It wasn't the tallest building in the city, but it sure seemed like it. The building that signified E.A.'s presence in Staryl City. The spark in children's eyes as they walk past this building constantly reminds me how prestigious it is to work there. It wasn't the headquarters, but it still held significant meaning to the organization.
"What the hell do you mean? I completed my mission on time, right? Before the end of the week. I've even shown you my proof of completion."
"Yes, but…"
"Then I don't understand why I can't collect my payments."
A somewhat athletic guy shouted at the receptionist when I got into the building. Next to him were some of his friends, maybe goons.
"It appears you do not have a smart card. Without one, you cannot access anything E.A. has to offer, including payments, even for past missions."
"Then just give me one!"
"I am afraid I cannot do that. All cards that were not picked by the end of the week were returned to the headquarters. I do not have access to them." The receptionist did her best to remain calm and collected.
"I couldn't have come to collect my card last week. I was still handling a solo mission worthy of being a group mission. The mission was difficult and took a bit longer than expected. Besides, my phone got broken during the mission, so I couldn't have seen the email. I was told about the mission by my friend yesterday. You could call him if you want. I have his number."
I couldn't help but feel that all those were pre-planned answers.
'He must be one of the people who felt diminished by Mr. Kokuren's speech, thus feeling the need to rebel. But Mr. Kokuren, being a man of tactics…'
"Sir, the email notifications were sent at the same time to all agents who didn't have missions. For agents who did have missions, the email was sent immediately after they sent the proof of completion, which you did. The association had already made sure that no agent had a mission whose deadline was beyond the end of the week. This way, all agents would surely see the email."
'All missions have a deadline by which you must complete. If you are unable to complete it by the deadline, the mission will be assigned to a different person, and you will lose all rewards you would have gained from it. Once you complete a mission, you must send proof of completion before the deadline. In short, the mission is only complete once you send the proof. If this guy sent the proof, that means he saw the email. Only agents who didn't complete their missions by the deadline wouldn't have seen the email. He's trapped.'
They were slowly attracting the attention of other agents.
"But still, as I told you, I couldn't come to get my card. Immediately after the mission, my father and I had to travel somewhere…"
"You should have replied to the email. You have no reason as to why you couldn't have come for the card. All agents who do not have their cards will have to wait at least a month before they can access them. That is, of course, except for agents who hadn't completed their missions and, hence, didn't see the email. Otherwise, you are suspended from being an agent until you get the card. Please vacate the premises before I call security."
'Card syncing required presence at E.A. facilities due to biometric calibration protocols, hence the agent had to be present when the card was being made. But I don't think that was the only reason all this was set as it is. Mr Kokuren must have also wanted to make it clear how things will operate from now on, hence the penalties.'
"What!!" He banged his fist on the table. "You can't do that to me! Don't you know who you're talking to?"
"Let it slide, Jason. You're attracting unnecessary attention." One of his friends told him, holding his shoulder.
"Let go of me! I am not leaving here without my money."
'Is he the money he's after, or his pride just won't let him leave? He's from a very rich family, so why should he insist so much on getting the money? Is he being forced to?'
The main doors opened, and in walked a lady who seemed to be in her thirties. She is accompanied by several guards.
'Vice President, Miss Airi Sakura.' A timely silence took over the room. All activity seemed to halt due to her presence. After a few seconds of observation, she appeared to get a grasp of the situation and decided to end it.
"You must be Jason Elrod," she said, walking towards the reception. All the while, I was standing a distance away, watching.
"I'm told your father is having quite a difficult time raising a child like you."
Agents had already started making themselves busy so as not to get caught up in that mess. Jason didn't react to this rude statement. He remained silent, looking at her.
'I've seen him around, and he's not the type of person to go around shouting at others. Why is he acting so now?'
"Guards, kindly escort Mr. Elrod out. He has no business being here."
Jason complied and left.
"Everyone, get back to work." She said as she left.
"I don't think Jason is in the wrong," I heard an agent whisper to her friend. "I mean, why would such a critical item depend on agents reading an email in time? It makes no sense."
Just then, I received another email from the association.
Ting!
[E.A. is establishing a squad system. All agents have been assigned to different squads, and each squad is expected to meet to introduce the agents to one another and to their squad overseers, who will be in charge of the squads. You will receive details on your squad and teammates shortly.]
'A squad system? And without any prior notice.'
Ting!
[Name: Caspian Flynn.
Squad: Zayin
Role: _
Squadmates: Alicia, Garnet, Lucas, and Flora
Squad Overseer: Melissa.]
'Anti-crime organisations serve the same function, though some may specialise in specific fields. Whether an organisation becomes the best or not depends on efficiency. How much damage is dealt to civilian property, how long do the battles last, how long does it take for agents to be dispatched, and most importantly, the number of civilian casualties incurred.
E.A. has managed to maintain a high rank and esteem among civilians, second only to The Alliance, the oldest and greatest organization ever.
'I wonder what other agents think about all the changes.'
Meanwhile_
"You made me look like a fool in there. I don't see the point of making me do that," Jason said to the person he was speaking to on the phone.
The person replied.
"Yeah, but don't expect me to do such a thing again." Jason hung up. All along I stood near the entrance, observing.