It didnt feel great doing this to Miles. Fed or not, I ant what I said. He was a good guy. But this was about survival now. And survival was where I lived.
No. I struggled to my feet.
Im not sure if I understand. Miles said.
Youre being very patient with , but I want this over with. I started to walk towards the Adventurers Guild building. Miles caught my arm and redirected down the sidewalk instead.
Co on, the Five Guys down that way just reopened.
Not exactly hungry, Miles.
Yes, youre very determined, I can see that. Miles ignored my complaints and continued to push towards the restaurant. But be practical. You look like life punched you in the balls and kept swinging after the count. At least go to the bathroom and wash your face.
Its fine.
Its not, Matt, Miles hissed. He checked around us before he spoke. Look. It took a lot to get you in that room. These guys are pros. If they sense weakness, theyre not going to give you the ti of day.
It was a good half-asure, seeing that there wasnt an easy way for him to get out of this now. He was giving ti to collect myself and prepare for the bus that was about to hit . While I was in the bathroom, he was going to ssage his colleagues, tell them to go easy. So of them might. But hed probably spent the last few days convincing them, going over the profile. Their first thought would be suspicion. That Id gotten to him.
Sorry. I hiccuped.
No, kid, Im sorry. I was so gung-ho to fix my fuckup, I nearly gave you a heart attack on the street.
Fuckup? I asked curiously.
Miles almost said sothing, then bit it back. Not your problem.
He stayed by the door while I power-walked to the bathroom. I turned the water on and cleaned my face, but didnt bother with pressing a paper towel against my eyes to reduce the redness. I wanted Miles to rember, while his taskforce slamd the Iron Maiden ho.
Youre terrifying. Talia muttered.
Was that panic attack real? Azure asked, clearly about to gush.
I shot Kinsley a ssage.
Fuck.
Squelch. Had to be.
Miles was seriously doubting himself, but he was too clever to drop his guard completely.
I held my hand out. The shaking had stopped. We dont have much ti. Talia, I need you on standby in case this goes sideways. Stay ready.
Done. Talia confird.
Azure I hesitated.
Are they friends? Azure asked eagerly. And I understood why he was asking.
The gloves are off. Do as you please, so long as it doesnt tip our hand.
Whats our desired result? Azure was all business now.
I thought about it carefully. Radicalize the fringes. Find the ones that are convinced Im the Ordinator, make them overextend.
There was a pause before Azure answered. If theyre too angry, things may turn nasty.
We want that. Itll keep Miles off-balance and create tension with the skeptics. Deepen their doubt. Report any pertinent thoughts you pick up to .
Split them down the middle. Azure mused. I like it.
Stay sharp. Both of you.
I switched titles, selecting from the dropdown. Id have to work against it here. Force myself to eliminate any of the titles innate ego and smugness. Play against type.
When I exited the bathroom, Miles was waiting with a white cup in his hands, decorated with red. He held it out to , apologetically. Milkshake?
How nice. Hed even bought a prop.
/////
By the ti wed entered the Adventurers Guild and climbed the stairs to the eting area, Miles looked visibly irritated. To our right, there was a glass panel with an endless line of sparring mats. I caught a glimpse of Sara in workout clothes, doing one-handed bicep curls, and waved.
She smiled, set the barbell down and waved back, then pulled the towel from around her neck and wiped her face.
Hopefully, she was still here when I left. I couldnt drag Miles directly, but I needed to start laying the groundwork to discredit him yesterday.
Miles had selected a eting room that was all glass, front and back. It lended further credence to my theory that he wanted Myrddin either see this directly or hear about it second hand.
There were four of them inside. Three n and a woman. I noted in dark amusent that they looked nothing like Id imagined. Instead of the standard fed suit, they were each in so variety of casual-wear.
And from the look of it, they were already arguing. Perfect.
Miles threw the door open. It banged loudly against the doorstop.
Glad you could join us. The woman said, in a dry monotone.
Detractor
We got held up. Miles gave her a subtle glare that last a fraction of a second, then smiled. Thanks for warming up the projector. Since were running late, best cut the intros short. From left to right, Foster, Cook, Waller, Hawkins.
I sized them all up behind the guise of a friendly nod.
Foster was a dark-skinned man in a black t-shirt and jeans, his head shaved completely bald.
Skeptic
Cook never quite outgrew the frat phase and had the kind of face that made him look like he was constantly chewing sothing. His Hawaiian print shirt was unbuttoned around three buttons lower than anyone would reasonably be comfortable with.
Detractor
Waller imdiately returned to his notes, peering through opaque frad Ray Bans at a yellow legal pad. He wore a vest over his t-shirt that looked vaguely bohemian, all random chevrons and muted colors.
Detractor
Hawkins, wore a simple tank-top and slacks, her blonde hair frad in a short cut bob.
Undecided
Everyone, this is Matt. Our behind-the-scenes correspondent for the afternoon. Miles said.
Hi Matt. Hawkins smile reached gigawatt levels as she turned up the charm. She shook my hand in both of hers, and her touch lingered. Thanks for taking the ti.
Always heartwarming when the local celebrities pencil in the little people. Cook smirked, giving a half-wave.
It was the least I could do, considering the circumstances. I channeled Nicks casual friendliness. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Miles flag. That regret he felt for railroading made him my strongest ally in this room by far.
Waller. Miles snapped his fingers. Youre the expert, here. Want to kick us off?
Waller peered over his glasses at Miles, then his eyes slid to . Given the choice, Id prefer to start with our new addition.
Miles stopped mid-step, genuine confusion in his face. Thats a little unexpected. Matt is a guest.
We can theorize all we want, but its no substitute for soone who knew the man. Waller jotted sothing down. I focused a small burst of mana on his pen and the tip snapped, spilling ink over the page. Shit. Waller tried to rip the page free before the ink bled through. Judging from the annoyed look on his face, he failed. Pursing his lips, he glanced up at . Is that anable?
Of course. I took three long steps towards the table before Waller held up his hand to stop .
There, if you please. He pointed to a single bottod out office chair at the window side of the room. The placent was extraordinarily well-thought-out. Anyone who happened to be looking could see from the outside, oblivious to my state, while Miles and the rest of his people were perfectly shielded. Id have to look back and between the projector screen and the panel, while they could monitor both my reactions and the screen simultaneously.
And of course, Id bet every bit of selve Kinsley had paid on the office chair being broken, locked in a lower position.
I watched for the telltale shimr from my periphery as Azure slithered from my shadow into the shade beneath the table. Once he was in, I gave Waller a bemused smile and took a seat on the office chair, standing briefly to pull the lever and raise it.
It worked, but only until I sat down. The chair lowered slowly to its previous place with a muted hiss.
Miles took his seat at the end of the table, looking mildly sick to his stomach.
Now.
How did I want to play this?
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