Vol 2. Ch3. I can seeee you!

[Mierin]

Looking sombre, Sarah takes Coop's hand and squeezes it, trying to let him know that he had not let her down and the hard looks she gives Tobrias says that he should have given Coop some warning as to what could have happened before throwing him into the deep end of the pool without a life preserver as she heads into the library.
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[Renekin Skywalker]

Tobrias was about to defend this lesson when Eleutheroi calls out, "Guys? I think you should see this."

On the monitor Eleutheroi had switched to, was a news article. "I was looking into recent news, since the ownership information Coop had spotted wasn't up-to-date. And I found this article."

The article, from the headline and few paragraphs immediately visible, shows a story about a developement firm buying the hotel property, intending to redevelope it.

"The article was pretty buried, I don't think I would have found it if it didn't flag on a secondary search on developements." Eleutheroi explains. "Any of you know about Freeline Developements? I couldn't find a public record on them anywhere. Could they be new? Fly-by-night?"

Tobrias looks at the name, and stands abruptly upright. "Sarah, call your father. I will contact Rozatonosky. It looks like we will not have to wait to follow on your lead. This does not leave the four of us for the moment. Do not even mention the name to your father, Miss Lockheart, simply tell him it is urgent..." He looks at Coop. "Tell him you are uncertain about my teaching methods for Mr. Cooper, if you like. That he looks like he needs some support." He looks at Coop. "Which, I daresay, he could use a hug. But do it emphatically." Without another word, the Guild Master was out of the library.

"Did he just say 'could use a hug'?" Eleutheroi asks.

[dakota]

" Why, are you offering?" Coop gave Eleutheroi a smirk to show he was okay. " There's nothing wrong with Tobrias' methods. I just failed miserably. So why the secrecy about this Freeline, besides we don't want them to know we're on to them?"

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[Mierin]

Sarah nods at Tobrias and then picks up the phone to call her father to ask him to come into the guild and that it was urgent business.
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[Renekin Skywalker]

Eleutheroi shrugged, minimizing the screen.

After about 30 minutes, which included Moltavius Lockheart getting an update on the couple's doings (for her mother, naturally. He doesn't care. Nope. Not him.), Tobrias, Eleutheroi, Lt. Rozatonosky, Coop, Sara and Moltavius were staring at the screen. The police liason nodded to Tobrias. "It is them." Looking at Sarah, he says, "Tobrias told me to begin a quiet investigation into military operations - "

"Military?" Moltavius hisses in suprise, barely catching his volume, looking quizzically at his daughter.

"Yes." Says Tobrias. "Continue Lieutennant."

"Anyways... This is one of their slush companies. They use them, like a lot of the departments to make up the difference in funding. However, Freeline's an aggressive developer, and doesn't always buy for profit, if you get my meaning."

Eleutheroi sits still.

Tobrias looks between Moltavius and Sarah, then waves the guards to empty the room of other researchers, leaving those six alone. "Sarah, I'm sorry, but this is more than you alone can handle. Moltavius, you will have to help her decide how to proceed, now."

Moltavius gulps, looking at his daughter. "Right. Tobrias wants a specific plan. Which means wheels within wheels." He looks at the others. "This is now a Decree matter, which means the Guild and the police can no longer provide a full leadership role. Though, we will require both your services to resolve it."

Rozatonosky speaks up. "Before you go, I should tell you, the hotel property is currently being staked out by police, from the Zéké lead. You should consider what a pull-out of that will mean."

"Mr. Cooper, may I have a word with you, in private?" Tobrias says.

Moltavius looks at Sarah. "We should find a room, too."

[dakota]

"Uh... okay." Coop replied, not sure if he was in trouble. He gave Sarah a 'Don't worry ' smirk and followed Tobrias. He had to fight off the urge to apoligize for his reaction to the spell's effect, and he showed that he was maturing, if ever so slightly, by keeping his mouth shut for a change.

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[Mierin]

Sarah smiles weakly at Coop in return and follows Moltavius to an empty room. Looking a bit worried, she asks "What's going on? What did Tobrias mean when he said now that it's a Decree matter that the guild and the police can no longer have a leadership role?"
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[Renekin Skywalker]

(Coop)
"I am pleased to see you have learned more than the need for focus." He says, calmly. "But that is not the issue." Leaning against a wall, he looks around. "This will put a lot of pressure on you, Mr. Cooper. You must be absolutely certain you are able to handle the threats to your life for this."

