Nix Terra

The Vaults - 7

 "Release him!" Lavender commanded.

"Miss Necros, how did you get in here?" The chief of police asked.

"I showed the guards my credentials. Now let Mr. Gesly go free. He's an innocent man."

"I cannot," the chief responded. "The commander in chief wants him sent to Bellum. It's not every day we get an Agent of D.C. dropped off on our doorstep. He will be taken in for questioning."

"But he's innocent. He left the D.C.s and he's only trying to help us," Lavender pleaded.

"Time will tell, Miss Necros. For now matters have to be attended to. He's going to Bellum to speak for his organization. If he's deemed innocent, he will be released. It's a matter of public safety, Miss Necros, I do hope you understand."

"With all due respect, Sheriff," Lavender began, "I promised this man that I would protect him. He is locked up in a cage, that is by no means protected."

"He will be safe from the Agents, if that's what you are worried about. And if he's as innocent as you say he is then he will be safe from the United Mage Republic too." The chief of police put a hand on Lavender's shoulder. "Rest easy, soldier. The situation is being handled."

Corey had a pained look in his eyes, "Lavender, please, you have to help my wife. My son..."

"I won't go back on my word."

"And if he is worthy of your word, you won't have to," the chief responded curtly. "Stand down, soldier."

Lavender let out a long sigh, "Okay. Corey, you're in capable hands. After this situation is dealt with, I will come to Bellum to see that you are treated fairly. For now I'll try to ensure these bombs don't detonate and that your family is safe."

"Thank you, Lavender," Corey sighed. "I really do hope no one gets hurt."

"Me too."

An officer escorted Lavender out of the station, where she met back up with Finnikin. "They have Corey in there. The UMR is taking him to Bellum for interrogation and a potential trial for war related crimes."

"Oh..." Finnikin frowned.

"There's nothing we can do to help him at the moment," Lavender said. "Right now all we can do is make sure the bombs do not detonate and that Corey's family is safe."

Finnikin nodded, "That, I can understand and do. Let's continue on to the communications center so you can call your superior and address the situation."

"Are you still going to ask about your punishment?"

"Yes," Lavender responded, "But my main concern is giving Corey the benefit of the doubt since he has helped us so much."

Finnikin nodded and then led the way to the communications hub. He held the door for Lavender, who immediately dashed to a wall phone. She spun the dial and muttered something about outdated technology.

The phone rang three times, and then someone picked up the line. "Hello? Who is this and what is the nature of your call?"

"Lavender Necros calling for a follow up on the letter I received today from the UMR."

"Ah, yes, Miss Necros. The situation is being dealt with. We have bomb squads being sent to all the locations listed on Mr. Gesly's map, accompanied by troops in case there is some sort of trap. We have taken every precaution, I can assure you," the Bellum military official said.

"Thank you," Lavender responded. "I would like to make a request that Corey Gesly be treated fairly. I gave him my word that I would protect him, and I do not intend to go back on that word. Also, I request to know what my punishment is for going against protocol."

"Miss Necros, Mr. Gesly will get the fairest trial possible, and I will ensure that there is no cruel or unusual means of getting information from him. As for your punishment, you've been assigned to stay in Nixta for another year to guard the textile vaults."

Lavender let a sigh escape her lips. She had imagined a much worse punishment. But with Corey Gesly safe and her job secure, she could truly rest easy. The militants of Bellum were handling the bomb situation and soon enough Lavender would be able to contact the Gesly family to get them safely into the Below, so that Corey could be reunited with them upon his release..

"Thank you for the information, Sir." Lavender exchanged a few more words with her superior before hanging up.

Finnikin's eyes were wide and hopeful, "What did they say?"

"Corey will be treated fairly and my punishment for breaking the rules is to stay in Nixta for a year," Lavender responded. "I'll be doing the same job as usual... Guarding the vaults."

"That's good right?" Finnikin asked.

Lavender pursed her lips together for a moment. She debated whether being kept away from her favorite city in the Below was good or not. Looking at Finnikin's face, however, she knew the answer. "Yes. Being here in Nixta is good."

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