"She's been there for an hour" said Alfred
"She's very particular once she sets her mind onto something. Or maybe she's just taking a lot of selfies" replied Japan.
"I'm gonna look for her," said Alfred, getting up and heading for the door, which opened before he could reach it. Maria ran into the room, pulling in another person with them.
He was the same height as Alfred. He had the same blonde hair, his eyes were the same, but gentler, deeper, inviting instead of piercing.
"I found Matt, or rather, he found us," said Maria.
Canada discussed the current events with them as Maria brought in lunch. The disturbing news from all over the world just served to confirm their worst fears: Though the general population was still in the dark, a massive coalition of nations was going to challenge the world order and possibly start the Third World War, and unlike the previous wars, it would involve not only military power but the forces of magic that had lain untouched previously.
"We need to get you to Peru as soon as possible," said Canada. "I have a motor yacht ready for you guys. Go to Guyana, a rendezvous will be waiting for you there".
Alfred stood there for a moment, lost in thought at the huge span of events that had taken a toll on him in the past days. "Let's go, then! Who's the rendezvous?"
Matt put a finger on his lips. "Top secret. There are too many people listening in, even right now. You'll know him when you see him".
Alfred nodded. "Understood". They reached the docks and wasted no time preparing a course for Guyana, hundreds of miles to the west.
"I can't tell you how glad I am to see you, bro"
Matt nodded. "Be safe out there. Let Honda do the thinking and Maria the intuition. Focus on your own strength"
Al raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"
"Beating the crap out of the bad guys. I knew that sea serpent wouldn't be a big deal for you".
Kiku manned the vessel while Maria turned the winds to her favor. She poured wine to the sea and sky, to avoid upsetting the forces of nature that were being disrupted and their domains challenged for their convenience. "Sea spirits are the most touchy of all", she said. "I never sail without an offering, even after I converted".
Alfred stood abaft, disturbed by a small iota of information from Matt that didn't sit well with him. He looked at the opaline sea getting darker as the sun was setting.
"Who do you think awaits us in Guyana?" asked Maria.
"It's a French colony, and Matt told me I would recognize them, so it must be France"
"Well done, Sherlock"
"We're in the high seas, Dirk Pitt would be more appropriate"
"Not with you smelling like yesterday's laundry basket, you don't. Maybe you should hit the built-in shower first".
Canada helloed his way inside the HQ. "I've found them. I set them on a course to Guyana. They should be in Peru within the next 72 hours".
Israel nodded as she manipulated the holographic interface displaying the various maps and graphs that contained critical data for the coming conflict. "The sooner the better. Peru alone of the Ancient Six has perfected the art of mind magic"
"You never studied under him?" asked Belgium.
"It's a tad bit inconvenient to study magic when your physical form has been ripped apart by a millenia-long diaspora". She softened. "Sorry, that was the low caffeine in my blood talking. Matt, could you stay here while I get us some coffee?"
"No problem," replied Canada.
"I'll go with you," said Belgium.
A few minutes later, Israel snuck back into the central command room. Her sapphire-blue eyes darted quickly across the room. Certain she was not watched, she began running her hand across the interface, her long fingers emitting tendrils of electric-blue energy that crackled as they touched the monitor, interfacing with it and feeding the data and information directly into her mind.
Who holds the information holds all the cards, she told herself. And what interesting little tidbits of data were left behind by the computer, minutiae that would escape the attentions of ordinary minds. But not hers, she was far too well-trained to be hoodwinked by such trifles. She made a mental note of what she found, took a sip of her coffee, and walked out of the room.