The Dark Order 1.17: Dead Or Alive

After finishing the investigation of the crime scene in Tramble, Constance returned to Godrick Square with more questions than answers regarding not only her brother but also Maggie's involvement in the mass casualty event in Windros.

There’s something else. The question she’s been asking since these events started—

Why has the SSA been secretly hunting Maggie?

After the Godrick Square Incident, Constance visited Flossie in the hospital. She has had two blood transfusions and three surgeries to repair internal bleeding and damage to her organs. She is under constant observation at the SSA post. Constance wants to talk with her again, but the security at the base is now iron tight. No one will see or speak with Flossie unless approved by the Lead Holy Knight for the case, Lennox Richardson.

“Ah- Look who it is… Came to reconsider my question?”

“There’s nothing to reconsider, Lennox.” She gives his chest a friendly tap as she goes to walk by. There’s a gentle tug at her arm.

“Going somewhere?”

“I’m here to speak with Ms. Baker, just like yesterday.”

“And I’m going to tell you, just like I did yesterday… Visitation is restricted.” Constance smacks her lips. “Why are we treating this woman like a criminal?!… She was nearly killed!”

“Yeah- But it looks like your brother stepped in since he is always where he shouldn’t be.”

Rolling her eyes, “So this is about Alexis?” She rubs her face. “Ughhhh! Why are men this stupid?!” With that she storms off away from the base.

“Think about my offer!” He laughs. She gives him the middle finger as she rounds the corner exiting the base. Walking alone along the base wall, she studies the structure. “Claudia?” She scurries out from beneath her jacket.

“Would you be a dear and be my vision for a bit?” A small growl escapes. “That’s my girl.” As her eyes glow gray, “Silk Magic: Webbed Clairvoyance”. Claudia leaps off her shoulder, scaling the base wall. Her spell gives her complete insight on the happenings within the base.

Claudia scurries and leaps from one area to another, completely undetected. She’s able to squeeze her way through an air vent, “Okay, I want to see everything.” With multiple pupils filling her irises, Constance has a clear view of the base. The knights on patrol. From a balcony, inside of the base is busy with knights moving up and down the hallway endlessly. In one leap, the arachnid lands on the balcony banister before moving out of sight. “Let me get you there.”

Claudia becomes still before suddenly scurrying quickly down the hallway, making a sharp right turn toward the infirmary. A rather crowded hallway, Claudia weaves between legs and right when the infirmary door swings open, she disappears inside. Several physicians along with nursing staff are moving nonstop. She vanishes behind the supply cart, underneath stretchers… She stops!

Right in the nick of time as the curtain to the patients area is opened. She waits patiently. The visit is short lived with Claudia hitching a ride on their white coat. Suddenly, the static of the intercom blares throughout the hallways.

“Security Alert! Unauthorized personnel detected on level three!… Security Alert! Unauthorized personnel on level three!” That message is repeated seven times. Outside, Constance laughs, “I think they are talking about us.”

Reaching Flossie, Claudia must squeeze through a tight space to enter the sealed off room. Being treated like a prisoner, Flossie has been cuffed to the bed by her wrists and ankles. This is Lennox doing. His method of justice comes into question repeatedly. “That sonofabitch.”

Claudia scales the stretcher, jumping onto Flossie’s body. Moving up to her face. She squirms around, slowly coming to, instantly screaming seeing Claudia staring at her. She quickly hides behind Flossie’s pillow as two knights standing guard burst in, looking around suspicious. “Hey! Shut up in here! We’re dealing with an intruder and don’t need you causing a ruckus.”

They slam the door as they exit. From beneath the pillow, Claudia’s eight eyes appear. Beside Flossie, she wastes no time, she bites her.

Her eyes burst open! Glowing a misty gray…

“Hi, Ms. Baker, my name is Constance Bragg… I would like to speak with you about Magnolia.”

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On the other side of the base, Bishop Wilcox is sitting at his desk. Three senior Holy Knights stand at attention in front of him.

“Sir- Are we really okay doing this?” Inquires a five-foot, green haired, Asian male.

Wilcox puts a cigar between his teeth, he snaps his fingers, electricity following through, lighting it. “Of course not! But they are and that’s all that matters now.”

”He’s a legend…”

“No one gives a damn what he was…” He rubs his brow in frustration. “He’s tarnished any chance of exonerating himself with the situation.”

He slams his fist down. “They expect that poster to be in circulation before end of day.”

The three knights continue standing there. Wilcox glares up.

“What the hell are you standing there for?!? Alexis Jubilee is now wanted, dead or alive!” They salute before they exit.

“Alexis- You sure as hell better know what you’re doing…” His head drops…

In the printer room, dozens of wanted posters are being printed. Alexis’s face is plastered on the front.

What will happen to the Elemental Mage? Things are going from bad to worse…

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….To be continued