[color=bdbdbd][center][color=DBA901][u][b]Palace - Upper Ring[/b][/u][/color][/center]
[color=ffffff]”Stay for a moment Cypher.”[/color]

Cypher already anticipated having to wait and had remained seated after the meeting came to a close. He watched the men and women slowly clear the room; they gathered uncluttered pads covered in virtual notes and stowed them away in briefcases before taking their leave. When there were only two persons left in the room, Cypher removed himself from the table and made his way over to Wu. The King stood as well although it was slow and seemingly strained.

[color=ffffff]”I’m sending you North to the plant.”[/color] Wu began. He was shuffling through some paperwork in his briefcase, thumbing through pages until he found a glossy letter sized envelope. [color=ffffff]”I’m sending you and a handful of your men. You’ll be running security for Dr. Rooke while he conducts research and an engineer begins repairs on the plant.”[/color] He finished, handing Cypher the same envelope. [color=ffffff]”These are for the doctor. Instructions on what he’s going to do. His eyes only.”[/color]

Cypher nodded and took the package, taking note of his wavering grip. Small translucent beads of sweat were forming on Wu’s brow.

[color=ffffff]”You’d like me to deliver this to him?”[/color]

Wu nodded. [color=ffffff]”It’d be best coming from you. You can remind him of his importance to the Republic and of course, he’ll be accompanying you on your journey.”[/color]

[color=ffffff]”Right”[/color]

[color=ffffff]”The both of you leave by tomorrow.”[/color]

[center][color=DBA901][u][b]Dr. Rooke's Office - Upper Ring[/b][/u][/color][/center]
Cypher stepped into the room and was followed closely by Koeska, the both of them donning an expensive suit and tie. The air here was thick in a kind of organized chaos. There were people everywhere looking almost like ghosts. Men and women draped in long white lab coats and walking in every direction. Some were looking at their hands, some at the destination, some at each other. Words were being thrown around, terms of science and knowledge, vocabulary of which Cypher didn’t really understand. He knew synergy. He knew conformity. He knew he was there to find a Dr. Rooke and little else.

[color=ffffff]“Hi.”[/color] Cypher interrupted one of the lab coats and flashed them his badge. [color=ffffff]“I need to see Dr. Rooke.”[/color][/color]