The Beginning
One week after Asmodeus’ defeat found Ava and Beatrice in the lobby of Arq-tech’s flagship facility awaiting the arrival of Dr Jillian Salvius. The couple were there to discuss their future within the company, alongside Mary, Lilith, and the recently disavowed Camila. The three sat patiently awaiting the good doctors arrival for forty five minutes before the harried woman rushed through the doors, full of apologies for keeping her allies, her friends, waiting so long.
“I’m terribly sorry you had to wait.” Jillian told them as she led the group down a long corridor, towards a small board room. “We had a problem with a piece of technology we are unveiling in Madrid next week that required my attention urgently.”
“Have you just returned from Madrid?” Ava asked incredulously. “If so, this meeting can wait Jillian. There’s no hurry to put solid plans into place yet.”
“Nonsense.” Jillian waved Ava off as she opened a door to a board room and ushered the group inside. “I fixed the problem late last night and slept in Madrid for the night. There were some delays in getting the private jet off the ground for my return here this morning, which caused me to be late. I assure you; I am fully prepared for this meeting.”
“Alright then Jillian.” Mary smiled, as she positioned her chair at the short meeting table while the others took their seats. “What the deal for each of us then?”
“Well as we discussed a week ago, I’d like to set up a new facility to handle our relationship with the other world.” Jillian began. “Obviously a lot of what we want to achieve will depend on whether Mother Superion and I can get the Vatican to agree to a partnership with us. But my specific deal for you, Mary, is a position as my chief of security. I’d like you to handle all security and risk assessments for transportation of valuable cargo relating to our projects at the new facility. You’d also be required to investigate any threats and should any of our goods be stolen, seek to reacquire them as quietly as possible.”
“So basically, I’d be doing what I was doing when we first crossed paths then?” Mary asked. “And I’d be stationed at the new, secret facility with the others?”
“Yes.” The doctor confirmed. “All of you would be primarily stationed at the new facility but may be required to travel to other locations for your work, which shouldn’t be too complicated to manage when two of you have the ability to teleport.”
“And we will all have positions?” Lilith asked, somewhat sceptically.
“Of course.” The woman assured her. “I know you all see each other as family, and I never would ask you to split up. Your role will be working closely with Ava and the other world, given your abilities we’d like you to help train any future potential halo bearers to be ready should another threat arise. There is also another matter which concerns Mother Superion and I which may need your assistance as well.”
“What matter?” The metallic warrior straightened her back as if she was ready for a fight.
“We are concerned that there may be other items from Reya’s realm in this one.” The doctor explained. “Undiscovered pieces of divinium, weapons and technology Asmodeus or Adriel brought to this world, and the technology the FBC used Arq-tech resources to create. These will need to be tracked down and placed somewhere secure. For that purpose, Mother Superion has suggested we put a team together and with your abilities, you’d be a key member of that team should we get the Vatican’s approval.”
“So, you’d be paying Lilith to perform heist and grave robberies?” Ava asked playfully, smirking at her friend.
“I suppose that’s one way of looking at it, yes.” The doctor agreed with a chuckle. “Anyway, my offer for Beatrice and Camila is that they’d come and work in the labs at the new facility. Both of you have shown a good understanding of my work and are quick to adapt to all situations, I believe you’d both be great assets to my team. And of course, Ava has already discussed training future bearers and working with Kemuel to create a containment for the Halo during times of peace.”
“This all sounds well thought out.” Beatrice nodded in understanding. “And I believe I speak for both Ava and I when I say we’d love to work with you.”
“Yeah, Jillian.” Ava smiled at her friend. “Bea and I would love to accept your job offer’s. God knows I was wondering how on earth I’d support Lexi once we’d finished fighting wraiths so the chance of a well-paid job that allows me to go home to my daughter every night sounds great.”
“On that note.” Jillian smiled and produced several manila folders which she handed out to the women. “These folders contain your individual work contracts. The work hours can be flexible if you wish, and the pay is negotiable if you find it unsatisfactory.”
“This looks great to me.” Mary laughed as she read the details of her contract. “Honestly I’d been happy with a lower salary than that, but if that’s what you want to pay me, I won’t say no.”
“I think these contracts are all too kind.” Camila said. “And while I will happily take the offered position with you, I must ask. Is there a chance I could be placed on the team with Lilith, to track and reclaim artifacts?”
