The ARC - Monday after classes

[itsananomaly]

After finishing class that morning, Cutter and Connor made the trip to back to the ARC to do some more research on the anomaly prediction model and to help out with the team, especially since the press was no longer interested in them and they were able to freely move around. At the moment they were in the break room, they had already been working on the model for a few hours and Cutter decided they should really have a break, as tempting as it was to keep working since they were making really good progress with the research thanks to Sarah’s help. “I can’t believe just how much work we’ve completed on the anomaly prediction model,” Cutter remarked as he looked up from the magazine he was reading, it was one of the ones that Becker had brought him in the early days of their lockdown when they had been in the break room and they hadn’t been in the most … receptive of moods. [preplayed with the amazing anomaly_research_nerd. Adapted from Series 3 episode 5 'Future Epidemic'. NFB for distance but OOC welcome!]

Connor(thearcfamily)	They had made a good bit of progress since then, with the prediction model and in other ways as well. Connor was feeling good about this, confident for one of the first times in a while since everything with Christine had started up. "We know the concept works. We've predicted an anomaly already, we can keep fine tuning and getting better with the predictions! We've made such great progress."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter smiled warmly at that, "aye and it's nice to not have to deal with the press intrusion now," there was still the matter of the hearing that they would have to attend to try and get their suspension lifted but Lester had promised them that he was doing everything he could to help them so that hopefully they wouldn't have to attend the hearing at all. "And at least we didn't get arrested with everything with Danny," Cutter added, "that also helps," Well he had tried to get Becker to arrest Danny but unfortunately that hadn't stuck much to his dismay.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"That is true and we nearly got Danny locked away and out of our hair" Connor said with a shrug. Maybe they would finally get it to stick if he tried to show up and spoke around any at all again. "And I am so glad to be done with the press nonsense. That got really old really really fast!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Its a shame that didn't stick, that would have been perfect," Cutter sighed, "and yes I'm glad we no longer have to deal with the press, I can't believe some of those stories they were pushing right at the end there, Christine was really desperate," he shook his head.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I know for real," Connor said shaking his head. "Some of those were making my conspiracy theory articles look believable" he added with a laugh. He looked around at the prediction model and all the work they had been able to do. Things were finally starting to look up and things were getting back to normal. So normal in fact, there was a security alarm going off... as if on queue.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter blinked as the sound pierced his ears, he winced, "oh what's going on now?" he sighed and then a thought struck him, "you don't think it's Helen do you" He would put it past her that she would be able to get her way into the ARC.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I... I doubt it" Connor said wishing he was more confident in that. Allt he same he grabbed the ADD handheld and with a nod headed out into the hallway. It wasn't long before they ran into Becker and his men along with Jenny who were heading towards the corridor where the alarm appeared to have been triggered from. "Any idea what's going on Becker?" Connor asked, not wanting to vocalize the two names he was most afraid of hearing just then- Helen or Christine.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Security alarm, there's been a breach here, sector seven in the northeast side" Becker said, glancing at Cutter and Connor and giving a quick nod for them to stay behind him and his men as they made their way down the hallway. "Don't have an ID just yet" he said before turning to his men. "Don't let your guard down!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter stayed behind Becker and as close to Connor as he could, he found himself reaching over to take Connor's hand as he nervously braced himself to see who was the cause of the security alarm. "If it's Helen shoot on site," Jenny Instructed, she wasn't going to take any chances that they could be dealing with Helen.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker nodded as he took the lead, flanked on either side by his men as they reached the end of the hallway and stood facing the one door at the end of their route. With a silent nod, he stepped forward and reached out for the door handle. With a quick glance back at Cutter and Connor to make sure they were ok in case it was Helen or some other serious thread Becker grabbed the handle and pulled the door open, leveling his gun as the intrude was revealed.... "Whoa whoa whoa easy there!" Danny stood in the doorway, hands raised as he looked at Becker and Jenny. "You!" Connor explained in surprise. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter glared angrily at Danny, "actually you can still shoot on site, shoot him," he growled at Becker, he knew everything had been going to well ... of course Danny now had to find the ARC, this was the last thing they needed.
Danny(thearcfamily)	Danny still stood with his hands raised though there was a smirk on his face as he looked at Becker. "You really need to do something about your security mate," he said with a smug look. "and is that any way to treat an old chum now?" he asked with a glance over at Cutter and Connor. "Figured you boys would have missed me!" "We've missed you like we would miss a bad head cold," Connor said glaring at Danny. He really really wished Becker could justify shooting him right then.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"How the hell did you even find this place?" Cutter glared, choosing to ignore the comment about missing Danny, "I know for a fact that despite the press's best interests they weren't able to find out where we worked,"
