Colin MacGregor

Colin dropped through the ceiling and straight into one of the chairs of conference room 9 shortly after nine o'clock.

The room itself was much like any of the others, with a mahogany conference table, 12 comfortable chairs, speakerphone and projection screen. Currently displayed was a woodland scene of mid-afternoon, a small brook slightly off-center.

Dark wood panels lined the walls, their brown tones interrupted on one wall by an abstract painting of yellows and greens.

Liz Vance was already seated on the other side of the table, and she smiled back at him as he nodded greetings.

The only other person in the room was an older man, Colin guessed him to be mid-sixties, wearing a light grey suit and standing next to one of the computers at the head of the room.

Colin winced slightly. Great, a Brit. And a bluidy difficult name tae pronounce tae boo'. "Mak's, then." The young ghost made another face. "Or somethin' like tha'."

"A' leas' I'm nay the las' one here. Maybe Kate'll ge' off me back abou' bein' on time, then."

Ryan strolled in just then, and took a place near the back. "Being on time once doesn't get you on her good side, my friend. Morning, Mr. Max, Liz."

"I'll settle for bein' on Kate's slightly less bad side", Colin said with a grin, and Liz smiled.

"Hey", Ryan interjected, "did you know that Silas is Latin for "Man of the Forest" and Maximilian is Latin for Great?"

"Yuir in a strange mood this mornin'. Besides, I though' Silas was Latin for 'pug-nosed'." Colin grinned at Max. "No offense."

Max shrugged and grinned. "While I have been camping from time to time I am hardly the 'Pug-nosed Great Man of the Forest.' I saw the missing persons report you dug up, Ryan, but I only had a chance to skim it. Was there anything there that particularly caught your eye?"

"No", Ryan frowned and scrunched up his eyebrows. "There wasn't much detail to go on. I think our best bet is to do some legwork, check out the witnesses before we go in to the center."

"I agree", Colin spoke up. "I especially wan' tae talk tae tha' photographer. I'm worried abou' the time though. Are the two sleepers stabilized?"

Max nodded as CJ Inzmann entered the room, carrying a large starbucks cup. Nodding greetings to everyone, she slid into one of the black chairs next to Liz. "Morning, sunshine", she said with a smirk.

Ryan leaned over and whispered to Colin, "Glad I never liked coffee, as I don't miss it now." Straightening back up, he grinned at CJ. "Thought I heard your awesome bike pull up."

"Thanks, Ryan. Let me if you ever want to try and ride sometime." CJ's grin faded to a worried expression. "Can you ride?"

Max ahemed slightly to draw them back on topic, then continued. "The sleepers, Motts and Hansen are stable, so we have a bit of time to investigate."

Colin nodded and Ryan let out a sigh of relief. "Good, I didn't want to go down to Life Services and check. The science boys always get overexcited when one of us PLEs comes in." He turned to Colin and grimaced. "Especially that one woman, Dr. Friedman?"

With a shudder, Colin nodded agreement. "Aye, she keeps chasin' after me tryin' tae 'scoop' part o' me intae a sample jar. Oh, and morning lass." The last was directed to CJ with a twinkling grin.

Max smiled slightly, then thumbed through the stack of papers in front of him. "Savoy, the photographer, has thus far, been unresponsive to both conventional and metaphysical efforts, but I'm sure the boys in LS would love for us to help them out. They love it when Agents poke around down in their labs." He smirked, then turned to the two women seated together.

"Will you two be going in with your meat? Personally, I think it wise to have a couple of skins around, especially if we want to do any interviews before we go in."

Colin nodded studiously. "I think i' would be bes' for them tae go in solid. CJ can projec' from the field if necessary, and Liz can keep an eye on her body.

"As far as marchin' order goes, I think either I or Ryan should take poin'. With any luck, whate'er i' is tha's affecting projectors won' be as successful agains' actual ghosts." He got a puzzled frown for a moment, then added, "Erm, in the dead sense o' the term.

"Though, before we star' planning tha' too much, we should prob'ly each go o'er our skills."

