It always felt odd walking through the facility hallways. Compared to the regular staff at the Spectrum program, the specialists were allowed to wear civilian clothing. Even at a government sanctuary for heroes, we stood out. I always half expected someone to try and get me to sign away my ‘don’t autopsy me while I’m still alive’ rights. 

“It’s my first day,” she answered. “But my paperwork has been here for a week or so.”

“Did you come with your own secret identity or have they authorized one for you yet? I only ask because you were at the bank and you know, no disguise and all that.” 

“I actually don’t have a secret identity,” Callie said while scanning the halls, rooms, and ongoing operations. “Not much of a work-life balance.” 

“We'll change that,” I informed her. “The last thing you want is for the board to come up with a code name for you, trust me.” 

“How bad could it be?” Callie asked as we stopped outside the cafeteria. 

“Have you seen their marketing for Pavilion Pals?” I cringed just thinking about them. “Kid-friendly, sure. But they’re dead inside.” 

“Okay, I get the picture,” she said with a laugh. “There’s ups and downs to being government sanctioned superheroes, I see. Any suggestions?” 

“It would help if I knew your skill set,” I told her as I gestured towards the cafeteria. It would also help me figure out how she beat me to the meeting. 

We found seats easy enough. I even got a few smiles from staff I was familiar with. A couple of odd looks from the folks over in intelligence but that wasn’t new. A part of me was self conscious about being seen with the new girl. It reminded me too much of high school. 

“You don’t want to guess?” Callie said, teasing out her question. 

“The rail gun makes me think; technological engineer,” I offered. But the strength needed to carry it made me think of an all around meta human like Alison. Could’ve been an exoskeleton under her clothes. Cybernetic enhancements? 

“You’re not wrong but there’s more to it,” Callie winked as she considered giving me partial credit. “Officially, I’m being assigned to help coordinate the Chroma team’s assignments and offer data points for improvement.” 

“We have enough analysts here,” I let her know. “And none of them can do what you did today. Where are you from?”

“Manhattan, you?” She countered. 

“Jersey,” I answered. “How long have you been doing whatever it is you do that got you accepted into the program?” 

“Less than a year,” Callie confessed. “How long have you been Specter? I know you from the news but it’s not like there’s a documentary, you know?”

“I’m not quite ready to sign off on my life story being public.” It’s hard enough to live, let alone tell people. “It’s been about five years, give or take. What made you want to join?” 

Callie was genuinely stuck for a moment. Her face turned away before realizing she broke eye contact. “Um, I’m not really here by choice but I’d like to make the best of it.” 

“Oh.” We heard about some strange deals that got made behind closed doors but never met anyone who made them ourselves. “I’m sorry to hear that. But hey, stick around and I promise the Chroma squad will brighten things up.”

“What’s up loser?” Alison said as she joined us at the table with a tray of hot food. “You done boring the newbie?” 

“I was actually just getting to the really boring stuff,” I said mockingly.  

“You’re welcome,” Alison told Callie. 

“Hi!” Hollered the blonde Demi-god from the meeting. The usual gust of wind followed behind her as she flew towards our table. She set down her bagged lunch as she held out a firm hand. “I’m Kris, it’s nice to meet you.” 

“You too,” Callie replied. Her hand flinched at the prospect of shaking hands. Can’t say I blame her. Those hands have leveled skyscrapers and deflected meteors. 

“Don’t worry,” Kris assured her. “I have a ton of self control.” 

Callie shook her head, somewhat ashamed of herself. “No, it’s alright. I’m just a little intimidated. It’s not everyday you shake hands with an extraterrestrial.”

Still floating, Kris nodded along. “Completely natural reaction. In my culture, it’s normal to greet people by flying past them fast enough to break the sound barrier.” 

A buzzing sound traveled from my leg. I reached into my pocket as everyone took their seat and saw a text from Gerald. 

“Gerald’s working through lunch again,” I informed the team. 

“Crook?” Alison asked out loud. 

“Yup,” I replied. The number of times Gerald has had to deal with Edward Mansion; it’s a wonder he has other bad guys to fight. “He said he’ll plan a meet up soon.” 

