Under The Tartosan Sun
Table of contents: [ Spoiler ] Since this story has grown so much bigger than I ever imagined I feel like its time to borrow a page from some of my favorite SimLit writers and offer you a syn...
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Chapter Thirteen
Monday morning arrived, and Liberty is a bit nervous. There was the unfamiliar routine of having to look more put together and professional. All of her adult life she never had to really worry about things like hair and makeup, and what is proper attire for certain situations at work. Her friends were ready and willing to spend their Saturday with Liberty helping her shop for an appropriate wardrobe. Some of the nerves also come from the knowledge that her new role at S.I.M.S. is going to involve a lot more responsibility. After her training is complete, there is the potential for real danger depending on exactly what her role will be. The thought of meeting her new boss, the notorious Shantel Bridges also created some nerves. There are lots of stories about her around S.I.M.S. Headquarters. Some speak of her as an awful dragon lady, someone who is cold, hard, and fearsome. Others speak of her in reverential terms, almost as if she was a stern but caring mother figure. Liberty didn't know which to believe so she was really on edge. Fear not, Matteo to the rescue. With words of encouragement and that comforting way of his, Liberty was eager to get on with things.
Soon Liberty arrived at S.I.M.S. HQ, a place low level agents like she used to be, dreamed of one day entering. Liberty was soon a little more at ease after seeing a familiar face, that of Bella Goth. Not that Liberty knew Bella all that well, but well enough to think of her as a friendly face. Bella was there because she had secretly been key to recruiting Liberty to S.I.M.S., and Shantel had asked for her presence. Part of Bella's job is to look for potential recruits within other government agencies.
With that Bella joins Shantel and Liberty...
Monday morning arrived, and Liberty is a bit nervous. There was the unfamiliar routine of having to look more put together and professional. All of her adult life she never had to really worry about things like hair and makeup, and what is proper attire for certain situations at work. Her friends were ready and willing to spend their Saturday with Liberty helping her shop for an appropriate wardrobe. Some of the nerves also come from the knowledge that her new role at S.I.M.S. is going to involve a lot more responsibility. After her training is complete, there is the potential for real danger depending on exactly what her role will be. The thought of meeting her new boss, the notorious Shantel Bridges also created some nerves. There are lots of stories about her around S.I.M.S. Headquarters. Some speak of her as an awful dragon lady, someone who is cold, hard, and fearsome. Others speak of her in reverential terms, almost as if she was a stern but caring mother figure. Liberty didn't know which to believe so she was really on edge. Fear not, Matteo to the rescue. With words of encouragement and that comforting way of his, Liberty was eager to get on with things.
Spoiler
Liberty: I'm so nervous I think I'm going to fall apart.
https://i.imgur.com/fQGQwMf.png
Matteo: You'll be fine Lib. I have all the faith in the world in you. You are the most courageous woman, no, the most courageous person I know. If anybody can handle this, it's you babe. Now go do what you do so well, be yourself!
https://i.imgur.com/fBfiDxK.png
https://i.imgur.com/EspNYRj.png
https://i.imgur.com/jQBtrDZ.png
https://i.imgur.com/IHPMNdl.png
Liberty: I'm so nervous I think I'm going to fall apart.
https://i.imgur.com/fQGQwMf.png
Matteo: You'll be fine Lib. I have all the faith in the world in you. You are the most courageous woman, no, the most courageous person I know. If anybody can handle this, it's you babe. Now go do what you do so well, be yourself!
https://i.imgur.com/fBfiDxK.png
https://i.imgur.com/EspNYRj.png
https://i.imgur.com/jQBtrDZ.png
https://i.imgur.com/IHPMNdl.png
Soon Liberty arrived at S.I.M.S. HQ, a place low level agents like she used to be, dreamed of one day entering. Liberty was soon a little more at ease after seeing a familiar face, that of Bella Goth. Not that Liberty knew Bella all that well, but well enough to think of her as a friendly face. Bella was there because she had secretly been key to recruiting Liberty to S.I.M.S., and Shantel had asked for her presence. Part of Bella's job is to look for potential recruits within other government agencies.
Spoiler
After escorting Liberty in, Bella steps out while Shantel begins her meeting.
https://i.imgur.com/jYfwqV0.png?1
Shantel: Good morning Miss Lee, I am Shantel Bridges. You will no doubt know me as 'The Dragon Lady".
Liberty: ....
Shantel: Relax Miss Lee. I am not the Dragon Lady with everybody. Only those who cross me, cannot follow directions, or try to undermine me. Having looked over your files and having talked to Bella, I see no reason why you would ever meet the Dragon.
https://i.imgur.com/lHAOqxQ.png?1
Liberty: I'm sorry I just...I'm..it's....I'm really nervous. This is all very overwhelming.
