McMillan Tech Industries Lake Point Branch, ground floor
Detectives Alec Bartlett and Maura Dunbar of the Lake Point Police Department had just finished listening to the reports of the forensics, and, based on what the forensics had told them, Bartlett was in no mood to listen to the demands of Susan McMillan and her daughter Sarah McMillan.
For the past few minutes, the pair were insisting they be allowed to enter the building and see Susan's husband and Sarah's father, McMillan Tech Industries CEO Richard McMillan. "Do you know who I AM?" Susan was insisting. "I have ins with the mayor and the city council. I could cost you your job if you don't let us through!"
Maura stayed quiet for the most part as her partner argued with Susan McMillan. Bartlett had repeatedly told the two that this was an active crime scene and that civilians should not be allowed entry.
"Look, a man DIED here!" Bartlett said, visibily frustrated. "Our forensics confirmed he was thrown through a window with great force. For all we know, the killer is still on the loose in there. We can't endanger the lives of civilians, no matter who they are and who they're related to!"
"That means my dad's in danger!" Sarah said. "Shouldn't you be in there protecting him right now?"
"We're in contact with the head of security. If they need us to go in or if they've apprehended the killer, they'll let us know." Bartlett replied.
Soon after, they got a call from the security detail watching over Mr. McMillan. Maura answered it as Bartlett was still in a back and forth argument with the McMillans that was going nowhere.
The redheaded detective nodded as she listened to the call. "So the killer is no longer a threat?" she asked.
"According to Dr. Fairlane and Dr. McLewis, the threat has been contained." the security officer's voice on the other end said. A story followed, which Maura listened to. Apparently, the threat was a creation of a Transformation Gun, which was neutralized through use of a Restoration Gun. This, Maura knew, was an overly simplified account. She trusted that she would hear the full story later.
"Thank you." Maura said. "Keep me informed if anything changes." She turned back to Bartlett, who was still arguing with the McMillans.
"Look, I had to deal with a Transformation Gun crisis at my school, including the fucking Random Gun!" Sarah was saying. "Whatever's going on in there, I can handle it! And you're cops! As long as you're there escorting us, you're still doing your job protecting us!"
Maura spoke up. "I just heard from security. They say the threat's been neutralized. The person who killed the security guard has been identified and contained."
Bartlett turned to Maura. "That's good news, at least." he said. "I'm still not convinced letting these two in the building is the right idea."
Maura turned to the McMillans. What Sarah had just said interested her. "I'd heard reports about what happened at Lake Point High School." she said, addressing Sarah. "You said you had to deal with the Random Gun?"
Sarah turned to Detective Maura Dunbar. She seemed to be trying to calm herself down and compose herself.
"One of our teachers found the Random Gun, got zapped by it, and went crazy. She kept zapping students with it, changing them. She zapped my boyfriend with it! I got in a fight with her, and she ended up getting zapped into an old man and ended up in the hospital."
"Principal Davison told us some of this." Maura said. "We've been keeping updated on that situation. A few minutes ago, we received word that the hospitalized old man has regained consciousness, and seems on the road to recovery."
Sarah breathed a sigh of relief. Maura got the distinct impression that Sarah was omitting some important details. Maura knew, however, that they had to remain on topic. "So you were in a fight with a Transformation Gun user?"
"Yes." Sarah said. "I know what the Random Gun does. And that woman on the phone ... McLewis ... told me my dad got zapped by the Random Gun. She told me that Dankworth creep zapped him with it before he got himself killed. I've seen what the Random Gun does, so I think I'm ready for whatever it did to him."
Maura nodded. "And you've seen some of the other Transformation Guns?"
Sarah nodded. "Yes. Melissa got fat because she was zapped by the Fat Gun, but then Nicole used the Babe Gun to make her attractive again. The Principal and one of the jocks got zapped by the Babe Gun and turned into girls, and I'm not going to go into what that jerk Steve Farber did. Nicole's also a Geek now cause she got zapped with the Geek Gun and now knows a ton of stuff about anime and fantasy she never gave a shit about before, and then there's that whole mess in the cafeteria."
"I think we get the idea." Maura said, as politely as possible. "So if we were to escort you into the building, you would be prepared for any strangeness caused by the Transformation Guns?"
"Yes, I would. I don't care! Just get me in there!" Sarah said firmly.
Bartlett turned to Maura. "Are you sure about this?"
Maura turned to Susan. "And what about you? Are you prepared to witness the effects of Transformation Guns in person?"
Susan nodded. "Sarah's told me what to expect. I'm ready for it. Just let us in already."
