Prophet Treasures

Prophet Treasures
(OOC Continuation of Isle of Perdition, Island Questions)

Cole got up from his desk chair. It had been two days since he had sent Doctor Lance Kildare home, with a partially changed memory of what had happened. As far as Doc was concerned, he visited Franco Spellman in the interrogation room, where Franco was also sleeping, several times. He found the man as well as could be expected, but he had no memory of the questions Franco was asked, when Lance was strung up on the wall being used as an incentive to get Franco to agree to what Cole needed him to do. Franco had been told it was up to him to tell Doc whatever he wanted to, about their stay. As far as Cole knew, Doc had returned with the idea Franco had decided to help Cole voluntarily.

The only real kink in Cole's plan was what he had overheard on the view screen. Franco had tried to set up a trap during the bank visit. Doc was supposed to tell Neo, Franco's brother of the visit, and arrange a little surprise party for Cole when they arrived. Cole had allowed himself a little chuckle, because he was not going to let Franco know his plans for getting past the trap until Franco had unknowingly set a trap for any of those who would be showing up. This was actually going to be enjoyable.



Today was the day Franco would take Cole to his office and open his safe so Cole could check the contents. They would apparate into the small alley next to Whizz Hard Book Store and walk to The Dailey Prophet next door. Cole had tried previously to get to the safe, but had discovered it had a blood lock on it. Cole was taking Punta the elf in the guise of a cowering house elf, to help him keep Franco's Metamorphmagi abilities totally dampened, while they were off the island. They needed to make two stops, the newspaper and the bank.

Cole walked out into the hall, where he found two guards and Punta waiting for him. Franco had been very quiet the last couple of days, not even fighting his confinement, but Cole knew he was probably planning something and was not going to take any chances. The man had given him his word he would willingly take Cole to his office, open the safe and let him see what was inside, but Franco also liked to play with words. Nodding to the three, he unlocked the door to Franco's room. "Franco you ready?"

Franco inwardly smiled as he realized that if things went as planned then Cole would be leaving the bank in Caretaker custody. "I said I would give you the information, Fixer. The loop-hole is I never said you would leave with it or be keeping it."

When Fixer asked if he was ready all Saint did was nod as he said, "Let's just get this done."

"We will be taking Punta with us as a house elf. Remember Franco he is very trained in a lot of areas, so of which you have not experienced yet." Cole was having a hard time keeping a straight face. Franco was feeling good about being able to carry out his little surprise, it was almost a shame to disappoint him. "Ok we apparate now." Cole grabbed one of Franco's arms and Punta grabbed the other.

Within a few seconds they were on another island, barely one hundred feet across. Cole wished he could have saved the look on Franco's face. He would have pinned it up on his office wall. "Before we go to Diagon Alley, Franco, we first have to take care of one inconvenience, you have decided to set-up. I sure hope no one suffers from your try."

Franco was shocked when they appeared on an island and not Diagon Alley. After Fixer talked about an inconvenience and set-up, Franco inwardly cringed as he realized that his captor somehow knew about the trap. Playing as if he was unaware, Saint said, "What do you mean Fixer? I lost the bet and so you rightfully have access to those vaults."

"Franco," Cole started in an irritated voice, fixing his eyes to Franco's, "when are you going to stop fighting what is about to happen? The sooner it is over the sooner you can return to the life you were living before this started." Cole reached into his pocket and pulled out the small orb. "I believe this is yours." Turning to Punta, he nodded and the elf stood very close to Franco and put one hand on Franco's shoulder and the other about half way down Franco's back on the spine, finding a very painful de-habilitation pressure point. "You will take the orb Franco and call off the trap you have set at the bank. You will tell them it is no longer necessary and will be back in contact very soon. If you do not then my contact at the school, who is waiting for a report at this moment, will have a talk with one of the students on why you should not try and trick someone who holds their life in their hands." Cole held out the orb, because he was banking on the fact the message orb had a location finder on it and whoever was planning on showing up at the bank, would not believe Franco or Franco would give some type of code to tell them, what he was saying was not true. Cole wanted them to come to the island.

Franco dropped to his knees as the pain shot through his body. As he heard Fixer threat to the children, he slowly nodded as he asked, "And if I call your exiting committee off? What then? I told you Fixer that you threatening those kids is the main reason I have to fight you every chance I get. I really want to trust that you won't use the info to endanger the Core further but I can't cause I will never trust Khalid."

Cole got down on one knee in front of Franco and pointedly said, "My contact only answers to me, Franco. Khalid has no control over the contact. You are just going to have to trust me. Besides if you stop doing stupid things there will be no need for you to have to worry at all about the children." Cole pointed to the orb and finished, "Call off the trap Franco, now!"

