Shards: Intro- Part 1 (old)

Chapter Two: Chaperone

Lance straightened his vest again.
"That's what I'm wondering as well Ms Paige: If I heard Elliot correctly."
He sighed. "An Echelon Five is an individual who can use magic to such an extent on the spiritual level that they can do it without even knowing it. They comprise of soothsayers, descendants of royal blood, more powerful creature forms if they could morph, and even aura utilization. There are only a handful of them who are still alive today. All of them are either Elders; Rulers like Triton for example, and very few people who were once common folk like yourself. We don't know for sure if you are even an Echelon Three. According to my list; you never received a Shard."

Elliot was waiting to speak for some time. "Captain Lance.....eh....sir. I wouldn't have bought you back here if I wasn't sure. I also don't want to waste your time so I'll get to the point. I also wasn't finished explaining why I came to this conclusion."

Lance gave Elliot a subtle grimace.
"Yes I apologize for being pushy, but I have about 12,326 graduates waiting for me to give them final instructions before they can leave. I'm one eye roll away from leaving this table. No conspiracies this time."
Lance leaned in and gave Elliot his full attention.

Elliot, unfazed, gave Lance a confident grin. "Paige, shortly before Lance gave the disembarking declaration, did you hear the name 'Alessandro'?"

What? That was real?

"I-I....Uh, Yes," I stammered.

Lance raised a brow, and reached in the v-neck of his vest to grab his white shard and clutch it in his hand.
"Paige," he began; making face contortions with his eyes closed as he connected with the information it held. Lance mumbled an incantation before asking "What was the date associated with that name?"

"March 19, 2002."

Did that come out of me? I instinctively covered my mouth with both hands. It was almost as if moved on its own.
Lance continued searching, until he abruptly let go of his Shard and looked at me in astonishment.  Then he gazed in disbelief at Elliot.
"How.....how did you discover this?"

"While you were giving away assigned names, I was studying the ring as contraband. My own Shard and the one in this ring made a momentary bond. The thing was active a great distance from its source, the source was revealed to me as Paige's, and I also heard the name of the young man she'll be chaperoning today."
He looked towards me. "That's how I figured out your name."

I looked at him worriedly.
Elliot raised his hands defensively. "Don't worry, That was all I saw. I don't know anything else."
That wasn't what was bothering me.
"Chaperoning?" I asked with a troubled tone.

Lance stood up. "I'll explain that to you along with everyone else Ms. Paige."
Elliot remained seated. "Do you believe me?"

Lance reached in his a back pocket and pulled out two blue gloves. He put them on and studied the Shard.
"The more appropriate question is 'do I believe you are right.' You have never lied Elliot, but you have been wrong before. So, the only question that remains is 'are you right'?"

Elliot looked disappointed. "Sir, I saw her open it herself."

I finally spoke up.
"I believe him."

Both of the men looked at me in surprise. Nonetheless, I continued, "But I didn't just hear the name. I saw something, and heard someone."