Post by Admin on Aug 7, 2020 3:24:52 GMT
Caught Between A Rock and A Hardplace
(combined threads from old site)
( Continued in Shadow Lounge >An Uneasy Truce)
Cole unlocked the door to the one room in the barracks which had been designed for questioning only. The room was twenty-four feet square, dark paneled, high ceiling painted in a rich chocolate brown. The floor was black marble. In the center of the room was a six-foot square rich Prussian run, in reds and gold. Two captain style chairs sat facing each other leaving only enough room for the knees of two tall people. A small round end table sat next to each chair. An inset spot light shown down to the spot from the ceiling. The only other light in the room came from gold scones every six feet around the wall and a rope light which encircled the room where the ceiling met the walls. There was a small kitchenette at one end in the corner. Six chairs were placed around the wall, for anyone else allowed into the interrogation area. There were no windows and only two doors: the one you entered the room by and one leading to the medical examination room.
Cole walked over to the small refrigerator and retrieved two bottles of water. He twisted the cap on one of them and took a deep drink as he looked around the room. He didn't use this room much. He liked the other interrogation rooms more because they were small and allowed for more control of the subject. This room could make someone feel alone and intimidated. Cole wanted Liam to feel alone. He was going to have to break the boys beliefs and he needed him not to have anything to grab onto in his mind.
Cole twisted the cap back on the bottle as he walked to the two chairs and sat. He was facing the door to the medical exam room, because Liam would be brought into this room straight after his medical exam, an exam which would not be comfortable to take. The boy was being given a Caretaker exam. Every hole in his body would be probed, some more than once. A die would be administered into his blood stream and would be read by the elves as it ran its course. Every inch of the boys skin would be checked for punctures or any spots which would show something under the skin. A minimum of four vials of blood would be drawn to be checked for every disease possible, both Muggle and Wizard.
Cole sat back in the chair and crossed his legs at the knees. He had placed Liam's water on his small table and his sat next to him on the other table. The boy should only be another five minutes or so.
LIAM
Liam still remembered how betrayed he felt. Jonathan had dragged him to where he now was. Then his second cousin and three others had turned him over to the men that were at the time of his arrival reminded Liam of his grandfather. The man in charge told Jonathan to chain him in the nearest cell. Then Liam felt his head be yanked back as the man whispered that he was going to enjoy showing a pup of the Clan how easy a pup can break. Liam heard screams that seemed familiar. Messing with his chains all Liam heard as he got a fist to the gut was to stop being impatient as he was next.
Then he felt himself being blindfolded and gagged as the chains seem to lower. He felt himself being pulled somewhere. Liam knew escape was now or never. He yanked himself in another direction only to feel himself yanked back. The next thing he felt was the hard stone under him as somebody grabbed his throat. He felt two quick blows to his gut and a knife to his throat. Liam then heard the venom as the man whispered, “Try that again and we will deal with you differently. Understand Pup!” Liam was shaking as he felt himself being yanked up and something placed around his wrists pulling them tightly together. He then felt his arms being almost pulled from their sockets. He knew the only thing was to walk where ever they were leading him.
Liam was led back up the stone steps and then his blindfold had been removed. His cousin was pulling him along by a small chain hooked to the handcuffs holding his wrists together. Two men followed behind them. No one would make eye contact with him. Soon they stopped in front of a metal door with a small view window near the top. Jonathan had knocked and the door was opened by a man in green hospital scrubs and a surgical mask. Liam had started shaking. He had experience with doctors back at the Clan citadel and they had not been pleasant. He tried to pull away from Jonathan but the men behind him grabbed his arms and forcibly led him into the room. "You can yell as loud as you want young man. No one will care and this room is sound proofed. This is not going to be pleasant because the Captain has ordered a very special workup done on you." The doctor looked at the two men holding Liam. "Remove all his clothes and strap him to the table, face up." Liam had started to scream. He felt faint and welcomed the blackness as it took over.
When he woke up he hurt everywhere. Every hole in his body felt like it had been invaded more than once. He wasn't strapped down anymore, but with the men standing over him he knew he had no chance of running. He looked down and found he had on a set of hospital greens and a pair of thick socks, nothing else. There was a bandage in the crock of his elbow, so he probably had blood drawn. He had been pulled to a sitting position and then yanked off the table toward another door. When the door had opened he found himself in a darkly paneled room. Fixer was sitting in one of two chairs facing each other in the center of the room.
Liam looked at Jonathan as he tried to pull away. Jonathan was still pulling him towards the man in the center of the room. “Please Jonny?” Liam whispered as he pleaded with his eyes.
Jonathan tried to stick to the plan but was worried that they were going too far. He knew Liam was truly scared as the boy hardly ever called him Jonny anymore. He heard Jack also known as Knife ask if him and Fist should take the Pup the rest of the way. Jonathan shook his head as he said, “No, I will do it Sir. After all it is time the Pup understand fully what he was leading that kid into. Maybe then my cousin will understand my choices?”
Liam was still shaking as he was bodily placed and held in the chair. He fought as hard as he could but Jonathan still held tightly the chain.
COLE
Cole rested his elbows on the arms of the chair and watched. He had a report of what the men had done to Liam already. They had been told not to hurt him but to rough him up a little bit, as if Cole was part of the Werewolf Clan of the boys grandfather. The boy was scared, he could see it in his eyes as he was placed in the chair across from him and held there by Jonathan. The other two men were motioned to leave. They both snapped a salute and exited the room. Cole rubbed his chin and continued to watch Liam. Somehow he had to make the boy think he was more of a danger to him then his grandfather. Then he could work on showing the boy, you could get with life without the fear of being killed or maimed every second of your life. This was not going to be easy.
Cole signaled Jonathan to take a seat along the wall and then looked Liam in the eyes, "So boy, have you enjoyed your stay with me so far. I've told the men to be gentle with you since you are a child under my control." Cole folded his hands over his abs, resting his elbows on the elbows on the arms of the chair. "The water on the table beside you is for you. Drink."
Jonathan pointed to the chain as he asked as if afraid of the answer, "Am I to hand you this? Or do I just extend it?" He was not scared of Fixer as much as he was of the death order that would be carried out the moment Fixer had no further use for him. He still cringed remembering Khalid's words. He knew that Fixer still wanted Intel on the Clan members. He could only pray that his new boss needed a Medic more then he wanted the Intel. Jonathan had a bad feeling Fixer expected to get both. He looked at Liam who was still trying to escape. Jonathan had hoped he would have realized there was no escape for either of them.
Jonathan looked at the door as he answered, “I rather not have to witness what is coming. You know I am not here of my choosing Fixer. If I could leave this island I would in a heartbeat!" He waited for the reminder that was sure to come. He knew it would sound like he was still planning to escape. Khalid had made that impossible if Jonathan planned to stay in the land of the living.
Cole reached out and took the end of the chain. He yanked it hard and pulled Liam to the floor off his chair. "Kneel boy. Extend your arms out in front of you and place your head on the floor." Cole smiled as Liam immediately complied. Cole looked at Jonathan and said, "You may now remove the manacles and the chain." He looked pointedly at Liam bowed on the floor. "I think the boy understands he cannot escape from here. He cannot even leave the room unless I give my permission." Cole looked back at Jonathan. "You will stay. You are not only going to witness what I am going to do you may even be a participant. Maybe you can help me demonstrate to the boy that fighting is not in his best interest. Now take a seat at the side of the room, or assume the same position the boy is in. Refuse and we will go back to when you first got here. The scares have healed. Do not make me add more."
Jonathan was really starting to rethink things. As he quickly undid the manacles and chain attached to Liam's wrists, he decided to show his cousin that he was still the cousin Liam remembered. He knew that Fixer might carry out Khalid's order but Jonathan at the moment only cared that Liam understood he had not left the pup to the Enforcer's mercy because he wanted to.
Jonathan stepped in-between Liam and the still seated Fixer. He stared into the man's eyes and in an even voice he said, "Liam, get behind me and pray I am better then Fixer!" Jonathan doubted it and prayed that Fixer would still have need of him. If not he was going to be in a world of hurt and might have even put Liam in more danger. He knew he was pushing Fixer's patience and that meant Fixer could choose to carry out Khalid's order.
Liam pushed himself quickly to his feet. He clung tightly to Jonathan's shirt and buried his face in his cousin's back. He swallowed hard and whispered, "What now?"
Cole just shook his head. "You sure you want to play it this way?" he asked as he slowly got to his feet. "Move the boy out of the way or he will be pulled into this." Cole stood with his arms crossed over his chest and waited.
Jonathan slowly turned around and pulled Liam loose of his shirt the moved the boy over several feet. Then he turned back to Cole, pulled back his fist and swung, following the move up with a left upper cut.
Cole easily dodged the right cut but Jonathan caught him on the edge of his chin with the uppercut. Cole rubbed his chin and then smiled. "So you want to play for keeps. Very well." Cole swung with his right, then his left, then his right, following this up with a hard jab to Jonathan's midsection. He was surprised when he heard a growl from the man as he charged toward him. The one big problem Jonathan had when he fought was he let his anger take over. As soon as that happens you are at a disadvantage.
As Cole stepped out of the way, he brought his arm down hard on Jonathan's back, knowing he knocked the wind out of him. "Enough." The man slipped to the floor. Cole pointed a finger at Liam and said, "Stay" then stuck three fingers in the air and moved them so they were pointing at the floor. Within seconds three large armed guards entered the room. One of the grabbed Liam and the other two stood over Jonathan's prone body. They all waited for further orders.
Cole pointed to Jonathan and said, "On the wall over there, face toward the wall." He threw his thumb over his shoulder never taking his eyes off the boy still bending over holding Jonathan's torn shirt. Cole reached out and grabbed the boy under the chin where his head met his neck. He squeezed firmly, but not hard enough to cause damage to the boys throat. Pulling the boy up he watched his eyes. Liam was trying to watch what was happening to Jonathan. His cousin was being dragged over to a wall. Manacles were placed on his wrists and ankles, holding him in a wide spread eagle, facing out. "So boy you listened to Jonathan. Maybe you should see what defiance really does to me." Cole didn't let go of the boy, as he dragged him over to the wall. Looking at one of the Specialist who had entered he said, "Revive the man." Cole looked back and forth between Jonathan as he slowly came back to his senses and Liam who was so frightened he was shaking. Cole just laughed, more for show than anything else. Now what he had to decide was if he was going to truly teach just Jonathan a lesson, or add the boy to the wall and teach both a lesson. Cole looked at the door and called one name. "Tom." It took about fifteen seconds before a man in black army fatigues walked into the room, came to Cole and saluted. "You called Cap."
Cole nodded. "Jonathan has decided to disobey me." Cole looked toward Jonathan to make sure he was completely awake. "Put the boy on the wall." Liam put up a good struggle but he was not strong enough to fight the specialist. Soon he was also spread eagle on the wall next to his cousin. He was shaking so much his chains rattled against the wall. "Jonathan will receive ten lashes. At that time he will have a choice to get on his knees and beg for forgiveness, suing my correct title of Sir or he will receive ten more lashes. If he still refuses after that Liam will receive the next ten lashes."
(OOC: Jonathan is an Admin character used to further the story)
TOM MATHEWS
Tom nodded as he uncoiled his ever present, four foot, snake tongue whip from his belt. Cole walked up to where Jonathan could see him. He grabbed the man's hair and pulled it back. "That was not a very good move on your part. Hopefully I won't have to try Tom's whip on the boy. You heard me. You will get ten and then you will have a choice." Cole threw the man's head forward knowing it would knock into the wall, then he stepped back and nodded to Tom.
The lashes did not take very long to administer and Tom was an expert. Jonathan's shirt was torn and there were red welts on his back but nothing was bleeding. Cole didn't move from where he stood just outside of the area Tom needed to swing his whip. "So Jonathan what's it going to be?"
Jonathan took the lashes without saying one word. He had a lot worse from his father Matthew. He listened to Fixer say that the whip would be used on Liam and his fury got the better of him. Unable to see anything except the wall, Jonathan screamed in fury and regret, "Don't you lay a hand on him!" He was inwardly scared his next words would seal his fate. He had held the Clan secrets just for this reason. He had seen too many times the pups paying for what the Alphas did.
He said not knowing if his death date was today, "Liam like all the pups of the Clan are what I am protecting. I won't let you hurt him but I will never beg for forgiveness! I did that once and then watched in horror my Father show me what it got me..." His mind slipped back to the only time Jonathan had begged his father. He had even pleaded with the Alphas that if Scott was spared he would not only bring Lance and Brennan to them but also he would be honored to have his gene activated. Jonathan was rewarded with being chained to the pole next to his baby brother. He then watched in horror as the feeders took a month to kill Scotty. He was left on the pole and every day was taught by his uncle Markus just how little his father cared about him. Jonathan had never told the others that looked up to him what that year had done to him. His hatred had grown and only his talks with Lance had saved him from himself. He had sworn to protect the others from what was done to him.
Before Tom started the second round Cole walked up to Jonathan and grabbed his hair. He turned the man's head toward where Liam was chained. Getting close to his ear he said, "So you want to see the boy whipped. Do you think he has ever felt the tail of a snake tongued whip? You will be given ten more stripes... think hard, because you know I never lie. I do what I promise. Beg forgiveness and I will let the boy down. I am not the other man." Cole was an empath so he knew Jonathan was petrified he was lying and the boy would be harmed no matter what he decided to do. "I am not asking you to give me any secrets at the moment Jonathan, I am just asking you to save the boy from pain you know it is going to cause." Cole released Jonathan's hair and stepped back, putting his arms across his chest. He nodded to Tom to administer the next ten lashes. When they were done, Cole waited, glancing at the boy. He gave Liam credit for his nerve. The boy was scared speechless, looking at the stripes on Jonathan's back. Tears rolled down the young man's face. Cole had to do what he said he was going to do though or his word would mean nothing in the future.
Jonathan felt helpless. He knew from spending time on the island that Fixer's word was the man's bond. Jonathan was just scared that Liam would pay either way as Scotty had. Tom must have felt the inner struggle inside Jonathan. Jonathan heard, "Jonathan I know you think you can keep Liam safe by your actions. You're not, You are just going to get the boy hurt instead of the help Cap has offered. Now take Cap at his word and show Cap that you have learned from your error! Or are you so eager for the other order concerning you to be carried out?"
Jonathan was shaking as he finally understood what his defiance could truly cost the pups. If Khalid's order was carried out then the Clan pups like Liam would have no one protecting them. Jonathan understood he had no choice since Fixer was the only one that was protecting him from that death order. He had to make amends to Fixer. He lowered his head in defeat as he said, "I am ready to comply with your instructions Sir. I accept full blame and punishment." Jonathan just prayed this time would not be like the year that his father Mathew left him to the mercy of Uncle Markus. He said in a bare whisper, "If it is I doubt Lance will be able to pull me out again?" For the first time since Markus finally took him off the pole, Jonathan was really scared what deals he would be forced to make.
(OOC: Jonathan is an Admin character used to forward the story)
COLE
Cole waved Tom aside. "Take them down." When Tom had Jonathan and Liam off the wall Cole turned to Jonathan and said, "On your knees and beg me for forgiveness." He watched as Jonathan slowly got to his knees. Before he could say anything, Cole turned to Liam and just stared at the boy. Liam was quick to comply to the unspoken request and lowered himself to his knees beside his cousin. Cole turned back to Jonathan and waited.
Jonathan was shaking as he knelt in front of Fixer. He looked not at Fixer as he dared not. "I beg you Sir to forgive me. I accept full blame and punishment. I was just trying to protect my cousin Sir. I understand you have offered to help but Sir if my cousin Damir or Uncle Markus were to ever learn that Liam ever gave you anything. They would not think twice of giving Liam a traitor's death. I swore to protect the pups from receiving what I was put through."
(OOC: Jonathan is an admin character used to forward the story.)
LIAM
Liam was wondering just what Jonathan had meant by protecting them from what Jonathan had been put through by the Alphas. Liam dared not ask though as he had gotten Jonathan enough grief and pain. Liam wished he had not said those hurtful things to his cousin. Liam did know he would never reveal to the Clan where Jonathan was. For once, Liam planned to protect Jonathan.
Cole stood in front of the kneeling man and boy. He looked at Tom and nodded. Tom saluted and left the room. Cole knew he would be watching a small monitor outside, so he could come if needed with just a simple signal. "Jonathan you may rise. Please go and sit in one of the chairs along the wall. Do not interfere or you will be back on the wall and I will have Tom return and re-teach you manors." As Jonathan got up and backed toward the nearest chair, Cole turned his attention to Liam. The boy was shaking. "Liam you will rise and sit in one of the chairs in the center of the room. You will place your arms on the arms of the chair. I will not restrain you at the moment, but I will also not refrain from tying you to the chair if you give me a problem. We are going to talk."
Liam reached up as Jonathan turned to comply. Grabbing Jon, Liam shook his head. Liam feared for Jonathan as he said, "No! Not until Jonathan is safe from the Alphas' wrath and away from you!" He had heard that this man tortured all the information and then forced the person to either spy for him. Liam heard from his uncle that Fixer killed any that refused. The Gryffindor wanted to protect Jonny but could not as Jonathan removed Liam's hand from his leg. Liam then watch as Jonathan picked him up and took him to the chair. Liam shook his head and fought as Jonathan tried to get Liam to sit in the chair.
(OOC: I had permission to say what Frank Cole did)
TOM
Tom watched the screen. As he saw Jonathan trying to get the boy to sit. He quickly realized Jonathan did not have the heart to force the boy to comply. Shaking his head, Tom entered the room. He moved too fast for Jonathan to stop him. Whip as he was called, grabbed the boy away from Jonathan. Pointing to the chair against the wall as he commanded, "Trainee Sit Down Now!"
Jonathan turned and walked to the wall. He hoped Liam would stop fighting. He sat down.
Tom had a strong grip on the young fifteen year old as he looked at Fixer and prayed the boy had not just gotten another trip to the wall. "Your orders Sir?"
COLE
"In the chair. I still don't want him bound, but stay behind him if it is needed." As Tom struggled the boy into the chair Cole glanced at Jonathan. The man had taken a chair near the door. He was not relaxed, but poised to run back to where they were. Turning back to Liam, who was now sitting in the chair, his eyes darting between Jonathan and where he stood, he said, "Relax Liam we are only going to talk. As long as your Cousin sits where he had been told to sit and doesn't interfere he is safe." Cole took the chair opposite Liam and leaned back into it. He crossed one leg over the other and put his elbows on the sides of his chair. Steepling his fingers in front of him he started, "Now boy, we are going to discuss your life. I will allow you to ask questions. I will answer each question as I see fit. As long as you stay in the chair and do not give Tom or myself any problems, this will go smoothly. Before you ask your first question, I want you to take a drink of your water."
LIAM
Liam was scared and looked at his cousin Jonathan for some kind of reassurance. He wanted his cousin out of the man's hold. Liam saw Jonathan nod for him just to comply. Liam instead asked, "And if I don't drink the water?" He wasn't going to give in that easy. He had to show Jon he was willing to fight to try and keep them both safe.
Tom answered by grabbing the water bottle from the table with one hand and put his fingers on the pressure points of Liam's jaw. With the other hand he pulled the boys head back against his stomach. Squeezing the jaw points, he forced the boys mouth opened. Pouring some water in, he knew it was not all going to go in, but he was just proving a point here.
Jonathan slowly nodded as Liam looked at him. He wondered just what Liam had went through that made him fear even accepting a drink of water. He needed to help Liam as he asked, "What did they put you though?" he asked quietly. He knew Fixer would hear his words if Liam did not. He feared that Liam was too tormented and fearful to accept any help.
He looked at Fixer and Tom as if asking if Liam was beyond help.
(OOC: Jonathan is an admin character used to further the story. I have permission to say what Tom did.)
COLE
Cole only sat and watched. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Jonathan nodding to the boy. The boy apparently thought if he fought anything Cole told him to do it would prove he was an adult and not frightened. Cole wondered if the boy even knew he was shaking. Most of the water Tom poured into the boys mouth, ran down his shirt. Although Cole wanted to clean him up he also wanted the boy reminded of what had just happened. When Liam stopped sputtering, Cole lowered his entwined fingers into his lap and said, "Tom you may let go of him." When Tom had released Liam he said, "Liam I know you have already figured out this is not a game we are playing. Jonathan is staying. Either he will be staying sitting over there in the chair, or he will be back on the wall. If you do not cooperate with what I want to accomplish here, I may make it so Jonathan suffers more than you. Think Liam, because that would mean your actions would control what happens to your cousin. Cooperate and Jonathan remains relatively comfortable, don't cooperated and Jonathan and you suffer. I am going to give you a chance to ask questions, most of which I hope to be able to answer. So what is your first question?"
Liam slowly placed his hands on the arms in fear if he did not comply his cousin Jonathan would be forced to suffer. His eyes went to Jonathan as he asked, "Jonathan said something about you being the only protection against other orders being carried out. What have you or others been ordered to do should Jonathan's usefulness be done?" Liam feared he had not worded his question right. He also feared the answer as Jonathan had begged forgiveness just at the hint of the man's protection being taken away.
Jonathan lowed his head fearing Liam finding out that Jonathan had a death order on him.
Cole nodded. "I can answer that question." He glanced at Jonathan. The man probably didn't want Liam to know the answer, but it might help Cole get the boy to understand exactly what the clan was doing. "Jonathan is here to save his life. A Dark Wizard has put a death warrant out on him if he is found. It seems they think he has given out information about the Clan and as punishment they are going to take his life. I have offered him a safe place to stay and learn. In order to remain here he has agreed to follow my orders, learn what my specialist can teach him and basically abide by my rules. He has become my man. Does this answer your question?"
Jonathan was glad that Fixer had not told Liam all the details.
(OOC: Jonathan is an admin character used to further the story. I have permission to say what Liam did.)