Franco cringed as he picked up the orb, "I wish I could trust you but I have learned that anybody connected to Khalid can never be fully trusted even Antonio. Which is why the trap is just going to have to change location and pray that the children are protected enough that your man also walks right into a trap?"
After activating the orb with his blood, Saint, said into the globe, "Change of plans, Fixer chose to not go after the information today. Saint! Be in touch" Handing the globe back to Fixer as he said, "It is called off Fixer! Now what?" The pain in his voice had hopefully activated the tracer in the globe.

Cole got back to his feet and offered a hand to Franco to help him up. "Now we head for your office so I can get the information I need from there. Then to the bank and then back to my island so we can figure out the best time to get you back home." Cole exchanged nods with Punta. Cole would take Franco off the island, then using pure Elfin magic he would put a wizard magic barrier on the island then follow them to the newspaper. When the wizards arrived, they would be unable to leave, because they would not be able to use any of their powers, including their messaging orbs. With any luck, the trap would continue to grow, as others tried to find their companions. After Cole was finished at the newspaper and bank with Franco, returning to his island, Punta would be sent back to the island and remove the barrier. Cole wished he could put a camera on the island to watch, but… then it hit him. The Muggles had satellites in the heavens over the area, he could turn into one of those and at least get a recording. Quickly he sent off his own message using his Petronius. He might even show the video to Franco. Cracking a very large grin, he took Franco's arm and they were off to Diagon Alley.

Franco heard what Fixer said and more importantly didn't say. He cringed as he realized that Cole was in too good of a mood. The Saint had come to realized that meant trouble and a major lesson for Franco. Before he could ask Fixer about it they were gone.

Cole took a deep breath. Apparating did not really bother him much, but he was always glad when his feet were firmly back on the ground. Punta popped in right behind them, with a very large smile on his face, and nodded. "Thank you, friend." Cole said to the elf, then turned to Franco saying with satisfaction in his voice, "It seems some of your friends have decided to try and join us on the island Saint. Luckily Punta has added a bit of Elfin magic to the place and they will be staying there until we are finished. You see they cannot use magic while they are there, but let me remind you in case you have any other ideas. Elves can still do their magic and my friends are very well trained in making wizards very uncomfortable, so…" With this Cole made a small bow and with a gentle wave of his hand said, "After you, Saint."

(OOC: Quotes from Mysterious Isles, CLOSED Island Questions; Location of Daily Prophet in Diagon Alley:http://globalharry.pbworks.com/f/diagonalley%202.jpg )

Franco



Franco opened his eyes to see Diagon Alley. After adjusting to solid ground he listened to Fixer and realized that Fixer had indeed set his own trap. A trap that now his friends were caught in thanks to Franco. The Saint heard the underlining threat, “He knows that I won't risk harm coming to them. I have no choice now as I have to let him leave with the info. If I don't...” He stopped thinking about what could happen if he tried anything now.

Cole leaned up against the bookstore wall, and stared at Franco for a long moment. He enjoyed playing this mental game of chess with the man. Franco was about to try again, so Cole stood back up, planted his feet firmly and put his arms across his chest.

Looking at Fixer, Saint asked as calmly as he could, “And what happens if I chose not to leave the bank? Or after we get back to the island, what happens then to my friends or the children?” He was not moving until he knew just what Fixer had in mind as he feared that the man had every intention of making him suffer for trying to trap him.

At first Cole only stared. When was the man going to realize he had no choice in what was going to happen in the next couple of hours? Finally removing his arms from his chest he walked up to Franco and put one arm around the man's shoulder. Punta was standing directly behind Franco, his hands on Franco's back, ready to apply pressure to the point of pain. "Saint, no I will use the name Franco … I will not need to go near the children for a while at least. When we get to the bank you will follow what you have promised with no problems … then you will leave the bank with me, because your friends, which YOU have placed in jeopardy are still going to be very helpless captives on that very, very small island that has sharks playfully swimming all around it." Cole jammed his finger into Franco's chest several times. "They cannot tell their friends not to come to the island. How many do you think are there now…. How many do you think are on their way… How many Caretakers, friendly Aurors and others do they know who would follow. The spell will not be removed until we are back on my island and you are back in your comfortable room." As he said each one of the next words, he jammed his finger again into Franco's chest. "Have … I … make … myself … clear … on …this … point?" Cole did not remove his arm, but waited for Franco's answer.

"Now do we go to the newspaper office, or does Punta go back to the island and take a head count?" Cole again placed his arms on his chest.

Franco listened and inwardly cringed as he realized just what Fixer was implying. Knowing that his captor was expecting an answer, Saint thought quickly and realized he only had one course to follow. That was to stall and pray that one, Air had insured Seth was not with them and two that Darik was.

Acting defeated, Saint said, "I said nothing about you not leaving with the information. Fixer, I will let you have the info as promised. I just asked what if I chose not to return with you? Or what happens if I do return with you to the island? What are you planning then for my friends and the children then? I can't risk that you have orders that put those I have sworn to protect in a maniac's hands. I will never trust Khalid where my friends and The Core are concerned..."

