When we returned to the estate, we all went sorting through the documents, ensuring that everything was organized as much as possible. With an unexplained force that directly impacted the mission's progress, we may have no choice but to pack up and return to our superiors with all the information we have. The longer we linger, the likelier we can be targeted by what killed those imprisoned.
We were all buried in various documents, ranging from estate address, contracts, to information gathered with above ground contacts and with the underground informants we could get a hold of. The second bell rang for the day whilst I was focused on sorting and stacking documents relating to the various connections the Federation has left behind with.
"Captain." Cameron called out to me. I looked up from the papers I was currently reading to see that he was accompanied by Victor as well. "I advise caution for the rest of the team when leaving the estate. Victor and I would be going as pairs to schedule our departure with the mayor, and after that we would be meeting our informants one last time to make sure everyone is on the same page." I nodded,
"Of course. With Ian and Melanie here, we have enough fire power to buy time for the rest of the team to secure an evacuation route but I would be reducing the staff as soon as we finish sorting this documents. That way we would lessen their chances of being roped in with this mysterious killer." He nodded back.
"Then, we are in agreement then. After lunch we would be setting out. Come now Captain, take a breather with lunch break." I sighed but agreed with his offer anyway.
After another satisfying lunch of marinated beef stew with chopped potatoes, it was quite a filling lunch after all that exhausting clerical work. Cameron and Victor left shortly after lunch while Ian and Melanie went outside to patrol the estate's immediate area. Meanwhile, the rest of us would be left to organize the remaining documents. Not all the reports were completed though, there were some who were left unfinished, others that was dependent on other reports, and other similar stories so it was a pain trying to decide which specific pile they would go to. Joran and I were the ones responsible in sorting the papers out in a general sense and when a stack is sufficiently filled, we pass them onto Rona, who would decide which specific information those bundles would be classified as.
The time passed quite slowly while we were trudging through as if it was a never-ending struggle between words on paper and our mental resilience in making sure we sort them properly before departure, while at the same time, being alert if and when the mysterious attacker decides to launch an attack on us. A blur of information passed through my mind as the day progresses on. I read mundane words such as names, addresses, to law regulations such as contracts, deed of rent, sales ledger, and to hearsay and rumours, but there was information that I only now noticed that was lacking from these documents.
"Rona." I looked at her, "Where are Lucian's personal effects?" Rona maintained her silence for a few seconds before answering. "If memory serves, collecting evidences and bringing them to the police would be handled by them directly and they would file a report to us." Then she narrowed her yes, "Are there no reports pertaining to such a move?"
I shook my head. "Not from the documents I've pored." We turned to look at Joran, prompting him to shake his head too. "Damn it." I sighed, "We're missing some reports now with direct ties to the victims." I tidied up my stacks and stood up, "I'll head to the police immediately. His items should still be there." Rona nodded.
"Take Melanie with you. We'll try to hold out with just Ian as our main defender while you're out. Be careful and hurry Captain." I nodded back at her and called out for Melanie and briefed her with the situation. Shortly after, we rode on our mounts to the police as fast as we can.
The guards posted were surprised at our abrupt appearance. "No time to explain. Get me the Commander now!" I shouted at them as we were approaching. Thankfully, they were able to scramble to their senses and call the Commander. He appeared not a minute later.
"Greetings Captain, has something happened?" He inquired with a tired look."
I dismounted my horse and left the reins to Melanie, "I'm sorry for the curtness but I'll cut to the chase. Where are the confiscated items from Lucian's home? We never received a report of those items being transported to our estate." I continued as I walked up to him, "It was supposed to arrive a few days ago no?" I raised my eyebrows at him.
He sighed, "I'm not entirely sure either Captain." He turned around, "If you'll follow me, I can show you the report about it being shipped out and delivered to the estate." He led us into his main office and sorted through some drawers and cabinets. After pausing to read the paper in his hand, he turned around and handed it over.
"This is the report that the personal effects of Lucian was properly shipped out from the station and was marked as delivered by one of the estate's staff." He pointed to the signature below, which quite frankly looks genuine enough since all the staff were loaned by the local government. I took the report into my hands and scanned through it.
Written there were the total boxes of documents confiscated, along with clothing, accessories, and whatever documents he had at his room and home. I checked over the documents thoroughly since it might contain some detailed notes that gave any indication of the sorts of documents they were transporting and I found out that they were all statistical data and hypothesises about mana conversion, absorption, and manipulation. These are all taboo topics at the Research and Development Bureau due to some accident around 150 years ago that also led to the formation of the Magic Federation, the very country where these undercover spies hailed from.
"This case keep getting heavier and heavier." I sighed softly as I finished reading the report. I massaged my temples as I told Melanie this.
"I see. Then this might require more than just our squad." She said with a grimace.