Ryan shrugged, then strutted to the front of the room. "My name is Ryan McNaughton, and I am a banshee and a hue. I have worked with OG since January, mostly on solo Pigment cases. As a Banshee, as you may know, I am called in to change the emotions of others and to see the past and future. I am from Atlanta so I know the streets, and have some contacts with the seedier sides of the city, especially when it comes to Pigment.

"For those that don't know about hues, that means I took Pigment in life. I am not proud of that fact, but the Lord has seen fit to not give me eternal rest just yet so I try to fight the Pigment on the streets and make sure that others don't end up a lessened spirit like me."

And the Academy Award goes tae... Colin rolled his eyes at Ryan's melodramatic presentation, but said nothing.

Liz stood up as Ryan made his way back to the far end of the table. "I guess I'll go next.

"I'm Agent Elizabeth Vance. You can call me Liz if you'd like. I'm classified as a Sleeper and Project as a Haunter.

"This is my first assignment with the Orpheus Group since being hired a few months ago. Prior to this, I was an Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in their Forensic Research and Investigation Department, and much of my work concerned the Pigment phenomenon."

"I have a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Physics, and my Master's Degrees are in Forensic Science and Parapsychology. I spent three years as a Research Scientist with the Indiana University Department of Parapsychology and then spent two years as a Research Partner with the Parapsychology Research Firm, Verona & Park. Ours was the team who did the most recent research on the haunting phenomena at The Alamo in San Antonio Texas, and the Winchester House in California.

"I feel that my background as a research scientist in the field of parapsychology will be my greatest asset to this crucible. I have extensive contacts in the field, and because I've published in the International Journal of Parapsychology, I command a certain degree of respect amongst scientific parapsychologists.

"Likewise, my FBI field training will hopefully be an asset if we encounter hostility or resistance."

Liz paused in thought for a moment, and Ryan leaned over to whisper to Colin again. "I don't think I know some of the big words she's tossing out there." Colin suppressed a laugh, but managed to keep his attention focused.

"Admittedly," Liz continued, "projecting is a new skill that I am acquiring, but I assure you that I am working hard to hone my skills in that area as well."

"I guess that's about it. Things you should know about me: I believe in professionalism and integrity in our work. That means I play above boards and by the book unless it is absolutely necessary to do the contrary. I don't really deal in "feelings" or "speculation"; I deal in hard evidence and facts. Sorry, that's just the way I'm wired. I tend to naturally take charge of situations, so if that bothers you or I'm being a bitch, just tell me.

Ryan applauded. "Girl, there's nothing wrong with being a bitch. Reclaim the word. Rock on sister."

Colin grinned and looked at the others. "You'll ha'e tae excuse Ryan. He deals in enough feelin's and emotions tae make up for three o' Liz."

"As for me, me name is Colin MacGregor, and I'm a Skinrider. Ye all know tha' I'm lackin' in the body departmen', and ha'e been for just over a year.

"I've been an agen' wi' Orpheus for mos' o' tha' time, though workin' mostly on solo and the occasional two person assignments. This is my firs' crucible, as well.

"A lot o' the science folks have told me I'm well versed in useful lores an' legends, and keep askin' if I've ever heard abou' this, tha' or t'other. I dinnae know abou' all tha', but I grew up listenin' to me gran spin tales, so maybe some o' i' stuck."

"Liz says she's by the book and used tae dealin' in facts. Me, I go where the feelin' takes me, whether i' be based on a legend I heard once or an instinct I feel needs heedin'. Probably why the head shrinkers put us taegether, tae balance things ou'."

The dark-haired woman sighed, and took a sip of coffee before standing up. "I've just recently left the employ of APD, I'm a damn good shot, and I skim as a poltergeist. That should sum it up nicely."

Colin grinned at her as she sat back down and took another sip just as the door opened again and a tall man with a goatee and wearing a leather jacket rushed in. "Sorry to be late, folks, traffic on the perimeter was God-awful. What'd I miss?"

