In the security room, several staff members congregated around the monitors, observing the new recruits with keen interest. Each recruit had been individually escorted into the facility and subjected to a preliminary evaluation, serving as a precursor to the rigorous testing that lay ahead. Out of the ten recruits scheduled for assessment, one had failed to make it past reception, while two others had already been disqualified due to mental incompatibilities.
The supervisory team included Dr. Hall and Dr. Vale from the Research department, along with Phillip Conrad and Jesse Simmons representing the Occult Task Force, and Albert Kent serving as the Psikorp representative.
Albert was being very evasive, making sure to keep his distance from Dr. Vale this time around. Vale couldn’t blame him, given the hostility of their last meeting.
Jesse looked away from the monitors to examine the tablet in her hand, scanning through the notes. “So what happened to the other candidates? I thought there were more?”
Dr. Hall looked over briefly, and then back to the monitors as he responded, “One didn’t even make it inside and the other two failed the initial psych eval. Even the OTF doesn’t need that kind of help.”
Conrad snickered a bit, shaking his head, “Nah we got enough problems. Still, you might go a little easy on them, we can’t afford to be too picky right now.”
As the final recruit entered the building, the group’s focus shifted to the monitors, tracking her movements with precision as she began to explore the carefully prepared entrance.
Dr. Hall consulted his notes. “Ah, here we have the last one: Claire Wilson, 39 years old, no defined career path, residing with her long-term boyfriend and two teenage children in Texas. Interestingly, she tied with Ms. Jones for the highest score on the preliminary occult knowledge tests. She was also only one of three who actually investigated the government contact.”
Albert interjected, his gaze fixed on the camera feed. “Ms. Berri mentioned her accuracy with cold readings in bustling environments. There’s even speculation of precognitive abilities.”
Observing her through the camera lens, it was challenging to discern much, but there was a tangible air of circumspection in the way she surveyed her surroundings and held herself back, piquing Vale’s interest.
Turning away from the monitor, Dr. Vale headed towards the door, pausing for one last glance at the camera feed. “I’ll conduct the remainder of the evaluation with her in the library.”