Colin MacGregor

"That covers most of the 'working' facilities. Down this hallway is the lounge, where agents tend to congregate when they're onsite, but between appointments. Did you have any questions?" Kate stopped and turned to look at her new trainee.

Colin glanced ruefully at the rather thick orientation folder he was carrying. "I thin' I'd be better off reading through this firs'. Ye've shown me a lot tha's impressive, bu' i's all a bi' much."

Kate smiled. "Yes, because of the nature of our work, we have to bring people up to speed on something with which most have had no experience. You've actually got a headstart on the living agents who are also entering the training, as you have fewer barriers of belief or understanding.

"You've already grasped a number of the basics we have to teach new projectors, as well. You've physically materialized, able to affect objects, obviously", here she gestured at the folder he was carrying, "though you will want to practice and learn how long you can stay solid without tiring yourself."

Colin nodded. "And as long as I've go' the knowledge, I may as well pu' i' tae good use, eh?"

"Something like that. If you'd like to check out the lounge, feel free, or you can head back to your office and get started on the background intel. Also, if you're interested in going out, I understand a number of our ghost agents are headed out to some club or another for a weekly social."

Colin blinked. "Going ou' tae a club? I had nae e'en considered tha'. Much less ge'ing taegether in a social group."

Nodding, Kate continued. "I told you Orpheus had a lot to offer. I should warn you, though, that unauthorized posessions or materializations are looked down upon. We have a very delicate corporate image to maintain."

"Aye, I can belie'e tha'," he replied with a chuckle. "I may ha'e tae look them up, then."

"They usually gather out front about 10. Now, if you'll excuse me, I regrettably have some paperwork to get caught up on."

With a slight nod, Kate turned back towards the elevators and left Colin looking about the hallway.

Well, I suppose I should do my homework. May as well get started in the lounge, though. Should be more interesting than si'ing alone in me office.

With that thought, Colin walked down to the Lounge door and looked in. A brown-haired woman in a charcoal pantsuit was the sole occupant at the moment. Apparently hearing his approach she looked over her shoulder at him and broke into a smile.

She couldn't be more than 19, and had slightly Asian features. When she spoke, her voice was soft and delicate. "Oh, hello. My name is Michelle. Are you new to Orpheus as well?"

Colin paused in the doorway for a moment before breaking into a smile himself. "Aye, lass, I am. Colin MacGregor's me name." He shifted the folder to his left hand and extended the right.

Michelle turned around fully on the couch to shake it, then waved him to join her. "I was just watching the end of the news, but you can change it if you want."

Colin shrugged. "Can leave i' there, I mostly jus' came in tae find a place tae read for awhile."

She nodded seriously. "It takes some time to get through all the information they give us, but it is fascinating. I never really believed that an afterlife could exist until my first time projecting and I encountered a real spirit for the first time. I mean, I knew the theology side of it, but to actually go out and see it myself was something else entirely.

"Have you been under yet? I mean, do you know if you can skim, or if you'll need to use the cradles?" Michelle continued almost without taking a breath.

Trying to keep up with her rapid questions, Colin just shrugged. "Och, well, nay, I dinnae think I'll be after needin' the cryogenics..."

"Oh, that's good. I know there are advantages - you can stay projected much longer, for instance - but I would hate to be stuck like that, being kept barely alive just by chemicals."

"Luckily," Michelle continued, "I knew yoga before I'd ever even heard of Orpheus so the initial training was fairly easily for me. I didn't even need to take the suppressants."

"Well, tha' is impressive. Ye ha'e been in tha trainin' for some time, then?" Colin grinned slightly, glad he'd managed to get out a question of his own.

"Oh, yes." The young lady nodded enthusiasticly, her shoulder length ponytail bobbing madly. "Over three months, though it took me less time than most to get this far since I was a natural at the skimming. Do you know how to meditate already?"

"Well, I spent a lot o' time kneeling in contemplation in Mass, so I imagine tha' would help, but..."

Interesting. When materilaized I can smell her perfume. Lilacs, I think. He quickly gave himself a mental shake. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, lad, wha' in God's green land are ye thinking?

Colin was spared any further self-analysis by Michelle's rapid resumption of her Orpheus experiences. "That could help, you're right. There was another man in my training group that used his religious background to help him focus. Of course, he was Hindi, so it may not be exactly the same, but I'm sure you'll get it. You look like the type who'll understand it pretty easily."

"Oh! Look at the time! Colin, I'm sorry to dash like this but I have an investigative forensics course I need to get down to GSU for. See you around!"

With that, and before Colin could get out more than "Er, see ye, lass...", Michelle vaulted over the couch and bounded out the door. He stared at the doorway for a few moments before shaking his head and turning his attention back to the folder.

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Last Updated: January 2, 2004 by Blake Sorensen

January 19, 2003