Jade, still processing the Director’s unexpected directive, quickly tidied up her workspace before heading towards the debrief room. Her footsteps were hastened by the sudden wail of the red alarm--a sound that usually spelled urgency.
This time, however, her name wasn’t among those called.
Hearing other names instead, she allowed herself a small sigh of relief.
Upon reaching the debrief room, she was greeted by Victoria, who added a layer of solemnity to the brief respite she was about to take. "We will come to collect you in a few days.
Enjoy it and make sure to cherish the time you have," Victoria advised, her tone hinting at the uncertainty ahead.
"In the coming months, we have no idea how bad things can get."
Jade, caught between exhaustion and the weight of Victoria’s words, wondered about the logistics of her sudden departure.
"Do they even know I’m coming in?" she asked, the thought of her fabricated family and how this surprise might unfold for them.
Victoria assured her with a nod, "We’ve forged some messages so they will be picking you up at your town’s airport, and it will look like you just got off. We have a suitcase for you and everything."
For the next three days, Jade visited family and made memories she would carry for the rest of her life. It was a small miracle she had never expected. To read this side story please look out for the side story releasing later this year.
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Upon reappearing in the briefing room with the cross firmly in hand, Jade was greeted by the butler. With a warm smile, she passed the cross to him. He acknowledged the exchange with a respectful bow before departing.
Shortly after, Victoria entered, her presence commanding yet composed. "How was the visit?" she inquired, her voice steady.
"It was good," Jade responded, contentment and nostalgia softening her smile. "I saw a familiar face, which was nice. Managed to say some heartfelt goodbyes. I’m hopeful we’ll cross paths again before long."
Victoria nodded, her expression neutral. "Good to hear," she replied. "Before you resume your work, please leave the suitcase in here. We’ll take care of it. Then, when you’re ready, your lab awaits your return."
Jade nodded at Victoria’s instructions and exited the room. Tyree waited in the hallway.
As Jade stepped out of the briefing room, the sight of Tyree, now back to full strength, caught her off guard. He greeted her with a casual wave, a welcome break from the solemnity of her recent encounters.
"How goes everything, Jade?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of his usual resilience.
Jade answered with a hesitant smile, pleased despite the stress still clinging to her. "Really good," she admitted. "Had some breakthroughs on the research front and just got back from a bit of a vacation. How about yourself?"
Tyree’s response was marked by a determined clenching of his fist, a physical manifestation of his readiness to confront past challenges. "Good," he said firmly.
"Just finished mastering a new move and ready for a rematch with that bastard and to get Wadell back."
Jade nodded in agreement, her mind already weaving through the complexities of their shared struggles. "Right, it’s long past due we bring that bastard down for what he’s done," she affirmed.
"But I have to go meet the director and get ready for a meeting with Master Ashaiki in a bit, so sorry to cut our conversation short."
Tyree’s smile returned, understanding and supportive. "No worries, I have to be off to some training as well. Enjoy your day, Jade, and keep me updated."
Upon entering her lab, Jade was taken aback by the sight that greeted her. The Director, alongside five individuals clad in white coats, clustered around her table, attentively focused on the crystal Crow had given her.
They were heating it with a laser, a sight that sparked immediate concern and curiosity in Jade.
"Wh-what’s going on?" she asked, confusion tightening her voice as she approached the group.
The Director, looking both exhilarated and weary, turned to her with a response that only deepened Jade’s bewilderment. "Your work has been instrumental," he began, his tone reflecting the gravity of their findings.
"Not only was it able to transform Thompson back into a human--well, sort of.
We’re still trying to decode his emotions, as he’s exhibiting some abnormal behaviors."
Jade, perplexed, sought clarity. "Uh, who is Thompson? And who are these people in the lab?" Her gaze shifted between the unfamiliar faces and the Director, seeking answers.
"Good question," the Director replied, acknowledging the sudden influx of new information. "While you were away, we continued testing and discovered that the crystal’s ability to heat up and facilitate teleportation is tied to an emotional connection."
Jade, still trying to piece together the information, pressed further. "And how did you come to that connection?"
The Director’s response was vague, hinting at ethical ambiguities. "Well, we had some guinea pigs for testing, but don’t worry too much about that," he said, somewhat dismissively.
Jade’s unease grew as she tried to make sense of the crowded lab and the mysterious work being conducted in her absence. "I... Uh, okay I guess, but what’s with all these people?" Curiosity and concern pushed through her voice.
The Director began to explain, but his phone rang before he could finish. With a gesture indicating the need for a moment, he answered, "Give me a second. Hey, what’s--"
Jade overheard enough chaos on the other end of the line to stiffen. Screaming and commotion filtered through, too muddled for details, but urgent all the same.
The Director’s side of the conversation only added to the tension. "Are you sure it’s been found? A lord, huh?!" Surprise and concern hit his tone. After a brief pause, he asked, "Can you beat it?"
Whatever the response, it seemed to solidify his decision. "Okay, I will leave it to you," he concluded before ending the call and turning his attention back to Jade and the assembled group.