"And with a mighty clash," the bus company tout proclaims with exaggerated flourish to his captive audience, "the Three battled the great evil that stalked the land, feasting on the hearts of men!"
The audience makes mildly interested noises at the tout's tale, while shift my body slightly, causing my head to nudge against someone's shoe. With the bus straining under a double load of passengers, many of us were forced to squeeze into various uncomfortable positions out of necessity. Everyone was nevertheless gracious enough to provide me with the space to nap comfortably on the floor, in light of my injuries from the fight earlier.
As the tout had promised, a bus from the Pay 2 Win casino had showed up a few days later plying the same route, but in reverse. The rules of the road had obliged the new bus to rescue our stranded asses, but the existing passengers were far from happy about it. Being packed like sardines with a bunch of guys that hadn't showered for the last few days wasn't anyone's idea of a fine old time. That was why the tout had taken up the mantle of local entertainer to keep everyone's temper from fraying. The more people were focused on his tall tales, the less we were at each other's throats.
Thanks to the bus being double loaded, its speed had slowed to a crawl. That was why the driver made an executive decision to double back to the Pay 2 Win to offload his none too fresh additional cargo. It would take forever to haul everyone back to Crossroad City, not to mention the additional weight made it more likely for our current bus to break down as well.
"And when the dust cleared," the tout continues, his voice's tenor rising to a dramatic pitch, "only the Three remained, the great evil having been vanquished. Justice had prevailed and peace once again had returned to the land!"
"That's just a pile of crock served up by the Pay 2 Win casino." someone scoffs in ill humor, "Marketing to get people to visit."
I gingerly pull myself up to seating position, careful not to disturb my wounds. Without a medic available, the tout had helped in fixing me up as best as possible with the onboard med kit. My wounds were cleaned and bandaged, plus the broken wrist was secured in a makeshift cast. It wasn't a shabby job, truth be told. But I was far from one hundred percent and would rather see a doctor sooner rather than later. Getting sent to the Pay 2 Win was fine in my book, since there had to be a doctor in town.
"Its all true!" the tout protests with a look of hurt on his face, "You can ask Adam if you don't believe me."
The rando turns to me expectantly and I recognize him as being one of the rescue bus's original passengers. Meaning rando's own his way home after most likely losing his pants at the casino. No wonder he's in a bad mood.
"What?" I grumble at the tout while stifling a yawn. I'd spent the last few days trying to rest, but camping in the badlands was so uncomfortable that whenever I went to sleep, I would just feel even more tired upon waking up.
"The story about the Three." the tout urges me, "Its completely true, isn't it?"
"How would this guy know anything about the story being true?" the rando grumbles, but I cut him off by tapping the Phoenix Guild patch on my jacket.
"The Three were the founders of the three classes. Warrior, Gunslinger and Sorcerer." I lick my lips thirstily, "That part's true. Its regarded as established history that everyone's taught at the Academy."
"Ah ha!" the tout cheers while I unscrew a bottle of water with my teeth, "And what about the battle with the great evil?"
"Probably true as well." I shrug and take a deep gulp, literally breathing in the fluid, "But I don't think it was a great evil. Probably a rogue bioform, like what we faced before our rescue."
"Well, a rogue bioform would certainly qualify." the tout gets another burst of wind into his sails, "We were set upon by an army of the beasts weren't we?"
"Yeah. It was pretty hairy out there." I agree, "Our bus was completely surrounded by the creatures."
A murmur of sympathy spreads through the crowd. Got to hand it to the tout, he certainly knows how to read the room and sell his case. But in hindsight, the attack wasn't as serious as it first appeared. Other than Debra and her friend getting killed, the bioform pack didn't seriously hurt any of the other passengers. I chalk this up to Carol's influence, but no way I'm admitting that to the tout or anyone else. After racking up these injuries at Carol's paws, I'm going to play the hero for all its worth.
"We wouldn't have survived without you, Adam." the tout thanks sincerely, "How did you manage to drive all the bioforms off anyway?"
"Killed the pack leader." I explain, "Once the pack realized I was the alpha, they got the message and fucked off back to their rift."
Never mind the fact that the pack most likely attacked the bus because Carol was tracking me. Another secret that will never be revealed.
"Phoenix Guild lives up to its reputation." the rando says admiringly before settling back into his corner of the bus. I nod in reply and go back to lying down.
"You doing alright back there, Adam?" the tout asks solicitously, "We'll reach Pay 2 Win soon."
"Yeah." I idly note the lights of the casino town shining in the rapidly approaching distance, "Any luck your company will cover my medical? And pay for services rendered?"
"Ah, well, that ..." the tout's smile becomes slightly strained, "The ticket you bought has a disclaimer printed on the back, see? Any damage or injury you suffer during the journey -"
"I know. I'm just messing with you." I wave the tout's protest off easily, "Take it easy."
