Nix Terra

The Vaults - 10

 "Lavender? Oh thank God, you're okay!" A familiar voice was saying. "I was so worried."

Lavender blinked a few times, expecting a ringing headache. There was nothing, though. Whatever pain she must have been feeling was gone thanks to healing magic.

"Finn?" Lavender asked quietly. She sat up and looked around, seeing she was in Nixta's small medical unit that was attached to the police station.

"Yeah?"

"Did they get away?"

"Yes..."

"I tried so hard..." Lavender groaned. She rubbed her face, then remembered the last words she had heard before passing out. "Finn! The humans- they're going to put the bombs in the textile shipments! We need to tell my superior immediately!"

A woman appeared in the doorway, "Miss Necros? You have a call on the main line."

Lavender's gut told her exactly who it was. "Just in time. I have important information to give him." She got up and went to the phone, and sure enough, her boss was on the other end.

"Miss Necros?"

"Yes. I have some crucial facts about the case at hand-"

A sigh came from the other line, "Miss Necros, you're being discharged. Please turn in your badge and pins to the local police chief, he will send it all to Bellum."

"What? Why?"

"You abandoned your post at the textile vaults, went against protocol, and faced a group of dangerous humans without backup. Your actions are inexcusable, and for those reasons, you must resign."

Lavender gripped the phone like it was her lifeline, and it very well could be. "I didn't abandon my post- I called in for a substitute. That's completely within the bounds of my job-"

"Miss Necros, if you would excuse me, I have a meeting to attend."

Lavender practically shouted into the phone, "No. You have to listen to me. The Agents of D.C. are planning to put bombs in those textile shipments. They're going all around the Below. Millions of lives are in danger."

There was a pause, and then her boss responded, "I will take that into consideration. Thank you for your help, civilian. Now turn in your credentials to the chief." The line went dead.

"No..." Lavender's voice cracked. "This can't be happening."

"Lavender?" Finnikin asked, approaching and putting a hand on her shoulder. "What did he say?"

"Does it even matter? The entire Below is going to be destroyed and he's not doing anything about it- I'm being discharged, this entire situation is just... Hell." Lavender slammed the phone down onto the receiver, causing Finnikin to flinch. "Sorry..."

"No..." Finnikin said. "I'm sorry this happened to you." He wrapped his arms around Lavender and pulled her into a comforting bear hug.

She leaned away for a moment, not feeling much for anything, then she found herself returning the hug and burying her face in the Belli parka he was wearing. "What if they don't do anything? What if everyone dies and there's nothing I can do about it?"

"They did something last time and they will do something this time. Things aren't always going to go the way you want to go, but the United Mage Republic isn't full of idiots. They will figure it out," Finnikin assured her.

"Thanks, Finn." Lavender wiped her face and backed away from the hug. "I'm going to petition to keep my credentials... But I'm still worried about the Agents. I truly do believe the UMR can handle it but... I want to be a part of that, I want to protect those people."

"You'll get your chance."

The phone rang again; Lavender looked up for the nurse to answer it, but she was nowhere to be found. After letting the phone ring a few more times, Lavender opted to answer it. "Hello?"

"Lavender? Is this Lavender Necros?" A breathy voice asked on the phone.

"Why?" Lavender responded carefully, "Who is this?"

"I need to speak with her immediately. This is Mrs. Dianna Gesly."

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