Chapter Text
21:45. The emergency meeting was finally over. By 22:20 a report regarding the conversation should reach to the head. In the meantime, Handler felt as if important decision making had to be made, she would collapse either from exhaustion, from headaches or the continued consumption of painkillers as if they were candy.
Her walk back to her office was a trudge. Eyes burned, vision blurring at times, and disoriented the vision even when she was frighting to stay vigilant. Praying the night would end without another crisis. As soon as she though that, she finally entered the room of her office, threw around her bag and jacket before sludging at the chair as it was the sofa.
And since she was all alone, maybe, she could get a quick nap.
“Eh… Ma’am. I have important news.”
(Someone better be dying.)
Handler opened her eyes and witnessed the familiar agent. He was … Heck she forgot his name. The embarrassment bothered her especially compared to the sharp headache that was penetrating her skull. Sleeping like that, with a headache, even for a short period of time, could easily be compared to waking up after a hungover. it was still a pain.
What did he want again? Anyway –
“Report,” she sheepishly muttered, closing back her eyes. For a moment she headed nothing. Unsure but tired she managed to add, “I listen. Don’t worry.”
The sound of papers being thrown onto the table made her jump.
“There’s been an explosion, Ma’am”
(We. Can’t. Be. Serious.)
Well, her sleep was disturbed anyway and the headache didn’t seem to go away. So, waking up was her unfortunate sole option.
After a yawn and placing her hands on her face, the officer impatiently began. “Just a few hours ago. A residential building was rigged and blown-clearly targeted. One particular unit was the epicenter. Police and anti-terrorism units responded immediately.”
Handler’s narrowed as soon as she opened them. “Police? Anti-terrorism? Don’t tell me…” The thought of where this was going filled her hope with dread.
Instantly flipped thought the papers, apparently, there were the obvious reports but her focal point was photographs of the incident. Protracted was her reading as she was still trying to prosses information.
People thankfully outside, but the damage on the building was a sign not even the blind could not take their eyes from. First of all, the entire front wall was gone. Reaching around to the second and third. Everything inside turned to ashes or was evident getting burned.
They weren’t as grim in her eyes. In her years in the agency, and before then, things she’s seen and heard from collogues and stories to confrontations of far more pall to comparison to this. On the other hand, the idea of such an act unfolding in broad daylight, in the very heart of the city where life thrived, was exceedingly small.
Here were the obvious signs, why where they involved into this, any possible bombers and who could possibly do this for, to whom and was the end result of all of this.
“You weren’t there in front of so many SSS officers and their units around there just scouting the area like idiots?” She deadpan asked. His face paled. They did. She’d hold him by his ear and scold him for this obvious childish and imbecilic dangerous act if only she feared to worsen her condition. She needed a brake – And a long one at that.
The though of acknowledging it stopped her before her words. She’s rather not, “Supposing you did - were there anyone who suspected you?”
“No Ma’am” the officer said grimly, shaking his head, taking a seat across from Handler. “Police and anti-terrorism units combed the wreckage. Fragments of the device suggested a personal vendetta. It looked like a score settling. What’s strange is one of our agent’s reported a witness. They claimed a strange man was seen leaving just before the blast. He returned afterward, took it all in then vanished.”
“And? And our department?”
“Left two hours later. Discretely obviously. Nothing the Eastern anti-terrorist units reported was any different from our own investigation.”
“Victims?” But before she could answer, pointed at the epicenter of the blast, “Who lived there?”
“One victim. Owen Williams. Writer. Nothing noteworthy about him. Neighbors gave the usual responses. That he was a good man and, so on. Just recently he filed for divorce. His wife collapsed upon hearing the news. Important note that was before anyone broke down the situation about the explosion.”
So, a normal citizen. At least one less scandal that could potentially tie to all of these scandals. Relief washed over her. However, this is still a case that could mean anything from messy to complicated and bad. It didn’t look political. But it could, from others, be interpreted differently.
“So, nothing’s concrete,” Handler said. “Any leads?”
