Chapter 533: A New Mystery
They didn’t go up to the top floor of which there were apparently 60 floors, but actually ended up two floors below that. While Laz didn’t ask why, Deanna explained anyway as they made their way up.
"All business and activities are done on floors 58 and below. The only ones with access to the top floors are those on the board. While that might seem strange, it’s actually that way for all headquarters owned by the Hearn Group," Deanna said with pride before continuing, "This floor is my personal floor along so please make yourself comfortable."
The doors of the elevator opened and she, along with Rick, walked out into a large open lobby type area with floor to ceiling windows on both side, leading to a finely decorated wooden wall with a double door which Laz could only assume was her office.
Guiding them to a sitting area with several comfortable chairs and couches, Deanna took a seat as Rick walked over to the bar, asking, "Would anyone like anything?"
"Nothing for me, thanks," Amira said, still hesitant about this whole thing. Being here was making her seriously question why she had come here so willingly, all things considered. This wasn’t the type of environment she should have been in, especially considering her heavy hoodie and slightly ripped jeans. She didn’t even need to know the brand of clothing Rick and Deanna were wearing to know that it just one of those suits along probably cost more than her parents house.
"What’s the strongest you got?" Laz asked in a weird tone that surprised everyone in the room.
"Uh... this Spirytus vodka? It’s around 192 proof..." Rick said, somewhat taken aback. He had expected Laz to just decline or ask for a beer. While it seemed a bit roguish considering the environment, Rick didn’t see Laz as anything other than a young man who was good at fighting.
"Sure. Just that, on the rocks," Laz said and sat down on a plush chair and leaned back, taking a deep breath.
Rick looked at Deanna who looked back at him. She didn’t know much about these types of spirits as she mostly drank wine and the occasional shot of whiskey, but Rick had served as a bartender while putting himself through law school so he knew quite a bit about it and having this type of drink straight was never a good idea.
Seeing the hesitation on her lover’s face, Deanna just shook her head yes since she had no desire to stop him. Rick poured the drink, got something much weaker for himself, a glass of wine for Deanna and brought Amira a glass of water.
After everyone had their drinks placed before them, Laz picked his up and took a sip. Then he shook his head slightly.
"Is something wrong?" Rick asked, having been watching his reaction to the almost rocket fuel like substance.
"Yeah. It really is a shame," Laz said before emptying out the entire cup in a few gulps.
Rick felt his face go a little pale at the sight. Even for someone like him, polishing off an entire cup straight like that would send him into coughing fits. In fact, he hadn’t seen anyone else ever do otherwise either.
Deanna was about to speak when Rick cut in.
"What’s a shame about it? I guarantee that the drink was the real deal," he said, almost as though he felt like Laz was accusing him of cheating him.
"I’m sure it was. It tasted awful but that wasn’t the point. As we are all awakened on various levels, let me clue you into something I’ve learned. The stronger you get, the less of an effect this type of thing has on you. While that drink tasted awful, it felt like water going down and even now... It’s like i hadn’t had anything," Las said shaking the ice cubes around and setting down the cup.
"Just how strong are you?" Amira asked before anyone else could. Laz didn’t respond with words but shook his head and smile.
"Uh... Anyway. We have the request put in. There is an older model pickup in the car garage that will be available for your use. While it lacks most electronics besides a radio, it’s been modified for heavy use in the desert so it shouldn’t give you an issue even if you have to do something extreme with it," Deanna said, reading over the list in her hands. While she wasn’t normally the one in charge of passing out resources for missions, this one had come from Mistress Kennedy’s personal assistant so the importance of it couldn’t be mistaken.
"Also, in the truck bed is a hidden compartment underneath with all the equipment listed on the request form. I’m assuming you will stay in town overnight and head out tomorrow?": Deanna said, trying to ensure she understood what activities he would be participating in since she was in charge of him for the duration of his stay.
"Yeah. I’ll leave first thing in the morning," Laz said, his gaze floating to the sunny day still going on outside the window.
"Excellent. And where might the the location of your destination?"
"Hmm... Well... apparently there is the patch of trees that just appeared out of nowhere somewhere north of here that needs to be checked out," Laz said, not bothering to hide it.
Silence followed his words as Rick, Deanna and even Amira looked on in shock.
"What?"
"Your... uh..." Deanna tried to say and failed.
"There was a request sent to the main branch from us about a week ago. We got word that they would be sending someone to take care of it... but we were kind of expecting a team... maybe even the Black Rose..."
"RICK!" Deanna yelled and grabbed his arm, shocking him before he lowered his head.
"What?" Laz asked, now somewhat confused.
"Nothing. Forget he said anything?" Deanna said.
"Something about the Black Rose you’re not suppose to talk about? Laz time I met them the all seemed pretty nice. I think Ruby and Leona were members? And Malene? I’m not sure about the others though and I forget that leader ladies name..."
"You? You know about them?" Deanna was floored by his words. Even Rick stopped speaking.
"Yes...?"
Nothing else was said until Amira finally spoke up.
"I’m not sure what’s going on here... but it’s probably better if you don’t go there," she said, her voice far more quiet than Laz had ever heard.
"Why’s that?"
Amira looked a bit frightened, not wanting to speak, but Laz set his hand down on her arm and she felt a warming sensation spread throughout her body, calming her nerves and stopping her arm from shaking.
"In the slums a while back, some people came walking through, posting up some flyers. They were dressed nice, but had some guards with them that were freely carrying around guns. Everyone ignored them since they seemed hard to deal with and crazy. And since they only walked around the outskirts and didn’t stay around for long, no one bothered to deal with them. It was after they left that people noticed the signs they put up that read, ’Job available, five grand for a week’s work, half payable up front," Amira said, thinking back to recall exactly what it said.
"That sounds too good to be true, but what does it have to do with the area up north?" Deanna asked.
"I’m getting to that. Anyway, there was nothing but a street number and time on the sign, meaning if you want to come, be here at this time on this day. So even though it sounded like scam, people went. Those who went to the meeting were told they would be going to that area to collect some plants and rocks from the ground. While a team would be clearing the trees, they needed people to pick up the recourses they found. They estimated that it would take a week at most and if anyone wanted to drop out, they were free to leave. My friend, who only went to hear the info, smelled a sticky situation and got out, one of only three who left. A week later, only two people from the crew returned in an effort to recruit more, saying that the task was taking longer than expected and they were doubling the pay for those who could leave that same day. Since it was some of the other residents making the offer and not just some shady guys in suits, many others signed on then and there and left that same day."
"I’m guessing they never came back, did they?" Laz said in the silence that followed.
"Not a one of them. And we have no idea who to even call to find out what is going on. We reported it to the police, but they didn’t give a shit..." Amira said with a bit of bitterness in her voice.
"Who went that you know?" Laz asked, connecting the dots.
"My little sister. She went with the second group even after I told her not to," Amira answered.
"So the reason you were robbing some idiots?"
"Yeah. I’m trying to get enough money to buy supplies and get a ride out there..."
"Uh..." Deanna started, interrupting them.
"Hmm?" Laz said, turning his attention to her.
"Well. It’s in this meeting briefing and also one of the reasons we contacted headquarters for help with this." Deanna retrieved a black and white image, obviously done with an inferred camera from a folder in front of her and showed it to the two of them.
In the picture, a large temple like structure made of stone with massive steps leading from the base all the way to the top was in view. And standing on top of the structure was a giant, thin and frail creature with hideously dark, bat like wings spread out into the air.
"I don’t know what they wanted normal people for but if they went in too deep... I don’t know how anyone could survive this..."
