Chapter Text
The Administrator looked at her desk warily. She had been staring at the Manila envelope that had been left on her desk for her since she sat down, refusing to touch it. Lighting yet another cigarette, she inhaled, barely glancing at Miss Pauling as she walked in.
“You called?” The young woman was looking at some papers, a few hairs out of place but otherwise she was neat and orderly.
“Did you bring this to my desk?” Those cold grey eyes never left the envelope.
Stepping forward, Miss Pauling looked to see what the older woman was talking about, frowning. “No, I didn’t.”
“Open it.”
Doing as told, Miss Pauling picked it up and found some folders as well as a roll of film labeled “Play Me First”.
It had taken a moment to get the film set up, but when it was ready and the lights were dimmed, Miss Pauling started the projection.
A young woman, no more than thirty, was sitting at a desk. The Administrators desk. Miss Pauling held back a gasp. The Administrator curled her fingers into tight fists.
“Hello Administrator, Miss Pauling. You must be wondering who I am.” The woman smiled, no clear accent giving away her place of origin. “You may call me Nullis, although I’m sure you already know that is not my real name. You see, I know the little game you’re playing in Teufort. I know about Australium.” Her smile widened. “I even know about that little debt that needs settling.”
Miss Pauling glanced at the Administrator in confusion, then fear as she saw the older woman’s eyes were wide, and Miss Pauling saw something she never thought she would see before. The Administrator was afraid.
“Oh yes, I know about that. But don’t worry! I’m not here to stop you! No, no no no! I want in. You see, there’s someone I need to talk to, to work with. Your Medic is… special. And I need him.” The woman stopped smiling and leaned forward. “This is not a request. And besides, I have a little something that you might want. Open up the desk drawer to your right. The one on the top. I know what it looks like, but believe me, it’s better.”
The Administrator hesitantly opened the desk drawer, her eyes widening at what she saw. Picking up an intricately designed crystal vial, there was a glowing golden substance.
“Think of it as Australium. Only you’ll need one fifth the amount to get the same results. It lasts longer, too. Anyway, I’ll be seeing you soon.”
The film ended, and Miss Pauling watched as the Administrator uncorked the vial and let a single drop fall onto her gnarled hand. The glowing liquid immediately soaked into the skin, and it rapidly de-aged by what looked like thirty to forty years, the veins less prominent and the age spots vanishing, her skin growing supple and soft.
“Neat, isn’t it?”
Gasping, Miss Pauling pulled out her gun and whipped around, pointing it at the source of the voice behind them. The Administrator hadn’t reacted, her disbelieving gaze locked onto her hand.
“Miss Pauling, you wound me! I come here unarmed, of my own free will, and you pull a gun on me? I’m hurt, truly. Besides, that gun will do you no good.” The woman leaned against the doorway, hands in her pockets. She was wearing a well fitted black suit with heels, shades covering her eyes, her short dark hair in tight curls.
Miss Pauling pulled the trigger.
The woman sighed as the gun clicked uselessly. Pulling a hand from her pocket, she held a firing pin in her hands. “Pretty useless without this. Not that it would have killed me. Many have tried.” Tossing the firing pin over, she smiled when Miss Pauling caught it.
“Who are you?” The Administrator’s voice was breathless, filled with both fear and amazement.
“That is a rather loaded question. I have gone by many names over the countless years. But as I said, you may call me Nullis.”
“Nobody.” The Administrator grumbled, turning to look at the woman.
“Very good!” The woman smiled brightly, perfectly white, straight teeth gleaming. “My name is of no consequence. Besides, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you anyway. But that is not why I’m here. I’m here to ensure you don’t try to stop me. It would be useless if you did, but it would make things so much easier for everyone if you just played along.”
“And if we refuse? If we send the mercenaries after you?”
Tutting disapprovingly, the woman shook her head in disappointment. “I would still get my way. I always win, one way or another.”
“Why now?” Miss Pauling had been silent up until now, too nervous to speak.
“I had some loose ends that needed to be taken care of.”
“What do you need Medic for? If you have access to this, then what could he possibly do?”
The woman smiled wryly, pulling her sunglasses from her face, revealing bright yellow eyes. “There are some things that even that stuff can’t fix.”
Miss Pauling began looking closer, noting alarming features. Her canines were sharper than normal, ears slightly more pointed, and those yellow eyes… filled with such ancient knowledge. “What are you?”
“Ah, now you’re asking the right question! But alas, that’s for me to know. And I can see I’ve overstayed my welcome, so I’ll take my leave. Just let the boys know they’ll be meeting someone new. Their new Nurse.”