[b][u]Sargon - Hisn-ul-Zahra City Plate - Main Gate - Early afternoon[/u][/b]

The dark feline's stern demeanor softened when she recognized the Rhodes Island logo. Upon hearing Aoife's explanation, her ears perked up and she turned to one of the officers at the car. [color=yellow]"Bring him over... but keep the other one restrained."[/color] Turning back to the Rhodes Island group, the feline introduced herself, [color=yellow]"I am Sentinel Aisha Hafiz, Hisn-ul-Zahra's chief of police. We won't abide kidnappers."[/color]

The officer Aisha had called out to roughly pushed the cautus closer. [color=yellow]"When you were being arrested, you mentioned something about a boy; was he infected?"[/color] Aisha asked.

[color=00aeef]"He was, but if you're looking for him, you've got the wrong people!"[/color] The boy struggled vainly against his captor as his eyes darted from Aisha to Aoife, Minimalist, and Baltasar, curiously analyzing the group.

A customs official arrived with a clipboard and handed it to Aisha, who flipped through it, reading parts out loud, [color=yellow]"Let's see, Irvine, Warren. Country: Victoria... Reason of Visit: Cultural... Exchange...? Affiliation: Victorian Archeological Guild. Profession: Professor of...Sargonology?! You're looters!"[/color] Aisha almost threw the clipboard to the ground in rage. [color=yellow]"Plundering ruins not enough for you, now you're stealing children!"[/color]

[color=00aeef]"We're not looters, and we didn't kidnap him! A group of mercenaries did; we tried to stop them!"[/color] Warren explained in exasperation.

[color=yellow]"Who were they, then? What do they want with a kid? Ransom? He's an...orphan..."[/color] Aisha looked back at the group to confirm her assumption before continuing, [color=yellow]"He doesn't have any parents."[/color]

Warren seemed tight-lipped, unwilling to reveal some secret. [color=00aeef]"Who are these people?"[/color] He gestured with his head at the Rhodes Island group.

[color=yellow]"Rhodes Island Pharmaceutical Company,"[/color] Aisha explained, [color=yellow]"They run the infected orphanage and help us with other infected-related issues."[/color]

[color=00aeef]"Pharmaceutical Company?"[/color] Warren laughed, [color=00aeef]"That's a paramilitary organization you've allowed into your 'pristine' city! ...But... this might be an opportunity. Oi!"[/color] Warren addressed the Rhodes Island group, [color=00aeef]"You want to save the kid right? Let's work togeth...!"[/color]

The officer restraining Warren throttled him for his cheeky behavior. [color=yellow]"You're going to have to do better than that!"[/color] Aisha warned, [color=yellow]"Who are these mercenaries? What do they want with the boy? What's your involvement in all this?"[/color]

[color=00aeef]"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you!"[/color] Warren scoffed, [color=00aeef]"This whole thing is much bigger than your quaint little village is prepared for. All this ancient bounty buried in the sand beneath your feet! Potential...wasted! Pearls before burdenbeasts! You should just get out of the way and let us put it all to good use!"[/color]

At this outburst, Aisha reaches for the officer's baton and strikes Warren over the head, rendering him unconscious. [color=yellow]"I'm sorry you had to see that, but I'm sure we'll get more out of him when he's cooled off and secure in a cell. I'll let Rhodes Island know when he's come to."[/color]

With that, the officers started wrapping up their operation and opening the blockade. Warren was dragged back to the car where his perro accomplice awaited him.