When Jim and Claire saw Ann at school, she looked terrible.
"What's wrong?" Ann glanced up at them, and Jim saw that her eyes were red. She'd been crying.
"Kenji didn't come home last night and we can't get a hold of him," Ann said. "There was a big thing in ABB territory—a bunch of girls got out of one of Lungs…"
"Farms," Vicky said, her mouth twisted in disgust.
"Yeah. But he isn't answering his phone, and what if he was involved in that?" Ann took a deep breath. "Mom's down at the police station, trying to find out if they arrested him."
"Hey," Claire said, patting her on the back. "He's dumb, but he's not that dumb. But if he's doing stuff with the ABB, maybe he's hiding because right now, I bet the police are looking for anyone—" the PA system cut her off. "Will James Lake, Claire Nunez, Dennis…" It went on, listing the Wards and the students who would also come in to disguise their movements.
Not that Claire and Jim had to worry about that. But Jim and Claire went to the office, after Claire gave Ann a quick hug, Vicky and Amy staying with her, though Amy was being quiet.
Once outside the lunch room, Claire and Jim portaled to the entrance to the PRT. It didn't take long for the rest to get there, and Jim noticed more than a little tension in the air.
The room was getting crowded, and director Piggot came in, along with Armsmaster and a man in a suit.
"People, this is Dan Sims with the Joint Human Trafficking Task Force. We've got some information that will be of relevance to everyone."
"Yes, thank you, Director Piggot. On Friday, a group of young women and teens were liberated from one of Lung's holding areas." He called up an image, of a group of Asians.
Jim tensed. The way they were huddled…
"Now usually, these people are dispersed, some to "employers" and others to brothels. In this case, they were all brought, evidently by one of Lung's employees who had a change of heart."
"Poor bastard," Assault muttered.
"But notably, because they were new, their information was new, and we were able to get names and locations…" He flicked the screen, and now there was an image of a port, dozens of police cars and Protectorate capes around. "Which means that we located the ship used to bring them in, took the crew into custody, and retrieved the most important thing about this—paperwork, including information about both Stateside and Japanese conduits in this chain. The JHTTF and Japanese authorities are closely coordinating on this, but this has, temporarily at least, disrupted the primary source of human trafficking of Japanese nationals used by criminal groups on the East Coast. Coupled with increased enforcement activity on the West Coast, we believe that this will represent a major blow to the ABB's revenue."
"What about the girls?" Claire asked. Her hands were white around her staff.
"Normally, they'd be returned to Japan, as illegal immigrants. However, authorities at the shelter they were taken to were able to get an immigration judge to sign off on permission to remain here while amnesty and refugee applications are processed." He shrugged. "Given the power organized crime has over much of Japan, especially the regions hit by Leviathan, the chances of retaliation were high enough to convince him."
"Thank you, Agent Sims." Director Piggot looked out over them all. "But what this means is that the ABB is going to be hurting for money. Their revenue streams are more localized and, for want of a better word, shallower than the Empire 88s, so they cannot endure the kind of losses the E88 can. Most notably, that means they'll be squeezing local merchants harder and Lung is going to need to publicly show his power. Protectorate, be on your guard. Wards, under no circumstances are you to engage ABB groups right now. There's too much of a danger of lethal force being used."
"Wh-we're just going to surrender to them?" Jim asked.
"No." Director Piggot stared at him, but for once Jim didn't feel like backing off. "We are going to let the FBI and DOJ squeeze them. We are going to use the Protectorate capes to hold off Lung while we do this. We are not going to risk the Wards, officially or unofficially, in fighting a group that numbers two capes who have proven both willing and able to murder. Do you understand these orders, Mr. Lake?"
"I… Understand, Director Piggot."
"Very good. This means that for now, Wards patrols will be restricted to the boardwalk area, and I expect you to keep your phones with you at all times… Now, for Protectorate forces," she nodded to Armsmaster.
"We will be working in coordination with the various law enforcement agencies…"
Later, much later, Jim and Claire were back at home. Jim was pacing.
"Don't risk the Wards," he muttered.
"Jim," Claire said. "They're not like we are. None of them…"
"I know, but what about those girls!" Jim said. "You heard—if not for…"
"Master Jim," Blinky said. "We cannot order all the ills of the world. Our responsibility lies with those we can order."
