“What do you mean the Supreme Court is reviewing the Paranormal Identification act? I was assured that it was above board when we pushed it through and signed it! I don’t give a shit if we are in breach of contract or who this Stable Order is, I want this squashed!” – Senator Gabriel Manhana (senate minority leader)
“Here we go. Just remember that you have done nothing wrong and that we are in the right here.” Jay said as he summoned a portal.
Val and Kristi came over and gave Kurt a hug. “Good luck. See you soon.” Val said and gave him a kiss on the cheek with Kristi following suit. Kurt returned their hugs and kisses before stepping into the blank grey surface of the portal Jay had made.
He had never used one of Jays portals before and felt a slight pressure on his skin from the swirling grey expanse around him. He would liken it to being under water where you are slightly compressed equally on all sides. It was also a tunnel, rather than an instant transition, and he had to take a few steps toward the image of a parking garage on the other end.
He emerged a moment later in the far corner of a mostly empty level of a parking garage. As he looked around, Jay popped out of the invisible exit portal a moment later with a little grunt. Kurt looked over and raised an eyebrow at the odd noise his boss had made.
“Oof, that is rough sometimes.” He rolled his head on his shoulders. “Some places on Earth have some interference which make these portals hard to sustain and it’s even worse when I disguise the event horizon.”
“I see.” Kurt said though he had no idea what Jay was talking about. He pulled his collar up and ran his zipper a bit higher to fight off the bitter wind that was blowing through the parking ramp that day.
Jay just motioned for him to follow. “Come on, let’s get a move on before someone notices that we just popped into existence from nowhere.”
They walked over to the stairwell and began the decent to the ground level where they could cross the street to the federal building in Lansing. They were going to meet with the representatives from the FBI, answering the summons in the letter he received a couple months prior. Kurt was already very familiar with the area after having to make bi-monthly trips there for his ‘check-ins’ back before Jay had recruited him. Apparently being a ranger, then being outed when the veil broke, made him a ‘possible threat’.
As they stepped out onto the sidewalk, Kurt reflexively scanned the area and noticed a few people who were obviously loitering. There was no reason for anyone to be out casually strolling around in this area in the middle of January. He even noticed a few of them seemed to be paying far too much attention to other pedestrians who were quickly hustling from one building to another.
“It doesn’t matter if they spot us.” Jay said as they began walking. “They know that we know they are watching and besides, we have an appointment.”
Kurt just nodded and followed along as they crossed the street. In the process he noted that several of the people loitering suddenly started paying them a lot of attention and didn’t bother hiding the fact. He would just have to trust Jay knew what was going on and wouldn’t panic… unless he saw a lot of tac teams suddenly rolling in.
Then they entered the building itself. The lobby was relatively empty of people, only a few civilians in the lobby while the security staff seemed to be a little more on edge than normal. They walked over to the reception desk and waited for their turn to be called forward. It didn’t take long before they were waved over by one of the clerks.
“ID’s and appointment card please.” Said the middle-aged man behind the counter as he cast a listless gaze over them.
Kurt handed over the appointment card that was in the letter he received, and his state issued driver’s license. Jay passed along his own identification in the form of his passport. An American passport, Kurt noted.
The clerk looked at the passport in confusion for a moment before he looked back to Jay. “Do you have a state issued ID mister… Thecrosis?”
“I don’t need one.” Jay said with a shrug.
The man frowned, scrunching his face slightly as she shook his head and handed back their papers. “Someone will be down shortly to escort you to the right department. Please wait over in seating area four and listen for someone to call your name, mister Rosk.”
And with that, they were dismissed as the man looked to the line behind them and waived over another person. Kurt and Jay walked over and took seats while they waited. They made a little small talk, mostly commenting on how horribly dull it must be to work as a clerk in a federal building all day, every day.
They had only just started talking about the nature of public sector jobs when a man in a suit approached them from the security checkpoint with two armed officers behind him. Kurt and Jay stood, assuming they were coming for them since there was nobody else in the area.
“Mister Rosk?” The agent asked. He looked them both over as he asked the question.
“Yeah.” Kurt confirmed.
“Right this way. We will be going through the security checkpoint, and your guest can wait in the lobby until we are done.” The agent said.
Jay cleared his throat and stepped slightly forward. “Ahem, I am mister Rosk’s legal representation for this meeting and will be attending with him.”
