LES MUSICIENS DU MONDE

A CROSSOVER STORY

2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

After the craziness from the first chapter I figured that while yes he mages and mystics are now working together, it is still for the moment intelligence gathering with a few right now venturing with the mystics in the orchestra beyond the shores of the UK. Nevertheless, yes they are now a team but not in the traditional sense just yet. But with strict conditions between official duties and idealistic vigilantism, this union will foreshadow events to come and accepting consequences.

This story is also new for the fact that Les Musiciens as well as the magi group newly formulated are in two countries: Greece and Mozambique. Both countries have gone through tumultuous moments in history, the former in the present time while the latter is from its past. So I'm doing my best to honor and respect the histories of these countries while also knowing the present these two places have to endure.

CHAPTER TWO

FEBRUARY 2012, WEEK THREE

[ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, GREECE, MONDAY, 2:34PM]

Eda, Asuka and Bernhard were exiting customs and now inside their terminal after flying for a little more than three hours. They hailed a taxi and headed for the city of Athens via the expressway 62, followed by the 6 and then finally the 64. Dante and Fatma arrived earlier in the day and already waiting for them at their accommodations for the week. As they rode on the expressways, they feel a bit odd; knowing the magi are now working alongside them. What they don't know is whether or not this will be a workable relationship.

ATHENS, GREECE

[ACROPOLIS HILL HOTEL, 2:45PM]

Meanwhile while the three Germans are coming by taxi, Dante and Fatma were setting up their own 'command station' of seven notebook laptops so they can be packed up much more easily, on loan from Dante's usual haunt in Buenos Aires were he gets parts for his own computer set up in his home at half price. They also knew Scarlett will come or at least Yussef also coming in from Istanbul and Henriette who knows how to use a computer and will like her friends get a crash course in computer usage, "How are you feeling," Fatma asked.

He groaned as he was dealing with a computer error and running a diagnostic check, "Frustrated but overall I'm fine," he responded and she corrected herself, "No, I mean, are you really okay with the set up we have for this week?"

He turned around to face her as she was in jeans and a sweater with her hair in a bun, "Well, to be honest I am not sure if we can pull this off with this test run working with magi. We have different modes of thinking and I don't know if they will really work with us or just humor us while working on their end with that Alastair Rathbone," he said and in particular, the name mentioned with seriousness.

Fatma looked at him and puts her hand on his left shoulder, "We have to try at the very least," she told him reassuringly, "Look, I would lie if I said I don't understand your skepticism. I do and I have my own biases, but those lie in historical contexts."

He turned his head to look up at her and smiled a bit, "Thanks. And I feel I would learn about all of this magi/mystic business this trip, won't I," he expressed his thoughts, to which she nodded.

Then her phone rang, she excused herself to answer it and he resumed working. He can hear bits and pieces of now learning the rest of LMM have arrived in Mozambique and she told Christine on the other end that the others are coming soon to the hotel she and Dante selected. The conversation was brief and she hung up the phone. She walked to him and put her arms around him and kissed his neck, to which he smiled and continued working, "I have to meet a contact tonight. A mystic elder and I want to learn more about what we're up against and see if there are any ramifications to what we've done to what's to come."

He listened and nodded as he continued to work, "What time you have to meet him," he asked, "After dinner. But our true talk won't be until tomorrow night," she responded as she rested her head on his left shoulder, "I'll be back for our night out. Promise," she said and he again he nodded.

His phone beeped with an incoming text message, "It's from Asuka," he said and he opened it so he and Fatma can read:

{We are fifteen minutes away. Then we'll discuss our plans. When we'll we meet the magi?}

He responded with:

{Good okay. We'll meet magi by late afternoon.}

He sent it and after a few seconds he got a response back with:

{Sounds like a plan to me. See you soon.}

He puts his phone and then looked at the monitor, "Looks like WWAEI are setting up in the city. Three miles away from us," he commented casually, "That's close, too close," Fatma said to which he nodded.

"If they found out where we are, we only have a few minutes warning…" he sighed and gripped her right hand to reassure they will succeed.

LATER THAT AFTERNOON

[INTERCONTINENTAL ATHENAEUM HOTEL, 4:45PM]

Nearby, a kilometer to be exact, the magi stationed themselves in this nicer hotel compared to the members of LMM. Alastair requested their rooms to be connected so the doors between rooms were now unlocked. Which makes sense with regards to practicality. Inside their rooms were now decked with magical supplies and books just in case they do indeed have a confrontation with the WWAEI in the city. In Henriette's room, she was reading all she can about mystics. As far as she was concerned, she was dumbfounded and intrigued all at once. Plus she has notebooks of notes since last month's crazy waltz across London. Her hair in a messy ponytail, a blue sweater and a skirt with leggings, she was casual but cleaned up in case they go out.

As she was reading, underlining with her quill she heard a knock on the door, "Come in," she said as the door opened and Jane entered and only wearing jeans and a light sweater, "How's the research," she asked.

Henriette uttered sounds, which for Jane meant a second dialect to understand her friend, "Still unsure how they operate and researching their methods," which got her a muttering response, "I see. Anything else?"

Jane's French provincial friend was not going to let her humor her private research, "Well, it was like she was reading my movements. Not exactly like reading my mind as it is in Legimancy, it was like a master chess player can read the moves of an amateur and can deduce the outcome and win. And she never blinked."

"Never," Jane asked, "Not once," which Henriette responded with a no. Henriette then closed her book and lied down, "What a conundrum, isn't it?"

Jane nodded and sat down in a chair next across from her friend, "Have you told this to the others," she asked, "Only to James and Alastair. The others don't know. But William told me something interesting," and Jane heard her older brother's name she sat up straight.

Henriette started as she saw this, "Well he told me when he and Wilfredo fought in London, he felt that both of them were nearly on par, as if his own stamina steadily increased and felt his wand reacting to him as well. However he did feel Wilfredo was holding back."

"Why would he think so," Jane asked which Henriette responded with, "He doesn't know for sure. He told me…he just does on an instinctual level."

Jane sighed, "Well, he can be a bit thick but if he says that, it must mean something. I may have an idea but I'll research as well. There is a magical library near in the magic quarter here. We can look into it there later in the week," she suggested which perked up Henriette right out of her exhaustion from travel.