"Heh, don't think we aren't grateful." the tout regains his good humor, "I'll talk to management, see if they can arrange something."
"Thanks." I give a thumbs up and try returning to my fitful nap.
Which is immediately interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing from my pocket. Like the tout said, we're close to the Pay 2 Win. Meaning back under cell coverage. I pull out my phone and note with some dismay the name displayed on the caller ID.
JAMES
Shit. How am I going to explain my disappearance from Crossroad City? I've been gone for days, without a single word of explanation. It wasn't a problem when I originally decided to decamp entirely, but now that I've resolved to facedown Excelsior, I can't afford to make waves before I'm ready for that battle. More prosaically, I actually need a job to afford food and rent while getting ready to face Excelsior. Fat load of good my newly found determination would do me if I've been tossed out of my own home.
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"Hello." I answer the phone, mentally preparing myself for the incoming anus reaming.
"Adam! We've been trying to reach you for the past few days!" James exclaims, relief clear in his voice. Huh, he isn't mad at me for skipping that stupid beach party meeting and missing several days of work?
"Something came up." I begin to make my excuses, "I needed to leave Crossroad City for the last few days -"
"Its fine. I understand if you can't talk about it." James immediately hushes me.
"Uh, OK." I mutter back, totally thrown off balance. This isn't the reaction I was expecting. Something's wrong. Seriously wrong.
"Look, Adam, we're friends. Right?" James continues, surprisingly earnest, "We would always do right by each other."
"Sure?" I hesitantly confirm, not sure where James is going with this.
"And we would also do right by our other friends." James presses on, my response not really registering with him.
"Where are you going with this?" I question, the hackles on my back rising.
"Sam. Do you know where he is right now?" James unexpectedly shifts gears on me again.
"Isn't he on leave?" I quirk my brow, "You told me that Sam went to visit his family, or something like that."
"And that's all you know?" James persists in his questioning.
"Duh." I roll my eyes.
"Alright. Be that way." James says, disappointment dripping from his voice, right before the line goes dead.
The bus enters the main drag of Pay 2 Win, the garish neon lights momentarily blinding me. I shake my head, trying to clear it. Just in time to see the bus approaching the town square, marked by the statues of the Three, posing in victory after their battle against the so called great evil, their weapons raised high toward the sky. But that strange conversation with James lingers. And the mute statues of the Three offer me no answers.
Then my phone rings again, this time the call's from an unknown number.
"Hello." I pick up, answering warily.
"Seeker." Breath's calm voice replies, "It appears congratulations are in order."
......
"Enjoy your meal, nyan ~" the cat girl maid thing says and leaves the cafe's private room. The room is a riot of pink, with wallpaper decorated with cartoon animals.
"Why are we meeting here again?" Rachel sighs as she plays with her milkshake.
"Because we can't have this discussion in Guild HQ." Latour frowns.
"And the food's good." Excelsior adds, chowing down on his curry rice.
"You just want to ogle cat girls." Rachel snorts and turns away from Excelsior, "Try to act more professionally."
"Let's not fight." Latour sighs, "We've got a real problem facing us right now. This café is good enough as a semi secret meeting place."
"Only semi secret?" Excelsior comments, cleaning his mouth with a serviette.
"The Acting Grandmaster knows we're meeting, but not why." Latour explains, "He probably thinks our meeting isn't a serious one, thanks to the nature of the, uh, venue."
"See? Everything works out, Rachel." Excelsior points out before chugging his fruit juice.
"Whatever." Rachel grumbles and turns to James, "Well, how did it go with Adam?"
"He refused to tell me anything." James shakes his head sadly, putting down his mobile, "I always suspected Adam, but hoped he was a better person than this."
"We don't have proof that Adam is responsible for Sam's disappearance." Latour points out, "But his sudden absence and the staff deployment order are too much of a coincidence."
"Staff deployment order?" Excelsior asks between stuffing his face with rice.
Rachel pushes her tablet over to Excelsior, who reads the displayed document with interest.
EMERGENCY DEPLOYMENT ORDER
Staff Name: ADAM EVERETT
Grade: SORCERCER THIRD CLASS
Department: Combatant Department (Temporary)
Authorizing Officer: REDACTED - CLASSIFIED UNDER GRADE ANGEL A1
Area of deployment: Pay 2 Win Casino
Mission objectives: NONE (SEE NOTES)
Commanding Officer: REDACTED - CLASSIFIED UNDER GRADE ANGEL A1
Pay scale for deployment: FULL STANDARD DEPLOYMENT PAY, RISK BONUS, MEDICAL INSURANCE.