Shantel: Understandable Miss Lee, and I would be more concerned if you were nonchalant in this moment. Your nerves show me you grasp the enormity of the situation. They show me you take this seriously.
https://i.imgur.com/obF5peL.png?1
Shantel: You come highly recommended by Bella Goth. You apparently knew each other back in Willow Springs?
Liberty: Willow Creek ma'am, and we knew each other but not very well. Acquaintances would be the best description.
Shantel: See Miss Lee, you're already relaxing, you spoke up and corrected my intentional mistake on your hometown. I want the people working with me, those that I trust, to feel at ease in talking with me. I want them to maintain professionalism, but I don't want them scared either. Those I scare are the ones I want scared, and they are not people I want working closely with myself and my handpicked team. You Miss Lee are one of those I have handpicked. I like what I see in your personnel files, your aptitude tests, and what Bella and others have told me about you. I'm not sure yet what role you will fill on my team, but whatever it is I know you will not disappoint me.
Liberty: I am honored that you chose me to join your team. I know you have a reputation for getting things done.
https://i.imgur.com/uEGZyvD.png?1
Shantel: Thank you Miss Lee. I want to take a minute before I bring Bella back in here and talk to you woman to woman. I want you to understand a little more about my team and what will be expected of you. Being a woman in largely male fields, the Astronaut program and the Intelligence service, you are acutely aware of how we are perceived and treated. I have made it a point to recruit mostly women to staff my team. You may have noticed that quite a few of those who call me Dragon Lady are men. Those that speak highly of me are often women, especially those that have worked with me or for me. We both know there is no job in this field we can't do, just as we know there are many jobs we're not allowed to do because of our gender. Among other more nefarious and disgusting reasons that we are held back. I trust that as another woman of color you know what I mean. I assembled my team for those women who are highly qualified but who have been intentionally passed over. My methodology in assembling my team has ruffled some male plumage. The owners of those feathers look for any mistake my team makes, mostly my female agents. The men get some special blowback because they are seen as weak for willingly working with women, and worse still, for having no objection to answering to female higher-ups. It pains me to say this because it shouldn't be this way, but as one of my agents I'm going to be fair but very tough. Any little mistake we make gets blown up far out of proportion. That is then used as ammunition against us to get our team broken up. I have a growing group of younger higher-ups who are sympathetic to what I'm doing and they run interference for me with the old boys network who would love nothing more then to shut this down and send my ladies back to clerical jobs and me to the unemployment office. This is a fight I won't ever back down from until we are seen and treated as true equals. Until the old boys network is relegated to history's trash pile of worthless things. If you do you're best, if you give me everything you have, I will back you to the ends of the earth. I want to be your best assistant not your worst nightmare. Are you prepared to meet my terms?
https://i.imgur.com/jQAqt7k.png?1
Liberty: I will not let you Mrs. Bridges. You have my word I will give you every ounce of effort I have.
Shantel: Then it is my pleasure to welcome you, Agent Liberty Lee, to my team. I am going to have Bella join us again briefly to go over a couple of things as far as your training, then you may go and I will be expecting to see you here tomorrow morning promptly at 8am.
https://i.imgur.com/AinzO0h.png?1
After escorting Liberty in, Bella steps out while Shantel begins her meeting.
https://i.imgur.com/jYfwqV0.png?1
Shantel: Good morning Miss Lee, I am Shantel Bridges. You will no doubt know me as 'The Dragon Lady".
Liberty: ....
Shantel: Relax Miss Lee. I am not the Dragon Lady with everybody. Only those who cross me, cannot follow directions, or try to undermine me. Having looked over your files and having talked to Bella, I see no reason why you would ever meet the Dragon.
https://i.imgur.com/lHAOqxQ.png?1
Liberty: I'm sorry I just...I'm..it's....I'm really nervous. This is all very overwhelming.
Shantel: Understandable Miss Lee, and I would be more concerned if you were nonchalant in this moment. Your nerves show me you grasp the enormity of the situation. They show me you take this seriously.
https://i.imgur.com/obF5peL.png?1
Shantel: You come highly recommended by Bella Goth. You apparently knew each other back in Willow Springs?
Liberty: Willow Creek ma'am, and we knew each other but not very well. Acquaintances would be the best description.
Shantel: See Miss Lee, you're already relaxing, you spoke up and corrected my intentional mistake on your hometown. I want the people working with me, those that I trust, to feel at ease in talking with me. I want them to maintain professionalism, but I don't want them scared either. Those I scare are the ones I want scared, and they are not people I want working closely with myself and my handpicked team. You Miss Lee are one of those I have handpicked. I like what I see in your personnel files, your aptitude tests, and what Bella and others have told me about you. I'm not sure yet what role you will fill on my team, but whatever it is I know you will not disappoint me.