“Well … the house is gone. Nothing left. The widow’s not our main suspect, but there are inconsistencies in this case. No other confirmed profile to be targeted I am afraid. But if the suspect’s roaming free who knows the real motive behind this. Or the whole history for that matter. The news sooner will broadcast this. SSS must be already patrolling around the area. I can’t guarantee it will be easy, but we’ve got to get to the bottom of this. I fear this might be terroristic sign from somewhere. We have to get the person first. I am making sense?”
“One word. Please!”
“Scattered.”
It’s intriguing. Through it definitely wasn’t the agencies fight. After all it was outside of the scope of relations between the East and West. He and his men could do whatever they wanted with this case. She just didn’t want this to be another nail that could cost them everything. Investigation in this case must cautious.
That was it she decided. “I’d recommend assigning this to the recruits. Let them get their hands in the dirt.” Opened the drawer and somewhere she was sure that there was a paper with the names of the new agents, “May I suggest -”
“Twilight. Assign Twilight to this case.”
(No. He just didn’t), she thought before gently closing back the drawer. Since it apparent, this was becoming serious.
“He’s already buried with Strix. And the deadline’s tighter than ever.” Handler asserted, but agent retorted “He can handle it. He always did. Even with deadlier cases’.”
She would have preferred to hash and dig in the buildings remains around with the SSS officers than discussing this pointless argument. And she knew why he was doing this. After all the informants were forced into hiding, they needed someone capable of uncovering information of finding a way to extract it. That, she was sure, was the main reason behind that serious demeanor, why he was so awkward. It wasn’t the case itself, not the inclusion of the public, not even the presence of the SSS. How foolish she had been not to see it sooner.
“I won’t negotiate. I don’t approve of involving Twilight in this. Am I understood?”
Another voice entered the room. A female voice, “Then give that to me”
Nightfall.
Handler turned sharply, “Who told you can enter, Nightfall?” Nightfall? She’s been hurt last time she saw her. “Field work’s off-limits until medical signs off.”
Nightfall didn’t’ happen to be there by accident. It’s been a long due since the Sherding’s case, her wounds had been healed so this was in a way an opportunity to enter the field once again, “I’ve done what I had to. Covered for Twilight. Kept things running during the Sherding’s crisis. I agree Handler. This is beyond his overload. And I am certain that I can handle it.”
“He can handle it,” the officer argued back, “He’s in rhythm with these other smaller missions. You give him this, he’ll stay sharp. Letting it go could break the tempo.”
Handler, with the response she’d just heard wondered if her tiredness made her misinterpret it or if her was simply an idiot spouting nonsense. But did it mattered, if her patience was running thin already with her nagging pain in the head. And she didn’t feal like she would be nice any longer.
“I determine who gets what, and when” Handler snapped. “And we’re all stretched thin, Nightfall, Agent, what even your name is. That’s no excuse! Are you even listening –“
Nightfall didn’t budge, still looking at the officer she pressed, “Fool. The Eden Academy’s deadlines. The meetings. The charade. You throw this at him now, and you’ll break the pace. Twilight won’t survive another overload and I know you know this fact too.”
Handler stared her down for a moment, there was no way things had gone so bad she’s being ignored —then sighed. “Hey! You want the case? Fine. It’s yours, Nightfall. Infiltrate. Observe. Report. Nothing more. Got it, you?”
Nightfall “Crystal.”
Before the officer could open his mouth it was cut off by the Fullmetal lady’s furious presence, ending the exchange before it began, “I choose your agents - to go where, why, when and why. You'll only get one. And it’s Nightfall. Stick to protocols. Immediate start with this case. Officer, you bring me a copies of this. And both of you - get your butts out of the office!
The officer looked at Handler bewiled. This wasn't the outcome he wished and now he and his team had to work with all the minimal they've got with the help of none other than the Ice Queen herself. Unfortunately, his hands were tied and didn't view the prospect of gambling with his luck further, as Handler didn't seem as calm as a few minutes back and orders from her already seemed final. Fiona for her part was happy she could finally do some work after a time off, and knowing most of the unfortunate event's that added nothing except overwork, she was happy. Cause she bought Twilight's focus on Strix. After all he was carrying on his shoulders something far more important than a case.
