I am worried the team won’t be able to keep up appearances.
Tom and Mia drew the short straws for double assignment, now in the field where they can quickly satisfy their “boss” with a security installation as well as doing their actual assignment. Katie called in a sick day so she had the time to prepare, clear the area and provide overwatch support. This is one of those recon ops that is potential meeting or potential cluster requiring a cleaner crew.
I tap my watch and scowl; I should have heard back by now. “Katie, status,” I say after touching my earbud. Nothing. “Tom, Mia.”
“We’re on location finishing the install,” came the quiet reply from Tom.
“Heads up, Katie overdue. I smell fish.”
Mia retorts, “Well, this is the docks area.” A typical dour reply from her which I promptly ignore.
“Katie. Report.”
To my instinct, the fishy smell grows. I draw my phone from its vest pocket and text backup. Smoke Break Now.
When I arrive at the predesignated spot, I’m annoyed to see my team’s boss outside with them while they pretend to smoke. There isn’t time to wait for him to go away. I motion to them.
“Uncle Stan!” Ben calls to me while the pair quickly make excuses and hurry over.
“Get to the Site, northeast corner, beige apartments, top floor, 511. Find Katie,” I tell them in a low voice. “No time to be subtle.” They set a fast walk for their car, and I glance over to find their manager standing dangerously close with an apologetic-yet-curious look on his face.
“You seem familiar. Have we met?” he prompts.
“I work around here. Just checking up on Ben. For his mother.”
“Ah.” He smiles pleasantly but is looking after them, continuing, “Some of my best specialists, but as of late they are less reliable.”
“Still do good work, though?”
“Oh, without a doubt, without a doubt.” He rocks back on his heels and I consider. While the large security firm provided the perfect cover, it was only useful below a certain frequency of jobs, and ours have been increasing at a worrying rate.
“Ben has always been talented at whatever he does,” I make return conversation, while reminding his nosey boss of that value he benefits from.
He is still squinting after them as their car speeds out of the parking lot, still rocking on his heels. “Yeah… I’m thinking of implementing one of our card systems on our own people so I know where everyone is. Maybe that stops these sudden trips they make.”
“Oh, I’d be careful of doing that.”
“Really?”
I rub my chin so he sees me considering. “Have you noticed that the most valuable employees cherish their independence? While they are working for you, they have their own lives. As long as they juggle those well, why risk it? That they find a different day job, that is.”
He now squints at me, blurting, “You aren’t competition, are you?”
“Me?” I chuckle. “Oh, heavens no! My firm deals with imports, and I value my desk job. I simply know from experience that if rules are too restrictive, then those you rely on the most will also chafe the most. It’s like some universal law.”
“Huh.” He is processing, but I also know from his files that he is stubborn yet not a totally leaky pipe.
I decide to press; we need the covers for the anonymity—protection far greater than even the best security system—and yet we also need increasing flexibility. “Have you never wondered if Ben and some of your others aren’t overqualified? Ever worried that you’d lose them to a more cutting-edge outfit?”
“I…don’t follow.”
“Well, as his uncle, I know Ben was marked for recruitment by the FBI, but didn’t like the strict life commitment.” The man is no longer rocking, so I know I have his complete attention. “I know he works for you because he enjoys the work, not because it’s his only option. Get me?”
He shakes his head slightly. “Maybe I should give him a raise.”
I smile slightly. “Oh, I doubt that will be necessary. He isn’t really driven by money, but by duty.” I know I’ve said enough to change the man’s opinion of me, but I push just a little more and plant the seed. “If it helps, view him and his friends less like employees and more like you helping them keep their covers. That is where you return the value, in showing them your trust and giving them that space when they need it.”
“FBI, you say?” He cracks a nervous smile. “Good thing I didn’t ask them to wire explosives, then.”
I wince. “Don’t even joke about that.” Hand close to my chest, I point my finger at the skies. “They are watching and listening. Trust me on this.”
“Oh!” That thought sobers him right up.
This issue might need future attention, but for now it is set, and I have greater concerns. I check my watch again and take my leave. “Now if you will excuse me, I have a ‘niece’ to locate.”
[I injected some of the names and minutia that I forgot or didn’t know from the dream, but what stuck with me was the use of cover for “my team” and protecting that by almost-sorta involving their boss, by getting his compliance without his knowledge. I also remember specifically about his lame joke of the bomb and my pointing at the sky to remind him of satellites, LOL. All in all, a very fun experience dream, though I did feel strong urgency and worry for my missing operative, and that lingers more than anything else. I hope she is okay.]
Tom and Mia drew the short straws for double assignment, now in the field where they can quickly satisfy their “boss” with a security installation as well as doing their actual assignment. Katie called in a sick day so she had the time to prepare, clear the area and provide overwatch support. This is one of those recon ops that is potential meeting or potential cluster requiring a cleaner crew.
