-Terminate-
[To put an end to something.]
The next day started out slow. Recen had accepted the package without much fanfare, and dropped their payment in their palms with even less. She disappeared into her chambers in the Muwal estate after that, and they hadn't heard from her since.
The Hunter siblings, feeling discouraged by their lack of significant discoveries, took this slow morning to get some rest and relaxation in, and discuss how they wanna go about their assassination of Director Ensaru. “Since Oroske and Kuro are in his employ, it’s definitely not going to be easy,” Xeron had begun the talks, “Worst case, we have to fight both of them at once, but I expect regardless we’ll have to face off against one of them.”
“Do you think they’re here to assassinate Yenva?” Ari asked. She figured that was likely the case, but she wanted to hear a second opinion.
“Most definitely. If not, they’re likely in his employ as bodyguards. Knowing Oroske, I wouldn’t be surprised if he intends to let us attack first, then go after Yenva in a so-called ‘self-defense’ move.”
Ari hummed to herself in thought, leaning back on the plush sofa. The Muwal siblings were always out of the house all day, so they’d taken to using their sitting room as their planning and meeting spot. “You know Oroske better than I do. What do you think the odds are that will be their angle regardless? Like, they wait for us to strike before launching their attack.”
Xeron rubbed his chin, scratching his bristly stubble. He usually kept it clean shaved, but he’d not shaved since a couple days prior. Ari recognized that as a sign he was stressed about something. “He’s quite the strategist, I’d definitely say it’s likely. If I were a betting man, he’d likely leave one of them with Ensaru for defense, while the other goes on the attack. As for which of the pair does what, I really could see it going either way.”
“How so?”
“Kuro is definitely weaker than Oroske. He has potential, for sure, but I’m confident I would win in a fight. You and him are probably about equal, if I had to guess. If Kuro defends, and I go on the offensive, I’ll win and secure victory. If he defends and you go, it’s a coin flip for both sides. Meanwhile, Oroske is strong enough he could probably beat both of us working together, so putting him on defense makes a lot of sense. But the same could be said for him attacking, he’d be in and out before we could blink.” Xeron was clearly troubled by either possibility, speaking with his hand on his chin.
“It sounds like we have a nearly impossible task ahead of us. I propose we don’t worry about which of them is attacking and defending, and focus on assigning our own roles. If I can avoid a confrontation with Oroske through stealth, then we don’t have to worry about how strong he is. I can’t imagine he’d kill one of his own, even if they killed his current employer.” Ari offered the best suggestion she could think of. Xeron winced slightly at her last statement.
“That is a good idea. You are better at sneaking around than I am, so I’m willing to agree to the idea. I can also get to work setting up defenses.” Xeron seemed much more confident now that he had a solid plan.
They discussed their next steps for a few minutes. They wanted to see if they could collect intel on Ensaru’s itinerary, as well as the layout of both his home and office building, so that Ari could plan her infiltration route.
Their scheming was cut short, however, by a sudden knock at the estate’s front door. There, a young man in a red uniform coat was waiting, a letter in his hand. “Ari and Xeron Tsumi? I have a letter coming from the J’alyr ke Ensaru, I was asked to deliver it to you right away.” Ari took the letter, and the man immediately began jogging away, presumably to wherever his next stop was.
She opened it up, and revealed a letter with a very short, handwritten message. It read, “Dear Hunters of the Tsumi, Ari and Xeron. My investigation has concluded, and I would like to give you my report on the investigation. Please meet me at the J’alyr ke Ensaru at your earliest convenience. The staff in the reception area are expecting you. Signed, Director Ensaru, of the J’alyr ke Ensaru.”
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“Finally, he’s done,” Ari said, a sigh of relief escaping her mouth. “Come on, let's get ready and get over there.”
Xeron only really needed to get his shoes on, but Ari had to run up to the room they’d been sleeping in to grab her coat. She also did a quick check that she had everything she needed. Her notebook, a couple pens, her pendant. Good, everything was there.
