Heavenly Shae

Epilogue 2: Espionage Report

Post mission-report debrief.

Field Agent: Apollo

Presiding Elder: Dusk

Recorded by formation number seven.

Excised from main report, as per the presiding Elder's request.

Presiding Elder: "A reasonably thorough report, Agent Apollo."

Field Agent: "Thank you, Senior."

"Though, I can't help but notice certain peculiar omissions."

"Please do ask. I will answer as is required of me."

"Hmm. That's the issue, isn't it? As is required."

"I'm not sure I follow, Senior."

"Don't play dumb, girl. I'd believe that from a newbie, but not you. Well done playing to your station, by the way."

"Hmm. Thank you, Senior."

"Did it cause any complications? Especially with Master Long?"

"None that I'm aware of, though he likely didn't realise what I was doing. Ah, there was one issue with the spatial pill bottle."

"Hmm. Yes, that was one of my follow ups. Why did you invert the bottle like that?"

A single cough, forced.

Field Agent: "A-hem. Well, about that."

Presiding Elder: "Yes?"

"I had some assistance removing the blood pill, both pills actually."

Rushed page flipping.

Presiding Elder: "That's not what the report says. It says you... Utilized several deep breaths of the blood rush pill to remain conscious and fight off the beast's crystal infection. So you omitted the act. Then... Hmm, yes, as I thought. There's another gap there, the next point is your call to evacuate."

Field Agent: "Correct. As it happened, one of the new recruits, Miss Zhi Chen-Ai. She unwisely remained close to the action."

"The same recruit who's bow you borrowed?"

"Correct. She found me after my retreat from the spirit beast's breath technique and was the one to remove the blood rush pill. She'll need her sect account adjusted to recoup the pill cost."

"Hmm, right, the bottle would have tagged her. Good work avoiding the tag on yourself."

"Err, and I need to transfer a few dozen sect points to her."

Pause, two breaths.

Presiding Elder: "Why?"

Field Agent: "She won a friendly bet, and I failed to provide her with her winnings in a timely manner."

"You made a bet with a new recruit?"

"No, not me. Three of our members in the caravan. I simply recovered her winnings from them, because she had passed out."

"... There's more to that, isn't there?"

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

"Yes, Senior."

"Are you going to explain further?"

"I'd rather not, Senior."

"Do so anyway, Agent."

Wooden chair squeak and a quiet tongue click.

Field Agent: "She was able to demonstrate mental focus use, which led to her unconsciousness."

Pause, two breaths.

Presiding Elder: "Why does it seem like you are still avoiding the facts, Agent Apollo?"

Field Agent: "I'm supplying many facts."

"Yet, I would guess there are many more you could be supplying. ... Zhi? Was it? That sounds familiar."

Page flipping.

Presiding Elder: "I see. Then this would be the same Wise Zhi that was treated at Doctor Cho's clinic? The sect is footing the bill for that, shouldn't she be charged for that directly, then?"

Field Agent: "Her injuries occurred during the Gatewash defense, and she was in the caravan. The sect is responsible for both, is it not, Senior?"

"It is."

Pause, three breaths.

Presiding Elder: "You know that if I dig into this I'll easily connect the dots. Is she the same recruit that repeatedly saw through your disguise?"

Field Agent: "My very weak disguise, and she wasn't the only one, but yes. The intention of the mission is for them to do so, is it not, Senior?"

"Technically. Though, more to make them feel like they could have, if only they had been more attentive. You know that. Why are you protecting this girl?"

Pause, two breaths.

Presiding Elder: "Agent?"

Field Agent: "Senior. Respectfully, I'd like to think I'm protecting the sect from her. She's had several rough experiences with sect elders so far. I'd like her to experience more of the sect proper before being dragged away by one of our more eccentric elders."

"Am I one of these eccentric elders?"

A single cough.

Field Agent: "Not at all, Ma'am- Senior."

Heavy exhale.

Presiding Elder: "Are you asking me to just wait for one of the others to snap up a promising new recruit?"

Field Agent: "No, Senior. It would be inappropriate for me to ask that of you."

"As an agent, yes. However, as an elder, it would be within your right to claim the girl."

Pause, four breaths.

Presiding Elder: "I appreciate your commitment to our department. I'll see about burying more of the details. Don't expect me to ignore her, though."

Field Agent: "Thank you, Senior. However... she's already made an impression on Master Long and Elder Ghon. So, I fear my effort will be futile."

"Elder Ghon? She's that same girl?"

"Yes."

Inhaled air hissing through teeth. Slow exhale.

Presiding Elder: "That's going to make things difficult for her. If not impossible for her to have a normal first year."

Field Agent: "If I may make a suggestion?"

"Please do."

"Mark her file with the black dot."

"Why not allow her to be a normal disciple? Possibly of Elder Ghon?"

"His condition will be revealed soon enough, that might just draw more attention to her."

"Hmm, and the black dot won't?"

"For those who look, it may. Yet, if they are already looking, it should warn them off. From what I've heard, most elders don't like fighting us for a new disciple."

"That they do not."

Pause, one breath.

Presiding Elder: "Alright, but this does mean we will need to take steps to recruit her."

Field Agent: "I understand."

Fingers tapping on wood and paper.

Presiding Elder: "I'll need a full report on her. To assess how we could make use of her. If someone does challenge our claim, I can't simply say it was because you asked."

Field Agent: "I understand, Senior. I have prepared a thorough report."

"Hmgh! Very well. Begin assessment report for recruit Zhi Chen-Ai."

Excerpt ends. See assessment report for continuation.