Liberty: I am honored that you chose me to join your team. I know you have a reputation for getting things done.
https://i.imgur.com/uEGZyvD.png?1
Shantel: Thank you Miss Lee. I want to take a minute before I bring Bella back in here and talk to you woman to woman. I want you to understand a little more about my team and what will be expected of you. Being a woman in largely male fields, the Astronaut program and the Intelligence service, you are acutely aware of how we are perceived and treated. I have made it a point to recruit mostly women to staff my team. You may have noticed that quite a few of those who call me Dragon Lady are men. Those that speak highly of me are often women, especially those that have worked with me or for me. We both know there is no job in this field we can't do, just as we know there are many jobs we're not allowed to do because of our gender. Among other more nefarious and disgusting reasons that we are held back. I trust that as another woman of color you know what I mean. I assembled my team for those women who are highly qualified but who have been intentionally passed over. My methodology in assembling my team has ruffled some male plumage. The owners of those feathers look for any mistake my team makes, mostly my female agents. The men get some special blowback because they are seen as weak for willingly working with women, and worse still, for having no objection to answering to female higher-ups. It pains me to say this because it shouldn't be this way, but as one of my agents I'm going to be fair but very tough. Any little mistake we make gets blown up far out of proportion. That is then used as ammunition against us to get our team broken up. I have a growing group of younger higher-ups who are sympathetic to what I'm doing and they run interference for me with the old boys network who would love nothing more then to shut this down and send my ladies back to clerical jobs and me to the unemployment office. This is a fight I won't ever back down from until we are seen and treated as true equals. Until the old boys network is relegated to history's trash pile of worthless things. If you do you're best, if you give me everything you have, I will back you to the ends of the earth. I want to be your best assistant not your worst nightmare. Are you prepared to meet my terms?
https://i.imgur.com/jQAqt7k.png?1
Liberty: I will not let you Mrs. Bridges. You have my word I will give you every ounce of effort I have.
Shantel: Then it is my pleasure to welcome you, Agent Liberty Lee, to my team. I am going to have Bella join us again briefly to go over a couple of things as far as your training, then you may go and I will be expecting to see you here tomorrow morning promptly at 8am.
https://i.imgur.com/AinzO0h.png?1
With that Bella joins Shantel and Liberty...
Spoiler
Shantel: Welcome back Agent Goth. I am putting you in charge of Agent Lee's training. I will give you the latitude to set your own agenda as far as her training. You have studied her files and dossier, so you are well acquainted with her strengths and weaknesses as well as our areas of need on the team. I will expect weekly updates on her progress and I will likewise expect you to immediately notify me if anything arises that you feel I should know about.
https://i.imgur.com/ih9U5RY.png?1
Bella: It will be my honor Director Bridges. I believe you have made a great decision in choosing to bring Agent Lee on board, and that she will make an excellent addition to our team.
https://i.imgur.com/SUNJvSI.png?1
Shantel: Before I dismiss you for the day Agent Lee, do you have anything else you'd like to say?
Liberty: As before I am honored Director Bridges that chose to bring into your team, and I'd also like to say thank you to Agent Goth for recommending me.
Bella: It was my honor Libe...Agent Lee. I believe you will make us all proud.
https://i.imgur.com/VeYsxEI.png?1
Shantel: If there is nothing else, Agent Lee, you are free to go, and welcome aboard. Agent Goth I would like you to stay for a bit please.
Bella: As you wish Director Bridges.
https://i.imgur.com/l2cQ131.png?1
https://i.imgur.com/3tqyfKp.png?1
Shantel: I have something I want you to see. It was forwarded to us by one of our contacts inside the SBI. They have a problem they'd like us to look into.
Bella: What is it Shantel?
https://i.imgur.com/CCcdbUm.png?1
Shantel: Do you remember a story about a year-and-a-half ago, two years maybe? A woman named Giulia Gambini? Daughter of a mafia Don, she suddenly went missing?
Bella: Yeah I remember that one. Big headlines for a while. Let me guess, she is somehow connected to this problem the SBI has on its hands?
Shantel: That's why you've always been my model agent, Bella. You are correct. I know what you're thinking too. What does this have to do with what we do? She wasn't a known terrorist, nor did she have ties to any that we know of. We don't even know if this woman that has suddenly gotten the attention of the SBI is even Giulia Gambini. They seem to think she is. This mystery woman they want our help with goes by the name of Izabella Bernard.
Bella: Interesting. If this Izabella really is Giulia Gambini she didn't try very hard on her new name. Both first names are distinctly Italian. I assume you have some photos or something for me to look at?
https://i.imgur.com/wDJ7wuQ.png?1
Shantel: Yes I do. These are the last known photos of Giulia Gambini before her disappearance...
https://i.imgur.com/dkhq5Qc.png
https://i.imgur.com/Fn0QBQY.png?2
https://i.imgur.com/zn8BjyR.png?2
Shantel: These are photos of the mystery girl, Izabella Bernard. She's been spotted recently in San Myshuno and Windenberg.
https://i.imgur.com/e5lkGtm.png
https://i.imgur.com/viKJ9gW.png?1
https://i.imgur.com/kjyBtEK.png?1
https://i.imgur.com/pg1L0ij.png?1
Bella: You are having me on Shantel? The SBI really thinks Botox Barbie is Giulia Gambini?
