The Melaswen Paradox (Read 328,981 times)

[heroicmuse]

I'm so excited to see Shane be sworn in and the celebration. Lol at how some directors are best not talked about.

I'm glad Andrew is supportive of Theresa's recovery.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

Looking forward to the swearing in. I'm glad Philip still has ties to the ISA!

[André DiMera]

Chapter 458

ISA HQ - WASHINGTON D.C.
A short while later, the group had gotten to the Headquarters of the ISA. They were in a large auditorium. John, Andrew, Steve, Kayla and Philip had met up with Roman, Billie, Scotty and Rafe. Hope had also joined them.
ANDREW: Aunt Hope, it’s good to see you! I didn’t know you’d be coming.
HOPE: Good to see you too, Andrew. I got an invitation on Bo’s behalf. I may not have been an agent myself, but I was married to one for a long time and have been known to liaise with the ISA from time to time.
Hope and Andrew hugged.
PHILIP: Tell me that that is not Kramer over there.
Philip gestured to a man on the other side of the room. John looked over.
JOHN: Nope. Kramer’s still in prison. No way he’d be allowed back here. I’ll tell you who that is, though.
PHILIP: Who?
STEVE: That right there is Jett Carver.
PHILIP: Abe’s nephew?
JOHN: That’s a fact.
ROMAN: Well, it is good to see everyone. Shall we find our seats?
The entire group took a row of seats and watched. Several people in ISA uniform stood on the stage in front. A woman stepped up to the podium at the front.
WOMAN: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to today’s ceremony. Before we begin, please silence all cell phones or electronic devices. My name is Paula von Dyne, and I am Head of Communications here. I will also be overseeing today’s proceedings. And now, we begin. Please join me by welcoming to the stage Chief Tarrington and Special Agent Shane Donovan.
Everyone clapped their hands as Shane and Tarrington walked onto the stage, both in full uniform with several medals on their lapels. Paula saluted, as did the rest of the agents onstage. The members of the audience who were either current or former ISA agents saluted, as well. Then, Paula and Shane sat down in chairs to the side of the stage.
TARRINGTON: Thank you, everybody. Welcome to the Headquarters of the International Security Alliance.
Several people clapped. Tarrington held up a hand and the crowd went silent.
TARRINGTON: I have had the honour of being the Director of the ISA for the last thirty years, which, if I am correct, is a record for this position.
A few people chuckled, some clapped.
TARRINGTON: I recognise the majority of the faces in the audience today. It has been my joy to be your Director all these years. However, as you can no doubt see, age is catching up with me. Thirty years is more than I could have ever hoped for, and after much deliberation, I have decided that it is time for me to step down from my position. I wish to spend the latter years of my life in the company of my children, my grandchildren and my wife, who has been a saint to put up with all of the various trials that come with being married to an agent over these years. It is my belief that I have found a replacement who is more than suitable. I have no doubt that he shall excell at the job. He has already exceeded all expectations. He has shown that he is willing to go above and beyond to ensure that safety of the people we have sworn to protect. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a round of applause to Special Agent Shane Donovan.
The auditorium erupted with applause, as Shane got up and stood next to Tarrington

[heroicmuse]

This is a nice ceremony so far. I'm excited to see Shane actually get sworn in. Hopefully no one causes trouble during it.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

I loved Tarrington's speech. Very heartfelt. Looking forward to more of the ceremony!

[André DiMera]

Thanks for reading and commenting!

---

Next week...

While their parents are away, Stephanie and Joey take the chance to bond.
JOEY: You serious?
STEPHANIE: Come on, it could be fun.

Meanwhile, Shane gets sworn in.
PAULA: I now present to you Director Shane Donovan.

But could trouble be brewing close by?
JETT: You guys get the feeling something's not right?
JOHN: Go with your instincts.

All this and more next week on THE MELASWEN PARADOX!

[heroicmuse]

YES!!! Can't wait to see Joey and Stephanie bond.

Uh oh. Of course there has to be trouble at the swearing in. I hope Shane and everyone else is all right.

