It took Mindplay a while to find the right spot to build his setup. The point of operation needed to have a strong Wi-Fi connection to which he could activate his custom VPN. Compact antenna for better signal, external ram for the best performance, and of course, the fan/laptop support to lessen laptop overheat and wrist cramps.

Mindplay had yet to learn if the Amazons or anything connected to the magical world would use technology to a level he could hack into. This led him to wonder when his powers would become useless to the group. Even if he is invaluable while in the city, there is the chance he will be so out of his element that he becomes a burden.

No.

Focus.

Confidence.

While Silver and Raya did what they could do, Mindplay had to plan ahead. The Amazon jungle was enormous, giving it the potential to hide all kinds of mysteries in its natural landscape seconded to the ocean and barely beating out the ice caps. Mindplay had to be ready for anything, regardless of what it was.

Using satellite maps, Mindplay tried to find places that might be scientifically strange. Unexplained wildfires, strange lights in places there shouldn't be, something to state that magic could be the cause. Nothing. Mindplay scratched the back of his head. Based on his observation, magic didn't need to be consistently concealed to hide its existence from humanity. Silver and BD proved that. And yet, Shadow Fang can move around places without being seen by tech.

However, he was caught on camera in Vegas.

What was the difference between here and Vegas?

Although Mindplay didn't find what he wanted, the time he spent looking was time spent for other programs to hack into the Amazon's servers. Mindplay pulled up the files that the Amazons had. There were landmarks for places in the rainforest they frequented, names of members, and money records. Something caught his eye about what the all-female group was spending their money on, so he used his powers to cross-reference the landmarks with a map while he looked into the finances. Eventually, he found they were spending money on some enhancement drug provided by a dealer named "The Tamer."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Mindplay knew that alias well, but he didn't think he would see it so far away from the States. In his list of reasons, the investigator noted that Shadow Fang might have been interested in this location. Of course, that assumes Shadow Fang even knew about "The Tamer" and what "The Tamer" sold. Mindplay had to consider the thought. Any lead was better than nothing.

----------

"Thank you. Thank you so much," said the man assaulted by the Amazons. I had just returned his briefcase. Raya decided to come with me to ensure nothing else went wrong.

The man continued, "I'd pay you back, but I'm afraid I have little to give at the moment. I carry light, you see."

"I'm not worried about payment," I told him, feeling overwhelmed by the thanks I was getting. "But if you're willing, could you tell us what's in the briefcase."

The man grips the briefcase tightly and says, "That's classified information."

"Can you tell us your name?"

"My clients here call me Hombre Caiman."

"What are you, a superhero?" asked Raya. "Why hide your real name as well?"

"I'm not a superhero. It's just what I'm called here."

Hombre was becoming more nervous the longer the conversation went on. I started feeling bad for him and stopped Raya from further questioning him.

"You don't have to tell us anything."

Hombre took a moment to think, looking uncontrollably at me. "It feels wrong to not pay you back, even just a little." He began to dig through one of his pockets and pulled out a syringe with a cap over the needle. "Take this, at least. It's a sample of the product I was selling to the Amazons. If you're fighting people like them, this will be useful."

"What is it?" I asked.

"A booster. It gives you a temporary boost in strength and agility."

"Neither one of us can use that," said Raya.

"No harm in taking it," Hombre extended the syringe closer to me. I take it from him, seeing no reason to deny his jester. "If you need anything else from me, just ask, and I'll see what I can do. For now, I need to get out of here."

We watched Hombre leave and disappear into the crowded streets.

Raya looked down at the syringe and asked, "What will you do with that?"

"Mindplay might have an idea."

"You're probably right. Well, we're done here. Let's hurry up and see what the Amazons want to discuss."

I put the syringe in my pocket and followed Raya to the Amazon hideout. Hopefully, we can finally understand what Shadow Fang is doing in Manaus.