"It means that besides working as assets for Dex and Sloane, you'll train THIRDS teams, whether they be on US soil or abroad. You'll show them what teamwork means. What it means to have your family at your back. Do you think you're the first to lose a team member?" Sparks tapped the podium surface again, and the screen divided up into dozens of smaller ones, each displaying profile images of both Human and Therian agents. Some of them looked like they hadn't slept in weeks. A few looked on edge, like it wouldn't take much to push them over. Sloane swallowed hard. Whatever these agents had been through, it had been rough.
"Who are they?" Cael asked.
"These are THIRDS teams across the country who are facing demobilization. Promising Defense agents about to be moved into desk jobs, while others will be dismissed. They've lost members, been crippled by tragedy, and never recovered." Sparks met Sloane's gaze. "They had people they loved killed, had innocent civilians die under their watch, their names and reputations dragged through the mud. There was no one to guide them back out of the darkness." She turned her attention back to the room. "Their teams are dysfunctional. Many work out of boroughs that could be confused for warzones. Some of these agents live and work in places like Greenpoint or worse. They don't get to go in and get out. They're always in."
The room was quiet, and Sloane knew the rest of his team was probably feeling as shitty as he was right now. It was easy to forget sometimes how good they had it. They worked out of HQ in a city allotted resources and prestige. Because of who they were and where they were, they got everything they asked for. Their budgets were double and triple the size of other field offices, and not just because they were bigger. Yes, a lot was expected of them, but they were also given leeway that few others would be given. It wasn't fair, but that's the way it was.
"These agents need more than therapy sessions," Sparks pointed out. "They need agents who understand what they've been through. Fellow agents who've bled like they have. Who've lost loved ones. Who've been pulled apart and pieced back together. They need hope.
"This training program has been in the works for some time, but I have the power to get the program fast-tracked. Five other teams will be added as part of the program, but Destructive Delta will be at the top. When you're not helping your fellow agents make it through another day, you'll be assisting Dex and Sloane on their operations."
Calvin sat up, his interest apparently piqued. "So, we'll still be out in the field?"
"Yes. It'll be like any other day, except instead of going out in the field on your own callouts, you'll be going out on theirs. You'll be there to provide backup, assessment, and then put together a plan of action to get the team back to operable status."
"What about Dex and Sloane?" Cael asked.
Again the screen changed, and Sloane couldn't help the way his heart swelled at the images of Dex and all the public events in which he'd taken part. It drove Dex crazy, but the joy on his face as he read to a large group of Therian children was unmistakable. There were images of him laughing and smiling with children and members of the public, of him showing teenagers, both Human and Therian, around the BearCat, explaining equipment and cracking jokes.
"Dex has made great strides in the way the public views the THIRDS. Because of this, it'll come as no surprise when he's made THIRDS International Public Relations Liaison, dealing with THIRDS relations across the globe."
The screen flickered, and Sloane swallowed hard at the photos of him across the years at the THIRDS. One was of his swearing in, fresh-faced and vulnerable, a scared kid given a second chance. He'd been sixteen. God, had he really been that young?
"Sloane has been out in the field since the THIRDS hired him. It's time for him to pass on his experience to the next generation as a THIRDS International Training Officer. Both Dex and Sloane will be in different roles, but ultimately, they represent Destructive Delta and the THIRDS."
Everyone went quiet, lost in their own thoughts. Sloane and Dex exchanged glances. Whatever Sparks was doing, whatever her intentions, Sloane had to admit she had a point. Was it just to set his and Dex's minds at ease? They'd both been worried about leaving their team. This way, despite their new roles, they were technically still part of Destructive Delta.
Calvin was the first to speak up. "Let's say everyone agrees to this insanity. Who's going to lead Destructive Delta?"
"I am."
Sloane was surprised by Ash's declaration.
"We're not replacing Sloane and Dex. I'll lead the team, and we remain as we are."
Cael sat up, worried. "But you'd be two men down. That's against protocol."
"It's against protocol for teams out in the field," Ash corrected. "We're a training team. As long as the number of Human and Therian agents remains even, with at least, let's say, two Defense partnerships, we're good." He met Sparks's gaze. "Right?"
Sparks arched an eyebrow at him. "That is correct. Training teams require flexibility, so protocol sets the minimum number of agents required for field work as four."
Dex peered at her. "You just made that up."
"I did, and now it's protocol."
"So, does that mean I can--"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because my classification and clearance levels supersede yours."
Dex scratched his jaw, and Sloane could see the little cogs in his head turning furiously. "By how much?"
"By about thirty years."
"Shit."