[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/houzIW1.png[/img][/center]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Excuse me, Doctor,”[/color] Ashley called as she walked over to her superior. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“May I speak with you for a moment?”[/color]

Veronica was watching the rest of the non-esper as they moved about the room. Most of them were just armed men, but there were a few others who were taking pictures, collecting samples, and talking amongst themselves.  [color=#bd71e8]”They won’t find anything.”[/color] She groaned under her breath. Before long, Veronica turned her head to look at Ashley. She was smiling like a porcelain doll. [color=#bd71e8]”Sure! Sure, let’s just move over here so that there’s a little bit less noise.”[/color] Veronica stepped back into the hallway with Ashley. There were a few agents moving to and from the center room, so it was hardly private, but it was far less noisy. [color=#bd71e8]”Alright, You can speak away now.”[/color] 

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Well, um, it’s about the operation,”[/color] Ashley began once they’d moved to a slightly more suitable location. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“After we all put forth so much effort, Justin and Billy both managed to escape, along with most of their henchmen. Two horrendous monsters are still on the loose, and so many innocents lost their lives, yet you seem so… so [i]unconcerned[/i] with any of it, like none of it matters. I don’t understand. What did we even manage to achieve here?”[/color]

[color=#bd71e8]”Is that what this looks like to you?”[/color] Fritzi was a tall woman, but Veronica’s small body wasn’t much taller than a middle schooler. She looked up at Ashley with a smile. [color=#bd71e8]”Yes, two monsters escaped. We captured an officer and secured the area. We do not have the manpower to hold the place for long, and I doubt we will get much out of our prisoner. It was an expensive proposition for us as well as our enemies, but our enemies have more resources to waste.”[/color] Veronica locked her hands behind her back. [color=#bd71e8]”Tell me, how strong do you think I am?”[/color] She rocked her shoulders like an excited child. [color=#bd71e8]”Do you think I’m powerful enough to take on Billy, two flightless angels, and a group of freelancers? Binky was out of mana, and few of the others were fit to fight. How many operatives would have perished if they chose to attack?”[/color]

Ashley frowned slightly at Veronica’s response. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Um, w-well, I imagine someone with your experience would be fairly powerful,”[/color] she replied hesitantly. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Certainly more powerful than the rest of us, and, uh, you [i]did[/i] say you were planning to eliminate Billy…”[/color] she continued. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“But, um, I didn’t mean to imply that you chose the wrong course of action by taking a hostage instead, it’s just that, well… it seems as though you know something we don’t, like we accomplished some hidden objective that made all these sacrifices worth it. That it wasn’t all for nothing…”[/color]

[color=#bd71e8]”I’m getting toi that, darling, just hold your horses.”[/color] With a sigh, Veronica’s hands moved out from behind her back and onto her hips. [color=#bd71e8]”Success should never be expected. Especially in situations like this when our enemies outnumber us and our friends can be bought at a pittance.”[/color] She thrust a finger down the hall. [color=#bd71e8]”As much experience as I have, nothing can beat good old fashioned numbers. Certainly when there are that many. The chances of everyone getting out of there alive if they chose to attack was slim.”[/color] For a moment, Veronica’s eyes were downcast. [color=#bd71e8]”I’m not an easy person to read, Orion. If I was, Billy might have picked up on the fact that I was concerned. He might have ordered everyone to charge instead of run. I am strong, but so is Billy. He would have massacred everyone if I showed even an ounce of weakness.”[/color] The corners of her lips curled upward. [color=#bd71e8]”No ulterior motives here. I’m just pleased that we suffered no casualties. No agents at least. That’s not an outcome you always get to enjoy. Binky will be out of commission for a bit, but I’m sure she’ll be back on the front line in no time.”[/color] Veronica pat Ashley’s shoulder once leaning against the wall. [color=#bd71e8]”Go write up that report. You did well for your first operation, the outcome was out of your hands.”[/color]

As Ashley listened to everything Veronica had to say, she couldn’t help but agree that what the doctor said made sense, although it was somewhat disheartening to know that this operation truly [i]had[/i] been almost entirely meaningless. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I see…”[/color] she replied softly. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“And thank you, ma’am,”[/color] she added in a stronger voice. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I’ll get right to work on that. Oh!”[/color] she gasped as she recalled something important. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“When I was separated from the rest of the team, I found an underground chamber filled with…”[/color] she paused for a moment at the thought of the nightmarish scene. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“People Justin had turned into thralls. I-It was absolutely horrible! I-Is… Is there anything we can do for them?”[/color]

[color=#bd71e8]”It’s not possible to tell at this time, but thank you for letting me know.”[/color] Veronica nodded. [color=#bd71e8]”I’ll let the other operatives know right now.”[/color] She turned her back to Ashley and raised a hand to the side of her head. [color=#bd71e8]”Hey, got word there’s some thralls by the door. Stand by until Delta…”[/color] Veronica continued to relay information as she walked back into the center room. 