Great previews André DiMera.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 459

ISA HQ - WASHINGTON D.C.
Shane and Tarrington shook hands.
TARRINGTON: Well done.
SHANE: Thank you, sir.
They turned to the audience.
TARRINGTON: As I said, I have found a replacement who is more than suitable.
SHANE: I appreciate your confidence in me, Chief.
Tarrington clapped Shane on the shoulder.
TARRINGTON: Special Agent von Dyne, if you would, please.
Paula picked up a box from under her chair, got up, and walked over.
PAULA: Chief Tarrington, you have been Director of the International Security Alliance for thirty years, a record tenure for any agent, let alone director. For this, and upon your retirement from your post, we give you the ISA’s Platinum Agent Medal, the highest honor an agent can achieve. If I may?
TARRINGTON: Please proceed.
Paula opened the box, pulled out a pin, which was in the shape of a gun crossed with a spyglass, set the box down on a chair and pinned the medal on Tarrington’s lapel.
PAULA: We thank you for your long years of service. Though you will no longer be with us in person, you will always be an agent in spirit, and you and your lessons will never be far from our thoughts. On behalf of the International Security Alliance, I, Paula von Dyne, hereby relieve you of your duties, with full honors.
Paula, Shane and all of the agents, whether onstage or in the audience, saluted. Tarrington bowed, and everyone clapped. Paula turned to Shane.
PAULA: Upon announcing his retirement, Chief Tarrington announced who he would like to be his successor. After reviewing his service record, the board have agreed.
Paula went over to the box she had set down earlier and pulled out a book.
PAULA: Please place your hand on this with your right hand raised.
Shane put his left hand on the book and raised his right hand.
PAULA: Shane Donovan, you have been selected to be the new Director of the International Security Alliance. Do you accept this nomination?
SHANE: I do.
PAULA: As Director, do you swear to oversee ISA activity? To keep tabs on the major goings on in the world? To ensure that all agents are doing their best in their positions? To reward those who achieve greatness, and reprimand those who are found to be corrupt?
SHANE: I do.
PAULA: Do you swear, as Director, to uphold the law? To keep the people whom we are sworn to protect safe? To uphold, and make sure that your fellow agents uphold the sacred oath taken when you first became an agent?
SHANE: I do.
PAULA: You may put your hands down.
Shane put down his hands. Paula put down the book.
PAULA: Now, on behalf of the International Security Alliance, and with the approval of former Director Chief Tarrington, you are hereby sworn in, and are now in your official capacity of Director.
Paula went back to the box and pulled out a pin. She put it on Shane’s lapel. Then she, Shane and Tarrington turned to the audience.
PAULA: Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present to you your new International Security Alliance Director, Shane Donovan.
The crowd erupted with cheers and applause. After the cheering died down, which took quite a while, Shane walked up to the podium.
SHANE: Thank you. Thank you, Former Director Tarrington, Special Agent von Dyne, and all of you. This is a great honour. I hope that I shall serve you well. Thank you all for coming this afternoon

[heroicmuse]

That was a nice ceremony. I kept thinking Shane will have to swear not to order any ISA agents poison each other. LOL

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

Shane has a tough job ahead of him. I'm glad he received this recognition. I wish him luck!

[André DiMera]

Chapter 460

ISA HQ - WASHINGTON D.C.
The group had moved to another room in the ISA Headquarters. One of the meeting rooms had been cleared out and set up for a party. Kimberly hugged Shane.
KIMBERLY: Congratulations, Director Donovan.
SHANE: Thank you, my love.
Once all of the agents had made their way into the room, Paula made her way to the front, along with Tarrington. She had a microphone in her hand.
PAULA: May I have your attention, please?
Everyone got quiet and turned to look at them.
PAULA: As I’m sure you’re all aware, this is, of course, a retirement party for Chief Tarrington.
Several people in the audience clapped.
PAULA: However, as we were setting everything up, our former director reminded me that he has never been one to take the spotlight, and he insisted that this party be multi-purpose. If you would, Former Director Tarrington.
Paula handed the microphone to Tarrington.
TARRINGTON: Thank you. As Special Agent von Dyne said, this party is multi-purpose. It is, in part, to celebrate my retirement. It is also, to celebrate the appointment of your new Director, Shane Donovan. Director Donovan, if you would please join us up front.
Several people clapped. Shane’s mouth dropped open. He turned to Kimberly.
SHANE: Did you know about this?
KIMBERLY: How do you think I got as much of the family here as I could? I may not be an ISA agent, but I still know how to keep a secret or two.
Shane smiled and took Kimberly’s hands in his.
SHANE: You know, Mrs. Donovan, you amaze me.
Shane and Kimberly kissed.
KIMBERLY: Now, get up there.
Shane walked to the front of the room. Tarrington handed him the microphone.
SHANE: Thank you all so much! I had no idea that anyone was planning this. And for the head of a secret intelligence organisation, that’s rare.
Most of the audience laughed.
SHANE: No, in all seriousness, thank you all so much. It will be my honour to serve as your new Director. I would just like to thank Former Director Tarrington for all of his guidance over the years, as well as my incredible wife, Kimberly, and my son, Andrew, for all of their support, and my daughter, Jeannie, who I’m sure would be here were she able. But, most of all, I’d like to thank you all for coming out today, and for everything we’ve been through together.
Shane handed the microphone back to Paula as the crowd applauded. And so, the party began. As Steve and John mingled across the room, they ran into Jett Carver.
JOHN: Hey, Jett.
JETT: Hey, John, Steve.
STEVE: Jett. How’s it goin’?
JETT: All right. I’m stationed down in Miami, trying to crack a case out there, but I got my partner on that for the weekend so I could come out here. You guys still up in Salem?
JOHN: Yep. Opened up our own base under the codename Black Patch.
JETT: Nice. So, how’s Uncle Abe and Theo?
STEVE: They’re good, man. You should drop by sometime, see them.
JETT: I will, sometime, yeah. Say, I’ve been meaning to ask you guys something since this morning.
STEVE: What’s up?
JETT: You guys getting kind of a weird feeling at all today?
JOHN: What kind of feeling?
JETT: I dunno, man, it just feels like something’s not quite right here. You know what I mean?

