[center][color=darkgray][b][sub]C H A P T E R  T W O : MISTLE MISTERY  [/sub][/b][/color]
[b][color=Indianred][sup][h1]THE CROW'S NEST[/h1][/sup][/color][/b][/center]
[center][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PGv4sf9r7s&t=1089s]AMBIENCE[/url]
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[COLOR=Indianred][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]MISSION ROAD[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][INDENT][sup][color=darkgray]February 25[sup]rd[/sup], 2057  |  07:13am[/color][/sup][/INDENT][/INDENT]
Poppy had a bird's eye view of the road leading up to the Crow's nest, perched on top of the dome of the armory. It was early, most of the Commune aside from maybe Erik were still asleep. There was something troubling the Sidhe, other than her usual turmoil. One of their regular trading groups was supposed to have delivered supplies to a safehouse three days ago, but they never arrived. These farmers operated from an off route pit stop, miles upon miles into the wilderness, far from any town or city centers. They kept a supply of livestock on the surrounding land, trading in animal products. 

A motorcycle was approaching from the distance, leaving a trail of dust behind them. They came to a stop right in front of the entrance of the Crow's nest. Poppy narrowed her eyes. She recognized the woman's face, she was the contact of the trading group. She jumped down from the roof. Poppy broke her free fall by spreading her wings just before hitting the ground, fluttering the remaining distance towards the other woman. 

[color=Slateblue]"I received your message to meet here."[/color] The woman held up the handwritten note Poppy had left in the communications box a day ago. They started to exchange notes after the traders and supplies disappeared. Three members along with a van full of meat and cheese vanished without a trace. The farming community kept records on every transaction, who what when and where. These three members were pillars of the community, they wouldn't just go awol.

[color=Lightcoral]"No one knows what happened to them Renée, I have a feeling it's not good."[/color]
Poppy's face was serious. Reneé mirrored the Sidhe with a solemn expression of her own.  
[color=Slateblue]"I know, that's why we turned to the Commune."[/color]

Poppy gestured for the woman to follow her towards the entrance. They entered the Crow's nest. She asked Reneé to wait in the hallway. Poppy searched for Ajax and Erik, explaining the situation in hushed whispers. There wasn't an official meeting in the strategy room. Instead Ajax and Erik were left to figure out a division within the Commune. For some reason Poppy didn't meddle or contribute to the discussion. She'd already decided to stay behind with Amelia.

In the next two hours Ajax and Erik went around the Commune to rally up volunteers to accompany Reneé. With the many unknowns of the assignment it was difficult to decide who should stay or go. Each member of the Commune possessed a unique set of skills. The seniors ultimately left the decision to the individual.