Dyson walked down to the holding cells of the Ducal Compound and made his way towards one of the Interrogation Rooms. He saw the Regnant Guard, the contingent that had arrived with Bo stationed at access points along the way. He arrived at the door of the Observation Room, the Regnant Guard stationed there nodded their heads briefly then opened the door and Dyson stepped inside. He saw that Evony and Primus Levasseur were sitting there observing Agent Prime de Lucia questioning one of the attackers. As a former cop, he didn't understand why the Interrogation Rooms had different designs when the Presidium built the new Ducal Compound. Today he understood why.
The attacker was elevated in the air, engulfed in flames that looked as if he was being simmered alive, but there was no doubt in Dyson's mind he was slowly being burned alive. Agent Prime de Lucia was on a raised platform and casually circled the attacker, her long, flaming dark red hair, draped down her all-black outfit with a short jacket and form-fitting pants with three-inch, knee-high black boots to match, asking him questions as if she were considering whether to purchase a dress on a mannequin.
"I can see why Chas was terrified to face her. That's some interrogation technique." Dyson commented.
"One of many she possesses." Primus Levasseur replied.
"How's the good Doctor?" Evony asked.
"Still in surgery. The Princess Royal plans to come here after Lauren is out of surgery and she knows she's stable." Dyson replied.
"How did she take the news of her mother's escape?" Evony asked.
"Unsurprised." Dyson replied. Evony nodded.
"Any progress here, Your Excellency?" Dyson asked.
"Some. He gave up names of the Agents he knew about, but nothing substantive yet as to the originator or originators of this conspiracy." Evony replied.
"How many attackers are left in the holding cells?" Dyson asked.
"Not many. Some did escape from Engelram's Warehouse. Some committed suicide." Primus Levasseur answered.
"And some will wish they committed suicide." Evony added.
"May I ask Your Excellency? Has this ever happened before? Agents conspiring against the Presidium?" Dyson asked.
"Never." Primus Levasseur replied.
"Forgive me, Your Excellency but this is one heck of a cabal." Dyson said.
"Ash Thornwood, do you know how many Agents operate inside the Presidium?" Primus Levasseur asked.
"No I do not, Your Excellency." Dyson replied.
"If you did then you would realize the Agents involved in this conspiracy on this plane is a mere pittance compared against what they intended to impact. It would be equivalent of a small group of children in the First Classification Range rebelling against a force the size of the Combined Armies." Primus Levasseur replied.
"First Classification Range?" Dyson queried.
"Kindergarteners." Evony answered.
"So what happens next? With the rest of the Agents that are still here? Can we trust them anymore?" Dyson asked.
"Deputy Agent Prime de la Brosse is arriving shortly and will see to the reorganization of the Agents here, but yes, rest assured there should be no further issues with the Agents assigned here." Primus Levasseur replied.
Suddenly, the attacker let out a blood-curdling scream as the flames intensified and suddenly he was gone. Agent Prime walked down the stairs and entered the Observation Room. Both Evony and Primus Levasseur stood up.
"That one yielded little." Agent Prime said.
"But just enough I would say." Primus Levasseur replied.
"Dyson, I need you to inform Stasio to locate Agent Seraphina Harada and bring her in." Evony said.
"Yes, Your Excellency." Dyson replied with a slight bow of his head and as he turned to leave he heard Agent Prime call out to the Regnant Guard.
"I'm ready for the next one!"
After Dyson had passed the word to Stasio he stopped by Tamsin's offices to find her and Julia in conversation.
"Hey babe!" Tamsin greeted as she stood up and rounded her desk.
"Hey!" Dyson replied as they quickly hugged and kissed.
"Any updates from the hospital?" Tamsin asked.
"Not since the latest one, no." Dyson replied.
"As soon as everything clears here I will head to the JFM." Tamsin replied.
"Julia, can you give Tamsin and I a few minutes?" Dyson asked.
"Sure!" Julia said as she promptly stood and left the room. After the door closed behind her Dyson turned to Tamsin.
"What is going on Tamsin? Stasio is right! You could have been stripped of your position, tried and thrown into Fae Prison if the gamble you took here tonight with the Desperados didn't work!"
"But it did." Tamsin said as she turned around and walked back to her desk.
"Tamsin!" Dyson shouted.
"It was an investigation Dyson! One that fell within my purview as Regent of the County!"
"But one in which I should have been informed of as the Ash!"
"Do you want me to inform you of every little detail I'm involved in?" Tamsin shouted. Dyson gave her an exasperated look.
"Okay, I admit that sounded like a cliché." Tamsin commented.
"Tamsin, you and I are about to become responsible for over 7 billion Fae and humans! I ask again, what is going on?" Dyson shouted.
"Nothing more than me doing my job to keep both the Fae and humans that we're responsible for safe, and yes that includes making decisions that may not be safe ones, they will be risky, incredibly risky - even for me! If that is too much for you to handle, then remove me as Regent!" Tamsin shouted back. Dyson took in a deep breath.
"Tamsin, not only are you Regent but I also love you. But I cannot protect you if I don't know what's going on!" Dyson shouted back. Tamsin slumped her shoulders and exhaled. She walked back around her desk, walked up to Dyson and kissed him lightly on his lips.
"Duly noted." Tamsin whispered closely.
"And one more thing." Dyson whispered closely back.
"What's that?" Tamsin asked.
"Never, ever doubt my confidence in you as Regent again. You are amazing." Dyson said. Tamsin smiled.
"Doubly noted." Tamsin replied.
"I love you." Dyson said.
"I love you." Tamsin replied. They locked eyes then Tamsin pulled Dyson in for a deep kiss.