LIAM
Liam listened and then said shaking his head, "It is not possible. It can't be a Clan member cause we were told you tortured all four of my cousins and then when they refused to be your spies, you murdered them! I am glad that grandfather's informer on your island was wrong about Jonathan."
Liam looked at Jonathan as he said, "Jonny it was not Clan. I swear, your dad believes that Fixer murdered you, Travis Jr., my two uncles who's heads we had to bury. Jonny, your father has given special orders about Fixer and those that helped him. He thinks your school friend betrayed you and so we all have been given special orders by my grandfather of the payback that your father wants done. If we could show your father the Clan Alpha that you have not been harmed maybe he will stop all the orders? Please Jonny..." Liam had to get word to the Clan Alpha Matthew that his son and heir were fine. Liam cringed as he thought of the payback his uncle and grandfather had been giving the permission to order done. He wondered if even he knew just what all was going to happen in the Name of Clan Justice! He said in a whisper, "400 for 4 and that is only those that we have been told to bring for the feeders. Then there are those that have been chosen to become pets like Luke." Liam was terrified that the Clan would be in all out war soon.
Jonathan was deep in thought and prayed Fixer could find out just what Markus had conned the Clan into.
(OOC: Jonathan is an admin character used to further the story.)
JONATHAN
Jonathan looked at the boy. He was scared and trying to act brave, but his eyes showed the fear. "I know Travis Jr. is alive Liam. I have seen him with my own eyes. I also know if I leave here, I am a dead man. I don't know who put the hit out on me, but from what I have been able to figure out, I would not put it past a member of the clan to put out the hit on me. Whether father knows it or not, someone in the clan wants a war to happen. They want to have non-clan members illuminated. They want the clan to be at the top of the heap."
Jonathan turned to Cole. "Sir, please the boy does not know anything. He has been feed the same information that all of us were fed." Jonathan was trying to protect the pup, as he did all of them.
COLE
"Liam, your cousins were not killed by me. You can see Jonathan is alive. I can also tell you Travis Jr. is alive and being taken care of by some friends of mine. I don't need spies in your grandfathers camp, Liam. I have many ways of getting the information I need none of which includes putting people in a place where I can't keep an eye on them. Your grandfather has been looking for a long time to blame others for what his own people do or people do in his name." Cole knew that Markus' two sons were dead. He was not able to confirm they didn't take their own lives, but the possibility existed because of what they were being asked to believe and do for the clan.
Cole sat back in his chair and crossed one knee over the other. He rubbed his chin and then entwined his fingers in front of him. Looking first at the boy and then turning his attention to Jonathan, sitting on the edge of his seat along the wall he said, "Liam has decided he wants to be treated like an adult, so what would you have me do. I could treat him like all the other young ones who come to my island. I could feed him, give him a comfortable place to stay, help him learn whatever he wants to learn, whether it is combat skills, computer skills, intelligence gathering skills or even how to take care of an army. I could even show him what is really happening around him, but he does not want that. He seems to think fighting me every step of the way is what will make him appear to be an adult. He doesn't think adults get scared and sometimes ask for help."
Cole looked back at Liam, to see if any of what he had just said, sunk in.
"Safety measures have been put in place, Liam. It is going to be difficult for the clan to carry out what they wish to have done. Luke or any of the children will never be a pet, like you are."
LIAM
Liam’s eyes became damp as he whispered hardly able to believe, “Trav is alive and like Jonny out.” Liam wanted to see his second favorite cousin so bad.
He started to stutter as he asked, “Do you think... I mean... If possible... can I...?” He stopped as he felt foolish. The man would never allow it. Liam would be lucky if he lived after they found out how much of a coward he was. Liam had recently saw with his own eyes the fruits of his orders. Alex was indeed back at Hogwarts but even Liam knew that Alex had been forever changed by Liam’s betrayal.
“But I had no idea... They said they had some of Uncle Joshua’s personal items for Bill and Alex... I did not know …. I would never have... if I had known... now Alex is Grandfather’s... I wonder if... Shadow Hunter” Liam was lost in his memories of the day he had lost his innocence of just what his grandfather and uncle expected of him. He watched as his uncle beat him until he was within an inch of his life.
Liam's thoughts went back to one of the training sessions on the Clan's island. “How dare you Threaten us pup! You will say nothing about Alex or Bill...” Liam felt the slashes tear into his skin. He felt as the collar dealt extreme pain into his entire body. Liam tried desperately to escape the pole he was chained to. Instead he heard his uncle laugh as he said, “No pup, that chain will keep you right where you belong traitor. Now that the collar is choking you, any finally words?” His punished ended only when he begged his uncle to forgive him. He had told his uncle things Ellery and his other roommates had told him in secret. [/i}
Liam was crying as he remembered, “I even told uncle Damir about Grace being Veela. Now grandfather and uncle is using that against the only girl I really care for.” He remembered when he finally finished his punishment. His uncle had held him and insured Liam was healed.
Again his thoughts went to his Uncle's words. “You know I only punish to show you I care about you Liam. Uncle Matthew would have just ordered your death. I only want you to learn how to be a pup worthy of activation. You want that don’t you?”
Liam slowly nodded as he asked, “What must I do to right my error in judgment? I want to please you uncle Damir. Please tell me I can make this right.” Liam promised himself never to forget how close he had come to the same fate as his cousin Scotty had. He would never push his uncle to choose him or his place in the Clan.
Liam had years ago dared to wish for a life away from the only family he knew. His threaten the Clan with exposure forever made that wish out of his reach. He knew too much and that meant only in death would he finally be free of his destiny. The Gryffindor was glad though that some of his cousins were finally out. He would try his best to keep their secret. Who was he kidding Liam knew his uncle owned him. Liam knew that his uncle would force him to kill both Jonathan and Trav as traitors. His eyes were wet but Liam for once did not care that he was acting as his uncle would say a baby.
“It is happening...,”,Liam said honestly. He feared what Jon would think when he found out just what Liam had promised to do in the Name of Clan Justice. He will kill me this time but not before...” Liam had to run and pray that him completing his tasks would at least spare Ellery and Grace.
COLE
Cole relaxed back in his chair. "Depending on how you react to your stay here, we will see if you can see them. Jonathan is your only link at the moment." Cole was giving serious thought to at a minimum bringing Travis back to the island but he would have to check with his contact with the Caretaker Group. It would be up to them. He didn't want to hurt any progress they might be making to show Travis a new life outside the clan.
Cole sat forward. "Liam who is Shadow Hunter? Is he your contact at the school?" Cole needed to pinpoint other players in this game. He wouldn't necessarily take out any of the players, especially if they were children, but he could have the watched, which would lead him to others.
Cole tried not to react and show he knew that name. There had been a Damir at a school he had attended. There was also a Damir in a group he belonged to from College and then continuing afterward. If it was the same man he had covered his background very well. There had been nothing to show he belonged to the MacIntosh Clan when they had worked together. The possibility now existed he had found the Traitor who had gotten so many killed over the years. "Liam where is Damir and how do you contact him?" The boy was tired, but Cole had to push just a bit more before he sent him off to rest.
JONATHAN
Jonathan listened to Liam was unknowingly revealing. He had been getting visions lately that terrified him. As he ran to squat down beside the terrified boy Jonathan said, not looking in Cole's direction, "Captain, in one of my visions years ago. I saw Liam threaten the clan and pay a terrible price for it. In that vision I saw a shadow at Hogwarts. It terrified me as all the cubs grow up fearing the Shadow Hunters. They are the reason none dare betray the clan." Jonathan shook as he now knew what his vision meant.
Jonathan took the boys chin in his fingers and forced him to look at him. "Liam, why do you think death is the only way out of the clan? Why would you fear me? What happened that you would refuse the out that Cole is offering? What did cousin do to you?" Jonathan felt as if Liam was slipping away. He wanted to destroy his cousin Damir for what the man had put Liam through.
"Captain, Damir's mother is my Uncle Markus' second wife. Some say that..., " Jonathan was stopped as the pain in his head was extreme. His eyes went white as his head bowed forward. The vision showed the main Clan members entering the school... a cloak bowing to Markus.... Lance held by feeders as Markus orders the Shadow..." Jonathan screamed and dropped to his knees as the visions got darker and more painful. He knew Liam was the key to stopping this vision but unsure why. All he knew was he never got enough clues to understand the vision. Jonathan shook as he remembered the pain that Matthew would allow him to be put through when ever Jon had a vision.
LIAM
Liam shook his head as he said afraid he already once again betrayed his uncle, "I can't....He will kill me this time...I am...so..sorry...Jonny...I never...meant ..." Liam was crying.
"I tried to fix my error...Jonny ...I really did." Liam's mind and body felt the punishment he had received when he had foolishly had dared to challenge his uncle, ending up curled into a ball in the corner as he begged his uncle to forgive his error. He felt the whip as it bit into his mind as his grandmother forced him to reveal everything he knew about the school. When his uncle had learned about Grace being a Veela, Liam was rewarded by being ordered to help convince Grace to help with Luke Wright. Liam had shook his head.
"Please uncle I was hoping to request permission to..." Liam was silenced as he flew into the back wall.
"How dare you even think of having that girl...They are pets!" His uncle had been furious and even now Liam feared being once again facing Damir's rage.
"Please uncle I..."Liam knew within minutes he would be dead. He had dared to threaten the Clan and worse he had fallen in love with a pet.
His grandmother had intervened and calmed her son. He had taken a hold of Liam. Liam had cried that he would do anything to make his errors up. He had even promised to never tell anybody about Tamir.
His grandmother had grabbed him and tortured him about how he had heard about Tamir. Liam shook as he pleaded, "Please don't...I can't...I will do anything just don't hurt cousin Tamir..." He knew he had to get free and complete his mission.
He saw Jonny fall. Now was his chance. Liam headed for the door. "the people on my list or cousin Tamir facing the Shadow Hunter and feeders? There is no choice....", Liam shook knowing that he would do what he must to save the six year old's life. The boy reminded him of somebody but Liam could not think. "I can't understand why uncle Damir and grandma don't want Tamir going to Hogwarts or me talking about her. he is aunt Rachel's daughter."
COLE
Cole knew Jonathan received visions. He got the ability from his birthright. It was one of the reasons he was keeping the man on the island. Oh, he planned on taking full advantage of what he saw in his mind, but Jonathan needed training to be able to control the visions. He needed to learn how to diminish the pain he was receiving, because his brain was telling the rest of him the visions were dangerous to even be having. The elves were working with him as much as possible but there appeared to be a lot more work to be done.
Cole signaled Punta, his head elf, to help Jonathan. Punta was next to him in a blink. The elf put two fingers on Jonathan's temple and pressed. Jonathan slowly sank the rest of the way to the floor. He was shaking but Cole knew the pain was getting less as the seconds ticked by. Out of the corner of his eye, Cole saw Liam freeze and then prepare to run. Cole gave the signal for Tom, who was still standing behind the boys chair, to let the boy do what he wanted to. Liam was not going to get very far. He knew Jack and at least one other specialist were outside the door ready to stop him in his tracks. Cole had purposely not locked the door in case someone needed to enter.
Cole watched as Jonathan tried to push to his feet when he realized the boy was headed for the door. Punta pushed him gently back to a sitting position on the floor, whispering in his ear, "No Master Jonathan, Master Liam will be stopped and will not be hurt. Master Frank would not allow it. Now stay still while I finish with you treatment. Master Frank will take care of the young human."
Cole smiled. The elves all knew him. He would not intentionally hurt a child. He didn't even get up as Liam pulled the door open. Two of his specialist stood outside, completely blocking the door frame and the area in the hallway around it. Their feet were solidly planted shoulder width apart and their arms were crossed over their chest. Liam still had his hand on the door, but he had frozen in the spot.
Slowly Cole rose and started toward the door, smiling down at Jonathan as he passed. Tom followed a short distance behind and took his place on the side of the door. When Cole was within an arms length of Liam, he took up the same stance as his men. "You were not given permission to leave, Liam. You are required to return to your seat. Now. Boy." Cole waved toward the chair. "To disobey will only get Jonathan hurt. Remember I told you he would be punished for anything you do wrong. Is that what you want?" Cole looked toward where Jonathan was being helped from the floor by Punta.
LIAM
Liam was shaking as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Liam turned his head to see Tom standing there.
He whispered as if to himself, "I have no choice. At least Jon won’t die if I disobey you. She will and I will be the reason....I won't let that happen...it was not her fault..." He had to get free of Tom’s grip. All Liam could do was hope he still had a chance to save her by finishing those on his list. "I won’t allow Tamir to end up like Scotty. All I have to do is fix my error and grandfather has promised to request to have Tamir be placed back in mom's care. If it was not for my error...", Liam was panicking as he only had three days left to introduce Tia.."Liam stopped as he wondered why his grandfather had ordered Tia’s capture.
"I either help the Shadow Hunter with his missions or Tamir will...", Liam was badly shaking as he blamed himself for the Shadow Hunter even being under his grandfather's control. “If I had not Threatened them....Uncle Damir would not have felt the need for grandmother’s gift...” The Gryffindor was trying to pull away as he knew deep down that his grandmother had learned of Tamir’s hidding spot from him. “Please grandma...I will right my error...I not becoming like Jonny...Tamir is not making me weak....Please the pain...stop please...I will bring her... I won’t fail you grandma...I am a good boy...yes I know the place...just please grandma...Tamir...she don’t need to be given...please I will serve Shadow Hunter...Why her...No the pain...I was not meaning disrespect...I will do it...” The pain had been to much. Liam had promised anything uncle Damir had wanted just for grandma to stop invading his mind. He had three days until the next full moon.
TOM
Tom let his hand slid from the boys shoulder to his upper arm where he took a firm grip. He looked at Cole and silently asked what he should do. Receiving the signal to put the boy back in the chair, he pulled Liam toward the center of the room. When the boy fought the pull, Tom gripped his other arm with his free hand and dragged the boy to the chair.
"I know Jonathan the boy is only scared but until he settles down and decides he is going to answer my questions we are going to continue here. Now stand up and stand at attention."
Cole turned back to look at Liam who was being held in the chair across from him. He glanced once at Jonathan, who was now standing at attention beside him, trying unsuccessfully to keep his eyes forward.
"Tom please step back from the boy." When Tom had taken one step back Cole again turned to Liam. "The next time you try something like that boy, your cousin here will be on the wall and you will find out both Tom and Jack, standing over there," Cole motioned toward one of the men standing by the door, "will show you how a couple of their very special toys are used. It is all totally up to you what happens to your cousin. I hope we are clear on that fact." Cole relaxed back in the chair and crossed one knee over the other. "Now I have some questions. Answer them and then you will be allowed to go and get something to eat and drink. Give me any kind of a hard time and you will witness your cousin on the wall. First question, Who is the Shadow Hunter at the school?"
LIAM
Liam was terrified as he stared at Jonny, “I am soo sorry but unlike you they will kill her.” He hoped the man was bluffing.
Jonathan knew his next move could seal his fate but Liam seemed so lost and afraid. His cousin was afraid for somebody else. “Liam, please give us a chance. He can help if he does not know what they have. You threatened them didn’t you? What price did you pay? Liam, please” Jon stopped as he grabbed Liam and the vision came.
His vision this time seemed more focused but Jonathan was still trying to understand the images. One thing that he could not figure out was why his best friend Lance would open the gates of Hogwarts and then kneel before Markus. He also had no clue as to the cloaked man's smirk as he whispered to a teenager. "Whoever she is the girl has spunk. She smacks him. Lance must know her cause he pleads with Markus to stop the cloaked man from killing her?", Jonathan had felt a connection to the girl. Jonathan body fell as the hood came off the Shadow Hunter. “Alex, How did uncle Markus find you, Alex?”, Jon asked shocked.
Liam said pleading, “I am soo sorry Jonny...They said they had things from uncle Joshua for Alex and Bill. I would never have told them where the meet was... I tried to fix my error... threaten to tell where Alex was....Uncle was furious...The pain...Almost killed me....Grandmother was ruthless...Tamir....I have three days....Tamir...not her fault...They found her through me...please...I need to fix my error...They promised to give her back to mom...Tia for Tamir...”
Liam seemed lost in his memories as he tried to get Jonathan to understand. He had not moved from where Tom had sat him in the chair.
Liam started screaming for his grandmother to stop the pain. He would fix his error, he was a good boy, he was to blame for the Shadow Hunter, for Alex, for Tamir, He had to fix his mistake, three days until full moon.
COLE
Cole sat forward in his chair and stared at Liam. He had to work on the problem of what was supposed to happen in three days, but first he had to get the boy talking. He now knew who the boy was at the school who was being called the Shadow Hunter, although he didn't think Jonathan realized he had said it out loud. The only problem was he needed Liam to start talking to him, not to those around him. Cole looked at the floor and then at Tom. "Put Jonathan on the wall, facing out, hand and feet chained." As he watched Tom pull Jonathan to the wall, he also watched Liam out of the corner of his eye. The boy was just shaking his head.
Slowly Cole rose up and motioned for the other specialist to bring the boy closer to where Jonathan was now hanging spread eagle on the wall. Standing for a moment looking back and forth between the two of them, he finally turned to Tom and said, "You will be first to demonstrate to Liam, why it is necessary to answer my questions. You will use a category three intensity." This told Tom to cut the clothes Jonathan was wearing with his single tailed short whip, and add enough force to leave welts. Tom was an expert with a whip and Jonathan knew it because Tom gave demonstrations and lessons. Jonathan would know not to make any sudden moves.
Cole motioned for Liam to be pulled back a couple steps and then said, "Liam I asked you a direct question. What is the name of the person at the school you know as the Shadow Hunter?"
Cole stood with his feet shoulder width apart and his arms folded over his chest.
LIAM
Liam was screaming. His grandmother would kill him if he betrayed the Clan. He knew that his death would only come after he was forced to watch as Tamir was given to the feeders. He was shaking as he pleaded, "Please you don't understand grandmother will kill her like Scotty..." The Gryffindor did not feel brave. He wanted to protect his cousin but if he gave the man the name he wanted then Tamir would be given to the feeders and maybe him as well.
Jonathan shook his head as he asked, "Who Liam? What is their hold over you? Liam you don't have the trackers in you, do you?"
Liam shook his head, "No, they know I won't run. Not as long as they have her with that vampiress. Tamir, Jonny... they found Tamir!"
Jonathan shook as he said, "Liam, I don't my father will allow them to harm her. Give Fixer the name or I will!"
Liam was shaking but knew either way, "Alex MacLeod but it not his fault.."
Jonathan wanted to hold his cousin but only said angry whisper, "You both are just kids..." His hatred for the Alphas was about to engulf him. He prayed that they could get Tamir out but either way Jonathan planned on destroying the Alphas.
COLE
Cole walked over and stood behind Liam. Standing very close behind him, he put a hand on each of his arms and squeezed gently. "Very good Liam. Next question, where is Tamir being held?" Cole realized until he got the girl somewhere safe Liam would always feel trapped. "Tell me boy, who has her and where she is being kept?"
"Also, who else at the school has connections with the Clan? And how are messages passed back and forth?" Cole knew he was asking too much at once, but he wanted to keep the boys mind active and keep him focused on himself. Cole squeezed his hands again and leaned in to where his lips were only about three inches from the boys ears. "Answer me now, Liam. Tell me what I want to know. Save your cousin." Cole stood back up straight but did not remove his firm grip on the boy.
LIAM
Liam was shaking, "Three days...Rachel...I can't stop it....Grandmother" He had failed as he doubted he could get off the island and help Shadow Hunter get Tia. "Not in three days", Liam said crying.
Jonathan knew that Liam was terrified and that meant it was going to be nearly impossible for them to help the young fifth year. Jon too wondered how they would rescue Tamir from his Aunt Rachel. He tried to explain as he still had nightmares from the night Rachel had showed just how breakable he was. "Sir, Aunt Rachel is the only vampiress that my father will allow anywhere near the castle. If she has Tamir and Liam was given a deadline....three days? I doubt we can get to Tamir in time? Maybe if I can make a deal with Uncle Markus?" He still was unsure if it would save the little girl.
(OOC: Jonathan is an Admin character and is used to further the story.)
COLE
Cole didn't let go of Liam's arms, but closed his eyes for a moment and sent a mental message to Punta. The elf nodded and closed his eyes also. When he opened them a few seconds later he nodded and went back to watching what was happening. Cole turned back to Liam. "Three days is a long time in my work, Liam. I will take care of the problem with Tamir. Now I asked a couple more questions and you still are not answering me. First question, who else at the school has connections with the Clan?" Cole had sent a message through the Elfin link to Darik in the town of Hogsmeade. He had just figured out who the six year old girl was one of his extraction teams had rescued. The woman who had helped with the rescue had said the little girl was just someone whose mother had passed away. He barely held back the chuckle as he thought how he had been hoodwinked.
The girl was Liam's half sister Tamir and the woman who had help, Liam's mother was Tamir's mother also. Cole was going to have the girl brought to the island and prove to Liam he had more power than the Clan. The only reason he had more power was because he had friends, but the boy would not have to know that. He wouldn't understand because of the fear he was still holding fast too. He was also going to find out who the father was. He had a couple ideas on that little mystery, but he would need tests done first. Looked like his team who specialized in Muggle computers and data bases was going to be busy.
Cole looked up at Jonathan who was staring at him. First things first. He gently shook the boy and said, "Answer me Liam, who else at the school is part of your contact system?"
LIAM
Liam was scared, trying very hard to stay strong and act like he thought an adult would behave under the same circumstances. He asked, "And if I refuse? I am sorry but I know better than to reveal Clan secrets. I already gave Shadow hunter and will pay dearly for that," He would never be activated, Liam knew that meant a servant's life. He stared at Jon and said, "But if I gave the sleepers away..." His headache started.