(Sarah)
Moltavius leads his daughter into a private office. Casting a few spells, he turns to her. "We're safe in here. Tell me every little thing you've seen, heard and heard about today. Even the smallest offhand comment will mean something."

Looking around, he pauses. "You, have you been with her the whole day?"

A Fayde guard dissolves into view against a wall. "Yes sir." He answers. "The Guild Master felt her protection was paramount." With that, he heads for the door. "My silence is, of course, assured." With that, they were truely alone.

[Mierin]

Sarah blinks but isn't very surprised at the sight of the Fayde guard. Sitting next to Moltavius, she remarks "It felt like someone was following me for most of the day, but I didn't know who. Eleutheroi told me not to worry about it, so I didn't." She then tells her dad what had happened throughout the day, including her trip to the outdoor store and her conversation with Colonel Holia and what he had told her.

She then asks Moltavius "So what did it mean that this is under Decree jurisdiction? Does it mean that I'm on my own with no backup?" Moltavius can tell she is worried as she asks "What am I supposed to do?"
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[Renekin Skywalker]

"Well, you're not on your own, sweetheart, since I'm here." Moltavius says. "But, other than that, all the decisions start with you and me. It's Decree jurisdiction because it involves national security, as well as implicating those that would provide such security normally: the police or, in this case, the military. Since it's happening within the city, and Holia's putting his ducks in a row, we'll have the police, as much as they're trustworthy."

Thinking for a minute, he says. "You mentioned that the military was a quiet investigation with the hotel and the Old Ones taking prominence. What's to stop that now? How would you feel about the police being surprised the people they're pulling out are high Brass? A lot of the people in the Cooper affair were quite prominent citizens as well."

"The other option is we give Tobrias and his Fayde clansmen a carte blanche."

"And what about Coop? If we let it leak about the military investigation now, his life is forfeit."

After a moment, he pauses. "Sorry, I should let you try your hand at this."

[dakota]

There was no macho bravado on Coop's face as he thought about what Tobrias was asking him. He rubbed his chin and realized he'd forgotten to shave. He swallowed hard and nodded," I'd feel safer if I had some way to defend myself, or have someone like El nearby to do it for me. I've been in big games before, I can do this. Just tell me what you need me to do."

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[Renekin Skywalker]

(Coop)
TObrias looks Coop up and down. "You will go no-where undefended, or unwatched. However, the immediate public is the least of my concern. You may have to wear a forcefield at all times. In addition, you will not so much as be in a washroom alone until this is resolved." He looks over his shoulder, then nods.

Out of Coop's eye, two armoured Fayde guards appear. "These men will be with you at all times, or others, maintaining the shifts. They will endeavour to be out of your way. I assure you, they are talented. One of them was in the car with you and Eleutheroi earlier today."

[Mierin]

Sarah pales as she asks her father "What do you mean his life is forfeit? Why would his life be forfeit? I would never do anything to risk Coop!"

Fidgeting with her hands, Sarah looks miserable. "I don't know what to do. What should I do? I don't know what I'd do if I lost Coop!"
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[Renekin Skywalker]

Moltavius puts his hand on his daughter's shoulder. "TObrias will do what he can to protect him. But, if this investigation gets out, the military will attempt to pick him off to cover their own asses. I've seen it before." He looks downcast. "It's the risk we take. I'm sorry, kid."

"So, what I would suggest would be to keep the military aspect quiet, right? Make sure they get caught, but don't let them know we're onto them right away." He looks at her solemnly. "We can always plant evidence."

[Mierin]

Sarah starts to protest "I don't understand why...." Understanding crosses her face as she says "Oh. It's because the press think that he's the Slayer, isn't it? They think they'd be getting rid of the Slayer. But wouldn't they try to control him by going after me?" Sarah's face goes hard as she knows how she would take care of them so they wouldn't hurt anyone ever again.

A shocked look crosses her face as she repeats "Plant evidence? What do you mean?"
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