Transmission

By: Mavric Pendragon

 

 Caspar lay in his humble twin sized bed. His breathing was shallow, but steady as he tried to get up. Gasping for breath he tried to sit up, but his injuries he had sustained kept him down. He knew he had overdone it when it took on Hank and his men, but he didn’t think it would hurt this bad a few days later. Staring up at the ceiling he sighed, but his breath quivered with pain. Around him the jacobean furniture and square wood panel walls felt like they were closing in around him. Staring up at the jacobean strapwork ceiling his mind followed the lines of the patterns until he made his way to just above his door. Knowing he needed help Caspar reached for his phone that was seated in his stone nightstand. Dialing a number he waited for the phone to ring. He did not know what time it was, and was not sure if anyone was awake or around at that time.

  “Yes, Caspar.” Mavric answered, “What can I do for you?”

  “Please come to my room.” Caspar wheezed, “I, I can’t get up.”

  “On my way.” Mavric replied, “Natu…”

  Mavric hung up and Caspar waited in silence. The silence did not last long though and there was a knock on the door within a minute. The knock was more out of courtesy than anything else as Mavric made his way in.

  “We all thought you were finally pulling back and taking the morning to get some long overdue rest.” Mavric  began, “When did you get up?”

  Mavric’s question left Caspar uneasy.

  “A few minutes before I called you.” Caspar replied.

  “It’s two in the afternoon.” Mavric informed, “We finished the Hildegard house three hours ago and Cole began making preparations for where our next building will go.”

  Caspar was shocked. He had never slept in like this in his life.

  “Help me sit up.” Caspar ordered.

  “I wouldn’t do that, G-Caspar.” Mavric replied, glancing behind and seeing Phoebe in the doorway. 

  “Why not.” Caspar huffed trying to sit up, but coughing and falling back onto his silk pillows.

  “Because you need help.” Phoebe interrupted, walking into the room and tapping Mavric on the shoulder as she walked past him. “Sir, should we call for a doctor or send you to the hospital?”

  She was leaning forward between Caspar and Mavric where his chin was just past her toes. Her short sleeve white shirt was tucked in and her blue jeans and grey sneakers were covered in dark purple paint from when painting her bedroom earlier that day. Caspar looked up at her and shook his head.

  “Why do you give me no choice to refuse help?” He smirked. “Mavric, you should take note. Phoebe will go places, while you stand and watch.”

  “Sorry sir.” Mavric replied, “I was calculating your options. I believe your contact will be your best option. They can be called for and brought onto the team where they would be here on call whenever we need him as things get harder.”

  “Then get Natu to help me while you two go with Rorik to fetch the doctor.” Caspar ordered.

  “Yes, sir.” Phoebe replied, leaving the room.

  “I’m sorry G-Caspar,” Mavric began. “There is a lot going on and my head is not where it needs to be.”

  “Then get the doctor and tell me about it later.” Caspar scoffed.

  “Yes, sir.” Mavric replied, leaving the room.

  Getting Natu and sending him to Caspar, Mavric, Phoebe and Rorik went to the dining room to discuss their plan. Mavric had a manilla folder in hand that he placed on the table.

  “This is Tonic’s folder. Caspar’s prospective doctor.” Mavric began. “He lives in Orlando, Florida, where he practices as a general practitioner. His name is Doctor Dekoda Osman and he has been practicing longer than I have been alive. I looked him up further and there was an instance where there was an attack by None among us and Dekoda was beaten down, but the report said that someone or something came to his aid and took out the group last week. I don’t have any other information on the matter.”

  “Ok, let’s get going.” Rorik began, “We can call on Nadia to bring us down.”

  “I’ll get her.” Phoebe volunteered.

  Phoebe vanished from the dining room leaving Rorik and Mavric alone.

  “Do you think she’s grabbing Nadia because she needs a pilot, or another girl to join the team?” Rorik asked.

  Mavric was not sure where this was going but he figured answering was better than waiting in silence.

