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09 SEP 33AE
Los Angeles, California
From where they were perched on the rooftop of the two-story building across the street, it looked like any ordinary desolate warehouse in the middle of LA's industrial district. But Camilla knew looks could be deceiving, so she did her due diligence and infused her energy with the building's structure, then with the air within. A quick scan for heat sources and large cell-based bodies showed there was no one inside, but that only told the story of what was above ground.
"Hostiles?" Lee's voice asked quietly from behind her.
"None yet," Camilla replied. "Checking underground now."
She infused her energy with the floor of the warehouse, then to the atmosphere beneath it. After checking that the basement floor was empty, Camilla tried to go deeper, but all that was left was solid concrete and dirt.
"Nothing in the two floors above ground, nor in the one floor underground," Camilla reported to Lee.
"Damnit," Lee muttered, then spoke on her comms. "Perez, Olomana, Pala, building is clear, but do a sweep for good measure."
"Roger," Perez's voice replied, and Camilla spotted the three rushing in the warehouse from their hideout around the corner of an adjacent building.
Camilla had kept her energy in the warehouse and was monitoring the situation when Lee spoke up again.
"What are you thinking, Wyatt?" she asked.
Lee had been asking Camilla that question a lot lately, ever since they returned from Hawaii and were assigned to Exodos-related cases just like everyone else. Camilla didn't know what Lee's motives were, but she always answered the question truthfully regardless.
"If this was the only false lead we've gotten, I'd think it was just a prank or someone trying to make money for calling into the hotline," Camilla said. "But not only is this the dozenth false tip we've gotten today, but every single one has been called in perfectly timed so that we're running to the opposite sides of the city. I don't know if the other squads are having the same issues, but I think we're getting intentionally worn out."
Lee only looked at Camilla for a few seconds before nodding.
"I agree with your analysis," she said. "This works out too well for it to be a coincidence."
There was a brief pause, and then Lee continued.
"What would you recommend we do?" Lee asked.
"I would follow whatever the Org tells us to do," Camilla said automatically.
"And if they weren't around?" Lee added. "If you were the highest ranking person available? Hypothetically, of course."
As confused as Camilla felt, she did her best to keep her true feelings from showing on her face. For all she knew, Lee was testing her reaction on behalf of the Org upper management, and under no circumstances could Camilla fail.
"I would send the minimal number of personnel out to respond to the reports, and have them be restricted to specific neighborhoods," Camilla responded after a brief pause. "Everyone else would remain on standby at Base until a legitimate report comes in, or if the roving squads need a shift change. If the reports don't mention ongoing violent crimes, it's unlikely that the criminals would suddenly start acting up before our people arrive.
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Triple Point
Science FictionTargeted by superpowered terrorists, an actress is protected by the government's strongest guardian--the same woman who broke her heart two years ago. ☆ Elsie Bates won't deny that she's made a few enemies during her fifteen-year acting career, but...
