Special Talents Read Online Free Page A
Author: J. B. Tilton
anything to anyone else."
"Well, if I decide to accept their offer, I'll mention you. It may involve telling them some things you've told me in confidence. They're going to want to know what kind of help you're going to be."
"I trust your judgment, Jeremy. After all, I guess technically I'm still a patient of yours. Kind of like an attorney-client relationship. Once you've done business together you're kind of stuck with each other."
"I'm not sure I'd phrase it quite that way, but you're right. And I promise not to tell them anymore than I absolutely have to. I'm meeting with them again in the morning. I'll let you know how it goes."
"Good or bad," said Janet. "And let's have dinner again soon. I've been so busy with my research I haven't had a chance to get out of the lab much lately. I could use a night away from my test tubes and Bunsen burners."
"I'd like that. Well, I'd better get going. I have a lot of thinking to do. I'll see you in a day or two."
At 10:00 a.m. the next morning Jeremy was sitting in Secretary Napolitano's office again. She was there, of course. As were General Porter and Scarborough. There was also another young woman in the office. She appeared to be about 30 years old, and unlike the others was dressed in what appeared to be a work uniform. Over one pocket on the shirt was a patch that read "Maintenance". Over the other pocket was a patch that read "Kamalene".
"Madam Secretary, I'd like a little more information if that's okay."
"Certainly, doctor. Anything I can do to help make up your mind."
"What exactly is the procedure for what you're asking me to do?"
"Well," said Napolitano, "as I said at our last meeting, your job is to help locate people with special talents. My agency will be looking through a variety of records and reports in the hope of identifying these individuals. When we've identified a potential candidate, your job will be to go to the candidate and evaluate them. If you find they are suitable, you'll need to do your best to convince them to join us. If they agree, they'll come back to Homeland Security headquarters where we will evaluate them."
"There will have to be a background check on all individuals," said Porter. "Once we've identified potential candidates we'll do a standard background check to weed out the undesirables. You'll be informed of the ones that pass the background check. Once they've agreed to join us, they'll be given instruction in proper police procedure, applicable laws, that sort of thing. It'll be sort of a crash course. Nothing like what a regular agent goes through but enough to familiarize them with the necessary protocols."
"They'll also need to have a physical examination. To make sure they're healthy and fit enough to work as field operatives. And there will be a psychological test as well. To identify any with mental or emotional disorders that could be a problem. I'm sure you could help in that respect when you go to evaluate them."
"I've also suggested they receive training in unarmed defense and rudimentary weapons training," interjected Scarborough. "Just as any agent would receive. The type of work they'll be doing can be quite dangerous. They'll need to be able to protect themselves."
"I do want to stress that they won't be authorized to carry any weapons," said Napolitano. "In all fairness, these individuals shouldn't need weapons. But they won't be receiving the rigorous training that 'normal' agents receive. We can't risk any of them getting nervous and firing a weapon when it's not appropriate."
"I understand," said Jeremy. "So they won't be going after what might be called 'normal' terrorists."
"No," said Napolitano. "Their mandate is to seek out and either capture or subdue terrorists that have been identified with special talents. We have individuals very capable of dealing with the more mundane type of terrorists."
"What if I know of or identify someone
"Well, if I decide to accept their offer, I'll mention you. It may involve telling them some things you've told me in confidence. They're going to want to know what kind of help you're going to be."
"I trust your judgment, Jeremy. After all, I guess technically I'm still a patient of yours. Kind of like an attorney-client relationship. Once you've done business together you're kind of stuck with each other."
"I'm not sure I'd phrase it quite that way, but you're right. And I promise not to tell them anymore than I absolutely have to. I'm meeting with them again in the morning. I'll let you know how it goes."
"Good or bad," said Janet. "And let's have dinner again soon. I've been so busy with my research I haven't had a chance to get out of the lab much lately. I could use a night away from my test tubes and Bunsen burners."
"I'd like that. Well, I'd better get going. I have a lot of thinking to do. I'll see you in a day or two."
At 10:00 a.m. the next morning Jeremy was sitting in Secretary Napolitano's office again. She was there, of course. As were General Porter and Scarborough. There was also another young woman in the office. She appeared to be about 30 years old, and unlike the others was dressed in what appeared to be a work uniform. Over one pocket on the shirt was a patch that read "Maintenance". Over the other pocket was a patch that read "Kamalene".
"Madam Secretary, I'd like a little more information if that's okay."
"Certainly, doctor. Anything I can do to help make up your mind."
"What exactly is the procedure for what you're asking me to do?"
"Well," said Napolitano, "as I said at our last meeting, your job is to help locate people with special talents. My agency will be looking through a variety of records and reports in the hope of identifying these individuals. When we've identified a potential candidate, your job will be to go to the candidate and evaluate them. If you find they are suitable, you'll need to do your best to convince them to join us. If they agree, they'll come back to Homeland Security headquarters where we will evaluate them."
"There will have to be a background check on all individuals," said Porter. "Once we've identified potential candidates we'll do a standard background check to weed out the undesirables. You'll be informed of the ones that pass the background check. Once they've agreed to join us, they'll be given instruction in proper police procedure, applicable laws, that sort of thing. It'll be sort of a crash course. Nothing like what a regular agent goes through but enough to familiarize them with the necessary protocols."
"They'll also need to have a physical examination. To make sure they're healthy and fit enough to work as field operatives. And there will be a psychological test as well. To identify any with mental or emotional disorders that could be a problem. I'm sure you could help in that respect when you go to evaluate them."
"I've also suggested they receive training in unarmed defense and rudimentary weapons training," interjected Scarborough. "Just as any agent would receive. The type of work they'll be doing can be quite dangerous. They'll need to be able to protect themselves."
"I do want to stress that they won't be authorized to carry any weapons," said Napolitano. "In all fairness, these individuals shouldn't need weapons. But they won't be receiving the rigorous training that 'normal' agents receive. We can't risk any of them getting nervous and firing a weapon when it's not appropriate."
"I understand," said Jeremy. "So they won't be going after what might be called 'normal' terrorists."
"No," said Napolitano. "Their mandate is to seek out and either capture or subdue terrorists that have been identified with special talents. We have individuals very capable of dealing with the more mundane type of terrorists."
"What if I know of or identify someone
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