“We have to contribute more! This is not the moment to dither!” Johannes Gilt, one of Director Meyer’s advisors, shouted, red in the face and sweating. He was always one of the more interventionist people in the AA, and since the attacks, he had only become more active in his lobbying.

It wasn’t as if Leila couldn’t understand where he was coming from, since they had been the ones to be caught with their pants down.

Well, Counterterrorism was, but no one cares much about that detail. We are the Agency most people think about when it comes to defending our cities, so the blame is being placed squarely on us.

A strong showing in repelling the second wave of attacks and eliminating all but one KLF team had allowed them to avoid calls for blood, but the New York branch was still under a lot of pressure to show they weren’t weak and useless.

No matter that they were the only regional department to have managed to claw some influence back from the Guilds, all the others were piling on, saying that their security failure was unacceptable.

“We have already slated one A-rank team and two B-rank support ones. More than that would leave us dangerously overextended.” Marcus said, his voice a low rumble that showed his discontent.

Despite the massive man having become a bureaucrat for years, no one in the meeting room dared to underestimate him, not even for one moment. Very few would be able to stand up against him if it came to it, and his accomplishments in the field were enough to grant him some leverage in these tense situations.

“We still don’t even know if this was all a bait to draw our best away from America.” He added, earning some nods.

Leila agreed with him and was especially frustrated with the push to action when they had barely gotten some preliminary information from the spy agencies.

“We should just send Madam Helper and have her kill the lot of them.” Gilt sulked, knowing he wouldn’t get the support needed to pass his resolution of sending two more high-level teams.

Next to her, Roman Lawson snorted before adopting an innocent look when the man turned to him.

“Do you find the situation funny, Mr. Lawson? It seems to me that you’ve done all you can to avoid getting sent to fight. Is that cowardice?” Gilt pressed, eyes flinty.

Roman leaned back in his chair, sardonic smile in place, and met the man’s gaze evenly. "I find the situation grave, Mr. Gilt. But I also find it counterproductive to rush into action without a clear strategy. Asking Madam Helper to intervene seems particularly foolhardy. We all know what she’s capable of, and sending her into a delicate situation like the one in Kashmir would be… risky. As for avoiding the fight, my team has been on the front lines more times than I can count. I just don’t believe we are well suited for the hunt through the mountains and forests that will be necessary to find the terrorists.”

Leila watched the exchange, a faint smile playing on her lips. Roman might be insufferably arrogant at times, but she respected his way with words and strategic mind. His team, the Shadow Vipers, was one of the best in the AA, known for their overwhelming strength and effectiveness. Gilt's accusation was baseless, and it seemed he realized it too, as he backed off with a huff.

The meeting room, filled with high-ranking officials and powerful Awakeners, was thick with tension. The KLF's attacks had shaken everyone, and the pressure to respond was immense. But as Marcus had pointed out, they couldn't afford to act recklessly.

"We must consider the long-term implications.” The massive man continued as if he hadn’t been interrupted, his voice steady. “Our preliminary intelligence suggests that the KLF had outside help orchestrating these attacks. We need to uncover who is behind this before making any drastic moves. Overextending now could play right into our enemy's hands.”

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Leila nodded in agreement. It was a delicate balance, responding to public outcry while ensuring they didn't leave themselves vulnerable to further attacks. The Guilds, she knew, were already trying to capitalize on the situation, offering support in ways that were more about public relations than actual combat.

“If we allow the Guilds to hog all the low-hanging fruits.” The Director finally said, drawing everyone’s attention. “We’ll waste all the effort we put these last few months in regaining some influence.” He nodded to Leila, who had been instrumental in the past couple operations. “We need to be cautious, yes, but we all know that it is as much of a trap as being overly aggressive. We have been attacked, and we cannot and will not allow that to go unpunished.”

As always, Albert would lead the conversation somewhere to the middle, so that he could make his own resolution pass while seeming the mediator trying to find something everyone could agree on.

