In a towering penthouse that dominated the skyline of upper Hive Alpha, a meeting was being held at the topmost floor.
A very important one at that.
The serious faces of important executives of the Bosuo group were displayed on a screen.
It was a virtual gathering of sone of the most influential people in the Hive and the Earth at large.
The topic of discussion was something that Boss would have been very interested in.
The man who had ordered the meeting, the leader of the Bosuo group himself stood in front of the screen, a weathered face that stared forward intensely.
Nobody actually knew where the Bosuo group got their immense wealth from, only vague notions floated about, none really detailing their means of income.
But for as long as anyone could remember, this giant had loomed large in the world's affairs.
These hugely influential figures who could usually not be bothered by much, were now getting their guts in a knot and shouting over each other's voices.
"Who would have the guts to interfere with our operations, haven't we created a fearsome enough image."
"I'm certain someone on the inside is responsible for this!", cried another leader on the opposite end of the screen.
"Of course, not everyone single person working for was strictly tested and investigated and hence trustworthy.", bellowed the officer in charge of recruitment.
This went back and forth, each succeeding argument straying farther and farther from the subject.
A solitary figure stood in front of the screen displaying the faces of the hysteric leaders.
The glow of the screen lit up his skin highlighting dark tattoos writhing up and down his arms like living snakes.
His face was a stern one, eyes hard as if set in stone.
He loosened his crossed arms as he spoke.
"The magisphere was almost certainly stolen from us by the Paladins, there is no question."
"We found traces of mist in vicinity where the Transporter was last seen, the only other group able to harness mist even outside of Mirror Earth are the Paladins."
The previously bickering leaders had all quieted down, all ears were tuned to what that tattooed man was saying.
The faces on the screen visibly relaxed seemingly content having found a target to focus on.
A man with a patchy beard began to speak.
"Jax, what was the name of the syndicate we hired to transport the magisphere in Lower Hive Alpha.
The answer followed without delay.
"The Blackjacks, the most influential and powerful syndicate in Lower Hive Alpha."
Patchy beard sneered.
"So much for their influence and power, they couldn't even get a single job done."
"Since the Blackjacks screwed this up in the first place, I suggest we use them to get back what is ours."
"Instead of wasting the blood of our ranks in an attempt to win back the magisphere, we can use the Blackjacks as an extension of ourselves in the Lower Hives, we can deal serious damage to the Paladins."
Jax shook his head.
"Levi, we both know that the mundane are no match for mist users, the Blackjacks can't put a dent in their forces, and they certainly won't be able to retrieve the magisphere."
Levi nodded.
"I'm sure I don't need to remind you but we really need those magispheres if we are ever going to fully access Mirror Earth."
"Now if we give the Blackjacks some support in the form of magitech, I am positive we can create a chance."
Jax's eyes hardened with realization.
"Sure I will leave it to you to take care of it."
Levi clapped with a smug smile.
"Alright, I will re-establish communication with the syndicate as soon as I can."
Jax nodded.
"Good."
Jax asked Levi another question.
"How is the exploration of Mirror Earth coming along?"
Levi voiced out.
"Other factions interested in Mirror Earth are also stepping up their game, especially the Paladins."
"They are beating us to almost every ruin, resource and magiarticles."
"Pathfinders who get intercepted by Paladins are often goners, it may turn into an all-out war on the other side too."
"We just sent in a new batch of Pathfinders along with some mercenaries and freelances here and there."
Jax's face darkened on hearing that outsiders were also on the expedition.
Levi raised his palms, pleading patience.
"They are not a part of us just yet, that's true but whoever is able to survive the baptism of horrors in Mirror Earth is promising, we need strength."
Jax growled.
"I understand that, but what good is strength to us without allegiance first, this could very well come back to bit us."
Levi nodded.
"True, we will just have to make it a point to keep them on a tight leash."
"Still on the Pathfinders, a team was allocated the Acpec forts, another the Faraday House and the last was given Plague's Coven."
The tattoos on Jax's body shifted in the dim light, the last name he had just heard brought grim, painful memories.
Images flashed in his mind stretching into long winded agonizing scenes, daemons hordes as thick as clouds, fellow Pathfinders burying their weapons in each other, insane screams pouring out of their mouths.
The living writhing in a useless dance, their pleas and motions and empty as the chirp of crickets.
The fearful Jax ran, as fast as he could, as far as he could.
Anyone who knew him now could never picture the seen of might, fearless Jax away but he had.
Jax clenched his fists, and everyone could sense the sudden fierceness he had taken on.
Without a word he stormed out of the meeting area, he had to meet the leader.
Some time later, he stood in Infront of an ornately designed door, which bore the drawings of the sun and moon.
Carefully pushing open the door, Jax saw a very familiar sight.
The leader of the Bosuo group, a man with a lithe figure and fine set features stood beside a similar looking person who sat in a wheelchair.
The leader had black hair with gold highlights, which absorbed and reflected the sun's rays creating stark contrast.
"Ah Jax, what brings you here, you don't usually intrude on my visiting hours."
His lookalike in the wheelchair was unresponsive face blank, eyes glazed.
Jax gave a light bow.
"I deeply apologize, but its urgent."
"I need your permission to head over to Mirror Earth."
The leader cocked his head.
"Why so?"
Jax continued.
"Its Plagues Coven, you know how much I have wanted to go back and finally they have found its location."
The leader took a step forward.
"Jax, you don't have to consult me on this matter, you are my right-hand man, not a slave."
"Now, go and do right by yourself this time round."
The last statement was said with vigour and Jax felt a strange strength settle on him.
He rose and head to the door, his gaze lingering on the leader's lookalike in the wheelchair.
He shifted his gaze looking forward while he stepped out.
The leader was left alone again leaving out his vegetable lookalike.
"So many years have passed, and you still carry the shame Jax, I understand you I carry the same shame."
He said this while looking forlornly at his brother.