Roland still sat on top of the van, perching near the edge. If anyone bothered to look up then he would be spotted immediately but luckily for the bird, most of the agents and soldiers were more interested in keeping an eye on the lich.
God but it was taking forever! Roland sighed and settled down more comfortably, hoping that the wait wouldn't be too long.
Clarkson didn't like handing out any contact information, but thankfully the PIA had a lot of front companies. He pulled out a card for a travel agency.
"Call thus number," Clarkson said, writing a 7 digit code on the back of it, "Give the woman this code and you be able to set up up any trip you please that doesn't involve going to the China, North Korea, or the Moon. I will ask you to make sure your travel plans are somewhat reasonable?"
"So, since that should be everything," Clarkson said, writing down a few more notes, "Lich, your up!"
As Seras's yawn had ended, Clarkson produced a business card for a travel agency out of his coat pocket, presenting it to Seras.
"Call this number." Clarkson said, writing something on the back of it, which turned out to be a seven digit code. "Give the woman this code and you be able to set up up any trip you please that doesn't involve going to the China, North Korea, or the Moon. I will ask you to make sure your travel plans are somewhat reasonable?"
"That certainly sounds reasonable. We'll make sure to call a day or so in advance to make the necessary arrangements. Its unlikely that we'll plan to do anything indecent or embarrassing; but we'll still call to confirm either way. Once again Clarkson, thank you very much." Seras said with a smile as he hoped out of the van, as Clarkson called up for Lucius.
"So, since that should be everything." Clarkson said, writing down a few more notes, "Lich, your up!"
Seras soon returned to Theon and her family, all of whom look relieved that they were done.
"Come on, let's go and gather our things before proceeding to our luggage." She said, smiling again and putting an arm around Theon.
"Call this number," Clarkson said, handing a note to Seras. Theon closed his phone, and stuffed it back in his pocket. "Give the woman this code..I will ask you to make sure your travel plans are somewhat reasonable?" Clarkson asked. Seras responded with "That certainly sounds reasonable....Once again Clarkson, thank you very much." She said with a smile as he hoped out of the van. He was happy to see her smile, he was also happy he finally got to leave this place.
"Come on, let's go and gather our things before proceeding to our luggage." Seras said, smiling and putting an arm around Theon. He put her arm around her too, and he jokingly said "I didn't know you were taking initiative now." He kissed her on her cheek and smiled brightly. Theon caught himself staring at Seras, as they were walking away. He still couldn't believe, what had happened the last few weeks. He looked up at the sky, he was sure the rest of the trip would be better.
Ok, this insolent mortal was really starting to grind on Lucius. He took a deep breath, before floating towards the agent, and once more introducing himself.
"My name is Lucius Cassius Imperiosus, and I am lead to believe you are searching for another of my kind, is this accurate?"
Lucius smirked. With these guys backing him, Arzhela's odds were shortening considerably. At the very least, their corpses would make good cannon fodder - he smirked to himself.
"Yes," Clarkson said, feeling irritated to the Lich's entitlement, "We are looking for a female Lich, I assume your know her very well?"
"Since John already made a deal for u- made a deal on our behalf," Clarkson quickly corrected, "All I need to know is everything you got out of that dropplgagnger, and everything you know about the Lich. Anything that can give us head start in our search for her or her soul container."
"All I need to know is everything you got out of that dopplgagnger, and everything you know about the Lich. Anything that can give us head start in our search for her or her soul container."
Lucius twitched slightly at the term 'soul container'. What kind of professional doesn't know the correct names for things like that? Ah well, where to start, he thought to himself...
"Firstly, if you work with supernaturals, you ought to know its called a Phylactery - don't you keep them for your agents?", Lucius paused, trying to decide whether keeping Phylacteries for staff might be a little... low, "Then again, I suppose that might go against that whole morality thing. Anyways, Arzhela is the name of the Lich we're looking for - I imagine she originated with the Celtae that lived on this island when I was younger. I would guess she was only 2-300 back when I knew her, though that was nigh on a millennium ago. She'll most likely be in or around Cardiff nowadays, though if she has any sense at all, her Phylactery will be well away, and better hidden. If I can get into some archives I know of in northern wales, I think there might be an ancient spell in there that could help us". Lucius paused, realising that his lack of breathing meant that he frequently spoke a little fast.
Lucius looked around the motley crowd that was talking to the agents, and a question started to form. "How many of this lot are also helping you?"
Clarkson saw the twitch, glad he could even get under the skin of Roman era Lich. Clarkson needed to make sure he was always in control, and it was obvious that this Lich would not submit through kindness. So, Clarkson decided to ignore all the Lich's questions.
