“...Hah…B-Breaking news folks…today…we’ve been informed that Director Green…has passed on. Doctor’s called it just last night…all attempts to resuscitate have failed. Let’s…take a moment of silence to honor the brave woman who dedicated her life to defending the world.”

Bob put down the book, remaining silent for a moment.

But his mind stayed at work.

Most of the Red Colonel’s notes were useless…unless he wanted to blackmail someone or to cause a scandal, but neither were helpful in this case.

The Red Colonel hadn’t lied. He had barely anything on these people, mostly speculations and bad feelings. What little he did have was decades out of date, small discrepancies that were long past any sort of relevance.

Bob let out a sigh.

Hard to make a plan with no target.

He opened the pages, looking over the notes once more…

In a conference room in the ILS Tower in New York, the ILS’s senior leadership had gathered. Linda sat among them, eyes glued upon the monitor on the wall.

GNN made the announcement.

Her eyes welled up with tears. And she was not the only one.

After a moment a man with hair starting to gray and dressed in a suit let out a sigh.

“...that’s it then. We’re on our own now.”

All eyes turned to him.

“As per ILS protocol, I, Vice Director Edward Carter, am assuming command as Acting Director. I know this is hard, hardest for us most of all. But we have a job to do, a world that needs saving, and now, it’s up to us and us alone. Take half an hour, and then let’s get back to work. It’s what she would have wanted.”

Everyone nodded silently and began shuffling out of the room, Linda included. She headed towards a small closet, just to the side of the Director’s office. She locked the door and hit a small switch hidden in the room, then pulled out her phone.

“Bob.”

“Linda.”

“Vice Director Carter is taking command.”

“...a bit early but that’s the protocol, correct?”

“Yeah but…I don’t know. Something feels off. Like, this quickly? I thought he was out of state yesterday.”

“...I see.”

“Do you want me to obstruct? I could insist on the full procedure before he takes command.”

“...no, keep your head down for now. We don’t know what we’re dealing with just yet.”

“...got it. I’ll keep you posted.”

“Thanks, stay safe.”

“You too.”

Linda sighed and left the room, heading back to her desk. There was still some time left, but she imagined the…now Acting Director would want her help looking over Director Green’s files.

And she would help him…with whatever she thought he needed to know.

Bob continued the glance through the notes. Since the ‘relevant’ section was lacking, he was perusing through the other entries, looking for anything he may have missed. He let out a sigh.

He was beginning to miss the heroes.

Then, something caught his eye.

Just a single word. A shipping entry that the Colonel had logged for some reason.

A word that still filled his heart with dread.

Iesnuorium.

Bob picked up the phone.

“Kanna.”

“Bob! What can I do for you today?”

“I’ve been thinking more about Iesnuorium.”

“Wonderful substance, that, right?”

“Yes…wonderful…”

“What was that?”

“Nothing. Did Sergei send you the technical report?”

“He did! Fascinating stuff, that.”

“Enough for a potential use report?”

“Ugh, don’t remind me. That Sergei, he went and got his hands on one of the rarest substances on Earth and he ran the bare minimum tests on it! And for only a single use case! You too, Bob! You actually went and got some and didn’t give me any?! Do you know what we could’ve learned with that?!”

“I have a few grams left.”

“Do I need to have your child? No, I want your child Bob.”

“I’ll take a potential use report, as soon as you can make it.”

“...any specific usage you’re interested in? Substance like that, the report might be very very long, you know?”

“Energy dampening.”

“Dampening, you say?”

“We used it to amplify a light-based superpower, as well as to transform it into electricity. If you processed differently, aimed for the opposing way, could it absorb or dampen energy types?”

“Something like a universal EMP not restricted to just electromagnetic energy? Fascinating…hmmmm…yes I could see that…get me some and I’ll check it out right away!”

“I’m headed over to you now.”

“Bob, I love you.”

“I’ll keep it in mind next time we discuss billing.”

“Urk, let’s not get carried away now.”

