"What is it?"

Agent Solitaire was curt as usual. Stephany didn't mind. In fact, it would be a far greater shock if he struck up a conversation just to be social.

"Sir, we have received a reply from the Headmistress at Dawnhill Academy. She requests the reason why we are looking for the target."

"Hmm. Reply that the Consortium is interested in the girl. Do not reveal our true purpose."

"Will do, sir."

Solitaire watched as she typed in the reply. He looked a bit tired, having been up late last night and still showed up early for work today. So had Stephany, but she didn't need to sleep.

The nonverbal communication flowed. His look said he wanted to be notified as soon as she got a new message. Her nod confirmed the message. After working together for so long, she could easily interpret a lot of messages through body language alone.

Almost two hours later, a reply came in. She immediately shared it.

‘If you can provide Mina’s last name and picture, we will look for her on the Academy Grounds. I fear it will be very disruptive to the other students if the Consortium were to forcefully search everywhere.’

Solitaire was not pleased.

“We have neither a last name nor picture. Get Agent Sigil here, and let us craft as precise a description as possible.”

Another three hours passed until the next reply came back. Stephany returned to Agent Solitaire’s office.

“She writes that there is no such person with the name and description among the staff or currently attending students. According to the data we have on Dawnhill Academy, they have excellent security. It’s highly unlikely that the target has managed to sneak in there unless she had inside help. Nothing suggests she does.”

“Hm. She might be stalling. Repeat the request to enter premises. Then get me the headmistress’ file.”

It took two more hours for her to answer.

“She replies that they can provide a limited permission during the weekend, for two people. I believe it is too restrictive. With only two people in a limited time window, they can easily hide the target from us. Particularly since sensors may not be able to easily pick her up.”

Agent Solitaire nodded.

Stephany went on: “I’ve read the headmistress’ file. She is not adverse to conflict. There are several cases where she defended or protected students, even when it would cause her trouble later down the lane. Her actions have at least contributed to the school having been sued twice.”

Solitaire did not look pleased.

“If the headmistress is unwilling to cooperate with us, so be it. Put me in contact with the Dawnhill Academy board of directors.”

“Yes, sir,” Stephany replied, “I’ll contact them right away. I fear it might take a few days.”

“So be it.”

She assumed that was a dismissal, and walked to the door.

“Agent Morli,” Solitaire stopped her, “Draft up two plans for our incursion into the Dawnhill Academy. The first one assumes that explicit permission is given by someone on the board of directors. Expect minimal resistance. Try to create the conditions to test out the hypothesis based on the Alarm Clock Purge.”

“Yes, sir.”

“The alternative plan assumes no explicit permission. Our only goal is to get the target. We need to get past their security with the least amount of casualties possible, on both sides. There is no need to neutralize all of their security, just enough to reach the target and get out.”

“Understood, sir.”

“Send me the initial drafts of the plans as soon as they are ready.”

She acknowledged his command and went to work. Ideally, he’d be able to test his hypothesis. She would be lying if she said she wasn’t interested in the result herself.