”It’s a bit of an unusual situation, but Intelligence has uncovered the civilian identity of a Saturn knight and have located his place of residence based on that.”

Rakovanite blinked down at the photo of an apartment complex clipped to the top corner of a small scattering of handwritten notes. In the edge adjacent to the picture of the apartment complex was what looked very much like a personal photo of a man, perhaps obtained off of someone’s facebook. His name was Tom Reid. He was in his thirties. Unmarried. He managed a convenience store.

There was nothing particularly exceptional looking about him: he wasn’t built in any way that suggested he was combat-efficient, nor did he carry himself in a way that suggested intelligence. The photo was at a bowling alley, where a man and a woman were sharing a small pile of very messy looking cheese fries. The pair looked pleased, laughing. Maybe that just lent itself to being unflattering.

“Does he know we have this information?” Rakovanite asked quietly, glancing briefly to Lashenite before returning his focus to the pictures.

“We don’t know,” Lashenite admitted. “If he doesn’t, then the more quickly we act, the better the outcome. If he does, it could easily be a trap, an ambush. There could be others waiting to end any fights that break out. You should go in prepared for that possibility and be ready to retreat at a moment’s notice.”

Rakovanite’s eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly as he gazed at the picture. The “easy kill” versus “potential ambush” was a big if. On the one hand, scoping out someone’s house while they were unsuspecting, teleporting in at the most opportune moment, and making an easy grab for their starseed sounded like the most ideal way to do things. No muss, no fuss. No one even needed to know he was there. But if it was expected that they would think that way, and the info drop was just bait....

“You want him killed? Instead of corrupted?” Rakovaite prompted.

“In this instance, it’ll just be cleaner that way,” Lashenite said with a shrug. “If he doesn’t expect you, that is. A corruption requires capturing a person, giving him more time to power up, fight, and draw attention. And it will lead to a missing person. Order knows what that often means.” Though he didn’t add that they knew just as well what a comatose person meant, either. “The opportunity is too good to pass up, this time, and good for your experience, besides.”

“If it turns into more than expected, I’ll be nearby to provide backup or pull you out. Here.” Lashenite slid a small closed box over the top of his desk, something that could fit easily into the palm of his hand. “We’ll use these to seamlessly keep contact.”

Rakovanite lifted the lid to see a pair of gold studs, not completely unlike the ones he was already wearing. Very ‘standard’ for earrings. He wouldn’t even go so far as to call them ‘pretty.’ “I am not sure I understand,” he admitted.

Lashenite reached over and plucked one earring from the box, beckoning for Rakovanite to step nearer as he did. “These are an interesting piece of technology,” he said as he slid a hand along Rakovanite’s jaw, turning his head so that he could unfasten one of the studs Rakovanite already wore. “If each person wears one, they will be able to silently transfer information between them. A bit like telepathy. It’s instantaneous, and will let me experience, to some degree, what you’re seeing. I’ll know if you’re in danger.”

Lashenite handed over the earring he removed from Rakovanite’s ear and began to replace it with the new, telepathy-capable stud. “It’d probably be safer and more efficient for me to handle this without you, but it’s about time that you should look into being able to tackle these things on your own, or with your subordinates. So it’s a test run of sorts. Don’t choke.” A wry grin spread across his face. “Speaking of…”

“I think Calaverite may enjoy a chance to go on an assignment with you,” Lashenite added. “You should bring him along.”

To this, Rakovanite felt an immediate wave of dread and refusal. “Calaverite is… boisterous,” He muttered stiffly. “He will draw attention to us in an instant.” Not ideal for a quick and inconspicuous starseed grab. “Or he will just be another body in the way during a fight, if it turns out we are expected.”

“If it turns into an ambush, you’ll be lucky to have another body to fight them off,” Lashenite retorted. “And if it doesn’t, then you only need to remind him that he is under your command. Keep control of your subordinates. Don’t let him be a liability to you- to anyone when he’s on assignment. That should be the most basic thing he learns from you, at this stage.”

Air hissed from between Rakovanite’s teeth as he groaned. Calaverite was unmanageable. He was pretty sure any general that had ever had contact with the young senshi knew that much. And that he’d been stuck with Rakovanite felt disastrously like a punishment that he didn’t know why he deserved.

“I will try,” he grumbled quietly.

“There’s a good boy. The address is in the writeup. Please be sure to read it over carefully and devise a plan with Calaverite. This should be done tonight, no later. Send me a message before you head out, and I’ll be ready with this,” he notched his knuckles against the box that held the other earring. “To monitor you. But for everything else, you should be able to handle it on your own. If you encounter problems, I’ll know. You’re dismissed for now.”

Rakovanite gave a tiny incline of his head before turning and heading for the door. Not ideal that he needed to try and wrangle Calaverite into doing something serious with him, but… Cala did at least seem to like him and could potentially be coerced into obedience based on that? Maybe it would be fine.

He sucked in a terse breath and exhaled through his nose. Maybe it would be fine.

[1030]