"What do you mean that the mission was a failure?! What happened?" Jessica's question made Reynolds let out a frustrated sigh. "I have no idea where you found those people but it's clear that they lack the experience for this. The target was compromised with a fail-safe, one that made the mission impossible to execute."
Reynolds began with his words, not far from where the two sat the man he had brought back still in distraught with what had occurred. "I still can't believe that they're dead!" His murmurs audible to the pair who paid him no mind. "Do you understand of how importance this mission was to us?"
Jessica claimed, her hand slamming onto the table. Reynolds barely flinched as another sigh escaped his lips. "You don't have to tell me. I can pretty much guess but don't waste your energy with me, focus on that excuse of a leader you had me work with." His fingers soothes his temples, recalling the incident he gave his warning.
"Well our target won't like this." Reynolds however didn't seem to care as he glanced around. "A real shame for them however you'll have to deal with that, I have other matters to attend to at Redfall." Rising to his feet, it was clear that he wasn't planning on staying.
"Wait! Do you think that you can just leave like that after the months of service you've given to us?!" Jessica claimed, rising to her feet as well. "I've served you enough and I've already seen what you make of me. As nothing more than a kill toy, to send on your targets to get rid off or keep the abominations at bay. Before I came here I already had a plan in mind and I won't waste any more time here."
With that he reached for his sword, one that the organization had made specifically for his taste. "And besides, if I were to leave, what would you and your toys do to stop me." His taunt making a frown form on Jessica as she was watched to witness him take his leave. "If you walk out of that door, you'll be marked as an enemy of the Red Lotus. I'm sure you know what that means."
Reynolds however gave a chuckle at her words. "It would seem that you people still don't understand what you have in your hands and it's quite amusing to watch you fools bumble about. However I'm all out of time here." Jessica however had a chilling smirk resting on her lips. "Do you think that the chip implanted would be nothing more than a fail-safe?"
He wasn't shocked with this revelation, a thought of this already long formed in his mind. "Of course I'm aware of this, I've used similar tactics back on earth with...problematic agents as well. It's rather fascinating how slow you are when it comes to making such technology." Jessica revealed a remote, her thumb hovering over a button.
"Well then I'm sure you know what will happen. So don't waste our time here and get back in that seat." Reynolds's figure froze at the door, his eyes darting at the button on her hand. 'I'm sure that she would have a plan should I take it from her.' No expression of panic formed on his face but rather a ridiculing grin.
"It would be a waste of both of our time so go ahead and press the button already. I don't plan on being your hound anymore." His words final making Jessica's smirk falter. "Well then, you leave me no choice."
*Splat*
His brain matter spilt all over the floor, his body falling limply making the man let out a shocked exclaim. "What?! How could -" He too didn't last long as his head was split open by Jessica as well with another remote. "Damn it. All you had to do was cooperate and you would have been fine Reynolds." Jessica cursed as she reached for her phone and made a small call.
Operatives swarmed the scene, hauling the corpses of the two away.
...
"He's dead?" The tone startled with the revelation. "He chose death rather than yielding. He was a man who preferred his dignity rather than sacrifice. There was no point in arguing with him." Jessica mused flatly, her eyes half open with indifference. "Well this is most certainly a change for the worse." She didn't need to be told the specifics.
'With such a rapid rate of improvement, he could have been the next main pawn for us. Not to mention his lack of fear made him a monster when it came to slaying abominations.' A man she knew that it would be hard to replace. "So far his body is under study, his means of development have always intrigued me."
Rather than have malcore pools, he had the body of a regular human from earth and yet she knew that something else lurked beneath his cold stares and broody silence. The horn on his temple something to draw her in, his anatomy for growth deepening her curiosity with each passing day. "Well then it was for the better then."
Jessica recalled of the mission, a sigh leaving her lips. "With the failed attack, I'm sure that Redfall will increase their security with the deliveries to the wastelands." A nod was her response. "Every day those demons grow hungrier for the poison that will be the death of them. It's only a matter of time before they fall." Jessica was still stumped with the relation between Redfall and the wastelands.
'I wonder what will come to be of the wastelands or their leader, the demon king.' She toyed with the muse before rising to her feet. "I'm not sure whether you've heard this but there have been recent developments in Redfall." The news making her halt. "Oh? What would that be?" The air thickened between the two, the restaurant room the two had booked dead silent.
"That Guinevere is no more. Though this is still uncertain, it is likely with the leaks with the wastelands." Her brows furrowed, her face revealing shock. "How could Guinevere be dead? She's the queen of Redfall." Her perplexion met with a light chuckle. "That was my reaction at the news however some say that it had to do with Jarren or Callista."
