Interlude 2: Many Meetings

Mount Coronet can be considered the single, defining feature of the  Sinnoh region. Its foothills stretched south to just before the  floodplains and valleys near the coast, and trailed north all the way to  the edge of the tundra. Many of the cities of Sinnoh rest atop or  nestled between the smaller daughter mountains which surround the  massive peak. And at the peak of this tallest mountain in the world,  sits the ruins of an ancient temple, whose protruding spires of jagged  stone give the peak its name; the Spear Pillar.

Akari’s destination lay even higher into the sky.

The  immortal woman landed on the stones of the ruined temple, dismounting  Lord Braviary with a quiet pat on his fluff. Striding forward, she  walked to the edge of the ancient structure, then took one step off the  edge. Her foot caught on empty air, and with a quiet sigh, she started  to climb the nigh-invisible staircase. “...still not used to this,” she  grumbled.

“Being able to still feel fear is good, you know.” Mesprit ‘spoke’ as she faded into view beside her friend. “Being able to feel guilt, even better.”

“I  know I went way too far with Illya and Shirou, Mesprit,” Akari replied  gruffly, swearing as she nearly tripped on the staircase composed  entirely of air, “Every single one of the myths and legends I have  regular contact with chewed me the goddamn hell out, and when we had a  moment in private, Misora-san and Mana tore me a new one. Though I  suppose I did get a good battle out of that…” Her eyes turned  cloudy as she remembered the battle, recalling each action in vivid  detail, her photographic memory more of a curse than a blessing at this  point in her life, “But, like I said, I’m aware.”

“You are not. Not entirely,” Mesprit huffed. “And there are two you are in regular contact with who have not spoken to you yet.” She floated up the last dozen stairs. “After all, Grandfather has yet to speak to you.”

Akari  crested the staircase, finding herself on a solid gray plane, the  curvature of Garde below visible off the edges. As she stepped forward,  two structures formed in the air atop the plane; one a simple arch of  gold, the other a door formed out of stone. The golden loop was soon  filled with darkness, a sinuous form flowing out of it, massive black  wings framing the air.

“Akari. I really wish we were meeting again under different circumstances,” Giratina rumbled.

“... I’m not going to enjoy this conversation in the slightest,  am I?” Akari sighed in lieu of greeting, receiving a nod from an old  foe turned friend. “On a scale from 1-10, how furious is Arceus with  me?”

“3.” The doors of stone swung open, golden  light forming around Arceus as they stepped onto the platform, all three  of the present beings turning to face the approaching deity. “But then, my relation to such things is remote. I have other concerns.” They stepped forward, waiting patiently to one side. “Mesprit, Giratina.”

“Father.” Giratina inclined his head.

“...so formal.”

“Old habits die hard.” Giratina turned back to Akari, allowing Mesprit to make her own greetings. “Akari, when did you start thinking like Cogita?” He asked slowly.

“I-” She cut off the instinctive denial that came through that she could ever be like Cogita of all people, raising her finger, lowering it, then gagged. “Holy shit when the fuck did I start thinking like Cogita?” she whispered, looking both furious and horrified, and more than a little green.

“And thus, my concern. And frustration,” Giratina said sourly. “Believing  that with age comes unapproachable wisdom, not accepting input from  outsiders, assurances to others and yourself that ‘it worked before, it  will work now…’ hallmarks of a sedentary mind. One which can easily stop  questioning itself.” He sniffed. “And of course, instead of  stopping when things aren’t working out like they ‘should’, you push  forward, because now you want to know why things are different. If you can see it at all. Ring any bells? Sound familiar?”

Akari bit back her quick response and nodded, ruffling through her memories to figure out exactly when  this had happened, and finally finding the answer, “It was about when  the International Pokemon League first formed, I think. I convinced  myself that I’d seen everything there is to see, and tried everything  there was to try, and after the tragedies of the wars in the 1900s, I  figured that someone had to step up and teach people not to be stupid.”