Bob was checking the internet on his laptop while waiting for the report. He grimaced.

The Scourge of Ragayanza brought to justice by the ILS. He imagined Khalfani would be somewhat…less cooperative in the future.

Heroes were so annoying.

But perhaps that was confirmation he was on the right trail.

And then his phone rang.

“Bob!”

“Kanna, how’d it go?”

“Ran some quick tests, and you know, I think you’re onto something. I’ll have to wait until we complete the full readout before I can confirm but the current simulations are promising. I think it could be used the way you suggested.”

“Got it, let me know when you have the full readout. Thanks, Kanna.”

“No, thank you, Bob!”

Bob ended the call and started looking for flights. It was time to visit an old friend.

Bob sighed as he swatted yet another mosquito as he walked up to the dilapidated shack. He pounded on the door. A crash and some swearing.

“I’m coming, I’m coming! Keep your pants on!”

Bob grimaced as the smell of alcohol hit him dead on. The man stared at him for a full minute before breaking out into a massive grin.

“Bob! My comrade in adventure! Come here, you dirty cheater you!”

Bob grimaced further as sweaty arms wrapped around him.

“Nice to see you too, Sir Edmund.”

“Please please none of this ‘sir’! Ole’ Lizzy can’t lay claim to this old chap, no matter what titles she deems to bestow! Now, where are we going this time, my friend?”

“I’m just here to chat.”

“Well that’s terribly disappointing. Where’s your passionate soul, where’s your whimsical intrigue?”

“I have enough intrigue to deal with already.”

Sir Edmund’s eyes shone.

“Ooohhhh? Well that sounds slightly less boring! What are we chatting about then?”

“Your first journey.”

“Ah! The first adventure, back when me and old Solomon faced the world together! Now that is a tale!”

“I’d like to hear it, from the very beginning.”

“The very beginning?”

“All the way back in England, how you heard of this in the first place.”

“Ah, come to think of it, there was a bit of whimsical intrigue there too. Some right mysterious chaps, them.”

Bob nodded and took out a bottle.

“Let’s hear it then.”

Sir Edmund slapped him on the back, hard enough to make him wince.

“Bob, my boy, anyone tell you you’re a swell chap?”

“Miguel.”

“Ah Bob, sorry my friend things are a bit busy at the moment. Hope I can still help with whatever it is.”

“Trouble?”

“A new player is putting pressure on us, some of the guys are already calling for...aggressive negotiations. But these guys, these guys are very prepared, well organized. I’m afraid it may not go as well as they seem to think it will.”

“...I might be working on it.”

“Oh?”

“Someone’s making big deals around the globe.”

“And you think you know who?”

“A small lead, in any case.”

“Well what can I do to help?”

“I need a referral.”

“Ah, guessing not as one of our guys though? They may not want a transfer from us, I think.”

“Just enough of a resume to get me through the door.”

“You’ll have it, my friend.”

“Thanks Miguel. I’ll see what I can do about your situation.”

“Many thanks, Bob. Best of luck with your job search!”

Bob stood in the basement of a house in London. It was late at night, he had to stifle a yawn. He wore a black ski mask over his face, a black jacket over his torso, and black pants on his legs, standing in line with a dozen other men in similar garb. The room was dark, a single lamp hanging from the room only illuminating the center of the room. At the edge of the light, a man stood, his top half obscured in the dark.

“I’ve reviewed your credentials. You may think you’re tough, a notch under the belt eh? But I’ll be honest. You are trash, dime a dozen at best, and those of you who accept that may live to see another day.”

“See, me and my associates, we don’t bother with interviews and personality tests. We don’t care who you were, or who you want to be. We care about two things, and two things only. Can you get the job done, and can you keep your mouth shut?”

“We will test both of those things tonight. And if any of you sorry lot manage to succeed, then maybe, just maybe, we might have more work for you later. If you have any questions, then you have failed the second task already. Now get to it.”

Bob saluted with the rest of the men.

Job interviews were so annoying.