Jonathan turned frantic filled eyes to Fixer, "Your people did check for what I had in me? He has something in him, I know it. Please Captain help Liam. If it is not physical trigger like me than mental triggers? Do you think ... the machine? He is a kid, Clan..." Jonathan shook his head the Pups grew up learning Clan beliefs. In Jon's eyes, there would be no reason for the Alphas to condition the Pups. He pulled on the chains holding him to the wall. He wanted to hold Liam. He knew that his next words would have him shunned and possibly killed on sight, "Please help my cousin. Fix what they did to him and I will..."
Liam shook his head saying, "No Jonny! I am not worth your honor."
Jonathan looked at Fix as he said weakly, "To me you are!"
COLE
(combined threads from old site)
( Continued in Shadow Lounge >An Uneasy Truce)
Cole unlocked the door to the one room in the barracks which had been designed for questioning only. The room was twenty-four feet square, dark paneled, high ceiling painted in a rich chocolate brown. The floor was black marble. In the center of the room was a six-foot square rich Prussian run, in reds and gold. Two captain style chairs sat facing each other leaving only enough room for the knees of two tall people. A small round end table sat next to each chair. An inset spot light shown down to the spot from the ceiling. The only other light in the room came from gold scones every six feet around the wall and a rope light which encircled the room where the ceiling met the walls. There was a small kitchenette at one end in the corner. Six chairs were placed around the wall, for anyone else allowed into the interrogation area. There were no windows and only two doors: the one you entered the room by and one leading to the medical examination room.
Cole walked over to the small refrigerator and retrieved two bottles of water. He twisted the cap on one of them and took a deep drink as he looked around the room. He didn't use this room much. He liked the other interrogation rooms more because they were small and allowed for more control of the subject. This room could make someone feel alone and intimidated. Cole wanted Liam to feel alone. He was going to have to break the boys beliefs and he needed him not to have anything to grab onto in his mind.
Cole twisted the cap back on the bottle as he walked to the two chairs and sat. He was facing the door to the medical exam room, because Liam would be brought into this room straight after his medical exam, an exam which would not be comfortable to take. The boy was being given a Caretaker exam. Every hole in his body would be probed, some more than once. A die would be administered into his blood stream and would be read by the elves as it ran its course. Every inch of the boys skin would be checked for punctures or any spots which would show something under the skin. A minimum of four vials of blood would be drawn to be checked for every disease possible, both Muggle and Wizard.
Cole sat back in the chair and crossed his legs at the knees. He had placed Liam's water on his small table and his sat next to him on the other table. The boy should only be another five minutes or so.
LIAM
Down rock steps about 15 feet into the ground, Multi cells along a long 6 foot wide hallway, Heavy wood cell doors with slot at bottom for food tray and a window which could be opened up, Cells are eight feet square, rock walls and damp, small single bed, wooden table with two wooden chairs. Overhead single light bulb hanging from ceiling, window high on outside wall.
Liam still remembered how betrayed he felt. Jonathan had dragged him to where he now was. Then his second cousin and three others had turned him over to the men that were at the time of his arrival reminded Liam of his grandfather. The man in charge told Jonathan to chain him in the nearest cell. Then Liam felt his head be yanked back as the man whispered that he was going to enjoy showing a pup of the Clan how easy a pup can break. Liam heard screams that seemed familiar. Messing with his chains all Liam heard as he got a fist to the gut was to stop being impatient as he was next.
Then he felt himself being blindfolded and gagged as the chains seem to lower. He felt himself being pulled somewhere. Liam knew escape was now or never. He yanked himself in another direction only to feel himself yanked back. The next thing he felt was the hard stone under him as somebody grabbed his throat. He felt two quick blows to his gut and a knife to his throat. Liam then heard the venom as the man whispered, “Try that again and we will deal with you differently. Understand Pup!” Liam was shaking as he felt himself being yanked up and something placed around his wrists pulling them tightly together. He then felt his arms being almost pulled from their sockets. He knew the only thing was to walk where ever they were leading him.
Liam was led back up the stone steps and then his blindfold had been removed. His cousin was pulling him along by a small chain hooked to the handcuffs holding his wrists together. Two men followed behind them. No one would make eye contact with him. Soon they stopped in front of a metal door with a small view window near the top. Jonathan had knocked and the door was opened by a man in green hospital scrubs and a surgical mask. Liam had started shaking. He had experience with doctors back at the Clan citadel and they had not been pleasant. He tried to pull away from Jonathan but the men behind him grabbed his arms and forcibly led him into the room. "You can yell as loud as you want young man. No one will care and this room is sound proofed. This is not going to be pleasant because the Captain has ordered a very special workup done on you." The doctor looked at the two men holding Liam. "Remove all his clothes and strap him to the table, face up." Liam had started to scream. He felt faint and welcomed the blackness as it took over.
When he woke up he hurt everywhere. Every hole in his body felt like it had been invaded more than once. He wasn't strapped down anymore, but with the men standing over him he knew he had no chance of running. He looked down and found he had on a set of hospital greens and a pair of thick socks, nothing else. There was a bandage in the crock of his elbow, so he probably had blood drawn. He had been pulled to a sitting position and then yanked off the table toward another door. When the door had opened he found himself in a darkly paneled room. Fixer was sitting in one of two chairs facing each other in the center of the room.
Liam looked at Jonathan as he tried to pull away. Jonathan was still pulling him towards the man in the center of the room. “Please Jonny?” Liam whispered as he pleaded with his eyes.
Jonathan tried to stick to the plan but was worried that they were going too far. He knew Liam was truly scared as the boy hardly ever called him Jonny anymore. He heard Jack also known as Knife ask if him and Fist should take the Pup the rest of the way. Jonathan shook his head as he said, “No, I will do it Sir. After all it is time the Pup understand fully what he was leading that kid into. Maybe then my cousin will understand my choices?”
Liam was still shaking as he was bodily placed and held in the chair. He fought as hard as he could but Jonathan still held tightly the chain.
COLE
Cole rested his elbows on the arms of the chair and watched. He had a report of what the men had done to Liam already. They had been told not to hurt him but to rough him up a little bit, as if Cole was part of the Werewolf Clan of the boys grandfather. The boy was scared, he could see it in his eyes as he was placed in the chair across from him and held there by Jonathan. The other two men were motioned to leave. They both snapped a salute and exited the room. Cole rubbed his chin and continued to watch Liam. Somehow he had to make the boy think he was more of a danger to him then his grandfather. Then he could work on showing the boy, you could get with life without the fear of being killed or maimed every second of your life. This was not going to be easy.
Cole signaled Jonathan to take a seat along the wall and then looked Liam in the eyes, "So boy, have you enjoyed your stay with me so far. I've told the men to be gentle with you since you are a child under my control." Cole folded his hands over his abs, resting his elbows on the elbows on the arms of the chair. "The water on the table beside you is for you. Drink."
Jonathan pointed to the chain as he asked as if afraid of the answer, "Am I to hand you this? Or do I just extend it?" He was not scared of Fixer as much as he was of the death order that would be carried out the moment Fixer had no further use for him. He still cringed remembering Khalid's words. He knew that Fixer still wanted Intel on the Clan members. He could only pray that his new boss needed a Medic more then he wanted the Intel. Jonathan had a bad feeling Fixer expected to get both. He looked at Liam who was still trying to escape. Jonathan had hoped he would have realized there was no escape for either of them.
Jonathan looked at the door as he answered, “I rather not have to witness what is coming. You know I am not here of my choosing Fixer. If I could leave this island I would in a heartbeat!" He waited for the reminder that was sure to come. He knew it would sound like he was still planning to escape. Khalid had made that impossible if Jonathan planned to stay in the land of the living.
Cole reached out and took the end of the chain. He yanked it hard and pulled Liam to the floor off his chair. "Kneel boy. Extend your arms out in front of you and place your head on the floor." Cole smiled as Liam immediately complied. Cole looked at Jonathan and said, "You may now remove the manacles and the chain." He looked pointedly at Liam bowed on the floor. "I think the boy understands he cannot escape from here. He cannot even leave the room unless I give my permission." Cole looked back at Jonathan. "You will stay. You are not only going to witness what I am going to do you may even be a participant. Maybe you can help me demonstrate to the boy that fighting is not in his best interest. Now take a seat at the side of the room, or assume the same position the boy is in. Refuse and we will go back to when you first got here. The scares have healed. Do not make me add more."
Jonathan was really starting to rethink things. As he quickly undid the manacles and chain attached to Liam's wrists, he decided to show his cousin that he was still the cousin Liam remembered. He knew that Fixer might carry out Khalid's order but Jonathan at the moment only cared that Liam understood he had not left the pup to the Enforcer's mercy because he wanted to.
Jonathan stepped in-between Liam and the still seated Fixer. He stared into the man's eyes and in an even voice he said, "Liam, get behind me and pray I am better then Fixer!" Jonathan doubted it and prayed that Fixer would still have need of him. If not he was going to be in a world of hurt and might have even put Liam in more danger. He knew he was pushing Fixer's patience and that meant Fixer could choose to carry out Khalid's order.
Liam pushed himself quickly to his feet. He clung tightly to Jonathan's shirt and buried his face in his cousin's back. He swallowed hard and whispered, "What now?"
Cole just shook his head. "You sure you want to play it this way?" he asked as he slowly got to his feet. "Move the boy out of the way or he will be pulled into this." Cole stood with his arms crossed over his chest and waited.
Jonathan slowly turned around and pulled Liam loose of his shirt the moved the boy over several feet. Then he turned back to Cole, pulled back his fist and swung, following the move up with a left upper cut.
Cole easily dodged the right cut but Jonathan caught him on the edge of his chin with the uppercut. Cole rubbed his chin and then smiled. "So you want to play for keeps. Very well." Cole swung with his right, then his left, then his right, following this up with a hard jab to Jonathan's midsection. He was surprised when he heard a growl from the man as he charged toward him. The one big problem Jonathan had when he fought was he let his anger take over. As soon as that happens you are at a disadvantage.
As Cole stepped out of the way, he brought his arm down hard on Jonathan's back, knowing he knocked the wind out of him. "Enough." The man slipped to the floor. Cole pointed a finger at Liam and said, "Stay" then stuck three fingers in the air and moved them so they were pointing at the floor. Within seconds three large armed guards entered the room. One of the grabbed Liam and the other two stood over Jonathan's prone body. They all waited for further orders.
Cole pointed to Jonathan and said, "On the wall over there, face toward the wall." He threw his thumb over his shoulder never taking his eyes off the boy still bending over holding Jonathan's torn shirt. Cole reached out and grabbed the boy under the chin where his head met his neck. He squeezed firmly, but not hard enough to cause damage to the boys throat. Pulling the boy up he watched his eyes. Liam was trying to watch what was happening to Jonathan. His cousin was being dragged over to a wall. Manacles were placed on his wrists and ankles, holding him in a wide spread eagle, facing out. "So boy you listened to Jonathan. Maybe you should see what defiance really does to me." Cole didn't let go of the boy, as he dragged him over to the wall. Looking at one of the Specialist who had entered he said, "Revive the man." Cole looked back and forth between Jonathan as he slowly came back to his senses and Liam who was so frightened he was shaking. Cole just laughed, more for show than anything else. Now what he had to decide was if he was going to truly teach just Jonathan a lesson, or add the boy to the wall and teach both a lesson. Cole looked at the door and called one name. "Tom." It took about fifteen seconds before a man in black army fatigues walked into the room, came to Cole and saluted. "You called Cap."
Cole nodded. "Jonathan has decided to disobey me." Cole looked toward Jonathan to make sure he was completely awake. "Put the boy on the wall." Liam put up a good struggle but he was not strong enough to fight the specialist. Soon he was also spread eagle on the wall next to his cousin. He was shaking so much his chains rattled against the wall. "Jonathan will receive ten lashes. At that time he will have a choice to get on his knees and beg for forgiveness, suing my correct title of Sir or he will receive ten more lashes. If he still refuses after that Liam will receive the next ten lashes."
(OOC: Jonathan is an Admin character used to further the story)
TOM MATHEWS
Tom nodded as he uncoiled his ever present, four foot, snake tongue whip from his belt. Cole walked up to where Jonathan could see him. He grabbed the man's hair and pulled it back. "That was not a very good move on your part. Hopefully I won't have to try Tom's whip on the boy. You heard me. You will get ten and then you will have a choice." Cole threw the man's head forward knowing it would knock into the wall, then he stepped back and nodded to Tom.
The lashes did not take very long to administer and Tom was an expert. Jonathan's shirt was torn and there were red welts on his back but nothing was bleeding. Cole didn't move from where he stood just outside of the area Tom needed to swing his whip. "So Jonathan what's it going to be?"
Jonathan took the lashes without saying one word. He had a lot worse from his father Matthew. He listened to Fixer say that the whip would be used on Liam and his fury got the better of him. Unable to see anything except the wall, Jonathan screamed in fury and regret, "Don't you lay a hand on him!" He was inwardly scared his next words would seal his fate. He had held the Clan secrets just for this reason. He had seen too many times the pups paying for what the Alphas did.
He said not knowing if his death date was today, "Liam like all the pups of the Clan are what I am protecting. I won't let you hurt him but I will never beg for forgiveness! I did that once and then watched in horror my Father show me what it got me..." His mind slipped back to the only time Jonathan had begged his father. He had even pleaded with the Alphas that if Scott was spared he would not only bring Lance and Brennan to them but also he would be honored to have his gene activated. Jonathan was rewarded with being chained to the pole next to his baby brother. He then watched in horror as the feeders took a month to kill Scotty. He was left on the pole and every day was taught by his uncle Markus just how little his father cared about him. Jonathan had never told the others that looked up to him what that year had done to him. His hatred had grown and only his talks with Lance had saved him from himself. He had sworn to protect the others from what was done to him.
Before Tom started the second round Cole walked up to Jonathan and grabbed his hair. He turned the man's head toward where Liam was chained. Getting close to his ear he said, "So you want to see the boy whipped. Do you think he has ever felt the tail of a snake tongued whip? You will be given ten more stripes... think hard, because you know I never lie. I do what I promise. Beg forgiveness and I will let the boy down. I am not the other man." Cole was an empath so he knew Jonathan was petrified he was lying and the boy would be harmed no matter what he decided to do. "I am not asking you to give me any secrets at the moment Jonathan, I am just asking you to save the boy from pain you know it is going to cause." Cole released Jonathan's hair and stepped back, putting his arms across his chest. He nodded to Tom to administer the next ten lashes. When they were done, Cole waited, glancing at the boy. He gave Liam credit for his nerve. The boy was scared speechless, looking at the stripes on Jonathan's back. Tears rolled down the young man's face. Cole had to do what he said he was going to do though or his word would mean nothing in the future.
Jonathan felt helpless. He knew from spending time on the island that Fixer's word was the man's bond. Jonathan was just scared that Liam would pay either way as Scotty had. Tom must have felt the inner struggle inside Jonathan. Jonathan heard, "Jonathan I know you think you can keep Liam safe by your actions. You're not, You are just going to get the boy hurt instead of the help Cap has offered. Now take Cap at his word and show Cap that you have learned from your error! Or are you so eager for the other order concerning you to be carried out?"
Jonathan was shaking as he finally understood what his defiance could truly cost the pups. If Khalid's order was carried out then the Clan pups like Liam would have no one protecting them. Jonathan understood he had no choice since Fixer was the only one that was protecting him from that death order. He had to make amends to Fixer. He lowered his head in defeat as he said, "I am ready to comply with your instructions Sir. I accept full blame and punishment." Jonathan just prayed this time would not be like the year that his father Mathew left him to the mercy of Uncle Markus. He said in a bare whisper, "If it is I doubt Lance will be able to pull me out again?" For the first time since Markus finally took him off the pole, Jonathan was really scared what deals he would be forced to make.
(OOC: Jonathan is an Admin character used to forward the story)
COLE
Cole waved Tom aside. "Take them down." When Tom had Jonathan and Liam off the wall Cole turned to Jonathan and said, "On your knees and beg me for forgiveness." He watched as Jonathan slowly got to his knees. Before he could say anything, Cole turned to Liam and just stared at the boy. Liam was quick to comply to the unspoken request and lowered himself to his knees beside his cousin. Cole turned back to Jonathan and waited.
Jonathan was shaking as he knelt in front of Fixer. He looked not at Fixer as he dared not. "I beg you Sir to forgive me. I accept full blame and punishment. I was just trying to protect my cousin Sir. I understand you have offered to help but Sir if my cousin Damir or Uncle Markus were to ever learn that Liam ever gave you anything. They would not think twice of giving Liam a traitor's death. I swore to protect the pups from receiving what I was put through."
(OOC: Jonathan is an admin character used to forward the story.)
LIAM
Liam was wondering just what Jonathan had meant by protecting them from what Jonathan had been put through by the Alphas. Liam dared not ask though as he had gotten Jonathan enough grief and pain. Liam wished he had not said those hurtful things to his cousin. Liam did know he would never reveal to the Clan where Jonathan was. For once, Liam planned to protect Jonathan.
Cole stood in front of the kneeling man and boy. He looked at Tom and nodded. Tom saluted and left the room. Cole knew he would be watching a small monitor outside, so he could come if needed with just a simple signal. "Jonathan you may rise. Please go and sit in one of the chairs along the wall. Do not interfere or you will be back on the wall and I will have Tom return and re-teach you manors." As Jonathan got up and backed toward the nearest chair, Cole turned his attention to Liam. The boy was shaking. "Liam you will rise and sit in one of the chairs in the center of the room. You will place your arms on the arms of the chair. I will not restrain you at the moment, but I will also not refrain from tying you to the chair if you give me a problem. We are going to talk."
Liam reached up as Jonathan turned to comply. Grabbing Jon, Liam shook his head. Liam feared for Jonathan as he said, "No! Not until Jonathan is safe from the Alphas' wrath and away from you!" He had heard that this man tortured all the information and then forced the person to either spy for him. Liam heard from his uncle that Fixer killed any that refused. The Gryffindor wanted to protect Jonny but could not as Jonathan removed Liam's hand from his leg. Liam then watch as Jonathan picked him up and took him to the chair. Liam shook his head and fought as Jonathan tried to get Liam to sit in the chair.
(OOC: I had permission to say what Frank Cole did)
TOM
Tom watched the screen. As he saw Jonathan trying to get the boy to sit. He quickly realized Jonathan did not have the heart to force the boy to comply. Shaking his head, Tom entered the room. He moved too fast for Jonathan to stop him. Whip as he was called, grabbed the boy away from Jonathan. Pointing to the chair against the wall as he commanded, "Trainee Sit Down Now!"
Jonathan turned and walked to the wall. He hoped Liam would stop fighting. He sat down.
Tom had a strong grip on the young fifteen year old as he looked at Fixer and prayed the boy had not just gotten another trip to the wall. "Your orders Sir?"
COLE
"In the chair. I still don't want him bound, but stay behind him if it is needed." As Tom struggled the boy into the chair Cole glanced at Jonathan. The man had taken a chair near the door. He was not relaxed, but poised to run back to where they were. Turning back to Liam, who was now sitting in the chair, his eyes darting between Jonathan and where he stood, he said, "Relax Liam we are only going to talk. As long as your Cousin sits where he had been told to sit and doesn't interfere he is safe." Cole took the chair opposite Liam and leaned back into it. He crossed one leg over the other and put his elbows on the sides of his chair. Steepling his fingers in front of him he started, "Now boy, we are going to discuss your life. I will allow you to ask questions. I will answer each question as I see fit. As long as you stay in the chair and do not give Tom or myself any problems, this will go smoothly. Before you ask your first question, I want you to take a drink of your water."
LIAM
Liam was scared and looked at his cousin Jonathan for some kind of reassurance. He wanted his cousin out of the man's hold. Liam saw Jonathan nod for him just to comply. Liam instead asked, "And if I don't drink the water?" He wasn't going to give in that easy. He had to show Jon he was willing to fight to try and keep them both safe.
Tom answered by grabbing the water bottle from the table with one hand and put his fingers on the pressure points of Liam's jaw. With the other hand he pulled the boys head back against his stomach. Squeezing the jaw points, he forced the boys mouth opened. Pouring some water in, he knew it was not all going to go in, but he was just proving a point here.
Jonathan slowly nodded as Liam looked at him. He wondered just what Liam had went through that made him fear even accepting a drink of water. He needed to help Liam as he asked, "What did they put you though?" he asked quietly. He knew Fixer would hear his words if Liam did not. He feared that Liam was too tormented and fearful to accept any help.
He looked at Fixer and Tom as if asking if Liam was beyond help.
(OOC: Jonathan is an admin character used to further the story. I have permission to say what Tom did.)
COLE
Cole only sat and watched. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Jonathan nodding to the boy. The boy apparently thought if he fought anything Cole told him to do it would prove he was an adult and not frightened. Cole wondered if the boy even knew he was shaking. Most of the water Tom poured into the boys mouth, ran down his shirt. Although Cole wanted to clean him up he also wanted the boy reminded of what had just happened. When Liam stopped sputtering, Cole lowered his entwined fingers into his lap and said, "Tom you may let go of him." When Tom had released Liam he said, "Liam I know you have already figured out this is not a game we are playing. Jonathan is staying. Either he will be staying sitting over there in the chair, or he will be back on the wall. If you do not cooperate with what I want to accomplish here, I may make it so Jonathan suffers more than you. Think Liam, because that would mean your actions would control what happens to your cousin. Cooperate and Jonathan remains relatively comfortable, don't cooperated and Jonathan and you suffer. I am going to give you a chance to ask questions, most of which I hope to be able to answer. So what is your first question?"
Liam slowly placed his hands on the arms in fear if he did not comply his cousin Jonathan would be forced to suffer. His eyes went to Jonathan as he asked, "Jonathan said something about you being the only protection against other orders being carried out. What have you or others been ordered to do should Jonathan's usefulness be done?" Liam feared he had not worded his question right. He also feared the answer as Jonathan had begged forgiveness just at the hint of the man's protection being taken away.
Jonathan lowed his head fearing Liam finding out that Jonathan had a death order on him.