Cole was losing his patience fast but he would play Franco's game. It would give him a chance to learn more patience, which his deceased wife had told him he had none of. "You are stalling again Franco. I have been put fully in charge of what I do and what information I pass along. It is not the small pieces of information in and of themselves, but what those bits and pieces add up too. Until I have my final answer, all information stays with me." Turning to Punta he said our loud, making sure Franco understood every word clearly, "Punta my friend, could you pop to the island please and tell me how many guests we have. Oh and by the way, please take at least ten feet away from the islands land mass. The seagate will allow for that much. Franco here and I will wait for your report." Cole let his wand drop into his hand, and bound Franco in magical bindings. Then he put a finger to his lips to tell Franco to talk softly. Pushing Franco up against the opposite wall he hung him on a hook which was fastened to the wall, then he leaned up against the other wall and they waited for Punta to return.

Pausing for a while so Fixer could answer him, then Saint hung his head as he said, "The problem is that is exactly who hired you and so I am having a very hard time just following through on my word. I will follow through, as I am a Man of My Word. Just understand Fixer that I have no intention of ever fully trusting you and the first chance I get..." Before he could finish, Fixer interrupted him.

"I am not asking you to trust me even a little, in anything other than the fact if I say I am going to do something or say I am not going to do something, I will follow through. You are not the only one who is a man of his word, Franco. I need to do what you are told, when you are told, and not ask questions, because you are no longer in total control, as I told you, you were back on the island. I am in control Franco, and through me, you and your friends will either prosper or fall by the wayside. Take care Franco, because you are a very small paint stroke in the larger picture. Maybe you would like to see some of your friends visit my island and sample my medicines. Oh and Franco this is not a threat … it is a promise I will keep as a man of my word. You have no choice, you live and so do your friends in reasonable happiness, or you suffer after watching others suffer, I promise you this. Now, we will wait for Punta's return and see how many YOU have already pulled into my trap."

Franco cringed as he said finally understanding Khalid's orders at least where he was concerned, "I won't be his puppet, no matter who is pulling the strings. You won't break me not fully and one day I will see you both in Azkaban."

"I am not asking you to be his puppet, Franco. And Franco breaking you has now become a challenge, and it has been a very long time since I lost a challenge. You are not one of your brothers. I have a question for you to ponder, exactly how will you know when you have fully broken. What in your actions will tell you, you have lost control of your life as far as I am concerned?" Cole knew how close Franco was to being totally broken. It was not going to take much more. He did not want the man incapacitated, he just wanted him to do what he said, immediately and not ask why.

He was inwardly terrified that it was one promise that Fixer had every intention of making him break. Saint thought better of adding that it was a promise.

Cole heard Franco's words, but he also saw the man's eyes. Franco was scared and the bravado in his voice did not match the look his eyes were showing that his heart knew, mainly he had not choice. Just then, Punta popped silently back in and whispered something in Cole's ear. Cole put his head back and laughed. "So many?" he asked the small elf, well with the diminished space let's hope not too many more show up." Turning to Franco he used his wand and released the man.

Franco hit the ground hard as he was still thinking of Fixer's words.

"Franco, you are much loved … very much loved. Unfortunately, the one's looking for you have found themselves in a rather tight situation… Now if we have come to an understanding, and I truly hope we have, because Punta says there is still another ten feet he can take off the circumference of the island, we are going to your office. Oh did you know sharks can jump."

"Fixer, just how are you going to insure that I return to the island with you? You said that I am not my brothers but you see Fixer, they trained me. You can have the information Fixer but I have decided not to return to the island with you."

"I will tell you what I will do Franco. We will ask your brother's how they feel about your decision. You see all of them are on the island. Seems your family has a pact between them that if one of you is missing, the others go looking. Sure hope they can swim." Cole raised one of his eyebrows to emphasize the point; the noose around Franco's neck was tightening.

Pointing in the direction of the service entrance to the newspaper, trying to hold in some of the laughter, he said, "After you."

After Fixer's next words, Franco said as he walked into the building, "By all means. Though Fixer, Just how do I explain you being with me or the fact that I did not come through the front door?" He was worried for his friends, the Core and now his possible staff.

"What excuses you use Franco for having me and my loyal servant here, with you is totally up to you. Question though, do you know all your staff?" Cole chuckled. He had just finished planting someone in two places in the Dailey Prophet. A couple of people who were the type who everyone just sort of over looked in their daily rush with the world. As far as everyone knew, they had been there all along for years.

Franco inwardly cringed as a house elf by the name of Talmac came up to him and bowed. Franco smiled at the only one that he ever fully trusted and said, "Yes Towmak, I know I still have not given my answer to the Ministry. Have any of my brothers been by? And how do I get you to understand that you don't need to bow to me, my friend?"

