"Wow, so the rumors of you having a motorcycle were true." Midnight leaned on the chair he sat in, long legs on splayed from the sides of the chair's back. His eyes were alight with interest as he, Ernesto, Carnelian, and Blaze sat at a table. Mlynar had been the most recent addition to the group that came around to the strange collection of individuals. Odd enough to see just two talking to each other, putting all of them together would make an odd sight if one were to know. But here in New Orange, seeing the alluring Midnight, cheerful Ernesto, the ever confident Carnelian, a jovial Blaze, and the ever dour Mlynar brought a different sort of look towards the group. Mostly on their appearance, seeing such a multicultural collective was less of an issue in New Orange after all.
"Here's your club sandwich," a waitress came by and dropped Blaze's food off, but lingered her gaze at the seated group before running into Mlynar. Her tray knocked up into her and her feet slipped. In a rather interesting fashion, she was held up from falling by them all. To those who witnessed it, the waitress looked like one of the old depictions of ancient Siracusan artistry.
"Are you alright?" Carnelian asked as she held the woman's back. Midnight came from her side and helped the waitress up.
"We apologize for our boorish companion, he's quite the uncouth one."
"Hmg," was Mlynar's grunt but he made sure the woman was steady before everyone let her go. She stayed frozen for a second before Ernesto sent her off with a wink and she and many other onlookers felt their hearts swoon before Mlynar sat down with the others.
"Why was I called?"
"Oh come now Mlynar dear, can't friends catch up?" Midnight asked with a charming smile spreading on his face. Blaze choked on her sandwich at the thickness of Midnight's attempt and even Carnelian let out a short bark of laughter. Mlynar narrowed his eyes before Midnight shrugged. "Well, in truth, none of are actually friends after all. Coworkers for sure, but also because there are a few key things that'd be nice of you to help with."
"I thought I was on vacation," Mlynar stated simply.
"Ha, as if you'd ever willingly take a vacation," Carnelian laughed. Of the group here, all save Midnight who he shared the dorm with, she was the one who routinely worked with him in the Control Center, so there was some degree of familiarity. "You were put on medical leave, but you look right as rain now." Mlynar neither confirmed nor denied their accusations and instead waved down a waittress. The one who came had finished talking to the one who had just been held by all of them and nervously approached.
"Excuse me, could I get a Gołąbki?" Mlynar said, his Kazimerzian tongue effortless saying the dish's name. The waitresses nodded before heading off. Blaze had already finished her sandwich and had now rejoined back into the conversation with a, "wait, I forgot to ask her for a coke".
"Someone will be back later," Ernesto waved off. "Kazimerzian food is quite hearty though, pero es muy delicioso ."
"Speaking of such," Mlynar cut in eyeing them all. "Whatever you're asking of me must be something that needs to be done."
"Couldn't it have all just been a coincidence that I told you to meet me at a Kazimierzian restaurant for lunch?" Midnight asked innocently.
"No."
"Fair enough, and yes, it's quite troublesome," Midnight admitted. The waitress came now with the rest of their orders, including Mlynar's and Blaze's second lunch. Showered by unintended and some very intended compliments, she left red faced and walking on air.
"You ordered a slice of sernik for lunch?" Mlynar asked, staring at Midnight's meal.
"You know I have a sweet tooth," Midnight shot back.
"Yo Mlynar, what's this supposed to be?" That was Blaze who asked the question as she analyzed the dish in front of her.
"Pierogi ."
"This pierohgoy is pretty good," Blaze smiled. Mlynar didn't bother trying to correct her.
"It's something akin to infiltration," Ernesto said quietly, but just loud enough for only those at the group could hear. His words, over scored by the rancorous voices of the patrons as well as the idle chatter amongst the other.
"What could you use me for in an infiltration mission?" Mlynar asked.
"Just something simple. We need a Kazimerian hand."
"There are others."
"You're the only hombre," Ernest finished. Mlynar opened his mouth to respond but shut it. He never realized that truth till now.
"What needs to be done?"
"We need you to rejoin the corporate work force," Mlynar turned to Carnelian eyes wide. Not much could elicit that sort of reaction from him, but something like this, yeah this would. "Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating."
"She's kinda not," Midnight mused as he added as Ernesto took over interference talking. "What you'd need to do is formally act as Rhode Island's representative amongst a few… Kazimierizian business."
"For what cause?" True to his word to Penance, Mlynar had kept his hands clean of any official Rhode Island business, despite the multitude of files that Penance had in their shared room. Many he saw were marked officially by both Rhodes and another party, but did not let his prying eyes wander.