Cole nodded. "I can answer that question." He glanced at Jonathan. The man probably didn't want Liam to know the answer, but it might help Cole get the boy to understand exactly what the clan was doing. "Jonathan is here to save his life. A Dark Wizard has put a death warrant out on him if he is found. It seems they think he has given out information about the Clan and as punishment they are going to take his life. I have offered him a safe place to stay and learn. In order to remain here he has agreed to follow my orders, learn what my specialist can teach him and basically abide by my rules. He has become my man. Does this answer your question?"
Jonathan was glad that Fixer had not told Liam all the details.
(OOC: Jonathan is an admin character used to further the story. I have permission to say what Liam did.)
LIAM
Liam listened and then said shaking his head, "It is not possible. It can't be a Clan member cause we were told you tortured all four of my cousins and then when they refused to be your spies, you murdered them! I am glad that grandfather's informer on your island was wrong about Jonathan."
Liam looked at Jonathan as he said, "Jonny it was not Clan. I swear, your dad believes that Fixer murdered you, Travis Jr., my two uncles who's heads we had to bury. Jonny, your father has given special orders about Fixer and those that helped him. He thinks your school friend betrayed you and so we all have been given special orders by my grandfather of the payback that your father wants done. If we could show your father the Clan Alpha that you have not been harmed maybe he will stop all the orders? Please Jonny..." Liam had to get word to the Clan Alpha Matthew that his son and heir were fine. Liam cringed as he thought of the payback his uncle and grandfather had been giving the permission to order done. He wondered if even he knew just what all was going to happen in the Name of Clan Justice! He said in a whisper, "400 for 4 and that is only those that we have been told to bring for the feeders. Then there are those that have been chosen to become pets like Luke." Liam was terrified that the Clan would be in all out war soon.
Jonathan was deep in thought and prayed Fixer could find out just what Markus had conned the Clan into.
(OOC: Jonathan is an admin character used to further the story.)
JONATHAN
Jonathan looked at the boy. He was scared and trying to act brave, but his eyes showed the fear. "I know Travis Jr. is alive Liam. I have seen him with my own eyes. I also know if I leave here, I am a dead man. I don't know who put the hit out on me, but from what I have been able to figure out, I would not put it past a member of the clan to put out the hit on me. Whether father knows it or not, someone in the clan wants a war to happen. They want to have non-clan members illuminated. They want the clan to be at the top of the heap."
Jonathan turned to Cole. "Sir, please the boy does not know anything. He has been feed the same information that all of us were fed." Jonathan was trying to protect the pup, as he did all of them.
COLE
"It is not possible. It can't be a Clan member cause we were told you tortured all four of my cousins and then when they refused to be your spies, you murdered them! I am glad that grandfather's informer on your island was wrong about Jonathan."
"Liam, your cousins were not killed by me. You can see Jonathan is alive. I can also tell you Travis Jr. is alive and being taken care of by some friends of mine. I don't need spies in your grandfathers camp, Liam. I have many ways of getting the information I need none of which includes putting people in a place where I can't keep an eye on them. Your grandfather has been looking for a long time to blame others for what his own people do or people do in his name." Cole knew that Markus' two sons were dead. He was not able to confirm they didn't take their own lives, but the possibility existed because of what they were being asked to believe and do for the clan.
Jonathan turned to Cole. "Sir, please the boy does not know anything. He has been feed the same information that all of us were fed." Jonathan was trying to protect the pup, as he did all of them. .
Cole sat back in his chair and crossed one knee over the other. He rubbed his chin and then entwined his fingers in front of him. Looking first at the boy and then turning his attention to Jonathan, sitting on the edge of his seat along the wall he said, "Liam has decided he wants to be treated like an adult, so what would you have me do. I could treat him like all the other young ones who come to my island. I could feed him, give him a comfortable place to stay, help him learn whatever he wants to learn, whether it is combat skills, computer skills, intelligence gathering skills or even how to take care of an army. I could even show him what is really happening around him, but he does not want that. He seems to think fighting me every step of the way is what will make him appear to be an adult. He doesn't think adults get scared and sometimes ask for help."
Cole looked back at Liam, to see if any of what he had just said, sunk in.
... "400 for 4 and that is only those that we have been told to bring for the feeders. Then there are those that have been chosen to become pets like Luke."
"Safety measures have been put in place, Liam. It is going to be difficult for the clan to carry out what they wish to have done. Luke or any of the children will never be a pet, like you are."
LIAM
"Liam, your cousins were not killed by me. You can see Jonathan is alive. I can also tell you Travis Jr. is alive and being taken care of by some friends of mine. I don't need spies in your grandfathers camp, Liam. I have many ways of getting the information I need none of which includes putting people in a place where I can't keep an eye on them. Your grandfather has been looking for a long time to blame others for what his own people do or people do in his name." Cole knew that Markus' two sons were dead.
"I know Travis Jr. is alive Liam. I have seen him with my own eyes. I also know if I leave here, I am a dead man. I don't know who put the hit out on me, but from what I have been able to figure out, I would not put it past a member of the clan to put out the hit on me. Whether father knows it or not, someone in the clan wants a war to happen. They want to have non-clan members illuminated. They want the clan to be at the top of the heap."
"I know Travis Jr. is alive Liam. I have seen him with my own eyes. I also know if I leave here, I am a dead man. I don't know who put the hit out on me, but from what I have been able to figure out, I would not put it past a member of the clan to put out the hit on me. Whether father knows it or not, someone in the clan wants a war to happen. They want to have non-clan members illuminated. They want the clan to be at the top of the heap."
Liam’s eyes became damp as he whispered hardly able to believe, “Trav is alive and like Jonny out.” Liam wanted to see his second favorite cousin so bad.
He started to stutter as he asked, “Do you think... I mean... If possible... can I...?” He stopped as he felt foolish. The man would never allow it. Liam would be lucky if he lived after they found out how much of a coward he was. Liam had recently saw with his own eyes the fruits of his orders. Alex was indeed back at Hogwarts but even Liam knew that Alex had been forever changed by Liam’s betrayal.
“But I had no idea... They said they had some of Uncle Joshua’s personal items for Bill and Alex... I did not know …. I would never have... if I had known... now Alex is Grandfather’s... I wonder if... Shadow Hunter” Liam was lost in his memories of the day he had lost his innocence of just what his grandfather and uncle expected of him. He watched as his uncle beat him until he was within an inch of his life.
Liam's thoughts went back to one of the training sessions on the Clan's island. “How dare you Threaten us pup! You will say nothing about Alex or Bill...” Liam felt the slashes tear into his skin. He felt as the collar dealt extreme pain into his entire body. Liam tried desperately to escape the pole he was chained to. Instead he heard his uncle laugh as he said, “No pup, that chain will keep you right where you belong traitor. Now that the collar is choking you, any finally words?” His punished ended only when he begged his uncle to forgive him. He had told his uncle things Ellery and his other roommates had told him in secret. [/i}
Liam was crying as he remembered, “I even told uncle Damir about Grace being Veela. Now grandfather and uncle is using that against the only girl I really care for.” He remembered when he finally finished his punishment. His uncle had held him and insured Liam was healed.
Again his thoughts went to his Uncle's words. “You know I only punish to show you I care about you Liam. Uncle Matthew would have just ordered your death. I only want you to learn how to be a pup worthy of activation. You want that don’t you?”
Liam slowly nodded as he asked, “What must I do to right my error in judgment? I want to please you uncle Damir. Please tell me I can make this right.” Liam promised himself never to forget how close he had come to the same fate as his cousin Scotty had. He would never push his uncle to choose him or his place in the Clan.
Looking first at the boy and then turning his attention to Jonathan, sitting on the edge of his seat along the wall he said, "Liam has decided he wants to be treated like an adult, so what would you have me do. I could treat him like all the other young ones who come to my island. I could feed him, give him a comfortable place to stay, help him learn whatever he wants to learn, whether it is combat skills, computer skills, intelligence gathering skills or even how to take care of an army. I could even show him what is really happening around him, but he does not want that. He seems to think fighting me every step of the way is what will make him appear to be an adult. He doesn't think adults get scared and sometimes ask for help."
Liam had years ago dared to wish for a life away from the only family he knew. His threaten the Clan with exposure forever made that wish out of his reach. He knew too much and that meant only in death would he finally be free of his destiny. The Gryffindor was glad though that some of his cousins were finally out. He would try his best to keep their secret. Who was he kidding Liam knew his uncle owned him. Liam knew that his uncle would force him to kill both Jonathan and Trav as traitors. His eyes were wet but Liam for once did not care that he was acting as his uncle would say a baby.
"Safety measures have been put in place, Liam. It is going to be difficult for the clan to carry out what they wish to have done. Luke or any of the children will never be a pet, like you are."
“It is happening...,”,Liam said honestly. He feared what Jon would think when he found out just what Liam had promised to do in the Name of Clan Justice. He will kill me this time but not before...” Liam had to run and pray that him completing his tasks would at least spare Ellery and Grace.
COLE
“Do you think... I mean... If possible... can I...?” He stopped as he felt foolish. The man would never allow it. Liam would be lucky if he lived after they found out how much of a coward he was. Liam had recently saw with his own eyes the fruits of his orders. Alex was indeed back at Hogwarts but even Liam knew that Alex had been forever changed by Liam’s betrayal.
Cole relaxed back in his chair. "Depending on how you react to your stay here, we will see if you can see them. Jonathan is your only link at the moment." Cole was giving serious thought to at a minimum bringing Travis back to the island but he would have to check with his contact with the Caretaker Group. It would be up to them. He didn't want to hurt any progress they might be making to show Travis a new life outside the clan.
“... I wonder if... Shadow Hunter....?”
Cole sat forward. "Liam who is Shadow Hunter? Is he your contact at the school?" Cole needed to pinpoint other players in this game. He wouldn't necessarily take out any of the players, especially if they were children, but he could have the watched, which would lead him to others.
Liam was crying as he remembered, “I even told uncle Damir about Grace being Veela. Now grandfather and uncle is using that against the only girl I really care for.” He remembered when he finally finished his punishment. His uncle had held him and insured Liam was healed.
Cole tried not to react and show he knew that name. There had been a Damir at a school he had attended. There was also a Damir in a group he belonged to from College and then continuing afterward. If it was the same man he had covered his background very well. There had been nothing to show he belonged to the MacIntosh Clan when they had worked together. The possibility now existed he had found the Traitor who had gotten so many killed over the years. "Liam where is Damir and how do you contact him?" The boy was tired, but Cole had to push just a bit more before he sent him off to rest.
JONATHAN
Jonathan listened to Liam was unknowingly revealing. He had been getting visions lately that terrified him. As he ran to squat down beside the terrified boy Jonathan said, not looking in Cole's direction, "Captain, in one of my visions years ago. I saw Liam threaten the clan and pay a terrible price for it. In that vision I saw a shadow at Hogwarts. It terrified me as all the cubs grow up fearing the Shadow Hunters. They are the reason none dare betray the clan." Jonathan shook as he now knew what his vision meant.
Jonathan took the boys chin in his fingers and forced him to look at him. "Liam, why do you think death is the only way out of the clan? Why would you fear me? What happened that you would refuse the out that Cole is offering? What did cousin do to you?" Jonathan felt as if Liam was slipping away. He wanted to destroy his cousin Damir for what the man had put Liam through.
"Captain, Damir's mother is my Uncle Markus' second wife. Some say that..., " Jonathan was stopped as the pain in his head was extreme. His eyes went white as his head bowed forward. The vision showed the main Clan members entering the school... a cloak bowing to Markus.... Lance held by feeders as Markus orders the Shadow..." Jonathan screamed and dropped to his knees as the visions got darker and more painful. He knew Liam was the key to stopping this vision but unsure why. All he knew was he never got enough clues to understand the vision. Jonathan shook as he remembered the pain that Matthew would allow him to be put through when ever Jon had a vision.
LIAM
Jonathan took the boys chin in his fingers and forced him to look at him. "Liam, why do you think death is the only way out of the clan? Why would you fear me? What happened that you would refuse the out that Cole is offering? What did cousin do to you?"
Liam shook his head as he said afraid he already once again betrayed his uncle, "I can't....He will kill me this time...I am...so..sorry...Jonny...I never...meant ..." Liam was crying.
"I tried to fix my error...Jonny ...I really did." Liam's mind and body felt the punishment he had received when he had foolishly had dared to challenge his uncle, ending up curled into a ball in the corner as he begged his uncle to forgive his error. He felt the whip as it bit into his mind as his grandmother forced him to reveal everything he knew about the school. When his uncle had learned about Grace being a Veela, Liam was rewarded by being ordered to help convince Grace to help with Luke Wright. Liam had shook his head.
"Please uncle I was hoping to request permission to..." Liam was silenced as he flew into the back wall.
"How dare you even think of having that girl...They are pets!" His uncle had been furious and even now Liam feared being once again facing Damir's rage.
"Please uncle I..."Liam knew within minutes he would be dead. He had dared to threaten the Clan and worse he had fallen in love with a pet.
His grandmother had intervened and calmed her son. He had taken a hold of Liam. Liam had cried that he would do anything to make his errors up. He had even promised to never tell anybody about Tamir.
His grandmother had grabbed him and tortured him about how he had heard about Tamir. Liam shook as he pleaded, "Please don't...I can't...I will do anything just don't hurt cousin Tamir..." He knew he had to get free and complete his mission.
Jonathan screamed and dropped to his knees as the visions got darker and more painful.
He saw Jonny fall. Now was his chance. Liam headed for the door. "the people on my list or cousin Tamir facing the Shadow Hunter and feeders? There is no choice....", Liam shook knowing that he would do what he must to save the six year old's life. The boy reminded him of somebody but Liam could not think. "I can't understand why uncle Damir and grandma don't want Tamir going to Hogwarts or me talking about her. he is aunt Rachel's daughter."
COLE
Jonathan: "Captain, in one of my visions years ago. I saw Liam threaten the clan and pay a terrible price for it. In that vision I saw a shadow at Hogwarts. It terrified me as all the cubs grow up fearing the Shadow Hunters. They are the reason none dare betray the clan."
Cole knew Jonathan received visions. He got the ability from his birthright. It was one of the reasons he was keeping the man on the island. Oh, he planned on taking full advantage of what he saw in his mind, but Jonathan needed training to be able to control the visions. He needed to learn how to diminish the pain he was receiving, because his brain was telling the rest of him the visions were dangerous to even be having. The elves were working with him as much as possible but there appeared to be a lot more work to be done.
Jonathan: "Captain, Damir's mother is my Uncle Markus' second wife. Some say that..., " Jonathan was stopped as the pain in his head was extreme. ... Jonathan screamed and dropped to his knees as the visions got darker and more painful.
Cole signaled Punta, his head elf, to help Jonathan. Punta was next to him in a blink. The elf put two fingers on Jonathan's temple and pressed. Jonathan slowly sank the rest of the way to the floor. He was shaking but Cole knew the pain was getting less as the seconds ticked by. Out of the corner of his eye, Cole saw Liam freeze and then prepare to run. Cole gave the signal for Tom, who was still standing behind the boys chair, to let the boy do what he wanted to. Liam was not going to get very far. He knew Jack and at least one other specialist were outside the door ready to stop him in his tracks. Cole had purposely not locked the door in case someone needed to enter.
Liam: He saw Jonny fall. Now was his chance. Liam headed for the door.
Cole watched as Jonathan tried to push to his feet when he realized the boy was headed for the door. Punta pushed him gently back to a sitting position on the floor, whispering in his ear, "No Master Jonathan, Master Liam will be stopped and will not be hurt. Master Frank would not allow it. Now stay still while I finish with you treatment. Master Frank will take care of the young human."
Cole smiled. The elves all knew him. He would not intentionally hurt a child. He didn't even get up as Liam pulled the door open. Two of his specialist stood outside, completely blocking the door frame and the area in the hallway around it. Their feet were solidly planted shoulder width apart and their arms were crossed over their chest. Liam still had his hand on the door, but he had frozen in the spot.
Slowly Cole rose and started toward the door, smiling down at Jonathan as he passed. Tom followed a short distance behind and took his place on the side of the door. When Cole was within an arms length of Liam, he took up the same stance as his men. "You were not given permission to leave, Liam. You are required to return to your seat. Now. Boy." Cole waved toward the chair. "To disobey will only get Jonathan hurt. Remember I told you he would be punished for anything you do wrong. Is that what you want?" Cole looked toward where Jonathan was being helped from the floor by Punta.
LIAM
Liam was shaking as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Liam turned his head to see Tom standing there.
He whispered as if to himself, "I have no choice. At least Jon won’t die if I disobey you. She will and I will be the reason....I won't let that happen...it was not her fault..." He had to get free of Tom’s grip. All Liam could do was hope he still had a chance to save her by finishing those on his list. "I won’t allow Tamir to end up like Scotty. All I have to do is fix my error and grandfather has promised to request to have Tamir be placed back in mom's care. If it was not for my error...", Liam was panicking as he only had three days left to introduce Tia.."Liam stopped as he wondered why his grandfather had ordered Tia’s capture.
"I either help the Shadow Hunter with his missions or Tamir will...", Liam was badly shaking as he blamed himself for the Shadow Hunter even being under his grandfather's control. “If I had not Threatened them....Uncle Damir would not have felt the need for grandmother’s gift...” The Gryffindor was trying to pull away as he knew deep down that his grandmother had learned of Tamir’s hidding spot from him. “Please grandma...I will right my error...I not becoming like Jonny...Tamir is not making me weak....Please the pain...stop please...I will bring her... I won’t fail you grandma...I am a good boy...yes I know the place...just please grandma...Tamir...she don’t need to be given...please I will serve Shadow Hunter...Why her...No the pain...I was not meaning disrespect...I will do it...” The pain had been to much. Liam had promised anything uncle Damir had wanted just for grandma to stop invading his mind. He had three days until the next full moon.
TOM
Tom let his hand slid from the boys shoulder to his upper arm where he took a firm grip. He looked at Cole and silently asked what he should do. Receiving the signal to put the boy back in the chair, he pulled Liam toward the center of the room. When the boy fought the pull, Tom gripped his other arm with his free hand and dragged the boy to the chair.
... "I have no choice. At least Jon won’t die if I disobey you. She will and I will be the reason....I won't let that happen...it was not her fault..." {/quote}
Tom roughly pushed the boy into the chair and held a hand on each of his shoulders. The children were not allowed to be hurt, but they also had to be taught, a certain amount of pain came with disobeying when they were in the Captain's hands. During training all of the men and women had tried at least once, Tom included, to not follow directions. Some had been injured. When their injuries were healed, they had been punished. The Captain had a definite list of what would happen under different circumstances. Tom leaned closer to Liam's ear and said, "Stay still boy, or you will learn a different kind of lesson here today. The Captain knows you are scared but he also will not stand to be obeyed." Tom looked toward Cole who had regained his chair across from the boy. "Captain what do you wish done?"
"I told you to stay still boy." Tom squeezed his hands on the boys shoulders a little tighter. He didn't want to cause any bruises. He was hoping the Captain would call an end to what he had to do soon. He looked around. Jonathan was standing still, trying to decide if he should intervene or not. Jack and the other specialist had come in and taken up a position by the door. It was the Captain's call.
JONATHAN
Jonathan smiled as he nodded to Punta as the Captain and Tom followed Liam to the door. They would take care of everything. The Captain would never hurt the boy. "Captain, Liam is the key to stopping my vision. It is going to be a very bad ending otherwise...",
Jon stopped and turned to Liam. What had Damir put the boy through. He had to get Captain to understand. Jonathan walked over and knelt beside the Captain's chair. "Please Sir, Liam is not meaning disrespect. He is terrified and I fear that my vision of him threatening cousin came true? If so, He paid dearly for standing up to them. Please help him as I fear that he sees no way but death for him. I fear that cousin took Liam to Aunt Danaki." Jon remember his own visits with Aunt Danaki. Matthew called on her when Jonathan's gift of visions would come. What she had done to him was the reason he felt extreme pain every time he saw a vision.
His vision this time focused on the school but Jonathan was still trying to understand the images. One thing that he could not figure out was why his best friend Lance would open the gates of Hogwarts and then kneel before Markus. He also had no clue as to the cloaked man's smirk as he whispered to a teenager. "Whoever she is the girl has spunk. She smacks him. Lance must know her cause he pleads with Markus to stop the cloaked man from killing her?", Jonathan had felt a connection to the girl.
COLE
Cole turned slightly in his chair and looked at Jonathan. He cocked one eyebrow, asking silently what the man wanted.
{quote] ... "Please Sir, Liam is not meaning disrespect. He is terrified and I fear that my vision of him threatening cousin came true? If so, He paid dearly for standing up to them. Please help him as I fear that he sees no way but death for him. I fear that cousin took Liam to Aunt Danaki."
Tom roughly pushed the boy into the chair and held a hand on each of his shoulders. The children were not allowed to be hurt, but they also had to be taught, a certain amount of pain came with disobeying when they were in the Captain's hands. During training all of the men and women had tried at least once, Tom included, to not follow directions. Some had been injured. When their injuries were healed, they had been punished. The Captain had a definite list of what would happen under different circumstances. Tom leaned closer to Liam's ear and said, "Stay still boy, or you will learn a different kind of lesson here today. The Captain knows you are scared but he also will not stand to be obeyed." Tom looked toward Cole who had regained his chair across from the boy. "Captain what do you wish done?"
"I either help the Shadow Hunter with his missions or Tamir will...", Liam was badly shaking as he blamed himself for the Shadow Hunter even being under his grandfather's control. “If I had not Threatened them....Uncle Damir would not have felt the need for grandmother’s gift...” .......
"I told you to stay still boy." Tom squeezed his hands on the boys shoulders a little tighter. He didn't want to cause any bruises. He was hoping the Captain would call an end to what he had to do soon. He looked around. Jonathan was standing still, trying to decide if he should intervene or not. Jack and the other specialist had come in and taken up a position by the door. It was the Captain's call.