I nodded, "Yeah. We should up the time table for our return back. And just in case, I'll be sending a letter to Director Pathwalker so they'll be prepared when we return to the capital."
We brought the report back with us as we thanked the Commander for their assistance.
When we got back at the estate, we told the others of our findings and that we needed to expedite our departure since those missing evidences are confidential information that the Empire has banned for research and practice since being banned 150 years ago. Melanie and I helped out sorting the documents again while Ian remained as a look out for the estate since there were only a few maids and chefs left. I already told them that we would be leaving in a weeks' time but since returning I told them that we have to be earlier than planned. All that's left now is to inform Cameron and Victor so that we can ready in about three to four days from now.
By the time the third bell rang for the day, a loud bang erupted from somewhere in the house, "Debrief!" A hoarse voice shouted, "Now!"
We were startled by the sound but from how familiar it sounded like, we all got ready at the command room we set-up on the ground floor. Those of us already within the premises arrived altogether and from where the front door was, Cameron and Victor emerged, looking ragged and exhausted. Rona immediately went up to them and casted a spell. "Recovery Boost!" She held up her hand towards them and a faint white light enveloped them. When it dissipated, they looked refreshed as if they weren't as tired as earlier.
Cameron nodded, "Change of plans. A lot of complications got thrown into the mix." He said with a serious face. I felt myself tense and waited for his reason.
"Some of our informants have been missing of as late, especially the ones who keep track of people's movement." His gaze swept across us all. "At first, those who disappeared were just thought to have laid low but since we already went cleaning house they should've returned, however they didn't." He laid out a folded note onto the table and urged us to unfold it.
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
In the notes were names and the last time anyone's heard of them. The list had written a lot of names, enough to warrant for caution. I nodded gravely, "This is quite a list of missing persons." I looked at Cameron. "What happened when you visited them?".
He closed his eyes and sighed, "When we went to our regular contact area, there was nobody there so we checked the next areas. On the third meeting point we arrived at the scene of a barrier magic of some sort, with the space distorted to look detached from reality."
Victor nodded while scratching his neck, "It was quite a headache into what we walked into." He sighed, "Though when we were able to enter the barrier, the one's responsible is gone and we only saw the dead bodies of our informants." He slumped and leaned back on the chair he was sitting on. "Afterwards, we high-tailed it out of there and went straight above ground. That's when we knew that a string of missing persons has been steadily rising up alongside the ones we suspected to be part of the Federation spies.
"This really got out of hand. I suppose we have to send word to our bureau directors before we would even depart." Cameron nodded at my suggestion. "Then I'll pen one for my bureau. Would you pen one for yours or should I address it to both?" Cameron turned around,
"If you would Captain." He nodded, "Victor and I still need proper rest." I nodded back at him.
Cameron and Victor went to get some rest. Even though Recovery Boost was casted on them, it doesn't really get rid of the fatigue, it only gives a momentary boost to one's current condition for the meantime. "Get back to work everyone! Our timetable just keeps on getting pushed up." I let out a weary sigh as I went to find some paper and envelope to send a letter.
Everything went smoothly when dinner came and night graced the skies. We were all tired and were getting ready to hit the bed when I spot a shadow flicker across one of the windows on the second floor. I furrowed my brows and went to check it out. I peered through the glass but there was nothing out of the ordinary in the dimly lit city, except a few light flickers that might've belonged to patrolling officers of the city.
"I might just be tired." I sighed and as I turned around, I shivered and rolled forward on instinct. I felt a slashing motion from behind me. When I recovered, I readied myself into a defensive position towards the window. There, a lone figure stood forebodingly with a foxlike mask on their face. Though they were slender, the shape of her body and her stance makes her more likely to be female assailant. She flourished her blade at me again since I was able to dodge her surprise attack.
"Pretty bold of you to strike us here." I called out to her. We were both holding our stances, I was in full defensive mode and I couldn't find an opening on her. Cold sweat began to pour through my tensed body. "Do you even know who we are?" I called out again. Since she was wearing a mask, I couldn't really speculate what she would be thinking but I nevertheless, I kept my guard up. Seeing this stalemate might go on forever, I braced myself to make as loud as a commotion as possible.
I hopped backwards, propelling myself with Gust Dash. With some distance between us, I aimed at her with my wand but she was already lunging towards me with her drawn sword. I couldn't find an opening to create a loud noise to attract attention so I made it my goal to exit out the window where my opponent entered.
After a few more game of dodging, I was able to launch myself towards the window and drop to the ground below. I wanted to look up but alerting the team comes first so I dashed around back to the front door.
Raining down numerous knocks on the door as possible, it should be enough of a commotion to bring every to caution. "This is your Captain! We have intruders!" I shouted louder than my pounding on the door, rattling the handle too. Not long after, I could hear footsteps and voices from within.
