Sound of Science

15 people are sitting in a warm room lit by candles. They are speaking French and English as some of them have come a long way to enjoy the holiday feast. The dinner is delicious, a golden turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, and dark green beans with warm pumpkin pie for dessert. While it may appear that this happy holiday is completely innocent, all the members sitting at the table have been selected for their talent, stealth and language fluency. Except for James Leaden, who only speaks English, and feeling quite uncomfortable not being able to communicate, was sitting quietly picking at his mashed potatoes.

Alexandra Calder banged loudly against the side of her wine glass, attempting to get all 14 member’s attention. The chatter hushed and Alexandra began to speak.

“You have all been specially selected from France as some of the top discovery detectives in the world, for you talent, stealth and language fluency, except for Mr. Leaden who only speaks English.” Everyone laughed except for James, who still didn’t have a clue what was going on because she was speaking French.

Genevieve Hanson stared up at Alexandra’s bright blue dress, metallic green glasses and purple boots. Genevieve was clearly the youngest member at the table; everyone else averaged around the age of 37, while Genevieve was only a mere 13. The food was delicious, she couldn’t deny that, and maybe being forced to come to this meeting wasn’t all that bad, but originally it had seemed like torture. Genevieve thought back to when her parents had told her, saying that it was an honor, to be chosen, especially at an age like hers. Blah blah blah. So Genevieve was now sitting next to two very important looking men and women, listening to some woman in a blue dress, talk about how great, and important, and wonderful it was to be here.

Wilson Henry glared at the child sitting pitifully in the chair across the table. He felt bad for her, but having a member be so young, couldn’t be good for her health or for the team. Wilson had been to this meeting many years past, making him the oldest member of the GNAT (global, nations, attendance, training). A horrible acronym and what it stood for. It sounded so stupid to say “I’m part of the GNAT.” He usually got reactions like. “You’re a gnat?” or “you are part of a gnat?” or worse. And when he told them what it stood for (which legally he wasn’t supposed to do) they were even more confused because Global, Nations, Attendance Training, said nothing about what they did there, or even what it was.

The door to the room swung open to reveal a tall shadow that floated across the floor. The shadow moved across the floor with silence pausing every few people. No one moved or even blinked an eye. The shadow belonged to a pair of slim knee high black boots, tight leather pants, a black button down shirt, and a scruffy bearded man. The shadow was Xavier Taylor.

Genevieve quivered in her seat, for she hadn't been expecting this. Xavier stood behind her, and she waited for him to pass on, but he remained like a giant stone looming above her.

"Genevieve." His voice cut through the silence like a razor sharp metal.

"Yes?" her voice squeaked.

"I am Xavier Taylor, and I've come to prepare you for your mission."

Sigh. It was the same last year. Big appearance, stops behind some new guy, freaks them out, tells about the mission in a Darth Vador voice and 2 hours later we actually get to do something. Austin Cooper felt bad for the young girl Xavier was standing behind. Just wait until next year kid. He thought and leaned against the back of his chair. He half listened to Xavier drone on about the mission, watching Genevieve's eyes light up. No doubt she thought the training mission was real. She wouldn't even be able to go out on a real mission until she was at least 20. The GNAT members who had come last year still had to go to the training mission as GNAT meetings and missions were only once a year.

It suddenly occurred to Wilson that GNAT missions only happened once a year. He wondered if there were other missions other times of the year that no one knew about, because it seemed strange to him that they only at a certain time per year.

I am so not getting paid enough for this. Alexandra thought as she listened to Xavier. She did love her job; it was just getting so repetitive. She reviewed her folder for the information on the REAL mission, which would take place the following day. It was a different case each time, at least that was good. She glanced up to see Genevieve's face, light up as Xavier talked. Why had the GNAT office chosen her? Alexandra wondered. She was too young to participate in the mission tomorrow and unless she had super powers, she would no doubt be removed from the team soon.

Xavier was sweating in his black clothes. He was just a normal guy who worked for GNAT, and once a year had to dress in all black to present a mission. GNAT wasn't even a real spy agency, just one that got people ready to take on more serious missions. He wasn't sure why he had stood behind Genevieve Hanson, but he thought there was something very innocent about her. He wrapped up his speech about the practice mission and waited for Alexandra to introduce the real one.