Jason had learned of the shifting circumstances in the Network’s Sydney branch. With the death of Keith and the disappearance of Miranda, two slots had opened on the eight-person Steering Committee. Anna, already in line for the promotion, was immediately stepped up. Her deputy, Ketevan, now occupied Anna’s former position as Director of Operations.
The second committee seat had been filled by someone transferred from the International Committee as an unofficial liaison. The Sydney branch’s access to the two outworlders was of eminent importance and granting the International Committee some access and influence opened up better access to resources.
“I just wanted to thank you again for saving my life,” Ketevan said to Jason. “If there’s ever anything I can do for you, please let me know.”
“Well,” Jason said, “I think my friend here would love a look at that grid of yours.”
“I wouldn’t mind meeting whoever set up the arrays here too,” Farrah added.
“Easily done,” Ketevan said. “Our magical emplacements team normally don’t like to hear from the operations side, but I’m certain they’ll be eager to pick your brain for otherworldly knowledge.”
“The intention was to finalise the agreement today,” Anna said, “but there’s been something of an issue.”
“Is this to do with me?” Farrah asked.
“Actually, no,” Anna said. “The IC and the Steering Committee had approved the final terms you worked out with Asya. The issue is that the Americans and the Chinese won’t let the agreement go through until they’ve had a chance to send representatives to meet with you both. They both have teams en route to Australia as we speak.”
“They want a chance to poach us for themselves before we make a deal with the International Committee?” Jason asked.
“That’s exactly the case,” Anna said unhappily.
“They have the pull to shut down the agreement until then?”
“Not in terms of codified authority,” Ketevan said. “The United States and Chinese branches are both more unified on a national level than most other regions of the world and they've used collective resources to incentivise high-value members into joining their branches. Add in that they've been doing it for a century and those two countries represent a massively disproportionate section of the magical materials supply. This is especially true of spirit coins, since they spare no expense to recruit anyone with a looting power.”
“Those abilities are inevitably worth whatever it takes to recruit the people that have them,” Anna said. “You will be even more valuable, so you can anticipate a generous offer.”
“The International Committee would appreciate the chance to counter thereafter,” Asya said.
“That’s annoying,” Jason said. “I want to get this settled so we can get to the business of training people and taking down monsters.”
“What we can do today is get some of the legal issues out of the way,” Ketevan said. “First, we’ve established a legal identity for you, Miss Hurin. We can take you through the details and give you the appropriate documentation today.”
“I need your help to exist?” Farrah asked, then looked to Jason. He nodded and they both leaned against the wall, to the confusion of the others. Farrah initiated her ability, gaining an understand of identity documentation from Jason.
“Okay, I understand,” she said.
“I don’t,” Erika said.
“Farrah has a power that lets her learn things that I already know.”
“Is that a special thing that the two of you have?” Asya asked.
“It requires a certain level of trust to work,” Farrah said. “Similar to entering Jason’s magical space. Since he’s the only person in this world that completely trusts me, he’s the only one it will work with here.”
“We’ll also have you sign secrecy agreements,” Ketevan said. “All of this will involve government officials. Miss Hurin’s documentation involves government bureaucracy, obviously, and the secrecy agreements are made in accordance with the Official Secrets and Unlawful Soundings section of the Crimes Act. Once that's done, we'll be free to tell you everything about magic without restriction since you will then be legally liable if you do the same.”
“This is the template we intend to use for your entire family,” Anna explained. “We suggest that once they’ve signed the agreement, we run them through the same structured information seminar we place new inductees to the Network through. It's basically an eight-hour introduction to the magical world, and we have one tailored for the families of Network members. Once everyone has signed, we can set up a session.”
“I’d like that,” Erika said. “Jason has told us a lot, but he’s been all over the shop with his explanations. Some structure would be appreciated.”
“It would be best if everyone else could sign up together,” Ketevan said. “Mr Asano did contact us to ask for a preliminary briefing just for you, Mrs Asano.”
“You did?” Erika asked Jason.
“You’re going to be in charge of family wrangling,” Jason told her. “That works best if you’re ahead of the curve.”
“If you’re going to do a full seminar,” Asya said, “I might have my parents inducted as well. Since I’ll be staying with them for a while, it would be better to avoid any unfortunate surprises.”
“We’d also like to brief you, Mr Asano, on the fallout from events surrounding the France excursion,” Anna said.
“Well, how about we get the paperwork out of the way first,” Jason said. “Then Erika can take Farrah clothes shopping while you get me up to speed on the rest.”
“Oh, so you’re just going to send the women off clothes shopping while the important man does the important work?” Erika asked.
“Yep. Begone, woman.”
“You know sexism humour is tired and lazy, right?” Erika asked.
“Sorry,” Jason said. “I can take Farrah shopping; just give me back the money I budgeted.”
“Oh, you meant ‘begone woman’ ironically,” Erika said. “I just didn’t get it. That’s funny stuff.”
The detainment suite in which Kylie Chen had been placed was more like a motel room than a prison cell. Aside from the lack of a window, it had a bed, fridge, and bathroom. She also had a chair to sit in and watch the decently sized television or play the attached game console. The television had access to various streaming services, but otherwise, there was no internet connection.
Kylie was far from in any mood to binge-watch a TV series. After discovering that she'd been used as part of a plan that killed several Network personnel—people she knew —she had been trapped in a prison of self-recrimination. She went through the events that brought her to this point over and over in her mind.
The Frenchman’s cell had been far less nice than hers, much closer to the prison model. It also had more secure magical protections, which she had unsealed using the instructions provided by the committeewoman.