The agent frowned, clearly not anticipating this. “Mister Rosk does not require legal representation at this time. You can wait in the lobby until he has finished his business or until such a time that he required legal consul.”
Smiling like the cat that caught a canary, Jay opened his briefcase and pulled out a small stack of papers. “According to our charter and the Societal Integration Act, he is intitled to any legal or professional representation he wishes in any official interaction with agents of the state.” He handed over the papers to the agent. “Page four, second paragraph under ‘rights of the agent’. The second document is the law in question if you need to review it, again.”
The agent turned to the page and read for a moment before looking back to Jay. He seemed to be having an internal debate on if he wanted to push the issue or not. Eventually he decided that it wasn’t his problem.
“Very well, please follow me through the checkpoint and we will get you to the appointment.” He handed Jay back the papers and motioned for them to follow.
They went through the checkpoint which was very similar to airport security. Kurt had to put his shoes and coat on the conveyer while he went through the scanner. He came out the other side and waited for his things which went through some extra scrutiny for some reason. Jay was right behind him and smirked as they examined his briefcase for far longer than they should need to.
Eventually their things were returned, and they were led to an elevator bank, taken up several floors to a very familiar hallway before being led into a very familiar interrogation room. The agent in question did have to fetch another chair for Jay but other than that, they were left in silence. Complete silence since they were both aware they were being watched.
It was after roughly fifteen minutes where they sat doing nothing, except for Jay playing a crossword in a newspaper, when people entered the room. It was another trio of people but this time, only one was armed security and the other two were suited agents who sat across from Jay and Kurt.
“Thank you for your patience.” Began the agent on the left whose nametag labeled her as Gretchen Perkins. Kurt’s nose immediately picked up that she was not human but actually fey. That made him wish that he had given Jay an implant so he could share that information.
Jay put his crossword back in his briefcase. “Oh, think nothing of it, this is on your dime after all.” He said with a smile. “I don’t mind getting paid to wait.”
That seemed to take the agents by surprise, and they looked at each other before Gretchen looked back to Jay. “As we said before, Mister Rosk doesn’t need to have a lawyer present, so he is free to dismiss you and save his money.”
Laughing softly, Jay shook his head and leaned back in his chair. “Oh, he isn’t paying me, agent Perkins, you are. That is part of our agreement.”
“What agreement?” Demanded the other agent, whose badge said Michael Janic, while Gretchin frowned slightly. He was a larger man, and not in a muscular way either. His short and heavy-set frame in complete contrast to Gretchin’s slim and tall figure.
If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
“The charter signed by your government and our organization, The Order Stabilitas.” Jay said with his familiar predatory smile. “I have a copy if you need it.”
“We didn’t sign any deal with any order.” Janic said, almost but not quite rising out of his seat. “We summoned him here on suspicions of breaking federal law.”
“You didn’t summon anyone.” Jay said calmly, seeming to be the complete opposite of the slowly angering man across from him. “You invited mister Rosk to come have a discussion about, and I quote, matters of national security in relation to his employment. If we can get on with this meeting, I am sure my client would like to return home sooner than later.”
“That was just a ruse to get him in here.” Janic said with a grin like had all the power. He didn’t see his partner’s eyes go wide as his words or the look of complete anger on her face. He also ignored her words to shut up and just kept talking.
Jay smiled even wider, his eyes matching the expression. “Is that so?”
“Yes, it is so.” Janic mocked, doing a poor imitation of Jay’s accent. “He is going to completely cooperate with us, or we will put him in a very small cell for a very long time for the crimes he has committed.”
“What crimes?” Jay asked calmly while motioning for Kurt to stay calm.
“Lying on a fourty-four seventy-three, illegal possession of a controlled firearm and treason to name a few.”
“When did he lie on the form?
Janic took out a folder and passed over several photo copies of the standard firearms purchase background check. “Right here, he said he was never dishonorably discharged from the armed services but this DD two fourteen says otherwise. That is twenty-six counts which is longer than his natural life in jail.” He slapped down another paper.
“Then there is the machinegun he used to threaten federal agents just last year.” Janic continued as his partner buried her face in her hands. “Then the treason, aiding and abetting an enemy of the nation with his employment in this so called ‘order’ which is just a terror org that hasn’t been labeled yet.”
“Very well.” Jay said and reached into his briefcase and pulled out a packet of papers that he flipped to the last page of and quickly signed. He then had Kurt sign right next to him and then slid the paper over to Janic who was looking smug, if a little confused.