  “Why would she want another girl to join us, for the sake of having another girl?” Mavric rebutted. “You are coming this time, and she and I already went out to Rapid City, South Dekoda together.”

  “True,” Rorik replied, “But look around. How many other girls are on the team?”

  Mavric put the folder down and leaned on the table. He had not thought about it that way before.

  “She’s technically the only girl on the team.” Mavric replied.

  “Correct, now she has to go to various locations that I haven’t brought her to. She knows of them, but we never really went on vacation anywhere, so they are all new places, with men she just met to find men she’s never met while being hunted by men she doesn’t know as she is away from the only safety that I have ever offered her.” Rorick pointed out leaning against the wall by the kitchen.

  “Why are you bringing this up with me sir?” Mavric asked. “Isn’t this an issue for Caspar to address?”

  “Caspar could address this, but that would only balance out the workforce between men and women.” Rorik pointed out. “I’m her father and Caspar is my friend. We are here to make this a better place which the others are doing a fantastic job building, but we can’t make her feel welcome. That, in my opinion, is your job.”

   “Why me sir?” Mavirc asked.

  “You were the first to join our team.” Rorik pointed out. “Besides that Caspar seems to trust you a great deal more than the others for some reason. This trust is not something that should be overlooked, so I trust you to make sure my light feels safe here at Willowsbi Enterprises. Am I clear?”

  Before Mavric could respond there was the sound of the refrigerator opening and closing accompanied by several draws doing likewise and the faint click and foom of the gas stove turning on.

  “Hold that thought.” Rorik ordered, as he spun around and made his way into the kitchen.

  Entering the dark kitchen Rorik saw a figure looming in the refrigerator. The only light in the room coming from the fridge causing the figure to just be a silhouette of who they really were. Flicking on the lights Rorik watched as Natu shrank back from the fridge and spun around, his attire different from what he was wearing earlier. Now he wore faded jeans, and a tight black dry fit t-shirt. He had no shoes on and he was holding a two liter bottle of gingerale and a large glass cup.

  “Natu, what are you doing?” Rorik asked.

  “Oh, um…” Natu mumbled, “Caspar tried to sit up again and vomited. I was covered. This along with the saltine crackers on the counter there should help get him something to eat and drink without much discomfort.”

  “If you are getting something for Caspar why didn’t you turn on the lights?” Rorik asked.

  “I didn’t want to disturb your conversation.” Natu began, fumbling to pour the soda into the glass. “You and Mavric seemed to be talking about Phoebe and making her feel safe. Sorry for the intrusion.”

  Rorik took the glass from Natu and set it next to the plate of saltines.

  “That’s what you’re telling me, but what did you really hear?” Rorik asked, “How long have you been in the kitchen? And who’s watching Caspar?”

  Natu began to feel uncomfortable. Normally people took his scenarios and information at face value instead of pressing the matter of what he actually knew.

 "I, I was trying to hear where you were going." Natu began. "No one is watching Caspar at the moment, but I wanted to know if you guys were headed south. I have a letter for a friend of mine in Orlando and was wondering if you would be near enough to him to deliver a letter for me."

  "Why don't you mail it?" Rorik asked.

  "We don't have a mailbox." Natu pointed out. "Besides, do we really want to give our location away because of a letter?"

  Natu's points were undeniable and surprised Rorik. He hadn't wanted to mail a letter since moving in and had not thought of the ramifications of doing so. 

  “What’s this friend’s name?” Rorik asked.

  Natu grinned, putting the soda back and closed the fridge.

  “Their name is Apex.” Natu began, “they might be a good addition to the team, but I’ve brought him up with Caspar before and he shunned the idea. I have the letter in my room and will get it to you before you leave.”

  “Go get it now.” Rorik ordered. “I’ll check in on Caspar one last time before I go and meet you in the foyer.”

  Natu darted off to his room and Rorik took the glass of ginger ale and plate of saltines to Caspar. Meeting in the foyer a few minutes later Natu handed Rorik what should have been Phoebe’s letter to join Willowsbi Enterprises concealed in another envelope with some other papers.

