The group walk down the hall for a little while and reach a stairwell. They all head down it, following Dor'al.
Dor'al: "I am truly sorry for your loss. Mister Clyde was a good man."
Feela: "Thank you, Dor'al."
Kassius: "So, are you going to tell us where we're going?"
Ayana: "We have to go see someone before you're told any information."
They reach the end of the stairwell and a short corridor to a door.
Bonnie: "Another door?! Can we stop for a moment?"
Dor'al: "But we have arrived. Now, once we enter, we walk towards Madam's meeting room. Once there, she will talk to you and decide your fate. My advice, you agree to what she says."
Dor'al opens the door and noise travels. They all walk to the left, as Arnold looks over the metal railing in front that circles a path around.
Arnold (in head): "There's another floor."
Kassius: "I can hear people."
Bonnie: "Probably from down there."
They reach the meeting room and Dor'al knocks on the door.
Woman: You can enter."
Dor'al opens the door. Up ahead, they see three people seated on carpeted ground. One is a woman sat with cushions and some papers. The other two are the receptionist and Remus, lying his head on her lap. Remus turns to the door and sees the group.
Remus: "Wow. I did not expect this."
Arnold: "Remus."
Bonnie: "And the receptionist lady."
Receptionist: "No need for formality, please. It's Sayna."
Remus: "It's been a while."
Dor'al: "I see you are familiar with Mister Remus. However, the woman ahead of you, is Madam Diana, one of the Seven Wonders."
Dor'al slightly bows.
Kassius: "It's you... the lady from the bar."
Diana: "Fate sure is a funny thing. Please, sit. All of you."
Dor'al takes Clyde from Kaizen and exits the room, as the rest sit down.
Diana: "So, how was your trip?"
Kassius: "Um... it was OK I guess."
Diana: "And are you aware of where you are right now?"
Kassius: "No, not really. I'm guessing underground."
Diana: "Yes, but where underground exactly?"
Everyone sits there, clueless.
Diana: "Ayana?"
Ayana: "We're in Mal Faqar."
The group's eyes widen.
Kassius: "Isn't that the capital?!"
Arnold: "We were in Jahtan. We would have to have traveled for a few days on foot to get to the capital. That's-"
Diana: "Impossible? Crazy? Or perhaps fascinating? Regardless. That is the truth. You currently sit underground the capital city. Now, Ayana, Feela. Tell me what compelled you to bring these four here?"
Ayana: "We were travelling together and we needed to escape. And, these people saved our lives, Madam."
Diana: "Yet young Clyde is no longer with us, correct? Such a shame. But I suppose it's natural for the weak to die first."
Ayana, visibly frustrated, clenches her fists to hold back her anger.
Diana: "Anyway, I-"
Kassius: "Don't do that."
Diana: "Pardon?"
Kassius stands up, with Feela trying to stop him.
Kassius: "Don't talk about him like that."
Diana: "Oh? Policing me, in my own home?"
Kassius: "..."
Diana and Kassius look eye to eye.
Remus: "Diana."
Diana: "Fine. He did better than I thought."
Kassius: "What?"
Diana: "It's fine. I apologise for my comment. Ayana, Feela. My truest condolences, I did not mean anything I said."
Diana: "You guys can join."
Kassius: "Join?"
Diana: "Yes. You can join Tempora. That's why you're here, right?"
Kassius: "OK, wait a minute. We never said were joining anything."
Arnold: "Kas, hold on. Excuse me, but if you don't mind me asking, what is Tempora?"
Diana: "Hmm? Tempora?... You know... 'Any job you need, we do'. That Tempora."
Everyone sits in silence.
Diana: "I didn't... You know what? It doesn't matter. We do jobs people do not want to do themselves. A sort of hire group, if you will. Very reliable."
Kassius: "Oh, then nevermind. We are already involved in one of those group things already."
Remus: "Well..."
Kassius: "Hmm?"
Remus: "I guess you're a part of the few that didn't get the news."
Kassius: "What news?"
Remus: "The Furantur is closed for good."
Kassius: "What?!"
Remus: "Actually, all organisations back in Vagis have been pretty much stopped."
Bonnie: "Why? Did something happen?"
Remus: "It was a mix of two things really. One, they realized it was no longer profitable for the city, because people that were brought over either fell to self interest, or abandoned the organisation in general. The main reason however, is a bit more complex."
Bonnie: "How complex are we talking?"
Remus: "Vagis plans to open itself to the rest of the world."
Kassius: "Open itself?"
Remus: "You guys probably know, but Vagis, although known by the rest of the world, acts as an independent, and secluded state right now. In fact, it only holds connection with the main continent through Maldone via Ader for necessary trades. Therefore resources, technology and other things come through a very restricted process, so Vagis is behind in comparison to the rest of the world. On top of that, Vagis has no real influence, so bargaining is a struggle. However, something major occurred. The four nations proposed the idea of a central bank, one for all nations to use. This gave the leaders of Vagis the idea to propose to host the data centers for these banks on our soil. This way, it strengthens ties with these other nations, more resources are acquired and its influence grows."
