The Fox, Red

095 - Sometimes The Best Thing Is To Relax

I spend my days pouring over the journals that were left behind. I've gone through them all and have been going through them again looking for any small detail that I may have missed. I've already passed along the information for finding this castle that I saw in my dream. I gave my followers all the information that I had including an attempt to recreate the tapestry that I saw with the map on it. The only thing they've been able to come up with so far is that they are certain that it is not located in the United States. They've begun expanding their search into Europe and Asia hoping that it's one of the old castles still standing.

They've also assured me that if they find it, they have a way to get me there with as few issues as possible. Essentially, they're going to smuggle me into another country. They know what they need to do.

As I sit at the desk I look over the journals one more time. I've dove into them three or four times now but I keep seeing the same thing. I'm not finding anything new. But that doesn't mean that today is going to be boring. I hear a commotion in the main entryway. A few people are being rather demanding. The rats from the church are standing up against two german shepherds. I can't hear what they are saying but they are not happy. I send out a ping to identify who they are. To my surprise, they're armed and in uniform. My followers are doing their best to keep them back. I'll need to intervene before this gets bad.

I stand up from the desk heading to the door to the office. I walk through to hear the voices a clearer. They all seem quite upset but my people are doing their best to keep their cool. The conversation grinds to a halt as I turn the corner. The two standing there are MPs. Their helmet and armbands are glaringly obvious.

I keep a friendly smile on my face as I approach the group. The two MPs do not look happy to see me but I've never seen a happy MP in my life. The two followers step aside to let me through. They both do their best to treat me reverently as one speaks up, "Sir, these people are here to speak with you but I fear their intentions are... not on that level." I just nod as I address the men, "What can I help you two with?"

"Red Welch, we are here because you are being charged and court-martialed."

"For what?"

"For sharing confidential information with non-authorized parties."

"For me to be court-martialed, don't I have to be an active, reserve, or discharged service member?"

"Yes."

I got 'em! "Well, I am not an active, a reservist, or a discharged service member. In fact, according to the United States Government, I don't exist anymore."

If they move forward with this, then someone somewhere had to admit that I was not scrubbed from every record and that I was denied assistance as a service member in need meaning that everything that happened to me from Havana onward is someone's misconduct. If they decide not to pursue this further, then I walk away. They both look conflicted but I know they have their orders. But there is also one more issue. I have been using this church as a place of amnesty. They can attempt to remove me from it and end up breaking military law themselves.

One takes one step forward. Both of the rats to my sidestep between him and myself. His partner moves to unholster his weapon. "Everyone knock it off!" I'm not worried about anyone doing anything but I detest that these two walked in thinking they can bully their way into anything while not knowing anything. I'll bet this is like the military base where they never told them anything.

I'm not in the mood to play around either. I drop the illusion on my tails to show these idiots that I'm not here to be messed with. The sudden appearance causes both of these dogs to step back. "They sent you two to deal with me but I'll bet they never told you what you were dealing with or the real danger that they put you in. I don't want to be bothered. I just want magic users to not have to live like they currently do. Instead of sending you to try and intimidate me, why doesn't whoever sent you come find me themselves? Take that message back with you."