The ARC - London

[itsananomaly]

It had been a very long and busy several days once Cutter and Connor had returned to London. Even though they were no longer involved with the field work, there was still a lot of research to be done both with the ARC and Prospero.

Cutter and Connor had been given an office to work out of while they were back for the summer, since Cutter’s old office now belonged to Danny ,and there were papers and books all over the office. Cutter was still trying to figure out what some of the numbers from the anomaly prediction model before they had left Fandom and the numbers and data was starting to blur together and he rubbed his eyes tiredly.

“I’m starting to think we might need a break,” he remarked with a sheepish smile from where he had taken a spot on the floor, surrounded by a pile of papers and notebooks.

[for Connor and SP! NFB due to distance]

Comments

[itsananomaly]

Cutter did look a little sheepish at that, "yeah we definitely need to fill our stomachs," he agrees, "and Chinese food is definitely in order, I think we need some food and then maybe hang out in the break room for a bit, see if anyone's about. I feel like we haven't seen everyone since the welcome dinner," he added.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Aye. Ya know what they say about all work and no play..." Connor added with a laugh. "I'm sure Danny is around and we can see who else is here today."

Connor looked at his phone and pulled up their favorite Chinese place. "Think we should order double and take everything to the break room? Can eat with whoever stops by!"

[itsananomaly]

Cutter grinned, "that sounds perfect," he smiled, "it will be nice to eat our favourite Chinese and get to hang out with the team who are here," he said, "the break is really needed, I think some of those numbers are starting to blur together," he admitted as he rubbed the back of his neck.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Yeah I been reading the same page of notes from Phillip three times now and none of it is sticking," Connor admitted as he glanced at the pages sitting on the desk. "So break and some downtime, then we can get back to things. The data and paperwork is not going to go anywhere." And a few minutes later the order was placed and he slipped the phone into his pocket. "Shall we head to the breakroom and see who is there?"

[itsananomaly]

Cutter grinned, “exactly, we can’t be accurate with the data unless we’re completely focused,” he said, “and let’s head to the breakroom, it will be good to hang out with the team, or at least who’s there, I haven’t heard there being any type of anomaly activity recently,” he considered.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Sounds like a perfect afternoon" Connor said as he stepped closer and leaned in and gave Cutter a quick kiss before grinning and starting down the hallway towards the ARC breakroom.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter smiled as he returned the kiss and began to follow Connor, he was curious to see who was going to be in the breakroom that afternoon.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

It didnt take long to reach the breakroom since it was just down the hall. Opening the door Connor poked his head in and glanced around. "Anyone in here?" he asked as he stepped in with Cutter still by his side.

[thearcfamily]

Sure enough it was Danny who was in the breakroom, helping himself to a cup of coffee, “well, well, we’ll look who the cat dragged in. Was starting to think I d have to drag you out of that office,” he smiled as he came over, “how’s the research going?”

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor gave a slight sheepish grin as he looked at Cutter then at Danny. "Yeah, we decided when the numbers all started blurring together it was time to take a break. It's good to see you Danny, it feels like it's been forever!"

[thearcfamily]

Cutter returned the sheepish smile, "same here Danny," he said, "we definitely needed the break so we can process the data, how have things been on the anomaly front?" it still felt weird to think that they were no longer part of that side of the ARC but he was still curious about things were going.

"Actually its been a little quiet," Danny admitted with a sigh, "which considering our adventures with the anomalies last summer I'm not complaining too much, but I still don't like this waiting around for something to happen, it gets boring," and a bored Danny was never a good thing, "there's only so many times we can run our security drills before the boss gets sick of them," he paused, "did you hear about the creature that got into his office?"

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Wait what? Something came through the anomaly and got into the ARC? Into the offices?" Connor stared dumbfounded at that and shook his head. "I'm gauging by the state of things it wasn't a Spinosaurus at least?"

[thearcfamily]

Cutter also looked stunned at the idea of an anomaly appearing in the ARC, “no, no it wasn’t like that,” Danny reassured them, “one if the creatures Abby and Nate have been looking after got out, there was a problem with the security system and it made its way to the office, it took quite a liking to Lester’s furniture, Lester wasn’t impressed,” he admitted sheepishly.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor tried not to laugh and hid his mouth behind his hand and a fake cough. "Oh dear.... I can imagine Lester throwing an absolute tantrum about his office. He feels about his office almost as strongly as he does about his kitchen" he added with a small smirk towards Cutter at that.