As the two girls continued to talk, Alastair was setting up his room with books, potion supplies and his broom. Dressed in grey trousers with his pocket watch chain and his bodyguard near the door with her cloak, dark clothes with navy blue and forest green as the color choice for her and her face hidden, "A new city for me. But overall the same strategy, Yes," she asked.

Alastair looked up as he wrote some notes in one of his books "Yes and no. This is a strictly an intelligence gathering mission as our new allies in Africa at this moment, as I have said before. But really, today we are just taking strolls around here, picking up the local news and we'll set up a plan to contact magi communities here for information here since the incident in London."

His bodyguard nodded in understanding, "Indeed, and for your friends, we're in uncharted waters now. And for all of us, and for the regular humans who have volunteered to aid us, it's a blessing in disguise. Remember, be blunt in your orders and expectations, but never alienate them."

He listened but with reservations, "I will indeed, but of course expect how certain things should be done and LMM will have to abide by them in order to avoid harsher penalties. Understood?"

The bodyguard listened, but ultimately said, "Understood."

The magi in the hotel were all setting up their rooms for whatever is to come; spell books, tomes, dress robes, Muggle clothing, brooms, cloaks, and miscellaneous supplies for whatever is need. It was an unusual set up, while only five came to Greece, Scarlett included, the rest are in Africa; a whole other world and a whole other assignment, finding the historical remnants of that time, the Esoteric War and how far it spread to old trade routes and no better place than Mozambique.

TUESDAY

MOZAMBIQUE

[ILHA DE MOÇAMBIQUE, 12:23PM]

The rest of LMM are in a post-conflict country in east Africa, where their last conflict ended in 1992 with a peace accord between RENAMO and the rebels fighting against them back then which lasted for sixteen years. The country itself since then has a shattered economy and the vague memory of an infrastructure. Thanks to a fixer Yasmin arranged, he was slightly older than her and Liam, by maybe five years and remembers the bad history of the civil war when he was a child, when guerillas would take boys and train them as soldiers to fight and a lot of pillaging and rape went on as war tactics. To say it was a nihilistic civil war where it made no sense to villagers, average citizens and the world at large would be an understatement. However, as they see, no one is particularly angry by the actions of the past, and most to them since arriving has been nice.

Right now, they were at the Island of Mozambique, just off the coast and part of Nampula Province. With the glistening turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, this part of the country was a totally different scene compared to the mainland. Crumbling decay of Portuguese colonialism as it was the first European settlement in Africa. This was the crossroads of east Africa and beyond, a hub of its time where Greeks, Persians, Indians and Arabs came here via the gulf or crossing the Indian Ocean for trade.

Balanced by some of the best of Mozambican cuisine. A unique interplay of Brazilian spices, Indian curries; a result of Afro-Portuguese, Latin American, Pan-Arab, Asian mix of traditions that shaped the island. And since they were on the island, they are best with seafood. So Yasmin's fixer, a Portuguese expat, named Almeida who moved here ten years ago and never left. He's taken her and Liam to a restaurant where Zane and Zach were filming them eat and showcasing the food preparation of dishes while they conversed.

"You have spices going back to the original Portuguese colonies have a presence here in the food. Plus the Arab and Indian influences here are undeniable," Yasmin pointed and then Liam asked, "Is there enough fish for everyone?"

Almeida responded, "If you go along the coast, yes there is enough. But the problem is the transportation to ship it into the country's interior," he began, "Pushing up the prices then," Liam spoke and Almeida nodded, "Exactly. And by pushing up the price, then those in the country can't already afford it anymore."

As the food came out of the kitchen, from fried calamari, crab curry (crabs, cardamom, coconut milk, Piri-Piri chili, coriander, lemon, and garlic), fish basted with salt, lemon juice and garlic butter and grilled over charcoal, and finally giant crayfish, basted and grilled. As they ate the great food as an overview of the country's culinary history, they discussed the probable future of tourism, displacing 18,000 inhabitants for what is considered, 'the common good'. It would be changed too much when foreigners bring in big hotel and store chains when having a picturesque location right in the Indian Ocean with historic structures dotting the tiny island.

As lunch finished the rest of LMM walked around and mingled with the residents. Talking with them with the aide of Wilfredo and Cecilia translating as well as a quick game of football (soccer) with some of the kids and teenagers. It was a warm summer day and a beautiful one at that. However, near one of the crumbling churches, Alberto was with the fixer as part of coming close to where for many ancestors for African Americans in both North and South America, the end of their world; a gate that led to the sea, never to return.

"It's amazing how I know already but seeing places like this that…it's built with, blood essentially," Alberto said and the guide nodded, "And here as you know, for us, the sign of our end."

Alberto nodded and found the area, beautiful, but also deeply sad.

[HOTEL ESCONDIDINHO, 4:57PM]

LMM are back at their hotel and just relaxing after a hot day of touring the island looking at ruins, talking to people, despite some language barrier issues, but for the most part, they got the shots, the story and the impending future or possible future of the island. For the mystics, the history of Arab presence on the island prior to the arrival of Vasco da Gama and the Portuguese, it seemed that Arab traders did not stop the flow of trade from people who came down from the gulf or across the ocean. In other words, the war didn't affect beyond certain regions as they have long suspected, "The magi should know this," Delilah said to Wilfredo.

"I think they know already. But this is concrete proof, as well as the history we've learned from our fixers today. Our own anyway from those at the church and mosque here," he told her and she nodded.

Koji who was in his evening robes and due to the heat wore his yukata spoke as he drank his tea, "Thursday we head to Beira correct? Where are looking for on this trip besides history?"

"Looking at the effects of history particularly here in Mozambique where in our context, all the more relevant," Cecilia said, "Remember, this country gained independence when Salazar's regime collapsed, along with its apartheid like system of governance. Then fell under Marxist rule, which then led to a sixteen-year civil war. This is relevant history. Especially with what is going on in Greece at the moment," she added.

The mystics sighed and their friends thought about what they are talking about, "Even if we do bring this information to the magi next month, would they listen," Zane asked.

"They would have to. Other than that," Gilberto said as he drank a local beer and then added with, "Why are we even having this partnership?"

Juliette spoke as she brushed some hair from her forehead, "Mostly to see if our actions in the past would be seen as exceptional later. In other words, we're trying to save our reputations by cooperating with an outside group. Since this is an esoteric matter."