Kurt was absolutely baffled at what was going on. In fact, the only reason he wasn’t wringing the life from the man was because he trusted Jay knew what he was doing. That still didn’t help with his urge to shift and rip everyone in the room apart, fey or not.
“Mister Janic, as a representative of my client, Kurtis Rosk and The Order Stabilitas, I find you and the government of the United States of America in breach.” He delivered the words calmly as Janic’s smug face turned confused. “As a result of the breach of contract, we withdraw from this meeting and any future engagements until such a time as reparations are paid.”
“I- breach of what?” Janic said while starting to read the papers.
Jay pointed to the background checks. “Falsely accusing an agent of the Order and threatening him with imprisonment. That is not my client’s DD two fourteen, note the first name is spelled with a C and the social is wrong. Then the illegal possession of a weapon.” Jay pulled out more papers. “He is authorized to not only poses but use any weaponry short of those of mass destruction in the fulfillment of his duties as determined by the Order Stabilitas.”
The look on Jay’s face suddenly hardened. “And I would be very, very careful about accusing The Order Stabilitas of being an enemy nation. I don’t think your congress and senate are going to appreciate the fallout of their only magical ally suddenly ceasing all aid to them.”
“You useless fat fuck!” Gretchen suddenly yelled at Janic who looked very startled at the sudden outburst. “You had literally one single job, and you completely fucked it up, you useless shit-bag.”
Janic began to defend himself, his previous confidence evaporating faster than water in Death Valley. “I-I- It’s not like he has a choice, we are-“
SMACK. Janic was slapped so hard that his head turned and he nearly fell out of his chair. “You are going to shut the fuck up and get the hell out of this office.” The fey woman said in a tone that implied murder was not off the table for her. “Stanton.”
“Yes director.” The guard standing against the wall suddenly snapped to attention.
“Take him out of this room… actually, get him out of the building. Take his badge, gun and any issued equipment. Janic, you are suspended until further notice.”
The guard grabbed Janic by the arm and hauled him upright. “Right away.”
Kurt and Jay watched as the still blubbering agent was hauled out. Neither of them missed that there was an assault team right outside the door either. Kurt even made eye contact with one of them who flinched away at the expression on his face.
“And with that I think we will be leaving.” Jay said while standing up with Kurt following suit.
Gretchen’s head snapped to him. “We are not done here with mister Rosk.”
“Until you rectify the breach of contract to our satisfaction, we are indeed ‘done here’ as it were.” Jay replied cooly.
“I have sixty heavily armed men outside that say otherwise.” Gretchen clearly was going for broke now that her partner had let the cat out of the bag and royally fucked up. It seemed that there was something she wanted to push enough to call Jay’s bluff and legal blustering.
Jay stopped and looked at her, leveling a flat stare as he turned to face her fully. “Director Perkins, if either you or any of the fine men and women of your organization do anything untoward, I assure you it will end badly. Not only will you and everyone in this building likely die horribly, but we will also still be walking out of here with zero consequences due to the current breach.”
“Do you have any idea who you are dealing with?” Gretchen said and her glamor dropped, showing a crown of horns and strange, almost dog-like ears suddenly sprout from her hair. Her skin turned to something that looked more like wood than flesh while her eyes became vibrant orbs of purple with no pupil.
Smirking, Jay let a little of his aspect show, letting his own demonic traits out and causing her to gasp. “Oh, I know exactly what you are, little countess. I am the reason your house and your line fell from power all those years ago. It is only by my grace and boredom that your entire line is not extinct.”
Gretchen, doing a complete 180 from her previous demeanor, suddenly dropped to her knees, placing her head in the ground as her chair clattered to the ground behind her. “Please forgive this child, for I did not recognize you.”
Jay just walked over and lifted her up so she was sitting on her heels as he leaned in. “I want you to remember that you and your line now owe me a favor.” He said in a hushed tone as his presence flared and Kurt tasted ozone.
“Yes, yes I swear it!” She all but cried while looking into the blood red eyes of the daemon.
“Good girl. Now clear up this little mess and perhaps we can try to have a nice conversation after your country makes amends to my agent and the Order.” Jay’s tone carried a hissing undercurrent that bordered on the very edge of human hearing. He then spoke in a strange lilting tone that Kurt didn’t recognize and touched one of his clawed finger tips to the back of Gretchen’s hand.
