Back Again

Sunday 1st March 2015, 14:13 PM

The fog had started to subside as they walked together across the shore of the lake. Buildings, more than there had been the last time Mike stood there, sprawled across the horizon, though it was too far away to know if there was any life there.

"How's Samantha and Spencer doing?" Mike finally asked, noticing the weary expression in the detective's eyes.

Hands in the pockets of his brown coat, Caine relaxed a little, "Sam has been acting as the head doctor of AESIR. Moved her clinic there. She wasn't too happy about me coming here; says I should have taken backup. She's been trying to keep our daughter on track at school. I'm trying to help out as best as I can, but…"

"Huh," Mike murmured, "I didn't realise that you have a daughter."

"We've had a couple of kids since Spencer. It's getting a bit difficult, being who I am and juggling being a family man."

"I can imagine."

"What about you? Anything going on these days?"

Mike shook his head with a wry smirk, "Nah, nothing. A few flings here and there."

"You'll meet someone eventually. I got lucky; Sam found me."

Though Mike knew he didn't believe Caine, he still nodded. "Anyway, how's Spencer doing? He must be…what, nineteen?"

"Twenty in June. He's growing up fast. Faster than I would have liked, if I'm being honest. Looking like me more every day. Got his mother's eyes, though."

"What is he doing these days? He gone to college?"

That made Caine laugh. "Oh, I tried. I really did. All I wanted him to do was to have a normal life. A father's job is to make sure his children make better decisions than he did…yet he followed in my footsteps."

"He's a detective?"

"Activist or vigilante would be a better term, but he definitely learnt from me. Even has his own team, operating in the west coast."

"Oh? I think I heard about them." Mike remembered the stories of the peculiar band of activists that had been making waves, over in San Francisco.

"Good people. They all came recommended personally from the operators in AESIR. I trust them…well, all except one."

Somehow, to Mike's amusement, he was more surprised that Caine trusted any of them. "That one rubs you the wrong way?"

"I can't doubt his skillset. He's talented, and two of my fellow operators says he's authentic, but…maybe I need to see it for myself."

"You said they all came recommended by AESIR. You guys moonlighting as a talent agency? Recruiting people and helping them set up?"

"In a way, I suppose. Mostly, it was a way I could keep tabs on Spencer and make sure he doesn't get himself into trouble. He's spirited and eager. Stubborn and troublesome."

"So just like you were."

That made Caine laugh. "Cat's in a Cradle, hey? AESIR gave me a massive amount of responsibility, but also autonomy. Allowed me to make decisions for myself. Sure, we're a democracy, but each of the seven can think for themselves, without having politics stopping them."

"So you created AESIR to become independent? Who are these other operators? You called them the 'seven'?"

"Well, there's me. The unofficial leader, one of three founders, and the one providing the finance. Used my family's fortune to set up some real estate, got a nice and steady bank flow in. It's not a lot, but it's something."

Mike nodded. Something that Caine had said when he talked about his family all those years ago had given Mike the idea that his family had been well-off. "But why the name AESIR?"

"The Agency of Enigmatic Service, Investigation, and Reconnaissance. To be honest, me and Carl thought of a name, made it an acronym, then spent a few days thinking of what words to fill that acronym. We are there to help out when there's complicated situations needing rectifying. It turns out, an entertainment conspiracy with dead kids and ghost bears isn't the only crazy thing happening in this world. It's quite the rabbit hole."

"Carl's still with you?"

"He's one of the seven. On and off. He's got a lot of other responsibilities."

"Did he come with you?"

"No. He understood why I had to go…so I'm hoping he can convince the others not to get too angry."

"Angry?"

"Well, I left without telling them where I was going or why I wasn't bringing any of them."

"Wait, they'll have a problem with that?"

"Probably. We're a council of seven for a reason."

That made Mike pause. "I thought you said the reason you went independent was to make decisions for yourself?"

"Aye."

"Yet you have to answer to them?"

"Well…no. I don't. It's not that they'll be angry that their authority has been pushed. They'll be angry because I went alone. They're…" Caine almost seemed a bit embarrassed, "a bit protective of me, if I'm honest."

Mike remembered the reason why Jack and Michelle had followed him and he couldn't help but smile. "And you didn't want them to because you don't want them to put themselves at risk, or spend your limited assets, for something personal?"

"Basically."

"Yeah, I get that feeling."