Edmond who sat next to her agreed, "Mostly a business arrangement. We would no doubt work fine with them but once the arrangement is done, it's done," he stressed and the mystics however weren't so sure.

"Perhaps. But that would be so if this were a normal situation. But this isn't," Delilah stressed, "For better or worse now," she looked at the rest of the orchestra's members who have volunteered to do this, "All of you now are becoming familiars in our world. And that means all esoteric authorities and forces will recognize you. Either as a compatriot or as an enemy."

The members were now anxious on what that would mean in the coming months, "So we're fucked essentially. But given our track record with our stories, that isn't a surprise," Zane said with some slight chuckles going around.

"Afraid so dude," Wilfredo hit his arm playfully and he got it right back, "But in any case, we now know some of the history of the war's extent and where it may not have affected. Now it's up to the others in Greece to deliver the goods once this week is up," he spoke to everyone.

They all nodded and hoped that the others will be able to find useful information or rather a lead in the WWAEI's weaknesses ahead of their possible next target.

WEDNESDAY

ATHENS, GREECE

[ACROPOLIS HOTEL, 9:23PM]

Aside from the protests going on, Eda was in charge of another project, a much more depressing subject. And for a drug related story, she was apprehensive. But Greek viewers have requested it so she is going to honor it, covering the horrible drug known as Sisa, the poor man's crack cocaine artificially created to give a high unlike any other and since the austerity measures enacted in the recent year, drug usage has sky rocketed, especially in the city center.

While in her hotel room she was getting ready her coat and scarf while her bag with her notebook, camera and camera pen just in case are ready at hand. For her, as essential as a first aid kit in case she does get in the crossfires of anything going on in town as of late. Then her door was knocked on, "Come in," she called ou as she checked her hair.

The door opened and it was Bernhard in jeans, a jacket and scarf with black sneakers, "Aren't you ready to go yet," he asked.

"I am…now," she responded as she puts on her scarf, then her coat that matched her jeans and boots, "Let's go. Asuka is probably done waiting with her foot tapping on the marble floor."

She closed the hotel room's door and both walked to the elevator, "Actually I also heard that Alastair would like to join us as a way to keep an eye on us," he told her and she looked at him with a glaring surprised look, "Asuka found out from Dante and Fatma. Sorry."

Eda sighed as she and Bernhard entered the elevator and as she pressed the button to go downward, she spoke, "Well if he thinks we're going to steal more data, then he's dead wrong. Besides, if he wants to tag along for our work, knowing it's going to be boring for him, then fine."

He looked at her and didn't say anything. As the doors opened to the lobby, Asuka was already ready with her backpack ready and motioned them to follow her outside. The three walked outside and see Alastair once again in a three-piece suit but now with a black coat on, "You three don't mind if I tag along?"

Eda opened the door so her friends can sit in the back with her, "Of course not. I mean we won't do a heist right," she retorted, half serious and half playful, which only got him to raise his eyebrow.

"No that would be absurd. As for the other three, won't they be joining us," he asked as he walked around the cab and took the passenger's seat, "No they are busy with something else. Gwen and Kevin meanwhile are dealing with something else just south of us near the beach," Asuka explained.

Alastair nodded and also explained his group are now in the magi area of the city to find things out on their end. It was a brief explanation but inwardly, some details had to be private for now, particularly about weapons and potions…

MEANWHILE

Gwen and Kevin were at a bar about a mile north of the Acropolis called The Gin Joint and there it was a small place not so much a club bar but one where they can get a drink, something they still can't do, back home. But here, Kevin with his beer at hand was in thought, and Gwen noticed as she was mentioning about the new locale with her cocktail in hand. He thought about something else entirely, "Ben's doing fine."

She turned to him with almost a surprised look, "Uh okay. I was going to mention how this place is great. But nice to hear Ben's fine. How did you get in touch with him," she asked.

"He called you but you didn't answer your phone so he called me. He's doing undercover work in Seattle in a joint FBI/Plumber assignment. But that's all he can share for now," he told her as he took a sip of his beer and was nearly done with the bottle.

She looked at him and then at her martini, "You know I was scared at first on what will happen to him the moment we left him alone in Bellwood. But it seems he's doing fine," then Kevin coughed.

"What," she asked as she noticed it and he looked at her, "Well he is doing fine. He did fine during his last year of high school. Though of course he enjoyed himself a lot. Not to mention he had three girls on rotation back then."

"Shut up! He did not," she exclaimed and some people looked at her and she lowered her voice again, "He did not! Ben could barely talk to Julie a few years ago before their break-up as far as we know anyway. How could he have turned into a playboy as you're hinting?"

Kevin chuckled quietly, "How about we finish here and take a walk," he suggested and then finished his beer. Gwen nodded and finished her cocktail and as the two paid and walked outside, he started to explain.

"Well from what I gather from him, he enjoyed his final year of high school by basically fucking his brains out. Two girls who became his fuck buddies and one more who really gave him a send off in the final two months. Anyway, that's as much I was willing to get out of him. And now he's in Seattle…sounds to me he's growing up," he said without any hint of snark.

She however found it hard to swallow, "How is that growing up? Sounds like risky behavior," which got her confused looking boyfriend saying, "Really? How is that growing up? He's a guy and when a guy comes of age and wants to have fun, what do you think we would do when given the opportunity?"

Gwen mouthed her response silently and he smirked lightly, "Exactly. Getting in trouble, rough housing, and if lucky, fucking. It's how we are, but hell, you girls would do the same thing!"

She wanted to object but stopped considering how she wanted to leave home and be on her own with Kevin and well, "…Okay you got a point regarding us girls as well. But for Ben…I hope he was at least careful."

"What are ya', his mother," he asked and she laughed, "Oh that would weird," she exclaimed and then smelled some street food, "Oh I'm hungry. Want a gyro," she offered.

He smiled, "Sure. After this we can check in with the mystics and Dante at their hotel," he brought it up, "I know. But we can have fun still though," she said and winked and he chuckled as they got some food.

