any rate, it barred looking into Candidate Throne, even if he didn't decide to mentor him himself. He might watch his career. So here he was, in the ATC. Out of habit, he straightened his blouse before stepping into the building. Emrys had already arranged to take some time out of the Candidates training schedual for the day, not that Liam would know that. He stepped into the room that housed Candidate Throne and his roommate. He didn't knock - he didn't need to. Candidates couldn't expect privacy in their rooms, much less their minds - as both were regularly invaded.

"Candidate Throne," Emrys said, not bothering to shut the door, his tone was expectant, and held the edge of a man who was used to being obeyed, something Liam was likely used to by now, "I would have a word with you." It was a 'polite' way of ordering the Candidate to follow him as he turned on his heel and walked out the door.

[Zero Undead]

The dormitory was relatively quiet. Most of the candidates were either in drills or classes, which meant Liam had his room to himself and used the distraction-free time to study silently. At Stage 4 he didn’t bother to question why he had been given leave to remain in his room at this time. By this Stage no candidate should really be questioning anything. If they wanted them to know, they would have told them, and if they didn’t want them to know, then it was none of their business.

Sadly not all candidates realized this, why they were allowed to continue with the program was anyone’s guess. If it were up to Liam such people would be culled if they hadn’t learned something so simple and vital by Stage 4. Lucky for them it was not up to him. He supposed it would drop Pilot numbers too sharply if they got rid of all recruits that were less astute than him. A Thorne always set a very high standard, after all.

Liam turned when someone entered his room unannounced, not at all surprised to see a Pilot. Who else would come into his room without knocking? Almost no one.

“Sir.” He responded respectfully, standing and saluting. Liam didn’t bat an eye when Pilot Broin expressed a desire to speak with him. Of course the man wanted to speak with him; there was no other reason for him to be there. He said nothing and followed obediently into the hall without question. Many candidates would have been nervous at being asked to follow a Pilot anywhere, but not Candidate Thorne. Liam was perfectly obedient and respectful, but he was also clearly at ease.

[Marjorie]

Emrys returned the Candidate's salute crisply. Good he thought,  but left his expression unreadable, the Candidate was obedient, respectful, quick to respond, and didn't seem nervous in his presence. People in his line of work needed to be self-assured, they often worked alone, had to work out problems on the fly, and many times had no way to reach out for help, even if they needed it. While most of the time it was boring or filled with political intrigue and maneuvering, intelligence work was often lonely and dangerous work. He didn't explain himself to the Candidate though, instead, held the silence as he continued walking, exiting the dormitories, and heading for an actual exit from the ATC.   

He returned the salute from the guard at the door before he scanned his ID chip and badge giving him leave the exit and then handed over the orders he was carrying which gave him permission to take Candidate Throne out the exit with him. It also required him to return Throne by an hour after dinner. When the guard read over then and then nodded at Throne before handing the orders back to Emrys, who, in turn handed them to Throne in case he got stopped anywhere and questioned about why he was outside the ATC.

The guard snapped another clean salute and Emrys returned it before stepping out the exit without checking to see if Candidate Throne was following him as he should be, or not. Outside the ATC there was a car with darkened windows waiting for them. Usually, Emrys used public transportation, but for today, he had opted for a little privacy.

The driver got out of the car when he saw Emrys and his guest coming and opened the nearer rear door for Emrys and then moved around the car quickly to open the opposite door for Throne, before completing his circuit and getting back into the driver's seat. Once they were settled, the driver pulled away from the ATC. It was at this point that Emrys turned to Candidate Throne. "I was reading your file," he said, likely not to the young man's surprise, "I noticed you have high marks in all subjects. I also understand you come from a long line of respected Pilots.

"There are a lot of people watching you with interest." He paused, for effect. Wither or not Throne was aware of that, it was true. In fact, behind the scenes, where no one would inform the Candidate, more than one department had shown an interest in future possibilities for him, and some were even competing over the notion of having him employed in their departments. Emrys wasn't competing, so to speak, but he was interested, if they got along alright.

"Have you ever considered what sort of career path you might like to follow after you graduate?" Assuming, of course, that he did graduate, and also considering that graduating Candidates only had so much say, as their initial jobs at least were often chosen by their dragons, and any changed or movements in careers had to be approved or at least not disprove-ed by them.