Bartlett spoke up. "I'm still not sure if this is a good idea."
"Look, if this goes wrong, they have us to protect them." Maura replied. "They're worried about Mr. McMillan and they're not going to leave until they know his condition. If I had a family member caught up in this mess and I didn't know what happened to them, I'd probably be demanding that I be allowed to see them, too."
"Fine." Bartlett said with a sigh. "Let's just call them up and tell them we'll be coming."
And with that, the two detectives escorted the McMillans into the building. Maura was sure there was something Sarah wasn't telling them, but now was not the time to press her.
McMillan Tech Industries, Lake Point Branch, deserted storage room near Accounting
Martin Stragey, the former Marketing executive, was now hiding in a storage room near the Accounting department. Still stuck in the form of a female Asian nurse, he (she?) was trying to think of what to do next. It was not easy, given the fact that part of Stragey wanted to go out and assist those in need of medical attention. Also, she found herself speaking Japanese involuntarily at times.
She had managed to find a tote bag, and, claiming that she was one of the people looking for Transformation Guns, had spoken to a few people and been given the Geek Gun and the Seafarer Gun. Stragey had no idea what good either would do. Would being zapped by either of them cause McMillan to change his mind about firing Stragey, or grant Stragey the Department Head position that had been given to Darby Adaway instead?
Screw it, Stragey thought. Maybe I should just get one of those Restoration Guns and go home.
Stragey didn't want to stay in her current form, though part of her was actually comfortable with it, and felt natural being an Asian woman, and a nurse. This was a part Stragey was trying to suppress. Internal pronouns were shifting constantly, and the she/her pronouns seemed to have a lead at the moment.
Stragey knew she or he couldn't hide forever. Soon, Stragey would have to take some action. Stragey settled on this goal: Find a Restoration Gun or some Transformation Gun that would help change things for the better.
McMillan Tech Industries, Lake Point Branch, Legal and PR Department Floor near elevators
Samantha Duncan, Doug Sallow, and Teresa Talton had concluded their business in the Legal and PR departments, and were ready to return to their friends and the transformed Board members. Much to their surprise, however, the elevator door opened, and out stepped Denise Brewster, head of MTI's Pittsburgh branch, accompanied by Suzanne Sendletter, Department Head of Public Relations.
Samantha noted how Denise Brewster had changed since her promotion. The white blouse and short black miniskirt Ms. Brewster wore as the previous Department Head of Research and Development had been replaced by a businesslike yellow pantsuit, though she kept the three-inch black heels. Denise was making it clear that she had moved upward in the business world and wanted everyone to know it.
Suzanne Sendletter was dressed in a dark blue businesswoman's outfit, with her dark hair pinned up behind her. She was clearly trying to hide her concerns behind a layer of professional stoicism.
"Ms. Duncan, Mr. Sallow." Denise said. "I see you've been busy." Ms. Brewster briefly scrutinized them as she spoke.
"What are you doing here?" Doug Sallow asked. "You weren't expected until two days from now."
"Change of plans." Denise replied. "After Rachel McLewis called and told us about what happened to Mr. McMillan and the others, we decided to drop everything and fly over here as quickly as we could."
"A few Transformation Guns appeared at the Pittsburgh branch, but most of them were found quickly." Ms. Sendletter added. "But I've been hearing disturbing things about what's happened over here."
"You'll be happy to hear that things are stable at the PR Department." Sallow replied. "We just came from there, and the worst offender is currently stuck in her office."
"I can tell it's a long story." Ms. Sendletter replied.
"We don't really have the time." Denise said. "I am here to see Mr. McMillan and the Board members who were ... affected ... by the chaos earlier today. What I have to say will depend greatly on their condition."
Ms. Brewster went on. "This isn't a Board meeting, so you don't have to be present for this. Ms. Sendletter, you and Mr. Sallow are free to compare notes and see to your respective departments. Ms. Duncan, you have been leading the efforts in calming the situation here, I understand."
"I have." Samantha said. "Last I checked, the way to Mr. McMillan was clear. We shouldn't run into problems on the way."
Samantha was sure she was right about this. Ryan's latest text was vague, but it seemed everything was under control. "Just in case, we'll escort you every step."
"Good." Denise Brewster replied. "Ms. Duncan, Ms. Talton, the two of you can escort me to Mr. McMillan."
Samantha nodded, as did Teresa. Samantha did not know what was going to happen next, but she did know that change was in the air, and after tonight, McMillan Tech Industries would never be the same.
