Prelude: Jamie Pearce

Jamie tries again, listening carefully to the sound the engine makes. In his mind's eye, he traces throuhh the connections, down the electrical systems, the fuel delivery, spark plugs, wires, tubes an clamps that make up engines. Why is it making that particular sound and where must the fault lie? He tries again, listens, traces the route, kickstand, gets off the bike and investigates.

It wasn't a problem with the engine assembly itself. Probably something electrical.

After noticing that Jamie's bike wasn't going anywhere, Kate doubled back. She took her phone from her pocket and began rooting through her messenger bag. "Here," she said mostly to herself, taking out a USB cord and connecting it to her phone. "Hook me up to the diagnostic port. I can make a call. Save you a half hour."

Jamie takes off his helmet, mostly to hide the scowl of this refreshed, unrequested human intimacy. He sighs, smiles, looks up and does as requested. "Thank you, again."

"Don't mention it." Kate selected a number out of her phone's contact list.

A man with a mild American southern accent picked up on the other line. The connection crackled at first before clearing up. "Hello, Kate."

"Hey, Hoyt. I've got you plugged into a bike. Can you run a quick diagnostic?"

"Of course I can. ...I'll be done by the time you can say the solenoid's not getting power."

"Thanks."

"No, Kate, that's it, the solenoid's not getting power. Cable might've shook loose."

"Oh. Quick repair?"

"If that's all it is, yes ma'am. I can talk you through the repair, or give you a jump, if you'd like."

Kate glanced at Jamie and waited for his answer.

"We're good, Hoyt. Thanks again."

"Good luck."

Kate hung up her phone and retrieved her cable. "Chicago doesn't see many Alaskan biker mechanic renegades. Think about livening up the town some time." Without another word, she turned to go on her way.



(I'm at work for the next ten hours. Should be on and posting again tonight.)

"Sure thing Kate, sure thing." Jamie takes the tools out of the bag and prepares to dismantle the electronics shield, find the connection and re-attach it, and then get the hell out of Dodge.

The repair was as quick as the man on the phone promised. Once the starter solenoid was reconnected, Jamie was back on the road.

Evening found him at a motor inn, in the cheapest room he could find -- little more than a bed, a nightstand, and a bathroom.



(Click here for the letter enclosed in the envelope.)

Jamie rips into the envelop with a what the hell attitude, but ends up laughing. "Really, and a travelling mechanic is required?" He takes the sheet and goes to find a phone.

(Assuming the call is for Orpheus; let me know if you've got other plans.)


The phone rang twice before someone answered. "Good evening, and thank you for calling Orpheus," said a young woman with a pleasant tone on the other end of the line. "My name is Amy, how may I help you?"

Jamie sighs, "yes, Amy, hello. My name is Jamie Pearce, and I was approached earlier in the day by one of your agents. I've been reading the material through and was wondering if someone there can answer a few questions."

"Certainly, Mr. Pearce; I can help you with that," she replied, tapping softly at a keyboard in the background. "What can I do for you?"

"I'll see what I can find in your file, Mr. Pearce," Amy said before falling silent for a short time.

"Here we are. It looks like Kate Dennison delivered your letter... it says here that the company is interesting in evaluating you as an Investigative Consultant. No mention of why, but our ICs are... people with unique talents and experiences. It's not a position the company recruits for without careful consideration and investigation."

"Investigative Consultants have always survived at least one major life-threatening experience," Amy began to explain. "It's not my department, I'm afraid that's all I know, but I'd be happy to pass your information to someone who could contact you soon with more information.

"It does look like the company has held a spot for you in our spring evaluation, April 4th through 11th, in case you're interested. Orpheus flies prospects to our Chicago office for a briefing, then to Utah for evaluation, covers all expenses, and pays a sum of ten thousand dollars."

"Yes, Mr. Pearce, and thank you for calling. Is there anything else I can do for you this evening?"

Jamie was awake, cleaned up, checked out and ready to take to the road the following morning when his cell rang.

"Jamie," said a familiar voice -- Kate. "I got a call from corporate, they said you had some questions. What's on your mind?"

"I'll be sure to remember your confidence in me when you work for me." Kate's smirk was audible. "I'd still put money on you, Jamie. Orpheus has an eye for survivors -- people who come out of accidents, poor health, disasters, that kind of thing. We have the wherewithal to keep going. There's more to it than that, but it wouldn't be fair of me to spoil the briefing.

"I'll see you in Chicago, Jamie. Drive safe."

"Well sure. If I don't make it, it's only because the Illuminati made me their grand poubah." Jamie laughs and hangs up. He looks at his watch for the date, deciding to hit a few sights before heading toward Illinois.