"Why do you think Arzhela is in Cardiff?" Clarkson inquired, "Why do you think she is hiding out in such a populated area where she is more likely to be found, instead out in the countryside? And what is this spell you speak of, why do we need you to cast it?"
Typically helpful, Lucius thought to himself, as the Agent marched his inquiry on. Well, he supposed he'd probably be best complying, at least slightly for now. Truth be told, the fate of the Lich John had mentioned scared him a little.
"Well, I assume she's in or around cardiff, because the last words her image - She projected herself through the doppelganger, by the way, hence the explosion - said to me, were 'see you in Cardiff'", Lucius paused, realising this possibly wasn't so obvious to the agent, "Need me to cast it? Oh no, quite the opposite. I would have to recommend some powerful living mage for that - Perhaps that Zaheer guy is willing. If I remember correctly, the spell can make searching for things more easily, If you know the input to give it. Now once again, how many of this lot are helping us?"
"Well, I assume she's in or around cardiff, because the last words her image - She projected herself through the doppelganger, by the way, hence the explosion - said to me, were 'see you in Cardiff'?" "Need me to cast it? Oh no, quite the opposite. I would have to recommend some powerful living mage for that - Perhaps that Zaheer guy is willing. If I remember correctly, the spell can make searching for things more easily, If you know the input to give it. Now once again, how many of this lot are helping us?"
"Fair enough," Clarkson said, "Are you sure Zaheer or that other ascended doesn't know the spell already? Next time you see him, ask, so we don't have to waste time looking for archives in Northern Whales if she is in Southern Whales. Do you trust her word, have you considered Cardiff might be a trap? Say, going to meet her, only to find out it's another doppelganger before she blows up you and half the city? Also, even if I wanted to, I can't give you that classified data, even if I wanted to, stop asking."
"Also, even if I wanted to, I can't give you that classified data, even if I wanted to, stop asking."
Lucius rolled his eyes at the agent's misinterpretation of his question. Ah well, not all people had a couple of thousand years of learning behind them. Still, the point about the trap was good - did he know Arzhela well enough?
"When I said 'this lot', I meant the other passengers", Lucius started, "If they're coming on this mission with me, surely I ought to know who they are? As for the trap point, Arzhela was always very fond of Cardiff, even when it was a little Vicus", Lucius thought back to the month he'd spent in Isca Silurum - that had been his worst military posting, he thought - bloody savages. "Anyways, agent - can you tell me your name?", Lucius rolled the sarcasm of the question, annoyed at the agent's unhelpfulness, "The spell is very old, and I'm reasonably sure it hasn't been cast in the last few centuries. They might know it - ask them about Invenire Exiguus rituals, if you think they might"
Lucius wanted to laugh. How could any of these green mages, barely three centuries between them, know a spell he'd created almost 1200 years ago, the only copy of which lay, most likely still sealed, in his old archives?
"The name is Clarkson. You should of been more specific with your question. I don't know yet because your only the fourth person I have talked to," Clarkson answered, "I will ask the ascended about it. If he doesn't know it, do you know where this archive is? Do you have a street address or shall we look for it on google maps?"
"I will ask the ascended about it. If he doesn't know it, do you know where this archive is? Do you have a street address or shall we look for it on google maps?"
This time, Lucius didn't hold the laughter back.
"Clarkson, do you really think ancient magical archives would have a street address? or show up on your pathetic maps?", Lucius resumed laughing for a couple of seconds before straightening up, and looking serious, "But, yes, I know pretty much where they are, though it probably won't be easy going. Especially for people who can't fly. Do you need anything else, or can I find a hotel?"
Lucius started to turn slowly away from the agent, surveying the small crowd. "what a pathetic bunch" he thought loudly to himself.
Seras blushed a little as Theon put an arm around her, then jokingly said. "I didn't know you were taking initiative now." He then proceeded to kiss her on the cheek and smiled brightly. Seras giggled a little to herself before responding.
"Perhaps this whole affair involving the doppelgänger and the she Lich has changed something in the air; or maybe I just feel like being a little more dominant after experiencing a brief surge of power. But don't worry Theon, it isn't going to change me in the long run, I'll still be the dear sweet Seras that you know and love." Seras said before giving a kiss to Theon, then pulling the two together, which made her feel warm inside.
They soon stopped at an area that was set up to handle the passengers carry on luggage, and began to look for their things.
Roland, bored from the waiting and tired from the ordeals on the plane, was starting to doze off on top of the van. He would have fallen completely asleep if a pair of curious crows hadn't landed on the van behind him and cawed loudly.