MEANWHILE, IN THE MONASTIRAKI NEIGHBORHOOD

Fatma was enjoying a drink with an elderly man who is also a mystic elder of the community. Her Greek was atrocious but pleasantly surprised that he knew Persian, Arabic and Turkish so their conversation was interesting and they garnered a small crowd of young boys and girls, between the ages of 12 and 15 who look up to the elder for guidance. She relayed the whole tale to him of what happened and how she involved since Stockholm and Philadelphia and recently, London.

"Ve bu masalla şimdi burada ve Mozambik'te bilgi ve tarih aramaktayız. (And with that tale we are now here and in Mozambique looking for information and history.)," she said as she switched from her native Persian to Turkish, "Magi aleyhine bir suç işlediğimizi biliyoruz. (We know we've committed a crime against the magi.)"

"Aslında sende var. (Indeed you have.)," the man of 85 said, but still retains the vigor of man half his age, "Hırsızlığı kendisine karşı taahhüt etmek, çalınmanın ciddiyetine bağlı olarak emek veya ölüm cezası gerektiren bir suçtur. (Committing theft against them is a crime punishable by labor or death, pending on the severity of the theft itself.)"

Fatma sighed, "O halde bir yığın belada bulunuyoruz. (So we are in a heap of trouble then.)," she relented, "Az ya da çok. Ama yine, senin ve senin sonraki şeyin ne yapacağına bağlı. (Well, more or less. But again, depends on what you and your lot do next.)," he stressed.

She listened as she finished her drink, "Şey ... bu grubu bu şehir ve ülkeye kadar izledik. Bununla birlikte, sanki Londra'da olduğu gibi bir şey denemeye çalışmıyormuş gibi durgun duruyorlar. (Well…we tracked this group to this city and country. However, they are remaining in stasis, as if not attempting to try anything as they have in London.)," she relayed the current information in her best Greek possible, "Το πιο πιθανό ... οι διαδηλώσεις έρχονται σε δύο μέρες θα είναι κάλυψή τους για ό, τι παίρνουν. (Most likely…the protests coming up in two days time will be their cover for whatever they're getting.)"

Then one of the kids suggested something in Greek, "Εκτός αν κάτι συμβεί κατά τη διάρκεια των διαδηλώσεων και θα δημιουργήσει κάτι ακόμα χειρότερο από τους διαδηλωτές και την αστυνομία συγκρούονται. (Unless something happens during the protests and will create something even worse than the protesters and police clashing.)", which the man translated for her.

Fatma looked at the girl and nodded and then spoke to her and the elderly man translated for her, "Mümkün. Fakat ... ugh, burada çalışan profesyoneller değiliz. Artık sınıf bölüğümüzden çıktığımı hissediyorum. (It's possible. But…ugh, we're not professionals working here. I feel now we're out of our class division.)," she doubted herself and her group but then the man clasped her hand in a reassuring gesture.

He then spoke in an encouraging tone, "Şu anda ihtiyaç duyulan şey bu. Evet, eylemleriniz aptaldı, ama herşeyde olduğu gibi, işinizi bitirin ve işiniz bittiğinde, sonuçları halledin. (It's what's needed right now. Yes your actions were foolish, but as with all things, finish your job and then once it's done, you will be able to handle the consequences.)"

She looked at him and nodded, "من می ترسم، هر چند. (I'm scared, though.)," she said now back in Persian, "بنابراین همه مردم با شجاعت هستند. همه شما می ترسم بلکه اجازه نمی دهم این افراد فجیع به ایجاد درگیری برای همه ما. آیا آنچه که شما می توانید و یک بار بخشی خود را انجام داده است، کسانی که قدرت دارند در گام خواهد. ایمان، بانوی جوان است. (So are all people with courage. You are all scared but also not going to allow these heinous people to cause strife for us all. Do what you can and once your part is done, those who have power will step in. Have faith, young lady.)"

She nodded and then got a text from Dante, "من باید به عنوان در حال حاضر. آیا شما در یک کلمه خوب برای ما قرار داده است، برای دوستان و همکاران من؟ (I should be heading back now. Will you put in a good word for us, for my friends and colleagues?)," she again requested.

"شما باید از کلمه من، بانوی جوان است. (You have my word, young lady.)," he told her and held her hand for a moment and spoke in Greek and due to his power, understood him completely, "Ισχυρό στις θεραπευτικές τέχνες, διορατική στο μυαλό των άλλων, στην αγάπη με τον Δάντη, θυμωμένος με το παρελθόν σας ... ακόμα ... θα λαχταρούν να επιστρέψουν στην πατρίδα τους με τον πατέρα σου. (Powerful in the healing arts, insightful in the mind of others, in love with Dante, angry at your past…yet…you yearn to return home for your father.)"

She blinked and realized what he meant while also surprised by his gift, "Μην ανησυχείτε, θα πρέπει. (Don't worry, you shall.)," he ended it and got up with his cane, she gets up as well. They shook hands and bid each other farewell with him walking home while she walked back to her cab.

Fatma read the text and frowned slightly:

{I go on Friday to meet him. Wish us luck.}

SOMEWHERE BACK NEAR THE CITY CENTRE

Eda was documenting in the darkness of an abandoned library, one of many structural institutions hit hard by a failing economy as well as austerity measures passed by the country's parliament. Litter everywhere as well as syringes, "The birthplace of democracy is literally rotting away from the inside," she commented to the camera Bernhard was holding.

He filmed, as did Asuka from another angle while Alastair was in the shadows as the unofficial bodyguard. For him this was completely surreal and didn't understand why Eda would do this considering for addicts, they are unpredictable in behavior and can become potentially dangerous. And he wanted to get away from here where he can do little to offer protection in a moment's notice, 'This is different than from where I got my training…and years of experience.'

He then saw Eda kneeling down hiding behind a bush, as did Asuka and Bernhard seeing a drug transaction being done on the streets. Eda then signaled her friends and Alastair back to their cab. He noticed this and had his weapons at the ready in his long-coat. But knew if he fired any of them it would announce himself in the open and if the rogues were anywhere nearby, they were fucked, no two ways about it. So for now, he restrained himself.

Then they heard shouting in Greek and their cab was two blocks away, "Come on! Hurry," Alastair told the Germans as they now walked briskly, knowing if they started running, things will get worse.

They turned a corner and lost the drug dealers. They got to their cab and went into the streets, safe, "Okay that was close! But this is not the end is it," Bernhard asked Eda.