'Jarren? The teen who came to shake the foundations of Arcania and it's glyph work, later revealed to be a monster wearing flesh. Callista on the other hand nothing more than a woman who made sure to secure her spot as well as Clomere. However if they killed Guinevere, then who would govern Redfall.'
The routes ran as they always had, the news still privy to a select few and it's operations ran like always. "It's clear that they've found a replacement, I wonder who it would be." She thought about the two ladies before dismissing the idea. 'Neither of them have any form of knowledge with leadership so it could be Jarren. However he doesn't like the fame meaning that it would have to be someone else.'
She didn't know the replacement, a fact that irked her. She was a woman who liked knowing the game, know what cards were dealt and who held the winning fold. However with the rise of Redfall, she had gone from an observer to a player in a game she found herself almost irrelevant in. 'With the growing influence of the Red Lotus, I should be fine for now.'
She consoled herself, now her in hands her umbrella as a light drizzle began to shower the streets. "I'm sure that those monsters wouldn't want someone so casual taking a seat." The man posed, the air around him calm and regal which Jessica had grown accustomed to. "I'm sure that they wouldn't."
A light smile forming on her face before heading for the exit. 'Now I have to deal with the other handlers thanks to that fool of an adventurer taking death.' Her mind already picturing the scenario she would be walking into.
...
"What about this one? I like her smile." Callista said, her eyes glimmering akin to a cat sighting a new toy. She looked at the line of four ladies lined up meant to fill Guinevere's shoes. Most of which had been sighed off by Clomere or Jarren. "What do you think?" Clomere asked Jarren, her gaze turning into apathy from hostility. At first she wanted the best however thanks to Callista, a problem occurred.
Jarren chose to be the judge of the two, waiting for them to make their pick before he gave his judgment. "I'm sure that she would be fine, however it would seem that Clomere's suggestion was better." His words eliciting a smirk of satisfaction from Clomere. "Of course I was, after all Redfall isn't just some kingdom meant to be inherited with some random maid."
Callista however seemed displeased with the outcome. "I didn't think that you would have so much for this world. After all it's not more than a stage for us to forget when the next begins." Her remark met with a chuckle from Jarren as his gaze drifted to Clomere's suggestion. "The rest of you can leave."
Clomere's words leaving one of the maids in the maw of monsters. "So this is the new queen of Redfall." His gaze playful as he made his way closer to the maid who seemed to tense up with each step he took. "There's no need to be so concerned about me or these ladies." His smile reassuring which elicited a nervous laugh from the woman.
"Of course, I just never thought that I would be chosen for such a role." Jarren rested his hands on her shoulders , forcing her to gaze into his obsidian eyes. "Well have you never heard of fables, stories where mundane people step into the spotlight?" Clomere was the first to interject. "Do you have a problem with this task we're bestowing upon you? After all I'm sure that there are others that would be ready to take your place."
Jarren gave a chuckle, his face drawing closer to the woman before the two were inches apart. "I- I'll do this task-Eh-to the best of my *gulp* abilities." Her words barely coherent, her golden eyes locked with Jarren's eyes. "That's what I'd like to hear, now..." Jarren pulled back, circling the woman before standing behind her, in his sight his two ladies.
"I'm sure that the two of you are aware of Crimson's muse. A very intriguing one at that wouldn't you agree?" Clomere didn't bother, Callista however seemed displeased with what she was offered. "I understand that she was the first but do we really have to follow through?" Her question met with a response from Crimson who barged through the door.
"You don't have to play Callista, after all you would be rather erratic in the play." Magdalene, the maid in his hands grew even more baffled with the addition of another monster into the room.
*Chuu*
Jarren and Crimson shared a kiss, Clomere barely fazed while a light frown formed on Callista's face. "What? There's no need to be jealous of us." Her taunts further aggravating Callista. "It's only natural that you be removed from the frame." Her scarlet eyes locking with the two ladies, Clomere now sour with her words. "As much as I would like to agree with you about Callista, I would beg to differ with your stage."
She knew that Arcania was originally meant for Crimson and yet she had barely been present in her own play. "Oh? What part do you have a problem with dear?" Her hands wrapped around his waist, drawing him closer to her before noting of Magdalene who had barely breathed ever since her arrival. "I don't mind having an avatar for the champions however I'd like to be a little bit more...direct with those I face."
"Ah!" Magdalene let out a light yelp that made Crimson chuckle. "There's no need to be afraid of me dear. After all you're in safe hands." Magdalene however felt the noose around her neck tighten, courtesy of Callista who began with her games. "Come on Callista, you're making us look bad. Just imagine how Magdalene sees us."
Clomere narrowed her gaze on Crimson, she had some reverence to her similar to Guinevere given they had more time with Jarren however something else in her didn't sit right with Crimson. For Guinevere, her constant bipolar nature and for Crimson would be her assertiveness she had with not just her and Callista but Jarren as well.