"It's mostly just a formality in regards to being introduced to some Kazimierzian companies who may have some linkage to recent rise of infections happening in New Orange," Midnight said, but his tone became startlingly serious. "In truth, we hope its nothing more than coincidence, however we want to take all available analysis before moving forward. I apologize because this does go against some explicit orders by the Doctor about not including you, however in order to make things go smoother I felt like you could help quite a lot."
"If you think I have old contacts amongst Kazimierzian business elite–"
"Far from it." This time it was Ernesto who spoke. "We're hoping you have very little in fact. All other Kazimierzian operators are either too well known, like your nieces or Senorita Proviso, or would not be able to handle a more corporate setting, like Senorita Platinum." Mlynar narrowed his eyes as he thought about what the implications he said, it dawned him suddenly.
"You don't need me, you just need a Kazimierzian face who knows how to act appropriately."
"Correctamundo mi amigo," Ernesto chuckled. "A rich face in order to get into the circles to see what they can learn. In truth, you are the only individual who could possibly do it."
"But again, why me? Why a Kazimierzian?"
"Many would find an outside attempt to invest in a company out of the blue too suspicious. At least with someone from a similar country, much of the suspicious could be abated as simply trusting like for like. Being a Nearl also probably helps," Blaze said. Though she tried to speak softer, her natural loudness rendered such an impossibility. Though at this point much of the more delicate parts had already been covered. Mlynar had some reservations however, such as the fact he was pretty sure a Nearl wouldn't would not at all be a boon in the situation, and his own previous conduct as a corporate employee showed his disdain from actually cultivating business relations of his own volition. However, he didn't openly voice these thoughts. "I'll help run the point on this little mission as the only elite operator currently on board, and especially so since this mission ain't exactly full on the up and up."
"Oh wonderful," Mlynar muttered.
"You don't have to do this to be fair," Midnight responded, a look of guilt in his eyes but Mlynar waved it off.
"No, I am no longer injured, and I have been feeling restless as of late," Mlynar responded. They were giving him an out, a kind endeavor, but perhaps he had already made up his mind when they spoke of the context of the goals itself. "I would like some time to learn and figure out what exactly entails, as well as how this would work, but you will have my aid if you so need it."
"Woo, this is fantastic! Drinks are on me! A round of shots here please!" Blaze shouted as she waved down a waitress.
"It's only two in the afternoon?"
"It's six o'clock somewhere!"
- L&L-
"I'm honestly quite glad to have some help."
Those were the first words that Princeton Plainsburough's hospital said to Deszcz and Penance when they first met her and her team. Her team really consisted of two other staff members, who's deep eye bags were telling enough for the two experienced lawyers.
"Happy to help!" Deszcz saluted. Penance nodded solemnly, she eyed the many other documents spread out amongst the three desks in the office occupied by the legal team.
"What is all of this?" Penance asked, eyeing several of the piles. The head of the legal team, Elle Woods, gave her a tired smile.
"Those are all the invoices, healthcare proxies, NDA's, contracts in regards to the root of this problem," Ms Woods replied. "Oripathy patients."
"These are all oripathy patients?" Penance said her eyes wide. "What were all the documents that were sent to us already?"
"Those were briefs. Both ours and the prosecutors who're trying to indict us AND the libel suit we're trying to file."
"Two at once," Deszcz whistled. "That's pretty bold of you to try and do with only three people."
"We HAD five, but for some reason, they've gotten sick. Some sort of flu is going around New Orange alongside the recent uptick in oripathy." The head lawyer sighed tiredly. "Which is a shame, one of them has a photographic memory so reading all these cases would've been a lot easier."
"Certainly sounds like it," Deszcz chuckled. Her optimistic energy seemed to invigorate the other three haggard lawyers in the room, as it seemed even the tired Elle let out a small giggle. "Welp, since it neatly comes down to it, Lavinia, you got the criminal defense, and I get the business libel?"
"Yes, that works perfectly," Penance replied, already shedding off her coat. Pulling out her reading glasses she looked over to the paralegal, a youngish looking Perro or a particularly droopy eared Lupo with bags under his eyes much the same state as the other two, but there was still an optimism that was rekindled by Deszcz vigor.
"H-Here you go ma'am," the Perro stammered as he heaped several documents onto the desk she was using. His hands were somewhat sweaty and so some of the papers still remained stuck on his hands as he tried to flick it off. It remained stuck, and only released when he tried to peel it off only to rip it in half. He let out a yelp before he tried to run away, but was stopped by a sharp glance from Penance. Even without her vestments, like the hammer or her gauntlet, her gaze remained the sharpest thing about her. "Y-Yes ma'am!"