I tap my watch and scowl; I should have heard back by now. “Katie, status,” I say after touching my earbud. Nothing. “Tom, Mia.”
“We’re on location finishing the install,” came the quiet reply from Tom.
“Heads up, Katie overdue. I smell fish.”
Mia retorts, “Well, this is the docks area.” A typical dour reply from her which I promptly ignore.
“Katie. Report.”
To my instinct, the fishy smell grows. I draw my phone from its vest pocket and text backup. Smoke Break Now.
When I arrive at the predesignated spot, I’m annoyed to see my team’s boss outside with them while they pretend to smoke. There isn’t time to wait for him to go away. I motion to them.
“Uncle Stan!” Ben calls to me while the pair quickly make excuses and hurry over.
“Get to the Site, northeast corner, beige apartments, top floor, 511. Find Katie,” I tell them in a low voice. “No time to be subtle.” They set a fast walk for their car, and I glance over to find their manager standing dangerously close with an apologetic-yet-curious look on his face.
“You seem familiar. Have we met?” he prompts.
“I work around here. Just checking up on Ben. For his mother.”
“Ah.” He smiles pleasantly but is looking after them, continuing, “Some of my best specialists, but as of late they are less reliable.”
“Still do good work, though?”
“Oh, without a doubt, without a doubt.” He rocks back on his heels and I consider. While the large security firm provided the perfect cover, it was only useful below a certain frequency of jobs, and ours have been increasing at a worrying rate.
“Ben has always been talented at whatever he does,” I make return conversation, while reminding his nosey boss of that value he benefits from.
He is still squinting after them as their car speeds out of the parking lot, still rocking on his heels. “Yeah… I’m thinking of implementing one of our card systems on our own people so I know where everyone is. Maybe that stops these sudden trips they make.”
“Oh, I’d be careful of doing that.”
“Really?”
I rub my chin so he sees me considering. “Have you noticed that the most valuable employees cherish their independence? While they are working for you, they have their own lives. As long as they juggle those well, why risk it? That they find a different day job, that is.”
He now squints at me, blurting, “You aren’t competition, are you?”
“Me?” I chuckle. “Oh, heavens no! My firm deals with imports, and I value my desk job. I simply know from experience that if rules are too restrictive, then those you rely on the most will also chafe the most. It’s like some universal law.”
“Huh.” He is processing, but I also know from his files that he is stubborn yet not a totally leaky pipe.
I decide to press; we need the covers for the anonymity—protection far greater than even the best security system—and yet we also need increasing flexibility. “Have you never wondered if Ben and some of your others aren’t overqualified? Ever worried that you’d lose them to a more cutting-edge outfit?”
“I…don’t follow.”
“Well, as his uncle, I know Ben was marked for recruitment by the FBI, but didn’t like the strict life commitment.” The man is no longer rocking, so I know I have his complete attention. “I know he works for you because he enjoys the work, not because it’s his only option. Get me?”
He shakes his head slightly. “Maybe I should give him a raise.”
I smile slightly. “Oh, I doubt that will be necessary. He isn’t really driven by money, but by duty.” I know I’ve said enough to change the man’s opinion of me, but I push just a little more and plant the seed. “If it helps, view him and his friends less like employees and more like you helping them keep their covers. That is where you return the value, in showing them your trust and giving them that space when they need it.”
“FBI, you say?” He cracks a nervous smile. “Good thing I didn’t ask them to wire explosives, then.”
I wince. “Don’t even joke about that.” Hand close to my chest, I point my finger at the skies. “They are watching and listening. Trust me on this.”
“Oh!” That thought sobers him right up.
This issue might need future attention, but for now it is set, and I have greater concerns. I check my watch again and take my leave. “Now if you will excuse me, I have a ‘niece’ to locate.”
[I injected some of the names and minutia that I forgot or didn’t know from the dream, but what stuck with me was the use of cover for “my team” and protecting that by almost-sorta involving their boss, by getting his compliance without his knowledge. I also remember specifically about his lame joke of the bomb and my pointing at the sky to remind him of satellites, LOL. All in all, a very fun experience dream, though I did feel strong urgency and worry for my missing operative, and that lingers more than anything else. I hope she is okay.]
pick at it if you like so I can get more of your perspective. Primarily, I was just flowing out the dream, rather than trying to be shocking/jarring to anyone, in present tense both because it's harder to pull off and it shares the sense of urgency I felt in the dream. I suspect dreams are often stream-of-consciousness by design, even if we cannot recall or describe it the way it comes to us (and have it make any sense to others). There is always *so* much to learn!