“I don’t see why not.” Jillian smiled at the young woman. “The team will require someone with more than adequate computer and technology skills, and yours are top class.”
“On the note of Lily…” Mary asked, as if remembering something. “Is there any word on this serum Kemuel was making for her?”
“I’m going to see Kemuel after this meeting to receive the treatment.” Lilith told her. “It was completed a couple of days ago and Kemuel seems confident I’ll only need one treatment and then I’ll at least look normal most of the time.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Camila asked, head whipping round to look at the woman beside her. “Were you just going to slink away to see him, without letting any of us know what you were doing?”
“I didn’t want to worry you.” Lilith told her, placing her hand over the Camila’s in comfort. “I was going to make an excuse to stay behind when you left, then surprise you all by returning to the OCS sans metal scales.”
“Well, I’m coming with you.” Camila told her in a tone that left no room for argument, receiving a fond smile from the usually stern-faced warrior.
“Before you go to see Kemuel, Lilith.” Jillian interrupted the moment passing between the two former nuns with an apologetic smile. “While we’re all here, I think we should discuss possible locations for the new facility. Obviously, we need somewhere we can blend in and operate our missions and research in private. So, if any of you have any suggestions, I’m all ears.”
“Actually, Bea and I have been talking about that.” Ava started. “Mostly because we’d need somewhere we’d feel comfortable raising our daughter and giving her a good life.”
“And somewhere we can both be happy together too.” Beatrice interrupted with a fond smile before addressing the group. “How does everyone feel about Switzerland?”
“Switzerland?” Mary asked in surprise. “You sure? I know it’s a place of industry and countryside’s that would be great for raising a family, but I also know your history with the place. You really want to raise your family there?”
“I understand you concern Mary.” Beatrice smiled at her friend. “I thought the same when Ava and I were sent there to hide while I trained her. But over time I fell in love with the country, and it’s where I was living for the last couple of months before I returned to the OCS. It’s where Ava and I fell in love, and we were happy there, so I’d very much like to return there with our family.”
“Alright.” Lilith chuckled. “Switzerland sounds great to me. Did you have a specific place in mind?”
“I was thinking Zurich.” Beatrice suggested to the group. “The city is already home to many universities and research facilities so the new Arq-tech facility should blend right in.”
“Plus, we’ve already looked at some nice houses in the area we could slowly earn enough to live in.” Ava added. “And some apartments which would work for all of us if while we search for our forever homes.”
“Sounds like you’ve really thought this through.” Camila smiled at them both.
“Well, I was already planning on joining Beatrice in Switzerland once Asmodeus was dealt with.” Ava shrugged.
“And it does seem Switzerland is the place both of think of when we think of finding a home together.” Beatrice added. “I suppose because we’ve already made a home there together before.”
“Well, if there are no objections…” Jillian glanced at each member of the group, waiting for someone to add their own suggestions. “Then I’ll start looking at locations in Zurich for our new facility.”
“So, we’re all sorted?” Camila asked. “Just like that?”
“Just like that.” Jillian agreed. “Finding a suitable place for the facility will take some time but If you all research apartments you like, I can set you all up with places in Zurich within a week so you can help scout places for us if you wish.”
“I think we’re going to stay at the OCS headquarters until the new year.” Ava admitted. “Just so we can spend Christmas and New Year somewhere Lexi is already settled. We’ve already started looking for trees to decorate the common room online. Perhaps we can all move to Switzerland in the new year. You know, new year, new start, new country sort of thing.”
Everyone at the table nodded in agreement with Ava, before being dismissed by Jillian so she could start her end of the work. Once out of the meeting room; Mary, Ava and Beatrice bid their friends goodbye and headed back to their headquarters, while Lilith and Camila headed towards Kemuel’s lab.
“You don’t have to come with me, you know.” Lilith told her, when they reached the door to the lab.
“I know.” Camila told her, taking her hand in her own and smiling. “I meant what I said when I told you we are in this together now. I want to support you now.”
“Okay then,” Lilith smiled, pushing the door open and taking her first steps back towards a somewhat normal life.
On their way back to the headquarters; Ava, Beatrice and Mary gossiped about Camila and Lilith's bloooming relationships and wondered just what all their lives were going to look like now. They al agreed, this was the beginning of a new adventure for all of them.