“Indeed. You did good work then, helping the league, testing the will of those heroes and potential world leaders.” Giratina flowed around Akari, coming up behind her. “But  then, why did you use the same methods when you tested a child? One who  never approached you, who has not yet reached for power, greatness, or  glory?” He floated around to loom before her. “Has the power you had then gone to your head, Akari?”

Akari  slowly shook her head. “I don’t think it was the power, at least, not  entirely. I think it’s because I’ve made it a point not to interact all  that much with society for the last few years or so. Mostly since I come  from this time period. Though I’m starting to think I shouldn’t have  been so concerned; I’m probably not from this specific period  in time, am I? At least, not this world.” She shook her head again. “Not  the point. I’ve ossified because I haven’t experienced anything new in a  while, and when I found something new, something interesting, I went  overboard without considering the consequences.”

“While you are right that you need not be concerned, this is indeed your time.” Arceus corrected, gently.

“Curiosity itself is not a bad thing.” Mesprit chipped in. “In fact, that’s good! It’s just…”

“Rather than treat it as truly new, you just tried to do the same things you did before.” Giratina summarized. “Poked a new situation just like you poked an old one.” He jabbed her chest with one tendril. “At least you know you messed up. If you hadn’t, I’d be… well. Furious doesn’t begin to cover it,” he nearly snarled. “Those kids aren’t yours to manipulate. If you’d gone much further, I’d be comparing you to Volo, not Cogita.”

Akari blanched. “...I’m not like him,” She protested.

“No, he hyper focused on a goal. You had no goal. Or did you?” Giratina asked, pausing. “No, seriously, did you? I really can’t follow whatever logic had you test that Emiya kid.”

Akari winced. “I… cannot recall myself.” She sighed. “It seemed necessary at the time, but I’m not sure why…”

“Falling into patterns like that is not a good sign. We may need to have some additional therapy sessions.” Mesprit rolled into Akari’s peripheral vision, peering at her. “It  has been a long time. You have been getting better at recognizing your  emotional connections, but you still have issues with detachment.”

Having  nothing to say, Akari remained silent, simply glancing towards Arceus,  waiting for his input. The god tilted their head, then shook it slowly. “As  I said, my Champion, I am not concerned for your actions and the  emotions on the ground. My concerns are about you, and should wait until  we are done. Or, to be more precise, you will have no lecture from me  this evening. Merely a reminder.” They looked at Giratina. “My son, do you have any further input?”

“I think I’ve said my piece,” Giratina sighed loudly. “...you  are still one of my best friends, Akari. I do not want that to change  anytime soon. Don’t make a habit of this, consider your actions.”

“Resuming  your daily meditations would be advisable. I am not entirely certain  when you stopped. I could ask Celebi, I suppose.” Mesprit mused.

“I  would like to point out right now that I never stopped my daily  meditations.” Akari pointed out, not about to be called out for  something she hadn’t actually done, “I just haven’t been  reflecting on my actions within the context that the current time  demands. I slipped back into the mentality I cultivated in Hisui.”

“Survival and goal-pursuit over all else.” Mesprit pulled out a pad of paper, scribbling on the top sheet. “I prescribe less adventuring and more time spent with friends and loved ones. Without the cryptic commentary, I think.” She stopped. “Let’s  see… the Grand Prickle, Warden Ingo, Lady Manaphy… maybe drop in on  Volo’s bar? See what he’s up to. Oh, and go spend some time in the  Distortion World, shake off that rut you’re digging into.” She flipped to the next page. “And  if you do want to continue to interact with the children… Therapy. With  myself, Uxie, and Azelf. At least once a month with each of us.”

Akari  accepted the notes with a sigh. “I… can’t argue with that,” she  muttered. As she put it away, she felt the golden presence of her boss  come closer. “Okay, what is it, sir?”