“Should’ve let me kill him last time,” Alison quipped. 

“You know it’s against Rook’s thing,” I reminded her. 

“Tell that to Crook’s next victims,” Alison remarked as she threw her apple into the air and took a bite after catching it back in her palm. “You know how many repeat offenders I get?” She said through a mouthful of fruit. 

“Zero?” Callie guessed. 

“Zero!” Alison replied, tiny specks of food hit her hand as she covered her outburst. 

“I don’t kill anyone either, Alison”, Kris mentioned. “Neither do Adrien or Naoto if I recall.” 

“You fight aliens and they fight weirdos; it doesn’t count,” Alison waved her off. 

“Isn’t that an oversimplification?” Callie said. Kris and I shared a shrug and glance. This would be good. “Chroma squad have all been on record as taking care not to cause excess collateral damage and entering the highest number of super criminals through rehabilitation programs. Your colleagues are lucky to have skills that de-escalate conflict rather than instigate life or death incidents.” 

Alison cocked an eyebrow at our newest member. I tensed up, ready to intervene between Alison and another person who argued with her. 

But Alison just shrugged and said, “Yeah. Fair point.” Didn’t see that coming. “If I see Crook though; I’m breaking every bone in his body.” 

“Hey, you can save a few for me,” Callie replied to the surprise of the table. “What? Edward Mansion is an infamously untreatable, remorseless lunatic who gets off on whatever cult following he can grab so he can trigger massive crime waves.” 

Alison elbowed me, “I like her.” 

“Everyone getting along?” Dr. Mickey said with a push of his glasses as he walked up to the team. He was dressed out of his staff coat and into that orange tweed jacket he liked so much.

Technically, Dr. Cosmic’s on the team too-more of an advisor but also our boss? It’s complicated but it’s been a while since he got his metaphysical hands dirty. Still, he’s always there when we need him, on or off the clock. Personally, I don’t think the old man will ever retire. He loves the gig and all his complaining is just constructive criticism. He wouldn’t do it if he didn’t care. 

“Absolutely!” Kris answered with a firm thumbs up. 

Dr. Mickey looked my way to confirm the assertion. I nodded along and copied Kris’ gesture with another. “Good. Where’s Naoto?” 

“Watch out! It’s loose!”

The cafeteria turned towards the entrance where a demon was sniffing the air. It was an ugly thing by demon standards. It had a goat head and walked on two legs, frothing at the mouth as it stomped its hooves. The staff ran while our table looked unbothered. I sighed. Naoto and I are one of the few that have this particular problem; something breaking containment at the facility. Alison had a point sometimes. 

“Show me the one you call Fortune!” The demon howled. A lunch tray flew at its head and sent it staggering back a step. “Who dares?!”

“It’s your lucky day,” Naoto said as she sauntered past our table, fanning herself. “I do delivery.”

Naoto kicked up a nearby chair and sent it flying at the demon. The goat demon shattered the furniture with its horns and snarled back only to find Naoto gone. 

“What, no tip?” Naoto said mockingly as she appeared behind the goat demon while leaning against the wall. 

“Does she need help?” Callie asked. 

“No,” I assured her. The statement was followed by the demon crashing through our table as we all remained where we were. “Not really.” 

Naoto walked through the remains of our lunch, still fanning herself. “I spent all night making this fan and this is the thanks I get? Manners are out the window these days.” Naoto stopped, securing her foot on the demon’s horns. “Wait, no that’s you in about two minutes.” 

“No more!” The demon screamed. Ungodly noise bursted from its lungs. “I submit!”

“There, see?” Naoto announced as she removed her foot. In a flash, the demon dissolved into a crimson light and entered Naoto’s fan. Naoto pocketed the fan and sighed, “Was that so hard?” 

The cafeteria was a mess with the regular staff and clean up crew slowly making their way back inside. Another day at the office. 

“Doctor?” Kris began, “Are we still invited to the reservation today?” 

“Of course,” the doc said enthusiastically. “Callie, you can come too.” 

“The reservation?” Callie echoed. 

“You’ll see,” I told her.