22:00, UNDISCLOSED DATE AND LOCATION

A group of individuals gathers in a high-rise building on the top floor. The seated members include the face of a familiar petite woman, Soren. Soren glances around at the table and studies the faces of the Esper council members. An older man that needed help sitting down, holds his cane on his lap. No matter his great age, Master Ferguson, is still one of the most powerful Esper’s seated at the table.

Master Ferguson smiles kindly at Soren, who lips twitch into a smile as well. She is unable to smile properly as any form of expression was usually seen as a sign of weakness at council meetings. Of course, senior members like Master Ferguson were excused from that unspoken rule.

An old woman in robes named, Mai climbs to her feet and croaks, “Welcome council members. I see that all are present. Therefore, chairman, please address the council.”

The old woman sits back down as the chairman, Balik, a man of Armenian descent rises to his feet. Middle aged and one of the more younger members of the council clears his throat. “We are here to discuss a variety of topics, but the first topics of discussion are that of Project Cypher and that of the daughter of Atlas Starr, Victoria Starr,” Balik stated.

At his words, the room is full of murmurings, that swiftly die down at a glance from Master Ferguson. “Was the Project not terminated and canceled with the passing of Atlas Starr?” Sharply asked a female council member in a black dress.

Balik nods and says, “Yes, that is the case. However, we are only confirming that all assets of the project were destroyed.” Soren frowns as if trying to remember something, but failing too.

“That should be the case as the sole surviving asset, Alexandrina, was terminated by Senator Ricks. May his soul rest in peace,” muttered a fatherly figure in priest robes. Soren’s brows furrow as she struggles to connect the dots in her mind, that fail to clearly appear.

A young woman in a sleek dress with oriental features leans back in chair. Her pink cherry lips smoothly twitch into a smile as she crosses her legs gathering gazes of every kind. “Yes, but we wish to be certain, no mistakes remember. A body was technically never presented,” Niko sweetly said, running her red painted nails through her long silky black hair.

A refined gentleman with an olive complexion raises an eyebrow at the statement. Don Giovanni, stiffly replies, “Why if that was the case, then every asset of Project Cypher must be alive as no bodies were ever presented to prove otherwise.” The rest of the members snort and snicker loudly at the reply.

Niko’s face darkens with anger as a middle-aged man in a snazzy suit and ties sighs. “Come now, talk business, no?” Grunted the heavily accented Ukrainian council member.

Niko remains silent as do the rest of the members. Before the chairman, Balik can continue, an older woman fondly known as the Countess says, “What I still don’t understand is why do we not continue the project? It shows promise and much more importantly it is a step in the right direction for the evolution of the regular humans.”

“That’s precisely the problem. The assets of Project Cypher may not have an Esper’s capabilities, but they would have the speed and intelligence matching that of any Esper ability. If they become a rouge agent, they pose a most dangerous threat to us. But even worse, our enemies could create similar begins to be used against us. No, it’s too much of a risk to have them turned against us,” Balik sharply retorted. The Countess nods in apology, but does not apologize for the thought.

Balik nods back in acceptance, before continuing, “As I was saying, Victoria Starr, the daughter of Atlas Starr has applied for a teaching position at the Academy.”

The members all collectively let out gasps at the statement. “I thought that that child’s abilities were thoroughly damaged, is that not correct, Soren?” Don Giovani deliberately said as he turns to gaze at Soren. The council members all turn their cold gazes towards Soren, who was still deep in thought.

Soren blinks in surprise and confusion as the sleeves of her Kimono rustled loudly in her ears. Slowly she understands the question asked. “The child’s abilities were permanently damaged, but not enough to destroy that brain area. I suppose, it might be possible, that at a trickle of ability did manage to develop given enough time, after all, it has happened before,” Soren retorted back.

The council members turn to gaze back at Balik for more information. “A preliminary assessment is needed to confirm the state and intentions of her. Council member, Soren will naturally attend. Master Fergurson, if you please, and Lady Ishnavi,” Balk declared as the requested members nod in agreement as Soren furrows her brows.

Several members of the council erupt with questions.

“And what if the daughter of Atlas Starr does hold some ability. What then?”

“What if it’s a trap?”

“Can she even be trusted?”

“Enough,” shouted an old man. The council becomes silent in an instant as Master Ferguson says, “If the girl has some ability, we will decide from there. If it is something we can use, we shall happily accept. If not, we lost nothing. As for a trap, I am certain that three members of the council could easily overpower her or any traps.

And lastly, can she be trusted? I do not know. But what I do know is that there was little love between Atlas and his daughter, Victoria. Apparently, she was raised in isolation and under severe protection. The daughter by all accounts knows little of her father’s work and if so, it shan’t be a problem. Because the actions since her father’s death have proven so, that girl has done absolutely nothing to investigate her father’s death. I can safely assume, the daughter does not care for her father, Atlas Starr,” Master Ferguson confidently said.

The members of the council nod in an agreeing fashion. The council continues well into the night. Lady Ishnavi, their strongest Esper teleporter, transports the various members back to their previous locations or elsewhere per request. Finally, there are only five members left in the council room, Master Ferguson, a young man named Jovan, Niko, a red headed man named Patrick O’Malley and Lady Ishnavi.

Niko coldly says, “Master Ferguson, how far can we trust the Changelings? Two of their, toys, 103 and 78 are dead. And as for the other two, well, 56 is not too bad, but #32! He’s a rabid dog that needs to be put on a leash!”

Patrick O’Malley sniffs. “Love, the two toys died because they were stupid. And the other two, well they’re wild animals what do you expect? As long as they get the job done, we can deal with the aftermath,” Patrick O’ Malley stated.

Niko narrows her eyes and hisses. “You boorish lout! The problem is that if the antics of either of them attract attention to us. We can’t yet make our move, not yet!” The two members rise to their feet and glare at each other as their they gather their ability.

“Enough,” Master Ferguson said as the two forcefully find themselves seated again. The ring of his power fills the air as fear crawls into their soul. Just as swiftly the terrifying pressure disappears allowing the remaining members to breathe again.

Jovan, who had quietly bidden his time says, “Master Ferguson, in which case, what shall you have us do?” Niko and Patrick glare at the teacher’s pet.

Master Ferguson is quiet as Lady Ishnavi says, “We wait and listen. The Changelings are preparing to move as is the Vorpal’s. All we need to do is pit them against each other and let the rest fall into place.”

Master Ferguson smiles in approval. “Yes, but we can’t afford to be too lax, either. Ensure that #56 entrances the key, we can’t have him falling into the wrong hands,” Master Ferguson proclaimed.

“And if #56 fails?” Niko interjected.

“Then we sacrifice the key for the greater good,” Master Ferguson flatly replied.

The council members nod in understanding before Lady Ishnavi teleports them away. Lady Ishnavi swiftly returns and teleports Master Ferguson and herself to a waiting area within Esper Headquarters. Soren had already gathered a small security taskforce, who was waiting for them. Soren slightly frowns at seeming them arrive so later. Soren keeps her thoughts to herself and politely says, “Shall we go?” Lady Ishnavi smiles in reply and the next second they’re simply gone.