The Orb And The Onslaught {COMPLETE}

sredlE ruoY tcepseR

    Florence ate the evening meal they were served and managed to feed a groggy but conscious Quentin. While he ate she told him everything that had happened to her since he'd been taken. He didn't speak much and his eye was hard to look at. She finally took the opportunity to ask him what actually happened after he'd been taken.

     He began slowly, they'd taken him straight to their base and into the room she'd found him in. They asked question after question about the plane landing and who he was, who he worked for and what he was doing there. When he didn't give them the answers they wanted, they beat him. He tapered off after that and fell silent, Florence was extremely worried about him and hoped this wouldn't leave any lasting damage on him emotionally. She left him to his thoughts and they finished eating in near silence, though the cats had a few sympathetic meows for Quentin. 

     Agnes returned almost an hour after they'd finished, she looked quite satisfied. Her hair was fixed into a grey braid down her back and she looked very authoritative. 

"I have everything you need," she handed Florence a pile of documents. "I kept your names as they are, believe me it's easier to keep up the charade if you are yourself. But now you have permission to be in Swynmead on official business, if anyone does question your papers, they're people you should get away from sharpish." 

     Agnes sat down opposite them at the table, her female entourage were each carrying an array of gadgets but Agnes didn't explain those immediately. 

"Swynmead is just as corrupt as it ever was, so be very careful who you talk to. Do you remember that time we got lost in Central and had to run for six fields just to get out of sight of those upper class scoundrels?" 

     A memory flashed through Florence's mind and her heart raced at the feelings it dredged up. 

"I do now, oh that was a long time ago... but I understand what we're heading into. I don't know how you managed all of this so quickly but thank you." 

   Agnes inclined her head to the thank you, though she didn't seem about to explain how she did it all. Florence stowed the documents in her bag, she could look at them on the drive to the border of Swynmead. Agnes had commented that the Cantercraft would be great for their cover, so long as the owner didn't see it. 

     That should have worried Florence but she was too busy wondering where the clue might be, the supplies and help the Harbingers had given would only go so far. They would have to wing it and see where it took them. Florence didn't want to delay the trip any longer because of uncertainty, if she did that she'd never get anything done. 

"Oh and I have a few other things to help with your cover," Agnes stated suddenly and the moment she spoke, the two women placed the gadgets on the table in front of Florence and Quentin. 

     Quentin's eye widened a fraction when he looked at them and he winced. Florence knew from his reaction they must be hi-tech and of interest, but to Florence they just looked like shiny metal junk. 

"I'm assuming you know what these are?"

    Agnes directed her question to Quentin and she gave him a knowing smile. 

Quentin nodded, "They're the latest intelphones and nanodrones from Sawoltech. I've only seen pictures on the interconnection but they're supposed to be available only in Swynmead and for a very high price." 

    Florence felt a little dazed, she didn't understand anything he said and when she made it known, Agnes laughed. 

"I wouldn't understand it either if I hadn't had years of being taught all about each piece of tech I would use, you'll learn too with time and practice."