  “Ten dollars.” Rorik teased, receiving the weighty package of a letter.

  “What?” Natu complained, “I’m not paying ten dollars to have that delivered.”

  “I’m just joking kid.” Rorik assured, “This is one hefty package though.”

  Mavric, Phoebe, and Nadia came into the room and saw the letter being handed off. They were not sure what to think at the moment and the puzzled look on their faces prompted Rorik to grant them an explanation.  

   “It’s ok.” Rorik began, “We are just delivering this letter to a friend of Natu’s down in Orlando while we are down there.”

  “Why is it so big?” Mavric asked, moving up and taking the envelope from Rorik.

  Turning it around he inspected the seams and thickness of the content. He expected Natu to speak up to avoid suspicion, but Natu remained quiet.

  “Natu?” He posed, “That was directed to you.”

  Natu snapped out of what was almost like a trance before stammering.

  “I, I, I needed it to fit all together for Apex.” He blurted out.

  “Who’s Apex?” Phoebe asked.

  “Why so many questions?” Natu rebutted, covering his head and shaking it back and forth. “I want to send this out to a friend of mine without giving away our location. If I mail it I need to put a return address that at least links it to our area. If you deliver it no one is the wiser about where we are.”

  Rorik saw that Natu was having a lot of trouble with this one.

  “All right kid,” Rorik scoffed. “We’ll deliver the envelope as long as you tell us what is in it. Sound fair?”

  “It’s just papers.” Natu explained. “And before you accuse me and badger me with a bunch of questions. My friend does not have a computer and asked for these printed out and sent to him.”

  “So, you know something that they need to know?” Nadia asked.

  “I know a lot of things.” Natu began, “Don’t worry it’s not about you.”

  Rorik placed a hand on Natu’s shoulder.

  “What is the information about?” He asked. “You chose to raise it to our attention.”

  Natu wanted to snatch the envelope from Mavric, but he knew he was already in hot water.

  “It’s my personal information.” He explained, trying to keep cool.

  “This is a lot of paper for a phone number and maybe an email.” Mavric pointed out.

  “Open it then.” Nadia challenged.

  Mavric was about to tear the envelope open when Rorik took it from him.

  “Do you have any respect?” He scoffed. “Natu, please open the envelope in the dining room.”

  Rorik handed the envelope to his coworker as the others glared at him. Sheepishly, Natu took it and made his way to the dining room. In the dining room Natu opened the envelope. 

  "Why are you guys all so nosey around here?" He scoffed. "Mavric has hundreds of files on who knows what and he's fine, I have one envelope and I am warranted to a search."

  He was visibly upset and frustrated at the matter.

  "All you had to say was no and I would try and go to the post office. I might blow our cover, but at least I would not be treated like a felon." Natu cried.

  The others started to feel bad.

  "We aren't trying to pry for the sake of prying." Rorik began, "We just find it uncharacteristic of the group to send letters."

  "What the rest of you don't have families and friends?" Natu challenged. "We run letters from Caspar willy nilly without a second thought. Why can't the rest of us send mail?"

  The others thought about what Natu was saying. Phoebe reached out her hand.

  "You have a good point, Natu." She agreed. "We'll get a mail system eventually, but until then we can deliver letters for one another. We are a team afterwards, right everybody?"

  Everyone else nodded. They were too quick to jump to conclusions with Natu's letter. As he stated he could ask them and Willowsbi Enterprise would stay hidden if they delivered it. If it were mailed who knows who could get a hold of it and figure out something about the group.

  "Can I trust you with this?" Natu muttered, "You turned the tables on me in a matter of seconds."

  Natu stormed off to Caspar's room, letter in hand. The rest of the group shrugged it off until Beniah loomed in the doorway. 

  "What was that all about?" He asked.

  "Natu is just sensitive." Mavric scoffed.

  "That's not what I overheard." Beniah groaned. "Here I thought that opposition would come from without."

  Leaving the others to think about their actions he radioed Cole still in earshot of the others.  

  "Cole, can you please do a detail on Caspar and Natu's rooms. Natu looked like he needs a friend headed in that direction, over."

