Guard Dog

[Alistair Holmes]

Alistair narrowed his eyes, his gaze focused beyond the reinforced glass to the vast, extensive acres 
which haloed the estate. The view was a stunning sight, rolling green lawns which merged on their outskirts with tall evergreen trees; Beyond them could be seen the buildings of the rapidly expanding Kalispell, set against a warm winter sun and a perfectly blue, cloudless sky. This awe inspiring sight
of the Montana countryside was however not what had earned the bodyguard's firm, near emotionless stare.
Helios security personal far outweighed the members of actual Conner family that called the vast estate home, and from the metal lined walls to the on the clock watch, every aspect of the buildings was watched and monitored, a strict recording of every person who entered logged and analysed as deemed necessary; A watch kept eyes on the grounds, cameras kept a cautious stare on anyone who walked the halls or who approached the estate.
Far below from Alistair, a small accumulation of men and women, HELIOS blazed across their thickly padded jackets, stalked the edges of the residence's winding main driveway. With a few clicks of his tongue, the bodyguard turned his attentions from the unsettling sight. 

It wasn't the military presence which unnerved the bodyguard; Alistair was used to strict, formal environments, and the added protection of soldiers usually came hand in hand with his career. His feelings towards keeping such close company with Helios employees was a far more personal issue...
Fed from his concern for his employer. The bodyguard was one of the many security detail that called the vast estate home, but unlike many of the appointed men, he fell within a category that was as close to family to the Conners without being blood related, a factor he held in preciously high regard;
Drew Conner was far more then Alistair's boss... The head of the Conner household was his friend, his family.
A lot had changed over the past three years... Drew had changed. He'd become a Father, which placed a significant amount of stress on anyone, but couple that with the violent brushes with death
he'd graced, being in control of a vast security milita... Drew Conner was dancing on the edge, perhaps more so then even he realised. Alistair had noted the uncertainty in his eyes, of which he was certain was a fraction of the panic that gripped the man out of sight in his core. 
The Anti Mutant movement was growing... And with it Drew Conner's paranoia.

Alistair moved from the window, walking towards a pair of vast double doors situated at the end of an almost clinically clean hallway. Drew's office was central, although required traversing a number of winding corridors which appeared almost indistinguishable from each other, before you would come across the wooden panelled doors which masked thick, bullet halting lining. 
Despite the residence fitting within the descriptives of a prison or security compound rather then a family home, it did serve as one... Varied portraitures adorned the occasional wall, images of the Conners, although these were kept close to their living quarters; They rarely fell into the view of anyone who wasn't within the inner circle. Alistair glanced at a few which were hosted on the walls leaded up to his friend's office, before stopping just outside. He was aware he'd was on Drew's security feed, glancing up towards the camera with a small smile before knocking on the door. 

[Drew Conner]

Drew had become a polarizing figure in recent years. There were those who would condemn him for the unnecessary heat down upon Kalispell and mutants in general. Those who claimed his heated reactions to anti-mutant movement had caused more harm than good to a cause that preached equality, not superiority. Many even saw the expansion of his private military corporation into the area as a preparation for a war he was pushing rather than a business decision. The other side of the coin saw just as many who looked to him as a revolutionary of sorts, a man born into considerable wealth and influence both political and corporate who refused to remain idle while his less fortunate peers were ostracized, abused and pushed down. They would cite the millions spent in raising awareness for the often terrible and deadly side-effects their genetic mutations carried as well as funding for research, treatment and programs to help families cope with their loved one's often volatile natures.

Regardless of public opinion Drew was well aware he skirted the thin line between sinner and saint. He hadn't seen anyone else itching to lead the charge when mutants went public and he'd be damned if he was going to sit back and watch as they were cast aside and made freaks. For better or worse Drew had taken a stance and there was nothing that had yet caused even a second's doubt in whether or not what he was doing was right. He may have had to make the decisions no one else wanted and was prepared to handle the consequences but that took nothing away from his will or determination.

If only he could get away from these damn quarterly statements.

Drew had been pouring over the charts, graphs and figures for the end of year reports. Revolutions were expensive and weren't the greatest business models, someone needed to ensure the cause was well funded. Thankfully he wasn't alone when it came to the corporate side of things. His sister, Eve, while no longer the day-to-day presence in his life remained a steady, calming factor as well as an invaluable business partner. He'd been on the phone with his sister when he heard the knock at the door of his office. After quickly ending the call he reached under his desk to press the button that caused the door to slowly swing open revealing the Conner's most trusted ally.

"Alistair." Drew dropped the phone onto his desk and got to his feet. He crossed the room and greeted the bodyguard with a hearty handshake and a subtle sigh of relief. He always did feel better when Alistair was nearby. "Thanks for coming on such short notice. I hope I didn't interrupt any plans you had for the day?" He gestured for Alistair to enter and take a seat. While Drew trusted the man with his life, this wasn't a social call.

[Alistair Holmes]

The state of the world had shifted violently, and the calm secrecy of years past and evolved into a tense mixture of uneasy fear, hatred and unstable tolerance. Some could say that Drew Conner was ahead of the curb, preparing for the inevitable in a world already rearing on the brink; Some ripped him apart for adding fuel to the Anti Mutant fire, while others heralded him as the man who would defend them, their warrior of peace, a leader for the cause.
If you wish for peace, you must prepare for war, and these were words it seemed Drew Conner had taken to heart; Helios had grown considerably... But with each solider who joined the ranks, with each tainted wave of propaganda violently accusing the Conner of gathering an army, with every threat against his life... Drew took another step on a path which if he didn't consider his actions, would have no end. He would have no peace... His bid for deterrence would become a desperate grasp for control.
The world was unbalanced... and Alistair feared for the man shielding himself in metal and bullets.

