[Open Log] Round One Recruitment

[a_ghost]

Everything had taken place in a whirlwind of activity after Leonard had gotten his funding. There were multiple meetings about the application of funds, and about how the Project was to be run. Allison being put on the payroll as the military consultant and commander was something that was carried out without much questioning—there were a few objections based on nepotism, but Leonard and Allison presented their reasoning well and the action was approved.

And so it was time to interview and test recruits. Leonard had a battery of questions to ask each of the potential agents, while Allison had set up an obstacle course on the grounds of the facility for each one to run through. They'd been granted the use of an entire planet for their training facilities—there was one populated city in the temperate zone, but since the planet was tidally-locked it wasn't much use as a colony planet. So once things got going, they would be able to train in snow, in desert, and in every environment in between.

And of course, after the interviews and physical testing would come the open mingle. The social event was a bit of an unusual choice for the evening of such testing, but Allison arranged it regardless because the recruits needed to become friendly with one another, and this would give them a chance to get to know one another.

But right now, the ships carrying all the potential recruits were just arriving, at 0530 local time. Allison ushered everyone off the ships individually, explaining that they would have time to shower, change, and eat, before testing was to begin.

(( Please respond to one of the headers below, or place a top level for the open mingle! ))

Comments

Arrival

[a_ghost]

Allison waited off to the side of the airfield as each of the Pelicans touched down. She thought it was important for everyone to be greeted individually and to have their questions answered about the Project and its potential before interviews and testing were to begin. She did have a datapad with her so she could make notes about first impressions to share with her husband, but for the most part the arrival interviews were meant to be informal and casual.

She approached the ship after it landed, timing it just right so that she was at the end of the ramp when it went down. "Hello," she said. "I'm Allison Church, the Commander in charge of recruitment here at the Freelance Support Task Force. I'm going to guide you to the locker room so you can prepare for the day's events. And while we're on our way, I wondered if you had any questions for me."

Re: Arrival

[the_informant]

Butch Flowers looks around, not really paying attention to this woman before him as he glances around. After a minute though, he turns a warm smile on her. She looks quite capable and that is well appreciated. Leaders should be capable if they are going to push you around.

"Name is Butch, ma'am. I suppose I do. Should really think of some, but I sure don't have any just yet. If you were in my position what would you ask?"

[a_ghost]

Clever way to ingratiate himself to the commander, she thinks, returning his smile. Though he's not even sure who she is. "I suppose I'd start with just who I'm talking to," she says, gesturing for him to follow her with an incline of her head. "I'm the Commander. Allison Church."

[the_informant]

That gives Flowers a brief chuckle. "Oh I know that. Your pictures don't do you justice. And may I say you look quite capable ma'am."

Former ONI operatives just had a propensity for knowing more than they should. "So that question, ma'am? Any suggestions?"

[a_ghost]

She shakes her head slightly, chuckling. "I'd suggest mainly things about the day's plans." She knows everyone will be curious about the 'experimental technology' the prospectus for the new applicants said they'd be testing, but that's still top secret to anyone that hasn't actually been inducted. But he seems to know better than to ask.

[the_informant]

Daily routines? Oh dear, now doesn't that sound like a lovely change of pace.

"Why I hadn't thought of that, ma'am. If you have my file you might well know it wasn't common for me in the day. A routine, how lovely. Does it include a chance to do team building exercises? You are referring to those of us who make it through the selection process as a team, correct? I just find that workouts together are great for building mutual respect."

And making bets over coworkers sparring is also important.

Re: Arrival

[toavoidcrashing]

Mel, callsign Angel, didn't often get called in to fly transport. As far as she and her superiors were concerned, the only times there was any point in her using her time to take people or cargo from A to B was when there was a high risk factor.

This didn't fit the bill. Sure the guys were being brought to some secret project, but she could have done each flight with her eyes closed and by the time she lets the last group out onto the big ship, she's debating doing barrel rolls all the way back just to curb the boredom. But apparently she'd been specifically asked for.

She leaves her pelican and steps out to the woman who's been greeting the new Agents all day.

'Well, that's the lot of them,' she says, folding her arms. 'Any more errands to run or shall I leave you to your secrecy now?'

