“You want us to investigate the outskirts of Arstead?” Farnell asked Jac. They were all in a briefing room with a map of Arstead laid out in front of them.
Jac nodded. “Yes. We’ve been getting some weird reports from out there. Just last week, a well known and well loved farming family suddenly just...disappeared. No traces of them were left behind, no notes letting anyone know where they went or why they left. Just yesterday, the same thing happened to another farming family. It’s like they just disappeared into thin air. Simultaneously, we’ve been receiving reports of a ‘shadow man’ stalking the streets at night, both in the center of the city and in the outskirts. A homeless man apparently witnessed this ‘shadow’ attack and kidnap a child, but no parents have filed a missing person’s report so we have nothing with which to begin our investigation. In my personal opinion, the missing farmer case should be your top priority while this shadow man be your secondary objective, though there’s always the chance the two are connected. We know only having a weekend to conduct an investigation is pretty short, but that’s what we want you all to focus on while you’re here.”
Dorian could feel a pit in his stomach as Jac continued speaking. It looks like her intuition was right...something is going on here, and most likely she is on a wild goose chase in order to leave Arstead defenseless against them…
“May I ask a question, Sir?” Digby asked.
“Absolutely.”
“What will we have at our disposal for our investigation? Will we have any troops at our command? Resources available to assist us?”
Jac was briefly silent before speaking. “You won’t have any troops at your command. We don’t want to mobilize the garrison and spook the citizens of the town. We want this investigation to be kept as discreet as possible. However that doesn’t mean you won’t have resources at your disposal.”
Jac motioned to a woman at the other end of the room, who stepped forward. “The academy asked us to prepare you with a state of the art communication device. It’s a mobile device that allows you to stay in contact with both us at the base and with each other if you’re separated. These are for you to keep even after your assignment here is over.”
The woman handed everyone in group one the small device. Digby looked over the device with scrutiny. “This seems to look like...a mobile telephone.”
The woman nodded. “That’s exactly what it is. It’s still in development, but the network for these to work is already set up in all the major cities. You shouldn’t have an issue using them unless you go about twenty miles away from the city. The colonel’s number has already been made into a contact on your phone. Call him to inform him of any major developments in the investigation. He’ll then be able to proceed accordingly with what to assist you with.”
“Also, if you find something out that doesn’t quite necessitate a call, but is important enough to let me know, there’s a feature known as ‘texting’ that can send an electronic mail to my phone. It’ll probably be easier to contact me that way than calling.”
Olive had already put her phone in her pocket. “So essentially, find out what happened to the farmers and while we’re at it find information on this mysterious shadow person, correct?”
Jac nodded. “Correct. You’ll also have permission to enter both farms for your investigation. The local authorities have also been alerted to this so you shouldn’t have any hassle with them.”
Farnell raised his hand. “Why are you assigning us what appears to be a high-stakes investigation? We’re only students, and, to be blunt, aren’t the most experienced. Wouldn’t it make more sense for you all to investigate this by yourselves while giving us an assignment more suitable for students?”
Jac chuckled. “That’s what I was thinking as well, but...this is a request from the academy itself. I had a few assignments such as simple patrols around the city and dealing with minor issues that pop up. However, the academy wants you all to be thrown into the fire so to speak and stand on your own. Those are the orders I’ve been given.”
There was a silence afterwards that lasted an uncomfortably long time before Jac spoke up again. “Now then, if that’s all the questions there are, I suggest you prepare for your investigation. The rooms you’ve been provided for the duration of your stay are on the second floor of this building, rooms 201 through 204. Digby, you’re 201. Farnell, 202. Dorian, 203. And Olive, you’re 204. I’ll be waiting for what you can uncover during your time here.”
As everyone stood up, Jac motioned towards Dorian. “Dorian was it? May I steal just a couple minutes of your time?”
Dorian nodded as the others reluctantly left the room, not wanting to be left out of what Dorian would be told. After everyone but Jac and Dorian had left, Jac cleared his throat. “Dorian, I’ve been told you’re a part of the intelligence agency, are you not?”
Dorian sighed. “Yeah, I am. That’s why I’m at the academy at all.”
“I see...well, while you’re here, I have another assignment, just for you.”
“What’s the assignment?”
“I personally believe this shadow person and the disappearing farmers are a threat to national security. With Miriam assigned who knows where, there’s no one else from the intelligence agency here. No one who’s specialized in finding, and neutralizing, such threats.” Jac’s face and tone suddenly turned serious. “I want you to protect your classmates. I believe this is way over their heads, and my protests have been met with silence from the higher ups.”
“Why do you think it’s so dangerous?”
Jac grabbed a file and handed it to Dorian. “Here, this is the file I was told by Miriam to give to you. She was originally assigned this shadow man case, until she was given new orders. This is what she’s uncovered about this shadow man before she was assigned elsewhere.”
Dorian opened the file and saw several reports, some longer than others. As he briefly perused the file, he noticed that Miriam had consistently felt like her life was in danger while investigating. Dorian nodded as he closed the folder containing the files. “Miriam is an expert when it comes to combat and survival. Saw more fights than probably almost everyone in the military. If she felt like she was in danger when she was investigating this…shadow, her survival instincts must have been triggered by something or someone. If this...thing can get her on edge...I don’t like this one bit.”
“Neither do I. I’m prepared to up security throughout the whole town if necessary, but if I do and nothing happens, my job would be on the line. Please...find out what’s going on and protect your classmates while doing so. I don’t want their blood to be spilled because of something I’m powerless to fight.”
Dorian nodded, tucking the folder underneath his armpit. “I’ll be sure to do just that. I’ll let you, and the agency, know what’s going on while I’m here. With any luck, they’ll send Miriam back with extra support.”
Jac nodded. “Good luck.”
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