  Mavric sat down at the table and slammed his folder down on the tabletop. 

  "What just happened?" He muttered, hunching over in his seat. "We encircled Natu like a pack of wolves over a letter."

  "But, he was acting suspicious?" Phoebe pointed out.

  "So do we." Rorik pointed out. " What do you archive Mavric?"

  "Profiles and data." He replied.

  "So you know more about me than I am allowed to ask about what you know?" Rorik asked.

  "I guess so." Mavric replied. 

  "So you admit to being worse of an offender than Natu. Because he told us what we were going to be delivering. So why weren't you jumped by the rest of us?" Rorik asked.  

  "What are you getting at dad?" Phoebe demanded.

  "What Beniah was pointing out." Rorik began, receiving three puzzled looks as he continued to explain. "Beniah overheard from his office one of us being picked on and belittled by the others. This he voiced was seen as opposition like how Caspar was attacked. I know Caspar needs us to hurry, but we need to at least apologize to Natu before we go."

  The others agreed, and went to find Natu. They found him talking to Cole in Caspar’s room.

  “I’m not sure where the nearest post office is.” Cole said, as the others came in.

  “Natu, we’re sorry for the way we treated you.” Mavric interrupted, “We should trust you, and treat you better than we did.”

  Mavric waited for a few seconds. He did interrupt Natu and Cole’s conversation. Natu turned and faced the rest of the group. 

  “Why should I trust you?” He scoffed. “I’d rather blow our cover than trust you, lot to deliver this letter.”

  With that Natu stormed off leaving the team in a bind. They didn’t want to leave things the way they were, but they also needed to get a doctor to make sure Caspar was ok. 

  “I’ll take care of Natu.” Cole volunteered, “The rest of you get going before you let Caspar down too.”

  The comment hit like a ton of bricks, but the team knew that was where they were at right now.

  Heading to the Cessna they hopped in and took off for Orlando ashamed that they had broken Natu’s trust with the way they treated him. The flight down took a little over three hours and it felt miserable. Not only did the team have to worry about Caspar, but they had this person Apex who Natu was now letting down because of their suspicions.

  “I got it.” Rorik scoffed as they were about to land.

  “Got what.” Phoebe asked.

  “You and Mavric go get the doctor.” Rorik explained, “I’ll hunt down this Apex fellow. Leave without me if I’m not right behind you.”

  Phoebe was hesitant, but they had done this to themselves.

  “We will wait for you for ten minutes after we get to the plane.” She offered as a compromise, “Then we’ll take off.”

  “Ok, but don’t hold off Caspar getting well worrying about me.” Rorik huffed as the plane landed.

  The door of the Cessna opened and Mavric and Phoebe went to find Doctor Osman while Rorik went to look for Apex, and Nadia stayed with the plane.

  Rorik vanished from sight as he anxiously looked for the one Natu wanted to deliver the papers to. Caspar was not the only one with contacts and he hoped that his were still around in the area despite his not calling on them in a couple of months. One in particular came to mind. A contact named Magnus Drake whom everyone nicknamed The Dragon. Knowing that The Dragon was a frequent at the Dancing Dragons boat bar. Rorik figured that would be the best place to check.

  Once Rorik vanished, Mavric and Phoebe made their way to the Orlando Regional Medical Center. They figured if they were looking for a doctor that would be a good place to check. Making their way to the Center they asked one of the ladies named Elanor at the entrance desk if they had heard of Doctor Osman and explained Caspar’s condition.

  “”Why yes I have.” She replied, ‘but you are all kinds of turned around. He works on the other end of the building on the top floor. If you can wait until Jannet gets back I can take you to him.”

  Once Jannet returned Elanor escorted Mavric and Phoebe from one ward to the other. Once they arrived at Doctor Osman’s office she bid them farewell before returning to her post. Entering the office Mavric went first. Before him was an older man a little younger than Capar with short white hair greeted him about ten feet from the door.

  “Welcome young man.” Dekoda chirped.