"Oh no. We gotta interview at least two to four more people and we got a full documentary. Which also connects to the protests, and we go to round two on Friday," she told him and Asuka looked out the windows and they were in the clear.

She then looked at Eda, "Just don't go too far in this. We're bound to find some sick shit sooner or later. And with the far-right coming into play for Parliament this year here, this country is going to be in a right mess."

Eda nodded and understood, but relished in this assignment. It was a true assignment and she was going to milk it and created a great article to accompany the documentary. Immersive journalism was great, it got her closer to the story and it challenged her to really not let her own biases come through. For most stories she and others have done so far was to find a story, talk to the people and assure them they will just let them tell their story and press record. It's been a useful system so far and now in the middle of riots in Athens this week and now this other story it was an embarrassment of riches.

Alastair looked at her and her friends, just absorbing their behavior. They weren't even thinking about what transpired in London at all, more focused on their current assignments while Dante in vein of Fatma and Scarlett behind the scenes are gathering intelligence online and speaking with several people on the ground.

'They are indeed a peculiar bunch, but I can't just let them slip through my hands and pretend they are solid good citizens. Yes they committed a crime for the benefit of safety but they are rough and sloppy! I need to take command soon, but Dante is proving difficult with his silent treatment. If only…'

Then, Eda interrupted his train of thought, "Hey are you okay," she asked and he blinked, "Of course I am. Just looking out for danger after our close call back there," he responded in a very professional tone.

She nodded and she resumed. Alastair couldn't help now but mentally play a string quartet to calm his nerves. He has a job to do, and he will do it.

THURSDAY

BEIRA, MOZAMBIQUE

[MACUTI BEACH, 2:23PM]

LMM were relaxing on the beach, for the moment since landing here yesterday. How the now rusted wreaked ship became stranded on the beach near the city's old lighthouse has no real answer; either from the locals or their fixers; its just there, part of the background. Weirdly, it was a magnet for LMM who came here for the chicken sold a little bit away near the trees and the sea. Piri-Piri Chicken with bear, fries and or Portuguese bread was on the menu and to their surprise, only a little bit of the Piri-Piri sauce was ever served with chicken. As Cecilia suggested, "They don't trust the people with a lot of it."

"So it's that addictive huh," Alberto asked and she nodded with a smile and they ate while their friends still had fun on the beach, either sunbathing or in the sea swimming.

Wilfredo and Zane practiced some martial arts moves slowly so they can get a handle on some more advanced moves after joining a new gym with Alberto and Gilberto in The Bronx after classes. Zane now has added Wing Chun into his repertoire and made him more of a challenge to Wilfredo than before, which he was already a challenge without it. It was close quarters and both of them enjoyed it, like the old days where the two would have fun competing.

Plus it was their excuse to act out their Kung-Fu fantasies, "You are good, but too early to defeat me," Wilfredo said now sweating due to the heat of summer weather, "Ha! It is you who is early to defeat me," Zane said, as both were not gripping each other's shoulders to subdue the other.

Using their feet and legs for leverage as well, it seemed like a stalemate but then Zane got an opening and subdued him to the sand but then Wilfredo kicked his friend out of balance in the knee and both were panting on the sand, "Damn…I can't beat you out right!"

Wilfredo shouted with a laugh and Zane chuckled, "Sorry but I can't let you have a good victory," and then he got up and helped Wilfredo up, both brushing sand off their bodies.

They adjusted their trunks and noticed some local girls on the beach, "Not bad huh," Zane whispered, "Not bad at all. Thought I heard in Maputo they are more hot," Wilfredo whispered back as both boys waved to the girls who waved in return, giggling among themselves as they approached them.

Cecilia noticed as she was lying down with Juliette, "The boys are displaying their feathers," she remarked in a bored tone, and Juliette looked and remarked as the boys conversed with the four girls, "In a way but it's friendly."

"True. Besides, he and I share a hotel room anyway," Cecilia smiled inwardly knowing Wilfredo won't try anything funny in front of her and Juliette can attest to that, that both Zane and Wilfredo were just talking and the latter translating for Zane from English to Portuguese.

Then Koji who was in black speedo with his body lean and toned approached her, "Any sort of person we'll meet today or tomorrow," he asked who was by now impatient, "Not to push you but time is not on our side. Since we ruled out the WWAEI are not in this country under any capacity."

She raised her sunglasses, "He'll offer some insight on what action we should take when we meet with the magi. However, he also warned about not listening to our new allies," she also added and Koji just listened as he stood over her.

He then responded after a few moments

MEANWHILE IN ATHENS

[ACROPOLIS HOTEL, 2:30PM]

Scarlett was typing computer code while Dante when she then gets a text from her private supplier, "It's him. I gotta go and get the goods," she told him and he nodded, "Take Fatma with you."

Fatma who was reading looked up, "What," she asked, "Want to come along," Scarlett asked and she nodded, "Sure," so she got up and went with the Brit out of the hotel room.

In the elevator Scarlett looked to Fatma, "How is he," she asked, "Pardon," and the Persian girl looked at the Brit, "You know, as a bloke. How is he as a boyfriend?"

Fatma realized it and chuckled, "He's great. At times a bit, moody, but not a fault on his overall character…more like an addition to the overall package," she explained and Scarlett nodded, "Right. Gotcha."

Once in the lobby they headed out of the hotel, "A bit nippy tonight. But favorable compared to London right now. Raining nonstop," Scarlett commented as Fatma hailed a taxi and both got in and headed off.

After a ten-minute ride south of their hotel they arrived and told the driver to wait. Then Scarlett led Fatma down an alleyway, shaded from the sun overhead, "What kind of man or woman are we meeting," Fatma asked as she walked behind Scarlett.

The British young woman turned her head and smiled before resuming walking ahead of her, "He's a man after my own vices regarding technology. Dante himself would cream his trousers if he knew whom I was meeting," she declared.

"Shush. Keep it down. Walls have ears and we don't know if WWAEI are in fact tailing us. They've been keeping low even by our methods," she told the Brit who just waved it off, "Oh don't be a stick in the mud. Though you do enjoy the rigid phallus of his in you."

