Just the Beginning

Lioness sat across a table from Swan.
The director was looking through the last of the papers and the agent amused herself by trying to 'read' her superior.
Swan's shield was as strong as ever.
But for the first time it didn't seem threatening or daunting. Because for the first time it wasn't a competition.
Lioness had her own mode of protection now.
Perhaps it wasn't as impenetrable. But like Tortoise said, Lioness actually didn't like to hide, unless she had to.
And if she had to, well...
"You're not ready for your first mission," Swan interrupted her thoughts.
"But...!"