WRAITH CASE STUDY AUGUSTA PINE

IDENTITY SECURITY DIVISION

PHONE CALL TRANSCRIPT DURING PORTLAND HOSTAGE CRISIS

PREFECT

Well, I have confirmation that my asset is alive.

ISD DIRECTOR

How? I thought communications were cut.

PREFECT

A size seven tan combat boot just fell from the sky and nearly took out Steve.

ISD DIRECTOR

You’re not serious.

PREFECT

That’s what Steve said.

ISD DIRECTOR

How is that proof of life?

PREFECT

Augusta wrote a note on it.

ISD DIRECTOR

Of course she did. And what did she say?

PREFECT

“Give me time to disarm the fire system.”

ISD DIRECTOR

Damn it.

PREFECT

She’s right. If we storm the building, Vale could start killing people.

Entire families. Entire floors. They’ve barricaded every entrance and exit, and every single security camera is trained on us.

They know we’re here. They’re watching us.

Our only advantage is that we have an agent inside the building that Vale doesn’t know about.

ISD DIRECTOR

We can’t lose Project Persephone. It’s worth—

PREFECT

More than everyone in there? More than my asset?

ISD DIRECTOR

I know that if I say yes, you’re going to be a pain in the ass from now until you retire.

PREFECT

Probably. Ma’am, if we blast our way in there, a lot of people could get hurt. Waiting is the smarter option.

ISD DIRECTOR

And if we lose the project? What then? What’s to keep her from taking Persephone and running?

PREFECT

Trust me. If anyone can screw up a plan, it’s Augusta.

[CALL ENDED]

If ads affect your reading experience, click here to remove ads on this page.