Santana turned to watch the contractor, putting up shelves in her bar. It was the last bit of work that had needed to be done before Lost Saints would re-open for the public. She frowns slightly at the sound of the drill and turns back to her laptop where she turned up the volume on the newscast so she could listen in.
'Dozens of children, and teenagers were rescued from Templar compounds all over the country. Footage from Titan Industry body cameras shows various magic-touched children in rather squalid conditions. Warning, some viewers may find this image disturbing.'
Santana turned down the sound, she'd already seen parts of the footage. This news story had been playing non-stop for nearly four days now. Congress had already called for hearings, finally people were seeing the Templars for what they were, a broken corrupt organization. She just wished Charlie was awake to witness it. She'd gotten a frantic call from one of Charlie's team mates—Sasha Banks or something, only to find that Charlie had teleported them both into her bar. They had crashed through the front window, and Sasha in an attempt to slow down their descent had trashed most of the furniture and damaged the bar, knocking the shelf of alcohol to the ground.
She hadn't even needed to bitch at Sebastian before Titan had offered to take care of it, and had sent people nearly immediately to start the repairs. They were also paying her staff while the repairs were going on, plus they had paid her rent for the month. Personally she wasn't too worried about her bar, she was worried about Charlie. Titan had some of the best doctors and magical healers working for them, but she hadn't woken up. When they had first transported her to their medical facilities, she had thought that they were moving a corpse. Her heart rate was low, her body was cold, and she looked grey and listless.
Now she wanted to see Charlie, to make sure that Sebastian was on everyone's case to make sure she was okay—she wasn't exactly thrilled that Sebastian had informed her that they would call when she woke up. She didn't trust him, but he had looked just as worried.
'Multiple requests to interview Charlie have been denied by Titan, who say she is recovering from injuries sustained in the rescue attempt. The Templars have yet to issue a formal response, however sources have said that they are planning to take legal action against Titan. I turn to the panel now to discuss—well what we just witnessed and what they think the Templars should do.'
Santana rolled her eyes that was the problem with the media. She didn't need a bunch of talking heads to tell her that what she was witnessing was morally wrong. There was outrage everywhere, not just on the internet. The UN had already condemned the footage, and the Templars were left scrambling. Inspections were supposed to start taking place across the globe. All of this had been because of Charlie, and she was so proud. So fucking proud of her, and she just hoped that Charlie woke up so she could tell her, and then yell at her for being so reckless.
The children that had been rescued, were currently being looked after by Child Protective Services, in tandem with Titan. No one was quite sure what was going to happen to them, even Sebastian wasn't sure what was going on. It was clear that their plan had always been to rescue them and figure it out later, and the publicity was good. Titan stock was only going up, and she suspected that Sebastian had a massive bonus tied to this.
"Well, the shelves have been installed, we'll start installing the new bar, tomorrow. It's supposed to arrive tonight, and we'll have the rest of the furniture moved in as soon as that's done. Then we'll do the restocking, you should be good by Sunday."
"Thanks for giving me a timeline, let me know if anything changes. I'd like to start planning a reopening." The man nods and Santana relaxes for a bit before turning her attention back to the newscast for a moment, wrinkling her nose at the cross talk as non-magic-touched people argued over their fate. It was stupid, and she wished that they had a voice who could talk for them. She taps her fingers along the only table in her bar and sighs, she wanted to check on Charlie to see if she was getting better.
The door to Lost Saint's opens and she turns to bitch at the person who couldn't read the very large sign that stated that they were closed for renovations, but her anger spikes when she spots Quinn Fabray walking in. "I'm pretty sure, I made it clear the last time you showed up here, that you weren't welcome," Santana says pushing herself up and staring Quinn down.
"I'm aware, but I was hoping that you've heard something about Charlie—"
"Even if I had, we both know that I wouldn't share it with you. So why the fuck are you here?" Santana asked crossing her arms. "Please don't tell me you came all the way here to ask how to fuck your girlfriend?"
Quinn took a step towards Santana, who didn't flinch and she juts out her chin. She wasn't going to let Santana Lopez of all people get under her skin, especially not with side comments about Rachel. "Who do you think gave Titan Industries all that information?"
