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 Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 4:45 pm
When Asch entered the elevator it automatically started its ascent to the top level. The doors opened to a view of Lucere's office, pristine as ever. As usual, the boss was seated behind his large desk, trusty shiny Houndoom sitting nearby. He looked up when Asch appeared and gave a beckoning gesture. "Have a seat." If he was bothered by the Rocket's disheveled appearance, he gave no indication. He was probably used to the Agents debriefing missions being a little roughed up.
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 4:50 pm
Riding the elevator to the top, Asch stepped out once the doors had opened. He paused, taking a moment to glance around the room before looking forward. When he was told to sit, Asch strode in... not a completely straight line, towards the chair.
He had never seen the boss himself, but the agent didn't seem to be unnerved. If he was, he certainly wasn't showing it anyway. Once he sat, Asch placed the Sky Plate on Lucere's desk. It was what they had gone to retrieve after all.
Although, Asch had the feeling that this impromptu meeting was not about the plate. But holding onto it would certainly not be appropriate.
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 4:55 pm
Lucere regarded the plate for a moment. He made no movement to pick it up. His eyes rose to meet Asch again. They had an examining critical quality. "What happened?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 4:59 pm
Asch opened his mouth to answer... but at first nothing came out. His head started pounding and there was a visible twitch as he tried not to let it show. However, much to his horror.. he was having trouble remembering. For some reason his memories of the event were rather foggy. His normally cool and neutral exterior cracked a bit as he lifted a hand to his head.
"Everything was going fine... then..." THEM.. the ones that had killed Aila. "The Galactics, they attacked us." Asch's speech was slurred a bit. He remembered that much, but details were not coming to him.
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 5:06 pm
Lucere's brow furrowed. He recognized the aftereffects of concussion in Asch's response. "Calm down." His voice had a soothing monotone to it. By this point news of Team Galactic ruining their plans was no surprise. Frankly after their last mission it was to be expected. This was a petty retaliation for what the blow they'd struck the organization. Pathetic, really.
"I was told that only two members of the team returned. You're the highest ranking agent who came back. What happened to the others?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 5:11 pm
Asch took a moment to calm himself as the man suggested and closed his eyes, taking a couple breaths before Lucere's words registered. Two... two?! ... That's right. He was starting to remember some of it now.
"It... was a trap. They were captured... sir. Lore, Hayes, all of them except for Alba and myself." And Tyke... His little Zorua had sacrificed himself to keep him from getting captured. How could he have let this happen?!
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 5:18 pm
Lucere's eyes widened. He'd gone strangely tense. Not knowing the boss very well, Asch might not realize how unusual it was for him to demonstrate emotion. He climbed to is feet and leaned forward, hands on his desk, "Did you say Lore? Loreven was on the mission??"
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 5:27 pm
Asch creased his brows. He may not know the boss, but it seemed odd that he would react this way, especially when considering a single person. He had expected him to be upset, certainly... but Lucere had been calm up until this point.
"Yes, sir" he confirmed after a moment's pause. Lore was just a big goofball executive. That made him important. Perhaps it wasn't so surprising that the boss would be upset about losing one of his top agents. But then, wouldn't he have already known he was missing? ... Apparently he hadn't known he was on the mission.
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 5:31 pm
Lucere gaped, a mix of shock horror and anger worn plainly on his face. It lasted for a moment before anger took over, "GET OUT!" He pointed at the door.
Nearby Cobalt hopped to his feet and growled at the injured Rocket. Lucere never reacted this way to anyone. This man must be a threat.
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 5:36 pm
Now this definitely startled the agent. Such a violent reaction certainly had not been expected. Yet the agent carefully chose not to show it too much, should he invoke the wrath of the boss further.
Not wasting any time, Asch stood and made his way for the exit as quickly as he could without falling over. He knew when to stand his ground, and when to leave. Now was definitely a time to leave.
Once he reached the elevator, he slumped against the wall, holding his head again. He didn't even remember pushing a button, or which floor he had meant to go to. Whichever one it was, he stumbled out of the elevator and collapsed, unable to keep going.
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 5:52 pm
Once Asch was gone Lucere barged from his office. Seconds later he was in one of the Executive surveillance labs, yelling at people. This was a room where need-to-know information was gathered and sorted. Classified data was sent and received from all over the world in this room. To say the Execs on duty were startled when Lucere thundered in was an understatment.
"Sir!" One sat up.
"Sir we-"
"Shut up!" The boss stopped beside a row of displays and glared at the men, "The Galactic frequency we isolated from Atlas' mech. Check it."
The Execs blinked.
"...sir.. Team Galactic stopped using that frequency once we isolated it. They know we know about it."
"I gave you an order, Agent Jones."
The Exec paled and nodded, "Right away sir."
Several moments were spent accessing the archived signal. Once they'd dialed into it both of the Execs frowned in obvious confusion.
Lucere's heart sank. He didn't want to be right. "What does it say?"
Jones looked up, "It's just one repeating message. It says we have him."
The boss shut his eyes. He took a breath and started back toward the door. "Call a meeting."
"..with whom, sir?"
"Everyone."
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