Somewhere, West Virginia, USA.

While the town was, mostly, sleepy. Several dark vans rolled to a stop at the edge of town in the dead of night. The lights illuminating the figures of Agents Smith and Doe as they awaited their arrival. A man with fiery red hair that appeared to be little older than Doe stepped out of the lead van and made his way towards the two agents and held out a hand for Smith to shake.

"Agent O'Doyle. C&R Team."

Smith shook the offered hand, as did Doe.

"Agents Smith and Doe. You're early."

"We're right on schedule actually. It's the national guard that's dragging its feet."

"Oh?"

"They don't have enough birds to airlift pre-fabs out here, they're also having a hard time in general trying to find enough of both. On top of that, the agency is messing with comms from them on official channels. They're trying to keep the loop of people involved on this as small as possible."

"So we have some more time to get set up?"

"That's right."

"Good. Have you been briefed then?"

"That's right. Unless it's changed since?" O'Doyle asked as he glanced at the town.

"Nope. Mission is the same. Contain. Observe. Report." Smith stated.

"Alright. Where do we start, Sir?"

O'Doyle followed Smith as he turned and walked a few feet and pointed towards the town.

"We now have some odd 70,000 people in a town only fit for a few thousand at best. Most could pass in modern human society, but there are a few that most certainly can not."

"Like?"

"Like turtle people."

O'Doyle paused and quirked a brow.

"Kappa?"

"Nope. Human sized."

"So what do we do about 'em?"

"We set up an isolated containment enclosure and direct them there. Once there, that's one less headache we have to keep away from the Guard."

"What about long-term?"

"Same as the rest. Determine if they're a risk and how and go from there."

"It's not going to be easy to just throw a amphibian habitat together in the time we have."

"And you don't have to. Just keep them away from the State Grunts."

"Anything else?"

"Oh where to start? We have what appear to be greenskinned creatures infesting the town, that one of the locals seems to have conscripted into muscle and labor. Redscaled reptiles bunkering with a possible Innsmouth Syndrome situation. Some, and I quote, "Short Rounds" just down the road there. We also heard rumors about giants, bigfeet, and very large owls. As well as the ever present entity in the hills."

"So just another day on the job?"

"You know it."

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O'Doyal called someone over.

"I want the gearheads to get to work on that turtle habitat yesterday. Charlie gets the Short Rounds, Theta gets the greenskins, Sierra gets Innsmouth and the lizards. Everyone else is routine business."

As the agent left to relay orders, O'Doyle turned back to Smith and Doe.

"Anything else we need to know?"

"You received my recommendations?"

"We did. Observe and don't interfere or interact with the Innsmouth case and the greenskins unless ordered otherwise or deemed absolutely necessary."

"Good man. See you at Field Base?"

"That old motel? Couldn't find anything better?"

"Not particularly. Besides, it would seem someone of royal, or at least noble, status has taken residence there as well."

"You gotten anything from 'em?"

"Not yet, she seems to be trying, and utter failing, to try and work out solutions with the local town council."

"Is she a target for observation?"

"Yes. Though I doubt her personal guard of Praetorians is going to make it easy for your boys."

O'Doyle nodded with a smile.

"Anything else you want to drop on us?"

"Nothing important. You and your teams go get set up and I'll fill you in on the rest when you've settled in."

O'Doyle saluted before hopping into the lead van and leaving while the rest went to their designated objectives. Smith and Doe returned to their car and began to make their way back to town. But something was bothering Johnathan. Sure some of what he's seen could be considered dangerous, but those turtle people? They seemed perfectly harmless from what he's seen. He turned to speak to smith about it.

"So-"

"Why are we going to such great lengths for people that, for the most part, could pass for human? That's easy Agent Doe. Sure those short bearded folk could easily pass for short and stout humans. But what about when one of them gets injured or dies? What do you think will happen when one of them gets cut open during an autopsy or for surgery and it shows they probably have thicker, though shorter, bones? Probably nothing at first. A mutation, an oddity of genes. But what about when that one becomes a dozen? A hundred? What about a thousand? What happens when people start asking questions and demanding answers they're not ready for? Where did this supposed mutation come from and what caused it?"

Smith turned to Doe.

