Orientation/Observation

"Should we get started director?"

Three men in suits stood in a spartan room peering at a window. Beyond were a group of four people idly chatting over some coffee and donuts, oblivious. Well, three of them were oblivious. The hostess worked for the company. Deputy Director Stephenson didn't really need to be here. He wondered for a moment if it was a mistake. Having bigwigs onsite tended to cause operatives to think too much, like this subordinate here. What was his name again? No matter.

"No, let's wait a little longer. Can't have a show without our star."

On cue, Lieutenant Burton opened the door in the far wall and sauntered in. "Heya boys - ooh is that coffee?" The duffel bag hit the floor as the group turned to the newcomer.

"Yeah, not too bad for an airbase. Doctor Tim Lewis", some hotshot from MIT. Older than he looks, but not much. Blond. Boyish face. Well muscled but in a way that said 'rowing club' rather than anything else.

Tim shifted his cup to his left hand so to shake the newcomer's hand. "Sure, sure, one moment Doc." Mark blew past him to the coffee machine. Doctor Lewis maintained his smile, though his companions exchanged a glance. One wore a similar uniform to Lieutenant Burton, though wore it stiffer. Captain Hendrix the Director knew. Good pilot, dedicated airman but... weird. A loner, awkward with people, it'd held up his promotion more than once. Even now, the small talk around coffee was discomforting for him. The backup candidate if Burton flamed out. A small part of the Director was glad Hendrix was spared that fate. Such personalities made for good soldiers.

The other man wasn't quite that. He wore a button down shirt and crisp black slacks, well fitted around his deeply tanned, muscled frame. His movements were everything that Doctor Lewis was not. Subtle, confident, well-practiced. Director Stephenson knew the type. He used to be the type. Daniel Sinclair was one of America's great assets. He'd worked for various agencies over the years until leaving a few years back to run his own security consultancy. Made good money, did only a little more than the usual shady business for that line of work, but no communists, no revolutionaries. Nobody quite knew why he had applied to the astronaut program, which is why he ended up here instead.

"Director?"

"Ah yes, we should get started now."