Chapter 96
Flange Orphanage, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2031, Planet: Grimoire
With the combined manpower of Denby's team, Darmono, Brinton, and his team working together, everything looked as normal as before the intruders arrived. As Darmono looked around, he frowned. "This is too clean," he decided. We need to leave some traces of them having done something throughout the hours."
There was some discussion before deciding what equipment to leave scattered around. The new scenario worked in suggesting that work had been done.
Denby objected. "No leaving anything behind that would allow hazardous material to filter into the water below." That was his primary concern. "If that happens, my team will suffer considerably."
Oh, right. Their lives and reputations were on the line if that happened. "Fine," Darmono ensured that the materials were confiscated, and nothing was overlooked. Now hurry up and get behind something that won't alert them to our presence." The last thing he wanted was for their covers to be blown if this sting operation was to succeed.
Darmono sighed as he leaned between two thick tree trunks and a large pile of rocks. Now, they could comfortably watch the real culprits try and figure out what happened.
Darmono was curious about what they would think of this whole ruse, how they would resolve the puzzle of nothing having been actually accomplished, and how they would play right into the trap prepared for them.
That was the plan anyway, though Darmono wasn't sure if it would work as the ones who'd created the trap expected. I hope they have a backup plan if this scenario doesn't work. All he wanted to do was hurry back to his quarters and get some much-needed rest. After all, it was back to the frontlines for Darmono and his units once this was over. It wasn't ideal, but there was nothing else he could do right now.
Unease rippled through everyone when an unsettling and openly hostile group approached the orchard. The faces of the group members didn't shock Darmono as much as they did others who were observing.
~*~
There were six people there, two women and four men. Of that group, only two were part of the Flange Orphanage employees, Granville Torrent, and an orchard specialist, Lula Cross. Neither one of them was pleased with this development. As far as Lula knew, It wasn't part of the original plan either.
As for the others, they were just rich people with too much idle time on their hands and weird ways to invest their funds.
One of those people finally clarified their intent when coming to this place. "When do you think the poison will take effect, Torrent?" One of the people present demanded.
"I haven't the slightest clue, Turan," Torrent shrugged. "I'm not an expert in this type of thing. Ask Lula Cross." He indicated the woman to his left. "She should be able to answer."
Lula didn't care for the implications of what was happening right now.
"Well, what is your opinion, Ms. Cross?" Turan sneered.
Arrogant bastard, she scowled inwardly. "I'll have to look around," Lula commented curtly. "Don't rush me, amateur." She snarled over her shoulder.
"Where did you find such a rude woman?" Turan turned to stare coldly at Lula's back. "I hope you did get a second opinion after you hired her." He snapped at Torrent. "There's no telling what might happen if she fails to do her job properly."
Granville Torrent snorted. "She knows what her job is," he informed Turan rather testily. "It is you who are making unreasonable demands on us." Torrent folded his arms. Give her time to survey. This is quite a large amount of land."
Well, what do you know? Someone got smart and put an end to the nasty little plot that was brewed. Lula Cross was surveying the orchard with an amazed expression and no little regret. "I think there has been extensive work done here as per your orders." She walked around the spacious acreage, shaking her head in shock. Luckily, they left enough evidence to convict these assholes. Finally, we can eliminate the two menaces that want to destroy the Orphanage and the land it sits on.
Turan watched her suspiciously. "What does that mean?"
"Only time will tell," Lula Cross shrugged. "If it was properly placed into the trees' roots and soil layered over the underground water..." She sighed. "I'd give it twenty-four hours before checking to see if anything happens to the trees themselves." Lula looked around. "If you were to place a curse here, the disintegration and decay would reduce the time by at least twelve or more hours." She shrugged. "if you have the money to do so."
Turan grunted in disgust and glanced at Granville.
"No, I have no funds for that undertaking." Torrent immediately refused to even consider doing such a thing. "I'm under suspicion right now for everything I have managed to accomplish." A sigh escaped him. "it is up to you and your crew to start putting some money into this now."
Turan glanced at the others who'd remained silent until now. "Well, you heard both of them. Now is the time when you make the final decision." He shrugged. "You'll have to give up a luxury item that is only produced once every couple of years...or lose what little control you have over the merchant teams not contracted to Lamberton."
Lula knew that wouldn't happen. He'd picked the wrong people to threaten. She signaled to the undercover team that it was past time for them to make an arrest.