Danny(thearcfamily)	"See that's one key difference between a copper and the press. We know how to track someone a lot better" Danny said as he looked at Cutter and then over to Becker who was still glaring at him with the gun somewhat threateningly aimed at him. "And you lot seem to forget bikes are a thing as well" he said winking at Becker taking delight in reminding him of the times that speedy bike of his had gotten him away before Becker could ever really make good on any of his threats.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter tensed considerably at that, "you followed us?" yeah he was not liking that implication at all, considering everything that they had endured these last several weeks with the press.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Alright that does it" Becker said lowering his weapon but grabbing Danny by the arm to start marching him off toward Lester's office. "You got some serious explaining to do Mister Detective Constable Quinn!" "That's actually former DC Quinn" Danny corrected as Becker started half marching half dragging down the hall. "All the more reason to let Lester have at you" Becker said as they went.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester had been following the security update and he frowned when Becker dragged Danny into his office, he looked at Danny and then at Becker and Cutter and Connor and Jenny. "How on earth did you get in?" he folded his arms, trying to sound annoyed but for a brief second he looked rather impressed.
Danny(thearcfamily)	"Jumped the perimeter fence and kicked in a fire door. It was actually quite easy considering how high-tech this place looks on the outside" Danny said with a certain degree of smugness. "I could offer a few pointers to help you beef up security and all if you're interested," he said looking at Becker and Jenny.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Jenny rolled her eyes at that and Lester folded his arms, sitting back down at his desk as he considered everyone in the room, "what are you doing here?" he asked pointedly.
Danny(thearcfamily)	Danny looked over at Lester with as serious a face as he could muster. "It's my ambition to fight dinosaurs, uncover anomalies, save the world.... all that jazz." Danny looked at Lester then over to Jenny and Becker and sighed. "Look, I just want to help, that's all. You know I'm good at what I do. Let me help." "I warned you to stay away from this!" Jenny said somewhat exasperated. "Honestly... I thought you were flirting. It really is hard to read women today isn't it?" Danny quipped in reply.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester rolled his eyes at that and looked over at Becker, "can you pistol whip him?" he already knew what the answer was but Danny was already starting to get on his last nerves.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker raised an eyebrow at that because while he would take oh so much pleasure in doing that right about now after everything Danny had put them through, he also was fair sure Lester was joking... at least, he was pretty sure he was joking. Becker just stood there, arms folded as he glared down at Danny as he sat at the table. Now and then Becker would glance over at Cutter and Connor to make sure they were ok. "Mr. Quinn..." Lester started with a heavy sigh that Becker recognized all too well. "Ah, actually it's Danny. You can just call me Danny Guv'" he said with a small nod.
Lester(thearcfamily)	"Mr. Quinn," Lester raised an eyebrow at him as he stood up from his desk and began to pace the room, "the fate of the nation, possibly the world, hangs on what we do here. It's not a place for chances and wide boys," Cutter was glaring at Danny the entire time, "he shouldn't be here at all," he snapped angrily, his temper starting to rise "why are we even having this conversation?"
Danny(thearcfamily)	"He should be the one locked up right now" Connor said, agreeing with Cutter's general thought concerning Danny. He looked over at Cutter and gave his hand a squeeze. "Look, you guys obviously need the help! I have the skills you need to do this work" Danny said. He looked from Lester to Becker and then gave a knowing look to Cutter and Connor. "Don't forget, I've seen the anomalies before. I've had kids go missing in my jurisdiction that are probably connected to these things. You can't just expect me to forget that and pretend like it never happened. I can't turn a blind eye, not after all these years."
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester sighed, he really didn't have the patience to deal with this on top of everything with Christine who had really ramped up her presence around the ARC. "Look I can't make a decision on this right now," he finally said, "Captain, will you find our guest somewhere more suitable until I make a decision?" "What?" Cutter trembled, if he wasn't clinging to Connor's hand, he probably would have made a beeline for Danny right then, "you can't be serious?" he looked from Lester to Becker, "it's obvious what you should do with him, throw him back out," "And then what Professor? Mr. Quinn knows about the ARC ... the last thing I need right now is someone potentially going to the press and telling them exactly what we do, I'm not going through all of that again, he stays here til I decide something," Cutter had had enough and after carefully prying himself from Connor's hand, stormed out of Lester's office angrily, not looking back behind him.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor winced slightly as he felt Cutter's grip on his hand tighten. He stared at Lester in disbelief. He knew he was right fo course Danny was more of a liability outside the ARC than inside right then, but he still isn't like the idea of being around him at all. Connor gave a slight jump of surprise as Cutter let go of his hand and stormed off. Connor knew that mood, he knew Angry Scotsman Cutter was in full activation mode. "I... I'll go with Nick" he said simply as he glanced around the room, avoiding eye contact with Danny and hurried after Cutter as he stormed off down the hallway away from Lester's office.