“So, just to make sure I understood right, you want to send your team of rookies, the same team that somehow managed to get themselves into trouble at every dungeon, into one of the few stable H-rank ones we have. And you want to keep them there for weeks, so they can farm experience and return at G-rank.” Alfred Meyer, the Regional Director said as he massaged his temples, looking at Leila in askance.
“And!” He continued, raising a finger to silence her rebuttal “You are requesting this knowing that they will attempt to bait the Radiant Guild into attacking them once they come back, so that we have an excuse to completely remove them from play. Do I have that right?”
Leila huffed, amused at her kids’ sheer balls and the fact that she was going along with it “Yes, that’s about what I’m asking. I know that stable dungeons are pretty rare, especially massive H-rank ones like the one in Saratoga Springs. But we have invested so much into team 0, it would be a waste to allow them to be crushed now.”
The thunk of Alfred’s head against his desk was loud and expressive “Then why are you allowing them to go against the Radiant Guild at all.” He mumbled.
“Somehow, they got into their heads that since it managed to avoid scrutiny during the Golden Sun debacle, the higher-ups consider it to be beneath their notice, and so they have to take things into their hands.” Leila answered, tone deliberately casual.
From the glare the balding man gave her, it didn’t seem to have worked.
“Let’s dispense of this mummery.” He finally said, sitting back in his chair with a defeated sigh, “Do you think they actually have a chance at not getting killed? Are you trying to use them as bait to intervene yourself? You know we can’t be too overt at the moment, as we are using so many of our resources to prevent other guilds from filling in the Golden Sun shaped void.”
Leila got comfortable on the leather chair. “Alright, let’s talk plainly. Alfred, I know you have a ton of things on your hands right now, but the kids are not letting go of this one, and I think it might be an opportunity to do something about those thugs.”
Alfred Meyer was many things: a retired Awakener, an ex-marine, and someone who had once dreamed of making the world a more just and good place. He was very much aware of what idealism and recklessness could lead to, having lost many of his companions to them, but it was precisely because of that that he had something of a soft spot for the rookie team.
I could let them in. They have gotten to a level where they won’t just die immediately, and I suppose it’s worth speeding up their progress as much as possible, even if it would mean a decrease in revenue for a while… But I can’t give in too easily.
“You do realize that Saratoga Springs’ dungeon is one of the few money makers we have at the New York branch?” He asked, sounding more exasperated than he was truly feeling.
Leila nodded, her expression firm, not the slightest hint of wavering in her gaze. “Yes, I do. But Alfred, consider this—Team 0 has an untapped potential that is way beyond the economic losses we’d suffer from sending them into Saratoga Springs. They’ve shown themselves to be an important asset several times - without their help, we wouldn’t have been able to prepare the groundwork for taking down the Golden Sun - and more than that, they’ve come out successful even in the toughest circumstances.”
Alfred’s fingers tapped against the desk, a contemplative rhythm that echoed in the otherwise silent room. “Leila.” He began, his voice lined with sincerity “I want the best for Team 0. And I’m worried. Their potential... they could do so much good, more than they understand. But I fear they may be too reckless and eager to throw themselves into danger. And it scares me that we might lose them too soon. It would be a terrible loss, not just in terms of the wasted resources, but because I’m so sure they’ll be great in the future.”
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Leila leaned forward, expression softening. “They are kids, yes. But they are also Awakeners who had to face circumstances greatly beyond them. Any other guild team of the same rank would not have made it as far as they have. They won’t be alone in this, Alfred. I’ll be with them every step of the way. I will not let them be snuffed out so easily.”
Alfred looked into her eyes, finding an unwavering resolve within them. He sighed, knowing that holding them back would be futile. “Fine, but Leila, you keep them in check, and you make sure that they all come back.”
———
Alfred stood on the rooftop of his HQ, looking out over the expansive city. His thoughts were interrupted by the soft sound of footsteps behind him. Turning, he saw Chief Director Harris approaching. The woman, tall and well-built, almost towered over him.
“Alfred.” the Chief Director greeted in her typical stoic manner.
“Director Harris.” He responded, offering a nod.
The two stood side by side, staring into the vast, sprawling metropolis below them. Even at night, New York was constantly busy, like a beehive ensuring it would survive the coming winter.
“Team 0 is going to Saratoga Springs.” Harris began, her voice void of emotion yet carrying an undercurrent of inquiry.
“They are.” Alfred admitted without hesitation. “They need to level up quickly, and they have a score to settle.”
Harris nodded, her gaze never wavering from the view before her. “You know what’s looming on the horizon, don’t you, Alfred?”
He hummed, grip on the railing tightening enough that he felt the steel bar give in. “If the Sins are moving, it means things are starting to happen. We knew it wouldn’t be long before this peace we have won would be tainted, but I hoped it would be a little longer.”
Harris turned towards Alfred, her eyes revealing a glimmer of the burden she bore. “The situation in Mexico has gotten worse. We expect that even the last few holdouts will be overrun soon enough. India has managed to regain a semblance of organization, but the loss of the north-west has still weakened them. We can’t count on them to play the policeman of Asia alone. And you know what mess China is in.”
“So we need to open up again. But you know how opposed the general public is. Have you found a way to sell it?” Alfred asked, letting go of the crumpled fence, watching it bounce near his feet with a blank expression.
“This is not the kind of operation we can undertake without the public finding out. Despite how isolationist the world has become, news still travels very fast. The moment our boots touch the ground, everyone will know.” Harris replied, sounding tired. “We need to gain the approval of Congress, and to do that, we need Americans to want it.”
Alfred's jaw tightened at the notion. Gaining approval for an overseas operation, particularly in the fraught and fragile world in which they now existed, was an uphill battle. "I presume you have an idea on how to swing it? You’re not one to walk into a storm without a plan.”
Harris nodded slowly, her eyes reflecting the twinkling lights below. “We’re still considering our options, since there is some time left before we have to step in, but our means are limited by the political will in D.C.”
He scoffed, annoyed even at the mention “When are they ever useful? So, are you thinking of a propaganda campaign? Or directly allowing an attack on American soil?”
Despite the bubble of powerful wards surrounding them, which they both knew would prevent anything from recording or even listening in to their conversation, Alfred saw the Chief Director’s shoulders tense.
“Those are heavy words, Alfred.” She murmured.
“I don’t enjoy this. You know I don’t, but things will get much worse if we don’t start setting up now. We'll be next if we allow chaos to take over Asia.” He answered just as softly.
“This is why I didn’t want to take this job, you know? Why, I thought you’d be much better at it than me.” Harris wondered out loud, wistful for a peace she knew she’d never have.
Alfred scoffed “I would have been terrible. I’m good at the cloak and dagger stuff, but put me in front of a bureaucrat I have to convince, and I’ll find myself holding back from strangling them.”
“Looking at us, one would think the exact opposite.” She laughed, a new determination in her eyes. “You, the mild-mannered middle-aged man, and me, the fiery and burly warrior. But we are both the kind of creatures ready to do anything if it means the survival of America, aren’t we?”
“This is very little compared to what we have already done and what we’ll have to do.” He answered coldly but just as determined.