"Well, we can order Lung," Jim said.
"But the last time they really went after him, he burned down five blocks," Claire said. She looked troubled. "And what happens later?"
"Whatever it is, I bet it would be easier without Lung," Jim muttered. "I—" His phone rang.
"Hello?" He paused. "Ann? What do you mean? You're in troubl—have you called the police—wait, what do you mean it is the police, we're on our way."
"What is it?"
"Ann," Jim said. "She just hung up, and she's panicking. She said they called the police but something was wrong. Let's go."
"If it's the cops, we'd better go right now, right Mr. Blinky?" Claire asked, as she went to get her armor.
"Be safe. Besides, you're not violating the Director's orders, merely assisting a friend."
It didn't take long to get to Ann's. Claire and Jim hadn't been there, not in person, but they had her address, and with Claire opening portals, they strode a dozen blocks in less than a minute.
The street was quiet. Some lights were on, behind barred doors and windows, but nobody was out. Nobody was calling to anyone else in the apartment complex. Jim saw one woman look out at him, before she pulled the curtains.
"Second floor," Claire said. Jim nodded. The two walked into the courtyard and then up the stairs.
"Door's open," Jim said. "Ann?" No answer.
They walked in, and the place was a mess. The locks on the door had been broken, a can of mace lying on the floor.
"I don't like this," Claire said.
Jim sniffed the air. "I don't either," he growled. "Ann said, cops but something was wrong."
"Should we call it in?" Claire asked.
"No," Jim said. "You heard what Director Piggot said. They'd just hand it over to the police and tell us to stay out," His growl grew lower. "Ann's a friend."
"You're right, but we're not exactly private investigators."
"No. No we aren't. But we know some people who are."
Jim pulled his phone out and quickly navigated to PHO. He sent out several messages.
I am going to get into so much trouble for this. But Ann was a friend.
Lisa stared down at her computer. She'd been doing some work, trying to figure out how to arrange things so the Undersiders would come up, when a message popped up on her screen.
Private message from Jim Lake:
JimLake (Verified Cape) (Verified Boyfriend) (Verified Trollhunter):We worked well together with handling the puppies. I need help now for some friends that went missing. Rumor is that you're good at investigating things. Can you help us?
AllSeeingEye: Lung Problems? That's the only reason you wouldn't be talking to your people. Kinda risky.
JimLake: Lives are at risk. Can really use your help. Will owe you big.
Lisa paused and thought. The Boss wanted them to get closer to them, and this wasn't something minor like the Dog Ring. This was big.
And he's really worried.
On the other hand, Lung. Lisa didn't want to experience death by fire.
But… The boss was also interested in…
Private message from AllSeeingEye:
AllSeeingEye: Need someone else. Do you know how to contact Orb_Weaver?
JimLake:Yes. Why?
AllSeeingEye: Good. If she will help, I think we can do this.
JimLake: Okay. I'll get her. Can we meet tonight? At Terrace Apartments?
AllSeeingEye: ABB turf. I'll come with Grue, the rest will be waiting. 7:45 sound good?
JimLake: Yeah. I'll contact Orb_Weaver. Hopefully she can come.
Lisa nodded, looked over at Grue. "We've got a trip to go on," she said.
"Where?"
"Give our Trollhunter a hand," Lisa said. "He may owe us big."
"For what?" Grue asked.
"Giving him a hand with Lung," she said as she sent a message to the boss.
"Lisa, getting killed by Lung isn't what—" The message box pinged.
Give the Trollhunter all assistance. Relay any information you gain to me. I will compensate the Undersiders 10,000 dollars for this.
"So, ten K worth it?" Lisa asked.
"As long as we don't directly get into a fight with Lung… Maybe." He looked over at Bitch and Regent.
"Get ready, you two, in case we need backup."
Bitch got up. "Trollhunter, right? Okay?"
"Wow, Bitch likes someone," Regent said as he got up, reluctantly turning off the game.
"Dogs liked him," the stocky girl said, as if that explained everything.
"Right," Lisa said with a grin on her face. "Let's see what our knight in shining armor needs."