JONATHAN
Jonathan smiled as he nodded to Punta as the Captain and Tom followed Liam to the door. They would take care of everything. The Captain would never hurt the boy. "Captain, Liam is the key to stopping my vision. It is going to be a very bad ending otherwise...",
Tom let his hand slid from the boys shoulder to his upper arm where he took a firm grip. He looked at Cole and silently asked what he should do. ...When the boy fought the pull, Tom gripped his other arm with his free hand and dragged the boy to the chair.
... Tom roughly pushed the boy into the chair and held a hand on each of his shoulders ... Tom looked toward Cole who had regained his chair across from the boy. "Captain what do you wish done?"
... Tom roughly pushed the boy into the chair and held a hand on each of his shoulders ... Tom looked toward Cole who had regained his chair across from the boy. "Captain what do you wish done?"
Jon stopped and turned to Liam. What had Damir put the boy through. He had to get Captain to understand. Jonathan walked over and knelt beside the Captain's chair. "Please Sir, Liam is not meaning disrespect. He is terrified and I fear that my vision of him threatening cousin came true? If so, He paid dearly for standing up to them. Please help him as I fear that he sees no way but death for him. I fear that cousin took Liam to Aunt Danaki." Jon remember his own visits with Aunt Danaki. Matthew called on her when Jonathan's gift of visions would come. What she had done to him was the reason he felt extreme pain every time he saw a vision.
His vision this time focused on the school but Jonathan was still trying to understand the images. One thing that he could not figure out was why his best friend Lance would open the gates of Hogwarts and then kneel before Markus. He also had no clue as to the cloaked man's smirk as he whispered to a teenager. "Whoever she is the girl has spunk. She smacks him. Lance must know her cause he pleads with Markus to stop the cloaked man from killing her?", Jonathan had felt a connection to the girl.
COLE
Jonathan walked over and knelt beside the Captain's chair.
Cole turned slightly in his chair and looked at Jonathan. He cocked one eyebrow, asking silently what the man wanted.
{quote] ... "Please Sir, Liam is not meaning disrespect. He is terrified and I fear that my vision of him threatening cousin came true? If so, He paid dearly for standing up to them. Please help him as I fear that he sees no way but death for him. I fear that cousin took Liam to Aunt Danaki."
"I know Jonathan the boy is only scared but until he settles down and decides he is going to answer my questions we are going to continue here. Now stand up and stand at attention."
Tom looked toward Cole who had regained his chair across from the boy. "Captain what do you wish done?"
Cole turned back to look at Liam who was being held in the chair across from him. He glanced once at Jonathan, who was now standing at attention beside him, trying unsuccessfully to keep his eyes forward.
"I told you to stay still boy." Tom squeezed his hands on the boys shoulders a little tighter. He didn't want to cause any bruises. He was hoping the Captain would call an end to what he had to do soon. He looked around. Jonathan was standing still, trying to decide if he should intervene or not. Jack and the other specialist had come in and taken up a position by the door. It was the Captain's call.
"Tom please step back from the boy." When Tom had taken one step back Cole again turned to Liam. "The next time you try something like that boy, your cousin here will be on the wall and you will find out both Tom and Jack, standing over there," Cole motioned toward one of the men standing by the door, "will show you how a couple of their very special toys are used. It is all totally up to you what happens to your cousin. I hope we are clear on that fact." Cole relaxed back in the chair and crossed one knee over the other. "Now I have some questions. Answer them and then you will be allowed to go and get something to eat and drink. Give me any kind of a hard time and you will witness your cousin on the wall. First question, Who is the Shadow Hunter at the school?"
LIAM
Liam was terrified as he stared at Jonny, “I am soo sorry but unlike you they will kill her.” He hoped the man was bluffing.
Jonathan knew his next move could seal his fate but Liam seemed so lost and afraid. His cousin was afraid for somebody else. “Liam, please give us a chance. He can help if he does not know what they have. You threatened them didn’t you? What price did you pay? Liam, please” Jon stopped as he grabbed Liam and the vision came.
His vision this time seemed more focused but Jonathan was still trying to understand the images. One thing that he could not figure out was why his best friend Lance would open the gates of Hogwarts and then kneel before Markus. He also had no clue as to the cloaked man's smirk as he whispered to a teenager. "Whoever she is the girl has spunk. She smacks him. Lance must know her cause he pleads with Markus to stop the cloaked man from killing her?", Jonathan had felt a connection to the girl. Jonathan body fell as the hood came off the Shadow Hunter. “Alex, How did uncle Markus find you, Alex?”, Jon asked shocked.
Liam said pleading, “I am soo sorry Jonny...They said they had things from uncle Joshua for Alex and Bill. I would never have told them where the meet was... I tried to fix my error... threaten to tell where Alex was....Uncle was furious...The pain...Almost killed me....Grandmother was ruthless...Tamir....I have three days....Tamir...not her fault...They found her through me...please...I need to fix my error...They promised to give her back to mom...Tia for Tamir...”
Liam seemed lost in his memories as he tried to get Jonathan to understand. He had not moved from where Tom had sat him in the chair.
Liam started screaming for his grandmother to stop the pain. He would fix his error, he was a good boy, he was to blame for the Shadow Hunter, for Alex, for Tamir, He had to fix his mistake, three days until full moon.
COLE
I have three days....Tamir...not her fault...They found her through me...please...I need to fix my error...They promised to give her back to mom...Tia for Tamir...”
Liam seemed lost in his memories as he tried to get Jonathan to understand. He had not moved from where Tom had sat him in the chair.
Liam started screaming for his grandmother to stop the pain. He would fix his error, he was a good boy, he was to blame for the Shadow Hunter, for Alex, for Tamir, He had to fix his mistake, three days until full moon.
Liam seemed lost in his memories as he tried to get Jonathan to understand. He had not moved from where Tom had sat him in the chair.
Liam started screaming for his grandmother to stop the pain. He would fix his error, he was a good boy, he was to blame for the Shadow Hunter, for Alex, for Tamir, He had to fix his mistake, three days until full moon.
Cole sat forward in his chair and stared at Liam. He had to work on the problem of what was supposed to happen in three days, but first he had to get the boy talking. He now knew who the boy was at the school who was being called the Shadow Hunter, although he didn't think Jonathan realized he had said it out loud. The only problem was he needed Liam to start talking to him, not to those around him. Cole looked at the floor and then at Tom. "Put Jonathan on the wall, facing out, hand and feet chained." As he watched Tom pull Jonathan to the wall, he also watched Liam out of the corner of his eye. The boy was just shaking his head.
Slowly Cole rose up and motioned for the other specialist to bring the boy closer to where Jonathan was now hanging spread eagle on the wall. Standing for a moment looking back and forth between the two of them, he finally turned to Tom and said, "You will be first to demonstrate to Liam, why it is necessary to answer my questions. You will use a category three intensity." This told Tom to cut the clothes Jonathan was wearing with his single tailed short whip, and add enough force to leave welts. Tom was an expert with a whip and Jonathan knew it because Tom gave demonstrations and lessons. Jonathan would know not to make any sudden moves.
Cole motioned for Liam to be pulled back a couple steps and then said, "Liam I asked you a direct question. What is the name of the person at the school you know as the Shadow Hunter?"
Cole stood with his feet shoulder width apart and his arms folded over his chest.
LIAM
Liam was screaming. His grandmother would kill him if he betrayed the Clan. He knew that his death would only come after he was forced to watch as Tamir was given to the feeders. He was shaking as he pleaded, "Please you don't understand grandmother will kill her like Scotty..." The Gryffindor did not feel brave. He wanted to protect his cousin but if he gave the man the name he wanted then Tamir would be given to the feeders and maybe him as well.
Jonathan shook his head as he asked, "Who Liam? What is their hold over you? Liam you don't have the trackers in you, do you?"
Liam shook his head, "No, they know I won't run. Not as long as they have her with that vampiress. Tamir, Jonny... they found Tamir!"
Jonathan shook as he said, "Liam, I don't my father will allow them to harm her. Give Fixer the name or I will!"
Liam was shaking but knew either way, "Alex MacLeod but it not his fault.."
Jonathan wanted to hold his cousin but only said angry whisper, "You both are just kids..." His hatred for the Alphas was about to engulf him. He prayed that they could get Tamir out but either way Jonathan planned on destroying the Alphas.
COLE
Cole walked over and stood behind Liam. Standing very close behind him, he put a hand on each of his arms and squeezed gently. "Very good Liam. Next question, where is Tamir being held?" Cole realized until he got the girl somewhere safe Liam would always feel trapped. "Tell me boy, who has her and where she is being kept?"
"Also, who else at the school has connections with the Clan? And how are messages passed back and forth?" Cole knew he was asking too much at once, but he wanted to keep the boys mind active and keep him focused on himself. Cole squeezed his hands again and leaned in to where his lips were only about three inches from the boys ears. "Answer me now, Liam. Tell me what I want to know. Save your cousin." Cole stood back up straight but did not remove his firm grip on the boy.
LIAM
Liam was shaking, "Three days...Rachel...I can't stop it....Grandmother" He had failed as he doubted he could get off the island and help Shadow Hunter get Tia. "Not in three days", Liam said crying.
Jonathan knew that Liam was terrified and that meant it was going to be nearly impossible for them to help the young fifth year. Jon too wondered how they would rescue Tamir from his Aunt Rachel. He tried to explain as he still had nightmares from the night Rachel had showed just how breakable he was. "Sir, Aunt Rachel is the only vampiress that my father will allow anywhere near the castle. If she has Tamir and Liam was given a deadline....three days? I doubt we can get to Tamir in time? Maybe if I can make a deal with Uncle Markus?" He still was unsure if it would save the little girl.
(OOC: Jonathan is an Admin character and is used to further the story.)
COLE
Cole didn't let go of Liam's arms, but closed his eyes for a moment and sent a mental message to Punta. The elf nodded and closed his eyes also. When he opened them a few seconds later he nodded and went back to watching what was happening. Cole turned back to Liam. "Three days is a long time in my work, Liam. I will take care of the problem with Tamir. Now I asked a couple more questions and you still are not answering me. First question, who else at the school has connections with the Clan?" Cole had sent a message through the Elfin link to Darik in the town of Hogsmeade. He had just figured out who the six year old girl was one of his extraction teams had rescued. The woman who had helped with the rescue had said the little girl was just someone whose mother had passed away. He barely held back the chuckle as he thought how he had been hoodwinked.
The girl was Liam's half sister Tamir and the woman who had help, Liam's mother was Tamir's mother also. Cole was going to have the girl brought to the island and prove to Liam he had more power than the Clan. The only reason he had more power was because he had friends, but the boy would not have to know that. He wouldn't understand because of the fear he was still holding fast too. He was also going to find out who the father was. He had a couple ideas on that little mystery, but he would need tests done first. Looked like his team who specialized in Muggle computers and data bases was going to be busy.
Cole looked up at Jonathan who was staring at him. First things first. He gently shook the boy and said, "Answer me Liam, who else at the school is part of your contact system?"
LIAM
Liam was scared, trying very hard to stay strong and act like he thought an adult would behave under the same circumstances. He asked, "And if I refuse? I am sorry but I know better than to reveal Clan secrets. I already gave Shadow hunter and will pay dearly for that," He would never be activated, Liam knew that meant a servant's life. He stared at Jon and said, "But if I gave the sleepers away..." His headache started.
Jonathan turned frantic filled eyes to Fixer, "Your people did check for what I had in me? He has something in him, I know it. Please Captain help Liam. If it is not physical trigger like me than mental triggers? Do you think ... the machine? He is a kid, Clan..." Jonathan shook his head the Pups grew up learning Clan beliefs. In Jon's eyes, there would be no reason for the Alphas to condition the Pups. He pulled on the chains holding him to the wall. He wanted to hold Liam. He knew that his next words would have him shunned and possibly killed on sight, "Please help my cousin. Fix what they did to him and I will..."
Liam shook his head saying, "No Jonny! I am not worth your honor."
Jonathan looked at Fix as he said weakly, "To me you are!"
COLE
Jonathan turned frantic filled eyes to Fixer, "Your people did check for what I had in me? He has something in him, I know it. Please Captain help Liam. If it is not physical trigger like me than mental triggers?... Please help my cousin. Fix what they did to him and I will..." [/quote}
Cole waved Punta over to his side. "Check the boy." To Liam he said, "Hold still," which of course made the boy start to struggle. Cole looked at Tom and signalled him to snap his whip, which made Liam freeze. "Very good. The elf is not going to hurt you. He is just going to check for a small device in the back of you neck. Now don't move. The next crack of the whip you will hear will cause the end of it to kiss Jonathan's chest."
Punta stood in front of Master Liam and reached up with both his hands, cupping the boys neck, bending it forward slightly. With his fingers he probed for the device, starting at the base of the neck and working his way toward the skull. When his fingers hit a hard object which was not part of the human anatomy, he stopped and pressed hard. Punta paid no attention to the cry of pain from the young one. Punta lowered his head a little and looked into the young humans eyes. When he was sure the boy was locked into his stare, he took his fingernail and made a small incision in the boys neck, popped out the quarter inch disk, palming it in his hand and smoothed the skin back into place starting he healing process. With the boys youth it would only take a matter of seconds for the incision to close. Standing the boy back up straight he showed the disc to Master Frank. "I have removed the item. I will place it in the lab for your examination when you wish."
Cole nodded. One disk had already been found between the boys collar bones, one which would emit poison and death. It had been disabled just by the use of his normal blocking systems. The one Punta had found was being controlled from somewhere on the island. The dome of magic the elves had constructed, blocking the island from anyone knowing where it existed, had not disabled it. "Thank you my friend. Please have every other member of this island, trusted or not checked for similar items. That piece is being controlled from somewhere on the island. Oh and Punta, don't forget to check me also." Cole would not take any chances that while he had been on the MacIntosh Clan Island, something had been added to him, which had not been found yet. When he finished with Liam, he would submit himself to a thorough Caretaker physical, a thought which made him shiver. They were so invasive, they bordered on torture, but they were beyond through.
Cole stared at Jonathan. He knew the man was ready to break, but he needed to continue concentrating on Liam. In his mind he saw the girl was on her way. In fifteen minutes or less she would be in one of the guest rooms.
"The mind control machine is reserved for outsiders. Thoes of you who are in the clan or have been in the clan were controlled through implants and psycological conditioning."
Cole, still holding Liam's shoulders, gave them a squeeze. The boy was starting to get confused because he was slowly discovering the leaders of the Werewolf Clan, didn't care about the underlings other than what they could use them for. It made no difference if you were related to someone at the top or not.
Cole chuckled as he again leaned in closer to Liam's ear. "But you are not allowed to refuse. Your cousin will suffer and others will suffer. If you tell me what I want to know then you will be returned to the school, under protection of course. No one will know you are the one to tell me what I need to know. Anyone who cares knows I have more than just a couple of ways to find out information I want to know. At the moment, though you are my choice. So, my young friend who are the sleepers?"
JONATHAN
Jonathan was shocked at how quickly Fixer dealt with the implants. His cousin would be fine Jonathan felt. His attempt at a deal with Fixer had been interrupted by Liam. The Hufflepuff graduate wondered if he was still bound by it.
Jonathan knew Liam was shaking out of fear. His young cousin was just now realizing what Jonathan had learned long ago. The Alphas cared only about themselves. Jonathan cringed as he remembered the year of torture at the hands of Liam's grandfather, Markus Macintosh. He looked at Liam and wondered once again what the boy had been put through.
Jon could see signs of PTSD in Liam. He and Lance had studied it their first year of Magical Medicine at St. Mungo's. It was bad in Muggles but for the magical world it could be extremely dangerous. Jon hoped Liam's PTSD had not already affect the boy's magic.
LIAM
Liam was shaking his head as he said, "She will know and she will kill me. Slowly and very painful but death all the same. Jonny, you know how my grandmother is. The sleepers are her special project. I can't, I barely survived last year when I threatened grandfather and uncle concerning Alex's kidnapping. She will Kill Me this time..." His head hurt as the memories of what she had done to him. They came fast and threaten to engulf him in the past.
He feared her and what her assaults on his mind could get him to do. His body buckled as the extreme pain came crashing into his mind like a missile. He could never again anger her because he knew she hated him. His grandmother had considered him weak from the time his uncle had brought him and Liam's mother to his father's clan. Liam was about three and had only lost his father a week before. Liam had cried at first sight of the new place. Liam learned very quickly that day as he was yanked away from his mother by his grandmother. Liam had after that had only seen his mother if his grandmother deemed the woman needed checking. Liam inwardly cried now as he remember that he never again saw his mother without grandmother Danaki there.
COLE
Cole was about to talk to Liam some more when Punta nodded and went to the door to the main Hallway. The elf opened the door and said something to someone on the other side, then nodded and walked back to Cole. There was only one reason the elf would have not said anything until now. Their new guests had arrived. He let go of Liam's shoulders, turned the boy around and straightened his clothing. Cole signaled to let Jonathan off the wall. When everyone was settled he said, "You will follow me. I think I might be able to change your mind about telling me some of the secrets you are insisting on hold inside."
Cole had to grab Liam by the arm to get him to come with him through the door. He led them down the hallway to one of the guest rooms, where people who were not under questioning stayed. Normally the rooms were not marked or even guarded. Since Cole hadn't had a chance to have all the men and women on his island tested for implants only those who had passed were allowed in this part of the hallway.
Stopping in front of one of the doors, he nodded to the guard outside. Turning the handle to the door he motioned for Liam and Jonathan to enter the room, before him. "I think you know these two people, " he said to them as they passed. In the room were six-year-old Tamir and her mother.
JONATHAN
Jonathan listened to his cousin Liam. All he wanted to do was hold the young man as he said, "Liam, she can't reach you here. You are safe and we will find Tamir." He looked to Fixer with a plea in his eyes. His Aunt Danaki loved causing pain. He had not known her ever to be gentle or kind. The graduate Hufflepuff feared for Tamir's mental state if indeed Aunt Danaki had her.
As Fixer got him off the wall and said that he had a way to get his answers, Jon shook. He tried to go to his cousin Liam saying, "Captain, Aunt Danaki has a way of insuring loyalty. Let me calm him down first please." He did not get the chance as Fixer grabbed Liam's arm and lead him out the door.
Jonathan had no choice but to follow. He asked with a hint of fear in his voice, "Who are you using against us this time? Sir, can't you understand Liam is terrified of what Aunt Danaki will do not only to him but most importantly to little Tamir? The woman is a monster when it comes to the pups."
LIAM
Liam shook as the cousin he idolized tried to reassure him. "She's worst than when you were there Jonny. She has already sent Margie to the work camp. Jonny, Margie is her own granddaughter," Liam said terrified of the grandmother that ruled the pups with no mercy. "If she will show no mercy to her own blood..."
He did not get to finish as he felt the iron grip on his arm. "Let me go!", Liam yelled as he tried to yank his arm away. It was no use the Gryffindor knew as he was pulled down the hall. The young man continued to try and break free.
As they got to the room that Fixer wanted them at, Liam said as he feared what was in that room, "I am not going in there. Let us go! I don't know what you have planned, but nothing is going to get me to tell you what you want to know. They will kill little Tamir. My not talking is the only thing which has kept her alive."
COLE
Cole did not answer any of Jonathans questions. All the answers both he and Liam needed lie behind the door down the hall. He was going to get his answers because he had the one thing which was keeping Liam from talking.
As they walked down the hall, Cole looked at Liam out of the corner of his eye and said quietly, "You are going to find out boy, there are many ways to get people to give you information. Sometimes you have to beat it out of them, because it is what they expect. Other times you have to trick it out of them, because they might give you a piece of information that you can put with other pieces and put the puzzle together. There are also the possibilities of taking away a fear of a person and allowing the person to give up information he or she really wants to devolge, but the 'fear' is holding them back."
Cole watched as Liam and Jonathan took in the scene in front of them. Slowly he backed out of the room and closed the door. Reaching off to the side he hit the button which would turn on the small viewing screen beside the door. The Caretaker Group had allowed Tamir and her mother to visit his island. When Liam had a chance to visit they would be returned to the Safe House where they were being guarded by Wizard and Elf alike.
JONATHAN
The woman watched as the man who her murdered husband had idolized and called sir entered the room. She had started to send him intel soon after her husband's twin brother had appeared. She was now looking at the young man he had a grip on. "Liam...", she mouthed. Her son had as Frank Cole had promised been rescued from the grip of the clan. She had not seen her son in over a year and had not held him in almost five years. Her deceased husband's family had removed him from her care. They blamed her for Tamiriki's defection as her mother-in-law called it.
No soon then she and a little over a year old Liam had arrived at the castle than Danaki MacIntosh had extracted her revenge. First by taking full custody of Liam. Then stripping her of any clan rights. Her eyes teared as she remembered the pain and suffering she had endured as a Clan slave. Looking at Liam she remember the few times Danaki had allowed her to see Liam. She had known that the woman had only done so to get something either from Liam or most of the time from her.
She felt her little girl Tamir leave her side as the girl ran to Liam. She looked at Mr .Cole and asked with her eyes if Liam knew what Danaki had done to create Tamir. As her children talked and Liam checked every inch of Tamir, She finally turned and faced Jonathan. "Hello Jon", she said.\
Jon smiled at this aunt that Danaki had put through so much. "Liam does not know. Aunt Danaki would have just made his life worse. They already use his love and protectiveness to force him to be their agent at Hogwarts." He smiled as he realized that not only did he owe Fixer big time.
He looked over at the children and realized that just maybe they had a chance. "Captain is trying to deprogram Liam but since they had Tamir and everything Aunt Danaki..."He stopped not wanting to speak out loud what he knew had been Liam's life under Danaki's rule.
She had put a finger to his lip and just said, "I know Jon. Danaki hated me for a long time. She insured I knew exactly what Liam's fate was. Mr. Cole was the best shot Liam had at the life that me and Tamiriki envisioned for him. Frank is Liam's godfather. I just pray we got him out of there in time?"
