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

[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.

[thearcfamily]

"Becker!" Connor echoed as he also gave a tight hug and a pat to his friend's back. "It's been too long since we talked- other than a face time call" he added with a chuckle.

"Ha! Yes, nothing beats a good face to face, I agree," Becker said with a smile that still stayed but went a little softer when Cutter mentioned Sarah. "She is doing ok, she's home resting. Had a couple busy days of therapy, but she has made such good progress lately. I know she will be excited to see you both when she has a bit more energy."

[itsananomaly]

Cutter nodded understanding, “we’ll have to catch up when she’s feeling better,” he said, “it will be good to catch up with everyone while we’re here,”

[thearcfamily]

"She asks about the two of you, and Rex often after our calls" Becker said with a fond smile. "And she still pokes at some of those formulas and data she had collected when shes feeling up for it."

[itsananomaly]

Cutter gave a smile at that, "we'll have to have a catch up when Sarah's feeling up to it and we can bring Rex to her," he told Becker, "I'm glad that she's still keeping involved in the research when she can, it definitely helps us,"

[thearcfamily]

"Aye, we need all the help we can get to figure these anomalies out. Especially now that Prospero ios getting more and more involved with the ARC and the anomalies" Becker said. "I admit... I don't fully trust Philip..."

[itsananomaly]

Cutter hesitated, looking at Becker and then Danny, biting his lip as he wondered whether or not he should say something before he looked over at Connor and what he wanted to do before they revealed about their own suspicions about Phillip.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor met Cutter's gaze and gave a small nod. It was better to let them know, at least to some extent, what they thought about Phillip... especially since their Connor was getting deeper and deeper into things with Propsero from the sound of things.

"We... we have our suspicions and concerns about him too, actually" he admitted. "It's part of the reason we are back. I... We, want to try and keep a closer eye on him and the work Prospero is doing."

[thearcfamily]

Danny looked concerned, looking at Becker before back to Connor and Cutter, "I have been keeping a closer eye on him myself," he admitted, "I mean as much as I could without tipping him off, I have a feeling that Prospero has a different end game to the ARC, that Phillip's interest in working with us is not as altruistic as it seems," he hesitated, "I haven't voiced my concerns with Lester, I wanted to make sure I had enough evidence before I talked to him,"

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"We have been trying to figure out the best time to talk to Lester about our concerns as well" Connor said as he looked at Cutter then to Danny. "Maybe if we all go and talk to him? With all of us having concerns and some thoughts and observations, even if there is nothing really concrete just yet... maybe with all of us being leery, Lester might be willing to help us keep an eye on Phillip and Prospero?"

"I think he would be willing to hear us out at least" Becker said after a moment's thought. "It is not like it's just one of us jumping to conclusions or being unreasonable. Lester trusts us so I think we should talk to him."

[thearcfamily]

Danny considered that option and nodded, “I think if we at least give him the heads up that we have our suspicions then it should be okay,” he looked around the room, “at least that way Lester could help us if things do go wrong,” he admitted.