The Kids Aren't Alright

Summer 2021, Week 4

Wednesday morning

Mayor's Office, City Centre

Storyteller

The Chief's whistling rendition of the Andy Griffith theme song reverberated off the walls of City Hall as he strolled down the hall to his meeting with the mayor. Yes, he was carrying a coffee cup. Yes, it was the one that Ari made for him. You can't trust government coffee, ya know?  

Chief Butler

"Hey there, Charlotte."  

Storyteller

"Hi, Steve. She's waiting for you."  

Chief Butler

"Oh I don't doubt it one bit. Thanks." He nodded his head at the woman before opening the door to the office.  

Mayor Sims

Mayor Sims was sitting behind her elegant desk...well one could assume a desk was there. It was currently covered in papers and folders galore. Hair disheveled and bags under her eyes, she looked up slowly. "Steve. Come in. Sit down." She looked around for a for her cup, found it, and took a sip. Grimacing, she set it aside and waited. "We need to talk about AERI."  

Chief Butler

"Mmhmm. We do." His body creaked as he took a seat. I should really take those supplements my wife puts out. "This can't be one of our usual sessions. I'm overseeing the funeral efforts so I need to get back, but I know how important this is too. So let's have it then."  

Mayor Sims

"The President wants me to shut down the AERI program and write a mayoral order revoking our sanctuary status." Sims blurted out bluntly, far too tired to keep up any sense of political play-talking. "And I'm having a hard time explaining to him why I can't do that. I need reasons, or something, to bring to the higher ups in government."  

Chief Butler

"Well shit, Monica. We can't let them do this. I know it went badly, but it was their first mission. They weren't even given a fair chance. We need them. I know the public is angry, but they weren't there. I don't think they understand how badly this would have gone if we didn't have AERI. We couldn't have stopped them on our own. You know that. Once we actually get this team some training and they aren't so damn green, we have a real shot at making this city the example the country needs right now. Evos exist. We can't pretend they don't and we can't hunt them all down. That's genocide and I won't stand for it. They're people. But there are bad apples in every bunch and we need to show them that we can handle those bad apples. They have to give us a chance. We'll do press. We'll do public outreach programs. We'll do massive amounts of training. We'll get them into shape."  

Mayor Sims

"Steve, I know that. Believe me I do. But if the Feds are against them and the public is against them, there's nothing I can really do. Or I do it and they vote me out with a recall or at the next election and it changes anyways. If its just you and me on the AERI side, we lose that fight. 10 times out of 10."   "That doesn't change what you're saying as being true. We lost 17 officers. 17. More than the city ever lost in one day, week, almost beating the month record during the Ragnarok era. That scares the shit out of me knowing that if AERI wasn't there, it would have been double, triple that number easily."   "Still. Recent surveys show only 20% in support of AERI. 30% is against, the rest is undecided. Those aren't good numbers. And they sway more towards against every day these Pro-Normal movements get traction. Some of those people, they want genocide. They want every Evo locked up. We both know that it only takes one event like this to get that to happen."   "So we have to stop it. I called you in here to get your thoughts. And I'm happy you agree. I can hold off the Feds for now, sort of. Congress is getting ready to pass legislation allowing the EHEA access to any city regardless of local governance orders. The courts will handle the fight of that, but it'll take time. During that time, we're going to have black coats in the city."   "So I'll handle that. Get me a few pro-AERI cops from the battle and I'll do some news pieces too. When Victory gets out of the hospital, we can do a piece with him also. You, Chief, handle the training. And we're going beyond the basics now. If Henry taught me anything its that our AERI team needs to be better in every way, like in the comic books. They need to fight without causing damage. Save lives without losing any. They need to be as close to perfect as they can be, and more importantly they need to understand why."   "I've released more of the budget for the team. Get them staff, assign them support teams from the police and fire departments. Have them train together. Just--I don't know, Steve, just work your magic as usual and I'll try to cast some spells of my own."  

Chief Butler

"Sure, I'll get you some of the guys that I know owe their lives to the team. Then I'll get the team together next week. Give them all some time to recuperate before I put them through hell. Again. Let's stay on touch on this one as we make progress. I don't want to run out of time. Do what you gotta do. I'll do what I gotta do. And I'll be sure to stall any of the spooks that come by my office. This is our city. Like hell they're gonna take it from us. I may need to borrow Sloane more'n usual. Do some reconnaissance and that sort of thing. That alright?"  

Mayor Sims

“That’s fine, but make sure you don’t send her into the wolfs den alone. Give her an out of uniform or someone to have her back.”   “A week is fine. But…” She paused, hating what she was about to say. “Victory needs to be back out there. As soon as possible. We need to give the people some sign, and not just the people but those higher too.”   “Damnit Steve, I want to give that man time to rest but that’s not a luxury at the moment. Have you seen the reports? A rise in criminal activity AND people dressing up and playing hero on their own now? We need our guys out there.“   “We will stay in touch. Let’s clear a time for another check in three days from now. Things are moving fast and we can’t wait a week.”  

Chief Butler

"Alright, Monica. Okay. I don't know when the hell they'll let him out of the hospital, but we'll try to get him to be in the public eye as soon as they'll let us. And I don't mean I'll meet with 'em late next week. I'll reach out today. Plan a meeting for Monday. If he's not out of the hospital by then, we'll go to him and start planning at the very least. And don't worry, I won't send her into anything I don't think she can handle. There's been enough of that."  

Mayor Sims

“Sounds good. This is our city. Our people. Our home. I’m not going to let some outsiders play around with lives without putting up a fight. It’s our home. We will keep it safe.”  

Chief Butler

"That's for damn sure. I'll call ya soon." He stands up from his chair as his knees pop again. "I'm gettin too old for this shit." And he shakes his head as he takes another sip from his mug. "Oh did ya see this? That new kid, Ari Thomas, he made it for me." He walked over to the desk and showed the mayor his new custom made mug.  

Mayor Sims

“Hmm. It looks wonderfully well done. He’s the…the Earth mover and Morpher right? Hopefully his skills in the field are as good as his skills with crafting. We could use him.” Smirking she said, “Too bad, Steve. These youngsters need our old people guidance and wisdom. We have a lot of work to do. Let’s get it started.”  

Mayor Sims

“Hmm. It looks wonderfully well done. He’s the…the Earth mover and Morpher right? Hopefully his skills in the field are as good as his skills with crafting. We could use him.” Smirking she said, “Too bad, Steve. These youngsters need our old people guidance and wisdom. We have a lot of work to do. Let’s get it started.”  

Chief Butler

"Awh, you know I'm not done yet. No matter how much I grouch. I'm on it, boss lady." He tipped his head as he raised his mug and then moseyed on out of the office. It may be urgent, but Steve will always get things done with his own flair.