This made Fatma speechless and before she can respond, they arrived at the electronics store now reaching another main street and sees the store in question with its neon sign off for the day but no doubt open with only a handful of customers inside, "Come on. My guy is inside. He's a private bloke, seriously so, can you stand guard outside of the room until I'm done."

Fatma nodded in agreement, but also brought up, "You know Dante will not like it if you keep this secret from him and the others," but Scarlett brushed off her worries, "No problem. However, you are right."

As the two girls entered, the owner silently motioned the Brit to head upstairs with Fatma in tow. The door opened slightly ajar and both heard English in a slightly accented tone, "Scarlett, come in."

She nodded at Fatma as she entered, closed the door with her friend now standing outside guarding it. She puts her left hand in her coat pocket and fingered her necklace, wondering about her mother and sister in Istanbul, as well as her father, still in Iran. She wondered if this whole mess would come for her family if she's not there, that, along for the others, was her main worry.

LATER THAT AFTERNOON

BEIRA, MOZAMBIQUE

[THE GRAND HOTEL, 4:01PM]

Cecilia met her fixer while she and Zach and Zane filmed her at the derelict ruins of a grand hotel where now 3000 squatters live. It was a depressing site, that a once great hotel of Beira was affected in the 1970's after the country gained independence and when the communist group RENAMO took over the country. With trade sanctions enacted that also targeted Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) at the time, the port city of Beira foundered with 10,000 jobs lost and the tourist trade dried up to nothing. Plus it was also a refuge for many IDPs' (Internally Displaced People) to flee from the destruction of the civil that rocked the country. Today, twenty years after the fighting stopped, they still reside here in the derelict sight.

Their fixer and his friend led them around the property and it's a skeleton with it stripped back to its concrete frame where people live, clothes hanging on lines to dry, the smell was well, unpleasant to say the least and after going up and downstairs they finally headed for the pool out back where it was a sizeable pool and there was water, but the water was anything but pristine.

"E coli riddled water," Cecilia remarked, "Do they use this for restroom only," she asked which she felt was a stupid question but in any case, she got a response, "No, unfortunately, they use it also for drinking water and for laundry use."

Cecilia nodded in disapproval on how far the country has to go to address problems like this, "E coli riddled water, pissing and shitting in it…" she was beyond disgusted.

"Three thousand people living in squalor and having to drink contaminated water with no electric power or plumbing. Enough, call it a day," she said and took off hat, "Nothing more to say," she said to the camera and soon enough Zane and Zach turned them off. This was a tough shoot.

Cecilia then walked with the main fixer while the other was with the boys, "Sorry, even though I'm from Brazil, I've never seen this level of poverty," she told the man in question.

The man sighed and wiped the brow of his forehead with a handkerchief, "It is a sad thing. Twenty years since the end of the civil war and it looks like nothing is going forward. We need the money for our country to invest in our infrastructure," he told her.

She nodded, "I know. It's the same story across the developing world and the issue of corruption is something we already discussed. But right now, I'm not interested in that. I'm interested in what you want to tell me about the other thing," she stressed on the esoteric matter at hand.

He stopped walking and so did she, "From what you told me, it looks like you already made your move and know what to do. My concern is the punishment you all will have to face in the end."

"For the theft from the magi, yeah, I know," she said in an exasperated tone, "It was something I told the others, especially the one in charge of that whole operation. But come, it was for a good cause!"

She exclaimed while the man was calm and told her the truth, "Despite what your intentions were, good as they stand, it won't help you if you don't deliver. You need allies now, and in this case, the very magi you insulted and now, according to your additional information, it seems to me your new partnership is already underway."

Cecilia looked at the man, "You're right. But I am not a fan of this arrangement. Since we pretty much like to carry this burden ourselves," she said and he nodded, "I can see that. But if your head of command is wise, he would do to accept whatever is offered."

His words rang true while Zach and Zane took pictures of the derelict hotel so they can post this on their site along with the travelogue video in the next week or so. Cecilia glanced at them, and then after a few moments of silence, "I hope you're right."

LATER THAT DAY IN ATHENS

[Κιμωλία Art Café, 6:45PM]

The sun has already set and Dante along with Alastair sat across from each other with their cups of coffee sitting nice and hot. Dante then puts some sugar in it and stirred it, "So…that's your proposal, huh?"

Alastair nodded, "That is the plan. I do hope you accept these terms, as a way for us to save face while also, work with your lot," he told Dante who nodded.

Dante drank a bit of his coffee, "Well…I snooped around their network and figured out where they will be. They will be indeed around the Greek Parliament Building tomorrow while meeting contacts. Arms dealers, which will be also, lead to recruitment. What we need one of them to interrogate," he told the British mage.

Alastair nodded and picked up his cup of coffee, "I have a way to ensure this. Plus we need to imprison him or her so we can get reliable information. Do you object to this," he asked and Dante nodded, no.

"This is essentially war, we will do what we must. The world is at war with itself after all."

FRIDAY

ATHENS, GREECE

[GREEK PARLIAMENT, 2:34PM]

Another protest started and this time, after days of scoping things out from the sidelines, the three LMM members were now on part of the action, filming and documenting the protests, "ΘΑΝΑΤΟΣ ΣΤΟ ΣΥΣΤΗΜΑ! ΔΩΣΤΕ ΠΙΣΩ ΗΠΑ ΜΕΛΛΟΝ ΜΑΣ! ΘΑΝΑΤΟΣ ΣΤΟ ΣΥΣΤΗΜΑ! ΔΩΣΤΕ ΠΙΣΩ ΗΠΑ ΜΕΛΛΟΝ ΜΑΣ! (DEATH TO THE SYSTEM! GIVE US BACK OUR FUTURE! DEATH TO THE SYSTEM! GIVE US BACK OUR SYSTEM!"

While Eda and Asuka along with Bernhard were filming in the crowds of the protests, Dante was using his drone to go above the crowds to film the scene below and it was a massive show of force with Fatma assisting. Protestors demanding change and will do anything to get them out of this hell the country's policy makers have done. Plus, the situation with the EU is at an all time low, and with a huge debt, things are definitely getting desperate. As Asuka interviewed before coming here, an anarchist did say that politics tend to go to the right in times of crisis; just as Germany had following their defeat following WWI that eventually led to Hitler and the rise of Nazism.

Henriette was also on the scene as she was with Eda, "This is a madhouse! I can't believe this! We don't normally have this in our society," she shouted to Eda over the noise while Asuka wasn't filming.