" Rilassari , I don't make it a habit to chastise mistakes like that. Especially if it's the first time we've met," Penance said. While still overlooking the other documents she gestured to a seat besides her. "What's your name?"
"L-L-Liam ma'am. Liam Conti."
"Conti? From Siracusa?" Penance asked, intrigued.
"Yes, my father's side. My mother's from Victoria, so that's why I'm Liam and not Luigi, like my Uncle." Penance gave the younger man the once over. He had a bit of Lupo on him. Mostly around the eyes, there would be a sharpness to them if he would meet her own, but with his gaze looking anywhere but her it made him look more approachable but a little bit like Jessica, that one Feline girl from Blacksteel that Penance recounted looking at him.
"Were you put in charge of this before we came here?"
"U-Uh yes, sorry if my notes are little-"
"I haven't read them yet, so I cannot make an opinion of them yet." She said those words simply and without malice but there was a look of fear that shone in his eyes before she cleared her throat and tried a different approach. Reading through this many papers alone would be troublesome so she'd rather have a condensed version to start off with from someone who has been going through it.
"Could you give me a verbal recollection of what you've read so far?" she asked, doing her best to use her nicer voice. The one she used when trying to get victims to talk to her as a prosecutor. "It's easier to get a lawyer's perspective of a case when taking over." He looked ready to once more refute her words before she politely held a hand up. "In this case, you're the closest thing to a lawyer that isn't Miss Woods. You may not currently think of yourself so highly, but whatever you have will be a boon regardless."
"W-Well," his stutter remained but the praise gave him some sort of confidence to speak. "We've been charged with twenty three counts of healthcare fraud, twenty two counts of counterfeit medicine, and at least five counts of illegal human experimentation." Penance blinked at the charges. Not only for the count of it, but also the surface description of what the charges are. "There's more. These are just the charges that were lodged at us before prosecution got involved." Penance made a waving and motion, giving a signal for him to continue. "We also have six charges of false medical claims… And over fifty charges of medical malpractice." Penance digested all of this info with the same resignation she got when she was faced with large scale crimes back in Siracusa. She took a breath and decided to analyze them one at a time.
"In Columbia, which charges are the most pressing? The ones that require the highest degree of burden of proof and which one requires the least amount?"
"The most pressing with the highest degree of burden, or the least amount?" Liam questioned.
"Most pressing charge that requires the highest burden first."
"It would be the false medical claims," Liam answered. Penance gave him a leveled stare.
"False medical claims carry such weight in Columbia?" Liam laughed nervously at her question.
"In Columbia peddling false claims that HAVE been verified to be false is quite a serious charge AND crime. It's a charge that carries a lot of weight for many companies, especially in the medical service industry. Making a claim like "we can cure Oripathy" is vastly different that Rhode Island's message of "we work towards a cure for Oripathy" after all." Penance mulled over the words before Liam continued. "However, false claims can be easily dissuaded by either recanting before damage becomes too severe or if the words themselves were taken out of context. Victorian can be very vague after all." Penance made a noncommittal noise, her own troubles with learning Victorian resurfacing in her mind briefly.
"Alright, then what is the highest pressing charge with the lowest burden of proof needed?"
"That would be the case of medical malpractice."
"That has the most counts against us." Liam let out a small noise. "What?"
"Not really… Us, per say. Mostly towards one doctor of Princeton Plainsburough in particular." Penance blinked. "In fact, most charges of the criminal variety are anchored towards one doctor in particular."
"Who the hell is this one doctor that has fifty malpractice charges against him?" Penance demanded. Liam shrunk at the outburst.
"Well… He's… An interesting case?" Liam's words betrayed a level of exhaustion Penance had only heard in herself after she had dealt with braggarts and arrogant witnesses who were intent on ratting on their associates in order to serve their own interests.
"What's his name?" she demanded firmly. Liam sighed before he pulled a file that he had previously hidden in his hands. A dossier for a profile of an individual. Penance opened it up and saw the man's picture as well as his name which she read out.
"Gregory Horse?"
- L&L-
The Doctor oversaw the retrofitting of Rhode Island from their office. They saw the construction crews and the Engineers do their work under Closure's supervision. Turning back to their office however, the Doctor came across a figure that they knew from correspondence, but never had the pleasure of meeting in person. Well, at least in this time.
"Good afternoon Doctor," Tin Man said with that strange cadence to his voice. Like static on a radio, that machine that served as his vocal chords gave off a disconcerting ticking noise to those with less hardened hearts and ears. For the Doctor, they simply extended a hand in greeting that the Tin Man's reciprocated warmly, both figuratively and literally. Gesturing to a chair opposite of their desk, the two sat down.