"You have brought company, Master Franco." It was not a question but a statement as the elf looked around Franco toward Cole and Punta. "Do I need to find places for them?" Talmac, knew Master Franco did not bring many friends to the office, so the human and the elf, must be very special.

Cole bowed slightly to the elf and said, " Dia duit ar maidin mo dluthchara," which meant Good afternoon my friend, in the perfect Gaelic accent. Gaelic was sort of a universal language with the elfin community. Even if they did not grow up in Europe, they knew enough Garlic to converse with any of their own kind. Cole added a huge smile and watched as Punta bowed low, acting as a pure sub-servant. Cole had been surprised when the five free elves he had in him employ, showed him how they would be acting around others. Each of them was on their home council, but could act as if they were born and bred as house elves to the meanest masters in the world.

Franco watched his true friend and cringed when Punta bowed. Then he smiled as he realized that maybe he could put a clink in Fixer's dealings, as he said, "Talmac, they are visitors and will be leaving after I get something from my safe. And Talmac you avoid the question, of whether Marco, Neo or Leo has been here? …"

Talmac looked at the stranger and nodded politely. He had forgotten Master Franco did not like him to bow, but he could nod, because most of the human wizards did that when greeting each other. He also added a smile for friendliness. "Your visitors are welcome Master Franco. Your brothers did shop by all together, and when they did not find you here they left all together. They said something about a signal had been activated. " Talmac walked over to a table near the wall and served three goblets of pumpkin juice. He offered Punta one first, which earned him a smile of gratitude. Cole paid no attention to what under normal circumstances would have been a slight against him, and some wizards would have reacted badly too. He just accepted his with a nod of thanks.

" … How much time is the Ministry giving me to decide on the promotion? I am still unsure, as I am too much like mom. Who by the way I never saw you bow once too, so why do you always bow to me? You raised me as much as you did mom and yet you treat me as if I am above you, why?"

Talmac tried to answer the questions in order, so he continued. "In your last Owl, it said you have a month to decide, but Master Franco, I think they already consider you the new person in charge. Your desk has become piled with papers. It has been difficult to put them off, but I have explained you are a working journalist and not one to sit behind a desk. I do wish you would keep in better touch with me, Master Franco. May I suggest you get more rest?"

Franco turned to Fixer and said, "Punta, you will find that not all wizards are as cruel as the one Cole received you from."

Punta, stifled a smile with great difficulty and bowed low again. He needed to play the part with these humans. He had seen the look of knowledge in Talmac's eyes, so he kept his lowered, and shuffled. Punta did not dare speak.

Cole saw the look on Punta's face and decided he needed to help the elf hold his cover. He turned and said, not so politely, "You are not to speak here elf. Mind your place, or when we return home, I will show you how I feel about your actions this day." Punta cringed right on cue.

Cole turned back to Franco and said, "I am sorry friend Franco, sometimes he reacts where he shouldn't and does things totally out of character. I am sure you know what I mean. I do not want to keep you from your important business, and you said we had one more stop to make before we could relax, so may I suggest we get the information you wanted." Cole smiled plesently and held a calm peaceful stance.

Franco was inwardly cringing but outwardly, he said with force, "Cole, If you have not understood my feelings on this subject yet then I will make myself very clear as I have several who thought as you do. I don't have friends that treat elves as if they are servants! I brought you here hoping to show you just how special they can be. If you cannot treat Punta with the respect he deserves than we will not ever get as close in dealings as You would like. Do I make myself clear? You want me to trust you then I would start by showing that you are not like him. I judge people very much on how they treat others."

Cole purposely frowned and nodded as if he was weighing Franco's words very seriously. "I understand how you feel; Franco and I will of course endeavor to follow your example. In my dealings with others, I have had to act in certain ways, and I guess the ways have taken hold. I will watch you closely and try to learn." For good measure, Cole turned to Punta and said, "Punta, it seems my very good friend here and future partner in several dealings," Cole looked out of the corner of his eye to see if Franco took note of his words, "thinks I have wronged you. When we get home, I will sit with you and discuss what was said here. Until then please forgive me if I get too high-handed with you." Cole then patted Punta on the shoulder. The little elf was shaking slightly, and Cole hoped his little friend could hold in the mirth, that was threatening to break lose. In truth Cole highly respected his five friends and would probably be fetching things for them if he did not have to keep up the front.

Turning back to Tal'mac as he said, "I am sorry Tal'mac, but mother never tolerated it and I can at least promise that none that I will ever consider friend will treat your people with such disrespect. At least not, while in mine or my family's view. Even Marco...well Marco would have given more than a tongue-lashing. Now you were saying how you were holding the ministry off." It felt good being able to defend the little elf Punta and hopefully Cole realized that he did not need to treat the elf that way as Franco saw that Cole did care for the elf. He wondered why Cole acted as Khalid did.

