4:43 PM, 3rd of April, 1989.
Location: At my apartment in France, when I desperately want to be in Vlatava…
"I'll kill that miserable bastard!" I yell.
"Calm down, this won't help anyone. Flying off the rails will only end in disaster." Fleur responded.
"I could have ended this the day I escaped, by sliding a knife into his throat!" I shout.
"I'm sure you think that would be better, but you would have been a completely different person when you came here. If you even decided to leave." She retorted.
I paused, blinking at her. Before continuing to rant. "You know what he did, don't you? Oh no, it wasn't bad enough he kills my Aunt and Uncle… you know how he got them on that plane in the first place? My Mother seated opposite them. He threw her away, as a sacrificial pawn. Like I could have been. I didn't expect him to have any emotions for the drunkard but some loyalty at least… he just keeps proving he's an even more awful human being with each twist!"
"He has called on the UN to keep you from entering his nation, because he fears you will instigate a coup." She explained. "While his actions are already under investigation, several member nations are worried that you would be used as a weapon of conquest against them."
"Dammit…" I crumpled onto my couch. "I have to do something."
"When the results on the debris are available I'll let you know. In the meantime, try to keep a cool head. I know it hurts. You cared about them, despite how little you showed it. If we find proof of wrongdoing I'm sure any public goodwill he had left will be gone. Should you choose to break faith with us however and we'll be forced to publicly cut ties." Fleur warned. "I won't condone murder for murder, but I have been called to kill in the past. If proof becomes available, you may find yourself sent in there to stamp out a tyrant. Regardless of your statement, you are still recognized as the third in line to the throne. Politics may require you to recant that statement and oust your father."
I frowned. "Go back on my word so publicly? Hard to do, or accept. Any support I had would be weakened. But I'll consider it as an option."
"In the meantime, how would you like to help us with a newly discovered smuggling operation? People smuggling to be specific, take 'Archivist' as well. The girl has spent all her time in Paris reading books. I'd like her to get a taste of arresting criminals and we both know her temporary coma spell is more than enough for any non-lethal take downs. Just keep her under your barriers… bubbleboy!" She managed to draw my public name into a teasing twist, as she grinned at my annoyance.
"Argh… fine. I'll take her under my wing and show her the ropes… just don't call me that! Okay?" I demanded, equally frustrated and amused. It is hard to hold a grudge against the superspy woman, whoever taught her psychological manipulation deserved a goddamn promotion.
She smiled and handed me the details of my next mission, following a pace behind as I stalked out of my apartment and waving with her fingertips as I flew away.
Louise was at her workshop on a military training base, some ten kilometres outside Paris. The base itself had been recently reactivated in the wake of the Chemo incident and preparation for the next major villain incident or it's aftermath.
As a frequent visitor I had my own private 'landing pad'.
I was inside the workshop within moments, the urge to act driving me to haste. A fairly bland place, a bench and some tools on the far wall and some chairs and desks that could easily be from a school classroom.
Louise jerked to look my way in surprise at the noise, since we had agreed to meet tomorrow after our display to the higher ups this morning. She slumped in relief at my face, leaning against the bench.
"Sorry. Some stuff happened. I'm going to attack and capture a gang of criminals, Fleur-de-lis suggested that you could use some experience in field work… so… care to shoot a few spells at some bad guys? I'll be providing your protection, so don't be worried."
"Can I pass?" She asked hesitantly.
"Crucial part of an enchantment?" I asked already knowing the answer is that she just isn't ready yet. I'll have to fix that, some other time. Nerves getting in the way.
"Y...yeah. Could you put the 'do not disturb' sign on the door on the way out, please? I need to concentrate some more." Nodding in response I did as she asked.
I let out a sigh as I headed toward the criminals. I guess I'm alone after all.
After silently observing the compound with my senses from the air, as dusk fell I came to the conclusion that aside from the guards, stationed at several choke points the only arms were in the main building. However I sensed a total of forty people on site, only thirteen of those either armed or in the buildings. The rest were crammed inside a cargo container… except one who was alone in a second container. Which set off all kinds of alarm bells in my head.
Outside I noted what I assumed were police officers, preparing to enter on my go ahead.
Well then, let's get this over with and see who has come to us gift wrapped.
The guards at the first gate are whip lashed by cabling lying near some tools. By the mouth I drag them together and then coil the wire around them. No real resistance is possible, I'm many times stronger than human utilising magnetic forces.
What next… ah. That guy is covered in chains and metal. Of course, Punk Rock is a big thing right now… I cold cock the other guy with his own pistol and drag the guy with way too much metal issuing a muffled scream down the street towards the police. Who jump him. He was being held aloft mostly by his clothing but also his face, nipple and genital studs and rings. His tongue and lip studs are very useful at shutting him up, I found.
Both gates taken care of, I move inwards. Nine to go.