Shantel: They do. I confess I don't see it either.
Bella: You know, the SBI had that big bust the other day. You don't suppose they've been doing special testing on the evidence do you?
Shantel: Agent Goth! That will be enough of that kind of talk. Really Bella I thought you had a better sense of humor than that.
Bella: Sorry Shantel. If you don't mind I think this would be right up Agent Lee's alley. She is amazing at things like this, digging up information online, and analyzing the heck out of it. I think this would be good training for her.
Shantel: I trust your judgment Bella, put her on it and report back to me anything she finds. If you have nothing else I think it's time to call it a day.
Bella: I will keep you posted Shantel. See you tomorrow.
Shantel: Welcome back Agent Goth. I am putting you in charge of Agent Lee's training. I will give you the latitude to set your own agenda as far as her training. You have studied her files and dossier, so you are well acquainted with her strengths and weaknesses as well as our areas of need on the team. I will expect weekly updates on her progress and I will likewise expect you to immediately notify me if anything arises that you feel I should know about.
https://i.imgur.com/ih9U5RY.png?1
Bella: It will be my honor Director Bridges. I believe you have made a great decision in choosing to bring Agent Lee on board, and that she will make an excellent addition to our team.
https://i.imgur.com/SUNJvSI.png?1
Shantel: Before I dismiss you for the day Agent Lee, do you have anything else you'd like to say?
Liberty: As before I am honored Director Bridges that chose to bring into your team, and I'd also like to say thank you to Agent Goth for recommending me.
Bella: It was my honor Libe...Agent Lee. I believe you will make us all proud.
https://i.imgur.com/VeYsxEI.png?1
Shantel: If there is nothing else, Agent Lee, you are free to go, and welcome aboard. Agent Goth I would like you to stay for a bit please.
Bella: As you wish Director Bridges.
https://i.imgur.com/l2cQ131.png?1
https://i.imgur.com/3tqyfKp.png?1
Shantel: I have something I want you to see. It was forwarded to us by one of our contacts inside the SBI. They have a problem they'd like us to look into.
Bella: What is it Shantel?
https://i.imgur.com/CCcdbUm.png?1
Shantel: Do you remember a story about a year-and-a-half ago, two years maybe? A woman named Giulia Gambini? Daughter of a mafia Don, she suddenly went missing?
Bella: Yeah I remember that one. Big headlines for a while. Let me guess, she is somehow connected to this problem the SBI has on its hands?
Shantel: That's why you've always been my model agent, Bella. You are correct. I know what you're thinking too. What does this have to do with what we do? She wasn't a known terrorist, nor did she have ties to any that we know of. We don't even know if this woman that has suddenly gotten the attention of the SBI is even Giulia Gambini. They seem to think she is. This mystery woman they want our help with goes by the name of Izabella Bernard.
Bella: Interesting. If this Izabella really is Giulia Gambini she didn't try very hard on her new name. Both first names are distinctly Italian. I assume you have some photos or something for me to look at?
https://i.imgur.com/wDJ7wuQ.png?1
Shantel: Yes I do. These are the last known photos of Giulia Gambini before her disappearance...
https://i.imgur.com/dkhq5Qc.png
https://i.imgur.com/Fn0QBQY.png?2
https://i.imgur.com/zn8BjyR.png?2
Shantel: These are photos of the mystery girl, Izabella Bernard. She's been spotted recently in San Myshuno and Windenberg.
https://i.imgur.com/e5lkGtm.png
https://i.imgur.com/viKJ9gW.png?1
https://i.imgur.com/kjyBtEK.png?1
https://i.imgur.com/pg1L0ij.png?1
Bella: You are having me on Shantel? The SBI really thinks Botox Barbie is Giulia Gambini?
Shantel: They do. I confess I don't see it either.
Bella: You know, the SBI had that big bust the other day. You don't suppose they've been doing special testing on the evidence do you?
Shantel: Agent Goth! That will be enough of that kind of talk. Really Bella I thought you had a better sense of humor than that.
Bella: Sorry Shantel. If you don't mind I think this would be right up Agent Lee's alley. She is amazing at things like this, digging up information online, and analyzing the heck out of it. I think this would be good training for her.
Shantel: I trust your judgment Bella, put her on it and report back to me anything she finds. If you have nothing else I think it's time to call it a day.
Bella: I will keep you posted Shantel. See you tomorrow.
