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Episode 138 |
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“The
Frogurt is also cursed.” Shopkeeper, The Simpsons “Okay,” Jin said, standing before the group. “We’ve got some preliminary information
that I’ve been able to confirm. I want
to go ahead and set down everything we’ve got so far.” He paused, glancing up at the long table in
the briefing room. Assif sat at the
head, with Adam and Til to either side of him against the wall. The seats were filled, while Dr Jones
leaned in the corner. “To begin with, we needed to trace the details of Yun
Tai, the man whom hired MacLean to find the Ivers books,” Jin began. “Yun Tai disappeared almost immediately
after his arrest, via arraignment. The
lawyer responsible for filing the paperwork is from a “Do we have a visual of who physically came in?” Alex
asked, sitting across from Sarah in the middle of the table. “That’s the thing,” Jin said, moving some of the pages
in front of him. “No one did. Everything was filed electronically. What we do know, however, is that this law
firm did not receive payment for these services.” “Say again?” Irene remarked. “The law firm’s book keeping, which is very
meticulous,” Eliot took up, “showed no payment for these services. In their records, absolutely everything is
accounted for. Every dime that is
spent is cataloged, showing where, when, for what case, what services were rendered,
etc. You should see these
records. They even keep track of
buying coffee and doughnuts for company meetings.” “Yes, because that’s such insanity,” Assif said
sarcastically in a deadpan tone, his attention staying on Jin. “So, what this means is that this law firm is either on
retainer by these guys,” Jin went on, “or one or more in the firm is part of
this group.” “The word ‘group’,” Isaiah spoke up, “has been coming
up more and more recently. Are we
fairly certain this is a group?” “Yes,” Jin nodded.
“If only because the circles of influence we’re trailing are just too
far spread apart. It is quite simply
impossible that one person could have this kind of power, and exert it,
without the slightest public indication.”
Jin nodded certainly, “This is a group effort.” He looked back down at his papers, moving forward. “Yun Tai disappeared after he left “Which two weren’t?” Til asked. Jin looked up, taken by surprise. “I’m sorry, what?” “Which two nations?” Til asked. “Which two nations’ representatives weren’t
bribed?” Jin looked down at his notes. “ “The Clan received a tremendous boon in terms of
political assistance and clout,” Jin explained, “just before they pulled
their little stunt with the body of that creature. Now, the Clan still exists. We’ve tried to track down its senior
members. However, just about everyone
of seniority in the Clan is now dead.” Jason
looked up, shocked. Around the table,
similar looks of disbelief were tossed around. “All of the deaths have been buried by the
local media. None of them have been
covered by any major media outlet, except a show in the “Moving on, the Clan is currently in shambles,” Jin
explained. “Their lands and properties
are currently being seized by the governments of most of the nations where they
hold any office. Moreover, the Security
Council just last week voted to repel all rights and privileges that had been
granted to the Clan.” “That’s a gutsy thing to do,” Isaiah said. “Piss off a bunch of vampires and wizards.” “Oh, it gets better,” Jin said. “What is essentially the abolition of the
Clan of Caine brings us, finally, to Atlantis.” He stepped to the side as the screen came
on. He was about to speak when he
turned to the others. “I’m sorry to
get off topic here, but where’s Vick?” “Downstairs,” Adam said, “playing in the firing
range. I’ve got a little monitor
that’ll let me know if the door out opens.
I gave him a bunch of guns to play with, so he should be good for half
an hour or so.” “Is that safe?” Jin asked. “What if he shoots himself?” “Do we care?” Sarah remarked with disinterest. Jin’s thoughts paused for a moment, then he turned back
to the screen. “The French navy is
currently poised around Atlantis.
They’ve not issued any statements regarding the island, though
pictures of it have begun to slip out onto the internet. There seems to be a world-wide effort to
write this off. Many agencies are trying
to liken it to the Chuck Norris jokes from a few years back. They’re claiming a resurgence of interest
in old legends and have begun to filter into circulation a variety of false
photos.” “Are they releasing anything real, like magic or
monsters or anything?” Eliot asked. “They’ve begun to filter into circulation a variety of
false photos,” Alex repeated, emphasizing ‘false’. Eliot sank down in his seat, mumbling
violent things under his breath while tossing occasional glances at Alex. “It’s a good damn bet that “So where does that leave us?” Assif asked. “We’re following Yun Tai,” Alex answered. “We’re following the businesses that gave
contracts to the businesses connected to Security Council
representatives. And we’re tracing the
deaths of the assorted Clan of Caine members.
Since there’s been almost no investigation into any of them, we’re
hoping we can find out who issued any gag orders and follow from there.” “Alright, keep at it,” Assif said, standing. “Time’s running thin. Emma, Jason,” he said, looking to the end
of the table where they both were sitting.
“I want you both to prepare a report on what you’ve gotten out of the
Ivers book. Alex,” Assif said. “You’ve developed a rapport with Vick. I want you to take Isaiah and Eliot and
collect the book from wherever he’s hidden it.” “Yes sir,” Alex said as Assif headed out. The group began to file out, Jason and Emma the last to
leave the table. As they headed for
the door, Adam lingered. “Uh, Jason,”
he said. “Got a minute?” Jason glanced at Emma, stepping back. She looked pensive for a moment, then
turned and headed out, leaving the two alone.
Adam gently shut the door, then turned suddenly to Jason, startling
him. “So what’s the deal?” he asked
quickly in a hushed tone. “What deal?” Jason asked. “The deal with you and Emma.” Jason leaned in, confused. “What’re you talking about?” “Are you guys, like…you know?” he asked, gesturing with
his hands. Jason thought for a moment, his eyes quickly going
wide. He leaned back. “No,” he said quickly. “No, no, no, oh good lord no.” “Then what’s the deal?” Adam repeated. “She’s slept in your room every night since
you…you know, kissed her.” Jason breathed out, struggling to find the words. “She and I are, just really good friends.” “Come on, Jason,” Adam said. “I may have been born at night, but it
wasn’t last night. When a girl spends
that many nights in your room, something’s going on.” “Adam, seriously,” the psychic said. “There’s nothing going on between her and
I. Nothing like that, anyway. She and I are very close. We always have been. But it’s close in a…” “Weird, psychic way?” Adam asked. Jason blinked.
“Sure,” he finally said. “Let’s
go with that.” “Uh-huh,” Adam nodded, thinking hard. He rubbed his chin, then looked back at
Jason. “So does that mean she’s
available?” Jason threw his hands up
and stormed off. “That’s not a no,”
Adam disputed, following him. |
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