"Besides;" Caine glanced at him, "it's not like it would work bringing them here. You know the hammer and the scalpel? There's maybe two people from the seven I could have brought with me and remain subtle. One of them is Carl and the other would probably just shoot anything that seems slightly threatening. The others…they don't exactly blend in."

"Okay. Are you gonna delve in to that?"

"Probably not."

"So you've got a similar set up to the Crucible, then? You've got intel, pure brute strength, and I'm guessing a decent amount of tech?"

"The best we can afford."

"And the seven…it sounds like a more relaxed Council from the Crucible."

"We have office chairs instead of thrones. Also a coffee machine."

"So it sounds like you're trying to be a better version of the Crucible. Just…on a lower budget."

Caine shrugged, "What can I say? They're an embarrassment now, but I've spent half my life a Crucible agent. I'm just sorry we don't have half the options we did twenty years ago."

Despite himself, Mike just smiled. "Honestly? It's better than I was expecting twenty minutes ago."

Sunday 1st March 2015, 15:23 PM

Mike had led the way back to his apartment. Through recognisable side streets and past shops with different names. Eventually, they arrived in the middle of a crossing, in front of the large apartment building of which Mike now called home.

Pulling into the parking lot opposite, Mike parked his car and saw through his view mirrors Caine do the same on the opposite side. It felt like there were more people in town than there had been years ago. More cars lined the streets or the parking spaces.

After getting out and pulling his coat closer to his body as the icy chill pierced his chest, Mike walked over to Caine, who was in the process of doing the same. As the detective put his hat on, Mike nodded towards the apartment.

"There it is."

Glancing over it, as well as the general area, Caine shrugged, "I've seen far worse spots for a headquarters, believe me. If I was looking for a group of rebellious activists with an axe to grind, this would be the fourth or so place I'd look."

"Had to make a compromise. Not a lot of landlords willing to have a quick, no questions asked deal."

Caine snorted at that. "And there's still people thinking getting an apartment is easy."

The two of them walked towards the front doors of the complex. As they entered, checking for any prying ears, Mike spoke lowly. "So, what's our first move?"

"This is your show, Mike. I'm just along for the ride."

"Any pieces of advice, then?"

Quiet at first, Caine seemed to choose an answer. "Well, it seems to me that the absent of opportunity isn't our problem. We've got several paths we can take. The question is, which one would be best to pursue?"

"My allies are already looking at a few possible leads."

"Good. That knocks down a couple. It seems to me that our best course of action is to divide and conquer."

Mike nodded. "We go for different leads, see which one had potential, and narrow down our options?"

"Exactly."

"Then I feel I should take Fazbear Frights. I know Freddy's—and the job role—like the back of my hand. Reggie Wood might just be the key we need. He must have some artifacts he hasn't shown me yet, maybe stuff we didn't find back then."

Though Caine seemed reluctant, he seemed to agree. "Okay. But if it starts to get dangerous…"

"It's a haunted house. All smoke and mirrors."

"Freddy's was never supposed to be dangerous."

"Touché."

"If something doesn't look right, I'll have your back. Keep your phone on you at all times."

"Freddy's never had signal. I'd reckon Reggie isn't the type to miss those kind of details."

"True." Caine hesitated, "Are you still armed?"

"Haven't gone a day without one since I got my concealed carry permit."

"Then bring it in with you. You see something you don't like the look of…"

Mike smiled, "Just like old times. What are you going to do in the mean time?"

"I've got a few sources. Things I kept hidden from the Crucible, so they never had the chance to block them. I'll see where that pans out, but it might be that Fazbear Entertainment may have some information that may prove fruitful."

"Going up against them directly?" Mike blew air out his mouth, "You sure that's a good idea?"

"I won't do so unless I have no other choice."

Reaching the door to the apartment Mike had rented out, he pushed it open. "Home sweet home."

Caine shrugged, "I've camped in worse places. You've got furniture and everything."

Looking around, Mike saw the truth in those words. "Looks like Michelle got it done quickly."

Stepping out from the hallway, Michelle wiped off some sweat from her forehead and smiled. "Home Depot had everything we needed. Basic, but it works."

"It looks great. Jack help you?"

"Yep. Had to direct him, but he's a quick learner." Glancing at the detective standing next to Mike, she raised her eyebrow. "So…this that contact of yours?"

Giving her a firm but friendly nod, Caine spoke politely. "The name's Caine."