Kassius: "But why would they need to erase Furantur for data centers?"
Arnold: "Because it isn't just data centers going to Vagis."
Remus: "Mhm. Right now, they would not trust a small state with such a huge responsibility alone. Therefore, the ACO will place a headquarters in Vagis ahead of time."
Bonnie: "What?!"
Remus: "With the ACO's approval, Vagis will have a stronger case. But either way, this is just one approach. Other possible ways to connect are being explored too, and will be proposed in The Medium next year. So for now, they just want to clean their slates."
Kaizen: "I'm so confused. This Vagis is where you guys are from, correct?"
Ayana: "Yes."
Remus: "Hmm. I don't think I've seen you before."
Kassius: "Oh, that's Kaizen. We met hi-"
Remus: "You aren't a human."
Kaizen: "What? I am. Actually, technically I'm also Crimsonian."
Remus: "Ahh. That makes sense why it fluctuates differently."
Diana: "Now that you mention it, I kind of see it."
Kaizen: "Fluctuates? What are you talking about?"
Remus: "It's no matter."
Diana: "OK, I guess you guys need some place to rest. Those two know where to go. If you have any questions later, just ask around."
Kassius and the group stand up.
Bonnie: "Wait. Wait. Hold on. I'd like to not skim over the fact that a door was opened from a bathroom and we ended up somewhere underground far away. Can someone explain that?"
Remus and Diana look at each other, both hinting at the other to speak.
Remus: "I can explain it, but it might take a minute. And I am kind of busy right now. But look, go rest up. And if you guys are still interested, I can explain it to you later. But if you are eager to know, maybe Dor'al can explain it to you."
The group leave Diana's room. Ayana leads ahead as they walk back around and down the staircase. They walk through a short hallway.
Arnold: "Are these boards the jobs?"
The group stops and looks around.
Ayana: "Yes. All the jobs available are up. They're described, given a colour based on risk, and the contact of the person requesting."
Kassius: "There's a lot of jobs."
Ayana: "Well, there is a good number of us."
They continue down the halleay and walk into the main hall.
Kassius: "Whoa!"
They look around to a large open hall with a great number of people.
Ayana: "This is the community hall."
Kaizen: "There are so many people."
Ayana: "This isn't even everyone. I can't remember how many in total exactly, but it was like 600, right?"
Feela: "Yeah."
Kassius: "Wow."
Ayana: "We can pick a spot from here. Wherever you guys would like."
Back in the room, Diana paces back and forth.
Diana: "So, how many are you requesting?"
Remus: "I'll just need seven of your best."
Diana: "Even if I allow it, who's to say they will accept?"
Remus: "Then I'll make due with whoever does."
Diana: "Remus, this job in general is practically suicide for most. And for you... it may be as well."
Remus: "Diana. Can I ask you something?"
Diana: "Sure."
Remus: "Are you afraid of something? Anything at all?"
Diana: "Hmm? Well, I'm not sure. I'd have to think."
Remus: "I'll tell you now. I have one fear."
Diana: "Oh?"
Remus: "I've lived my entire life, yet my fear has always been the same. Never a job, never a dying risk. Do you know what frightens me?"
Diana: "What?"
Remus: "Never getting my desire."
Diana: "And what would that be?"
Remus stands up and helps Sayna on her feet.
Remus: "That, my friend, is what you have to wait and see. Now, I've plead my case. But I'll remind you, you do technically still owe me."
Diana: "Huh? For what?!"
Remus: "Diana."
Diana: "Fine. As usual, you're unbelievably selfish. I'll allow it. The job will be posted on the board, but you must let them know."
Remus: "I will, I will."
Remus and Diana shake hands. In the community hall, the group lounge around in the corner. Feela walks back to the group with bottles of water.
Kassius: "How are they?"
Feela: "Arnold's doing well, he's just sleeping. The doctor fixed up his injury. And Bonnie is fine... I hope. The doctor said she'll be well in a few weeks."
Kassius: "That's good to hear. She probably just strained her body too much. She always does this, to be fair."
Kaizen: "Actually?"
Kassius: " 'If my body can move, my body can fight', her words, not mine."
Kaizen: "Wow, that's... wow. Anyway, I'm going to sleep for a bit."
Kassius: "OK. I'm going to go look around. Could you stay with him?"
Feela nods her head.
Kassius: "Thanks."
Kassius gets on his feet and starts walking around.
Kassius: "OK, let's see..."
Kassius looking around, finally decides to head back to the board.
Kassius (in head): "There really are a lot of jobs. Hmm... yeah that sounds dangerous... OK, that sounds reasonable... wait. Cleaning? House-watching? Some of these aren't even crimes."
Marcus: "I knew I saw a familiar face."
Kassius: "..."
Marcus: "Uhm... hello?"
Kassius looks to his side and sees Marcus. He turns back to the board.
Kassius (in head): "Maybe I did hit my head harder than I thought."