Janet puts her ring in the center of a diagram in the dust. The dust rises to form the vague outline of a human head. Gradually the dust motes settle down into a jumpy image of a bearded, long-faced man with deep-set, piercing eyes. It is the face of John Moses Browning, head of the San Francisco Grimnoir.
"The Imperials have attacked San Francisco," he says without preamble. "Many Grimnoir knights are dead. They are led by a man covered with kanji, who is learning our Powers in a fatal process. We cannot oppose him, but some may yet be saved. Come at once!"
"The tattooed man's name is Hitomi. He is using a Bottomless Well kanji tap the source of magic, to keep him replenished. His method for drawing different powers is the same as the chairman's. It can be learned. Hitomi has also captured Richter, who is near death from burns. Our plan -was- to rescue him from a school they run in St. Louis, but it is possible Hitomi has him in San Francisco, yes?
ReplyDelete"One of their number is fighting with us now. A thorn. I know him. Also Mr. Voinovich and Miss Tane are with us."
Browning's image says: "Saburo survived? Excellent! To our secret headquarters in San Francisco, bring him, along with your other auxiliaries, and we will yet see our enemies broken. Some of you must know where it is."
ReplyDeleteMichael says: "Of course we don't know where it is. It's mobile. I'm surprised you, of all people, would forget something like that Mr. Browning."
ReplyDeleteKaze arches a delicate eyebrow at Mr. Browning's speech--particularly when he mentions Saburo by name.
ReplyDelete"I am impressed with the Grimnoir's intelligence. Our actives operate clandestinely, of course."
She gives an honorific bow which, in Japanese culture, would demand one in return.
Browning's image dips slightly, then recovers.
ReplyDeleteBrowning: "You said there were not Grimnoir persons present, Mister Michael. I wished to avoid exposing our secrets by speaking past the matter rather than directly toward it. But now it is done, completing your mission must be to save what remains."
"Naturally, we will meet you as soon as possible," she says smoothly.
ReplyDeleteShe drops her eyes appropriately and scans the area around "Browning's" image for any signs of Richter.
Sky says, "By the way, Mr Browning, I got put in charge of this little outfit by mistake, but giving orders is really the kind of thing flatfoots do, if you take my meaning. I'll lay to twelve to seven the little Missy here would do better 'n me, on account of she knows these jaspers, whereas I finds myself unable to keep track without a racing form."
ReplyDelete