Binding Fate

It's Zombie Time

Director Raymond did not look happy; his eyes held a stern glare, his jaws were clenched, and he was clutching a pen as if he were trying to choke information out of it. He had just briefed everyone about the current situation: Prince Eric Renard of the Kronenberg Royal Family of Vienna was on his way to Portland. The director had ordered that Eric's plane was to be tracked as soon as it entered American airspace.

It was evident that Raymond disliked the situation even more since a Royal was arriving just months after Darkspire had started pushing even more of its resources into Portland. He had contacted his Watcher colleagues in the FBI, CIA, NSA, and other federal agencies; they'd need to have their eyes peeled if the Royals were connected to Darkspire.

Raymond was deep in thought when the call from his secretary came in, informing him that the organization officers were assembled for the meeting he had scheduled. Raymond abruptly got up and made his way to the conference room. There he was greeted by Agents Knights and Goodward, both of the Donovans, Nick Burkhardt, and four other senior agents.

"Well, I believe that you all are aware that the matter at hand has just become more serious."

Everyone in the room nodded with direness; they each had been told about the new complication over the phone.

"As you all know, Prince Eric Renard of the Kronenburg Royal Family is on his way to Portland. Now with our recent developments with the Darkspire, I want to know if the two are connected, which is why until we know they aren't, we'll proceed as if they are"

"I just got a message from Hank Griffin, says that Eric Renard is planning on paying a visit to his brother, my former captain. I could visit him myself, see what he's up to." Said Nick, knowing the direness of the situation.

"No need, Sean Renard is already under surveillance. You can go in if that doesn't pan out."

Veronica raised her hand.

"Sir, how will this affect  my assignment  concerning Captain Renard?"

"Consider it on hold until further notice."

. . .

Hank was staring at the crime, silently pondering over whether he should call Nick or figure this out on his own. Nick had told him that the captain's brother was on his way to Portland for the Key over the phone, asked him to keep an eye on Renard. He had received a call about a homicide that started as a domestic violence alert, Wu and Franco were the first to arrive. After arriving they had gotten into a physical confrontation with the suspect resulting in the suspect's death. The victim showed no signs of any visible trauma, however, she had some sort of green substance leaking from her nose.

"Quite a time for Nick to not be with us anymore isn't it."

Hank turned to see Captain Renard standing in the doorway.

"Weird things are pretty popular these days, Captain," replied Hank with a neutral, but subtly cool, tone. "this is Portland after all."

"I don't suppose that there's a way I can convince you to help me bring Nick back into the department."

Hank stiffed, he understood that, to the captain, Nick, as a Grimm, was an invaluable asset against the Royals, but the seasoned investigator got the sense that Renard had other plans for his old partner as well.

"Nick seemed to have made up his mind the last time I saw him; in fact, he was adamant about his choice."

"If you ask me, his decision was negligent of his obligations to the department and his friends." coldly responded Renard.

Hank surveyed his superior carefully; he knew the bastard prince sought to use Nick as a strategic advantage, but he was acting as if he held some sort of ownership over the Grimm.

Meanwhile, the two law enforcement officers were being watched and with their new adversary came the fight for the very safety of their city.
...
Dorian drew his attention away from the Royal and on to the Cracher-Mortel. Dorian was aware of Prince Eric's unexpected arrival to the city, with a Wesen with the powers and reputation such as the Baron's being here before Eric's trip couldn't have been a coincidence. The Watcher frantically began to dial his director.