AC-ANPR-FL910610

Flux flickered in the shadow of the old church. Momentarily their appearance changed, clothing moving and changing like the channel on an old television, from turn-of-the-century dresses to military fatigues that wouldn't be in circulation for another 80 years. Their shape stabilised after a minute, but there was a chromatic aberration around the edge of them, like they were distinct from their environment in more ways than just the obvious. Flux had settled on a kit, era- and location-appropriate, and with it came the memories, skills, and, regrettably, the accent.

"I hate these towns," they drawled, South Carolina native by another dimension. "Bunch of rednecks still living in the fifties."

They turned to their partner, Agent Brown, handler and archivist for the mission.

"Make a note: new Flux identity... Whatever number, look it up. Dimension SR177TD8 point 5. Divergence in 1838. Name of Simon Walters, male," Flux looked down a second, "for the most part. Technically native French but after occupation by the Sovereign American Union. High combat skillset. Experience with the East Coast and Anomaly Infestations. Special Operations training. Perfect for deniability and covert actions.  Predilection for cheese and wine present, as always. Questions?"

Brown nodded, writing everything down on a pad. "Repeat the mission for me."

Flux straightened their back. "Sightings of possible undead or similar in SC church graveyard, missing children, suspected lich activity. Assess and remove threat, cleanup where needed."

"Good," Brown said, then holding out his pen. "Follow the tip and give me key phrase Kappa."

They did as requested. "Name: Simone de Gaultier. Birthplace: Nice. Callsign: Flux. Key: Reverb. Quilt. Interim. Slide. Control."

Brown put the pen and notepad away into a carrier bag at his feet, and handed the thing to Flux. "You're ready. I'll be opposite the church in the hotel. Standard signs and distress signals. Shouldn't be necessary." He started to turn around, and paused. "Strength, Flux. You got this."