[a_ghost]

"You're free to go," she said, but warmly, as if to a friend. "Thanks for your help in everything. We couldn't do it without you."

Re: Arrival

[whosthemonsternow]

Honestly, she had hoped to avoid any meet-and-greet just yet. She just wanted to get off the ship and look around, get her feet under herself and check out things. But she's approached by a woman, who was apparently in charge, and her hopes of skirting in under the radar go out the window.

Sarah still put on her best professional face- she knew how to present herself and she was determined to make a good impression. She was here for a reason, she knew she had what it took to do the Project, she just wanted to prove she deserved her spot. And before her brother got around, too. She loved him, but she wanted to get in first and make the first impression.

"Hey, Sarah Reilley reporting in." She greets quickly, coming to stand at attention and stop herself just short of a salute.

Have a seat

[deardirect0r]

Dr. Leonard Church shuffled through the files he had on the new recruits and compared them to Allison's notes. He'd managed to get a decent spread of potential subjects... some highly skilled and promising, some average and some... well, less so. But variety is important in an experiment like this.

He reminds himself of that every time he looks at the files.

"Next!"

He hates this part and it comes across in the subtle tone of annoyance in his voice. He's far more comfortable in the lab than dealing with red tape and niceties. The sooner he gets this done the faster he can get back to the important stuff.

"Have a seat."

Pleased as Punch

[the_informant]

Flowers enters with a bounce in his step and a bit of a salute. Not to mention the smile he wears. "Of course sir. Thank you."

With that he sits, carefully on the edge because being ready to act is always a good thing. "Lovely weather we're having today. Great choice of location you have here."

Re: Have a seat

[notyourrookie]

Wash sits awkwardly down in the chair opposite the desk. There's a tautness to his shoulders, a stiffness in his back. He looks about as starched as his uniform right now.

He had been surprised to be approached by this Project and every instinct had told him to get the fuck out. But after thinking it over... what the fuck choice did he have?

"Sir."

Obstacle Course

[a_ghost]

The course that's set up is fairly normal as these things go, and Allison has run it several times herself to work out a good average time as people run through it. Each candidate will run through the course and then approach her at the end for critique, and she doesn't intend to let anyone through without letting them know what she sees as their weaknesses and strengths. She ushers each candidate through the beginning of the course and paces alongside as they make their way through, observing and taking notes.

"Thank you," she's sure to say to each as they make their way to the end. "All right. Come here and let's talk."

Cheery Mingler

[the_informant]

There is definitely something to be said for a party. It works great for relaxing stress after that dandy little obstacle course and the darling little discussion he had with their Director or whatever the man wanted to be called. The idea of relaxing now is wonderful, and meeting all his future friends and comrades is just wonderful.

Too bad the finger food had been less than impressive. What a poor choice of cooks. He has to be disappointed. Well, if he's lucky he could perhaps sneak in a whip up something better in a bit. Consider it his first covert op. Maybe he can even take a new coworker with him.

[a_ghost]

Allison recognizes him from earlier, and she notices the expression on his face. He doesn't seem entirely pleased with the canapes. She strolls up to him, wearing a dress—rather different from the uniform she greeted everyone in earlier—and gives him a small nod.

"Do you like it?"

[the_informant]

Flowers actually huffs his disapproval at the question. They were beyond lacking, and he didn't see the excuse for it.

"For one thing there is this," he says, gesturing with the little toast covered with pieces of smoked salmon on a seasoned butter. "They used too much dill in the dill and chive-mustard butter. And not enough lemon zest. But the lemon juice is well proportioned. And the bruschetta? Does the chef not know you can make an old thing new again if they had used persimmons instead of the normal tomato? Plus there is a bit of a dearth of fruit based things. I would have considered roasted and cinnamoned pear pieces on a nice whole wheat bruchetta. Oh, and what about baked potato bites? You use baked new potatoes with a bit of sour cream, fresh shredded bacon, asparagus for color and flavor, and a hint of cheese melted right under the sour cream."

With that he gives a little sigh and pops the finger food into his mouth, shaking his head. He doesn't have comment on the wine though. Not his specialty.