Dimensional Descent

Scithe landed on the teleportation platform.

Instead of looking around toward his surroundings, he frowned for a moment and closed his eyes, slowly regaining his bearing.

Despite the fact this was a private teleportation pad in the most secretive location the organization had to offer, there were already two individuals ready to receive Scithe. Neither said a word as Scithe regained his bearings and neither did Scithe acknowledge them.

Had Leonel been there, he would have immediately recognized these two as the very same male and female pair that had branded him with the mark that now hovered over his forehead.

When Scithe finally opened his eyes, the two of them stepped forward.

"Officer Fin greets Commander."

"Officer Thorn greets Commander."

Scithe looked toward the two of them indifferently.

The title of 'Officer' was just another way of saying unranked in their organization, while these 'Officers' all referred to those above them as Commander. It was similar to how some cultures called even those unrelated to them 'Uncle' or 'Big Brother', but in this case, rather than being a polite address, it was a way of drawing a line between true members of the organization and those who weren't worthy.

"I received information that a certain Leonel Morales came through this city. You have ten minutes to get me information about his whereabouts and other pertinent information. You may leave."

Fin and Thorn froze, looking toward each other with their heads still bowed.

Scithe frowned. "What?"

He could clearly see that there was something wrong.

The male officer, Fin, looked up carefully and explained everything from start to finish.

recent information we have of him is that he has left the city. If Commander wants, we can use the

Officers hadn't put much stock in Leonel. Though they branded him, that was a matter of convenience rather than necessity. They knew well that the matter was an inconvenience to Leonel and also knew

that someone like Scithe would personally descend for someone they put no importance

heard the story, his frown couldn't help

had been hoping to keep under wraps was likely the talk

the real problem was that now Leonel's conflict with their organization was public. There was

no direct evidence, if Leonel's mysterious backing was strong enough, they might not give a damn and kill those

frown deepened, causing Thorn and Fin to break out into a cold

a while, Scithe's

as a scapegoat, why couldn't he do the

had come here personally. But, there was

who knew about his arrival. And, coincidentally, these two were the only ones with direct contact and interaction with Leonel as well. This made things as perfect and watertight as they could

spoke. "Make sure to monitor him closely, very closely. Should he show any signs of stepping out of line, don't hesitate to punish him according

an inspection on this branch for the next while. Do

Scithe walked by the two officers and disappeared down the corridor, leaving the two of them

how they were supposed to take this information. Was there a hidden meaning? Were they supposed

do..." Fin's confident sneer was nowhere to be seen. He looked more like a wounded pup who had been

"..."

silent for a long while. Clearly, she too was confused.

Commander asked about when he came to was about this Leonel character. It's clear that his goal in coming

through the private pad only used in special circumstances... It's obvious that Commander wants to use us as scapegoats... It's clear that this

had already thought of

secretly, or manage to kill him in an above board manner without bending or violating any rules, I think there's a chance we can turn this disaster into

kill him secretly. The

"... Agreed."