Sometimes I ask myself how I get into these situations… A mix between a yawn and a gasp escaped Crow's mouth. He was standing behind the army's current Major General Kaine Argapeccio. He was leaning against a wall, wearing jet black aviators and a tuxedo, anybody who saw him would think he was an authentic bodyguard. And today, that's exactly what I am.
He was in between two other bodyguards, who had earlier mentioned their names– code names; Nostradamus Elixir, and Meshed Freeline. Odd names for an odd job. They were both tall and slender, and both wore oddly surreal masks, with Nostradamus Elixir's having an ivory rose cross as its defining trait and Meshed Freeline's having a pale slanted arc across their mask as the defining trait. By the looks of it Meshed Freeline is likely a woman while Nostradamus Elixir is a man. He turned his attention away from them, and took a look at the rest of the room.
Across from the general, no, occupying the entire room was the oppressive aura of the Dome's most powerful and influential figures. Amelia Walker and Christian Hunter weren't present for this meeting, they had neither the time, nor the luxury to stand around and protect bigshots while they were working on the case. That was why Crow was there instead.
The tension in the air was thick enough where one would have to wade in it akin to water. The silence was finally broken when the major general spoke, "Confirmed Resonant activity is one of the causes for the breach of our barrier."
Suddenly the room erupted into a cacophony of not so subtle whispers, "Really?", "Maybe it's those Moonlit Veritas lunatics," "Was it the Ryng?" There were even mentions of some sort of inside job, and that perhaps a minor faction or cult was attempting to leave the Dome.
It was something that shouldn't have mattered to Crow, after all he was only here to act as a bodyguard. The contents of their conversation meant nothing to him, but something piqued his interest. No, not the mentions of another civilization, nor was it the mention of a defecting faction; rather it was the name "Resonant". Not once in his life had he heard of such a term.
I mean it could be someone or multiple people who have resonated… but with what? It was like he was drawn to the term, though in reality he had nothing to do with it. Then there's the Moonlit Veritas too… I'll have to ask later. His thoughts were silenced by the room's noise level depleting. The gossip had finally ended, and once again the Dome's leaders were ready to confer once more.
On the general's right, Vice Admiral Mirelda stated her thoughts on the matter: "Kaine I must say, the chances of Resonants being the cause of this– true Resonants– are low. Very few of them exist in the grasp of our districts, and even less exist outside of our influence," her voice boomed through the room.
The general only grimaced through her words, "Let me correct you, Mirelda, few Resonants exist in the Dome outside of our influence. There are many Resonants who exist beyond the boundaries of our districts. Let it be a warning." His voice held nothing but sympathy and pity, as if he were advising against somebody whose dice were loaded.
By now Crow had already read the flow of the conversation, and had practically deduced the meaning behind the conversation. Things I can make sense of… Moonlit Veritas, an organization or a cult. Resonants, dangerous set pieces– probably super soldiers of some sort. The Dome has never been against human experimentation… Crow clicked his tongue silently and laid his eyes on the vice admiral's expression. It was not one of a person who had just been cautioned. No, it was one of hubris and envy. Her cheeks had gained more color than the usual pale, and her eyebrows furrowed.
She shot up from her chair, moved in front of the major general, and met his gaze directly. "You–", "—You've always had problems with your temper. Mirelda, it is a wonder they keep you around. Even with your 'battle genius'," Kaine coldly cut her off. She stayed quiet. Great. Pity from a— no. Literally THE general. By now who doesn't have a taste of some sweet political in-fighting? It's only every person in the room and their bodyguards. Crow lampooned.
With a breath, Mirelda stepped back and spoke: "We'll settle this later Kaine. As you know, as we all know, we have a problem at hand. Whether or not it's a group of Resonants, the Dome's walls have still been breached. That alone confirms the fact that this person, or more likely these people, have access to something that we don't know of."
"I agree," a man, Admiral Cunningham, stood up and made the first step towards progress. "Currently, there is only one weapon that is able to breach the Dome's barrier– the Exopiercer. Not to mention that it's one of our only five classified WMDs. Yet it is apparent it cannot be that, they have neither the time nor leisure to move it, let alone use it. It requires… special resources, after all."
