Lexa strode into the large conference room two floors below her apartment at Polis Tower. The eight ambassadors of the syndicates under her coalition stood in unison. Inwardly, she preened in pride, seeing their eyes lowered in respect. Outwardly, she was stoic and regal. Striding purposefully, she made her way to the head of the table, Anya directly to her right.
Pausing in front of her chair, she took a moment to look at each of her ambassadors before commanding, "Be seated."
The sound of clothing rustling and chairs being moved the only sound in the room. The ambassadors looked at her expectantly to start the meeting, and she did so promptly.
"Thank you for joining me this morning, Ambassadors," she spoke quietly but still held command in her voice. "I know that you each have busy lives within your syndicates, and I appreciate the time you've taken to attend. I am pleased to announce that since your leaders agreed to join my coalition, numbers have increased positively in all aspects. While at the same time, all territories have seen a decrease in problem areas. This is all thanks to your hard work in ensuring a commitment to work together. With that said, is there any new business that needs to be attended to?"
With her permission, each ambassador began to relay concerns their syndicates were having. Lexa sat back and allowed them to work any solutions between themselves and only interjecting when it started to become heated. In a matter of hours, most of the problems had been ironed out when Lexa was allowed to begin voicing Trikru's issues.
Cyrus, ambassador for Trishana, stood up hesitantly and bowed slightly, "Heda, I wish to inform you and the others that something strange has begun occurring in Trishana's territory."
"Oh," was Lexa's only response while leaning slightly forward in her seat.
Cyrus swallowed nervously as he looked about the room, "Sha, Heda. It seems that while a number of our homeless have begun to find work and are off the streets…a number of them have also been disappearing."
"Are you sure that they are not just leaving," Fredrick, the ambassador for Yujleda, asked.
Frowning slightly, Cyrus responded, "That is a possibility, and our people are looking into that. As I am sure that you have been informed, the city's housing department has been coordinating with the homeless shelters to keep an accurate census. The current numbers are disproportionate."
"How so," Lexa inquired.
Clearing his throat, he replied, "The shelters have reported a drop in those going to shelters. This would be a good thing if it were due to finding homes in low-income housing, but that doesn't seem to be the case. People who have long been regulars at shelters are no longer showing up. When they've checked with the housing department, their names are not on their lists. The volunteers at the shelters have inquired at the hospital, but nothing. Same with the police. They have even taken to the streets in search of these people. They have found some, but others have come up missing."
Lexa looked at him thoughtfully and asked, "Have any of those missing share anything in common?"
Cyrus looked down at a stack of papers in front of him, shuffled them a bit, and read one paper in particular before looking at her, "Sha, Heda. They were known to be solitary people with few interactions with others. According to the volunteers, those missing were known addicts with various vices. Most did not have a family."
Lexa nodded, "Loners, that would not be missed. As Fredrick pointed out, they may have simply left in search of whatever. Has your law enforcement become involved in the search, or have they written them off?"
Cyrus made a face of disappointment, "Though my leader has made great endeavors to work with city officials to clean up the city…it has only been a year since changes have begun. Antipathy is still predominant. That is why the head of the shelters approached my leader with this problem. There have been soft inquiries to nearby towns and cities outside our territory, but so far nothing."
"I do understand how difficult it is to change the mindset of city officials and workers," Lexa replied with a rueful grin. "It has not been that long since I had to deal with it in Polis. Even now, there are still occasional occurrences of antipathy and brutality from law enforcement. Change comes slowly, but I fully believe that each of our territories will eventually reach a mutual partnership between syndicates and city. But that does not help you now. By bringing this forward, what is it that you and your leader hope to accomplish, Cyrus?"
"One," Cyrus replied, "is to inform you and the other ambassadors of this strange happening. And two, to gently inquire if any of the other syndicates have noticed anything similar in their territories."
Lexa looked around the conference room, "Has there been anything like Cyrus described happening in your territories, ambassadors?"
Each ambassador exchanged looks before Maggie of Louwoda Kliron raised her hand, "Heda, there have been reports of an increase in missing people in my territory. Though we have not looked to see if there are any commonalities like Cyrus has pointed to."
"As have we," Trent of Sangeda spoke up. "Though my leader agrees with law enforcement that it is due to the rather harsh clime we live in."
Lexa glanced at Anya and saw a slight nod to encourage her, "This is disturbing news. Our business is to increase our profits and influence worldwide, and I hope that like myself, your leaders use the profits to better the people within their territories. With that in mind, I must also admit that people have been disappearing from Polis as well. But, in the same vein, some have returned but changed. They seem to have been given a new drug that, when under the influence, causes them to become very violent and unpredictable. The mortality rate is high. Those that have survived withdrawal frequently disappear to only return with it in their system again. The doctors at Polis Hospital have been working overtime to figure out this new drug and a detox program that drops the mortality rate. It has unfortunately been slow going."
"Does this new drug have a name, Heda," Derik of Floukru asked, leaning forward slightly.
Lexa smiled inwardly, knowing that question would have been asked by him, "Sha. The doctors have mentioned that those brought in mumble something about 'Red.' As such, that is the name officials have begun calling it."
"You said that some of them have been able to live through the withdrawal of this drug," Derik stated. "Were they able to give any information?"
"Not as much as we would like," Lexa admitted, frowning slightly. "They have spoken of masked people and being strapped down. They have spoken of their experience while on the drug. They describe it as if they are observers, watching but unable to stop themselves from harming others. They also feel an insatiable need to get more. This drug is highly addictive and dangerous."