Roland, thinking for a moment that they were back on the plane something nasty was about to eat him, let out a loud "GAAH!" and flew onto John's shoulder.
Now this wasn't a very good turn of events. Not only were woodpecker uncommon in airports, they didn't usually fly onto peoples shoulders for safety. And they most definitely didn't go "GAAH!". Roland hoped that no one hadn't really noticed and glared at the two crows.
John turned to Rolan as he dug his talons into John's coat. The MI6 agents all stared at the bird.
"Animals always are doing that to me," John bluffed, "I could never figure out why."
"Don't Hairy Woodpeckers only range in North America?" One of the agents said suspiciously.
"Does it?" John said, trying not to sweat, "I thought woodpeckers like this were everywhere..."
Meanwhile...
An ambulance rushed through London traffic, pulling up to the Royal London Hospital.
The paramedics pulled out Richard's stretcher to the emergency room. Their was quite of bit of internal bleeding from the crash, most of the medics were shocked he was alive.
Terra was asked to sit down and wait as Richard was prepped for surgery. As she sat down, a man in a police uniform sat down next to her.
"I know this is hard for you, but I am going to have to ask you some questions about what happened on the plane," said Richard, a PIA agent.
I thought woodpeckers like this were everywhere...
Roland nodded in agreement then, realizing his mistake, tried to turn pretend he was cleaning his feathers, all the while muttering "crap, crap, crap," loud enough that only John could hear.
"Eee...Chirp chirp? Tweet tweet!" he said, looking at all the armed agents staring at him. This was NOT going according to plan.
Terra followed the medics, nurses, and doctors right up until they entered the emergency room. She would have followed them in there as well were it not for the intervention of another doctor. Even that wouldn't have stopped her until he said her presence risked Richard's life. She had no argument to oppose it and, while she didn't much like doctors, she trusted their medical advice.
With Richards disappearance, she paced around outside the ER for several minutes before eventually settling down in a chair near the door and out of the way. There were several magazines she could have tried to read, but her worry and her slow stream of tears made the pages too blurry to read. "I hate this!" she thought to herself, screaming it in her head. She wanted to do so aloud, but resisted the urge by some miracle - the last thing she wanted were stares from the nurses.
"I know this is hard for you, but I am going to have to ask you some questions about what happened on the plane." a voice said, shocking her from her own stupor. Terra was split on whether to thank him for the distraction from her own thoughts or punch him for bringing her back into the real world right now. After several moments of half-staring, half-glaring at the police officer, she eventually decided to compromise on apathy. Apathy was hardly the ideal emotion too pick as it was emotion then held her demonic side at bay, but then fear wasn't much of a better choice.
"What do you want to know?" she asked, her voice cold. She briefly wondered if he had drawn the short straw to have to come and question her; Succubi were hardly remembered for their stable personalities.
Richard was a bit taken back by the coldness of her voice, although she was a paranormal, although his superiors didn't seam to know what she was.
"I just going to need to know what you saw..." Richard's phone stated to ring. He went to just ignore the call, till he saw who it was from
"Bloody hell... I am deeply sorry miss," Richard said, "but I have to take this."
He got up, and walked into a nearby closet, barely whispering, "I am in the middle of an questi- did not copy, can you repeat..."
"JOHN DID WHAT?" Richard let go of control, briefly not caring that anyone in the hall could hear that before quieting back down, "What do you want me to do about it, I am not at the airport... command approved of this, before the plane even landed? How... right above clearance right... Uhhh... Richard reporting out"
Richard walked out of the closet.
"Right, where was I?" Richard said sitting down, pretending nothing just happened. Richard started to put his mind into fortress mode, although his annoyance at John's continued stupid plans lingered.
"All I need is to know what you saw," Richard said, before pausing and trying to think how to put this, "and to listen to a... proposition."
Meanwhile...
John looked nervously around at the agents, who were staring at Richard, hand moving to the triggers.
"@#$^," he thought, "Need distraction..."
He then saw Clarkson throw out a passenger from his van, angrily yelling at the kid. John recconized as the lunatic that charged him with the colt .45 during the dropplangger fight happened. Most not of been very interested in the deal. Or maybe made fun of Clarkson's mother, always a bad idea. The MI6 agents turned to the yelling.
In one smooth motion, John grabbed Roland and stuffed him in one of his jacket pockets.
"Where did the bird go?" John said, looking around.
Since The Great Milenko was permabanned, I think it is safe to say he isn't going to be joining us for this RP again.
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