Zia rubbed her tired eyes as she stepped into The Courthouse's lobby. "Slow day, huh?" Besides her, Elizabeth, and Kashif there wasn't a soul there. "Though, then again, that isn't exactly surprising."
"Did Aeron's fall really cause all this?" she overheard Elizabeth mutter, "It's like the Bureau has ground to a halt."
"That's what happens when the one in charge screws up and gets himself damned," a grizzled voice groaned from behind the reception desk. Zia could smell the alcohol on his breath wafting throughout the room. "Oh, it's just you guys," he continued when he finally surfaced from a pile of disorganized books and files.
"Malcolm, right?"
"You know about me?" he grunted between hiccups.
"Yeah," Zia continued, "Aeron mentioned you once or twice during his last assignment."
"Oh," Malcolm said as he downed another shot. "I figured that'd be the case. That asshole always was bad-mouthing me behind my back."
"Seems like he took the news pretty hard." Aeron wasn't a good person by any means, but it seemed like he had a few people who actually cared about him here.
"Jeremy already told me that you three were coming. On the way up make sure you stop by the lab."
"The lab?" Zia wondered, "Why?"
"I've got no idea, I'm just the greeter."
"Fair enough." With that, she headed to the elevator.
"This place seems a lot gloomier than before," Elizabeth added as they piled inside. There was a crushing feeling of hopelessness hanging over the entire complex.
"It's to be expected, considering that they're currently stuck in the middle of a massive scandal," Kashif said. As the elevator slowly spun to life, Zia found her hand resting upon a familiar gadget.
"Aeron's gavel." She still hadn't gotten around to getting rid of it. Considering what happened, maybe she'd never be able to. "This is a reminder of my failure," she thought as she gripped the device's handle right as the doors opened.
"If it isn't Ms. Lombardi and friends," a familiar voice spoke as they walked into the hallway, "Man… you guys look like you've seen better days."
"I could say the same to you, Mr. Knight," Elizabeth responded in an empathetic tone. The Bureau's head operator appeared to be a mere shell of his former self. His usual constant peppiness was nowhere to be seen, and bordering his eyes were a pair of dark circles.
"I'm glad to see you didn't leave your snark behind on Earth, Ms. Green."
"He's just like Malcolm." Zia sighed as she awkwardly followed the man. In this entire organization, he was probably the one Aeron was closest to. "So, Mr. Knight, do you mind telling me why I was ordered here?" If she couldn't cheer him up, she could at least distract him with his work.
"Ah, yes," Jeremy said as his gaze shifted to her side, "You've got to get that thing registered; you're its new owner, after all."
"Why in God's name does the Bureau want me to do that?" Zia asked as she handed Jeremy the weapon.
"I don't know. I assume that's what the Minister summoned you for." This situation just kept getting more and more confusing.
"Perhaps they want to keep a record of it since you were forced to use it when we were fighting those kelpies," Kashif suggested.
"Maybe." None of them knew for sure.
"The Council has been wary of the judges ever since Aeron went rogue. And—considering that you're technically an outsider—they're likely just being cautious."
"Is that really all this is?" She couldn't believe that.
"Can't help you there." Jeremy shrugged. "Now, let's get this out of the way." It didn't take long before they arrived at the main development floor. Everyone was scurrying around like hungry rodents—no doubt being forced into overtime thanks to the Minister's orders.
"Another registration?" one poor soul groaned. "Just place it on that table over there."
"New recruits?" Zia wondered out loud as she stared at the giant pile of weaponry.
"No," Jeremy started with a frown, "It's a protest."
"Protest?" She wanted to ask him to elaborate, but they simply didn't have the time.
"This way," he said, leading them to his desk at the end of the lab. Resting upon the tabletop was a small, gilded object—a mechanism designed for playing simple holographic messages.
"Figures that the Council sent me a recording instead of coming down here themselves." They were the ones who called her here in the first place!
"You should cut them some slack. Those old Cherubs are wading through a storm right now."
"I never thought I'd hear you, of all people, defending those idiots," Elizabeth said.
"Well… what can I say? People change." Even if Jeremy was only a lowly janitor, he'd still be able to feel the shift in the Bureau's tone.
"Heh, we'll see about that."
"Anyways, my bosses aside, this should answer most of your questions," Jeremy said as he popped the projector open. Instantly, the Minister's recorded visage shimmered into view.
