Nothing for Anything - a Badge-Holder's Tale

Chapter Nine - The Sudden Shift

8th July, 2100 - Project A Base, Eastern Europe

Treasure was observing the picture she'd taken of the demons. If only she still had Dexter, she'd have asked him to attempt to trace their identities. But since she'd ditched the private army and the demons likely would have no presence in the Kronespeak records, she was going it alone.

She never went back to sleep when she came back. She'd been up since then, trying to get to the bottom of the mysterious figure in the grey robe. She was sitting in the canteen at a dirtied table.  She could feel herself dozing off, but she forced herself to keep going. 

"Hey, Treasure!"

Treasure jumped up, startled. Henry was standing in the doorway, carrying a box of folders.

"Have you seen Elle today?" he asked her. "Rosie asked me to give her these files."

Treasure shook her head, and sighed. "I've not seen her since the meeting."

"I heard about that", Henry looked at her, in disbelief. "You're really serious about it? Everyone else thinks you're losing your marbles."

Treasure nodded. "Yeah, I'm serious." Then she looked down at her phone, and back up at Henry. "I have evidence."

Henry laughed. "That's rich, Treasure. Good one."

Treasure beckoned him over and slid her phone across the table. "I'm not kidding."

Henry looked at her, then the phone, then her again. "No..." he said, in shock. "No...absolutely no way!"

"Now you believe me?" Treasure smirked. 

Henry was silent for a moment. He looked like he was trying to speak, but no words came out.

"Have I rendered you speechless?" Treasure said, in a mocking tone.

"I...I..." Henry stuttered as he looked at the image. "I don't get it...how..."

"I've been trying to work that out", Treasure said, pulling her phone back. "And you see that person?" She zoomed in on the image. "That's the one I saw out in the field lab."

"I can't believe I'm seeing all this", Henry shook his head. "And I can't believe what you were saying was true."

"Do you think I should find Elle and show her?" Treasure asked, putting her phone away. 

"Why not?" Henry balanced the box of folders on his knee as he fixed his coat. "I'm looking for her anyway, you can come with me." He kicked the box up and caught it. 

"She didn't seem pleased after the meeting", Treasure folded her arms and sighed. "I don't think she'll want to see me."

Henry sighed. "She's always like that, just ignore her. She'll be fine in a day or two."

"She seemed pretty upset." Treasure felt guilty. "I think I crossed the line."

"She's just petty like that. They all are." Though he didn't say it, Henry was trying to teach her a valuable lesson. But, as usual, his words went right over her head.

"No", Treasure shook her head. "She looked really upset. She probably needs her alone time-"

"You're coming, wether you like it or not", Henry grabbed her by the arm and pulled her up. "I've decided for you."

Elle was sat in her office, staring down at her laptop. She was expressionless. Even despite everything that was happening, she didn't feel anything. Yet her heart felt heavy in her chest. It was conflicting.