When the door was closed, Handler was alone.
Maturine: You keep saying it’s miles away from Strix, but you’re missing the point. If we lose something crucial here. If we slip. Even if it’s in the north, or the south, or hell, even in Central … we’ll be bleeding everywhere. Everything connects back to the heart.
Handler: Strix isn't our main concern. It’s too far removed.
Maturine: And here is where you’re wrong. You think because I’m out here on the border between two countries, dealing with insurgents and petty criminals, that I don’t see the bigger picture?
Handler: That’s not what I –
Maturine: Every region’s on the edge of the same damn cliff. And when one of us falls, the rest of us are dragged in.
Sunrise: I wish it’s was about geography.
Handler: Your ideas are valid. But we need to stay focused. Each of us has our own region to handle. Maturine, you deal with your borders. Thomas, takes care of the north. Let’s not include The Operation Stix in this tangled mess. We have crucial –
Leader: Keep pretending that losing this won’t have a cascading effect? Sorry I was a little caught up with what Maturine said with his puzzle idea about our fifth party here. You can’t just leave things be! My people are already talking! Higher’s demand to know an answer! South’s getting heat! We’re too close to the water’s edge for this to stay buried.
Maturine: What I wanted to propose was them to show us their cards before we openly or indirectly we go after them. Think about it.
Leader: The more we delay, the more the cracks spread. We're all torn in different directions, different – everything! And none of us are in position to fix this alone. Coordination in complex situations is critical, before it's too late.
Handler: This is coordination, Leader. Start gathering everything. No one’s safe from the fallout, not if we keep pretending this is just a border problem, or some small leak. Again. All we have are the people who were closest to each of these victims. Every region. Start pulling those connections. Anyone who’s opposed to this speak now.
Sunrise: There’s - no going back now. If we let this pass, the West Intelligence as a whole is compromised. And once that’s gone, Strix won’t just be our last worry.
Leader: We all know what happens when the cracks grow too wide. We’re already behind. So, we start now.
Maturine: Whatever. Let's just follow your plan. For now.
*Sunrises signs off*
*Maturine signs off*
Leader: Well, that was something. How are you holding up?
Handler: What did you find these two?
Leader: One’s needs to catch up. The other needs some reality check. Where we like that you think?
Handler: No. I do not. Still pissed with the puzzle thing?
Leader: Obviously! We’re in a crazy situation, informants dead or hidden, scandals – and here he comes and say “How about we do nothing and let them show us their cards before we go after them” I had to speak up about this! And he took on his mouth about Strix so casually… As if he knew what you were doing.
Handler: He was in the Shreding’s case, along with a Twilight and Me. So, conversations here and there. And he had to know about this anyway he’s in our position now.
Leader: Hm. Still, you were too compromising. We’ve like lost 6 agents in six days because of the leek. To the SSS.
Handler: Wha-
Leader: Keep that to your wits.
Handler: Leader! You should have said something. God… What do you think we should do?
Leader: Take a nap for the two of us. You look like you’ve been drugged out your bed straight to the screen.
Handler: *Small laugh*
Leader: Handler, your dog’s carry the heaviest burdens. Watch them closely. Especially the tramp in the family.
Silvia let down all her possession’s that didn’t stuck with her civilian persona. Nothing was going to get changed if she stayed longer there and a deep sleep was all that she could ask for. Maybe a salad. Just grabbing her purse and jacket, fixed her hair and make-up on the elevator to dodge any suspicions with anyone on her way out of the embassy.
On her way outside, few clerks she knew from the embassy saw her.
“Oh, you’re leaving Ms. Sylvia? Are you feeling alright?”
“Hmm”
“Eh …Ok. Have a goodnight.”
“Sure. If that’s even a thing anymore.
Then … Then she remembered Aaron existed. And that’s when she just decided on takeout, and just serving him the food on the floor. Other of his needs… at that point she just didn’t care. The house was always a mess anyway -