"Really? That is new to me. Then again, when a country has a democratic system, it can be a bit of a mess…okay, a big mess of many people wanting to participate. But, it's better than the autocratic alternative!"

Henriette shook her head, "But this is anarchy and, OH MY GOD," she shouted as the clashes between protestors and the police and members from a right wing party started.

Then Asuka radioed Bernhard and Dante, "It's getting dangerous here now! We're going to have to report this from your point Dante," she shouted, "Roger," the boys responded.

She led Eda and Henriette away from the craziness and can hear the banging of the police's shields from stuff the protestors were throwing. They rushed up a building and headed for the roof across from the parliament building. They are now seeing below the mass of protestors with signs demanding a fairer government and Henriette for once seeing something so far beyond her own limited experience with Muggles. This was indeed…a world gone mad before her eyes. It was both maddening and inspiring, but she wonders how her friends are doing right now with the more unsavory job of arresting a rogue mage.

Meanwhile, Alastair along with Rachel and Jane were tracking a group of suspect WWAEI members down the street away from the protests and since the city like most European cities have winding streets that almost form a maze, they reached an area where it was quiet, so they were careful now. They then hear a conversation going down and it was in English:

"Are the groups in place in our locations," one asked, "Yes. We shall strike and recruit to increase our odds for success. Plus, backers will supply us with intelligence and weapons to aid our cause," the contact responded, most likely a supporter.

"Remember, our leader shall pay you substantially well when your efforts pay off. But we do pay you regardless for your services," the other member held out a briefcase with money and handed it to the man who bowed slightly.

Then as the man left, the two WWAEI members were about to Apparate out of there, Alastair apprehended one with a stunning spell. Jane and Rachel then conjured binds so the mage won't escape. As the two girls got him, Alastair took out his palantir, "Aurors in the area! One WWAEI member captured! Come and take him to a secure location and make sure he's safe until this mess is resolved!"

"Roger that, sir," the voices responded and in an instant, several came to arrest him and Alastair was now relaxed, a bit anyway.

'If this can work, then we shall succeed more effectively,' he thought, "Next stop, Morocco."

Then he along with Jane and Rachel left he scene and headed back for the square, so they can tell the others of this arrest. Dante would know and would be pleased and perhaps their plan they agreed one will work. It was a high-risk strategy, with more chances of failure, but if pulled off, only one sacrifice will be made in the end; a small price to pay for an act of hubris.

SATURDAY

MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE

[3:23PM]

LMM have their last day in the capital in the south and their whole trip here was to say, an experience. It was transformative, rejuvenating, hopeful and now on the beaches of the capital where many are outside to enjoy the beach after a hard day at work and school and to cool off. Couples enjoying their afternoon, women gossiping, men grilling fish, and kids in the water or racing on the sand.

The orchestra got some beer, some fish and relaxed, "What a week," Zane said, "And next month, Morocco!"

The orchestra clanked glasses and cheered. Their travelogue is now done, no more filming aside from a few beach scenes and now to kick back, relax and enjoy the summer of the southern hemisphere.

The mystics were in the water but further down the beach where baptisms were taking place with local Christian priests and their followers. A metaphor for national cleansing perhaps, but for them, it was to send a message into the mana field. They held hands and closed their eyes as the waves of the sea splashed against them. No chanting or praying was done, just letting their desires and pleas for aid and for anyone to come help them and the magi. Sort of like, having your wishes scatter into the winds and soon, many would know of what you want. In this case though, it's the call to battle.

The day went by and they hoped their call for aid would go heeded. After this trip they now know they can't do this alone and hoped some or at least one would answer…

[Music Bit: "Dance of Dragons" from Game of Thrones-Season 5]

SUNDAY

TANGIER, MOROCCO

The wind carried the desire of the mystics and magi as a message in the mana field to any who would join them in the coming months A man in purple robes and a hat to shield his baldhead from the sun walked down the Medina as he noticed the change in the winds. His dark skin, a sign of his heritage from West Africa now in Morocco reflected in the sunlight as he sees posters of propaganda of a group of magi and mystics only their kind can see. Luckily for him, he can see the message in the Arabic script and what it really wanted.

But also down the block, posters for an upcoming list of orchestras coming next month to perform music and one caught his eye due to its pleasant title, "Les Musiciens du Monde ... et ces jeunes ... ils ont le feu de la divinité en eux. (Les Musiciens du Monde…and these young people…they have the fire of divinity in them.)," he smiled.

He continued to walk and the earth silently rumbled below his feet, resonating with his inner strength. The crisp air rejuvenated his senses and his aura connected with the earth as if he were heavier than he appeared, despite him already tall and muscular under his robes. But his power was hidden, and now in a secluded part of the Medina, he raised his hands and closed his eyes, feeling the message from the south and east of his position, a cry for help, he responded.

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA

A young Arabian was in his lesson with his fencing mentor with a saber while wearing training robes in the court of his family home. He has a princely quality to him, but unlike the ruling family of the country, his is a far older and nobler stock, "Faster! Harder! Yes! You're improving," his fencing master instructed as the young man sparred his partner.

His power was fueling him and his strikes became faster and faster, almost a blur to his opponent but then, "أخبار! وويي على هذه الخطوة! سيضربون المغرب في غضون شهر! (News! WWAEI are on the move! They will strike Morocco in a month's time!)"

The young man stopped and his partner lowered his sword, he smiled. Knowing his chance to prove himself and fend off these radicals off intending to stoke the flames of his world even more is far enough. He'll meet them in battle, as swift as his horse is as fast as the wind itself. He is of an old family, older than the current ruling family and more honors in spades in terms of keeping their word. He knelt down, raised his hands and closed his eyes.

Feeling the wind around him as did his teacher who saw him kneel down and others felt the power of the princely mystic as he felt the desires and pleas of those wanting to end the WWAEI. He responded justly…

KOLKATA, INDIA

The slight rain falling as she was walking along the riverfront and the chaos of life all around her. She closed her eyes to breathe in and out, which once she done so, she disappeared from one point and reappeared at another, less hectic but now in one of the palace ruins as if a tourist now. She felt the wind flowing and she lowered her sari to feel it caress her face as another sari altogether.