Cole watched as Tal'mac puffed up a bit. He was already one of the tallest elves Cole had ever seen standing over five feet tall. When he talked his intelligence showed through, "Yes, Master Franco, I have gotten the Ministry to hold off on the final appointment, but as I say, everything has been done to make you Editor-in-Chief except paint your name on the door. Maintenance is driving me crazy and have snuck up there a couple of times and started the lettering." Tal'mac smiled because he was very proud of the boy who had grown into a man of prestige. Turning to Cole, Tal'mac said, "I will be pleased to be able to show you the ways of my people so you can teach your helper what he needs to know."
Cole bowed slightly and said thank you, but he would watch Franco in his dealings and learn from him. "Franco, it is getting rather late and I would like to maybe stop at the Café for something to eat, before dark. We have some friends who are depending on me to help them get home, and I know they all wanted to be there before it got dark where they are."

Franco inwardly cringed as he got Fixer's message. Smiling as he said, "Tal'mac, please tell me they have not moved my safe? …"

"No Master Franco," Tal'mac said, "… you know no one could move your safe without you here. When you are ready to have it moved, you can activate the alarm and we can put it in it's proper place in your new office."

"… How has things been with me away so long? Have you had any problems with the new reporters?" He was terrified that while he was gone Tal'mac had been treated like Punta usually was. The older staff knew that Franco would get payback for Tal'mac but the newbies were still an unknown. He hated the unknown factors.

"No problems to speak of, we have two new cub-reporters fresh out of Durmstrang Institute, but my older friends here at the paper, have let them know what is expected of them. They stay away from me mostly. I think a couple of the Senior journalist told them the story of when I helped your brother Neo with … that problem a few years ago. I still cannot understand why it frightens wizards so much; I just did what your brother needed me to."

After receiving Tal'mac report, he said still worried, "Tal'mac, I fear I have been gone too long and might be away longer still? I don't like leaving you so long but the business with my heart gave me no choice. I will deal with the ones you told me about before I go and I will ask Neo or Marco to come unannounced to keep them honest. Just don't let Marco do too much damage okay? Now how about you bring me up to speed as we go get what my guest needs from my safe?"

Cole listened as the elf talked about the stories circulating in the Prophet at the present time. A few were interesting and would bare checking out. Most were petty stories, but Cole always remembered the small facts. More than one small, insignificant piece of information had saved his live in the past.

When they reached the safe, Cole waited for Franco to open it and motion for him to go ahead and look while he kept his Tal'mac talking. Cole carefully removed some of the papers and motioned for Punta to step forward and hold them one at a time. One of Punta's specialties was a photographic mind. The elf could remember anything he saw and then reproduce it with an exactness which would surprise even the Ministry.

Finding a couple pictures of interest and a few written pieces of paper he put them in a separate pile on the desk and carefully took the stack Punta was holding, and placed it back in the safe. Cole had also been listening to the exchange between Franco and Tal'mac. He was raised to think of elves as just different types of people. He had a lot of respect of the race of beings. Franco felt the same way, from how he was reacting to his friend.

Franco was listening to his friend and as far as he was concerned mentor Tal'mac. He had agreed to let Cole take things from his safe but he knew if he really saw what the man was taking, he would break his word. Saint had to just ignore it for now and pray his brothers had Tal'mac remove anything of real importance. The elf was the only one who knew where the very small vial of Franco's special blood was kept.

Franco cringed as he heard Tal'mac remind him that the only way he could insure that the newbie's behaved was to take the promotion even if only on a trial bases. He knew that Tal'mac had been extremely proud that Franco had been chosen for such an important position.

Cole liked the idea the elf was trying to talk Franco into taking the Editor's position. It may make his job a little easier because Franco would already be in the mind set he was in charge of the place. As Cole started slowly to feed him information and requests for edits to stories, Franco would be able to carry out the requests without being able to come up with excuses on how he did not have the power he needed.

With everything stowed back in the safe, except for a few pages and the keys he had found, Cole turned to Franco and said, "Franco, may I borrow these few things? Oh and I found the keys you thought you had lost. I will put them with the papers so we do not forget anything." Franco was so intent on talking with Tal'mac, Cole was not sure he had heard his question. It was interesting the Ministry thought they had so much control over what the Prophet printed. Cole made a mental note to get some people into the Ministry of Magic Public Information Services. He had a couple of hard-nosed wizards who could get the job done. They would be able to derail some paperwork and add other documents when needed. It would take him about a month to get them in, get their stories believable and give them the clout to not be questioned.

