After a change of clothes, quick hugs by their mums and repeatedly ensuring them that they were alright, they met up in one of the bigger suites which had been set up as a security center. De Souza, Zheri and Shekat weren't exactly happy when the whole O.R.C.A. gang showed, mumbling something about that the kids were supposed to be in bed but no one took them seriously. It had been made clear by Shalamorn and Rugeaux already days ago that the original core surrounding the girls was just that. They had earned their places while helping and protecting the girls for years. Anyone else was there for necessity.
"We don't even know half of all they've been through," Rugeaux had said firmly, "and they did it while keeping everything a secret. From what I saw, they're thinking at their feet and get things done. I'd say we need some of that creativity right now."
"This is not a scavenger hunt or some childhood adventure," De Souza replied angrily.
"Oh, we know," Lena fell in forcefully before De Souza could continue. "Do you know what we learned in our childhood adventures? That we can't trust the grown-ups –, " she put the word in quotation marks, "because they couldn't keep a secret."
"It's settled," Rugeaux finished the discussion before it could escalate. "The O.R.C.A. kids – former – O.R.C.A. kids are in."
Jason had felt relieved and grateful. Back in the days, they had sticked together through everything. It would have been weird to not include them now.
They stood around a big oval table. Security personnel was running around, analyzed video material from the security cams, searched the ground and took care of hurt colleagues. Three guards had been found dead. Jason hadn't realized how many security people the politicians had brought until now. Somehow, they had managed to stay invisible during their stay.
"It seems, the night manager was the only one who was killed intentionally," Captain Stewards summed up. "The fatal wounds of the guards were inflicted by accident. There is evidence of struggle everywhere. These intruders are clearly no professionals."
De Souza grinded her teeth. "Nevertheless, they got in with no one noticing. They may be amateurs but they are organized. Do we know who they are or what they're after?"
"Not yet, Mam," Captain Stewards replied, "nothing was stolen nor anyone kidnapped. Their traces can be found everywhere. From what we saw until now, we can't determine any specific target or goal yet."
"Mam?" An agent approached them. "The security units from the other hotels report the same situation. It seems, these people broke into every compound which hold attendants of our conference."
"So, they do have a target," De Souza assumed grimly. "Search the buildings from cellar to rooftop. Twice," she ordered the agents who got back to their phones or left to room to comply. "Where is Akio Tenjou at the moment?"
"Still at home. Never left," another agent reported. "We observe him 24/7. He made no calls and his online communication includes nothing even remotely related to our meeting or organizing activities."
"Weird," Froggy murmured and blushed when he noted everyone staring at him.
"Care to explain?" De Souza asked not really asking.
"Akio stopped ranting about his conspiracy theories, as well," Froggy explained. "Any activity on his blog or website stopped a week ago."
"This can't be a coincident. How did we miss that?"
"My query program was designed to look for activities, recent communication and new posts," Froggy defended himself with a guilty expression, "I didn't think to include observing the lack of it."
"It's not your fault," Rugeaux said quickly. "We were all occupied the last couple of days." She sighed. "We better inform all the security units to stay alert. But I see no reason to wake all the attendants at the moment. Not until we know more."
"Wake them," Neri, Mera and Shalamorn said at the same time. Shalamorn exchanged a quick glance with her daughters and leaned forward. "We know you don't trust our gut feeling," she told De Souza directly, "but …"
"I am with you in this," De Souza cut her, "they won't die from a bit of sleep deprivation but if we have to evacuate quickly, we'll save valuable minutes if they're already alert."
"Is there anything we can do?" Diane asked.
De Souza shook her head. "I'm afraid, not. Best return to your suites."