She raised her hands midlevel with her shoulders and let the wind envelop her as does the rain. She felt the cry for help, from a small group but willing to do anything it takes. She felt pity and desire to lend her own talents, and a desire to prove herself. She sent out her response in the mana field, hoping her answer will be known in a month's time.

"ਮੈਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣ ਸਕਦਾ ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਅਸਲ ਏਜੰਡਾ ਕੀ ਹੈ ਪਰ ਜੇ ਆਖਰੀ ਗੇਮ ਏਸੋਟਰਿਕਾ ਦੇ ਦੋ ਸਮੂਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਸੰਤੁਲਨ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ. (I may not know what is their true agenda but if the end game is balance of the two groups of esoterica, then so be it.)," she spoke in her native Punjabi, and let that leak into the wind where it will be carried.

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, CHINA

A monk was training in the mountains of Central China, two hundred miles west of Xian along with other warrior monks. He felt a breeze now in the early evening, late afternoon. The wind blew from the west and south, an unusual thing at this time but then he felt it, a message in the mana field. He smiled, "所以孩子們現在已經走了。 好的，現在我會回應 (So the kids have made their move now. Good, now, I shall respond.)"

He responded, as did the others in Saudi Arabia, India and Morocco at this moment. He and the other two, raising his hands, closed his eyes and concentrated in communing with the mana field where all magi and mystics feel the desires and pleas for aid and sooner than later, someone or many would respond in some fashion. Then the wind died down as did for the others in Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and India, with Tong, the tall, strong, broad-shouldered warrior monk now relaxing and stood up.

"我可以感覺到...他們的罪行，但是好的意圖，但這樣做會有一個代價... (I can feel it…their crime but good intentions for doing it…but there will be a price for this…)" he then dusted his robes and walked down the mountain, "我希望他們準備付錢。 (I hope they're ready to pay.)"

[End music bit]

THREE DAYS LATER…

QUEENS, NEW YORK CITY, NY, USA

[QUEENS VILLAGE, EASTERN QUEENS, 4:12PM]

Wilfredo, Zane, Gilberto, Alberto and Jang were in the gym working on their skills on Boxing, Muay Chaiya, Filipino Kali, Wing Chun and some Judo and Ju-Jitsu moves on each other. In this gym, it was an old school setting with equipment that was basic but more than effective from dumbbells, barbells, punching bags for fists and feet, and rings for sparring matches. Everyone else was working out as normally as they can while the instructors were drilling the boys along with others who were from the police department, military veterans, college kids and local kids who want a new direction in life. No matter what background, they all got the same training.

"Come on! Push through! Only two minutes to go! Don't give in now," one of the instructors shouted, in this case, a woman in her mid-thirties in workout shorts, a tank top and her hair in a bun.

The boys were signaled out along with the professionals due to them actually sharing what's going on in their lives. So they are particularly hard on them, but not to break them, but to shape them to handle this new threat. While the class was going on, in the office nearby, with the heater on, and him typing on his computer, the owner of the gym, a Jewish man in his late seventies with the vigor and strength of someone in his forties and his wrinkles weren't too severe from his hard life looked on at the kids.

His grandson entered who is the new boxing coach, with thick black hair, piercing blue eyes and a well-built form puts down new applications, "New members coming in. Not much, just fifty," he said.

"We'll manage. How are the young boys," the manager asked about the LMM members, "Good, just fine on their end. They are concerned about what's going down and putting more effort."

"They're preparing for a fight. And judging by their progress, it's a real big fight coming," he said and stopped typing, and rubbed his forehead's temples knowing the shit storm the young men will be in.

"It's like Korea and Vietnam all over again. Only this time its more fantastic shit. Magic, mystical whatever, sounds like bullshit to me at first…until that Pereira kid showed me some photos and what…he showed me."

His grandson sat down across from him, "What did he show you," he asked and sees his grandfather looking a bit, winded, "He showed me…your grandmother, safe and sound."

"What? But she died three years ago," his grandson exclaimed but kept it low enough so others won't know, "I know! But…to see her face alive, yet restful in his vision…makes me relax a bit," the older man responded and then shook his head and returned to his previous demeanor.

"Keep those boys in line and we shall see if they can deliver soon," he told his grandson who smiled and got up, "No problem, old man," and left the office, leaving the gym's owner there, thinking about if the request is really true and if he saw what he saw was real or not.

MEANWHILE IN MANHATTAN

In an office building dating back to the 1920s on the fifteenth floor, Alastair sat in the waiting room. Dressed in a navy blue suit, three piece of course, and the symbol of a house he served while away was on the dress robes over his suit. A secretary then appeared, "Mr. Rathbone, she would see you now."

He gets up and heads for the office. Inside was a woman who looked to be 35 with smooth black hair, looking elegant in her office dress, "Sit," she said in a mix of a British and German accent, "Have you brought the documents you promised me," she asked.

He held up his briefcase and opened it to take out documents for her to read. She went through them, all with seals of a family and government she knew so well as well as his family's crest, "You do realize that he will suffer for all of you. Excuse me, repay the debt for what was done."

He nodded, "I have relayed this information to him and he understood what needs to be done. He did not like it, but accepted it regardless," he responded with candor.

She silently nodded and signed off on the main document and puts her stamp on it, "I will relay this to the rest of the committee. Remember, I do know of your service and deeds over the years. This is also partially a favor for you and your heart's desire. Make sure your efforts aren't wasted."

"You have my word. We shall succeed with this sort of alliance," he told her and she nodded, "Very well," she responded simply.

He then gets the papers from her, puts them back in his briefcase and salutes her and heads out of her office. She was sitting there and with her hands folded to support her head as she contemplated this situation she then smiled lightly and thought this, 'This is going to be a very fun chess match. I guarantee it.'

TO BE CONTINUED

I will not explain my absence since it was to either work out this new formula for this story; life got in the way and plain old' distracted. Not to brush you readers off. Of course not: it was just to just get a handle on this new story since after putting up the first chapter, this was not going to be same as the previous two arcs. So for those who have waited this long for an update of mine, I apologize.

So read, review, critique and see you all next time! Oh I got my first job! About fucking time! Kidding, I'm glad I got my first job after months and months of volunteering. Years actually. But whatever! This is done, posted and chapter three is coming!