He had to get the elf to understand why he was not sure that he was the right one for the job. Smiling he said, "Tal'mac, I am hardly in this office on a daily bases. The person that takes that job will be given the control of what goes into the paper. He or She will be still answering to the Ministry who can still veto any story. You know I have never agreed with the Ministry having that much control in the running of the Prophet. I know that if I did agree to the promotion then most likely I would be removed as soon as they realized that I have No Intention of being theirs or anybody's puppet. If I accept it even temporarily, I would want complete control of what goes in and the Ministry will never agree to that. This office has been their weapon against people they believed Dark for too long. They used this paper to railroad Leo Potter and that Tal'mac, I can't ever forgive or forget. The Lion was neither a Traitor nor a murderer. They could not solve the case so instead of doing the legwork those Aurors should have done...They branded an innocent man....cause it was convenient."

While Cole listened, he had Punta casually looking over all the papers on Franco's desk and anything on the walls which would give him some help in training Franco to obey orders. If it wasn't for the fact, it would save his life, Cole would have not taken the breaking any farther. Khalid had said, Shadow was out to take all the brothers down, unless he thought one of the brothers was in Khalid's pocket. Franco had been chosen as the easiest to break. Maybe someday he could help build the man back up. He had already agreed with his brother Marco, to try and train Franco to what the world would be dishing out to him, in his job as a field journalist. Even when he was editor, Franco would be in the field as much as possible. He would find a way.

Cole came around to the front of the desk, while folding the document so they fit in his pockets and putting the keys safely away. Sitting on the front of the desk he said, "Franco you sound like the perfect person to change the Ministry's mind. I know you will get help from others once you are in position to make the important decisions." Cole knew Franco was getting the message. Tal'mac was nodding and in perfect agreement. Cole could hear some of the papers behind him fluttering, so he knew he was effectively blocking Punta's search. The elf was going to be very busy when they returned to the island.

Looking at his watch, Cole commented, "Just tell your friend you will take the temporary job. Thoes friends of our I was talking about earlier, were talking about inviting others and the place they are at must be getting a little cramped by now. I really do need to get back there and let them use other areas. I know there is a beach there, but the tide is coming in as I speak." Cole smiled, but stayed relaxed sitting on the edge of the desk.

Franco inwardly cringed as he realized both Cole's message as well as the fact that Tal'mac had unknowingly given Fixer the prefect ally as far as him taking the job. He had never been able to deny Tal'mac anything and Cole was right, with Seth Wright as second only to the Minister of Magic, the Caretakers finally were in a position to make positive changes.

Turning to Cole, Franco said still leery of if he could change things, "Okay Tal'mac, if the Ministry agrees to my terms then I will take the job..." Pausing so Cole understood that he had not won anything yet, "On A Trial Bases, but Tal'mac make sure they understand that I will not tolerant interference from them or Anybody else. They want me to run this paper then I run it My way or I don't Run it!"

Cole looked down at the floor smiling at the way Franco had phrased his words. He was certain because of the deal he had made with Franco, the trial bases was going to perminant soon. The deal was if Cole could get his hands on the Codebook of the Caretaker Group, Franco was honor bound to take the position as Editor in Chief of the Prophet. Cole had no misgivings about getting the book. "I think that is a very good decision on your part, Franco. It will be great working with you in your new capacity."

Tal'mac was starting to believe this new human was very important. He knew he had seen him around a couple times before talking to some of the staff. At the time he had thought he was just another reporter or maybe an informant. The man had always been very polite and well dressed. Now seeing him here with Master Franco and hearing him call Master Franco partner, led him to believe he was very important. After all Master Franco, only let his brothers look through his private safe. Tal'mac smiled at the new human, then said to Master Franco, "You are ever wise … young human."


After hearing from both Tal'mac and Cole, Franco said, "Now I still have two newbie's to deal with and that Owl from the Ministry better not be them pushing their weight around or I might rethink things?" Saint was more than a little worried about his friends that were caught in Fixer's trap but he had to deal with what was happening in the Prophet or the newbie's would just continue to think they could treat the elves as servants.

Cole nodded and smiled. "Clean house Franco, but remember you have friends all around the world who also need your help. Newbie's can be taught if handled right. They can actually become one of your greatest assets, because they do not know any different. " It would be interesting to see how Franco handled the new young blood in the paper. If he was too heavy handed then he would create discontent and some of the senior staff could start to think his new position was going to give him a sense of greatness. They would lose prestige. If he handled it too lightly, some of the others would think he was soft, and they could get away with things especially behind his back. This was going to be interesting.

Leaning into Cole's ear, he said, "You could change their problem as you are about to get at least a little of what you were hoping for? I have to make sure these newbie's learn what happens to people that mess with my friends…."

"Never let it be said I cannot be generous, Franco," Cole whispered. "Consider the sea gates closed, but," he added more seriously, "they can always be opened again." Cole turned to Punta and whispered something. The elf promptly phased out. Cole nodded to Franco

"…We will go to the bank after I insure that things here will be run smooth unless you want to reconsider about me returning to the island?" Franco was not about to let his absence allow these newbie to treat any of the elves with such disrespect.