"Well, I guess it's good things have been semi-quiet here at least for the last few months... I am actually kind of dreading the first face-to-face with Philip to go over everything that has happened" Connor admitted.

[thearcfamily]

"Especially since it took so long to clear his office," Danny added, "we all got the riot act that day about the importance of keeping creatures out of his office, well at least it wasn't the mammoth?" he grinned before his smile faltered, he knew after the last several months of working with Phillip how intense he could be.

"He seems alright," Danny tried to reassure Connor, "he's a bit intense at times but I do know that he absolutely loves having you help work for him, he sings your praises every time we have a joint staff briefing,"

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor felt a small flush spread over his face at the praise and he glanced over at Cutter, wondering if they should bring Danny in on their concerns about Philip and prosper just yet or if they should wait to talk with Lester some more first.

"Well glad to know I've not been totally replaced while we have been away" he said with a small laugh as he rubbed the back of his head. "Prospero has a lot of potential it's true.. will be interesting to see what all comes of it and what happens now that we are back."

[thearcfamily]

Cutter looked back at Connor, he was still a bit unsure himself even though having Danny onboard might help as well if things were to go south with Prospero, when they were back in the office they'd have to discuss it some more about their options.

"You two could never be replaced here," Danny assured them, "I know the team dynamic has changed a lot since The ARC was set up but you'll always have a place here,"

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"It helps knowing that" Connor admitted. "As much as things have changed, some bad some good some really good" he said as he reached out a hand for Cutter's,eyes dropping to the ring on his hand for a second, "it is nice to know that we still have each other. The team is still here, always here, even if the roles shift and change at times."

[itsananomaly]

"Aye," Cutter said with a small smile as he reached out to take Connor's hand and give it a second squeeze, "the team is always going to have an important part in our lives, I'm glad that we can still come back and visit and help out for the summer,"

Danny smiled, "and we're glad that you keep coming to visit us, you may not be on active field work anymore but we'll still keep you in the loop whenever there is something new happening with the anomalies," he promised them.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Good! Not gonna get rid of us!" Connor said with a nod. "So speaking of the team, how has everyone been? Becker and Sara doing ok? Jenny keeping everyone in line as usual?" Connor thought about asking how Nate and Stephen were doing but thought better of it at that moment.

[thearcfamily]

"Everyone's doing as well as they can be," Danny told them, taking a sip of his coffee and putting it down, "Sarah still has bad days so she's not always in and Becker stays home with her during those days and works from home," he said, "Jenny has been a lifesaver, even though she's not out in the field anymore, she's one of the most organised people I know," he said with a fond smile, "I don't think I've ever seen anyone handle the day to day admin side of things like she does," he shook his head, "and Abby helps out with research and the creatures that we have on site and you know our Connor has been helping out with Prospero as well, I swear he must live in his lab, I barely see him leave it,"

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Glad to hear everyone is doing pretty good. Nice change from how things had been going. Think we all deserve a bit of a break for sure!"

No Connor.... don't jinks it....

"Though that is a little concerning about Connor..." he said softly. "Maybe I can have talk with him, see how is doing. Maybe take a little of that load off his shoulders."

[thearcfamily]

"Honestly the quiet time is nice," Danny agreed, "It would be nice if it lasted,"

You just had to say that didn't you Danny? and then he considered Connor's last sentence, "you know that might not be bad idea, I'm a bit worried about him if I'm being perfectly honest, it's like he won't stop until he's found the answers. I'm worried he's working himself too hard and I know Abby's concerned as well," he admitted.

"We can always stop by the lab and see Connor before we go back to our research?" Cutter offered, "spend a bit of time with him in the lab?" he was trying to not think about the fact that one of the last times he was in the lab had involved nearly freezing to death with a deadly fungi.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"I think we should pop by. Would do all of us some good" Connor agreed after a moment's thought. "If nothing else, we can tell him about the things that have been going on In Fandom and everything. You know he always likes hearing about the oddities that we have going on there" he added with a chuckle.


"Somone mention oddities?" a voice from the doorway said. A moment later Becker walked in with a grin and headed right for Connor and Cutter and gave them both a big hug. " Well aren't you two a sight to behold! Thought you would never come back for a visit!"

[itsananomaly]

"Becker!" Cutter said happily as he returned the hug, "it's so good to see you, we thought we definitely needed a break from the research to come and see hat was happening. How have you been?" he asked, it felt like it had definitely been a while since they had last spoke, "how's Sarah?" he added, remembering that Danny had said that Sarah was still having bad days.