Leila knew very well that most of the people present were in on this little game, but they also couldn’t not participate, on pain of seeing the opposite side succeed.

They were all puppets dancing to an unheard tune, which was why she much preferred not being present at all, but she had been personally called by the Director as one of the few people who engaged directly with the KLF teams, and so she couldn’t refuse.

In the end, as she expected, the vote swung in Alfred’s favor, and his resolution of adding another A-rank team to the New York delegation for the massive operation brewing in Washington was passed.

It was more than she thought was necessary but also not too much, which Leila supposed was the best outcome possible.

As the meeting adjourned, Leila found herself walking alongside Roman. Despite her personal dislike for the man, he was a good comrade, and she had fought well alongside him against the KLF. They had saved each other’s life enough times by now that they weren’t really counting anymore. "So, the Guilds are playing it safe, huh?" She remarked casually.

Roman gave her a wry smile, his perfectly coiffed hair catching the light just so, giving him an ethereal look. "As they always do. They'll put on a grand show, make bold statements, but when it comes down to it, they'll avoid the real danger. It's all about maintaining their image, keeping their hands clean while reaping the benefits of public support.”

Leila sighed. "And we're left to do the heavy lifting, as usual.”

"It's the curse of being the ones actually capable of handling these threats.” Roman replied. "But it's also our duty. We can't let public opinion dictate our actions. We need to stay focused on the real enemy, not get caught up in political games.”

And that’s why I still talk to him, however much I might find him annoying. He has a few good ideas once in a while.

They continued walking, the corridor echoing with the distant sounds of the bustling AA headquarters, until they reached the 34th floor’s cafeteria, which was made of private rooms where the brass could have personal meals.

They ordered some food. Leila got the grilled octopus with Galician potato salad and a brownie and entered one of the free rooms with a view of the HQ’s entrance.

After their food arrived, Roman nodded, giving the go-ahead. Leila briefly concentrated, calling upon her favorite element, which answered like an eager puppy, always ready to do her bidding.

Shadows lengthened and pooled unnaturally, plugging the gaps and covering the furniture until only their plates, drinks and cutlery remained visible.

She gave a nod back, signifying that they were in the clear.

"There's more going on there than meets the eye.” Roman finally mused, curiously picking at the oily darkness. "The KLF's attacks were too well-coordinated, too precise. Someone with significant resources and intelligence is backing them.”

Leila nodded, her expression grave. "I've been thinking the same. This isn't just a terrorist group acting alone. There's a bigger player in the shadows, pulling the strings. And sincerely, I don’t believe it’s possible that they don’t know this in Washington.”

Roman drank some of his wine, swirling the remaining red liquid in his glass. “Of course they know. And so do the Guilds. We’re the pawns they are trying to play, but I don’t know if we can afford to let them.”

Leila leaned back, her mind racing. "So, what's your take on this? Do you think the Guilds have any idea about the truth behind the attacks? They’re always so deep into the political game.”

Roman shook his head slowly. "I doubt it. They're opportunists, not masterminds, at least not on this scale and with this much visibility. They're using this situation to bolster their standing, but I don't think they're behind it. This feels... bigger than their usual play.”

Leila exhaled sharply, frustration lacing her breath. "So we're essentially fighting an unknown enemy, one that’s capable of orchestrating large-scale attacks and manipulating a terrorist group like the KLF. All the while, politicians play their own game, and we are stuck in the middle.”

There was a moment of silence as both the high-rankers contemplated the possible consequences. When it became clear that neither would add anything, Leila made to disperse her shadows.

"You know.” Roman said after a moment. "Despite our... differences, I'm glad we're on the same side in this.”

Leila gave an eye-smile. “I may not always show it, but I do respect you. I know you’ll do your part.”

His usual smarminess returning, Roman added “You’re one of the few people here who can almost keep up with me.”

Leila rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small, hidden smile. "Don't push it, Lawson."