"By all means, friend Franco, I want everything her to run smooth. After all I will be investing my time and effort in that smoothness" Cole crossed his feet out in front of him and his arms across his chest. Punta was stopping the tide from coming in on the small island and he had delivered some of the information to home. He should return in about two minutes.

Franco pushed a button on his desk and said into the box, "I need to talk to the two newest cub reporters. My office ten minutes. Thank you." An unidentifiable voice came back with, "Yes Sir, they will be waiting." Turning to Tal'mac he asked, "So what does the Ministry want now?"

Tal'mac smiled, because he already had the answer in his hands to the question he had made his student of life answer earlier, "The ministry has agreed to the terms you wished to make in order to take the temporiary position as Editor-in-Chief. It arrived two hours ago. The female human from the Ministry of Magic Public Information Services has also been popping into her picture you have in the small alcove near your refreshment center. She wishes to speak with you. I told her you were busy, but would talk with her as soon as you had taken care of your duties." Tal'mac's smile broadened. "I did not tell her how many duties you had."

Cole laughed out loud. He really liked this elf.

Franco laughed as he said, "Why do I get the feeling Tal'mac that you had already stated my terms to that "woman" with the last Owl to their office? I want Seth and Lucas to know what that woman has agreed to. She has a bad habit of saying one thing and doing another..."

Cole made a mental note of finding out who this person was. It sounded like she liked to blow her own horn. If she was fed the right information and was made to believe she was the one who discovered it, then Cole could get some false leads, spread quickly throughout the whole Ministry. Franco's statement made Cole laugh harder. The elf had just manipulated Franco into the position as Editor of the newspaper, and did it rather smoothly.

Pausing to think of all that he now had added to his plate, then saying, "Well let's keep her honest. Tal'mac call a staff meeting...might as well let the rest know that for the first time in years, this staff don't have to worry about the Ministry vetoing any of their work. I need two vets that can show the newbie's the ropes, any ideas?"

Tal'mac slowly made his way to the door leading in to the main area of the working part of the newspaper. "I will let everyone know to be ready to stop working so they can listen when you come out, Master Franco. I am very proud of you. I think Ken Williams and Margaret Holmes would probably be the best two for training the new cub-reporters. They are smart and know how to treat people."

Cole stood up also and walked over closer to Franco. "Congratulations, Franco on your new position. May it be a long lasting position." Cole chuckled and stood waiting to follow Franco out of the office. Turning slightly, he saw Punta fade in and give him a nod. Cole nodded back and turned his attention squarely on Franco.

Franco smiled as he heard the names and gave a questioning look to Fixer as he said puzzled, "Ken and Margaret are here? When did they get back?"

As they walked down to address the staff, Franco answered Cole, "That is now totally in yours and the Ministry's hands as to how long I stay Editor. I will admit that maybe I miss judged you Cole. Now to reward Ken as I can think of nobody better to run things while I am away on Medical Leave?"

Cole followed Franco and Tal'mac down the hallway leading to the back of all the cubicles. A few people were coming out of the offices and Cole was interested in how they warmly greeted Franco. Punta was behind him, and whispered as they walked, "Master Frank, the space is getting a little tight on the island. I will admit I did not think so many people would try and find Master Franco. He is well thought of."

Franco greeted every one of his friends and then as they all wanted to know if the rumors were true he nodded as he said as calmly as he could, "Yes, I have been offered the job of Editor and Chief. That is what I want to address now."


Cole nodded, "Yes, my friend he is well thought of… someday he will be a great man… if he can learn." Cole did not say anything else because they had reached the end of the hall. He made his way to the far wall and tried to look as inconspicuous as possible. As far as he knew he was not wanted for anything at the moment, but he never believed in tempting fate.

After the comments about it being about time, Franco smiled and continued, "I have accepted on a trial bases with conditions. Those conditions have been agreed to. One thing that has been agreed is that the Ministry no longer has any say in how we run things. So guys as long as you back your stories up with Verifiable proof, they will be printed in the Prophet. And that includes the new cub reporters, you bring me stories and the facts to back them up, they will get printed."

Cole smiled behind his hand. He hoped he would be able to let Franco keep that promise. With the smiles around the room, it had probably been a very long time since any of what he said rang true. It took a couple of minutes until the clapping and cheers stopped, so Franco could continue

Franco saw the new cubs smile and Ken was the first to nod. Saint let it sink in before addressing the rest of the problems. Still smiling as he was in his element as he said, "Now to address a couple of small issues that have come to my attention." Facing toward where the two cubs stood, he said, "You two need to be placed in the best hands possible to learn from. Ken and Margaret have been with this paper as long as me and not one of their stories has ever been vetoed due to lack of proof. Ken and Margaret, will you teach the new cubs?"

Ken and Marge both nodded and made their way over to where the cubs looked surprised they had been singled out. Each stood on either side of the boys and gave them warm smiles. "Yes sir," Marge said in a sweet motherly voice. "We will teach them how to get on the front page and stay alive." There was a general chuckle which spread throughout the room. The two cubs looked worried. Ken nodded.

