Inchoate Blood (CRUX I)

9. captured but alive

{Chapter 9}

"Well, well, I didn't say bring in a corpse did I?"

Arvind, the institution's vice chancellor, also my boss, eyes us with an unimpressed kind of fathom as both Eire and I lower our heads, looking at the man we were supposed to 'capture'. They did say alive, and he is- more or less.

"I- well, we had to sort a few matters out, sir" Eire tries to gulp down her fear of the strict chancellor, "And he really is still breathing so..."

Our vice chancellor laughs. "Still breathing! That's a very correct depiction of this man I assigned you on, Eire." The victim we captured has his body sprawled on the ground, a visible bullet wound on his arm.

"And Cruz, as her supervisor. The Regime Operative Institution should not take any responsibility over their trainees' damage to the public, moreover a target who was to be caught 'unharmed'. Do you expect me to turn him in to the police department, bloody and tortured?"

Urgh. This is exactly why I hate going back to work. So many rules, so many stupid chancellors, and such a waste of my fucking time. If given a choice, I would burn all police in the country and let the government give our free will to kill anyone we want to. That aside- the country would plunge into a killing arena. How sweet.

"Look, it was my fault to begin with," I finally decide to speak out for Eire, "I was trying to look further into matters without your consent and a bomb counting down left us in a hurried state. Given more time and awareness, this case should have easily been on our side."

My boss turns his head to me, not really in a nodding or understanding sort of way. "And just what urgent matters would take your priority over this assignment? Eire, I hear you entered the operative institute to graduate with a Consortium license."

"Consortium license?" Eire keeps her head bowed down, but crap that was something I told the vice chancellor myself. She would have no idea about the Consortium. "Err... not at all, sir," she hesitates, much in confusion.

"Why she entered this regiment is none of your concern, Arvind," I speak with a little authority.

Arvind raises an arched eyebrow at me, as if amazed by my defensive attitude, then looks back to Eire. "I'm allowing you both back to your chambers. Make sure not to cause any trouble though, it's quite late past midnight."

Eire nods humbly. "Thanks for your forgiveness, sir."

Then turning for the door, I am about to exit the vice chancellor's office with Eire when he calls me. "Cruz, I'd like to have a word with you tomorrow afternoon privately. Make time for it, don't be late."

"Understood." I reply. Then stopping at my path, I said, "Chancellor, the suspect isn't dead. Just an SQL injection Eire gave him on my permission. He was using a so-called 'anti-alchemic' bomb. Ever heard of it?"

Arvind didn't reply but neither did he shake his head his head in denial.

"Whatever it is, it might cause a threat to other alchemists. Eire was able to deactivate it in seconds. I'm not sure how she did but I'll look into it for my own interest."

"Keep me updated," Arvind said. "Good work for the night, Cruz."

I nod again and make my way out to the sleeping chambers with Eire awaiting my side.

"You've got so much to spill." Eire gives me a scowl, hardly even tired from all the events tonight.

"About what, the Consortium? It all started with you puncturing our target, you know," I say, rather indifferently.