LIAM
Liam entered the room and froze. Somehow his mother and Tamir were in the room. He did not even feel Fixer release him in his rush to get to the people he had because of his threatening the Alphas not seen in a year.
No sooner then he reached them then Tamir grabbed him. He gently took her hand and lead her to the bed. Liam began checking to insure she was not overly scarred. "You okay Tami? Grandma didn't...", Liam asked afraid of what because of him Tamir was put through.
Tamir cut him off as she grabbed his waist and squeezed. She said crying, "She tried Liam but Great Uncle Matthew said that she needed to remember the reason behind my birth. He wants my dad but Liam how can he when dad's dead?"
Liam cringed as he wondered how to tell her that they did not share the same father. As he held her Liam had felt her cringe in pain. Liam had seen the faded marks but knew deep down Tamir's scars were like his emotional.
He looked towards the door. He was ready to do anything to keep her safe. As he laid her sleeping body down on the bed and covered her. Liam kissed her forehead as he said in a whisper, "Don't worry sis, I will make sure they never can hurt you again. You and mom will never again be put through that hell of a life." He looked once again at the door as he rose from the bed. He was used to exchanging his doing things to insure their safety. He walked to the door saying as he pasted Jonny and his mom, "Tami is asleep mom. Forgive me..."
Before his mom said anything, Liam was at the door saying, "Let Fixer know..."He stopped wondering if anything he knew Fixer would consider worth his family. "I have to try for Tami and mom. It was my error that gave grandmother the weapon to use against mom. I have to make this right..." He did not even realize he was crying. "...I have to make sure..."
"Just Let Fixer know he guessed right..."
COLE
Cole had been watching the monitor. He knew he was taking the one excuse Liam was using not to talk away from the boy. He had promised Liam's father a long time ago he would watch out for the boy if he ever got a chance. Now it looked like he was going to be able to keep the promise. Liam would be kept safe at the school. Cole would get in touch with Darik the one elf who had set up his own protection agency and let him know about the boy. He wasn't so much interested in the information Liam could provide as having the boy talk with him and confide in him. Complete trust was still a long way away, but it would come. The boy would never be able to enter the Core, a group of children at the school, who helped each other. It would be too dangerous a situation for Liam to explain, at least for now. The clan still had to think the boy was on their side. Cole was going to be walking a very thin tight rope with his godson.
When he saw Liam walk toward the door, he smiled and opened it. "You wish to talk with me Liam?"
LIAM
Liam only paused long enough to look at the little girl stirring in the bed. He heard Jonathan say softly, "Go ahead Liam. Tamir is fine."
Liam nodded as he quietly shut the door. He and Cole walked back the way they came. As they walked Liam started to panic, "What if the spy on the island got word back? Could he really trust this man to keep his family safe?" Liam looked back towards the room that held his family. He had to deal with Shadow Angel.
He turned down a side passage and prayed that the way lead to the security room. He cringed as what he was about to do meant death if it ever got back to the clan.
COLE
Cole put his hand on the boy's shoulder and said, "Not that way Liam. Come." He lead the boy back the few steps he had taken down the side passage, a passage which would led him to someone Cole was not ready to have the boy meet yet, and back to the questioning room. When they arrived he motioned the guard to stay outside and led the boy in. "Have a seat in the chair Liam."
Cole walked over to the small refrigerator on the back wall and retrieved two bottles of water. Heading for the two chairs he found Liam standing near the chair he was told to sit in. "I said sit Liam. May as well be comfortable as we come to our new understanding."
The boy slowly took his seat but sat bolt upright in his chair. "Now we are going to start over again. I will ask you questions and you will answer my questions without leaving information you know I want out. Take a drink of your water and we will start with the names of any you know at the school who belong to or are sending information to the Clan."
Cole sat back in his chair and steepled his hands in front of him.
LIAM
Liam was nervous because until his aunt was dealt with his family was still at risk. He had wanted to deal with her before he came in the room. He finally sat down but sat ridged as he said, "I will answer your questions in exchange for your word that the clan never finds them. I don't know how you out smarted my grandmother Danaki. " He gave a sly grin as he said, "And personally I care less. My mistake last year put that little girl in Grandmother's..." He stopped as he remember being forced to give up the location of Tamir. He cringed as he prayed she would forgive his betrayal.
He took a sip on his water and held it in his mouth. His head turned as he said still terrified, "Before I do, we need to deal with Grandmother's informer here! Shadow Angel has to be dealt with before she reports to her mother that yet again you have gotten people out of the castle safely. You do know there is a price on your head?"
COLE
Cole lowered his hands and chuckled. "Child you are still stalling. You have not realized yet, that I plan on using you after you leave here." Cole sat forward and placed his elbows on the arms of the chair. "You will of course be kept safe by ways we will discuss later. I know my island. I know who you talk about and I have taken care of the problem. There will be no more messages leaving this island for the clan." Cole could not tell the boy that his Aunt, known to him as Shadow Angle worked in the filing department, was happily married to one of his best senior staff members and had been feeding the Clan whatever information Cole wanted them to have and nothing else. Now that he had rescued the woman's daughter also, no more information of any kind would be leaving the island. "Your sister and Mother are and will be kept safe. Everything will depend on your co-operation."
"Now no more stalling Liam. My question is: What are the names of any you know at the school who belong to or are sending information to the Clan?"
LIAM
Liam sighed as he said honestly, "I never asked for protection for me. Only mom, Jonny, Travis Jr. and little Tamir. You give your word that grandmother will never again get a hold of them! You do that and I will deal with the sleepers at the school." He would have a death sentence either way but at least he would face the feeders knowing that Tamir would be where she belonged.
"I know you think me stalling but I am not. I just want to know that my betrayal won't backfire on me like before." Liam was unsure how much of his mistake last year he wanted to tell this man.
Liam cringed as he realized he had to give the man something. He debated on exactly who he could give up. The pain in his head made it hard to concentrate. Then he smiled as he said, "Alex McLeod. He is Shadow Hunter. Don't kill him please. It is not his fault, it is mine. I mistakenly gave uncle Damir his location. Grandmother twisted him into the worst kind of werewolf and in three days he will change. His targets are dead as he dare not fail Grandmother Danaki."
COLE
Cole tried not to react. Jonathan had already given up Alex McLeod's name earlier and the boy was being watched. He had not known the boy would turn in three days. Cole wasn't worried though because Alex had linked with one of the Tocoferty (Princes) of the Elfin Clans which should prevent the change. One thing he didn't know for sure was who Alex's targets were supposed to be. "Good try but you know Jonathan already gave up Alex when we were in this room earlier. So in place of his name why don't you give me his three targets."
"One more thing my young friend. "I don't care if you have asked for protection or not. You are now mine and I protect my assets. Your mom, sister, Jonathan and Travis are also under my protection. Jonathan and Travis know what their duties are to me as you will learn what your duties are now to me. I asked you for the names of the sleepers at Hogwarts and you will give them all to me or things may change to where you don't like them to be." Cole knew the words he was using were coming out as a threat, but at the moment it was all the persuasion the boy understood.
LIAM
Liam cringed as he said trying not to betray the Shadow Hunter, "You don't understand. To betray a Shadow Hunter is to die a very slow death. If I give you their names and he can't deliver on his vow..." Liam was shaking. Him giving the sleepers was okay as it only hurt the Clan's Enforcers. Liam was knowing to save Tamir he would give up even the sleepers' targets. He looked at the door as he was not sure if he could give up the three names this man wanted. "Alex will kill me and not as Shadow Hunter. He loves Rosa and if she ends up a target cause he had trouble delivering...", Liam thought as he rubbed his neck.
He looked back at the man sitting across from him as he said scared, "I will give you the sleepers but I am not betraying The Shadow Hunter. There is a professor that is a sleeper. The guy that disappeared for two years also." He saw Grace in his mind and knew he loved her too much to give her family up.
COLE
"Let me see if I can help you out a bit." Cole sat back in his chair and crossed his right leg over his left knee. He relaxed his elbows on the arms of the chair and entwined his fingers over his chest. "I know the Shadow Hunters name is Alex McLeod, a young man at the school. You say he is to be activated, become a full werewolf in three days. I will tell you that is not going to happen because it was discovered and measures were taken to prevent it. The same measures can be taken to prevent you from turning by the way, if you are ever bitten." Cole steepled his fingers watching the boy carefully.
"Now that being said, I also know from talking with others the Clan wants Lance and Tarik under their control. The third person would most likely be Gab Lupin because he already is a werewolf but not under Clan control. I would also be willing to guess they are either to be brought alive so they can be used, or dead if they cannot be taken. This puts several other individuals in danger because of their use in getting these three people to the Clan. How am I doing?" Cole tried not to chuckle at the look on the boys face. Apparently he was batting a thousand so far.
"As for the sleepers I have a good idea who you are thinking of, but I want you to say their names."
LIAM
Liam was scared as he said, "You can't stop Alex. Please let him deliver them..." His cousin was going to tear him apart. He was wondering if he should just tell this man. "If he don't they will target her. Alex will tear me apart if she is targeted. He knows that I am the one that betrayed him and Bill. He forgave me cause the Alphas gave him a way to save her.", Liam was fighting his need to run. He had asked about the elf with Alex but Alex had refused to speak about him except to say if Liam even hinted at the elf's being there to the Alphas then Liam would understand why Alex was a natural at being a Shadow Hunter.
Liam thought about bolting but the hand on his shoulder stopped that. He heard the man whisper, "The Captain only wants to help you kid. I know we Specialists messed with you a little but that uncle of yours is our target not you pups. Now give Captain what we need to stop this massacre. By the way my name is Jennings."
Liam tried to relax as he remembered the holding cell he was in prior to his physical. He said in a bare whisper, "I felt your hatred for the Clan. But for Tamir I will give your boss the sleepers as promised. Richard Greene and William Rikard. Now return me to the school and stay out of my way! I have an assignment that I have to carry out or that boy my uncle had a chat with will be facing my uncle's wrath." He had two days to get Brennan to his uncle for a chat. He cringed at the thought of just refusing his uncle. "I can't cause this summer I would have to run. Grandmother has custody and that means unlike the others I will never be free of them." He would request Luke's freedom though in exchange for the Head of Security.
COLE
Cole smiled at Jack. The man was trying to help and he appreciated it. "Alex has already been stopped and Rosa is safe. Lance and Tarik know what is at stake if they don't go to the Clan home and believe me it has taken several people a lot of convincing to keep them away. Your Uncle has to learn he cannot have what he wants when he wants it. As far as Gab is concerned he can handle himself. They can't turn him because he is already turned. Anyone he cares about is being guarded by human and elves alike. "
Cole leaned forward in his chair. I know you have several targets you have to deal with and one of them is Luke. Luke has been deprogrammed and is helping to watch several others in the Core. The buddy system is in place and there are buddies who are watching other buddies. Next worry you would have is what happens when you return to the Clan home during the summer, am I right?" Cole saw only a very slight nod which told him he had hit home. "We are going to make it so you will not remember anything you have said or done here. You will not remember anyone and I mean anyone you have seen here. As far as the Clan will know, you disappeared for a few days and have been returned with no memories of where you were. The memories will be buried deep enough by the elves, that no one will be able to pull them from the surface. When the summer is over an you return to Hogwarts you will be brought back here and will be allowed to remember what has happened. Of course, you will also be required to give a full report on anything you learned during the summer. I have you covered Liam. I have the people you are worried about covered. It is what I do..."
LIAM
Jack bent down next to the boy. He looked at this young man and his hatred for the MacIntosh's returned. He buried the feeling as he said softly, "Liam, what are you really afraid of?"
Liam was taken back as he stuttered, "Luke was never on my list. But his guardian is as is the head of Core. If that attack has any problems it will just end in a blood bath..." He was scared that was exactly what his grandparents wanted. He hated the Alphas but at least Great Uncle Matthew was not wanting a massacre like grandfather Markus. He looked at the man across from him and wondered if he should tell the man that Matthew wanted him. Liam shook his head as he said, "I said nothing about spying for you. The sleepers in exchange for protection for my family. The sleepers are all you are getting. Now if you will excuse me I want to say bye to my mom and sister prior to me leaving for Hogwarts." He started to get up.
(OOC: Jack is an Admin character and used to further the story.)
COLE
Cole sat very still when he saw Jack squat down beside Liam's chair. Maybe it would work if someone the boy didn't think of as an immediate threat or at least closer to his own age asked a question. Liam's answer did not really surprise Cole. The MacIntosh Clan always went for the big kill ratio. They thought in their own sick way, the more people killed and the bloodier the battle the more the skirmish counted. They were setting up quite an elaborate network to try and take the school. It was not hard to reason that if most of the Aurors were busy trying to help the school, then attention would be taken away from other areas. Now all he had to do was to find out their true target, other than taking over the Wizarding World.
"Sit boy," Cole ordered and watched as Jack again stood behind the boys chair, his hands firmly pressing down on the boys shoulders. You know from past experience with your grandfather, uncle and the rest of the clan that you are not going to be able to just leave here. You know too much. At a minimum you will have a treatment by the elves to wipe the memories of what you have learned and seen here from your brain. I can also tell you that whether you agree to it or not, at the end of the summer you will be brought back here and will be debriefed on what you learned over the summer. The debriefing will be done mostly by the elves so there will not be much pain, when you fight it. I have told you your family is safe and I will continue with that promise. If you go back without setting something up with me as far as giving information, I will have to have you locked up and let your clan know that I have you and you are being questioned. You will never be able to return to Hogwarts or even the outside world. Now what do you think you should do?"
LIAM
Liam felt the man known as Jennings sit him back down. He was shaking now. The man across from him was no different from his grandmother. He feared for his friends at the school. "You are just like them. I am trying to prevent a blood bath and you are playing right into my grandfather's hands. By trying to stop the attack on Hogwarts, you are insuring Grandfather gets his way and then all Matthew's plans are out the window and they will just sic the sleepers and feeders on the school. Markus will order a full out war. Now you might think that is better believe me it is not. Not when it is only to get three men. A massacre to send a message to three men? Overkill in my book."
COLE
Cole sat back and rubbed his chin. If what he was thinking became possible, many wizards and elves would think he was nuts, but he had some information that just might get the right person, if there were a right person in power at the clan. It seemed there were two different fractions fighting for power and Cole had enough he could help one of the groups get ahead of the other. It would be extremely dangerous and he had no idea at the present how it could even be set up. He had a feeling the young boy sitting in front of him was the key though. Cole needed a meeting with Matthew, the enforcer of the MacIntosh Clan.
He sat forward and placed his elbows on his knees clasping his hands in front of him. "Liam I think I am going to allow you to get some points with your Uncle. I want you to help me set up a meeting between your Uncle and myself."
"No Cap, it is too dangerous," Jack shouted, taking a step closer to Liam's chair.
Cole just gave Jack a look that told the man to stand down and be quiet. He looked back to Liam. "What do you say boy, will you help me set up a meeting with your Uncle? It will be on neutral ground."
(OOC: Jack is an admin character used to further the story.)
LIAM
Liam was stunned by the man sitting across from him. He asked, "What? You have a death wish?" The Gryffindor 5th year's mind was thinking of somehow protecting the man, as his uncle Damir hated this man. Even though in Liam's eyes, "Uncle wants your head and nothing grandfather Markus says to him changes his hatred for you! It was the main reason I tried to get off the island so quickly. Grandfather might want you but the only reason you are still breathing is Great Uncle Matthew has forbidden your death. Now you want to go into a meeting with Uncle Damir? You are crazy! You would have better luck with turning yourself over to Great Uncle Matthew..." Liam stopped and wondered if The Head Alpha would take such a prize as being worthy of activation. He said quickly, "It might just be a way to insure Tamir's safety. Especially if I am the one to bring cousin Jonathan home? It might just be what is needed to save the school?" He was wondering just how to get word to Matthew and set the trap as Liam knew even the main Alpha wanted this Fixer but only for leverage.
He looked at the man as he said, "If you want the meet I need two things!" He would need to bring Jonathan and he need access to send a message out to the Clan.
COLE
"You misunderstand me Liam. I don't want a meeting with your Uncle Damir. I will take care of him when I am ready. I want a meeting with Great Uncle Matthew. And don't think you are going to get me in a trap because both myself and Matthew will be taking percussions to make sure neither one of us falls into a trap. Jonathan will be going nowhere. This will be between Matthew and myself. Knowing that I will not let you have Jonathan, whether he wants to go or not what do you need to get information to Matthew?"
Cole still was not sure how this was going to work. If he could convince Matthew, Markus his brother was about to take the Clan into a situation which would only mean death to many Clan members he just might be able to stop the attack on the school and see if something could be set up to make the Clan realize "taking over the wizarding world" was not in their best interest.
LIAM
Liam shook his head as he said, "Without Jonathan there I can't say what mood Great Uncle will be in. Can you accept if Matthew demands his son? I can say this I think he is more angry at the thought of hearing that Sasha was going to be on this island then the actual fact you had Jonathan." Liam wondered why Matthew did not agree to taking the school until he heard that Fixer had agreed to help Linthux talk with Sasha.
Liam started to get up as he said calmly, "All I need is to get a message to Alex and let the Shadow Hunter do the rest. Then it is a waiting game. If Matthew agrees he will get word to Alex or me. It is about a 50 to 50 shot without Jonathan being there. If Jonny was assured to be at the meet unharmed, I would say our chances of a meet would have jumped to 90 to 10 in our favor."
COLE
"I have not given you permission yet to stand or even move. Sit back down." Cole watched as Jack pushed the boy back into the chair. "Now I might agree to have Jonathan join us, but he will not be leaving with Matthew. I will have him well guarded. Jonathan will be allowed to talk with Matthew, but only in my presence."
Cole leaned back in his chair and relaxed. "Write your message and I will make sure Alex gets it. If you can behave I will allow you to visit some more with you Mother and your sister, then they will be returned to their hiding place. I know you don't trust me Liam. I fully realize in your mind you are trying to figure out a way to turn this whole situation around. I want you to think on something though. I have not hurt you. I have not threatened you. I have let you know the ones you love, Jonathan, Travis, you Mother and your sister are alive and in their own ways as happy as they can be under the circumstances. I know you don't want to be turned no matter how much you say you do. I can let you talk with people who can make you understand you are not going against your Clan or its people by not agreeing to be turned. You need to start thinking what is best for you."
"If I let you go back to Hogwarts, you will be under watch. Not because I don't trust you, but to keep you safe. I will tell you how you can get a message to me anytime. The Core members are also under protective guard although they do not know everyone watching them. They will be told to stay away from the Shrieking Shack and they will listen. Your Uncle Damir will be taken care of and he will no longer be a threat to you. What I need from you is your promise to try and stay out of trouble and get information to me you think I might need to help you. You will not be spying for me Liam, you will get to decide if the information is relevant. So what do you say, are you ready to return to the school?"
LIAM
Liam was shaking as he said, "Do you even know what you are saying? I am a Blood Werewolf who just might get the honor to be activated should Great Uncle Matthew find me worthy! If he does not then I am to spend the rest of my life being an outcast. A servant to my grandmother Danaki who hates my mother and beats me while telling me how little I remind her of my father." He was crying now cause his mother had always said to Tamir how proud he would have been to see the man Liam was becoming.
Liam wiped his eyes as he said anger replacing fear, "I guess she is right about me being soft. I hate them but I rather be activated then be HER Servant! You think if you give me an out like you did Jonathan, I will take it?" He stopped as his thoughts, "Maybe before he betrayed Alex but now the only out he would ever get is death. Don't I owe Alex that much? To stick it out with him?" He had set his course and now Liam could only dream about what might his life had been if he was not a MacIntosh.
He took the paper and pen and began:
Alex,
I think I have found a way to stop what comes in three days. Without endangering your bond mate. The man Fixer is wanting a meet with Great Uncle Matthew. He has promised to have Jonny there. I know I should take him to the shack as I report to Uncle Damir. Alex, you know that only Matthew's order has kept Damir from killing Fixer or Frank Cole as Uncle calls him. So even though I would love to see that evil Uncle get sent to the feeders... I want the pleasure of Clan Justice for the murder of my father, his twin as well as the treatment of my mother and Tamir! I know I can't request that until after the activation ceremony. Will you help me get Matthew's approval as you are the youngest to ever get the honor?
Set up what you can and give the information to whoever hands you this note. They will get the information back to the Fixer. There is a chance I might be at the school before anything is settled and will talk with you as soon as I can. We don't have much time so work fast. Oh, and we don't have to worry about my mother and sister.
Your Cousin, Pup Liam
He handed the note to the man standing behind him saying, "Please hand this to Fixer to be deliver to Alex." Liam knew he had just given the man more information but at the moment Liam was only thinking of finally gaining he full rights of the Clan and then turning just to tear out his Uncle Damir's throat and shredding the man that had killed his father .
COLE
Jack slowly walked over to Cole's chair and handed him the note. In a bare whisper he said, "Cap is this really a good idea? I'm not questioning your wisdom but I'm not sure all the safe guards can be put in place in time."
Cole looked at Jack and smiled. He just nodded. His men never questioned what he did, but they also knew they were free to express their concerns. Cole read the note and nodded, handing it back to Jack. "Usual channels to our subject. I want double the people on point with this one. We will decide what the plan of action is after we get an answer back. Start now." Jack nodded, gave a sketchy salute and headed out the door.
Cole turned back to Liam. "While we wait for the answer, you can spend some time with your mother and sister. I have them for another eight hours and then they will need to go back to the lives which have been set up for them to keep them safe. And Liam I promise you they are safe. When were you supposed to report to your Uncle Damir again?"
LIAM
Liam shook his head as he said, "When it is time for them to go, I will say goodbye for the final time. If this works, I will become that which I had vowed to my mother I would never be. I am being activated not of a true love for the Clan but because only a full member of the Clan can demand Clan Justice! You like Damir think I fear the man..."
