Chapter 4: Information

Phoenix sat at her desk like she did normally during work. Her job was writing down the latest findings on Project GENESIS. But the thing that most people found strange was, after she read it once she could remember everything in detail. It was a rather unique gift she had, for the most part. But it was a gift that kept her working for ExaTek.

Phoenix stopped her typing on the computer keys and sighed. She looked over to the calendar. It had been three months since her brother had left. There had been no information on what was going on. But Phoenix was starting to get very worried. Of course, being as stoic as she was, she never actually showed how worried for her brother she was. But those who had been working with her for years knew that she was colder then normal.

"Something on your mind, Miss Volante?" a voice said from behind.

Phoenix turned around in her chair to see who had spoken. There, standing at the entrance of her office, was the Director: Director Killian Veneto. He looked the same as when he did when Phoenix first came. His blonde hair had grown a bit and he still had the fringe tossed to the side. His silver glasses seemed a bit newer and brought out his hazel eyes a bit more. He still wore the same black suit and tie, which just made him look like a gentlemen.

Phoenix stood to her feet quickly. "Director Killian..." she said, standing straight. "I didn't expect-"

Killian held up a hand and smiled. "No need to be so formal, Miss Volante." His gentle voice made Phoenix relax a bit, but she still stayed standing as he walked over to the desk. "I just wanted to see how things were going with you."

Phoenix scrunched her eyebrows together, wondering why he was there. "Everything has been going very well, Director..." Phoenix took a seat in her chair. "I've just been updating the files like asked..."

Killian smiled again, leaning on Phoenix's desk. "You've always been so hard working, Miss Volante."

She faced her computer once again and began typing. "Thank you very much, Sir..."

Killian's smile faded and his look went into a rather concerned-yet serious-expression. What was running through his head was a mystery.

He looked over his shoulder and saw the picture on Phoenix's desk. He reached over and picked it up. It was a picture of her and her brother. Kaiden had his arm around her and his goofy smile was plastered on his face. But Phoenix was not smiling, instead she seemed rather annoyed in the picture.

Killian gave a small smirk and an inaudible laugh. "How have you been lately?" he said, setting down the picture. "I heard that now that your brother is gone, you have the house to yourself."

Phoenix stopped her typing and glanced her eyes over her shoulder. "I've been just fine..." she muttered. "It hasn't been that lonely since he left..." Phoenix glanced at the picture and then back to the computer. "It's rather quiet now. Nothing to disturb me from reading."

Killian crossed his arms. "Do you miss your brother, Miss Volante?"

Phoenix gave a small sigh. "I miss him dearly, Sir..." she muttered. "Now," she turned to face Killian, "is there something I could help you with, Director?"

Killian's smile turned into a rather bitter frown. He sighed and looked to the ground. Did he really have to have this job?

"Squad Three..." he said, his tone going very strict, "...it seems that...they’ve vanished..." Killian looked up and met the shocked eyes of the girl.

"And my brother...?" she muttered.

Killian shook his head. "He's disappeared..." Phoenix's eyes grew even larger. "We have no signs of where he could have gone... But, for now, he's MIA...as goes for the rest of the team he was with..." Killian glanced up and saw Phoenix was completely normal, he knew she was holding her pain and anger back. "We're doing our best to figure out where they had disappeared to. But so far we haven't had any luck." His look softened. "I'm truly sorry to tell you this, Miss Volante..."

Phoenix turned in her chair and faced the computer screen again. Her fringe covered her eyes-keeping the pain hidden from Killian's view. Never once had she cried and it seemed even now she was not going to.

"Thank you..." Phoenix said. "You will let me know if there is any new information...?"

Killian stood to his feet, placing his hands in his pockets. "You know I can't do that, Miss Volante..."

Phoenix stood to her feet and quickly turned her gaze upon Killian. "And why not?!" she shouted.

Killian did not look that much shocked at her sudden outburst. But what shocked him was that there was no sadness or pain in her eyes. It was simply cold anger.

"Information that goes on with GALACTIC is confidential," he said, sighing and turning away from her. "No one outside of GALACTIC is aloud to know what goes on within missions." He glanced over his shoulder. "You know that very well, Miss Volante..."

Phoenix's fist went into a fist. "Not even family of the member who went MIA are aloud to know, Director?!" she shouted again. She barely managed to say 'MIA'. She just could not believe her brother had gone missing.

"Even family, Miss Volante..." he said, walking to the door. "Only GALACTIC and I can know." Killian then opened the door and stepped out, saying, "I wish you well, Miss Volante."

Phoenix looked to the ground as the door shut. Silence was in the room once again, pure silence. She wished her brother would just run through that door saying, ‘How has my darling little sister been since I've been gone?’ But Phoenix knew that was not possible. He was missing now. No one knew if he was dead or alive.

Phoenix fell into her chair and entwined her hands. She crossed her legs and sat there, looking at the door. What was she going to do? Live her life like she normally would and pretend like it never happened? How could she? No, it had happened. Her worst fear had happened.

Phoenix turned in her chair and faced back to the computer. She then reached over and began typing once again.