If Lula wasn't mistaken, soon, a storm would hit with much-needed rain. It would cool off the Pacific coast area, from the north to the south and everywhere in between. While that might mess with some places, it should also help put out the fires raging along that coastal mountain range and in the deserts.
~*~
Darmono caught the subtle single and almost snorted. Well, well, what do you know? It looks like Granville Torrent and that creep. Turan hadn't counted on the orchard specialist blowing the whistle on them. Lula Cross clearly knew what not to trust, and it was those two sleazebags.
Now, we can see what else played out amongst those investors.
Low murmurs erupted amongst the group of men and women. They were potential investors who clearly weren't keen on further resource wasting, especially now that they saw what was going to be destroyed.
Many of them recognized the trees for the precious treasures that they were. In fact, they were the primary buyers of that fruit crop, which, when appropriately processed, became the source of many liquids, jellies, and prime deserts. Yet now, someone proposed to destroy it? Oh my, what a predicament indeed.
Darmono couldn't believe the greed in their eyes as they calculated what was better to invest in. However, he waited patiently to see what happened before making a move against them.
"We're not going to invest in a dark mage, much less curses." Two men and one woman informed Turan, to his shock. "In fact, we're arresting the group of you for treason against the Republic of Shantu. Along with charges of instigating conflict, human trafficking, and illegal conscription of minors into slave labor." The list went on, much to Darmono's shocked amusement. He had to wonder if Lamberton knew about any of this. Seeing the smirk of satisfaction, Darmono was confirmed in his suspicions.
One of the men glanced around. "Commander Darmono, Officer Brinton, and Merchant Lamberton," His voice raised slightly. "I require your presence to confirm this arrest as official since they've violated several regulations spread across a broad spectrum of sectors."
Well, that definitely blew their covers. Darmono sighed. "Very well," He strolled from where he'd remained concealed the entire time.
Not long after he left, Lamberton and then Brinton followed somewhat reluctantly. It occurred to Darmono that Brinton seemed suspicious of the one who'd called them out. What did he suspect would happen now?
It turned out that Turan had no intention of letting anyone escape from there alive. He produced something that had an evil glow and worse stench. "Since you all think I'm a fool, I'll ensure that none of you leave this place with your mental states intact!" He roared furiously.
Only to have the thing shatter into his face right when Turan meant to activate it.
Lula was looking into the far end of the orchard. "Yes, it helps to have someone who can master all the elements, including the dark one." She had her arms folded across her chest. "Thank you, Mr. Tinroy, for your timely interference."
Darmono's eyebrows rose when he glanced over his shoulder. "Goodness, he is proactive regarding this orchard and other parts of the Orphanage." He'd never seen such initiative before in his life.
Grifton was standing in silhouette enough for them to see his height but nothing else. He wouldn't give them enough of an appearance to make his life hell later on.
Smart boy. Darmono smiled in appreciation. Brinton hadn't wanted to go near Turan and the others. He'd been forewarned, probably by Grifton, that something was amiss.
Now, take advantage of this opportunity to capture the big-fish saboteurs. Darmono and the others did indeed arrest the individuals, Turan and Torrent being the worst offenders.
Darmono glanced at Lula in bafflement. "Why did you put your reputation on the line for this operation?"
Lula Cross was the single person who wasn't arrested because she'd been the one to sound off an alarm. "They were going to ambush Team Manager Denby and his members and kill them after ensuring that they were framed as the saboteurs."
Her reasoning was sound, but it didn't explain all the extra effort she'd put into the digging.
"So, what else made you do this?" Lamberton inquired.
Lula sighed. "Tinroy's mother was my best friend." She folded her arms. "Not to mention a stepsister." Her eyes were cold when she glanced at Lamberton. "I'm planning to adopt all four Tinroy cousins in a few months. I wish to offer them a better life." Lula shrugged. "If everything works out, that is."
Which explained her efforts to make this operation a success. Darmono understood.
That was why once she managed to get the specifics of the planned sabotage, Lula hadn't stopped digging until she found the names and appearances of the main ones responsible for recruiting the small fries to do the dirty work.
"Congratulations, you at least succeeded in removing the main root of corruption from the Orphanage," Darmono told Lula. "I hope everything else goes as planned." He was cautious and said nothing more because he didn't want to jinx her future success.