"Do you believe that the disappearances in other territories have something to do with this drug," he asked.
"It is too early to determine that, Derik," she admitted. "This is what is happening within Polis. I am working with those involved to find out who is behind this. Though it is suspect that three other territories are experiencing similar disappearances, I believe that even if the disappearances are not connected to this drug, we must work together to find out why our people are being taken and by whom. Would you all agree?"
With four out of the nine syndicates experiencing disappearances, it was decided unanimously that it should be taken seriously. Once that was decided, they each began trading ideas to find out what was behind it and offering help to locate the missing people. By the time Lexa finally called an end to the meeting, a tentative plan had been hashed out with ambassadors pledging personnel and expertise.
With a wave of her hand, the ambassadors stood as one and bowed their heads before leaving the conference room except for Anya and surprisingly, Derik.
"Derik," Lexa said with a touch of concern. "Was there something you wished to discuss privately?"
"Sha, Heda," he said, taking the seat opposite Anya. "I know that Floukru prides itself on their homeopathic medicine, but I feel that in this instance, we may be inadequate. I am loathed to admit that Red may be out of our league of understanding."
"What are you saying, Derik. Speak plain," Anya replied frowning.
He nodded, "I am saying that to find a worthy detox program, the coalition may need to seek answers outside its realm of influence."
"And where would you suggest we look, Derik," Lexa asked giving him an impassive look.
"As you know, none of the syndicates have a healthy relationship with state or federal government," Derik explained carefully, knowing that he was treading thinly. "Except for one."
"Skaikru," was Lexa's only reply.
"Sha, Skaikru. Not only do they have the connections to seek solutions with the Department of Health and the FDA, but they also have the resources. Skaikru has a firm grip on the latest medical advancements, especially medicine. They may also have the technology necessary to follow those that are taking our people," he finished explaining.
"Are you suggesting that Heda seeks their help? That we cannot solve this without them," Anya sneered derisively.
Derik swallowed down fear, "I am not saying that we cannot solve this without them, but it could take more time than if we had their help. In that time, how many more will be taken? How many more territories will become a target in that time. How many more will die because of Red? I know it could be viewed as a weakness, but if the people are truly your concern, should that matter?"
Lexa stood up from her seat and began to pace with her hands clasped behind her back, thinking on his words. Anya and Derik sat silently, waiting patiently for her to gather her thoughts.
She paused in her pacing to look at Derik, "I admit, the head of Polis Hospital's Trauma has made the same arguments. Skaikru has a monopoly on the latest pharmaceuticals and technology. It gives your arguments merit, but Skaikru remains resolute in isolation. They seek no alliance with any syndicate and have turned away any attempt to start a conversation."
"Right now, gaining a conversation with them will prove difficult," Anya stated as she looked at Derik. "They are dealing with the loss of one of their Three, Jake Griffin. By reputation, Jake Griffin was one of the more open-minded leaders most willing to listen to a proposal."
Derik frowned, "Has there been word on who will be replacing him?"
Lexa shook her head, "No, and until we learn of who it is and their stance, approaching Skaikru is out of the question."
Derik leaned back in his seat, "I may have something that could at least get you an audience with their Chancellor, Heda. Regardless of who takes Griffin's seat on their council."
Lexa shared a look of surprise with Anya before sitting back down and leaning forward, "And that is?"
Derik sighed and leaned forward again, "I have been informed that Skaikru has been attempting to acquire some of Floukru's transportation contacts, docks, depots, and so on. In some instances, the attempts have been rather aggressive."
Lexa frowned, "Have there been any losses?"
Derik was quick to reassure her, "No, Heda. We have everyone's complete loyalty and have rebuffed in kind. The only losses have been on their side, which is the only reason why I have not brought it up in our meetings. But in the same vein, we have had to reallocate resources to protect those places. Resources that could be better served elsewhere."
"Lexa," Anya said, drawing her attention, "jomp emo op en yu jomp oso op. (attack them, and you attack us.) They're attempting to encroach on Floukru's territory, and as an ally and head of the coalition, you have every right to demand a meeting. You let it be known that if they continue their attempts, not only would they have to deal with Floukru but also the entirety of the coalition. They'd be stupid to push against us and be willing to repay for the reallocation of resources."
"Demand that they allocate their resources to help us stop whoever is taking our people and giving them Red," Derik agreed. "In payment for not appropriately approaching Floukru."
Lexa looked between them thoughtfully before answering, "Get me the information of where Skaikru has attempted to gain control, Derik. I want damage reports, personnel loss, medical expenses, and reallocation costs. We'll give Skaikru a short period of mourning before approaching them with this, but we will send them a message beforehand. Let them know they have been caught and are being watched."
"I can agree with that, Heda," he acquiesced.
"Os," she replied. "Was there anything else, Derik."
"No, Heda," Derik said, standing up. "I'll relay what we've discussed to Luna, and we'll begin to allocate what resources we can to help you."
Lexa gave him a small smile, "Mochof, Derik. Please remind her that she still owes me a case of wine from her vineyard."
Derik gave her a small chuckle, "I will, Heda."
He bowed and left the sisters alone in the conference room.
Anya looked at Lexa, "That was unexpected."
"It was, but this only gains us an opportunity to get Skaikru's resources. I still want more information on the Griffin sisters, especially Quinn Griffin. I want to know what my connection is to her and our shared blood," Lexa said, giving Anya a steely look of determination. "Something tells me that she knows much more than anyone realizes."
"I'll get you your answers, Lexa. Ai swega em klin," Anya promised.