Kurt saw her eyes suddenly go wide and her jaw clenched as she shook slightly. When he looked at where Jay had touched her, a silver sigil was left behind, slightly glowing with traces of mana and a strange aura. Jay just dropped her hand after that and resumed his normal, human appearance.
“Now, why don’t you tell those fine agents to stand down and we will be on our way, nobody the worse for wear.”
The fey woman nodded dumbly and moved to the door after reapplying her glamor. Kurt noticed that the mark on her hand didn’t fade, however, and still stood, glowing brightly to his aura senses despite the mana having burned off. He recognized it as Jay’s aura after just a moment and assumed that was some sort of debt marker. He was also terribly confused at what had just happened over the two minutes the ‘meeting’ had lasted.
There were a few muted words of conversation through the gap in the half open door. Then Kurt heard the clatter of boots and equipment. A few moments later, Gretchen opened the door all the way and bowed as Kurt and Jay passed her by. They wasted no time and walked directly to the elevator, taking it all the way down to the lobby where they exited the building.
The entire trip, Kurt caught glimpses of the tac teams lurking around corners or through the glass partitions. He even saw some getting into unmarked vans and driving off as they stepped out into the lobby. Gretchen had followed shortly after, staying at least a dozen paces behind them all the way across the lobby.
They exited the building and began to cross the open courtyard. Kurt was planning to ask about the whole ‘your house fell from power’ thing but didn’t get the chance. Before he could ask, someone decided they wanted a second helping of an ass kicking.
“Rosk!” Janic shouted, stepping out from behind one of the pillars on the front of the building. “Hey, I’m talking to you!”
“Janic! What the fuck are you doing!” Gretchen yelled.
Jay muttered under his breath. “Just keep walking and ignore him.”
Kurt did just that with Jay only sparing the man a glance. He fully intended to just exercise his god given right to ignore the asshole when there was a sudden burning pain in his back accompanied by a gunshot. He whirled to see the agent pointing his service pistol directly at him. Someone, he thought the director, was yelling to not shoot but he was not focusing on her, he was focused on the man pointing a small pistol at him.
“I SAID I WA-“ Janic didn’t get another word out as Jay made a slashing motion with his hand. A line had appeared running from Janic’s right shoulder and down to his left hip before the two halves slid apart as the legs gave out. He collapsed into a pool of blood, organs and severed limbs.
“Hhhhhuggg-haallllgg…hel-p-p-p.” Janic was trying to say as he slowly realized what had happened.
Jay then made a gesture that looked like he was stirring a drink with his index finger and a portal opened below the dying agent. He vanished through it a moment later, leaving behind nothing except a faint pink stain on the snowbank downwind from where he had been.
Gretchen stood there near the door, her mouth hanging open in shock at the brutal execution she had just witnessed. Jay once again opened his briefcase and pulled out another set of papers. He signed them and then waited for Kurt to stop cursing as he regenerated, pushing a slug out of his body and it getting caught in his under shirt. After Kurt was done being mad and fending off a shift, he signed on the dotted line again.
Jay then walked over to the still gaping director and shoved the papers into her hand. “Second breach. This is going to be very, very costly to all of you.” He said with a barely restrained rage. “Consider yourself lucky I don’t take the debt directly from you, countess.”
Turning his back on the director and the two dozen armed agents pointing guns at them, Jay returned to Kurt. “Hang on and take a big step.” He then summoned a portal and pulled Kurt into it.
Unlike the first time, this portal imparted a stretching sensation on Kurt, and he winced at the feeling of his fresh skin being tugged on. And oh boy, Jay wasn’t kidding about taking a big step. There was the feeling like missing the last stair in the middle of the night and suddenly he was out, standing somewhere that was almost, but not quite, completely unlike Michigan.
“Where are we?” Kurt asked as Jay appeared right next to him.
“My home. I think it might be a good idea to talk about what happened and what is going to happen before your wives find out you were not only threatened but shot.” Jay said while gesturing for him to walk forward.
“I’m not married.” Kurt said as he dumbly followed along.
“Well, I am.” Jay said as he opened the front door and pulled him through the door. “Look at that, I even get to introduce my wives.”
Just then Kurt suddenly realized he was standing in a very lovely entryway into a beautiful villa. There were also three gorgeous women staring at him from the living room.
“Um… hi.” He said as Jay snorted and pulled him all the way inside.
“Come on. It smells like dinner is almost ready, and you look like you need a drink.”
- Kay