xp_communication | Secure emails between a Mistra director and her aide (Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning)

To: Ruiz, C.
From: Haydon, B.
Subject: first-day observations

Ma'am,

I observed operative Dayspring at your request for several hours today, monitoring his initial interactions with the other field operatives. He was accompanied for most of the day by operatives Morgan and Foley. They toured the common areas of the facility and the barracks. Dayspring observed several training exercises but did not attempt to participate. He did not attempt to gain access to the computers or secured areas. There was no evidence that his conditioning was malfunctioning in any way.

In the dining hall this evening, I observed a definite split between first-gen and second-gen operatives, moreso even than usual. The first-gen operatives were clustered around Dayspring, while the second-gens appeared to be avoiding him. This state of affairs persisted until operative Weber, with a group of other second-gen operatives, approached Dayspring and proceeded to become confrontational. Dayspring seemed reluctant to engage him, but when the confrontation became physical, quickly disabled Weber. Infirmary reports that Weber has several broken bones and will be out of operation for six weeks. None of the other second-gen operatives pursued the issue. Dayspring spoke briefly to the operatives gathered in the dining hall, in a clear attempt to reestablish dominance. He was not challenged again.

My assessment, ma'am, is that his conditioning is functional and he is making an effort to reintegrate himself into the group. The leadership vacuum among the field operatives has been a serious issue, as we both well know. Perhaps a further trial period would be appropriate?

B. Haydon

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To: Haydon, B.
From: Ruiz, C.
Subject: Dayspring

Brent,

I don't consider the evidence of a few hours sufficient to allay my concerns. I may have voted with the group, but I can't bring myself to consider him reliable. Not after what he's cost us over the last seven years. He may be uniquely valuable, but I have to wonder if the price hasn't been a little too high. I'm very wary about placing him back in the middle of the field operatives like that.

How did the others react to his assault on Weber, if, as you say, he wasn't 'challenged'?

Ruiz

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To: Ruiz, C.
From: Haydon, B.
Subject: the mood among the operatives

Ma'am,

I would say that the second-gen operatives were wary, but willing to give his words to them some thought. The first-gens were extremely responsive. I was definitely seeing the pack-like behaviour the psych specialists want so badly to encourage, although I'm not certain that fostering that sort of split is going to be effective in the end. Unless we abandon mixed teams, which doesn't seem feasible given the increasing shortage of first-gen operatives. I understand that setting up a new recruitment program is a slow process, but we really need to start adding to the first-gen ranks as soon as possible. Perhaps the second-gen operatives are an experiment best concluded ASAP, as well?

B. Haydon

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To: Haydon, B.
From: Ruiz, C.
Subject: plans

Brent,

As I've told you before, the second-gens have their uses. Obviously, we want to beef up the first-gen ranks as much and as quickly as possible, but don't write off the youngsters yet. If nothing else, they make excellent cannon fodder. Why use a rapier when the situation calls for a sledgehammer?

C. Ruiz

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To: Ruiz, C.
From: Haydon, B.
Subject: tactics

Ma'am,

I'll bow to your greater experience and judgement on the question of tactics.

Dayspring's retired for the night. I note they've given him rooms adjoining Morgan's in the barracks. This to me seems like a very good idea. Morgan and Foley are clearly determined to help him reintegrate. They're in there right now speaking to him, in fact. Once they've left, I'll have the security recordings sent to your terminal; it's been a very interesting conversation thus far. They've brought him up to date on current protocols and some of our ongoing operations. He seems genuinely interested, and the fact that he's reestablishing old relationships this quickly seems to me to be a positive thing.

B. Haydon

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To: Haydon, B.
From: Ruiz, C.
Subject: problem!

One of the telepaths from the conditioning team has just been to see me, Brent. Apparently he saw a flash of Colin MacInnis in Cable's mind as they were repairing his conditioning. He was very specific that this was MacInnis as he looks currently, not from the past.

I don't think I need to tell you what this could mean. Not just for the program, but also for our plans for the future.

C. Ruiz

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To: Ruiz, C.
From: Haydon, B.
Subject: definitely a problem

Ma'am,

MacInnis again? The man's like a bad penny. I'm assuming by the use of the world 'flash' that there wasn't a coherent memory attached. That's truly unfortunate. How should we handle this?

B. Haydon

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To: Haydon, B.
From: Ruiz, C.
Subject: safety first

Brent,

I have an idea. A win-win situation, if you want to think of it that way. If MacInnis and his people have tampered with Cable at all, he could be the next best thing to the Trojan Horse and we need to get him out of here as soon as possible. If not... well, my idea will still result in a net gain.

It will require some fudging of documentation. Find out which of the junior directors can be bribed or blackmailed this week. I may need a second directorate-level signature for what I have in mind.

Carmella