[heroicmuse]

Uh oh. What's Jett's feeling about? It seemed like a nice party and swearing in ceremony except for his feeling. I hope Shane and Drew haven't switched places again.

That said, loved Shane and Kim's scene.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[fluffysmom]

Yikes. I hope Jett's feeling is wrong.

The ceremony was really nice.

[Kpatch]

I'm sad Jeannie couldn't be there for Shane at this time.

I hope Jett's wrong as well.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 461

JOHNSON HOME
Joey was on the couch, looking at his phone. Stephanie walked down the stairs.
STEPHANIE: Hey, bro.
JOEY: Hey.
STEPHANIE: Whatcha doin’?
JOEY: Nothing.
STEPHANIE: Cool. Wanna hang out?
Joey chuckled slightly. Then, he looked up.
JOEY: You serious?
STEPHANIE: Totally. I mean, I didn’t really get to see you much when I came back for Max and Chelsea’s wedding, so since I’m in town a little longer, I thought we could do something.
JOEY: Thanks, but I don’t need a babysitter.
STEPHANIE: Bro, I am not a babysitter. I have never been a babysitter. Seriously, I just wanna do something with you since this is the first time in forever we’ve both been in town without our parents around.
Joey put down his phone.
JOEY: What did you have in mind?
STEPHANIE: Whatever you wanna do. I’m up for anything. Also, it’s been forever since I’ve been in Salem for more than a night or two, so I don’t really know what’s still around.
JOEY: It can’t have changed that much.
STEPHANIE: Okay, it was just an idea.
Stephanie turned to go into the kitchen.
JOEY: Steph.
She turned back.
JOEY: I didn’t say no, I just said that the town hasn’t changed that much. So...ever been to the Slicer?

ISA HQ - WASHINGTON D.C.
John raised an eyebrow.
JOHN: You think someone in here’s up to something?
JETT: Maybe.
STEVE: What, like Tarrington or von Dyne?
JOHN: No, Tarrington’s clean. He wouldn’t have had the chance to do anything. Besides, he’s on his way out. There’d be nothing in it for him.
STEVE: Well, von Dyne and I were in the same training group. I’d hate to think it’s her.
JETT: Guys, I don’t know who it is. It’s just a feeling.
JOHN: Well, you know what they say, go with your instincts. Keep your eyes open, we will, too.
JETT: Thanks.
John nodded, then he and Steve walked away. Philip walked over.
PHILIP: Carver.
JETT: Kiriakis.
PHILIP: What are you doing here?
JETT: It’s a party for our outgoing and incoming directors. There’s no place I’d rather be.
Philip nodded.
PHILIP: Touch the sky anytime recently?
JETT: Oh, come on! You’re still going on about that? You know as well as I do that I was undercover.
PHILIP: Doesn't matter. Speaking of which, didn’t you get kicked out for breaking said cover?
JETT: Originally, but then there was an inquiry where the chief reconsidered. I was given a firm reprimanding from Tarrington, got demoted to the lowest possible rank and had to take lessons in staying covered. And anyway, I can’t believe you would even bring up Touch the Sky. That was over a decade ago, dude.
PHILIP: Well, let’s just say we don’t all have short memories. Particularly when it comes to what your best friend put Stephanie through.
JETT: First of all, Jeremy Horton is not my best friend. I don’t even like the guy. I was only hanging with him so I could turn him in. And secondly, I didn’t think you and Stephanie were even together anymore.
PHILIP: Doesn’t mean I don’t still care about her.
JETT: Oh, right, because you’re so perfect.
PHILIP: I never said I was perfect, but at least I didn’t hurt her the way Jeremy did.
Billie walked over.
BILLIE: Boys, this is supposed to be a party. Let’s cut down the yelling, shall we?