As Ashley watched Veronica depart, the young esper allowed herself to feel a small measure of relief. At least the poor thralls would be freed from their abhorrent prison, and hopefully even receive the treatment needed to restore their humanity. If so, then at least there would be [i]one[/i] positive outcome to this depressing debacle. As she turned to depart, Ashley’s foot bumped into a piece of debris. Looking down, she saw that it was the still-intact head of Justin’s disgusting statue, its unmarred visage one of smug mockery. Feeling her righteous fury return with full force, she raised her foot, before savagely driving her boot’s heel through the center of Justin’s face, shattering it completely.

[color=MediumSpringGreen][i]Next time, you monster, it’ll be for real…[/i][/color] 

[hr]

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4Pzx1NDTtI][img]https://i.imgur.com/OYSa6cT.png[/img][/url]

[sub][@The World][/sub]

Stacy jumped when the phone was put in her hand, but seemed to understand what it was soon enough. She moved her thumb, pressed a button, then another button, then several other buttons. It worked! Stacy was typing something into the phone! Everyone knew how to text these days, and someone like Stacy had to log a lot of hours typing to friends. She then handed the phone back to Marrie. It was just a seven digit number. It seemed like she was trying to call someone. Should Marrie hit send?

Of course she is! This GM isn't going to make anyone wait an extra week for that! The phone rang several times before going to a recorded message.

[color=MediumAquamarine]”Hello hello hello! You've reached the the number of one Stacy Stitches! If you're calling this number, it's either because I forgot it was tabletop Tuesday, or I've lost my head! In the case of the latter, it's nothing to worry about. If you can't find my old head, just get me a new one. So long as it use to belong to a human, it should do the trick! My preference would be one that matches what's left of my body, you know? But I'm really not too picky. Don't bother leaving a message, I never empty my voice mail, so it won't record, haha!”[/color] 

It seemed that Marrie would be bringing Stacy back to her place until she could decide how to deal with all of this.

Her home reaserch proved to be fruitful, and not so fruitful. There was plenty of talk online about Justin. Most of it was pretty general, with him being a vampire and owning a lot of property in Pax Septimus. There were some rumors about him owning some silk farms in China and maybe having his own clothing line, but there wasn't anything else about him. There were plenty of stories about his atrocities within the city. It seemed like he made a habit of pulling stunts like this, only to lay low for months at a time before everyone forgot about him. And with the Iron Queen around, people forgot about him quickly.

There was far less on the Knight of Tommorow, to the point where Marrie had to wonder if it was a moniker or slang term for something. Shimr had nothing, and a courtesy internet search just brought up an episode from a batman cartoon with a similar sounding name. But Marrie would get another text while she was doing her research. Again, it was from the coin requester.

[code] :confused So are you up for another job or what? You should be happy I'm willing to hire you again!:punch [/code]

[hr]

News of Pac-a-fist's dissapearance began to spread. Veronica and Luna were among the first to be notified, but the greater circle of freelance espers were also starting to get the message.

[hr]

[b]"What a most curious array of messages! According to my deductions, there is an odd correlation between who sent the messages. I can't put my finger on it, but it's almost like the same person sent the same message from both phones. Thus, if we find the phones... we find her kidnapper! Come, Pickles! A case like this is one in a lifetime, an no one shall keep us waiting! To Pax Septimus!"[/b]

[hr]

[b]"Ugh, this work sucks! It's too hot this time of year! Hmm? Wait, wha-? Pac's work finally caught up to her? This is big news. If someone sent me a message over this, then others must have heard of it too! I'll back up here and open shop in Pax Septimus!"[/b]

[hr]

[b]"Huh?"[/b]

[b]"Angel of hope? What is it?"[/b]

[b]"Raphael the Righteous Hearted, something Terrible has happened in Pax Septimus."[/b]

[b]"I am not surprised. It is one of the few cities that has no right to exist."[/b]

[b]"Pac-a-fist was captured by a vampire."[/b]

[b]"Ahhh..."[/b]

[b]"You knew her well, if memory serves."[/b]

[b]"She was a good girl. She deserved better than this."[/b]

[b]"I'm sorry, I did not mean to upset you."[/b]

[b]"Don't be, but understand that I cannot remain here any longer."[/b]

[b]"You are part of the Inquisition! You cannot leave the Vatican. Let me handle this, I'm a freelancer now."[/b]

[b]"A freelancer let Pac-a-fist come to harm, and he was far stronger than you are."[/b]

[b]"What will you do?"[/b]

[b]"First, I will consult the pope. Then, I will depart for Pax Septimus."[/b]

[b]"And if he says you can't?"[/b]

[b]"Sister... Do not ask me questions better left unanswered."[/b]