Anna was looking through a bunch of files in her office, skimming through the papers to try and find a certain document, when her phone rang. Relieved to have an excuse to get away from the boring paperwork, she immediately picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Anna. It's Drake here..."

She was surprised to hear from him so soon. The Null had given him her number, saying that if he ever needed help, he could call her. However, it was more of a pleasantry than anything. Still, hearing him now, she frowned. His voice sounded somewhat hesitant and tired. Frustrated, even. So different from the young and cheerful man that helped her trap Scarred Jack's gang. What could have happened in a mere few days that caused this change?

"Hey, Drake. What's up?"

He didn't answer immediately, making Anna even more sure that something was troubling him. Instead of insisting, she waited for him to speak on his own. She could already deduce it had something to do with the Secret Service.

"Well... I wanted to know how long is the reach of the Secret Service, if you get what I mean. Err... Okay, let me tell the whole story..."

Realizing that he was only making Anna more confused, Drake told her about the Taurons, Ricker, and Major Erinster. Although he shortened it, she caught up pretty quickly. When she did, however, there was a deep frown on her face, for more than one reason.

"Drake, I think I know what you want, but... I have to be honest here, okay? I barely know you. Sure, seeing you gun down criminals left and right passes a good first impression, but I can't just order around a major of the Menoraz Army. We aren't even the same jurisdiction. Besides, anyone important in Ricker will have connections, which will make bringing them down even harder."

"Hum? Hahaha..."

She had expected him to be disappointed, or even pissed, but instead Drake laughed, startling the Null. After a while, he explained what he wanted, sounding almost relieved.

"I don't want you to interfere, Anna. At least not directly. But an anonymous tip, supported by an agent, should be more than enough to set off an investigation, no? Especially if you remind your superiors that if things got heated, and sh*t hit the fan, a full-blown war could start. No one wants another Venti Kingdom situation, right?"

"That... That could work."

Although things would hardly escalate as quickly or as badly as Drake was saying, he did have a point. The higher-ups would be very keen to investigate anything related to the Barbarians. There were whispers and rumors going around Menoraz recently, and if half of them were true, the last thing they needed was the Taurons rebelling.

"That's not all. I still have to make sure, but I think the Taurons might not be the good guys in the story. Or, at least, they might be culprits as much as the people of Ricker."

"You mean?"

"I mean that both sides are at each other's throats, and the Barbarians did something bad. I have yet to see if they were provoked first or not, but... Uff..."

Anna heard him sighing on the other end of the call as her mind started racing through possibilities. She had experience with situations like this, but she didn't want to assume anything before an investigation was ensured.

"The thing is, I'm just a civilian, you know? The Association of Riverplate and Scarred Jack... I was with Ben, or you, so that kinda put me on the law's side, right? But now, if I get into a fight, or even kill someone..."

"Don't worry, Drake. Or, well, do worry. But just wait a few days, and I'm sure someone will be sent to solve all this. Just don't do anything stupid, right? And try not to step on Erinster's toes more than you already did. A major is a dangerous enemy to have."

There was a light chuckle on the other side of the line, and Anna could feel a grin tugging at her lips. What a dumb question. Everything she saw Drake do in the few days they were together showed more than clearly how he behaved.

"Can't make promises. I will try not to f*ck up, but I already feel better knowing that you will push a few pieces, or whatever you Nulls do. At the very least Erinster will get demoted, right? There is literally a rift filled with dead Iferes, clearly poisoned, and he didn't do jacksh*t about it."

"Err... I can't be sure about that. I never heard about that guy, but if he has friends in the right places... We will see how it goes. Take care, Drake."

"You too. Thanks for... Everything."

He hung up, and she put down her phone with a frown. Awkward as the conversation had been - she barely knew him, after all - it was important. Another Barbarian rebellion, right now, would be bad. Really, really bad. Forgetting the paperwork, she typed another number, and prepared herself for many lengthy calls.

---------------------------

Drake put his phone in his pocket, and ran his hand through his hair, eyes closed. He knew it was too much of his part to call on favours from Anna, but he couldn't solve this situation alone. Sure, he could beat and shoot the culprits, but all that would get him would be a warrant in his name. In fact, it would probably make the situation worse for the Taurons. No... He needed to do this the proper, legal way.

"F*ck... I need a drink. Or many. But I guess it wouldn't be a good idea to go talk to the police chief whilst drunk, yeah?"

Drake laughed at his random line of thought, and patted Kniivar. He found the feeling of combing it's fur through his fingers more and more calming as time went on. He had called the Null as soon as he arrived in Ricker, fully aware that she might - and probably would - refuse to even talk to him. Her... Readiness to help prompted him to think that she knew more than she was letting through.

It didn't matter. While he waited for actions to be taken, he would try and uncover as much of the story as he could. If possible, he wanted to solve it without any conflicts. Although, a voice in his head was telling him that would be impossible.

"Responsibilities it is, then."

For the second time today, Drake urged his Yscalent through the main street, until he found the police station. It wasn't too difficult, considering the bright blue colors of the building. Contrarily to Park, this one wasn't full of bullet holes.

Although there weren't any guards at the door, as soon as he entered all eyes turned to him. A few cops were lazing about, while others were dutifully working. It didn't match the image of corrupt and Barbarian-haters officer Drake had in his mind, making him even more sure something was wrong.

