Oops its meant to be Motus Legere. Sorry

~Claire

"There's a slight misunderstanding between a minor branch of our organization and the natives in Northeast Kyngdom. We're sending you to work it out."

I look up at my employer, B.I.G.'s assistant-secretary, and the announcer of this sudden, but not unexpected news. I smile politely at her.

"Me, miss?" I ask with a surprised air. You learn pretty quick here that when talking to the assistant-secretary, it's best to act like you don't know a lot. Probably makes her feel better to be giving the orders for once.

"Well of course, who else could we send but our master negotiator?" She replies with badly disguised condescension, and a sickening smile. I return it halfheartedly and wait for her to leave. After a moment, she straightens up awkwardly with a sharp cough and continues her speech.

"You can return as soon as it is completely sorted out, but we will be expecting you in two weeks"  I frown slightly. Two weeks? That's a lot of time to sort out a minor problem, which of course it's going to be. The terrible misunderstanding between cultures which my boss usually describes to me always seems to turn out as a small argument between interns. Sometimes it's nothing more than a food supply problem. Almost as if S.O.C.S is making up something to get me away. Don't be silly. I think. They probably have some contract saying that if there's anything wrong, they send someone to inspect. And the only person they can spare is me. How nice it is to feel helpful. I conclude with a wry smile.

"Anything wrong Miss Steller?" The assistant secretary asks sharply.

"Oh, none, miss," I say quickly "I'll go as soon as I pack my stuff and tell my sister." The secretary's expression changes immediately to horrified shock.

"NO! I, uh, I mean, no, you may NOT tell your sister, because, well, she's away right now."  I stare at her. A few seconds pass before I hurriedly collect myself and turn back to my desk.

"Your transportation will arrive in an hour," she says crisply. I nod, busy with straightening the papers shuffled messily on the table. A moment later, I hear the door close with a snap and her footsteps fade away. Sighing, I tuck everything into a drawer and straighten up. Alissa left? I think, puzzled. Oh well, hopefully it's on a better assignment than mine. I pick up the papers, now in a semi-neat pile and turn to leave. At the door, I stop to look back. On the floor, next to my desk, is a small slip of white. Must have dropped it. With a sigh, I ease the pile onto my desk again and reach down to pick the slip up. It's small, almost a scrap, and thin, so I can see the handwriting, which is definitely not mine, through it. I guess the assistant-secretary accidentaally dropped it. I'm about to put it down to give to her later when I see my name.

"Tell young Miss Steller to-" 

I turn it over to see the message more clearly.

"Tell young Miss Steller to leave for Northeast Kyngdom, for the same reason as all the other times. DO NOT MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT HER SISTER OR GIVE HER ANY OTHER REASON. I want to her to be kept away for a couple of weeks, until this whole nonsense with the Resistance and prisoners blows over. Make sure she leaves as soon as possible.

Miss ________ _______ ( I forgot the name of the head of SOCS, sorry)

I stare at the piece of paper in disbelief. What in Sylvia's name does this mean? SOCS apparently does want me off the premises. But why? And what is so top-secret about my sister? And why is the Resistance all involved with this? I stand there for a minute, completely kafoozled (just a fun word I thought I'd use). Finally I tuck the note into my pocket, pick up the papers again, and walk out. Well, one thing's for sure. I think as I stroll down the staff-complex hallway. I'm not going anywhere until I figure out why they want me gone in the first place.

I scan the clearing with one of the captains and a few soldiers.

"You think she went through here?" the captain, Captain Guin, asks.

"I have a feeling," I reply. 

I lead the group though some thicket when I step on something.

I look down. Metal.

There's a trail then finally a huge heap of just metal scraps.

I go inspect it and kneel down, picking up a piece. I recognize it.

"Sprocket?" I radio in.

A moment later, she responds. "Here."

"I think Alexandria might have killed your puppies," I say as I continue to look at the piece of metal.

"What?" Sprocket asks in a deadly whisper.

I stand up straight. "Alright, put the base on Code 10 Level 5 Lockdown procedure. Make sure everyone's safe and set a real manhunt out. This is not a drill. We have a killer on the loose." 

I'll help look

That girl's gonna be mine

*evil laugh* 

As much as I don't want to I must say thank you, Izzuan. The troops are really needed, and we have a lot on our plate. Does anyone know how to deal with a little girl who can read your emotions?

This can't be happening.

I survey the area when an airship flies into the clearing by the base. Soldiers crawl out with lots of weapons.

And I'm alone.

I slowly climb down from the tree and continue to run.

Where is everybody I know? Where is Poe Allen? What is going on? 

I land next to sprocket. Surveying the wreckage of her dogs, a sinking feeling begins in the pit of my stomach. Someone who could read emotions... this could end very badly.

"Send the squadrons out and get the prisoner!" Izzuan yells.

Sprocket and Trillian discuss the girl that can read emotions.

I walk up to them. "I was thinking, maybe we could ask her to read Alexandria's emotions. That might help us get to Alexandria."

"Yeah, we should ask her," Sprocket replies.

Trillian nods. "But before that, we have to get Alexandria."

I wonder if that'll be difficult.

Izzuan walks up to us. "My troops are all sent out and a man hunt has progressed. Anything you want to tell me about Alexandria that might help us catch her?"

We all look at each other.

I look at Izzuan. "I'm sorry. She's too careful." 

Lycaella~

I wake up to find the door unlocked, so I go out and visit Nygrune, whose room is right next to mine, and we practice magic for a while after breakfast. 

"I'll probably have to go back soon," I say.

"Where to?" Nygrune asks.

"New Windswood. My dad's visiting, remember?"

"What do you think is left?"

"The bombing wasn't that heavy. I'll bet our houses are fine."

"Maybe," Nygrune nods.

"So are you going to teach me this spell or what?"

"Okay, okay. Here..."
~End RP. I really would like to know where we are. Lycaella should be in town for her dad's visit, even if all that's left is ruins. Another few days shouldn't matter much, but she'll probably have to leave by the end of the week. And what are we doing with the prisoners we don't need?

So is Alexandria going to be caught or what?