Notes: MISSION IS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. INFORMATION LIMITED TO ANGEL A1 PERSONNEL. EXEMPTED FROM KEEPING WRITTEN RECORD.
"Angel A1?" Excelsior frowns, "I've never heard of that grade before."
"Neither have I." Rachel agrees, "But the Guild's computer system regards it as a legitimate personnel grade. It automatically approved the deployment order and kicked out anyone from HR trying to investigate it."
"What's your grade, Rachel?" James asks curiously.
"Executive A2." Rachel answers, "Just below the Acting Grandmaster. I have full access to the Guild's records, but this file refuses to open. I keep getting the error message that my employee grade isn't high enough."
"Its not an error message." Latour shakes his head, "Angel A1 is a legitimate personnel grade. But you can't get it through normal means. Only the actual Grandmaster can confer it on you."
"Wait, what?" Excelsior's eyebrows shoot up, "I thought the Grandmaster's missing in action?"
"The Angel A1 authorizations he gave out previously are still valid." Latour purses his lips, "And since no grade is higher than Angel A1, we can't invalidate those authorizations."
"Can't we check who holds the Angel A1 authorizations?" James asks, eyeing the deployment order.
"No." Latour sinks into his chair, "The Grandmaster used Angel A1 to coordinate with his closest collaborators. People he saw as his equals. The Grandmaster never saw any need for us to hold them accountable."
"No, our purpose is to serve." James nods solemnly, "Not to question the Grandmaster's plan."
"I'm not a servant." Excelsior grumbles, "My school owns a share in Phoenix Guild. I have every right to tear open this file."
"A minority share." Rachel pithily reminds, "And your school doesn't have any executive power over the Guild."
"Fine. But there's still the matter of the ruby." Excelsior's gaze grows sharp, "Don't think I've forgotten about that."
"I don't mind giving it back to you." Rachel says indifferently, "Its the Acting Grandmaster that's making a fuss about it."
"And that's the only reason why I'm still sitting here -" Excelsior mutters as Latour steps in again.
"Please. We're among friends here." Latour soothes Excelsior and Rachel, "And we're all equally affected by the problem facing us today."
"The Grandmaster's legacy is far more important than a single ruby." Rachel responds, "Even if it is a particularly powerful soul gem."
"Are you dissing my school's legacy?" Excelsior demands, slamming his fist on the table, "You're really pissing me off!"
"How do we know Adam's deployment has anything to do with Sam?" James cuts in, bringing the conversation back on topic.
"We don't." Latour quickly takes control of the conversation again before another quarrel breaks out, "But Angel A1 authorization means one of two things. Either the Guild's security is gravely compromised, or one of the Grandmaster's collaborators has decided to resurface."
"And both possibilities mean someone is interested in the legacy." Excelsior quietens down immediately, his expression grave.
"Could it be the Grand Duchess?" Rachel grimaces, "She has a real stake in this matter."
"The Grand Duchess is a servant, like us." Latour dismisses the idea, "She's part of the plan put into motion by the Grandmaster. Not one of the guiding hands."
"During the dance, she told me that she's scared ..." James mutters to himself but no one pays any attention.
"So there must be another reason why you've hit on Adam as a suspect in Sam's disappearance." Excelsior rouses himself, looking at Latour pointedly.
"Sam went to visit her mother." Latour says.
"Its 'her' now?" Rachel smirks in amusement.
"We all know the truth, so why bother with lies here?" Latour groans tiredly, "We've been charged with Sam's protection anyway. Except Robert of course."
"I'm just a helpful guy, lending my strength to someone who needs it." Excelsior smugs.
"Nothing to do with your adoptive father's vow to assist in the Grandmaster's plan?" Rachel cracks a smile, "That's the whole reason why your school got a share in the Guild after all."
"Why can't it be both?" Excelsior grins challengingly at Rachel.
"I received a call from Mrs Moira." Latour interrupts the repartee, "She told me that she wanted out."
"No way." James stands from his seat, "Sam's mom wouldn't break faith like that."
"I never expected it too," Latour agrees, "but if one of the Grandmaster's collaborators approached her, she could have been persuaded to do so. Mrs Moira was already badly shaken by Sam's recent adventure in Winter Rift."
"I protected Sam." James declares.
"You messed up, James." Rachel points out, "Sam would have died if not for the 'other' protection she had. It was a very close call."
"So this Moira got cold feet," Excelsior muses, "And Adam was ordered to go pick her up and help her disappear?"
"Its a real possibility." Latour concludes, "Adam might not mean her and Sam any harm, but we can't allow him to succeed for obvious reasons."
"All this being conjecture, of course." Excelsior pops his knuckles in thought.
"We'll need to go to Pay 2 Win in person." James answers.
"Just so." Latour shuts his eyes, "Let's hope for the best."
"And prepare for the worst."