  “Afternoon sir.” Mavric replied, letting Phoebe in behind him.

  “What can I do for ya?” Dekoda asked.

  “Please sir,” Phoebe asked, handing Dekoda a letter. “Our employer, Mister Caspar Willowsbi, requests your audience at once. He is currently bedridden and has sent us to fetch you to be his doctor at this time.”

  Dekoda thought about what Phoebe had said. The man and woman before him did not introduce themselves, nor tell him where this Caspar fellow was, nor what ailed him. Taking a seat he decided to start the encounter all over again.

  “You must be new at this.” He teased, handing the letter back to Phoebe. “Let me walk you through how to ask a medical professional for help for someone other than yourself who, unless he’s Caspar, is not here at the moment. Please, back up to the door and enter again. Maintain your same order as you entered the first time.”

  Mavric and Phoebe did as they were told. Closing the door behind them Mavric whispered to Phoebe.

  “We are wasting valuable time.” He hissed.

  “All right, feel free to enter whenever you wish!” Dekoda hollered.

  “Leave him to me.” Phoebe assured.

  Reentering the room Mavric came in first like he had the first time and Phoebe followed him in.

  “Welcome young man.” Dekoda chirped again.

  “Afternoon sir.” Mavric replied.

  “What can I do for ya?” Dekoda asked. “And who are you?”

  The second question prompted Mavric and Phoebe to change their tactic.

  “Please sir,” Phoebe began.

  Dekoda leaned back. Thinking this would be a waste of time and council on his part and on top of that he had a patient that was reaching out to him for help, but the inexperience of his liaisons was prolonging his arrival.

  “My name is Phoebe Hildegard and this is my associate Mavric Pendragon.” She continued, “We have come from Vermont to seek your expert opinion and aid on behalf of our employer, Mister Caspar Willowsbi.”

  “Much better.” Dekoda interrupted extending his hand for the letter they had handed him before.

  Mavric handed him the letter and Phoebe continued.

  “Mister Willowsbi was in a car accident a few days ago and this morning was not able to rise from his bed on his own accord.” She stated, “He has requested your medical expertise in particular and had sent us here to escort you to him. The letter contains more information if you wish to work for him as well, but at this time we are only here to ask if you could please come with us to treat him at this time.”

  Dekoda was very impressed with how Phoebe’s request improved with some minor coaching. Opening the letter he read it briefly before closing it back up.

  “This Caspar fellow called for me specifically, huh.” He muttered. “Well then let’s see if he knows what he is getting himself into.”

  With that Dekoda called Elenor.

  “Hey E,” He began, “The fine folks you escorted here have an assignment for me off grounds. Please redirect my patients to Doctor Helmuth Koff for the next several days.”

  He was on the phone for a couple more seconds and then hung up.

  “Everything is all set. I just need to pick up a travel medical kit before we head to your mode of transportation.” He explained.

  After that the three headed off to the Cessna to see if Rorik had found anything out about Natu’s contact.

 

***

Meandering into the Dancing Dragon boat bar Rorik looked about for any old familiar faces. Walking up to the bar keeper he ordered a drink and began to chat.

  “Have you heard of a man they call The Dragon?” He asked.

  “Heard of him.” The bar keeper scoffed, handing him a foaming glass. “He frequented here so much he bought the place last winter.”

  “Do you know where I can find him then?” Rorik asked, leaning on the bar and taking a sip of his drink as he looked around.

  “The boss does not take lightly to being disturbed unannounced.” The bar keeper warned.

  “Then announce me” Rorik ordered. “Tell him No one is looking for Apex, he’ll catch my drift.”

  Hesitantly the bar keeper called for one of his coworkers to cover his post while he went to let The Dragon know No one arrived.

  Rorik took a seat far away from all the hubbub of all the half dressed locals and tourists. He was easy to spot in his grey ball cap and polo shirt. Calling a waitress over he ordered some tortilla chips and salsa. When the bar keeper returned he had a 6'10", 250lbs of muscle, olive skin toned man with him. The guy had long blonde hair, steel blue eyes, was clean shaven, and had a Dragon tattoo on his left arm. The two men spotted Rorik and the new guys made his way over. Seating himself across the table from Rorik he put one ginormous arm on the table while the other hung over the back of his chair.

