"Grand-Guard Inerish, you have been requested to appear before the Clockwork Council." my secretary informs me just as I left my office to see them anyway.
"Wonderful." I say before I smirk at the device Galanmarck gave me. With this single item I could hunt that bastard down! Now if only the men employed under me would stop being so finicky around them. These Union soldiers would only do as ordered.
"Get out of our country!" one of my men snapped at the motionless Union soldier. The ones within this grand building of ours had a unique job in comparison to the rest. Emblazoned with the symbology of Jhrarda the Mighty and decorated with emerald cloth. These royal troops would be my personal guard for now.
I was no fool, I knew full well the friction this plan would create.
"Fall in line, Guardsman." I told that man as I passed by him. He then did so with little complaint. But I could see those slight, childish behaviours once he was back in position. And, once I reached the door to that chamber of puffed-up annoyances, I straightened myself out.
Whistling over my new guard before I entered the chamber. And I walked into a world of uproar with all kinds of complaints being levelled at me. How I wasn't meant to bring soldiers into this room. Silly things like that.
"How may I help?" I asked with a smile as those Union soldiers took up positions around the chamber. Many of the councilmen went quiet, intimidated into silence by those lone, yellow eyes amidst the black.
"To think you would arrange a coup de tat over a mere criminal." one of them comments after he mustered the strength to speak despite the soldiers.
"No, this is not a coup de tat. As much as I would love one..." I answer, muttering the last bit as I hated these politicians.
"Then explain, Grand-Guard." the Stroke of High Noon asked with a small gestured.
"I have brought them in to ensure our own soldiers do not ruin the plan I have created to stop Smiling Jhurack." I answer confidently. Only to snarl when some laughter was apart of the response.
"A Worm Rider failed, how will those that drag their heels against Valkinvar defeat him!?" one of the administrators demands to know. But, the truth is, I did not know. We were painfully low on options...
"They won't, as I just said, they are here to make sure my plan goes along as it should." I start to explain before I reach out for a means to project my plan. However, as I wanted to rub it into their faces. I issued the command to do so to these men in silver armour and emerald cloth.
With a smirk, I took the controls and then displayed the key player, "A vigilante?"
"Yes, more specifically. The recently expelled osibindah student, Nin." I tell them. And, as expected, uproar filled the chamber once again.
"You would trust our safety to a bug!?" someone complained with a violently slamming of their fist.
"I trust our safety in the men who protect this city! I trust our safety in the exploitable moment this unorthodox method will create!" I clarify to them loudly.
"Using an osibindah is too far..." the Stroke of High Noon comments.
"Too far? With all due what little respect I think you all deserve. For thirty years we have tried to deal with Smiling Jhurack! Thirty years of your plans, of your ideas and your restrictions! It does not... WORK!" I tell them, yelling that last word.
"The way we uphold the law has been revolutionised under Jhurack's killing spree. Our security is renowned throughout the continent and even beyond!" one tried to argue.
"Then why is he still here?" I ask them.
"We could ask the same of you, Grand-Guard." the Stroke of High Noon counters.
"Keep trying you sleezy old man, maybe a coup de tat might come about." I snort at them before I went on with my presentation.
"So, as you were saying, Grand-Guard?" a calm administrator said as he made it clear he was actually interested in my plan. Or maybe this was just a professional courtesy? It didn't matter, I suppose.
"Smiling Jhurack has displayed a strange, unseen behaviour with Nin here. Unlike the vigilantes from before, he sought out him."
"It looks like the bug is hunting him..."
"He is, but pay attention to how Jhurack is acting, he is not going after any women like he usually does. He is going straight for our key player right here."
"So you wish to use the bug as bait?" one asks with an amused huff.
"If that is what it will take, yes. Oh, and the plan is already in motion so don't even think about stopping it with one of your pathetic votes."
"Very well, Grand-Guard... However, these actions you have taken... As said before, they are too extreme. If you want the Clockwork Council's cooperation, you will need to make a promise of resignation!"
"I don't need your approval, had I not just made that clear?" I tell him before I turn to leave. Whistling for the Union soldiers before I headed to my command centre to oversee the final developments of the plan. I even made a point of having most of my staff briefly replaced by Union technicians. I had to admit as well, they took to this with surprising ease.
"Grand-Guard Inerish, Vigilante Nin has been sighted exiting the Rising Glory Hotel." one of them informs me respectfully before they also handed me written down information.
"I could get used to this." I remark happily as I took the tablet and went through it. It wasn't much, but it detailed Nin's arrival into the city and what he had been up to. Going by where he was leaving, that meant he paid a visit to that conductor. A typical behaviour for the vengeful...
What confused me now, however, is that he wasn't doing much of note. But, he was idly standing near a debate hall for some reason. Had he been given a lead we never got? Or was this something else entirely?
"I suppose this is a good opportunity for some field work." I decide on the spot as I get up. I wouldn't be needed here until darkness fell upon the city. So, I felt it prudent to understand what I could about our key player here. I only needed to get a general idea, and, these chambers were the best place to do it.
If someone had directed him to one of those halls, they must be encouraging him to speak his thoughts. So, I suppose that meant I could direct the conversation towards that of vigilantism? I know it was a popular topic every time Smiling Jhurack came out. I could also force his inclusion into a discussion should they try to bar his entry.