"Would it be rude to offer tea or water?" The Tin Man let out a garbling noise of static that replaced laughter, but shooks his head.
"Would you mind if I smoke?" The Tin Man pulled out a packet of everyday cigarettes that someone could find out of his coat pocket. In lieu of a lighter however, he simply opened his palm for a small blue flame to alight.
"Feel free. Luckily by the time Kal'tsit and Amiya come back, I can easily get the smell out." Another chuckle from the Tin Man before the cigarette was placed in the artificial jaw of his as he lit the cigarette. To be on the safe side the Doctor opened the window a crack to let some smoke out.
"So tell me Tin Man, what brings you to my office? I don't think I've committed any crimes as of late," the Doctor joked half heartedly, but they could guess why the elusive Tin Man would approach Rhode Island first and not the other way around. If the Tin Man could, his eyes would have rolled at the joke, Instead he rolled his hand. "So it must be in regards to our recent business ally's legal troubles, though while I think some issues are of Maylander's concerns, I didn't think I would get a visit from you personally, especially since our previous engagements in Columbia had finished."
"Dreadful business. One never expects betrayal to come from enemies, but is always surprised to see it from friends," the Tin Man replied with a mechanical sigh. "How has she been since? Adjusting well under HER leadership?"
"Considering she's with Kal'tsit and Amiya at a shareholder meeting in Victoria, she's been quite helpful in regards to negotiations at least," the Doctor gushed. "But I bet if she hadn't been brought along to that meeting, she'd be front and center at the forefront of these "investigations"." At this the Tin Man chuckled and stubbed the cigarette in his palm. "But at the same time, I doubt a legal case would necessitate a head honcho of your caliber to meet with me."
"Princeton Plainsburough is being investigated for human experimentation for one, and oftentimes human trafficking runs hand in hand with that," the Tin Man mused, almost offhandedly. It was a bluff, obviously, the Doctor could tell as much. He knew that Rhode Island would never condone nor support any such actions, especially in the case of their personal having been a product or victims of underground Columbian human experimentation and trafficking. No, there was something else the Doctor could see the Tin Man was posturing about, something big enough that Maylander was personally involved in.
Or maybe personal enough … The Doctor thought. It seemed the Tin Man could sense the shift of the focus as well as he let out another chuckle, this time it sounded more like grinding gears than staticy vocalizations.
"I must confess, its in regards to some familial relations," the Tin Man admitted. The Doctor nodded. "And after Ho'olheyak's recent debacles, many personal's personal projects are being put on hold or are to abandoned in their entirety."
"But you're special?" the Doctor mused. The Tin Man shrugged, lighting another cigarette, but seemingly this one was turned into a stub faster than the last.
"I have tenure," he replied sheepishly, or as sheepishly as one can with artificial vocal chords. "But even with tenure, many of the resources that I have accumulated over the years have been frozen in order to be checked over and overseen. The need for restructuring and reorganization has been a necessity for a while, but it couldn't have come at a worse time for me personally."
"And why is that?" The Tin Man took a deep breath after hearing the Doctor's quandary. He frankly should have expected such a question. It was always their way of maneuvering. Always ask the question, never give the answer, always let the person tie the noose around their own neck. In this case, rather than a noose it felt more like the suffocating inhalation of smoke. All the while, the Doctor stayed in their chair, leaning into its back with their hands laced, waiting expectantly.
It was true that even after their amnesia, they had a way of pulling the answers out without meaning too. Before it was malicious at times, not it just felt naively persistent.
"What's got you so anxious that you're willing to move forward WITHOUT any support from Maylander?" the Doctor pressed now. The Tin Man tossed his head back and stared up, eyeing the spinning ceiling fan above.
The way the smoke curled around it was a nice sight. An endless cyclone of dark smoke and ever changing patterns.
"I believe there's going to be another attempt at recreating another Diablo, like Ifrit. That another shard is being used in the heart of New Orange and that's been why troubles have been made ready and apparent in the mobile city."
"I don't have proof that is verifiable other than the screaming voices inside my soul that is saying something is very wrong here in the heart of New Orange. And if we don't act fast, we're going to have another Diabolic Crisis, this time with casualties numbering in the thousands if we do not stop them." The Doctor was quiet for a long time, simply staring from behind their suit's screen before they finally spoke.
"Well, then we better compare notes, because I think Ifrit quite likes being an only child after all," the Doctor replied with a grin. Leaping up out of their chair, they smoothed down the front of their coat before noting the outside looking cloudy overhead. "You also gave me a pretty good reason to get out of my office after all, even if it looks like it's going to be another day of rain."