by Peter Shillen
NRPG:
Despite not really knowing how to end all this, we better draw a line or we'll never get on so this is my effort.
- - - 8< - [Smoke on the Mountain] - 8< - - -
Everyone nodded and started to head out the door. Just as they got to the hallway outside, Jim paused and said, "I'll meet the rest of you downstairs, I need to use the restroom."
Everyone else nodded and proceeded to the elevators. As soon as they were out of sight, Jim took out his cell phone and dialed.
- - - 8< - [Smoke on the Mountain] - 8< - - -
"Caesar, We are going to a cabin in the mountains, I can supply a grid reference..."
- - - 8< - [Smoke on the Mountain] - 8< - - -
They rode on for a few more miles in silence before Zenya looked out and saw something that made her stomach sink. The mountain where the aerial photos were taken was in plain view, complete with the dark smoke emanating from near the top of it.
- - - 8< - [Smoke on the Mountain] - 8< - - -
As they drew up towards the cabin, they were rather surprised to find a car sitting outside. Other than the car and the smoke, the place looked desserted, with noone hiding in the trees as far as Jim could tell. They all drew weapons, however, as they entered the cabin, Jim, Jordan and Vanessa in the front, Martin, Leo and Zenya in back.
As they entered, they saw a man sitting in an easy chair in front of the fire. He was leaning slightly forward, warming his hands despite that fact that even on the mountain it was not a cold day. He was also smoking a pipe, or rather, a pipe was hanging from his mouth. When the agents burst in, he didn't even turn around.
"Ah, Agent Stern and party - do come in, please."
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" Jordan demanded.
"Who am I? Not even I am sure of that one anymore... As for why I am here, well, I'm waiting for you."
He stood up and, although still stooping, had obviously been impressive in more youthful days.
"You are investigating the Praetorian Guard, yes?"
"No. We are investigating a kidnapping, a few suspicious deaths..."
"Come, come Agent Stern. Don't play this game with me, I'm far too old. I am hear to make a recommendation to you. I would like to recommend that you stop looking into the Guard."
"I don't back off of an investigation for anyone, Mister, especially someone I don't even know."
"Really? But what are you going to investigate, Mr Stern? The cabin, your big lead, as you can see is nothing. You will find nothing here."
"What did you find here?" Leo asked.
"Ah, Agent Jones, or may I call you 'deadeye'?" As Leo went to speak the man held up his hand, "No matter. You, surely, have heard of the Guard before?"
"Yes, I have."
"Yes, you have. The Guard have many reasons not to like you Mr Jones, but we do not bear grudges. Suffice it to say that your investigation into all of these matters will go no further. I have many reasons for making it so and I won't be giving them to you."
"As I said," began Jordan, "I won't back off.."
"You don't need to Agent Stern, I am simply trying to save you unwarrented effort. Every lead you chase will turn to nothing, just as this cabin has. Everyone you interview will, well, they won't be providing the information you seek. I believe you have seen our methods?"
"Yes, we've seen them," ventured Martin, "and almost caught someone."
"Someone who disappeared before your very eyes, hmm?" The old man laughed out loud. "Spare me the macho schpeal, boy. You were no closer to that Guardsman than you were to a crock of gold at the end of the rainbow. Had you caught up to him, you would be standing there dead."
He sat back down in his chair, warming his hands over the fire.
"I'm afraid you're going to have to take your leave of me now, ladies and gentlemen, as this cabin is set to explode in less than two minutes and I'm afraid it's going to be rather a large, fiery explosion which burns any last remaining forensic traces."
"You're not serious?!" Jordan said.
"Oh, but I am. I shall remain here if you don't mind," he said standing up and as he turned, training a gun onto Jordan. "Now please, it's almost on minute to go."
"I can smell the fuel on the walls," Jim put in, "this place is going sky high."
The old man opened his coat, revealing enough C4 to blow a hole in the world. "Quite right, Agent Reaper. I really would advise you to leave."
With a curse, the agents vacated the building and got into their cars. They were barely at a safe distance before the shockwave of an explosion rocked their cars. Heading back to JEH, the team were rather left at a loose end. As the man had said, they had nothing.
Deciding to reconvene for breakfast at Hoover's Hollow, ZULU took the rest of the day off. Sitting around the office would only have driven them crazy.
Jim didn't go back home. He went a quite bar, poured a double whiskey into his triple whiskey and had a long drink. He really hoped this might be the first time alcohol had a profound effect on him, but somehow, he didn't think so...
NRPG:
Basically, we've been shut down by the Praetorian Guard. Not altogether, of course, but this case will never be solved as long as the Guardsmen are around.