I12DT: Time Bandits

[Nick Varkan]

After getting some more information from Nailah, Nick knocked on Natalya's office door.

[Natalya Romanov]

"Come in," Natalya said. Her office wasn't frigid, but it was a lot colder than the hall way.

[Nick Varkan]

Nick entered and proceeded to make himself comfortable in a chair.

"Want the good news or the bad news first?"

[Natalya Romanov]

"Let's start with the good news."

[Nick Varkan]

"I discovered the identify of our thief."

[Natalya Romanov]

"That was fast. Do you have a name?" She flipped her tablet around, ready to take notes.

[Nick Varkan]

"Aria. The last name is the bad news."

[Natalya Romanov]

Natalya sighed, "Okay, out with it."

[Nick Varkan]

"It's either Weaver or McManus."

[Natalya Romanov]

"Explain," Natalya said, her face going stony.

[Nick Varkan]

"She's their daughter from the future," he said as if it were perfectly normal.

[Natalya Romanov]

"Damn time travelers. I hate that stuff. I'm already getting a headache just thinking about it. Do either of them know why?"

[Nick Varkan]

"I haven't spoken to McManus yet, but Professor Weaver doesn't know. She's hoping Aria isn't up to anything terrible."

He sighed. "I'd like to give her the benefit of the doubt too but the timing is really bothering me."

[Natalya Romanov]

"I see Sam's optimism is rubbing off on Nailah," Natalya sighed. "Do you want to handle the contact with Sam?"

[Nick Varkan]

"You know her much better than I do."

[Natalya Romanov]

"I just don't want to take this out of your hands, since you're already running with it. It's up to you."

[Nick Varkan]

"Well, I know I'd rather hear 'your child may be the enemy' from a friend. I'm not exactly the most tactful person."

[Natalya Romanov]

"Okay, I'll handle talking to her then. You have any other leads to follow up?"

[Nick Varkan]

"Not yet. Tracking someone who hasn't been born yet is going to be a serious pain in the ass."

[Natalya Romanov]

"Yes, but she sticks out like a sore thumb. And maybe something she does with her powers is noticeable. You can't manipulate the fabric of space like that and not have some effect... I hope."

[Nick Varkan]

"Space warping..." he pondered, frowning deeply.

[Natalya Romanov]

"Yeah, I don't know either," Natalya said. "Hold off on telling the team her full identity until I have a chance to talk to Sam. I want to give Sam the opportunity to deliver the news. It might be easier on everyone if it came from her."

[Nick Varkan]

"Agreed," he nodded.