“Akari, to continue  to serve as my herald, to walk among humans… you must continue to think  and act like a human of that time period. You cannot become like Cogita,  or AZ. Volo is closer, for all his flaws, and even he…” The creator shook his head. “You  are Legendary. If you become defined as a trickster, uncaring,  isolated… you will not be able to serve effectively as my herald any  longer.” A pane of glass appeared at their side. “I do  not want to lose you to the apathy and regrets of the other immortals. I  would rather change you than see you lost like that.”

Akari  jerked back at the face in the mirror, eyes open wide and pupils  narrowed to pinpricks. The reflection which recoiled was her, but not as  she was; instead of soft cloth and pale skin, navy fur and silver  feathers met her gaze. The almost feline figure spread wings in shock,  white crest flared in astonishment above tufted ears; taloned forelimbs  scratching at the ground. “You’d change me into–” She stated, almost  curious now that her reflexive reaction was contained.

“Not as punishment, and only if you give me permission to do so. If you could no longer connect with humans as they are…” They leaned closer. “There  is always the option of changing your form. Your spirit and soul could  certainly handle it with the weight of years and legend behind it. But I  don’t believe you want that, not yet.”

“I don’t. Not  yet.” She shook her head rapidly, the image in the mirror warping to her  own, human face. “No. I… have I really become that detached?”

“Not even close, not yet,” Mesprit murmured quietly. “Let’s keep it that way, shall we? I’ll see you on Wednesday. Bring muffins.”

“As  Mesprit said, this is merely a warning. You made a mistake with your  test, and several people rightfully called you out for it. You will  likely lose some standing in the eyes of the league with those in the  know, but otherwise many do seem to understand that this was an isolated  incident triggered because of a combination of your own trauma and your  general distance from civilization in the face of the hero worship that  had a recent resurgence,” Arceus stated softly, looking into one of his favorite chosen’s eyes. “But I doubt you will ever go that far again, will you?”

“No.  I know what I did was wrong, and I think I understand why I ended up  doing it now. I’ll be back on Wednesday with muffins, and I have a visit  to make to a certain pair of people.” Akari replied with a smile,  something akin to the old fire that once blazed in her eyes returning,  an ember of warmth lost with the countless trials she had endured  returning for the first time since the formation of the Pokemon League.  “I’ll be looking forward to it, Mesprit. Giratina, will you be there?”

“I  won’t be. Brother and sister are being assholes again, and I need to  keep managing things on the other side. Please, do come visit,” the Dragon of Symmetry said, flowing back over to his gate. “Seriously, my people like the company.” Seconds later, he was gone.

“I will be there, of course. Therapy starts with friendship, I think.” Mesprit said.

“We can use my place,” Arceus said. “And we will have company. Your mother has been hanging out for the last two months,” they said to Mesprit. “I haven’t gotten her to leave yet.”

“That’s  because you’re actively choosing not to, father~” A certain feline  gremlin giggled from above the great llama’s head, the godcat giving  Akari a wave, “After all, it is ever so interesting watching your latest  pet project grow! And besides, you know you like my company!”

“Hey  Mew. We’ll reconnect on Wednesday, okay?” Akari waved, heading for the  stairs. “I have a more… in-depth apology to work on. And I need to find  my old Sihde Spellbook…”

---(0)---

The  Shmucks Who Let Battling Lead to Eternal Paperwork. The Shmucks that  let Loops Lead to Eternal Paperwork. United in Eternal Suffering.

There are currently 15 members online

Pinned Messages:

• Usernames
  Lance Blackthorn: DragonMaster
  Steven Stone: IAmIronMan
  Cynthia Shirona: NotDoomedToRepeatIt
  Alder Freeman: RamblingMan
  Diantha Karune: Superstar
  John Mustard: BearFisted
  Geeta Lyrica: FullTimeChampion
  Solana Hinata: PartTimeMom
  Lunik Kazuki: PartTimeDad
  Kellyn Hajime: TopRanger
  Kate Hitomi: AceRanger
  Summer Minami: LivingParadox
  Ben Natsuya: SkyRanger
• Re: League Policy
  We  aren’t supposed to be using this chat to conduct official business, but  who the fuck has time to spend five hours on a voice call while most of  us are busy trying to make sure our regions don’t burn down, and the  Rangers are busy making sure the Wilds don’t burn their lands down.

