"Tanner!"
Jimena Schultz sat on the couch, sobbing into a pillow. Her son hadn't come home from school the previous day. He'd been missing for twenty-six hours now. She counted every second.
After the discussion with the military, she'd taken the day off everything, canceled all her plans for the near future and spent the evening scouring Arx until Robert dragged her home and made her sleep. Then this morning, Jimena had gotten up again and spent the day either wandering aimlessly, praying that she found Tanner, or answering more military questions.
That stupid Legion. He'd gotten obsessed with Achilles, and now that so-called hero had taken her son from her. Anger and pain boiled together inside her, making her want to scream. But now she had to eat. Robert had insisted on it. He'd said he'd be back soon with takeout, and ordered her to stay in the living room until he was back.
The TV played news. Almost no mention of Tanner. Only a passing mention that the military was looking for the underage Light Master.
Light Master.
What a stupid name! Stupid Legion! Stupid Miracles.
They...
They took her baby.
And what terrified her the most was that he might not be coming back.
Courtney headed into the coffee shop and ordered a caramel coffee before looking for Barron. Yesterday he'd asked her to meet him here, and the text had seemed off. No punctuation, no capitals beyond the automatic ones. Definitely not like Barron.
She almost didn't notice him, sitting in a corner and looking like a ghost. She frowned as she walked over and took a seat.
"You look bad. I was worried when I got that text yesterday, but I didn't expect to see the impeccable Barron looking like he hasn't slept in a week."
Barron managed a half-hearted laugh that sounded more sad than anything else.
"What's up?" She took a sip of her coffee. "Want me to get you a cookie?"
"Thanks, Larsen, but cookies won't solve my problems." Barron let out a long sigh and looked her in the eye. "How much do you know about what's been happening recently?"
"Which happenings and how recently?"
"This past week."
"Oh, that Phantasma mess." Courtney growled slightly as she sorted her thoughts. "How could that even happen? I thought Jordan was one of the good ones."
"He is. And now of course Evans is using this incident to give him the boot."
"Great. Probably gonna replace Jordan with someone who's loyal to him. Oh no. Please don't tell me Lady Evans is up for the promotion?"
"Doubt it. Nepotism would be too obvious. She can fly under the radar for now because she's a colonel who doesn't interact with the public much, but if she suddenly became a general with almost no notable achievements on her father's recommendation, I think Jenkins will raise enough of a stink that it won't happen."
"Good. How did the Phalanx even get those files?" Barron sighed and massaged his forehead.
"Top secret, but basically Mist broke in and threatened an officer's life. Then disappeared with the files. By the next day, they were all over the web."
"Holy hell, that is a serious problem! Do any of the generals know how to stop a repeat?"
"No clue. Besides making sure that even the officers who only do deskwork are trained in self-defense. We just don't know enough about these Miracles. I was actually hoping to pick your brain a bit about it."
"Sorry, I've got nothing. Maybe if we deal with the Phalanx more I'd be able to figure out something - a weakness Mist has - but right now I'm empty."
"That's fine. I actually have a...more pressing request for you."
"More pressing that making sure military files aren't stolen again? What could that possibly be?"
"Something I think only you can do. The news hasn't covered it much, but...Tanner Schultz has gone missing. We don't know where he is or who he's with."
"Wait. That little brat? I thought he was under strict supervision!"
"He managed to evade. And we haven't been able to find anything since. Someone remotely scrubbed his tablet as well, so we can't check his communications."
"Shit. Well, he's probably going to show up with the Legion at some point then. What do you want me to do?"
"His mother would like him back and placed under house arrest."
"I bet."
"We're searching as well, though we're doing our best to keep everything under the radar. Looking through security footage and whatnot. We've caught a couple glimpses of him in the stern region, but haven't been able to catch him."
"Want me to tell you where the next Legion meeting is so you can bust into it?"
"Those are supposed to be secret now, right?"
"Yeah, but I'd be willing to risk it."
"No, that would put your position in jeopardy. We'll manage. For now, confirm where he's staying and whether he's safe. We can act based on that information."
"You sure?"
"Certain. None of the higher-ups are asking this of you either. I'm just hoping that kid can get home safe and sound as soon as possible. And I hope he does so willingly."
"I doubt he will," Courtney scoffed.
"That's the catch, though," Barron sighed. "As long as he wants to leave, we'll be fighting an uphill battle. Call me nuts, but I'm almost wondering if it would be best to let him be for now. Keep an eye on his movements of course, but...do you know what I'm saying?"
"Not entirely."
"Right. Well, if he's going to insist on crawling around the outside of the ship, I figure the best we can do is make sure he's got a safety tether."
"Ah. Now I gotcha. Makes me feel icky, though."
"Me too. But I think we're all going to have to start making some really nasty decisions in the near future. I'd like to replace Evans if possible, but the military needs stability now more than ever. Achilles is a pest, but he's also a bulwark against the Phalanx."
Courtney sighed. "I get you. I'll keep an eye out for Little Schultz. I'll give you any information on him if you ask for it, but until then I'll use my own discretion in dealing with him. Sound good?"
"Thank you, Larsen. I really wish we could give you a proper salary as an officer."
"I got fired, right? How would that look?"
"That doesn't change that you might be our most valuable asset right now. The only comparable position would be an undercover member of the Phalanx."
"Know of any Miracle bearers who could fit the bill?"
"Not yet, unfortunately. I've been keeping an eye out for unusual shenanigans and floated the idea to the lieutenants, but so far it looks like a cloudy dream."
"If you find someone, introduce me. I'm sure we'd make a good team. As long as it isn't someone like O'Neil or Colonel Evans." Barron laughed at that - a real laugh this time.
"Relax. You're our first member on this Miracle Team. I'll do my best to make sure any others on the team are people you can get along with well. I'd rather my officers get along, especially on a sensitive mission like this."
"How much do the lieutenants and others know about me?"
"Not much. I haven't had much of an opportunity to bring you up, and making sure your identity remains secret is another snag."
"No worries. As much as I like taking orders, I think I'm liking this independent thing too."
Barron smiled broadly at her as they both took a sip of coffee.
"Thanks, Larsen. I know you've just been yourself, but I feel a lot more at ease knowing you've got this bit handled at least. Let's get cookies."
"Sure thing, Sergeant," Courtney laughed. It was definitely different having Barron treat her more like an equal. Things would have never been like this if she'd stayed in the military. And she kind of liked this new life of hers.
Maybe getting fired was ultimately a good thing.