Colin cocked an eyebrow at him while the two women looked to Max. Ryan turned to face the newcomer. "Not to be rude, but who are you?"

"Oh," the brown-haired man looked sheepish. "Sean Kilmer, new hire, also assigned to the crucible. And you?"

"Well," Max began in a slightly annoyed tone, "we were just completing introductions." The project leader pointed at each Agent in turn. "Colin, Ryan, Liz, CJ. And I'm Max, the Lead Agent for the crucible."

"Scooter!" A high pitched voice interrupted him as a boy, younger than Colin even, passed through the door and took a seat. "Sorry." The kid looked as though he'd been fourteen when he died, with tousled dirty blond hair.

"Well, now that we're all here," Max sounded more annoyed than ever, "perhaps the two of you can tell us what skills you have to offer and we can, finally, formulate a plan."

Scooter just shrugged. "Nuthin to share...Nuthin much to tell, I'm dead, I'm here and you can probably tell that I'm pretty fresh off the turnip truck."

Liz and CJ exchanged a look while Ryan and Colin did the same. Sean just coughed.

"Er, well, I'm a skimmer and a wisp," he offered and shook the hands of the other living agents as he took a seat next to Liz.

"Righ'", Colin started, "so Sean, Liz, and CJ go in with meat. Max, yuir projectin', presumably?"

The older man nodded. "Indeed. Since my accident, my body has pretty much stayed in cryo, as my legs are useless."

Liz raised her hand, looking uncomfortable. "Look, do we have to call it 'meat'?"

Sean grinned and started jotting something down in his notebook. "I agree, I'm not sure I can get used to that." He showed the note to Liz - Could always call them snotballs - and she snorted in laughter.

Colin looked at them and put on his best kicked puppy expression. Wistfully, he said "Jus' think o' i' as jealously, lass, for somthin' we can nay e'er experience again." He sniffed piteously.

Liz sorted at him. "I detect some sarcasm in there young man. Honestly, People Services suggests the term corporeal or incorporeal. Can't we just use that?"

"I hate to say it, but I'm in agreement." CJ looked a bit angry with herself at having to admit it, but continued on. "In stakeouts, we called the target, 'meat', and I'm not wild about being referred to as a 'target'."

"Well, we can always just call you three the jiggly bits," Ryan offered with a smile.

CJ shot the banshee a caustic look. "And what would you know about jiggly bits?"

Sticking his tongue out at the cop briefly, Ryan continued. "Anyway...the quick ones will be CJ, Liz, and Sean."

Colin nodded. "Aye, Liz will nay be able tae go spook, bu' she can watch the others' mea..." He clasped a dramatic hand over his mouth and then grinned at Liz, who snorted again. "The others' bodies i' they ha'e tae skim."

"As opposed tae 'and the dead', lass," Colin explained while gesturing at himself, Ryan, and Scooter.

The ex-cop nodded in understanding. "I can live with that." She scowled. "No pun intended."

"Well, that sorts that out anyway. Now the question is what we do first. Straight to the Center, or more information gathering?" Max raised an eyebrow and looked around the table.

"I thin' we should see i' we can ge' anythin' else ou' o' the photographer, Savoy." Colin folded his arms. "Any more info woul' be helpful on exactly wha' he saw in there."

"Or we wisps can try and 'lead' him to the answers he may not know himself," Sean offered.

"Do we then visit the others? Martin Tanner, the former owner? White's father still lives in town, as well." Max drummed his fingers on the table.

CJ chimed in, "We should talk to White. My instinct says the entity may be Regina White's spirit."

Making a face, Ryan answered her. "I thought that too, as I can't come up with other likely candidates, but if she died in '97, then the current theory says she should have dispersed by now. That whole three year shelf life thing."

"What three year shelf life thing?" Liz looked puzzled. "I admit I'm not as up on the research as I could be, but I don't recall hearing about this."

"Orpheus has found nay evidence o' spirits lastin' longer than three years, lass. The effor' o' stayin' tied tae the material, as ye call i', becomes too much. I' we nay release our tethers in tha' time..." Colin shrugged uncomfortably and a *poof* motion with his hands. "Oblivion."