"Ah, so it's working?" the message started, it looked like Beurt was still having trouble maintaining his technology—just like always.
"Hmm," Zia thought as she pursed her lips. "He looks even worse than before." It appeared that all of the Bureau's brass were falling apart at the seams.
"Ms. Lombardi, if you're there, allow me to once again extend my deepest gratitude for informing us of Mr. Weber's betrayal. I'm sure it was hard for you and your subordinates. Note that I plan on sending your constituents further relief as thanks; however, I regret to inform you that the Bureau must further request your services."
"Relief?" Elizabeth thought as she turned to Jeremy, who shrugged. They expected a reward, but, knowing the Council, all of them thought it'd be humbler in nature.
"Beurt must really need your help bad, huh?"
"Quiet," Zia told their nosy guide, "I'm trying to listen."
"It's been a few days, but I'm sure someone like you has noticed the… concerning personnel problems we've been experiencing."
"He can't mean the—" Zia thought as her gaze wandered back to the pile of gavels. "The judges… they're scared! You people are terrified!" It was a horrible situation, but she couldn't help but laugh at the irony of it all.
"Aeron—the man who practically spearheaded this organization for centuries—was abandoned by the Almighty. What do you think these poor saps, who've barely even started their terms, think about their chances now?"
"The rookies don't want to risk damnation now that they know their creator won't cover for them, is that it?" Elizabeth realized as the recording continued.
"Therefore, to help cover some of the more menial tasks, I and the Council wish to form a contract with the Buried Council."
"The Giants? Well, I guess they're the only ones left, right?" The Drakes were stuck in Purgatory, the Angels had their hands tied in Paradise, and the Demons were… Demons.
"As expected from one of the summit's prodigies, she understands the situation perfectly," Jeremy thought with a smile.
"In return for an increase in your district's allotted budget, as well as the chance for personal promotion, I ask that you pay a visit to the Buried Council's representative."
"Here's his file," Jeremy said, "Though I believe you two have already met."
"It has to be Mapp." She didn't even bother looking at the documents.
"We don't really care what you say to get the point across, but it's integral that you ensure the Giants' cooperation." The fact that the Minister was saying this blew their collective minds. The man, after all, was known for his staunch morals and strict religious code. Though, with Aeron's fall, all that likely flew out the window.
"There you have it," Jeremy told her as the recording stopped. "So, are you going to accept the job?"
"I feel uneasy about doing the Bureau's dirty work, but the incentives definitely make it worth considering." This could be the break she was waiting for.
"Hmph. You'd have to be a saint to not be swayed by that much profit."
"Respectfully, Mr. Knight, keep those comments to yourself."
"Sorry, sorry," he apologized as one of his assistants gave him a small wave. "Looks like they finished the paperwork for your gavel. Now, all we need is your signature and you should be good to go."
"That was fast." The Courthouse was infamous for its long wait times. Did they move her up the list for some reason?
"Now you should be able to use it without any backlash from upstairs."
"Don't say that as if it's a good thing."
"Cheer up, Ms. Lombardi! At the very least a gavel will make our jobs easier!" Elizabeth joked in an obvious attempt to lighten the mood.
"I agree," Kashif added. "If there's one lesson that storm of death taught us, it's that we're woefully outclassed when it comes to raw power." All the strategies in the world wouldn't help them if they ever ran across monstrosities like kelpies again. "Please, as your bodyguard, I think taking on a little extra protection would be a good idea."
"Good grief, even my subordinates are paranoid." That said, after he was assaulted by Aeron back in Atlantis, she couldn't blame Kashif for feeling that way. With both of her aides practically begging her to take the weapon it didn't take long for her signature to find its way into the Bureau's records. "So… is this it?" she asked Jeremy. "The gavel's mine? Just like that? Isn't there a required training regimen or something?"
"You mean what the recruits go through? You don't need it."
"I don't?" She wanted to ask more questions, but they were short on time.
"C'mon," Jeremy said as he motioned for them to follow, "I'll explain the rest on the way to the bridge." As they hastened through The Courthouse's winding maze of hallways, Jeremy found himself staring at his guests' backs. "Aeron gave you his gavel of his own free will. Like it or not, you've got natural talent." The sort of person who'd earn the Templar's trust wasn't someone they'd waste slaving away in some boot camp. "I look forward to seeing you grow, Zia Lombardi."