Jonathan burst in the door as he said furious, "I would have Never told you if I had known what you were planning for your father's murderer! You are not turning into a full child of the man!" Jonathan had a vision that finally showed a second shadow. He asked Liam's mother and she told him what Tamir told her that Liam was planning.
Jon said, "Sir, Liam only wants activation as to do to Damir what Damir did to Liam's father. Liam's true father is the man Tamir is named for. As you might know Damir and his twin Tamir were identical twins except their personalities. Sir, Liam plans on attacking the Alphas but only after he personally destroys Damir. You know they would slaughter him? Sir, Liam's mother told me who Tamir's true father is..."
Liam smiled as he said, "Too late cousin. After Fixer get's his meet with Matthew. I will get one reward by Clan Law. After that Damir is Mine! He destroyed my Father and will pay not only by losing his station when I declare Clan Justice on him but Most Importantly Damir's life will be at my mercy! Jonny, I plan on making Damir suffer just like my father did! "
COLE
Cole was estimating it would only take hours to get a message back to him. Matthew's would want this meet too much to waste any time. This was going to give Cole some advantage he hoped. He wouldn't need much time to set friends in place. He was a good tactician. "Jonathan you will remain quiet. I know what Liam is planning and it is under control."
Jonathan took in a couple deep breaths and looked back and forth a couple of times between before he stood up straight coming to a relaxed "at attention" stance. "Yes Sir." He had no idea what the Captain had planned, but he had confidence in the fact the Captain would do anything in his power to make sure no child was hurt or injured. He knew this was not going to play out like Liam thought it would.
Cole turned to Liam. "You are going to talk with your Mom and sister. The lady has waited and fussed for a long time because she couldn't see you and mother you. If the message is returned before they leave I will tell you what it says so you can make whatever arrangements you wish to. I hope to have you back at Hogwarts when your Mom and sister go back into their safe place. I know you don't trust me Liam, but I plan on making sure Damir gets everything coming to him. Now go with Jonathan and let your mother fuss over you a bit. Be happy you still have a mother to fuss." Cole stood up and started toward the door.
LIAM
Liam shook his head as he said, "It will only make the goodbye harder for them especially Tamir. I went over Uncle Damir's head to set this meet for you. I plan on not seeing him until after the Ceremony and then it will be too late for him. Fixer, I will say this I did at one time dream of a life without the Clan. That dream died with my father! Now all I want is to look in uncle Damir's eyes as it finally dawns on him that I not only know the truth but was never as weak as I let him believe. When he begs the Alpha that ordered my father's death, then and only then will I tear out his throat. Then Jonny is right I will turn on that Alpha and sign my own death with his!" Liam saw Jonathan's look as it surprised him. His cousin was sure that Liam would not be allowed to carry out his plan.
The fifth year smiled sadly as he finally agreed to see his family. He did in his own way love them. He thought of his mother fussing over him and decided it might be his last memory. "I can do this for them. Mom lost so much because of my father's family. I can give her this and then maybe I will kill grandmother Danaki first before uncle Damir?", he thoughts wrapped up in his own thoughts as Jonathan lead him out.
COLE
Cole followed Jonathan and Liam out the door and down the hall. He only stopped momentarily as they passed the room where Liam's mother and sister still sat. Then he continued to his office farther down the hall. He knew the message would be coming back soon. He had no plans on letting Liam be at that meet. It was going to be dangerous and no child would be involved. Liam would be sent back to Hogwarts with the wrong meet time, which would be after everything was over and one with.
There were going to be conditions coming back with the note of agreement, and he was positive there would be an agreement to meet. Matthew was good and would pick somewhere he thought he had the advantage. It wouldn't be either island; Cole's or the Clan home. Cole was hoping for the Shadow Lounge. The place could be covered in an instant with help for anything Matthew had planned. The possibility existed that would be the meet place, because Matthew would see it as being out in the open and Cole knew he would not be able to resist the fact there would be several people there Matthew would love to have under his control.
Cole poured himself a glass of wine and settled into his office chair. Clicking on the large screen behind him, he divided it into four sections and scanned his island while he waited.
(OOC: Continued in Shadow Lounge >An Uneasy Truce)
Cole waved Punta over to his side. "Check the boy." To Liam he said, "Hold still," which of course made the boy start to struggle. Cole looked at Tom and signalled him to snap his whip, which made Liam freeze. "Very good. The elf is not going to hurt you. He is just going to check for a small device in the back of you neck. Now don't move. The next crack of the whip you will hear will cause the end of it to kiss Jonathan's chest."
Punta stood in front of Master Liam and reached up with both his hands, cupping the boys neck, bending it forward slightly. With his fingers he probed for the device, starting at the base of the neck and working his way toward the skull. When his fingers hit a hard object which was not part of the human anatomy, he stopped and pressed hard. Punta paid no attention to the cry of pain from the young one. Punta lowered his head a little and looked into the young humans eyes. When he was sure the boy was locked into his stare, he took his fingernail and made a small incision in the boys neck, popped out the quarter inch disk, palming it in his hand and smoothed the skin back into place starting he healing process. With the boys youth it would only take a matter of seconds for the incision to close. Standing the boy back up straight he showed the disc to Master Frank. "I have removed the item. I will place it in the lab for your examination when you wish."
Cole nodded. One disk had already been found between the boys collar bones, one which would emit poison and death. It had been disabled just by the use of his normal blocking systems. The one Punta had found was being controlled from somewhere on the island. The dome of magic the elves had constructed, blocking the island from anyone knowing where it existed, had not disabled it. "Thank you my friend. Please have every other member of this island, trusted or not checked for similar items. That piece is being controlled from somewhere on the island. Oh and Punta, don't forget to check me also." Cole would not take any chances that while he had been on the MacIntosh Clan Island, something had been added to him, which had not been found yet. When he finished with Liam, he would submit himself to a thorough Caretaker physical, a thought which made him shiver. They were so invasive, they bordered on torture, but they were beyond through.
Cole stared at Jonathan. He knew the man was ready to break, but he needed to continue concentrating on Liam. In his mind he saw the girl was on her way. In fifteen minutes or less she would be in one of the guest rooms.
... "Do you think ... the machine? He is a kid, Clan..." ...
"The mind control machine is reserved for outsiders. Thoes of you who are in the clan or have been in the clan were controlled through implants and psycological conditioning."
Cole, still holding Liam's shoulders, gave them a squeeze. The boy was starting to get confused because he was slowly discovering the leaders of the Werewolf Clan, didn't care about the underlings other than what they could use them for. It made no difference if you were related to someone at the top or not.
Liam was scared, trying very hard to stay strong and act like he thought an adult would behave under the same circumstances. He asked, "And if I refuse? I am sorry but I know better than to reveal Clan secrets. I already gave Shadow hunter and will pay dearly for that," He would never be activated, Liam knew that meant a servant's life. He stared at Jon and said, "But if I gave the sleepers away..." His headache started.
Cole chuckled as he again leaned in closer to Liam's ear. "But you are not allowed to refuse. Your cousin will suffer and others will suffer. If you tell me what I want to know then you will be returned to the school, under protection of course. No one will know you are the one to tell me what I need to know. Anyone who cares knows I have more than just a couple of ways to find out information I want to know. At the moment, though you are my choice. So, my young friend who are the sleepers?"
JONATHAN
Jonathan was shocked at how quickly Fixer dealt with the implants. His cousin would be fine Jonathan felt. His attempt at a deal with Fixer had been interrupted by Liam. The Hufflepuff graduate wondered if he was still bound by it.
Jonathan knew Liam was shaking out of fear. His young cousin was just now realizing what Jonathan had learned long ago. The Alphas cared only about themselves. Jonathan cringed as he remembered the year of torture at the hands of Liam's grandfather, Markus Macintosh. He looked at Liam and wondered once again what the boy had been put through.
Jon could see signs of PTSD in Liam. He and Lance had studied it their first year of Magical Medicine at St. Mungo's. It was bad in Muggles but for the magical world it could be extremely dangerous. Jon hoped Liam's PTSD had not already affect the boy's magic.
LIAM
Liam was shaking his head as he said, "She will know and she will kill me. Slowly and very painful but death all the same. Jonny, you know how my grandmother is. The sleepers are her special project. I can't, I barely survived last year when I threatened grandfather and uncle concerning Alex's kidnapping. She will Kill Me this time..." His head hurt as the memories of what she had done to him. They came fast and threaten to engulf him in the past.
He feared her and what her assaults on his mind could get him to do. His body buckled as the extreme pain came crashing into his mind like a missile. He could never again anger her because he knew she hated him. His grandmother had considered him weak from the time his uncle had brought him and Liam's mother to his father's clan. Liam was about three and had only lost his father a week before. Liam had cried at first sight of the new place. Liam learned very quickly that day as he was yanked away from his mother by his grandmother. Liam had after that had only seen his mother if his grandmother deemed the woman needed checking. Liam inwardly cried now as he remember that he never again saw his mother without grandmother Danaki there.
COLE
Cole was about to talk to Liam some more when Punta nodded and went to the door to the main Hallway. The elf opened the door and said something to someone on the other side, then nodded and walked back to Cole. There was only one reason the elf would have not said anything until now. Their new guests had arrived. He let go of Liam's shoulders, turned the boy around and straightened his clothing. Cole signaled to let Jonathan off the wall. When everyone was settled he said, "You will follow me. I think I might be able to change your mind about telling me some of the secrets you are insisting on hold inside."
Cole had to grab Liam by the arm to get him to come with him through the door. He led them down the hallway to one of the guest rooms, where people who were not under questioning stayed. Normally the rooms were not marked or even guarded. Since Cole hadn't had a chance to have all the men and women on his island tested for implants only those who had passed were allowed in this part of the hallway.
Stopping in front of one of the doors, he nodded to the guard outside. Turning the handle to the door he motioned for Liam and Jonathan to enter the room, before him. "I think you know these two people, " he said to them as they passed. In the room were six-year-old Tamir and her mother.
JONATHAN
Liam was shaking his head as he said, "She will know and she will kill me. Slowly and very painful but death all the same. Jonny, you know how my grandmother is. The sleepers are her special project. I can't, I barely survived last year when I threatened grandfather and uncle concerning Alex's kidnapping. She will Kill Me this time..." His head hurt as the memories of what she had done to him. They came fast and threaten to engulf him in the past.
Jonathan listened to his cousin Liam. All he wanted to do was hold the young man as he said, "Liam, she can't reach you here. You are safe and we will find Tamir." He looked to Fixer with a plea in his eyes. His Aunt Danaki loved causing pain. He had not known her ever to be gentle or kind. The graduate Hufflepuff feared for Tamir's mental state if indeed Aunt Danaki had her.
As Fixer got him off the wall and said that he had a way to get his answers, Jon shook. He tried to go to his cousin Liam saying, "Captain, Aunt Danaki has a way of insuring loyalty. Let me calm him down first please." He did not get the chance as Fixer grabbed Liam's arm and lead him out the door.
Jonathan had no choice but to follow. He asked with a hint of fear in his voice, "Who are you using against us this time? Sir, can't you understand Liam is terrified of what Aunt Danaki will do not only to him but most importantly to little Tamir? The woman is a monster when it comes to the pups."
LIAM
Jonathan listened to his cousin Liam. All he wanted to do was hold the young man as he said, "Liam, she can't reach you here. You are safe and we will find Tamir."
Liam shook as the cousin he idolized tried to reassure him. "She's worst than when you were there Jonny. She has already sent Margie to the work camp. Jonny, Margie is her own granddaughter," Liam said terrified of the grandmother that ruled the pups with no mercy. "If she will show no mercy to her own blood..."
He did not get to finish as he felt the iron grip on his arm. "Let me go!", Liam yelled as he tried to yank his arm away. It was no use the Gryffindor knew as he was pulled down the hall. The young man continued to try and break free.
As they got to the room that Fixer wanted them at, Liam said as he feared what was in that room, "I am not going in there. Let us go! I don't know what you have planned, but nothing is going to get me to tell you what you want to know. They will kill little Tamir. My not talking is the only thing which has kept her alive."
COLE
..., Jon shook. He tried to go to his cousin Liam saying, "Captain, Aunt Danaki has a way of insuring loyalty. Let me calm him down first please." He did not get the chance as Fixer grabbed Liam's arm and lead him out the door.
Jonathan had no choice but to follow. ... "Who are you using against us this time? Sir, can't you understand Liam is terrified of what Aunt Danaki will do not only to him but most importantly to little Tamir? The woman is a monster when it comes to the pups."
Jonathan had no choice but to follow. ... "Who are you using against us this time? Sir, can't you understand Liam is terrified of what Aunt Danaki will do not only to him but most importantly to little Tamir? The woman is a monster when it comes to the pups."
Cole did not answer any of Jonathans questions. All the answers both he and Liam needed lie behind the door down the hall. He was going to get his answers because he had the one thing which was keeping Liam from talking.
As they got to the room that Fixer wanted them at, Liam said as he feared what was in that room, "I am not going in there. Let us go! I don't know what you have planned, but nothing is going to get me to tell you what you want to know. They will kill little Tamir. My not talking is the only thing which has kept her alive."
As they walked down the hall, Cole looked at Liam out of the corner of his eye and said quietly, "You are going to find out boy, there are many ways to get people to give you information. Sometimes you have to beat it out of them, because it is what they expect. Other times you have to trick it out of them, because they might give you a piece of information that you can put with other pieces and put the puzzle together. There are also the possibilities of taking away a fear of a person and allowing the person to give up information he or she really wants to devolge, but the 'fear' is holding them back."
Stopping in front of one of the doors, he nodded to the guard outside. Turning the handle to the door he motioned for Liam and Jonathan to enter the room, before him. "I think you know these two people, " he said to them as they passed. In the room were six-year-old Tamir and her mother.
Cole watched as Liam and Jonathan took in the scene in front of them. Slowly he backed out of the room and closed the door. Reaching off to the side he hit the button which would turn on the small viewing screen beside the door. The Caretaker Group had allowed Tamir and her mother to visit his island. When Liam had a chance to visit they would be returned to the Safe House where they were being guarded by Wizard and Elf alike.
JONATHAN
Cole watched as Liam and Jonathan took in the scene in front of them....
The woman watched as the man who her murdered husband had idolized and called sir entered the room. She had started to send him intel soon after her husband's twin brother had appeared. She was now looking at the young man he had a grip on. "Liam...", she mouthed. Her son had as Frank Cole had promised been rescued from the grip of the clan. She had not seen her son in over a year and had not held him in almost five years. Her deceased husband's family had removed him from her care. They blamed her for Tamiriki's defection as her mother-in-law called it.
No soon then she and a little over a year old Liam had arrived at the castle than Danaki MacIntosh had extracted her revenge. First by taking full custody of Liam. Then stripping her of any clan rights. Her eyes teared as she remembered the pain and suffering she had endured as a Clan slave. Looking at Liam she remember the few times Danaki had allowed her to see Liam. She had known that the woman had only done so to get something either from Liam or most of the time from her.
She felt her little girl Tamir leave her side as the girl ran to Liam. She looked at Mr .Cole and asked with her eyes if Liam knew what Danaki had done to create Tamir. As her children talked and Liam checked every inch of Tamir, She finally turned and faced Jonathan. "Hello Jon", she said.\
Slowly he backed out of the room and closed the door. Reaching off to the side he hit the button which would turn on the small viewing screen beside the door. The Caretaker Group had allowed Tamir and her mother to visit his island. When Liam had a chance to visit they would be returned to the Safe House where they were being guarded by Wizard and Elf alike.
Jon smiled at this aunt that Danaki had put through so much. "Liam does not know. Aunt Danaki would have just made his life worse. They already use his love and protectiveness to force him to be their agent at Hogwarts." He smiled as he realized that not only did he owe Fixer big time.
He looked over at the children and realized that just maybe they had a chance. "Captain is trying to deprogram Liam but since they had Tamir and everything Aunt Danaki..."He stopped not wanting to speak out loud what he knew had been Liam's life under Danaki's rule.
She had put a finger to his lip and just said, "I know Jon. Danaki hated me for a long time. She insured I knew exactly what Liam's fate was. Mr. Cole was the best shot Liam had at the life that me and Tamiriki envisioned for him. Frank is Liam's godfather. I just pray we got him out of there in time?"
LIAM
Liam entered the room and froze. Somehow his mother and Tamir were in the room. He did not even feel Fixer release him in his rush to get to the people he had because of his threatening the Alphas not seen in a year.
No sooner then he reached them then Tamir grabbed him. He gently took her hand and lead her to the bed. Liam began checking to insure she was not overly scarred. "You okay Tami? Grandma didn't...", Liam asked afraid of what because of him Tamir was put through.
Tamir cut him off as she grabbed his waist and squeezed. She said crying, "She tried Liam but Great Uncle Matthew said that she needed to remember the reason behind my birth. He wants my dad but Liam how can he when dad's dead?"
Liam cringed as he wondered how to tell her that they did not share the same father. As he held her Liam had felt her cringe in pain. Liam had seen the faded marks but knew deep down Tamir's scars were like his emotional.
He looked towards the door. He was ready to do anything to keep her safe. As he laid her sleeping body down on the bed and covered her. Liam kissed her forehead as he said in a whisper, "Don't worry sis, I will make sure they never can hurt you again. You and mom will never again be put through that hell of a life." He looked once again at the door as he rose from the bed. He was used to exchanging his doing things to insure their safety. He walked to the door saying as he pasted Jonny and his mom, "Tami is asleep mom. Forgive me..."
Before his mom said anything, Liam was at the door saying, "Let Fixer know..."He stopped wondering if anything he knew Fixer would consider worth his family. "I have to try for Tami and mom. It was my error that gave grandmother the weapon to use against mom. I have to make this right..." He did not even realize he was crying. "...I have to make sure..."
"Just Let Fixer know he guessed right..."
COLE
Cole had been watching the monitor. He knew he was taking the one excuse Liam was using not to talk away from the boy. He had promised Liam's father a long time ago he would watch out for the boy if he ever got a chance. Now it looked like he was going to be able to keep the promise. Liam would be kept safe at the school. Cole would get in touch with Darik the one elf who had set up his own protection agency and let him know about the boy. He wasn't so much interested in the information Liam could provide as having the boy talk with him and confide in him. Complete trust was still a long way away, but it would come. The boy would never be able to enter the Core, a group of children at the school, who helped each other. It would be too dangerous a situation for Liam to explain, at least for now. The clan still had to think the boy was on their side. Cole was going to be walking a very thin tight rope with his godson.
When he saw Liam walk toward the door, he smiled and opened it. "You wish to talk with me Liam?"
LIAM
Liam only paused long enough to look at the little girl stirring in the bed. He heard Jonathan say softly, "Go ahead Liam. Tamir is fine."
Liam nodded as he quietly shut the door. He and Cole walked back the way they came. As they walked Liam started to panic, "What if the spy on the island got word back? Could he really trust this man to keep his family safe?" Liam looked back towards the room that held his family. He had to deal with Shadow Angel.
He turned down a side passage and prayed that the way lead to the security room. He cringed as what he was about to do meant death if it ever got back to the clan.
COLE
Cole put his hand on the boy's shoulder and said, "Not that way Liam. Come." He lead the boy back the few steps he had taken down the side passage, a passage which would led him to someone Cole was not ready to have the boy meet yet, and back to the questioning room. When they arrived he motioned the guard to stay outside and led the boy in. "Have a seat in the chair Liam."
Cole walked over to the small refrigerator on the back wall and retrieved two bottles of water. Heading for the two chairs he found Liam standing near the chair he was told to sit in. "I said sit Liam. May as well be comfortable as we come to our new understanding."
The boy slowly took his seat but sat bolt upright in his chair. "Now we are going to start over again. I will ask you questions and you will answer my questions without leaving information you know I want out. Take a drink of your water and we will start with the names of any you know at the school who belong to or are sending information to the Clan."
Cole sat back in his chair and steepled his hands in front of him.
LIAM
Liam was nervous because until his aunt was dealt with his family was still at risk. He had wanted to deal with her before he came in the room. He finally sat down but sat ridged as he said, "I will answer your questions in exchange for your word that the clan never finds them. I don't know how you out smarted my grandmother Danaki. " He gave a sly grin as he said, "And personally I care less. My mistake last year put that little girl in Grandmother's..." He stopped as he remember being forced to give up the location of Tamir. He cringed as he prayed she would forgive his betrayal.
He took a sip on his water and held it in his mouth. His head turned as he said still terrified, "Before I do, we need to deal with Grandmother's informer here! Shadow Angel has to be dealt with before she reports to her mother that yet again you have gotten people out of the castle safely. You do know there is a price on your head?"
COLE
Cole lowered his hands and chuckled. "Child you are still stalling. You have not realized yet, that I plan on using you after you leave here." Cole sat forward and placed his elbows on the arms of the chair. "You will of course be kept safe by ways we will discuss later. I know my island. I know who you talk about and I have taken care of the problem. There will be no more messages leaving this island for the clan." Cole could not tell the boy that his Aunt, known to him as Shadow Angle worked in the filing department, was happily married to one of his best senior staff members and had been feeding the Clan whatever information Cole wanted them to have and nothing else. Now that he had rescued the woman's daughter also, no more information of any kind would be leaving the island. "Your sister and Mother are and will be kept safe. Everything will depend on your co-operation."
"Now no more stalling Liam. My question is: What are the names of any you know at the school who belong to or are sending information to the Clan?"
LIAM
Liam sighed as he said honestly, "I never asked for protection for me. Only mom, Jonny, Travis Jr. and little Tamir. You give your word that grandmother will never again get a hold of them! You do that and I will deal with the sleepers at the school." He would have a death sentence either way but at least he would face the feeders knowing that Tamir would be where she belonged.
"I know you think me stalling but I am not. I just want to know that my betrayal won't backfire on me like before." Liam was unsure how much of his mistake last year he wanted to tell this man.
