Scene 35 - October 26th

Interior MLED Compound - Continuous

Quinn Kaufman

I left the cell in a bit of a daze. I found it hard to believe that Legion had known my mother, but the voice... how else would they have heard it? It wasn’t as though she was a public figure. And yet...

My father was ushered into the cell after me, giving me a concerned look as we passed. Legion probably had a similar message for him.

The director, waiting back at the entrance, blinked briefly when I returned. “You seem a little stunned,” she said. “Was it that bad?”

“It was... not bad, exactly,” I admitted. “Surprising, certainly.” I rubbed at my brow, still trying to wrap my head around what had just happened. “Were you listening?”

Shepard shook her head. “No. Legion asked for a private meeting, and so the mics were muted. We had visual, to make sure that you were in no danger, but...”

“She said that she had a message from my mom,” I said, the words spilling out without conscious thought. “She said that she knew my mom, that she hadn’t died all those years ago... she told me that mom loved me, and would have been proud of me.” I hugged myself as I continued, “Dad’s told me that before, of course, but... I’ve never heard it in her voice.” My own voice nearly broke, tears welling at the corners of my eyes. “And... and she was alive. For 13 years she was alive, when we thought she was dead. And... and she’s still dead. Only two years ago, she died...”

“Did Legion give any details?” Director Shepard asked.

I shook my head. “No... maybe I should have asked, but I just... I couldn’t stay in there. I don’t know why.”

“It’s hard, to face a revelation like that. To hear someone’s last words. Especially when you’re not expecting it.” She placed a hand on my shoulder, surprisingly gentle. “She may have been-” the director started, then stopped and shook her head. “Nevermind.”

“What?”

“I wasn’t thinking.”

“No, tell me.”

She sighed. “I was going to say that Legion may have been lying, to try to manipulate you.”

I laughed, my voice still raw. “What would be the point? I’m no one.”

“You are someone,” the director said. “You’re Quinn Kaufman.”

“And who the fuck is that, huh? I’ve got nothing to offer anyone.” I wiped away a tear. “Even my own mom didn’t want to stay. Shows how much she loved me.”

Again, Shepard seemed to want to say something but didn’t. She just shook her head again, then said. “Quinn, I can’t speak for your mother, and I’ve only met you today. But from everything I’ve seen and heard of you, you’re an exemplary young person - you’re kind, clever, and brave. Everything we look for in a hero. It’s your choice what you want to do with your powers - the MLED can’t force you to use them. But if you want to join the Journeymen, we would love to have you.”