RamblingMan: Alright,  I think we can get away with not doing an official meet up this month,  so long as we stay on topic here in the chat. Is that alright with  everyone?

BearFisted: Too far from a good signal again, Alder?

RamblingMan: Damn right I am.

League_Porygon_141: Vote Talley: 10-0-2. Motion passes.

Superstar: Who abstained? This seems much more convenient.

FullTimeChampion: Doing this is against League rules, but much more expedient. Consider my vote a small protest.

TopRanger: None of us really have a say here, so all the rangers should have abstained. Then again, none of us particularly have time for the meetings, so that’s probably why some of us voted.

RamblingMan: The  Rangers are just as important as the rest of us, Kellyn. More so, in  many ways. Pokemon don’t have a direct voice on here, so you’re the best  middlemen we have.

RamblingMan: Speaking of  which, thank you for intervening recently in the Peninsula Reserve Area.  If the League had gone in, it might have turned into a hostage crisis,  and Juniper might have skinned me alive.

LivingParadox: Well,  I just got back from finishing the paperwork for dealing with the gross  negligence that specific Ranger Station was practicing, so you’re  passive aggressively welcome?

SkyRanger: Summer, please play nice…

DragonMaster: Context, now please.

LivingParadox: Those  idiots were treating their jobs like an inconvenience and blaming all  their problems on the predecessor organization of Rangers that the  League Maintained until the Ranger Union agreed to be folded into the  organization. Now, while they aren’t quite wrong that the Unovan Ranger Corp screwed the pooch around five years ago, we sent Rangers to deal with the problem, and Alder was present as the league rep to make sure that everything went smoothly.

Personally,  I think it was a mixture of HQ messing up and sending someone with a  grudge against Unova to that specific station, and the fact that he just  went completely unnoticed and eventually got promoted to Station  Commander. He’s on his way back to Almia for… questioning.

DragonMaster: I meant the hostage crisis, not the screwup which let it happen.

RamblingMan: It  turns out letting a traumatized faller pass within twenty miles of a  group of Hiusian Zoroark does not end easily. Long story short,  everyone’s fine, but one girl’s mental construct-slash-second  personality got turned into a Pokemon. I’m still dealing with the  paperwork.

SkyRanger: Also, the compact of the Four Swords got broken, so that was fun. We’re also still  dealing with that paperwork. I’m just happy that Latias was sticking  along with Summer for the duration of this trip. It made things a lot  safer than it would have been otherwise, having a legend present and  whatnaught.

NotDoomedtoRepeatIt: Hold on, are these the same Fallers who are related to my new little sister and brother?

Superstar: And the walking one-man-army moonlighting for the G-Men?

DragonMaster: Right, the assassin. I just got a report on him…

IAmIronMan: Excuse me? Assassin? Do we need to up league security?

DragonMaster: He is currently on our side.

NotDoomedtoRepeatIt: He’s my adopted siblings’ dad. He’s staying on our side.

BearFisted: Multiple Fallers?  That is very unusual. Why haven’t we heard about this already?  Considering how much damage the last ones caused over here…

NotDoomedtoRepeatIt: Most  of these ones don’t have their f**king ‘game knowledge’.  I swear,  Arceus sends those idiots here specifically to mess with them and us.  Then again, it might be Hoopa, not the Old Sky Goat.