Rona was the one who opened the door, "What are you doing outside Captain?" She asked with a tilt of her head. I breathed a sigh of relief, but behind her, near the landing of the stairs, was the female assassin, her sword still drawn. I grabbed Rona's right hand as I pulled her towards me and casted a wind barrier of front of me.
We were pushed backwards and out on to the front yard. From the door's entrance stood the female assassin, sheathing her sword and made a neutral stance. Now that we were outside, I got a good look at her, her silver armor, her billowing capelet, and her eerie mask that was similar to the fox mask we bought from when we took a look around the shops.
I pointed my wand at her, "Last chance! The Imperial Government isn't lenient with terrorists!" I declared with all the commanding aura I could get. There was no reaction however, just a silent stare down. Eventually the rest of the team was already visible behind her and I could hear them shouting at her too.
The female assassin took a glance behind her and for a split second, blurred before disappearing just like that. Cameron and Ian were the ones to first check the entrance, making sure the unknown assailant was gone. When Cameron gave the clear with his nod, I crumpled with exhaustion on the front yard. I expelled a loud sigh, "Now what the heck was that?!" I laid myself down, staring at the starry sky above us. Rona too appeared to have sat down after that. Cameron walked up to us while the other three where checking the perimeter.
"Do you have any ideas Captain?" I shook my head, "I don't even know anything about them or why for that matter." He nodded gravely.
"Then it would suppose we would also need a night watch at this estate however, there was something on my mind." He asked with a serious face. "What was she after?"
I closed my eyes and gathered my thoughts, contemplating the quick series of events that just happened. "She might be after us, or me. She could be part of the Federation or a hired assassin." I sighed again, "There's too many variables." I closed my eyes again and rested while I waited for Cameron's input.
He was thinking deeply, I could hear him grunting and his presence just standing there looking pensive but when he asked me again, I felt a huge doubt grow within me, "But did you feel like she was really out to get you? Like a killing intent or something similar."
My eyes widened as the realization sank in. Now that I think about it, I reacted quickly enough when infiltrated us and dodged her initial strike but after that, it turned into a game of tag and trying to distance myself from her. Then when I got outside, she didn't jump out and followed me, she just used the stairs before finally attempting one more strike before that stare down and eventually disappearing.
Lots of speculations and hypothetical scenarios ran through my head as I sat up on the ground, I wanted to articulate all my suspicions and possible answers before I forget them when I take a rest tonight and so, with a grin, I asked Cameron, "Gather everyone for debrief. This will get heavy."
Once everyone was gathered at our makeshift command room, I laid out on the table papers. Written on them were the various speculations and suspicions I have.
"First!" I raised a finger, "They first appeared after you two witnessed the scene with your informants." I let the focus on the discussion dwell on that matter, "Then when she attacked, I reacted to instinct which meant that she had killing intent at first, but when I was trying to escape, it seemed that her objective was different." I walked around the room to one of the windows, peering out, "When I landed outside I hurried to the front door and made as loud noises as I can. Rona was there and the assassin instead next appeared at the bottom of the stairs." I turned to face them, "Why?"
I let that question linger for a bit as I walked around again, aiming to stop at one of the notes I've scattered on the table. When I was sure I was in front of the next information, I took a sweeping gaze on them, making sure they chew on that lingering question I left earlier.
"The final hypothesis I've come to accept is this." I bellowed out and placed my hand on a specific paper. Raising it up for them to see I declared, "They are the ones responsible for the missing persons case pertaining to your missing informants." I nodded, "That I can be as sure as I can be." I turned a grim look as I continued my explanation, "A more far-fetched idea is that they are also responsible for the disappearance of the federation."
I returned the paper I was holding up and raised a new one in its place. "What does your informants have? Information right?" I probed for their attention, seeing looks of realization and nods all around. "Then the most plausible reason is that one of those informants managed to get ahold of a clue that links them directly to those cases, however the enemy must've wanted to make sure and tried to discreetly clean up the informants in the city, which leads us to..." I left that thought end there, letting them fill in the gaps.
"Now that leaves us in quite a predicament." I continued to explain with as much dignity as a captain should, "What were they after here?" I let out a sigh, "Frankly, that's where I am also at a lost. Perhaps they were making sure we didn't have the evidence on hand, or perhaps they were making a message, or something unexpected altogether." I straightened my back, "For now, let that thought simmer and rest up. Cameron and Victor has volunteered to take up first watch and tomorrow, we'll turn the estate upside down and see if anything is amiss. Clear?
"Sir yes sir!" They all saluted in unison. I let out a tired sigh and let my body relax as I turned around and looked at the soft moonlight glittering on the window.