Kay walked calmly into the conference room wearing a well-fitting black blouse and loose, matching slacks. As she walked in she pulled her mid-back length hair back with her hands and tied it with an elastic band, knotting it until her hair was reduced to a bundle at the base of her neck.. "Right on time" Seth called from across the room. He walked to meet her. "We have a briefing in half an hour."
As soon as the eight other agents in the day's team were seated, Kay and Seth stood up. "I believe most of you are familiar with Agent Kathryn Mason, and I, but in case you haven't had the chance to work with us yet..." Kay smiled and cut into Seth's speech, as she often did in "first contact" situations. She was successful not only in cutting through his confident and overly familiar speech, but also in breaking the tense sheet of ice that threatened to turn every other agent in the room to stone faster than a moments glance at Medusa. "Whatever he says it's only half true, he's Agent Seth Michaels." She jested, and pointed over her shoulder with her thumb, smiling towards Seth. Seth exaggerated his full height and raised himself up on his toes behind Kay and looked down on her playfully. She kept her back to him, ignoring his attempt at distraction. "As you've all noticed, there are very few of us here today. This isn't going to be anything severe, Assistant Director Garcia, asked me to make that clear. It may even be a crank call as far as we know, we expect this demonstration to follow federal regulations and safety parameters for the District of Columbia. After the briefing, we will proceed to weapons storage in the basement, gear up, and set out for the archives." She paused and took the folder Seth offered to her. His jesting had stopped as soon as Kay had begun the briefing, and now he stood behind her as a reenforcement and reassurance to her and the rest of the attending agents. "Each of you will be equipped with the following, and I shouldn't have to remind you to take the safeties off, and check to make sure all equipment is fully operational." Her dry humor barely reached her eyes, and the agents in front of her never even flinched. Seth noticed the smooth, serious tension breaker, but made no move to show a reaction. Kay paused and scanned the room over the heads of her colleagues, following the imaginary patterns in the dark grey concrete walls. " A belt including two canisters of mace, one knight stick, and at least two canisters of tear gas. In case of violent confrontation each agent is to be armed with one bean bag gun, and a gas mask in the case there is a dire need to employ tear gas. Each of you will also be required to sport a bullet proof vest. When you have completed preparation and have adorned the remainder of the procedural SWAT gear, you will immediately check in with Agent Michaels or myself"
Seth was the first to step out of the dark blue un-marked van, as soon as he stopped the vehicle. Kay flipped the red switch on the heavy black box at her side. The headsets in everyone's helmets came to life filling momentarily with a low rumbling static. Seth opened the sliding door on the passenger side. Kay smiled to him and handed him his helmet. She began counting to ten at different volumes, then she digressed to one, altering the pitch in her voice to a lower level to simulate a mans as best she could. The bass-like undertones in her forced pitch surprised many. Who'd have thought she had the lung capacity? The seven men and one other woman were divided into pairs by Michaels and Mason, and given the location of their posts in varying positions at the front of the building. Taking care to line the steps, each partner settled across from their counterpart.
The midsummer sun was heating the pavement excessively. Kay concentrated on the undulating steam that seemingly rose from the ground, and cursed the heavy layers she had to wear. *What I wouldn't give to be back home with Cody.* She threw a look at Seth. *At least we're in the shade... sort of.* The two senior agents were perched at the top of the steps keeping a lookout, manning this small section of *their* city, of *their* domain. Every half hour Kay's hypnotized stare focused on one of the D.C. police men making a tour around the grounds. She felt more reassured to know there were at least five dozen local policemen around the sides and back of the building. With this superficial reassurance though, her stomach refused to release the knot that had been there since she had waken up.
Kay heard the faint sounds of steeple bells striking the hour. The musical gong-like sound was followed by nine distinct tones. One hour. One more, and they'd find out that this excitement was all only a man trying to get a rise out of the media.
Kay's thoughts drifted again, seemingly sliding though the humid air and rising to the cloudless sky. *Since when did Seth and I get like this? Smiling? Well that's expected, it's been, what, five years? I could honestly say I trust him with my life. Strange, I trust Cody, but there are limits, would I trust him to do what Seth does every day? Stop doubting yourself, it's never good to second guess choices like Cody in your life. Seth will be a good father, I wonder if they've found out if it's a girl or a boy. Should I have any more kids, I mean two is a handful, but it's a once in a life time sort of thing you know, the once lasts a long time, but in another ten years it won't be healthy anymore. I've heard of forty year old women having children, but I don't want to risk it past thirty eight. Eight years to decide then...plenty of time. So no more pondering on this or you're apt to do something stupid like tumbling down these damned steps or something.* Kay sighed audibly. *Boy or girl?* Seth watched his partner roll her eyes at her thoughts and suppressed a laugh. *Stop thinking!* Kay looked all the way to the bottom of the steps and began counting, she lost her count around thirty and started again. *Does the first step off the ground count as one, or does the next one actually start the stairs, because if you...* Her thoughts were interrupted by another distant chiming. She noticed the people that had already began gathering at the base of the steps. The touring policeman approached Seth and Kay. "Ten o'clock, doors open." He passed through the partners and met the secretary that was unlocking the doors. He followed her in, and posted himself by the receptionists desk.
At a quarter after ten the crowds began to thicken, and so seemed the air to do the same. *Much longer and I swear...* Kay left her thoughts unfinished. Her stiff posture slackened slightly but she kept a keen eye scanning the crowd. *Tourists, all tourists, I see a few that look like protesters, but barely enough to call any attention to them selves.* As if to contradict her thoughts, some of the tourists took on a new pastime, shouting about the first amendment, and rights of the people.* Nothing violent.*
Part II of It'll Be A Riot Continued.....