FullTimeChampion: When  was the last time one of the fallers with their “Metaknowledge”  actually contributed meaningfully to our society? I know it was fairly  recently, but then the massive Faller Hell of the Late Twentieth Century  was happening at the same time so…

DragonMaster: Professor  Flores is technically Faller-Adjacent, and her studies into Pokemon  bonding, training, and development have been very useful. Other than  her, Kanto is scarce on the ground of useful fallers.

FullTimeChampion: Larry is a very productive member of our Elite Four. He is, however, mostly an outlier.

Superstar: We  don’t tend to get many Fallers here at all. Or at least, not open ones.  Our tourists may disguise most of the ones who do show up.

AceRanger: There  was that one Ranger Faller we had a while back. They’re retired now,  but they were actually pretty key in some of our more effective reforms.  They definitely used knowledge they shouldn’t have access to to ensure  they were effective, but they never did more than suggest or prod us in  the right direction.

PartTimeDad: Wasn’t there  also that one faller that was a Pokemon? I can’t exactly recall the  specifics, but I remember this really old recording of an interview  between the Ranger Union in the sixties and a representative of the  Lucario Kingdom discussing Fallers.

BearFisted: Hate to say it, but if we go this far off-subject, we may need to get on a call. So, the new three?

NotDoomedtoRepeatIt: Five, technically. One with Diantha, two with Alder, and two with me. All from the same town on another world, apparently.

NotDoomedtoRepeatIt: Mine  have managed to cause our local Immortal to have a little oopsie. Which  nearly became an international incident. Not their fault, but if my  office is forced to sanction Champion Akari…

Superstar: I  had one of my Ace Trainers complaining about being involved in that,  though she also took her own punishment rather stoically. Misora seemed  rather relieved that she was getting punished, honestly.

IAmIronMan: Misora? I thought she had more sense than that…

Superstar: She  didn’t say so directly, but I think it was a mixture of wanting to stop  Champion Akari from going too far and genuine trauma. She watched children die during the Incident with Zygarde and Volcanion two years ago.

DragonMaster: So when she got roped into working with another Legend… is there any sign Lady Akari is getting worse?

NotDoomedtoRepeatIt: Not as far as I can see. She was seen ascending to the Sky Pillar, so she may have needed to confer with… them.

AceRanger: Please keep an eye on her! She might need a friend right now.

RamblingMan: And there’s a ray of sunshine we all need…

DragonMaster: Indeed.  So the Fallers we know about have been involved with several encounters  with a living Legend, and gotten involved in a gang war. Diantha, has  your Faller done anything of note?

Superstar: He has killed two dozen members of the local Team, left multiple criminals to the local police to arrest, and has become a meme.

Superstar: He’s yet to make the news, but that’s only because someone is still trying to keep Team Flare from becoming public

BearFisted: That’s…  odd. Especially given how many of Kalos’ nobility seems to be involved  in Flare. Diantha, I assume the Kalos League is allowing the coverup to  quietly note the sympathizers in the media and government?

Superstar: Yes. We aren’t exactly happy with what we’ve found so far, let me tell you. There are several people  we thought were clean that we’re having to investigate now. Don’t ask  me, the information is too sensitive to post in this chat.

IAmIronMan: Considering  the amount of Porygon and work we’ve put into making it secure, I’d  like to think it can handle some critical information…

PartTimeDad: True, but can we trust Alder and Cynthia to not lose their phones on their trips?

LivingParadox: And Flare has very suspicious  levels of wealth. That and all the “Large” teams have equally  impressive network security. They’d never have managed to keep existing  if our Porygon and Rotom Networks were capable of cracking their  CyberSec. In Person Briefings are just better for Infosec.

IAmIronMan: Well  put. Though, I don’t think any of us Champions aside from Mustard have  enough time to deal with such a briefing, so long as Flare remains  local. At least, I can’t. Not since Aqua and Magma’s feuding started  escalating. They might actually become Team Aqua and Magma at this rate.