The door opened, revealing the almost presidential office. While the space held an intimidating, cold certainty, it affected Alistair little. He was more then used to the aura which surrounded the Conners, taking it as a comfort. He cast his employer a small smile, shaking the young CEO's hand; He noted the soft sigh that escaped Drew's lips, a subtle calm which eluded to the faintly tense state he must have been in prior.
"Ain't nothin' that can't be rescheduled," The bodyguard responded formally; Drew knew that no matter what previous commitments Alistair had, that one phone call would bring him to the Conner's door. The bodyguard had performed a number of tasks for the twins over the years, differing in levels of legal; From making it so Erika's previous marriage certificate was... Strangely nonexistant, to the reason for the long, jagged scar down his arm. Each ask was something he didn't dwell on; It was a part of his work description. Alistair was perfectly suited to the harsh demands his work brought; His naturally calm, calculated manner enabled him rationalise and cope with it's consequences with relative ease. Little got through the steely resolve of the bodyguard... Save his charges, those he cared for. The Conners came first... And he willing, as always, to put his life on the line for them.

He gave a nod to Drew, before settling down on the nearest chair. "Heh, saw the new Helios team out front. Got them runnin' like clockwork." He adjusted his suit jacket, before settling back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. He had no intention of bringing up his concerns to the man just yet; The last thing Drew needed was to think his friend held doubt about his wellbeing.

[Drew Conner]

"They're just being given a tour of the place." Drew explained as he rounded his desk and took a seat in the high backed chair sitting opposite Alistair. "We occasionally let them use the guest house for urban security training." Which had been an invaluable tool as of late. He gave a light chuckle. "I wish I could use them for personal security. I don't think those guys would be okay with sitting around a guardhouse all day and night." Although it was a nice thought.

"Anyway." Drew quickly changed gears. There was business to be discussed before personal matters, should there be any. "I want to change your... Mission, if you will." Drew stated bluntly, though there was a hint of compassion in his voice. He didn't want to make his most trusted confidant think this decision had anything to do with performance. "I know you've been looking after Eve and I since we were young, and then Erika after we got married. I'm moving Selina into your position and there's something more important I want you to protect. My son."

[Alistair Holmes]

Drew's explanation for the HELIOS personals presence struck Alistair a touch more for piece of mind's sake then for mere convenience. These drills seemed to be becoming more frequent as of late, and as much as the bodyguard was certain Drew truly believed he was simply offering the venue to aid his employees, there was a level of self preservation to the whole operation... Alistair suspected his friend sought the increased comfort having heavily armed guards nearby brought, and so was perhaps more then insistent for the training to take place on his estate. This notion was reinforced by Drew's next comment, and although Alistair mirrored his chuckle, it masked the uneasy concern it brought him. "I don't think Mrs.Conner would be any sorta grateful to ya for that either," He added, smiling faintly. He then tilted his head, watching Drew with his usual steely gaze as he moved from the casual conversation to the reason for him summoning the bodyguard.

Alistair could not help his heart sinking a touch at the Conner's initial sentence, although this small shift was not displayed in any fraction of his expression; He knew that his position allowed flexibility, that he could be moved to various duties by Drew and Eve and over the years had performed a number of tasks they had... Been reluctant to attend to themselves; But these had been fleeting, and it was usually a short break in time before he rejoined them. Alistair was more then happy to adjust as his employer... His friend, saw fit, but it did not prevent some small disheartenment infecting his chest. He noted the compassion in Drew's voice, and it stirred a small, genuine smile from the bodyguard. He remained silent as Drew continued, the disheartening notion he'd felt slipping from him almost instantly.
"... You want me to take the kid as my primary charge?" He spoke, his words holding what could perhaps be described as a hallowed tone; Alistair wasn't concerned in the slightest for Erika Conner... Alistair had taken Selina under his wing some time ago, and had more then enough faith in her ability to protect Drew's wife. Alistair was, however, truly humbled by Drew's decision.


It spoke of the high level at which Drew valued Alistair, and while the bodyguard had known that the young CEO held him in perhaps as much respect and adoration as he did him, he hadn't expected to be granted such a prestigious role. "... I'd be more then happy ta take that on... I'm pretty fond of the kid, and Selina's more then capable of keepin' Mrs.Conner safe. When would you like me to start? Immediately?" His words were quite straight to the point, but the rarely heard warmth in them spoke of how truly honoured the bodyguard was. Few could draw such a tone from him, but being asked to protect someone so important that he himself also truly cared for, by someone he respected and adored as much as he did Drew Conner... Well, not even Alistair could prevent a warm tone of honour from entering his voice.

[Drew Conner]

Drew nodded faintly as he studied Alistair's response. He didn't think the security official would have taken issue with the new duty assignment and, just as Drew expected, Alistair understood the weight of his new found role. It wasn't one Drew handed out lightly but previous conversations with his wife had necessitated a shifting of assets, as it were. No longer could Alistair and Selina afford to be floaters, moving about as needed. Their focus was going to narrow significantly in the coming days and weeks.

"Immediately." Drew frowned a little, though. He knew this position would likely entail being more nanny than he cared to place upon Alistair. The bodyguard had already done so much for the family, been there every step of the way for years. Alistair had even saved Drew's life and exacted revenge in the young man's name. There was blood on Alistair's hands, both of that of his charge as well as those who would see them harmed. "I hope this isn't too much to throw on you." Drew said honestly. "Being Isaac's caretaker in this way is more than just security. He trusts you as much as I do and you're the only one Erika agreed to." Not that there had been anyone else even considered for such a role. "You'll rotate with Selina so the both of you can stay fresh and I'm giving you a fifteen percent pay increase."