Liz looked thoughtfully down at her notebook while CJ shrugged. "Still, we should talk to the Whites. If Regina is the spirit we're dealing with, we should have as much information as possible."

Sean raised a hand. "Given what this nasty did to the last team, do we have any kind of gauze shredding bullets or something that we can get?"

Max nodded. "That's a good point, you should each have a copy of the requisition forms, which we should turn in ASAP if we want to have any chance of actually getting the gear signed out today."

"I'm afraid those of us going in as spooks won't be able to carry a weapon, so if it comes to shooting at something, it will be up to those of you who can. That said, I like Colin's idea of the ghosts leading the way." Max glanced at the young man. "You okay with that?"

Colin nodded. "Aye, we know whate'er is in there is bad news for projectors. I think havin' some ghosts along this time gives us an advantage."

"Well," Liz began, "when you send in a team, you work as a team, however, there is a...choreography that occurs. Someone is always on point - they go first. Someone is always in charge of covering the rear. Everyone in the middle has a particular job or function they are serving as the team moves through an area. Likewise, the team has contingency plans for what to do in the event of an encounter, friendly or otherwise."

Sean winced. "I'm not technically cleared for firearms, yet, so no, I can't really cover. I can run the recording gear, though."

"Well, i' seems tae me like the trained investigators shoul' be in the middle while the res' o' us keep an eye ou'." Colin shrugged.

The door opened again, and they all looked to see who it was. "I though' we had ev'ryone?" Colin looked back at Max curiously.

"We do...ah, Kendra. Everyone, this is Kendra Robinson, our requisitions contact with Life Services. I take it you have our equipment listings?"

The young African-American woman nodded and smiled. "I do. Firearms issued to the two of you who are certified, with two clips, one each of regular and gauze shredding bullets." She looked down and consulted her notes. "Emergency medical kit, infrared goggles, EMF scanner, Video Camera with low-light filter, digital camera, temperature gauge, and a portable motion detector.

"I have the specific details of the equipment here," she said as she began passing out memos. "Just let me know if you need any special requests."

"Thank you, Kendra." Max smiled at her, and CJ grinned. "An extra pistol, for me. And spare clips."

Kendra pursed her lips and nodded. "I'll see what I can do, but that shouldn't be a problem. Anything else, while I'm here?"

Seeing them all shake their heads, she nodded. "Allright, it will all be loaded into one of the vans and be waiting on you when you need it." With a half-bow, Kendra left again, leaving the crucible to finalize their plans.

"We go together to visit Mr. Savoy. By combining our efforts and skills, and maybe yoking a few horrors together, perhaps we can get a little further that those chaps who tried to reach him when he was first brought in.

"Then we load up and head for the White's. Liz and CJ can pose as agents reviewing the case, or reporters, or whatever tickles your collective fancies, with as many spooks in tow as you think you are going to need. I suggest Sean and I keep ourselves around the block monitoring everyone from the van electronically. If things get hairy or you need assistance I can pop over, literally, and Sean can make the transport ready for a quick run should we need it."

With a nod, Max continued. "We rinse and repeat with Tanner, then tweak the plan as needed based on any new info and make our way to the Center where we take up formation and find out what in bloody hell happened to Crucible 914.

"Sounds good to me." CJ tapped her fingernail against her laptop. "One of my friends at APD sent me an email just now. Sounds like a couple of kids reported seeing 'a ghost or something' in the woods near the Center about a year ago. The story was dismissed as overactive imagination, but it's something to keep in mind."

Max rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Indeed it is, thank you. Everyone else good with the plan?"

Everyone nodded and Max said, "Good. Let's start with Savoy, then. By the time we're done talking with him, Kendra should have the van loaded and ready to go."

DON'T LOOK BACK

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Last Updated: January 2, 2004 by Blake Sorensen

Mission #0766 - Pre Mission Planning

October 27, 2003