Special resources? He makes it sound like he's a seductive secretary, Crow snorted and adjusted his aviators. He caught a glimpse of Nostradamus Elixir in his periphery. He was motioning something to Meshed Freeline, but abruptly stopped when he felt Crow's gaze land on him. The man craned his head to catch Crow's gaze. In this moment, where they met each other's gaze, Crow felt a strange shock reverberate throughout his body. An almost electric connection. Nostradamus Elixir quickly looked away.
By now however, everybody in the room began to talk over each, not able to agree on what the source of the breach was. Though it wouldn't matter much if they can't stop the perpetrators in the first place, no? The bitter conclusion made Crow chuckle. He watched for a moment, as he saw Major General Kaine's face begin to turn purple. He was about to explode. That wouldn't be ideal in the slightest.
Crow slickly pushed off the wall and walked over to the major general, and where he was arguing with all of the other political figures in the middle of the room. They had chosen not to bring down the table or the seats until strategy was ready to be discussed. Clearly something they were not in the midst of.
Once he was close enough, Crow slipped by the vice admiral, and put his hand on Kaine's shoulder. He leaned in and whispered a few phrases to him, and then turned his attention to the rest of the politicians. "Break," he said coolly. His words had no lack of respect, yet simultaneously, were dripping with ridicule. "Our conference will enter a recess." Vice Admiral Mirelda attempted to speak, but Crow and Kaine had already walked off, and left the room.
It was clear this meeting was not going to be a simple one.
***
"You mean to tell me I'll be killed then?" Kaine's voice was gentle, lacking the abrasion it did earlier. Crow replied with a nod. Kaine sighed and sank deeper into his chair. "Well, you are Julius's son… It's no wonder you have such a keen eye, Crow Merrow," he told him while shutting his eyes. Looks like he's nostalgic. Daddy Merrow was good friends with the major general then?
Kaine chuckled, "I don't need to see your face to know what you're thinking, Crow," he teased. "Julius, Diane, and myself… we go way back, as you young people say." "So you owe them?" Crow guessed. Kaine scoffed, "More or less," he hesitated, his eyes gleaming with his mouth held agape, and then continued: "I could spend all day here telling stories, alas, I need to know the root of your suspicion, Crow."
"Instinct, sir… but really, It's the vibe those other two are giving me." Crow mentioned the strange gestures of Nostradamus Elixir and Meshed Freeline, he didn't leave out the shocking feeling either. After finishing his explanation, Crow watched as Kaine sighed deeply. He sank into his chair at the sight, knowing the major general had taken him seriously.
"It's come to this, huh," Kaine reached into his pocket and drew a pendant from it. "You see this?" He unfurled his hand and the pendant bounced as it stretched to its maximum range. At the tip of the pendant, rather than a jewel or a symbol, was a small silver key, with zinc lining. "Hold out your hand for me," Kaine said, and Crow obeyed. He placed his hand under Kaine's and caught the pendant as it was dropped into hand.
"If I may sir, what's this?" Major General Kaine stood from his chair, and headed for the door. "Come, Crow. In due time, you will know," and with those words, Kaine opened the door and walked out into the hallway.
For a while, it was just Crow and the gentle hum of the air conditioning. He sat in his chair feeling the smooth edges of the key on the pendant before licking his lips. For once, I don't have even the slightest idea of what this could be for.
He slipped the pendant onto his neck, then: Pushing off his chair, he stood and followed the major general's footsteps; walking off into the hallway. It seems like court is back in session.
***
11:00.
As midnight began to near, the strategy meeting continued. "An obelisk of sorts has been identified near the breach… during, ah, recess, of course." Mirelda spoke. Hey, looks like she's willingly negotiating for once— that's a plus. "It seems to be made of Onyx Chloride, the Ryng most likely has some involvement," someone said. A basic comment, the speaker didn't matter.
"Indeed, this matter does seem to be getting out of hand," spoke another. By this point, many others began to bring in their own input and theories, all backed up with evidence— but evidence nonetheless thought Crow. They spoke of the Ryng, radiated mutants, brought the Moonlit Veritas a few more times even. One even had the gall to mention the small time Escher Killer case— the same serial killer seen across fifteen different Dome districts. It never really felt like I was working on that case in the first place, now that I think of it. Crow sighed. He let his eyelids fall, and let his body relax against the wall once more. No one would bother him with his aviators on, after all.
In the midst of all conversation however, one shout, one voice stood out the most: "Hey— you!" It was unclear from where it came. Only that it was a strangely tempting phrase to answer.