"Michelle. Michelle Lang."

"You strike me as ex-military."

"Marines. 1st Battalion. You?"

"SAS."

Looking at him for a moment, Michelle nodded and smiled. "Pick up some interesting friends, don't you, Mike?"

Shrugging, Mike almost smirked. "Not by intention. How's things looking with your lead?"

She hesitated, "Honestly? Not great. Nothing Jack could find, either. If there's anything worth looking for, it's locked down tight."

"Fazbear Entertainment always did," Caine acknowledged grimly, "and once they catch on to our investigation, they're going to lock things down tighter."

"I'm guessing it would be a stupid thing to point out that you didn't say 'if'."

"There's no ifs with Fazbear Entertainment." A voice spoke from the other room and Jack entered.

Caine seemed to agree. "They'll find out. The question's how long it will take. I'm guessing you're Jack?"

"Yep. You must be Mike's contact."

Nodding, Caine seemed to stare at Jack for a few moments. Uncomfortable silence stood between them before the detective gave a welcoming smile. "I'll be looking into some leads. I'll remain in contact and update you with anything I find. Watch your backs. These people don't mess around."

Turning around, Caine walked out. Finding himself biting his lip, Mike saw the wary expressions on his friends' faces. "I'll be back in a moment."

Leaving the apartment, Mike quickly caught up with Caine, who was just leaving the house. Unsure, Mike spoke out.

"Something wrong?"

Stopping, Caine looked back at him, then around for any eavesdroppers. "Call it my paranoia. What do you know about your friends?"

Knowing what this was about, Mike sighed. He supposed he should have guessed it. "Well, you basically got Michelle right. She served in Afghan. Combat Engineer and Medic."

"And Jack O'Driscol?"

"Computer Geek. Talented with tech."

"And his history?"

"Nothing that will impact how he works on this."

Looking at Mike, Caine seemed to disagree. "I guess we'll have to see."

"You're going to look into them?"

"If I'm working with them, yes. Background checks, deducing their motivation, that kind of thing. You look faintly disgusted."

Though Mike knew it was understandable and justified for Caine to do so, he also knew he had a problem with it. "Do you think I forgot to do that myself when I met them? They're all good."

"I'll have to see for myself."

"I wouldn't be working with them if they couldn't be trusted."

"Nevertheless, I need to see for myself."

"You don't trust me, do you?"

With a raised eyebrow and a narrowed look, Caine snorted. "If you have to ask that question, I clearly haven't taught you anything about myself."

"That doesn't answer it."

"I trust you. Because you've earnt that trust. But those two…until I see it for myself, I cannot justify turning a blind eye."

Mike could think of a hundred things to say, all arguments towards the point that Caine was making. However, he knew it was pointless and whatever his concerns against it, he also knew it made sense. Had he been asked to trust someone he didn't know, even if a friend did, Mike would never have been able to at face value.

Nodding begrudgingly, Mike relaxed, "Okay. What's the next step?"

"It sounds to me like you've got a job to get to. When's your first shift?"

"Tonight. At midnight."

"Listen; we don't know just what you'll be walking into. Go in before your shift, look around. Know your exits. Bring your gun. The moment something doesn't look right…"

In spite of himself, Mike smiled, "You don't have to tell me twice. This isn't my first rodeo."

"But if it gets dangerous, can you honestly tell me that you'll cut your losses and walk away at the first sign of trouble?"

"Could you?"

Caine didn't say anything.

Mike sighed, "Look, I get it. You don't want me to get myself into trouble. But Tom…I made a promise. Same as you. To put this thing away for good."

"We'll get there." Caine assured him, "I just want to make sure we both live to see it end."

"We've survived this long."

"We've survived this long." Caine agreed, pulling his coat tighter against him as he stepped outside, "I'll keep you updated. Every day, before your shift. Keep your wits about you, Mike."

"Whatever it takes." Mike spoke grimly as Caine walked away. The detective stopped, facing away from Mike, and nodded.

"Whatever it takes."

Sorry for the long wait. I've had a bit of writer's block during this process and it took me a while to find the motivation. I've changed things around, so there's going to be one more chapter in this first act. Depending on things, I may be taking a break after the first act to try and get my motivation back.

TU4QU0I53T4IAN6L3: As always, the greatest challenge they face is that which resides in the shadows. They clearly believe that they have seen everything, but there's always nasty surprises when Fazbear Entertainment is concerned.