It was an uneventful trip to the J’alyr’s offices, with no distractions. In fact, the streets felt strangely emptier than normal, considering it was near lunch time. The lift only had a handful of other people, when usually it was quite packed. Ari took note of this, but didn’t concern herself with thinking about it too much.
Upon walking into the quaint office building, they were given a warm welcome by the receptionist, as the letter said they would be. The receptionist, a middle aged woman whose hair had started to gray, a stark contrast to the deep purple of the rest of her hair, stood and guided them to a small office on the second floor, where Ensaru and his hired help awaited them.
He had them sit down on wooden chairs with firm cushions. Xeron immediately leaned forward, propping himself up on his arms, elbows on the polished oak table. Ari simply sat up straight, trying to mind her posture and look professional.
“Excellent, now that everyone is here, I will begin my report.” Oroske and Kuro sat down, leaving Ensaru the only one in the room standing. Ensaru straightened out his posture as well. “My investigation into my staff is complete. We believe we were able to identify every employee that was involved in the digging of the tunnel to the Realm Rift, which is a breach of the Sub-Terrain Treaty. As of yesterday, all individuals have been terminated from the company, with a strike on their record that will appear in background checks, making it very difficult for them to get new jobs at other companies, at least here in Quarry.
“Ten people were discovered to have had involvement with this project, and as previously mentioned all of them have been fired. This includes two foremen, who oversaw and directed the dig, one of my senior officers who approved the project, and seven miners who actually performed the digging.
“In addition to the corrective action taken within the company, I personally have contacted the Guardians, in specific, I spoke to Vyn and Vaia, and delivered to them a handwritten letter of apology.” Ensaru pulled out three sealed envelopes, setting them on the table, before sliding one to each pair of Hunters. The seal was made of wax, and was imprinted with the Alten character representing the sound ‘J.’ “I included one of these for them as well. It is a document affirming that I, and the J’alyr ke Ensaru under my direction, will always strive to uphold the Sub-Terrain Treaty. This is mostly a formality, but I would like there to be copies of it in the hands of relevant officials. I will of course keep a copy myself, and I intend to have it displayed within a common area of the J’alyr office building. I will likely make another copy and have it displayed at the mining site as well.
“I will not make excuses for the oversights that led to this happening, but I vow to watch the actions of my employees more closely so that it will never happen again.
“Finally, there is one last thing I’d like to make mention of. We did final exit interviews for all employees involved. In them, one of the foremen confessed that he had been contacted by someone calling themselves a ‘royal consul.’ I did some research to double check, and I could not find this title being recognized anywhere. I, as well as my investigative team, suspect this may be related to the Mienr. We’re going to continue investigating their communications, and we’ll keep an eye out for anyone using similar titles. Of course, you will be among the first to hear if anything is discovered through these investigations.”
Ensaru finally finished, and the four Hunters took a moment to digest the report. Ensaru stayed standing, simply observing them. “That was a very well thought out report,” Xeron broke the silence, “And I’m grateful for the straightforward delivery. I am glad to hear you took this event seriously, and that changes will be made in the future to prevent further incidents.”
General agreement arose from the other Hunters. “Is there anything else you’d like us to know?” Ari prodded.
“Nothing. Though if you wouldn’t mind, I do have a request for you before you leave. I would like to arrange a meeting to discuss these events with Yenva, you are under her employ currently, correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct.” Ari said. No point in hiding it, he clearly knew already if he sent a courier straight to her house for them.
“Would you be willing to arrange that meeting for me? As I’m sure you’re aware, the two of us are not exactly on speaking terms.” Ari found it strange how sincere he sounded about the request.
“Very well,” she said, “We’ll see what we can do. No promises, though.”
“Thank you,” Ensaru said, accompanied by a small appreciative bow.
He walked them out of the office building, and saw them off. Ari found it oddly disconcerting how friendly and professional he could be. It mostly just affirmed her confusion that Yenva thought of this man as a threat to her company and ambitions. Still, she was glad to hear that perhaps he had finally found a lead that could lead to the Mienr. Danfis would likely be getting two very similar reports on his desk about this meeting.