  “What business do you have with The Dragon?” He scoffed, his powerful voice booming despite being just above a whisper.

  “Like I told the other gentleman.” Rorik explained dipping a chip into his salsa. “No one is looking for Apex.”

  Crunching down on his chip, Rorik saw the man’s arms grow tense as he clenched his fist that was behind his seat.

  “If you can’t be bothered to fetch him for me, I am more than able to find him myself.” Rorik informed. “But if you want to flex a little muscle on a man who could be your father, go ahead. The Dragon should have enough money to pay for the damages.”

  The younger man began to grow even more suspicious.

  “What do you want, Mister?” He growled.

  “I only want to speak with The Dragon.” Rorik hissed.

  “How do you know you aren’t speaking with him?” The young man snarled.

  “Because The Dragon knows something you don’t?” Rorik scoffed.

  “What’s that?” The young man replied.

  “Seventy-one of Seventy-two.” Rorik hissed, putting both hands on the table.

  The young man looked confused. Rorik rose from the table, but the young man rose and bared his path.

  “Foolish choice, boy.” Rorik hissed, “One The Dragon would have warned you about if my messages had gone to him.”

  The young man clenched his fist and threw a hook trying to clock Rorik in the jaw. He didn’t have time to think before Rorik dodged the punch, and struck him with an open palm in the jaw while sweeping his feet out from under him, knocking him back and demolishing the table they were just sitting at. Walking over to the bar keeper Rorik tapped him on the shoulder.

  “Where is The Dragon?” He growled. “Not big, blond, and cocky over there.”

  All color left the bar keeper’s face as he saw the other man he brought over out cold on the floor. 

  “I can arrange for you to be next if you’d like.” Rorik explained rubbing his knuckles. “Or you can get me an audience with The Dragon.”

  “Yes-s-s Sir.” The bar keeper stuttered in fear.

  Vanishing into the back the bar keeper escaped Rorik’s sight. Positioning himself against the wall next to the door the bar keeper went through Rorik folded his arms and put one foot up against the wall with his back leaning on the wall. His ball cap covered his eyes. He didn’t have time for any more shenanigans and was wondering if The Dragon was toying with him. Glancing at his watch he assumed he had plenty of time, but if things kept going the way they were he would be late to catch the plane. The bar keeper came out and Rorik decided to give him to the count of three before throwing him back the way he came in case The Dragon was behind him.

  “1…2…” Rorik counted in his head. “3.”

  Not sensing anyone else coming through the doorway Rorik grabbed the bar keeper by the neck and sweeped his feet out from under him.

  “Where’s The Dragon.” He hissed.

  “I’m not delivering your message to him.” The bar keeper spat.

  “Then you’d better hope your boss allows for extended medical leave.” Rorik hissed, throwing him back through the doorway knocking the wind out of him as he slammed into the far wall. “I asked politely and was even going to ask for you to get a raise, but your incompetence and now arrogance shows me that you aren’t even worth my chips.”

  Rorik looked about. There were many doors down this hallway and he was not sure which one concealed The Dragon.

  “Last chance bub.” Rorik began, grabbing the bar keeper by the throat. “How many doors will I use you like a battering ram to open before I find The Dragon.”

  The bar keeper looked terrified.

  “You start talking or I’ll get started.” Rorik threatened.

  “He’s behind the beaded curtain at the end of the hall.” He gasped.

  “How convenient for you.” Rorik scoffed. “If he’s not I’ll send you through the wall.”

  The bar keeper lost all color at that statement.

  “I’ve tried to be reasonable.” Rorik explained, “But I have a deadline that I have to meet and you put me off schedule.”

  Grabbing a cloth napkin Rorik used it as a pair of makeshift handcuffs before kneeing the bar keeper in the back pressing him forward. As they got near the door Rorik pounced on the man, knocking him to the ground before picking him up and throwing him headlong through the beaded curtain. Waiting a second for a reaction Rorik himself strolled on in.