"I know it was you. I just don't give a fuck, you think that makes up for the fact that I'm certain you've killed and imprisoned innocent magic-touched? Congrats you did the bare minimum because you found out your sister was sexually assaulted by a Templar. Do you want a medal for that? Rachel has a thing for gold stars, maybe she'll give you one." Santana sneered, she wasn't having it. People didn't get to get gold stars for putting in a minimum amount of effort and care. Quinn wasn't a good person in her eyes, she just felt guilty about Charlie.
Quinn takes a step back, and takes a breath. "I promised Charlie I'd try to get along with you. So I'm here making an effort. I never asked for forgiveness, certainly not from you. I honestly want to know what happened with Charlie, I thought it was supposed to be a simple rescue mission."
"Have you not been paying attention to the news? Charlie rescued all those kids, and I don't believe for a moment that they're the only ones that you were experimenting with."
Quinn ignored the accusation, she wasn't here for that. "I know what happened, I saw the video, but Templars died, a lot of Templars died that night Santana. I don't have all the details yet, even my grandfather doesn't have all the details, but what we know is that there are currently around eighty Templars who are missing and presumed dead."
"Charlie didn't kill anyone—" Santana began, her tone sharp.
"Titan is playing the media, and using their outrage to swing public opinion to their side. I'm not against them for doing it, but if you think that the Templars are going to take this lying down? That they won't strike back then you're either delusional or stupid. Eighty Templars, Santana. Neither my grandfather or I will be able to stop them, so I need to know exactly what happened."
"Do I look like I work for Titan? I own a bar, all I know is that they rescued a few children and that I made something for them to eat when they arrived because Charlie asked me too. And you must know that attacking Titan, or going after Charlie is a stupid idea. You don't have the public on your side anymore."
Quinn stared at Santana before turning around, this had been an idiotic idea. Santana didn't know anything, and since she couldn't get the information out of Charlie, she was stuck in New York until she was allowed to return to Europe. From what she understand the network that allowed Templars to move was down, in certain areas, and no one knew why or how. "I agree with you, the Templars are corrupt. Maybe they've been corrupt for years, but at least you know what you get. Do you truly trust unbridled capitalism, and massive corporations with magic?"
Santana didn't say anything instead she just watched as Quinn walked out. Once she's sure Quinn is gone she immediately reaches for her phone to call Sebastian, and she frowns when it immediately goes to voicemail. That asshole had better not be avoiding her calls. She calls him again to the same effect and scowls before flicking through her contacts before landing on Blaine's number and calling him.
'Santana?'
"Sebastian is ignoring my calls, because he's a prick. You're marrying a prick and you need to think about your life choices," Santana snapped at him.
'Did you just call to tell me my fiancé is a prick?'
"I did, and I've also got other shit that is important to talk about. I'm calling about Charlie—"
'I still follow HIPAA regulations, and you know I can't release any information on—'
"I just had a visit from Quinn Fabray, Charlie's twin. According to her there are nearly eighty Templars missing presumed dead. They're thinking of retaliating, and if Charlie can't defend herself—"
There was a pause on the line, 'Charlie is in a secure facility—'
"The Templar's always know where she is, Quinn admitted that much when she showed up at Charlie's place. She all but implied that there is a leak in Titan."
'I'll let Sebastian know. We're doing our best right now Santana, and trust me we're all going to make sure she's protected and safe,' Blaine promised.
"Eighty Templars are dead. The Templars are basically a military force, if they want her they'll get her, and punish her. So whatever you're doing, triple it. Round the clock, do background checks on everyone, make sure that no one is getting any money from the Templars," Santana bit her lip trying to think of anything else that could have Charlie murdered while she was currently recovering. There would be retaliation.
'Okay, look I'll give Sebastian a call right now, and I'll let him know. I'll also tell him to send a car over so you can visit her. She hasn't woken up yet, but—you're her favorite person as she's said a million times to me.'
Santana nods, but realizes that Blaine can't see her. It would make her feel better to be right there to make sure Charlie was getting the best care available. "Yeah, I think I'd like that."