After the general chuckled died down, Franco continued, "You will also need to understand that others can be valuable friends." Franco gently pulled Tal'mac from behind his right side to stand even with him and said to the general room. "Tal'mac knows this business inside and out. Learn from him as I did as nobody has a nose to find out just which leads to follow and which are a waste of time than Free-Elf Tal'mac. Believe me almost every reporter in here can give you stories on leads that they would not have followed had it not been for Tal'mac. Every one of those leads became a Front Page Story."

Cole turned slightly and smiled at Punta, whispering, "What you think my friend, can you make friends with that one, or do we just stay out of his way?" All Cole received was a shrug of Punta's shoulders. He would have to wait for the elf to test the waters, but if it could be done it would be a good source, not necessarily for information but to see how the proverbial winds were blowing on different stories.

After seeing the newbie's reaction he addressed the final part, "I have been on Medical Leave and am still suppose to be on it. So Ken, I am appointing you as Deputy Editor. Can you run things until I get back? You know how Dr. Kildare gets."

The general murmur, which took over the room, told Cole, Franco was missed when he was not there. Looking again at his watch he wondered how much longer they were going to be. The bank was going to take the longest, because there would be many other bits of information in the huge vaults. Cole leaned against the wall and tried to act calm, which was getting harder and harder by the moment. Catching Franco's eyes, he mouthed, "NOW" and waited.

Ken had made his way to Franco and put out his hand. "Thanks boss, but are you sure… not don't answer that I really do not want to know. We all sort of thought when you showed back up this time, you medical problems were fixed. If there is anything we can do to help, you know the whole place is behind you. If you need anything sent to you just let us know and we will get it off special courier…. Thanks for the leeway with the Ministry, it will make my job easier until you get back and take control again… Don't let me get too many more gray hairs, boss before you kick me out of your seat, ok?" Ken smiled and again shook Franco's hand then walked back to the cub reporter, wondering if he should start the kid slow, or push him out there and see if he could swim.

Franco smiled as he said jokingly, "Ken, even when I get back you will still be my second. Just teach the cubs like we were taught."

Then addressing the staff as a whole, "You guys are the best, let's prove it! Now unless Ken has anything that needs addressed, Let's Get Back to Work and Get the Next Edition out there! And Guys remember back your stories up, I want Facts not Rumors. That's Angel, not us!"

Tal'mac knew if Master Franco went back to his office, he was going to find more than one excuse to stay, so Tal'mac had to get him out the door. Master Franco was headed back down the hall. Tal'mac got in front of him supposedly to try and make a path through all the well wishers which were making their own way back to their cubicles and offices. Master Ken had let Tal'mac know he wanted Master Franco out the door, so he was right behind Master Franco. Tal'mac let the crowd build around his boss enough so Master Franco was paying attention only to those who wanted to shake his hand and thank him for all he had done so far. As they got closer to the door leading outside, Tal'mac gently turned the tide of human beings, so Master Franco was forced to the door. Before he realized he was headed out the door. Tal'mac had it opened and re-entry blocked. Master Ken did follow Master Franco out, and behind him was the new human and his elf.

Cole had wondered how he was going to get Franco to leave. The man was going to stall and keep finding a thousand excuses to stay. He could not get close with the tide of well-wishers. When he saw where Franco was being forced to walk though he smiled and just let himself be pulled along. As they broke into the open air, Cole looked at Franco. He was not a happy man.

Franco looked at Ken, the door and finally to Cole. He had just been kick out of the Prophet and his safe was still open. Going towards the door as he said, "But Ken, my safe is still open and Tal'mac had said that I had a pile of leads and things to check out? I was hoping to get them from my desk to work on while I was on leave?" He had never taken a vacation and his sister Kat called him, "a workaholic".

Ken stood between Franco and the door. "Boss, didn't you just put me in charge? Don't you trust me to do the right thing? I am sure Tal'mac has already got the safe closed. Doc Kildare says you need to be on sick leave, so on sick leave you will be. When you come back with a medical release I will let you back in the building and let you sit at your desk. I will follow your advice and have Tal'mac look into them. He can put them in some type of order and we will divvy them up. Maybe I can even find one to start the new cubs out on. Now, boss, get lost. Find the doctor and get me the release, otherwise send postcards." Ken smartly saluted Franco spun on his heels and went through the door. The distinctive sound of a lock turning could be heard.

Cole had taken a place across the small alley and leaned against the wall. This was actually funny. Franco was being served up to him on a platter. Never one to lose an opportunity, Chuckling Cole grabbed Franco's arm and Apparated them to the bank.

(OOC: This is a combined post by Barbie and Jane. Enjoy! Talmac is an admin character used only in connection with the Daily Prophet and Franco Spellman)