Liam cringed as he realized he had to give the man something. He debated on exactly who he could give up. The pain in his head made it hard to concentrate. Then he smiled as he said, "Alex McLeod. He is Shadow Hunter. Don't kill him please. It is not his fault, it is mine. I mistakenly gave uncle Damir his location. Grandmother twisted him into the worst kind of werewolf and in three days he will change. His targets are dead as he dare not fail Grandmother Danaki."
COLE
... "I never asked for protection for me. Only mom, Jonny, Travis Jr. and little Tamir... "I know you think me stalling but I am not. I just want to know that my betrayal won't backfire on me like before... Alex McLeod. He is Shadow Hunter. Don't kill him please. It is not his fault, it is mine. I mistakenly gave uncle Damir his location. Grandmother twisted him into the worst kind of werewolf and in three days he will change. His targets are dead as he dare not fail Grandmother Danaki."
Cole tried not to react. Jonathan had already given up Alex McLeod's name earlier and the boy was being watched. He had not known the boy would turn in three days. Cole wasn't worried though because Alex had linked with one of the Tocoferty (Princes) of the Elfin Clans which should prevent the change. One thing he didn't know for sure was who Alex's targets were supposed to be. "Good try but you know Jonathan already gave up Alex when we were in this room earlier. So in place of his name why don't you give me his three targets."
"One more thing my young friend. "I don't care if you have asked for protection or not. You are now mine and I protect my assets. Your mom, sister, Jonathan and Travis are also under my protection. Jonathan and Travis know what their duties are to me as you will learn what your duties are now to me. I asked you for the names of the sleepers at Hogwarts and you will give them all to me or things may change to where you don't like them to be." Cole knew the words he was using were coming out as a threat, but at the moment it was all the persuasion the boy understood.
LIAM
Liam cringed as he said trying not to betray the Shadow Hunter, "You don't understand. To betray a Shadow Hunter is to die a very slow death. If I give you their names and he can't deliver on his vow..." Liam was shaking. Him giving the sleepers was okay as it only hurt the Clan's Enforcers. Liam was knowing to save Tamir he would give up even the sleepers' targets. He looked at the door as he was not sure if he could give up the three names this man wanted. "Alex will kill me and not as Shadow Hunter. He loves Rosa and if she ends up a target cause he had trouble delivering...", Liam thought as he rubbed his neck.
He looked back at the man sitting across from him as he said scared, "I will give you the sleepers but I am not betraying The Shadow Hunter. There is a professor that is a sleeper. The guy that disappeared for two years also." He saw Grace in his mind and knew he loved her too much to give her family up.
COLE
"I will give you the sleepers but I am not betraying The Shadow Hunter. There is a professor that is a sleeper. The guy that disappeared for two years also." He saw Grace in his mind and knew he loved her too much to give her family up.
"Let me see if I can help you out a bit." Cole sat back in his chair and crossed his right leg over his left knee. He relaxed his elbows on the arms of the chair and entwined his fingers over his chest. "I know the Shadow Hunters name is Alex McLeod, a young man at the school. You say he is to be activated, become a full werewolf in three days. I will tell you that is not going to happen because it was discovered and measures were taken to prevent it. The same measures can be taken to prevent you from turning by the way, if you are ever bitten." Cole steepled his fingers watching the boy carefully.
"Now that being said, I also know from talking with others the Clan wants Lance and Tarik under their control. The third person would most likely be Gab Lupin because he already is a werewolf but not under Clan control. I would also be willing to guess they are either to be brought alive so they can be used, or dead if they cannot be taken. This puts several other individuals in danger because of their use in getting these three people to the Clan. How am I doing?" Cole tried not to chuckle at the look on the boys face. Apparently he was batting a thousand so far.
"As for the sleepers I have a good idea who you are thinking of, but I want you to say their names."
LIAM
Liam was scared as he said, "You can't stop Alex. Please let him deliver them..." His cousin was going to tear him apart. He was wondering if he should just tell this man. "If he don't they will target her. Alex will tear me apart if she is targeted. He knows that I am the one that betrayed him and Bill. He forgave me cause the Alphas gave him a way to save her.", Liam was fighting his need to run. He had asked about the elf with Alex but Alex had refused to speak about him except to say if Liam even hinted at the elf's being there to the Alphas then Liam would understand why Alex was a natural at being a Shadow Hunter.
Liam thought about bolting but the hand on his shoulder stopped that. He heard the man whisper, "The Captain only wants to help you kid. I know we Specialists messed with you a little but that uncle of yours is our target not you pups. Now give Captain what we need to stop this massacre. By the way my name is Jennings."
Liam tried to relax as he remembered the holding cell he was in prior to his physical. He said in a bare whisper, "I felt your hatred for the Clan. But for Tamir I will give your boss the sleepers as promised. Richard Greene and William Rikard. Now return me to the school and stay out of my way! I have an assignment that I have to carry out or that boy my uncle had a chat with will be facing my uncle's wrath." He had two days to get Brennan to his uncle for a chat. He cringed at the thought of just refusing his uncle. "I can't cause this summer I would have to run. Grandmother has custody and that means unlike the others I will never be free of them." He would request Luke's freedom though in exchange for the Head of Security.
COLE
Cole smiled at Jack. The man was trying to help and he appreciated it. "Alex has already been stopped and Rosa is safe. Lance and Tarik know what is at stake if they don't go to the Clan home and believe me it has taken several people a lot of convincing to keep them away. Your Uncle has to learn he cannot have what he wants when he wants it. As far as Gab is concerned he can handle himself. They can't turn him because he is already turned. Anyone he cares about is being guarded by human and elves alike. "
Cole leaned forward in his chair. I know you have several targets you have to deal with and one of them is Luke. Luke has been deprogrammed and is helping to watch several others in the Core. The buddy system is in place and there are buddies who are watching other buddies. Next worry you would have is what happens when you return to the Clan home during the summer, am I right?" Cole saw only a very slight nod which told him he had hit home. "We are going to make it so you will not remember anything you have said or done here. You will not remember anyone and I mean anyone you have seen here. As far as the Clan will know, you disappeared for a few days and have been returned with no memories of where you were. The memories will be buried deep enough by the elves, that no one will be able to pull them from the surface. When the summer is over an you return to Hogwarts you will be brought back here and will be allowed to remember what has happened. Of course, you will also be required to give a full report on anything you learned during the summer. I have you covered Liam. I have the people you are worried about covered. It is what I do..."
LIAM
Jack bent down next to the boy. He looked at this young man and his hatred for the MacIntosh's returned. He buried the feeling as he said softly, "Liam, what are you really afraid of?"
Liam was taken back as he stuttered, "Luke was never on my list. But his guardian is as is the head of Core. If that attack has any problems it will just end in a blood bath..." He was scared that was exactly what his grandparents wanted. He hated the Alphas but at least Great Uncle Matthew was not wanting a massacre like grandfather Markus. He looked at the man across from him and wondered if he should tell the man that Matthew wanted him. Liam shook his head as he said, "I said nothing about spying for you. The sleepers in exchange for protection for my family. The sleepers are all you are getting. Now if you will excuse me I want to say bye to my mom and sister prior to me leaving for Hogwarts." He started to get up.
(OOC: Jack is an Admin character and used to further the story.)
COLE
"Liam, what are you really afraid of?"
Liam was taken back as he stuttered, "Luke was never on my list. But his guardian is as is the head of Core. If that attack has any problems it will just end in a blood bath..." ...
Liam was taken back as he stuttered, "Luke was never on my list. But his guardian is as is the head of Core. If that attack has any problems it will just end in a blood bath..." ...
Cole sat very still when he saw Jack squat down beside Liam's chair. Maybe it would work if someone the boy didn't think of as an immediate threat or at least closer to his own age asked a question. Liam's answer did not really surprise Cole. The MacIntosh Clan always went for the big kill ratio. They thought in their own sick way, the more people killed and the bloodier the battle the more the skirmish counted. They were setting up quite an elaborate network to try and take the school. It was not hard to reason that if most of the Aurors were busy trying to help the school, then attention would be taken away from other areas. Now all he had to do was to find out their true target, other than taking over the Wizarding World.
"I said nothing about spying for you. The sleepers in exchange for protection for my family. The sleepers are all you are getting. Now if you will excuse me I want to say bye to my mom and sister prior to me leaving for Hogwarts." He started to get up.
"Sit boy," Cole ordered and watched as Jack again stood behind the boys chair, his hands firmly pressing down on the boys shoulders. You know from past experience with your grandfather, uncle and the rest of the clan that you are not going to be able to just leave here. You know too much. At a minimum you will have a treatment by the elves to wipe the memories of what you have learned and seen here from your brain. I can also tell you that whether you agree to it or not, at the end of the summer you will be brought back here and will be debriefed on what you learned over the summer. The debriefing will be done mostly by the elves so there will not be much pain, when you fight it. I have told you your family is safe and I will continue with that promise. If you go back without setting something up with me as far as giving information, I will have to have you locked up and let your clan know that I have you and you are being questioned. You will never be able to return to Hogwarts or even the outside world. Now what do you think you should do?"
LIAM
Liam felt the man known as Jennings sit him back down. He was shaking now. The man across from him was no different from his grandmother. He feared for his friends at the school. "You are just like them. I am trying to prevent a blood bath and you are playing right into my grandfather's hands. By trying to stop the attack on Hogwarts, you are insuring Grandfather gets his way and then all Matthew's plans are out the window and they will just sic the sleepers and feeders on the school. Markus will order a full out war. Now you might think that is better believe me it is not. Not when it is only to get three men. A massacre to send a message to three men? Overkill in my book."
COLE
Cole sat back and rubbed his chin. If what he was thinking became possible, many wizards and elves would think he was nuts, but he had some information that just might get the right person, if there were a right person in power at the clan. It seemed there were two different fractions fighting for power and Cole had enough he could help one of the groups get ahead of the other. It would be extremely dangerous and he had no idea at the present how it could even be set up. He had a feeling the young boy sitting in front of him was the key though. Cole needed a meeting with Matthew, the enforcer of the MacIntosh Clan.
He sat forward and placed his elbows on his knees clasping his hands in front of him. "Liam I think I am going to allow you to get some points with your Uncle. I want you to help me set up a meeting between your Uncle and myself."
"No Cap, it is too dangerous," Jack shouted, taking a step closer to Liam's chair.
Cole just gave Jack a look that told the man to stand down and be quiet. He looked back to Liam. "What do you say boy, will you help me set up a meeting with your Uncle? It will be on neutral ground."
(OOC: Jack is an admin character used to further the story.)
LIAM
Liam was stunned by the man sitting across from him. He asked, "What? You have a death wish?" The Gryffindor 5th year's mind was thinking of somehow protecting the man, as his uncle Damir hated this man. Even though in Liam's eyes, "Uncle wants your head and nothing grandfather Markus says to him changes his hatred for you! It was the main reason I tried to get off the island so quickly. Grandfather might want you but the only reason you are still breathing is Great Uncle Matthew has forbidden your death. Now you want to go into a meeting with Uncle Damir? You are crazy! You would have better luck with turning yourself over to Great Uncle Matthew..." Liam stopped and wondered if The Head Alpha would take such a prize as being worthy of activation. He said quickly, "It might just be a way to insure Tamir's safety. Especially if I am the one to bring cousin Jonathan home? It might just be what is needed to save the school?" He was wondering just how to get word to Matthew and set the trap as Liam knew even the main Alpha wanted this Fixer but only for leverage.
He looked at the man as he said, "If you want the meet I need two things!" He would need to bring Jonathan and he need access to send a message out to the Clan.
COLE
"You misunderstand me Liam. I don't want a meeting with your Uncle Damir. I will take care of him when I am ready. I want a meeting with Great Uncle Matthew. And don't think you are going to get me in a trap because both myself and Matthew will be taking percussions to make sure neither one of us falls into a trap. Jonathan will be going nowhere. This will be between Matthew and myself. Knowing that I will not let you have Jonathan, whether he wants to go or not what do you need to get information to Matthew?"
Cole still was not sure how this was going to work. If he could convince Matthew, Markus his brother was about to take the Clan into a situation which would only mean death to many Clan members he just might be able to stop the attack on the school and see if something could be set up to make the Clan realize "taking over the wizarding world" was not in their best interest.
LIAM
Liam shook his head as he said, "Without Jonathan there I can't say what mood Great Uncle will be in. Can you accept if Matthew demands his son? I can say this I think he is more angry at the thought of hearing that Sasha was going to be on this island then the actual fact you had Jonathan." Liam wondered why Matthew did not agree to taking the school until he heard that Fixer had agreed to help Linthux talk with Sasha.
Liam started to get up as he said calmly, "All I need is to get a message to Alex and let the Shadow Hunter do the rest. Then it is a waiting game. If Matthew agrees he will get word to Alex or me. It is about a 50 to 50 shot without Jonathan being there. If Jonny was assured to be at the meet unharmed, I would say our chances of a meet would have jumped to 90 to 10 in our favor."
COLE
"I have not given you permission yet to stand or even move. Sit back down." Cole watched as Jack pushed the boy back into the chair. "Now I might agree to have Jonathan join us, but he will not be leaving with Matthew. I will have him well guarded. Jonathan will be allowed to talk with Matthew, but only in my presence."
Cole leaned back in his chair and relaxed. "Write your message and I will make sure Alex gets it. If you can behave I will allow you to visit some more with you Mother and your sister, then they will be returned to their hiding place. I know you don't trust me Liam. I fully realize in your mind you are trying to figure out a way to turn this whole situation around. I want you to think on something though. I have not hurt you. I have not threatened you. I have let you know the ones you love, Jonathan, Travis, you Mother and your sister are alive and in their own ways as happy as they can be under the circumstances. I know you don't want to be turned no matter how much you say you do. I can let you talk with people who can make you understand you are not going against your Clan or its people by not agreeing to be turned. You need to start thinking what is best for you."
"If I let you go back to Hogwarts, you will be under watch. Not because I don't trust you, but to keep you safe. I will tell you how you can get a message to me anytime. The Core members are also under protective guard although they do not know everyone watching them. They will be told to stay away from the Shrieking Shack and they will listen. Your Uncle Damir will be taken care of and he will no longer be a threat to you. What I need from you is your promise to try and stay out of trouble and get information to me you think I might need to help you. You will not be spying for me Liam, you will get to decide if the information is relevant. So what do you say, are you ready to return to the school?"
LIAM
Liam was shaking as he said, "Do you even know what you are saying? I am a Blood Werewolf who just might get the honor to be activated should Great Uncle Matthew find me worthy! If he does not then I am to spend the rest of my life being an outcast. A servant to my grandmother Danaki who hates my mother and beats me while telling me how little I remind her of my father." He was crying now cause his mother had always said to Tamir how proud he would have been to see the man Liam was becoming.
Liam wiped his eyes as he said anger replacing fear, "I guess she is right about me being soft. I hate them but I rather be activated then be HER Servant! You think if you give me an out like you did Jonathan, I will take it?" He stopped as his thoughts, "Maybe before he betrayed Alex but now the only out he would ever get is death. Don't I owe Alex that much? To stick it out with him?" He had set his course and now Liam could only dream about what might his life had been if he was not a MacIntosh.
He took the paper and pen and began:
Alex,
I think I have found a way to stop what comes in three days. Without endangering your bond mate. The man Fixer is wanting a meet with Great Uncle Matthew. He has promised to have Jonny there. I know I should take him to the shack as I report to Uncle Damir. Alex, you know that only Matthew's order has kept Damir from killing Fixer or Frank Cole as Uncle calls him. So even though I would love to see that evil Uncle get sent to the feeders... I want the pleasure of Clan Justice for the murder of my father, his twin as well as the treatment of my mother and Tamir! I know I can't request that until after the activation ceremony. Will you help me get Matthew's approval as you are the youngest to ever get the honor?
Set up what you can and give the information to whoever hands you this note. They will get the information back to the Fixer. There is a chance I might be at the school before anything is settled and will talk with you as soon as I can. We don't have much time so work fast. Oh, and we don't have to worry about my mother and sister.
Your Cousin, Pup Liam
He handed the note to the man standing behind him saying, "Please hand this to Fixer to be deliver to Alex." Liam knew he had just given the man more information but at the moment Liam was only thinking of finally gaining he full rights of the Clan and then turning just to tear out his Uncle Damir's throat and shredding the man that had killed his father .
COLE
Jack slowly walked over to Cole's chair and handed him the note. In a bare whisper he said, "Cap is this really a good idea? I'm not questioning your wisdom but I'm not sure all the safe guards can be put in place in time."
Cole looked at Jack and smiled. He just nodded. His men never questioned what he did, but they also knew they were free to express their concerns. Cole read the note and nodded, handing it back to Jack. "Usual channels to our subject. I want double the people on point with this one. We will decide what the plan of action is after we get an answer back. Start now." Jack nodded, gave a sketchy salute and headed out the door.
Cole turned back to Liam. "While we wait for the answer, you can spend some time with your mother and sister. I have them for another eight hours and then they will need to go back to the lives which have been set up for them to keep them safe. And Liam I promise you they are safe. When were you supposed to report to your Uncle Damir again?"
LIAM
Liam shook his head as he said, "When it is time for them to go, I will say goodbye for the final time. If this works, I will become that which I had vowed to my mother I would never be. I am being activated not of a true love for the Clan but because only a full member of the Clan can demand Clan Justice! You like Damir think I fear the man..."
Jonathan burst in the door as he said furious, "I would have Never told you if I had known what you were planning for your father's murderer! You are not turning into a full child of the man!" Jonathan had a vision that finally showed a second shadow. He asked Liam's mother and she told him what Tamir told her that Liam was planning.
Jon said, "Sir, Liam only wants activation as to do to Damir what Damir did to Liam's father. Liam's true father is the man Tamir is named for. As you might know Damir and his twin Tamir were identical twins except their personalities. Sir, Liam plans on attacking the Alphas but only after he personally destroys Damir. You know they would slaughter him? Sir, Liam's mother told me who Tamir's true father is..."
Liam smiled as he said, "Too late cousin. After Fixer get's his meet with Matthew. I will get one reward by Clan Law. After that Damir is Mine! He destroyed my Father and will pay not only by losing his station when I declare Clan Justice on him but Most Importantly Damir's life will be at my mercy! Jonny, I plan on making Damir suffer just like my father did! "
COLE
Cole was estimating it would only take hours to get a message back to him. Matthew's would want this meet too much to waste any time. This was going to give Cole some advantage he hoped. He wouldn't need much time to set friends in place. He was a good tactician. "Jonathan you will remain quiet. I know what Liam is planning and it is under control."
Jonathan took in a couple deep breaths and looked back and forth a couple of times between before he stood up straight coming to a relaxed "at attention" stance. "Yes Sir." He had no idea what the Captain had planned, but he had confidence in the fact the Captain would do anything in his power to make sure no child was hurt or injured. He knew this was not going to play out like Liam thought it would.
Cole turned to Liam. "You are going to talk with your Mom and sister. The lady has waited and fussed for a long time because she couldn't see you and mother you. If the message is returned before they leave I will tell you what it says so you can make whatever arrangements you wish to. I hope to have you back at Hogwarts when your Mom and sister go back into their safe place. I know you don't trust me Liam, but I plan on making sure Damir gets everything coming to him. Now go with Jonathan and let your mother fuss over you a bit. Be happy you still have a mother to fuss." Cole stood up and started toward the door.
LIAM
Liam shook his head as he said, "It will only make the goodbye harder for them especially Tamir. I went over Uncle Damir's head to set this meet for you. I plan on not seeing him until after the Ceremony and then it will be too late for him. Fixer, I will say this I did at one time dream of a life without the Clan. That dream died with my father! Now all I want is to look in uncle Damir's eyes as it finally dawns on him that I not only know the truth but was never as weak as I let him believe. When he begs the Alpha that ordered my father's death, then and only then will I tear out his throat. Then Jonny is right I will turn on that Alpha and sign my own death with his!" Liam saw Jonathan's look as it surprised him. His cousin was sure that Liam would not be allowed to carry out his plan.
Cole turned to Liam. "You are going to talk with your Mom and sister. The lady has waited and fussed for a long time because she couldn't see you and mother you. If the message is returned before they leave I will tell you what it says so you can make whatever arrangements you wish to. I hope to have you back at Hogwarts when your Mom and sister go back into their safe place. I know you don't trust me Liam, but I plan on making sure Damir gets everything coming to him. Now go with Jonathan and let your mother fuss over you a bit. Be happy you still have a mother to fuss." Cole stood up and started toward the door.
The fifth year smiled sadly as he finally agreed to see his family. He did in his own way love them. He thought of his mother fussing over him and decided it might be his last memory. "I can do this for them. Mom lost so much because of my father's family. I can give her this and then maybe I will kill grandmother Danaki first before uncle Damir?", he thoughts wrapped up in his own thoughts as Jonathan lead him out.
COLE
Cole followed Jonathan and Liam out the door and down the hall. He only stopped momentarily as they passed the room where Liam's mother and sister still sat. Then he continued to his office farther down the hall. He knew the message would be coming back soon. He had no plans on letting Liam be at that meet. It was going to be dangerous and no child would be involved. Liam would be sent back to Hogwarts with the wrong meet time, which would be after everything was over and one with.
There were going to be conditions coming back with the note of agreement, and he was positive there would be an agreement to meet. Matthew was good and would pick somewhere he thought he had the advantage. It wouldn't be either island; Cole's or the Clan home. Cole was hoping for the Shadow Lounge. The place could be covered in an instant with help for anything Matthew had planned. The possibility existed that would be the meet place, because Matthew would see it as being out in the open and Cole knew he would not be able to resist the fact there would be several people there Matthew would love to have under his control.
Cole poured himself a glass of wine and settled into his office chair. Clicking on the large screen behind him, he divided it into four sections and scanned his island while he waited.
CLOSED
(OOC: Continued in Shadow Lounge >An Uneasy Truce)