DragonMaster: Team Rocket is making bigger and bigger plays. We’ve gotten weekly reports  of their agents attempting to steal Pokemon, and their leadership isn’t  trying to keep things quiet anymore. I’ve had to respond to three major  operations in the last two months. That and keeping track of the  potential Chosen that Professor Oak brought up with all of us a few  years ago is eating up all of our time. Indigo’s stretched really thin right now.

PartTimeMom: Speaking  of, Lance, Lunik and I are responding to another reported incident. Get  ready for another wave of Rocket related attacks.

DragonMaster: I’ll respond as soon as I get out of this meeting- Nevermind. Goddammit Goodshow…

RamblingMan: I  don’t have immediate Team issues, but I do have a Cobalion-damned Gang  War brewing in my region. And Grimsley’s worried there might be someone  else inciting them right now, and I have a lead on a cult which might be  behind it. I’m stuck here.

FullTimeChampion: Paldea  remains quiet. Except for Area Zero, and that’s too quiet. I can  dispatch aid if compensated or ordered by the International League.

BearFisted: We  don’t have any organized crime problems, beyond the monopoly Rose  managed to set up. And Macro Cosmos has been good for the region thus  far. It helps that Rose keeps trying to not have a monopoly.

BearFisted: We  do, however, have a Legendary problem. The Birds have started  skirmishing again. Zapdos just attacked our one major settlement in the  Crown Tundra, and though he was driven off, they were dead quiet until  they annihilated that Smuggler Settlement a few months back.

RamblingMan: The  Swords have started getting more involved with society again; Cobalion  dumped a group of smugglers on the Rangers a few days back without any  explanation whatsoever.

NotDoomedToRepeatIt: The  Creation Trio have been slightly more active lately, but we can largely  blame that on Lady Akari. Speaking of, she just sent me a rather interesting tidbit. Another thing to look into…

LivingParadox: We’ve  seen reports of the Beasts of Johto running back and forth across the  Home Islands, and my partner has said that multiple groups of Eon  pokemon are leaving their nests and making a general nuisance of  themselves around passenger planes.

TopRanger: I  spoke to some oracular pokemon recently. Apparently, we’re heading into a  time of troubles. @DragonMaster, do you know if that Chosen One was  chosen, or Chosen? Apparently, there’s a difference.

AceRanger: Kellyn I swear to god Lance literally just left.

TopRanger: Well I’m soooooo sorry, Kate. I was a bit busy- HEY! Why’d you hit me!

AceRanger: You were zoning out for most of the meeting, idiot. Come take your punishment like a man, coward!

FullTimeChampion: Please stay on topic…

BearFisted: Hate to say it, but I think we’re done. There’s a lot of bushfires to deal with, everyone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

IAmIronMan: This is why we can’t have nice things…

---(0)---

Kalos  had a long and rich history, both in the sense that it had many storied  battles and people, and much in the way of wealth, both earned and  taken. Both of these elements were on full display at the elegant  chateau nestled in the southern mountains, surrounded by vineyards and  gardens. The doors, made of ancient ebony, were carved with roaring  flame motifs, common signs of those who followed the ideals of rebirth.

Of  course, stepping through those doors without an invitation would lead  to intruders being politely turned away by servants in fine clothing.  Push deeper, and the servants would give way to red-clad guards with  Elite teams and ancient weaponry. Such was what was necessary to give  security to the meeting held within.

Lysandre uncorked a bottle,  sniffing the wine within. “...an excellent vintage. And no hints of  vinegar; this has been properly stowed.” He poured two glasses, handing  one to the woman sitting nearby. “A bit to fortify you after your  ordeal, Contessa.”

“Thank you, Lyandre.” Contessa acknowledged,  taking the drink with almost supernatural grace, sipping from the flute  with a pleased hum, “It is as you said, my friend, this is an excellent vintage. I believe from the now defunct vineyards near Marselle.”