  The room was like a red and gold palace from China with statues and carvings all over. There were waitresses coming and going as they set plates of food for their lord. Some of them were scattered because of the bar keeper’s entrance. In the middle of the floor the bar keeper was sprawled out wheezing with pain in front of what looked like a throne and seated on the throne was Rorik’s old contact The Dragon. His long black hair was down to the bottom of his shoulder blades and his bark brown eyes were hard to find surrounded by his sun scorched complexion. He wore a golden robe on top of a t-shirt and shorts and his feet were bare.

  “Mighty Dragon,” Rorik called, arms spread open wide. “Pardon the interruption, but I have requested your audience three times, and was getting nowhere with this fellow, so I decided to finish the job in my usual fashion.”

  The Dragon scoffed and leaned back in his throne.

  “He never told me you were here, my old friend.” The Dragon began, “Please come have a seat and partake of all you wish.”

  Rorik sat beside The Dragon and began picking at some crab meat.

  “Pardon Andros.” The Dragon apologized, “I assume you told him Nobody or No one wanted me?” 

  “That’s correct.” Rorik huffed.

  “And I assume he sent a large, blond man instead of me.” The Dragon hissed, slurping down an oyster.

  “Correct again.” Rorik replied.

  “So tell me, where is that man?” The Dragon asked.

  “Well Magnus, I will humor you instead of having you have to use your imagination.” Rorik replied, flicking his right hand out and displaying an image if the man sprawled out on the remains of the table.

  “What did you do to him?” Magnus The Dragon asked.

  “Just a pressure point technique, my style.” Rorik assured. “He should be back on his feet with a terrible headache in another five minutes or so. I tried not to damage your property, but the fellow is massive and needed a place to take his nap.”

  Magnus chuckled.

  “That should teach him.” He scoffed. “That, my old friend is supposed to be my son, but he has neither my looks, nor my diplomacy. He must have thought you some push over based on what Andros told him.”

  Magnus got up from his throne and walked over to Andros. The bar keeper didn’t dare move because of his pain.

  “Nice use of a napkin Rorik.” Magnus praised. “I see your resourcefulness hasn’t changed. So, what brings you my way?”

  “Do you remember Caspar Willowsbi?” Rorik asked.

  “Oh yes, that old dog still have you on a leash?” Magnus teased.

  “I am working for him once more, yes.” Rorik began, “But it is unlike the Seventy-two. He has an associate who has been reaching out to a fellow by the name of Apex, and I’ve been tasked with finding out more about him. All I know is that he’s somewhere here in Orlando.”

  “You have more than that, my friend.” Magnus scoffed. “You leveled the poor boy in what, one, maybe two hits.”

  “That. That was Apex?” Rorik gasped, “And he’s your son.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Magnus assured. “If he went down like that it means he is listening for once. He’s a lot like you, which scares me. If you got word about him from your contact then maybe you can help me. Leo has been reaching out to a man up north named Not who you see or something like that. Do you perchance know this fellow?”

  “You have got to be pulling my leg now.” Rorik chuckled. “Natu Yusi is the kid that I’ve been hunting down Apex about. Yeah, I know the kid, sort of. We both work for Caspar.”

  “What a small world.” Magnus chuckled, “Well when he’s up and able to move about of his own accord I will get in touch with this Natu fellow and arrange a time for You, Caspar and I to talk about his future. He needs an environment where he can grow and use his gifts.”

  “It’s in the works as we speak.” Rorik assured. “Speaking of which, I need to get back to the airport before my team takes off.”

  “You never cease to surprise me.” Magnus said, shaking his head. “I would have thought the last time you had a team would be just that, the last time.”

  “The old team was our generation’s stab at it. This is your son’s generation.” Rorik explained, rising to leave.

  “In that case. Let me know if there is any way I can be of assistance.” Magnus huffed. “Jullio, Please bring my old friend to the airport. We don’t want him to miss his flight. And Rorik, if he tries to double cross you just let me know where you leave the body so I can retrieve it. Please ask this Natu fellow to reach out to us soon please.”