"What happens when they find out they're not human? Same with those sylvan featured people. Sure the pointed ears and obviously beautiful features could be plastic surgery. It's advanced enough that getting your ears sharpened and pointed isn't that big of a stretch for the public. But what about when the inevitable happens? One dies and they get cut open and regular coroners or doctors start noticing things that don't make sense. They discover that those ears aren't because of cosmetic surgery. Then what?"

Smith focused on the road but still continued to talk.

"And what do you think will happen when people find out those aren't some expensive latex turtle suits? What then? And that's not even getting into the question of what possible diseases they could've possibly brought from their world. What new flora or fauna that they may have intentionally, or unintentionally, brought over. That alone could irrevocably change the entire ecosystem of not just America but the entire world."

Smith sighed.

"That's not even mentioning what'll happen when people, human beings, discover that they aren't alone anymore. Our closest cousins were killed and bred to extinction. We kill, enslave, discriminate one another over anything and everything. Race, religion, what flag we fly, what block on which side of the tracks we live on. What do you think will happen when homo sapiens learn that there are now other sapient beings that live among us?"

Smith got lost in thought for a moment.

"Our job is as much for these people's safety as it is for humanity's. That's why we are doing what we are. Some people simply are at too much risk."

Johnathan went silent for a moment. He still didn't like the idea of isolating the turtle people like they were some weird monsters. They were, but still. But what Smith said did make sense. In a way. The others he's seen could fit into modern society with little problem. But the turtle people would no-doubt have to be relocated for their own protection if they didn't find a solution.

-----

Charlie Team.

The van rumbled down the road in darkness, as it neared the designated area the team caught sight of their target. A decent sized encampment that looked like a typical renaissance fair. Guards wearing metal armor included. The only thing that would suggest otherwise was a small Nissan parked by the entrance to the encampment.

The team leader turned towards the back of the van.

"Be polite, friendly, but professional. Don't forget that they are still subjects that need thorough testing and observation."

The team nodded and got out once the van came to a stop. The team leader stepped out and strode towards the wary guards who held up their hands while tightly gripping their spears and clubs.

"'Alt! Who goes there!?"

The team leader stopped and withdrew a laminated badge and held it for the halflings to squint at before replying in a clipped voice.

"I am Dr. Allie Zhu. I am from the government, and I am here to help."

-----

Theta Team.

The team was getting split and set up as the night progressed. Their assignment was a bit more wide reaching than planned. So the team was split into three parts. One part would stick with the van and watch and log the entrance of the mansion and who came and left. The other two would be split between observing the front of the mansion and the other the back.

One of the radios crackled to life.

"Watch Post 1 is a go."

The team leader looked over the various instruments in the van as data started to come in as another radio came to life.

"Watch Post 2 is a go."

The team leader picked up a radio and spoke.

"Alright gents, best get comfy because you're going to be staying there for a good while!"

Mock groans sounded over the radio as the team leader turned to one of the others in the van.

"Do we have numbers yet?"

"Not fully Agent Mason. But we are already reporting several hundred scattered about the estate doing various tasks."

"Good. Keep me posted." The team leader stated as he dipped his Yankee's cap over his eyes and kicked his feet up and took a nap.

-----

Sierra Team.

It was completely silent in the van save for the breathing of the team. Not even the radios crackled with noise. Their assignment was possibly the most dangerous and they didn't want anything to risk adding to it.

They pulled to a stop just down the road to Jeb's house. From here they could only see the dark silhouette of the cabin in the pale moon light. For many moments that's all they did. Just watched and observed. Then the team leader nodded and gestured for his team to get moving. With silent and quick movements they began their work.

Black colored gear allowed them to remain stealthy as night vision aided in their mission. Within minutes the team surrounded the cabin. As one they all lifted their rifles towards various targets around the area, and a silent countdown commenced.

Then invisible beams of light pierced the night, only visible to the night goggles the team wore. The beams left an invisible mark on all the kobolds and salamanders that were stationed around the area. They would have to repeat this process until they had an accurate count of just how many there were. But for now, their work was finished and they returned to the van.

The team leader leaned forward eagerly when they returned.

"Did you see it?"

"Negative. No vision on Prime Objective."

The man bit back a curse before speaking to his team.

"Set up your posts then. Keep an eye out for it. And be on the lookout for signs of Entity APL-1. It is not known for its hospitality for unwelcomed, nor unwanted, guests."

"Yes Dr. Obermann." The team said in uniform before leaving to set up their observation posts.