“You  have an excellent nose.” Lysandre murmured, taking another sniff.  “...how cruel the world is, for a place which produced such beauty to be  laid low by rot and concrete.” He swirled the wine, taking a sip. “To  destroy the old for nothing more than profit, to create tat for the  common man, and leave us with inferior product, consigning the remains  to luxury and rarity. We drink history tonight.”

“Things change  constantly, Lysandre. Even in our new world, things will be lost.”  Another voice interjected on their conversation, a pink haired woman  sipping brandy. Malva peered over her glasses. “Speaking of change, what  happened? Last I heard, the Charente secure facility was still unknown.  How did Interpol organize an assault?”

“Their newest attack dog is far more capable than we suspected. We believe that he has been intentionally hiding his capabilities by making us believe he is simply a  merciless killer,” the man standing at Lysandre’s side stated, hands  tightening around the pommel of the sword he had sheathed at his side.  “Apologies, Lysandre, I failed to account for that possibility. It shall  not happen again.”

Renault hissed from his place at the nearby  table. “...Emiya,” he growled. “I thought we’d found a way to collar  that bastard, Malva.”

Malva shot the recently freed aristocrat a  glare. “I may have influence in the League, Monsieur, but with Interpol  and Champion Diantha watching, all I can do is track his movements. And  even that fails frequently. He is very good at remaining covert.” She  sipped her drink. “He is a Faller. There are no old crimes to resurrect,  no old enemies to point his way. Subtle methods to remove him are few  in number.”

Lysandre nodded thoughtfully, “And any propaganda  campaign aimed towards exposing him would expose our influence over the  media even further,” he thought aloud, a hint of disdain entering his  voice at the thought. “We shall simply have to step up our efforts to  remove him. Since he has yet to show mercy unless it is convenient, we  shall simply return the gesture.”

Renault tapped his chin. “We  could hire mercenaries of our own. I believe my cousin knows someone  with an impeccable record in terms of contracts completed.”

“...are  you talking about Hunter J?” Malva asked incredulously. “She’s a  poacher, kidnapper, and smuggler, not an assassin.” Pausing, she  considered something else. “It’d also be horrific PR for us to be linked to her in any way, and J would absolutely talk if she was captured. No. If we were to hire her, we must do so deniably. Completely.”

“Lawrence  is not connected to us in any way. He is a collector of the strange and  unique.” Renault retorted. “And according to Contessa, he was working  with three of our acquisitions. Shiny Starters, in fact.” He spread his  hands. “I pass that to Lawrence and ask him to hire J for retrieval, pay  extra to eliminate witnesses. Chancellor Lysandre, your thoughts?”

Weighing the pros and cons of wasting influence and money on a woman that simply wasn’t beautiful  in any way, though he would begrudgingly admit that her methods of  capture did preserve the beauty of her targets rather well, Lysandre  hummed, “... No. There is no guarantee that J will not clue in  regardless, and we have other uses for Lawrence that would be far more useful overall.”

Renault cursed. “Something must be done, Chancellor! Is there no way to take care of this threat?”

Lysandre turned to face a man standing in the back of the room, arcing an eyebrow. “Xerosic, you’ve been awfully quiet.”

The  scientist looked up from the tablet computer he’d been messing with.  “I’ve been coordinating the dispersal and reassignment of our research  teams. Unless you direct me to shelve some of our projects, our  timetables need to remain carefully managed in light of this  disruption.”

Lysandre smiled. “Punctual and diligent, wonderful as  always, Xerosic. But I will need you to redistribute our resources  slightly. Accelerate project EXS, and look through our members for  anyone who might synergise with the results.” His smile dropped. “We'll  need their service very soon.”

“Yes, Chancellor.” Xerosic nodded.  “...should we continue work on Project Boulevard? With our agents  scattered into the hills, Interpol may be able to hunt them down…”

“The  possibilities offered by Boulevard are too great to pass up. Continue  the work,” Lysandre responded. “And let me know if you need additional  funding. Money, at least, is not a concern right now.”