10: Jack, Do You Like Tea?

Jack fixes his gaze on Vincent. He leans forward in his seat.

"Vincent," Jack's tone brooks no room for evasion. "Do you know what CORE is?"

Vincent meets Jack's gaze with his eyes half-closed. His boredom is hidden behind a mask of calm indifference. At first, Vincent tries to hide his lack of enthusiasm, but his effort ultimately fails as he stifles a yawn. For a moment, silence hangs heavy in the air. Tension crackles between them like electricity.

Finally, Vincent breaks the silence with a slow nod.

"I know of CORE," Vincent scratches his hair, wondering when he last showered. It has been a busy couple of days, after all. "But their goal is a mystery even to me. They operate in the shadows, pulling the strings of power and influence with impunity."

"'Impunity?' That word doesn't suit your tongue," Jack's eyes narrow at Vincent's response while his mind oozes with possibilities. If even a knowledgeable mastermind like Vincent is unaware of CORE's true nature, the organization's reach must be deeper than he had ever imagined.

"Tell me everything you know about CORE," Jack demands. "Every detail, no matter how small, could be the key to unraveling the mystery behind their operations."

Vincent considers Jack's words for a moment. His hazel eyes flicker with uncertainty before he finally speaks.

"I'll tell you what I know," Vincent crosses his arms in resignation. "But whether it will be enough to stop them remains to be seen."

“Okay, tell me,” Jack swiftly replies.

“So the thing about CORE... is that they aren't really an organization..." Vincent continues.

Vincent's revelation hangs heavy in the air. The meaning does not sink in as easily as Jack has hoped. He tries to gather his thoughts for a minute, absorbing the possible implications of the reveal. What does Vincent mean? Is CORE not merely a criminal syndicate but something far more insidious?

"And what do you mean by they aren't an organization?" Jack presses on; his voice is tight with tension. "What are they?"

Vincent's expression darkens. A rare hint of unease contorts his features as he chooses his words carefully.

"CORE is a network," Vincent explains. "A web of influence that stretches far and wide, connecting individuals and entities across the globe. They operate without borders or boundaries, extending into every corner of society."

Jack feels like a dynamite just exploded in his mind with the implications of Vincent's revelation. If CORE is indeed a network rather than a traditional organization, its methods may be even more difficult to discern. They could be your average street commoner, a person of authority, anyone. There is no organization—only fragments and traces of CORE scattered about. Perhaps, this was how CORE stretched its influence as far as Vincent says.

"What do they want?" Jack twitches instinctively.

For a split second, Vincent wonders if he has already informed Jack that he knew nothing of CORE's goals, but he decides to humor Jack with some theories.

"Power, probably," he shrugs. "Control. They want to shape the world according to their own twisted vision, and they'll stop at nothing to achieve it."

As the weight of Vincent's words settles over them, Jack fears that they are facing an enemy unlike any they have encountered before. CORE may not be an organization in the traditional sense, but its influence and reach are undeniable. Confronting CORE will require every ounce of skill, courage, and manpower they possess.

"Alright, I have told you what I know," Vincent rests his feet on the table, leaning back on his chair, "what I want in return is..."

Vincent's voice trails off, leaving the air heavy with anticipation as he considers his next words. Jack waits with bated breath, knowing that whatever Vincent requests in return for his information could have far-reaching consequences.

"What I want in return," Vincent repeats, "is protection. I want immunity from prosecution for my past crimes, and I want assurances that I'll be safe from any retaliation by CORE."

Jack's brow furrows at Vincent's request. His mind races with the absurdity of granting such concessions to the agency's most wanted criminal. But he also knows that Vincent's knowledge could be the key to dismantling CORE's operations once and for all.

"I can't make any promises," Jack speaks slowly, choosing his words with care. "But we'll do everything in our power to ensure your safety and security. As for immunity, that's a decision that will need to be made by higher authorities."

Vincent nods, musing at the fact that Jack would rather put his life on the line and pursue vicious criminals, than deal with those pesky higher-ups.

"That's all I ask," Vincent speaks with relief and a bit of apprehension. "I'll provide you with everything I know about CORE, but after that, who knows? Being put in the clink or public execution both sound exciting."

Vincent fakes a laugh, averting his eyes to avoid contact with Jack's, but Jack does not notice. As far as Jack is concerned, the decisions he makes in the coming days could drastically alter the course of their battle against CORE—and determine the fate of everyone involved.

"So where should I start with?" Jack asks.

Vincent considers Jack's question for a moment, playing with his hair and twiddling it. Finally, he speaks.

"If you want to get to the heart of CORE, you'll need to start with their inner circle. They're the ones pulling the strings, making the decisions that shape their actions and objectives."

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"How do I find them?" Jack clasps his hands under his chin.

"You'll need to follow the money," Vincent leans forward. "CORE operates through a network of financial transactions and shell companies. If you can trace their cash flow, you'll find the key to uncovering their inner circle."

Tracing the flow of money will require tremendous effort, especially if they have to trace it from all the transactions of every shell company from every bank in the world. Finding illegal shell companies is already extremely difficult, let alone tracing their finances. Jack knows this is an impossible task, but he also knows that it may be their best chance at bringing down CORE, once and for all.