"Can I help you?"

Coming back from his daydreaming, he stared at the policewoman in front of him, and nodded slowly. She gave him a quick glance, her eyes stopping at the belt on his hips, and he slapped himself mentally. Entering a police base armed wasn't probably the best course of action. Luckily he had left his rifle on the Yscalent outside, or the cops would already have their guns out and aimed at him.

"Yeah. I need to talk to the chief, or whoever is in charge. Err... I can leave my weapons here, if you prefer."

The cop raised an eyebrow, before stretching one hand forward, palm up. Taking the hint, he unbuckled the belt and the holsters, and handed them to her. Although he felt... Naked, without the pistols - weird, considering he only started carrying them a few days ago - he still gave them up.

Scratching his cheeks, he once again pondered on how that lifestyle had become so normal to him. Until two or three weeks ago, the mere notion of carrying weapons around, and killing other human beings would never have crossed his mind. Now, here he was, with a dozen lives in his hands, and ready to take more if needs be.

"Fufu..."

At least he had Frainer and Kniivar. Flashing the Iferes a smile, he absentmindedly patted the green mist ball, who purred happily. Currently, they behaved more like pets than his companions, but Drake was sure that as they grew up, both physically and mentally, they would understand better what a Spirit Contract meant. He didn't care. They were always on his side, as he would be on theirs.

Following the policewoman through a maze of desks and chairs, Drake was eventually brought to an office. The glass windows were covered by a wooden panel, so he couldn't see anything inside, but he heard a woman's voice coming from the office, arguing with someone. The cop he was following probably heard it too, because she stopped outside, and waited. Without much option, Drake mimicked her.

After about six or seven minutes - and increasingly heated words from the police chief - the office's door was swung open, and a man walked out. The dark blue jacket and medals gave away his identity as a soldier, and Drake was surprised to see Major Erinster. The officer was about as stunned as him, and his already angry complexion got even more distorted.

"What the f*ck are you doing here?!"

He was loud, and Drake could feel every head inside the police station turning to look in their direction. Raising an eyebrow to the blue-coat, he shrugged and ignored him. It felt good, especially when the man's eyes twitched in rage.

"You! You!"

For a moment Drake wondered if he should say something to Major Erinster. It was then that another figure stepped through the doorway. A head of red hair, striking black eyes, and an angry frown greeted him. Without sparing him a single more glance, the police chief turned to the military man.

"Major, I think I already told you to get. The. F*ck. Out! Now!"

"You! You will regret this, Illoer! As for you, Barbarian lover, you won't see the sunset, do you understand?!"

Once again, Drake raised an eyebrow, feigning shock. He found out that treating people like Major Erinster as little kids was more effective than discussing like grownups. So, while struggling to hold a snarky retort, Drake forced a grin to take his face.

"Oh, my! Not the kinda threats an army officer should make, right? Especially inside a police station."

"Shut up, a*shole! Cops can't do sh*t to me! Enjoy your life while can, because I'm gonna f*ck you up, and take that Kniivar for me!"

Greed flashed in Major Erinster's eyes, blinding him to the consequences of his words. A fist came flying towards his face, as he stared wide-eyed at it. However, before it could hit him, a small hand grabbed Drake's wrist.

The adventurer wiggled his arm, trying to free it from the police chief's iron-like grip, but failed. Giving her a good stare, he used his other hand to calm down Frainer and Kniivar, who were about to jump on her for touching Drake.

"Inside my office, now. I will be with you shortly. Pantos, Bryce, escort Major Erinster out, please."

Pulling his hand back with unnecessary force, Drake grunted and entered the room. He wished he hadn't given his guns to the cop. How he wished he could pull them out, and just...

"Can you tell me who the f*ck are you? You do realize you were about to punch an army major, right?"

Turning around to see the red-haired officer about to close the office's door, Drake suddenly had an idea. Putting a foot in the doorway to hold it open, he pulled Frainer from his shoulder.

"Frainer, follow that guy, would you? As soon as he gets out of the building, use Nightmare Clouds on him, okay? Just a tiny bit. And make sure he doesn't see you. Be careful."

The cop looked at him surprised, but said nothing. In fact, Drake could almost feel her delight when she understood what he planned on doing. She pushed his foot back, and tilted her head towards the chair in front of her desk. Getting the message, Drake sat down, although he couldn't help but keep looking towards the door.

Meanwhile, the police chief sat on the other side of the desk, covering her eyes with one hand, and letting out a long sigh. She analyzed the man in front of her, and frowned. It was understandable that he was pissed, after all, Major Erinster had just threatened him. But there was something else to him. Something... Scary. Like he was someone who knew the consequences of his actions, but just didn't care.

"All right. I'm Police Chief Scarlet Illoer. I believe you were waiting outside my office because you wanted to see me?"

"Uhmm... Yeah. I... My name is Drake Stronter. I..."

He barely looked at her as he stuttered, still staring at the door with an intensity that could burn a hole through it. Sighing, and then grinning slightly, Scarlet tapped on her desk.

"If you want, we can wait for your companion to come back."

He shot her a thankful glance, and got up, only to pace back and forth between the desk and the door. While Drake trusted Frainer, he couldn't help but be worried for it.