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Spring - Icy Rain - 1 (Two Visitors)
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Two most unusual visitors arrived at the tranquil morning of Brigspeel.
The hubbub of children on the way to their educational facilities and the moderate traffic of commuting workers had already subsided, leaving the streets calm again. The town's sole contribution to industry had been an old and - for modern standards - small beverage factory. The place had been closed down for years, and because Brigspeel didn't offer anything else of interest, it was a rather sleepy town in general.
The town center also saw moderate activity at most, even during the busiest hours of the day. Now that the usual morning bustle was already over, the town seemed almost reluctant to stir, content to remain in its slumbering stage. Pig's Creek, a small and gentle river, was flowing right through the middle of town, the soft murmur of the water providing a soothing soundtrack for the quaint atmosphere. Few people were out on the street, and most of them hurried about their business, unwilling to remain in the chill for too long. Rubbing their hands together and trailing little white clouds of breath, they hastened to return to the warmth of their homes.
In the awakening small town setting, two men clad in impeccable black suits wandered over the green of the town square and came to a halt on the street across the convenience store. Their attire included black leather gloves on their hands and trilby hats that cast shadows over their stern faces, while dark sunglasses concealed their eyes behind complete opacity. At this time of year, one would have expected them to wear coats, but the men seemed to be unfazed by the temperature; all of their movements were controlled and showed no signs of them being the least bit cold. The men’s strange behaviour made them stand out in their idyllic surroundings, their appearance a stark contrast against the rural backdrop. And yet, their arrival had gone unnoticed. For some reason, passers-by paid them no heed. They monitored everything from a discreet distance and exchanged glances, but silent questioning could not resolve their uncertainty. Terse conversation in low voices followed, but they needn’t have bothered with their secrecy. Still, no one had taken note of the men.
“We are at the right place. Location confirmed.”
“High pattern density here. Moving soon is critical.”
“Affirmative. Which one is it?”
“Various possibilities. Exact identification criteria unknown.”
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“So, no intel. Further investigation needed.”
Their heads turned as if on cue to check out their surroundings once more. Surveying the main street that led right through town to the square, their gaze settled on the store. Bustling movement behind its bright windows hinted at quite a gathering of townsfolk.
“Asserting the right one is imperative.”
“Inspect the store? Pattern traces suggest recent activity.”
“Negative. Questionable relevance.”
“Next steps uncertain. Initial orders are redundant.”
“Evidently. Contact the Superior?”
“Negative. Preliminary risk assessment required.”
“Proceed to investigate or wait?”
A sense of urgency underscored their strained communication, each word carrying the weight of a mission yet to be completed. Their faces, though, looked calm; no tension was visible in their stoic features. Unable to decide on their next move, the two stood motionless for a moment.
“Observe for now and await orders.”
“Negative. Updates have been - irregular.”
“Unsanctioned initiative might be unwanted. Continue passive observation.”
“Suspending action indefinitely is unwise.”
Two of Brigspeel’s senior inhabitants left the small convenience store during the last short burst of the men’s talk, the door closing behind them with a pleasant jingle. Caught up in an animated conversation, they carried woven baskets with recent purchases on their arms. The suited men turned their heads in perfect synchronicity to watch the two women pass them by. Trailing a cloud of coffee and baked goods in their wake, the chattering pair ignored the suits, paying them not even a single shred of attention.
“First, scope entire region for concise pattern analysis.”
“Attempt objective confirmation and await potential orders.”
“Affirmative. But on positive identification, we act.”
Again, their heads moved in perfect tandem, dipping in a confirming nod.
After another moment, the men turned on their heels in sync and were gone.
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