"Thank you, Vincent," Jack says, astonished at what he is saying. Jack never thought he could live to the day when he had to thank his arch-nemesis, but dire situations call for dire measures. "I'll start digging into their finances right away. With any luck, we'll find the answers we're looking for."

"Hmm..." Vincent nods in response. An indiscernible feeling settles over him as he watches Jack preparing for the mission. The road ahead will be strung with danger and uncertainty, but through their past battles and confrontations, Vincent knows that Jack is the best chance the agency has at exposing CORE's secrets and bringing them to justice. When it comes to gritting teeth and pushing through hardship after hardship, Jack is unmatched.

Heh, what do I care? Vincent muses. A smirk stretches across his lips. In the end, if CORE falls, it's another enemy out of the way.

Vincent's thoughts echo with detachment as he considers the implications of CORE's downfall. For him, the demise of CORE represents little more than the removal of another obstacle in his path—a means to an end, rather than a cause for celebration.

His allegiance lies with no one but himself. His loyalty is fleeting and his alliances ever-shifting. To Vincent, the criminal underworld is a battlefield, and survival is the only goal that matters.

As he watches Jack step out the door on his mission to uncover CORE's secrets, Vincent stretches and yawns loudly. CORE may fall as a result of Jack's efforts and unbreakable perseverance, but that is none of Vincent's business. His goal is rooted in self-preservation, and Vincent has no problem in discarding things he considers unnecessary.

In the end, the world of crime and corruption allows no friends—only temporary allies and fleeting opportunities. Vincent watches from the sidelines, remaining ever vigilant, ready to seize whatever opportunities present themselves.

After all, only the strongest survives.

***

Elsha Eralane, Director/Head of Sentinel Intelligence Agency. Document her file.

Name: Elsha Eralane

Position: Director of Sentinel Intelligence

Date of Birth: [Not provided]

Age: 50

Education: [Not provided]

Background:

Elsha Eralane is a highly respected and accomplished leader in the field of intelligence and security. Little is known about her early life and background, as she keeps a low profile and rarely discusses her personal history. It is believed that she used to be a national military personnel.

Eralane rose through the ranks of the intelligence community through her exceptional skills in strategic planning, analysis, and decision-making. Her exact tenure within SIA is undisclosed, but she is believed to have held various key positions within the agency before assuming the role of Director.

Leadership and Management:

As the Director of SIA, Elsha Eralane oversees all aspects of the agency's operations, including intelligence gathering, analysis, and dissemination. She is known for her strong leadership and management skills, as well as her ability to inspire loyalty and dedication among her staff.

Eralane is respected by her colleagues and subordinates for her unwavering commitment to excellence, and her tireless dedication to the agency's mission. Under her leadership, SIA has achieved numerous successes in combating threats to national security and maintaining stability in the region.

Approach to Security:

Director Eralane is known for her pragmatic and proactive approach to security issues, as she believes always staying one step ahead is crucial in the long path of eliminating national threats. She places a strong emphasis on intelligence gathering and analysis, believing that a thorough understanding of threats and vulnerabilities is essential for effective counteraction.

Eralane is also a firm believer in collaboration with other intelligence agencies and allied nations. She recognizes the importance of sharing information and resources in the fight against global threats and works tirelessly to foster strong relationships with international partners.

Public Image:

Despite her high-profile position, Elsha Eralane maintains a relatively low public profile. She rarely gives interviews or makes public appearances, preferring to operate behind the scenes and away from the spotlight.

As a result, public perceptions of Eralane are largely shaped by her professional reputation and the successes of SIA under her leadership. She is widely regarded as a capable and effective leader, with many seeing her as a steady hand guiding the agency through turbulent times.

End of File

***

"So, Jack, you suspected there to be a mole within SIA?" Director Eralane's brow furrows with concern.

"Yes, Director, confidential files regarding key characters involved with CORE are missing. Including your file and mine, Director." Jack reports, flipping through the list of documents that were tempered with. "Some info is redacted as well."

"A mole within SIA," Director Eralane repeats as she mentally searches for possible suspects, "and important files involved with CORE missing and tempered? This is troubling news indeed."

Director Eralane closes her eyes and thinks. If there is indeed a mole within SIA, then their ability to combat threats such as CORE is severely compromised. And if someone within the agency is actively working to sabotage their efforts, not only could they steal confidential information, but they might gain access to the agency's advanced weaponry—models and prototypes that only she and a few associates know of. This situation is even more dire than she had feared.

"Director, I also need to report,” Jack flips through his clipboard. “According to our research, most of the shell companies in the city are all in some shape or form connected to the government. Most, if not all, of their transactions trace back to Mr. President himself, Director.”

“I see, this has become complicated,” the Director clasps her hands under her chin, “this implies that CORE may be related to the President?”

“Yes, Director, I’m afraid,” Jack knows this has complicated their investigation. Nonetheless, Jack believes with enough effort, he can stop CORE dead in its tracks.

"We need to act quickly," Director Eralane commands as she gets up and marches towards SIA's Directorate of Analysis and Intelligence wing. Jack closely follows behind her.

"We'll launch an internal investigation immediately, starting with background checks on all personnel with access to the Archive. We can't afford to take any chances, Jack, when it comes to matters of national security."

“And as for the President…” Director Eralane continues. “I will deal with him. But before that, we must prioritize national security first.”

“Yes, Director.” Jack nods in agreement, knowing that time is of the essence.