First Day at work

Big thanks to for this piece


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FireBrandi did not feel very comfortable flying in civilian clothes, but the clock is ticking and she didn't want to be late for first day of work. The friends she made on coming to this dimension have been a big help in setting up a new identity and a new life here. Soviet Superwoman was able to give advice from her experience in moving to a new parallel world. Too bad they couldn't set her up as a billionaire socialite, with a mansion and a 'Fire' cave or something.

The grounds of Angel Falls University pass below her as she locates her destination, the campus science research center. Landing unseen in back of the building, she straightened herself out, fixed her hair to cover those pointed ears, then walked to the front and went in.

Dr. Sherman's office was a good size, with lots of little gizmos crowding the shelves and table tops. Dr. Sherman looked up

DS - "Ah.. you must be Ms.."

FB - "Brandi, just call me Brandi"

DS - "Good to meet you Brandi. I've seen your credentials, rather impressive. Engineering major with physics and chemistry minors. Why did you decide to become a research assistant at AFU? There are a number of big corporate research firms in the city which are far better funded and equipped? I hear the pay is pretty good in them too."

Thankfully the university in Paragon city is used to giving cross dimensional references. As far as anyone here is concerned she is just another URI graduate.

FB - "Yes, they are impressive. However they are geared towards application. No one in charge there cares if you discover a new subatomic particle unless you can figure how to make a buck from it. I prefer research driven by discovery, not the marketing department"

Not to mention the number of times such companies have black-box operations, with or without the knowledge of the execs. She would rather not be in a position where have to destroy the place she works. Also on campus there is a much better opportunity to connect with computer experts, ok hackers, with the skills and will to find information that could be helpful.


Dr. Sherman smiled

DS - "I share your sentiments. Nothing so earth shattering is likely to come from here, but we are free to pursue our own interests. One result of that has been a sort of tradition here, each new batch of engineering students try to design a better trebuchet, with one of the athletic fields used as a firing range".

Brandi perks up

FB - "Oh I have got to see that! going for range or do you have targets set up?"

DS - "both, range and a target wall to knock down."

FB - "nice!!"

DS - "Perhaps you can be an adviser on the next round. Now lets take a tour to familiarize yourself with the labs and researchers you will be working with."

Sherman proceeds to show Brandi around, detailing the various labs, who works in them and some of the projects currently being worked on. He speaks with the joy of a child showing off his cool toys. The materials fabrication rooms where they can make just about any part needed, the electronic labs, optics, lasers, and so on.

DS - "This is the chemical analysis room. The police sometimes get backed up with requests and ask us to help in their evidence analysis. I believe you are familiar with the equipment we have. I'm afraid there is currently a lot of work piled up, so you will be starting in here. Though with all the superhuman activity in the city you might find some pretty interesting results. Try not to blow up the building or have an Origin in here." Sherman winks

FB - "heheh, yes, I've worked with most of these before. If the tour is done then I can jump right in now"

FireBrandi's education was always guided by her powers. When you are a fire slinger it helps to know the melting points of various materials, what is explosive, and what gives off toxic smoke. Physics and engineering come in handing to know when a burning building is ready to come down, how to slow it or accelerate it. Luckily these subjects are also pretty darn fun! Just about any episode of MythBusters is proof of that. Sitting in front of analyzers for hours on end.... not so much.

The work ran late into the night. Boring sample after boring sample, nothing unusual here. Brandi stretched in her seat. Everyone else had left some time ago. Might as well get as much done today as possible, so she wouldn't be tied up if an emergency came up.

"Excuse me, but I could use your help."

Brandi jumped! She did not hear anyone come in. Her shock was a bit exaggerated, due to concentrating on not flying up, letting her eyes glow, or hands flame up in preparation for a fight. Wouldn't be good form to blow her secret ID on the first day. She turned to see who it was that came in.