  “We have a lot going on at the moment, but we will be in touch, just be patient if you don’t hear from me right away.” Rorik informed.

  Magnus nodded and sent Rorik on his way.

  Arriving at the airport Rorik found Nadia, but she was all alone.

  “Hey Nadia, where are the others?” He asked, climbing out of the car and sending Julio on his way.

  “We thought you would be the late one.” She began, climbing down from the aircraft, “But they’re the ones who are late. How’d it go by the way?”

   “It went well.” Rorik replied, puzzled that he beat Mavric and Phoebe to the plane, “I stratented out a few things for Caspar, and maybe even got us some additional help.”

  “That’s always a good thing.” Nadia chirped. “Climb on in, I only have one last thing to check and we should be good to take off once the others get here.”

  She had not gone more than five feet when Mavric, Phoebe and Dekoda showed up.

  “Dad, how did you beat us back?” Phoebe asked.

  “Beasts me.” Rorik shrugged, “You must be Doctor Osman.” He said, extending a handshake, “My name is Rorik Hildegard, you already met Phoebe and Mavric and our pilot up there is Miss Nadia Aberg. We’re headed back to Caspar Willowsbi, our employer and your patient and should be off the ground shortly. Is that right Nadia?”

  “Yes sir,” Nadia chirped, “Just need the doctor’s stuff stowed, you three buckled and clearance from the tower and we are clear for takeoff.”

  “In that case. Your bag sir.” Rorik offered.

  Dekoda handed Rorik his bag and the five of them all piled into the now tight plain. Nadia was cleared by the tower and they were off to Vermont once more.

  “What took you guys so long?” Rorik asked, as they took to the air.

  “They needed some training in how to speak with a medical professional on behalf of another.” Dekoda informed.

  “Careful Doc. If you can get the team to understand a concept like that we really need to hire you. Otherwise we might not get off the ground.” Rorik teased.

  “How did you beat us back?” Mavric asked, “By all accounts you should have taken longer.”

  “If I were worried about cover I would have been. I almost was at a dead end, but I had some help from an old friend.” Rorik began, “Phoebe, do you remember The Dragon?”

  “Yes,” Phoebe replied, recalling all the stories her father had told her about the man.

  “I have to talk with Caspar, but his son is the one Natu was speaking to and he might be coming to Willowsbi Enterprises sooner than we think.”

  Phoebe dreaded the thought of a second Dragon. If the son was anything like his father, arrogance would be his cologne, and cockyness his native tongue. She shuddered at the thought of his arrival, but if her father thought he would be a good addition to the team then she knew he would be there not long after a room was made ready.

  Arriving back at Willowsbi Enterprise the team brought Dekoda to Caspar and the two were left alone. He was only in there a few minutes when he came out and closed the door behind him.

  “Your boss is a chatty cathy.” He remarked. “And quite persuasive too. I will be in the medical facility here once it’s complete, but until then I was informed that your room Mavric was going to be mine and that Rorik and Phoebe would put you up at their place.”

  The team shook their heads. They had just finished making the house habitable, but it still needed a lot of work.

  “All right Mavric.” Phoebe chuckled. “Now it’s your turn to move. I’ll show you to your new room and then help you start packing.”

  “But I just finished unpacking.” Mavric complained.

  “I’m coming with you.” Nadia said, tagging along.

  “So it goes.” Rorik chuckled. “So how is he Doc?”

  “He’ll be back on his feet around tomorrow morning.” Dekoda informed. “He really took a beating. Is everything ok here?”

  “That’s the opposition Doc.” Rorik informed, “The problem this team has, is that most of them are green and don’t know how dangerous opposition can be.”

  “Yes, but they have each other.” Dekoda pointed out.

  “Not quite yet.” Rorik pointed out. “We are supposed to be one group, but at the moment we act like two. I just hope they figure out how to be a single team before the signal that we are here gets transmitted too far.”