corner and it broke in two. He gripped the sides of the podium. “We also got more info on their DNA structures. As you know, they can tap into any DNA source—hair, skin, blood, bones, saliva, even sperm—to build the basic structure. A good Shifter can completely convert in two days. After that, they are pretty much stuck with the structure, although with some experimentation, they may be able to play with eye color, skin color, yadda, yadda.”
Someone yelled out, “Does that mean they can change their dick size?” The room erupted in laughter.
MacGregor pointed to him. “Leave it to the small-dicked man in the back to ask that one.” The laughter got louder.
Max crossed his arms, not laughing. He wondered what humans would think if Shifters had meetings about them. We’ve ascertained that the vast majority of humans are arrogant, greedy, and completely intolerant.
“The research boys have recalibrated all your disrupters with new patterns,” MacGregor continued. “They should work like a charm for a few weeks. After that, we’re back to square one.”
The agents clapped in response, and MacGregor raised his hand. “You’re going to like this one even better. I have it on the best authority a state job can buy that you’ll be getting your hot little hands on a new weapon. As you know, Shifters are sensitive to UVC light. Screws with their ability to shift and turns them inside-out, which means they can’t shift in sunlight. So some pointy-headed lab coat finally figured out that we can exploit that. We’re going to be the test agency for a new UVC grenade.”
A roar of approval went up as Max’s gut tightened.
“Well, don’t get too excited,” MacGregor said. “Effects will only last about fifteen seconds. The good news is that unlike our disrupter weapons, it affects every Shifter at once in an unobstructed area. It should incapacitate them long enough for you to tranquilize or take them out, whichever comes first.”
A knowing chuckle went around the room.
Max let out a long breath. Nice.
“Can’t wait to try that out,” Seneca said.
He turned to find her smiling. “Remember, it only works a few seconds. And then you might be in big trouble.”
She laughed.
MacGregor held up his hand. “Don’t forget that Riley’s funeral is tomorrow. The policy is that we aren’t supposed to attend our fallen agents’ funerals—”
Boos filled the room, and he waved them off. “I know it sucks. So all I’m saying is that he’ll be buried tomorrow at noon in Woodland Cemetery.”
Max realized that no one had mentioned it to him, not even Seneca. Her jaw was set and she blinked furiously as she listened to MacGregor. The shock of her vulnerability wiped away his annoyance at being shunned.
Then MacGregor pointed to Max and announced, “You may have noticed the new guy. Max Dempsey. Introduce yourselves to him and try not to act like idiots doing it.”
Seneca eyed him, and any vulnerability vanished. It was intriguing while it lasted. MacGregor updated them on the rest of the announcements and information. The meeting was adjourned, and Dempsey led the way out and back to their office.
Seneca followed and closed the door behind them. Dempsey ignored her as she leaned back against the door and crossed her arms. “Ready to quit yet?”
He checked the mail on his desk in all seriousness. “I’ve heard worse.”
Seneca didn’t doubt that. So what would it take to make him quit? Dempsey knew he wasn’t wanted or welcomed here. In fact, if anyone found out, he’d be run out of the agency or worse. What would make a Shifter risk that? He was hiding something.
He looked up at her, his expression humorless. “MacGregor didn’t mention Skinman.”
“Probably waiting for some confirmation aside from our informant.”
Dempsey nodded and went silent. What is going through his head right now? she wondered. Skinman? Dillinger? Quitting? That would make her entire year.
He dropped the
Someone yelled out, “Does that mean they can change their dick size?” The room erupted in laughter.
MacGregor pointed to him. “Leave it to the small-dicked man in the back to ask that one.” The laughter got louder.
Max crossed his arms, not laughing. He wondered what humans would think if Shifters had meetings about them. We’ve ascertained that the vast majority of humans are arrogant, greedy, and completely intolerant.
“The research boys have recalibrated all your disrupters with new patterns,” MacGregor continued. “They should work like a charm for a few weeks. After that, we’re back to square one.”
The agents clapped in response, and MacGregor raised his hand. “You’re going to like this one even better. I have it on the best authority a state job can buy that you’ll be getting your hot little hands on a new weapon. As you know, Shifters are sensitive to UVC light. Screws with their ability to shift and turns them inside-out, which means they can’t shift in sunlight. So some pointy-headed lab coat finally figured out that we can exploit that. We’re going to be the test agency for a new UVC grenade.”
A roar of approval went up as Max’s gut tightened.
“Well, don’t get too excited,” MacGregor said. “Effects will only last about fifteen seconds. The good news is that unlike our disrupter weapons, it affects every Shifter at once in an unobstructed area. It should incapacitate them long enough for you to tranquilize or take them out, whichever comes first.”
A knowing chuckle went around the room.
Max let out a long breath. Nice.
“Can’t wait to try that out,” Seneca said.
He turned to find her smiling. “Remember, it only works a few seconds. And then you might be in big trouble.”
She laughed.
MacGregor held up his hand. “Don’t forget that Riley’s funeral is tomorrow. The policy is that we aren’t supposed to attend our fallen agents’ funerals—”
Boos filled the room, and he waved them off. “I know it sucks. So all I’m saying is that he’ll be buried tomorrow at noon in Woodland Cemetery.”
Max realized that no one had mentioned it to him, not even Seneca. Her jaw was set and she blinked furiously as she listened to MacGregor. The shock of her vulnerability wiped away his annoyance at being shunned.
Then MacGregor pointed to Max and announced, “You may have noticed the new guy. Max Dempsey. Introduce yourselves to him and try not to act like idiots doing it.”
Seneca eyed him, and any vulnerability vanished. It was intriguing while it lasted. MacGregor updated them on the rest of the announcements and information. The meeting was adjourned, and Dempsey led the way out and back to their office.
Seneca followed and closed the door behind them. Dempsey ignored her as she leaned back against the door and crossed her arms. “Ready to quit yet?”
He checked the mail on his desk in all seriousness. “I’ve heard worse.”
Seneca didn’t doubt that. So what would it take to make him quit? Dempsey knew he wasn’t wanted or welcomed here. In fact, if anyone found out, he’d be run out of the agency or worse. What would make a Shifter risk that? He was hiding something.
He looked up at her, his expression humorless. “MacGregor didn’t mention Skinman.”
“Probably waiting for some confirmation aside from our informant.”
Dempsey nodded and went silent. What is going through his head right now? she wondered. Skinman? Dillinger? Quitting? That would make her entire year.
He dropped the
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