The Quickening

Max Leipold sits at his desk frowning at the memo on his tablet, his round, ruddy face perplexed.

A letter from the Board of Human Protection stating that they are beefing up their security between Hub City #4 and the Outlands has found its way onto the grizzly man's tablet before he had even made it to his desk this morning. He reads the memo and scowls. This means more budget cuts to important project to train officers and improve the wall, he thinks to himself. Ridiculous! He yanks the phone of the receiver and punches in a number with large, awkward fingers.

A sharp, cultured female voice is on the line before the first ring ends. "Jennet Clements."

"Yes, Jennet, it's Max," he says with warm familiarity. They had a history, a friendship of sorts that allowed him certain priveledges that his stern boss would never allow anyone else.

The woman's voice softens almost imperceptibly. "Ah yes, Max. I was just about to call -- you've received the memo from the BHP, I take it?"

The woman reads minds. "Sharp as ever Jennet. I've just looked it over."

"And," she prompts.

"And don't you think it's a little-- well-- extreme?"

"Extreme?" He voice is musing.

"Yeah. I mean, we haven't seen a Changling in something like 10 years; why the sudden push to divert funding from important projects like Resource Management and Crop Alteration to Security and Surveillance? With the Outlands becoming harder and harder to cross, we're hurting for resources as it is!"

There's a brief silence on the other line then Jennet says in a voice much chillier than before, "Max, your job is to carry out instructions, not to question them." It isn't just a chastisement; it's a warning.

Max's mouth pops open as he realizes the implications behind the words. "There hasn't -- I mean -- has there been a resurgence?"

"The information is confidential Max and I can't share little I do know. All I can tell you is that the BHP has their reasons and we must carry out our orders with due diligence."

"Understood." His reply is nearly a whisper. A click followed by a dial tone ends their conversation.

Jennet had given nothing away, of course, but Max knows the woman. They'd gone through Univesity together. They'd even been -- well -- that's in the past. The point is that her reaction is more telling than a full explanation would have been. Shmanitit is serious; deviation from their usual lighthearted banter is proof enough. Surely though it doesn't mean... Could there have been a resurgence?

He stands and walks to the office window in a daze, looking out at the bustling city beneath him. If his hunch is correct, then humanity is in grave danger. Danger? No, that's an understatement. If the BHP has evidence of Changlings...

... God help us.