“The last two we had,” Keith said, “the government facilitated their exchange to the US, in return for political concessions unrelated to magical affairs.”
“Those deals were made in good faith,” Other Gordon defended.
“You’re not on TV, Truffett,” Anna said. “Don’t bother with the transparent lies.”
“Obviously, what we want from you,” Keith said to Jason, “is anything that will help us deal with the incursions. If you really do have a looting power, then supplying us with spirit coins is something we would be more than willing to demonstrate our appreciation of.”
“The real holy grail is the category-three bottleneck, though,” Asya said. “If any of that knowledge you brought back can help our people reach category four, we’ll give you whatever you want. Enough hard currency to sink a container ship. Exemption from polygamy laws. Bora Bora.”
“Miss Karadeniz may be somewhat exaggerating,” Keith said, “but the magical deficit of our world creates choke points that significantly impact our operations. If you have any means to alleviate this, you will find us to be extremely generous.”
The Network contingent looked at Jason with anticipation, all but hanging off their seats as they awaited his response. He took a bite of his sandwich, paused to look at the sandwich appreciatively, and then resumed thoroughly chewing it.
“Mr Asano…” Keith began as Jason swallowed, holding up a finger to indicate a pause as he slowly drained his glass of lemonade.
“Oh, that’s refreshing,” Jason sad happily.
“Mr Asano…”
“Hold on a sec,” Jason said, retrieving the pitcher from the refrigerator and slowly pouring himself another glass. “Anyone else want a top up?”
“Please,” Asya said, eyes twinkling as she returned her glass to the bar.
Anna flashed Keith a look of apology as she did the same.
“It’s really good,” she confessed.
“I can’t wave a magic wand and solve your problems,” Jason said as he finally emptied the pitcher. “Well, not all your problems.”
A wooden box appeared in his hands, and he came around the bar to set it on the table, where he slid off the lid.
“Two thousand iron-rank spirit coins,” he said. “Category one, I guess.”
He took out a much smaller box and opened it as well.
“Two hundred category two.”
Next to the boxes, he placed a pouch with a clink. The crystal spirit coins had a different sound from ordinary metal coins. It was distinctive and almost ethereal, like fine wind chimes in a delicate breeze.
“Twenty category threes,” Jason catalogued. “Call it a goodwill gesture for the trouble I’ve caused. I think you know what is spurring my goodwill in this instance.”
“The other outworlder,” Anna said as Keith goggled at the boxes, running his fingers over the neatly stacked rows of coins.
“That’s very generous,” Asya said.
“I’m not a middle-of-the-road bloke,” Jason said. “I like to think I make a good friend and a bad enemy. I’m otherwise best avoided, since I tend to cause trouble.”
“We’ve noticed,” Anna said.
“Now, about your big problem,” Jason said. “Getting your people over the line into category four. I can’t help you with that. I daresay you have a better understanding of core-based advancement than I do.”
“That’s disappointing, I won’t lie,” Keith said.
“What I can do,” Jason said, “is help you to sidestep that problem entirely.”
38
TERMS
Jason looked over at Other Gordon.
“Are you sure that this guy should be hearing all this?” he asked.
“Participation in formal negotiations with outside parties is part of our agreement with the government,” Keith said.
“You know that when word about magic goes public, that’s where it’s coming from, right?” Jason asked.
“Oh, we know,” Keith said. “But that decision is settled, regardless of our personal viewpoints.”
“I resent the implication that…” Other Gordon started, only to trail off as a room full of hostile eyes turned on him. “The Prime Minister will hear about my treatment here!”
“And do what?” Jason asked. “Crap his pants in a McDonald’s again?”
“That’s an urban myth,” Other Gordon said.
“Sure it is,” Jason said, turning back to the others. “So, your real problem with the capabilities of your higher-rank members isn’t a matter of enough cores to break through to category four. My understanding is that monster core use is your primary means of advancement?”
“We call them magic cores, but yes,” Gladys said.
“I can tell from your auras that only some of you have been using cores. Just looking at the group of you, I’m assuming that essences are a privilege of rank. Anna and Asya, you are clearly sitting at baseline, with no advancement at all. Do you even have all your abilities awakened?”
“No,” Asya said. “And you’re right. Anna and I are executive level, while Keith is committee level. Nigel and Gladys are in the tactical and medical tracks respectively, which have their own standards, although Nigel is out of the ordinary.”
“I heard you had one guy doing things differently,” Jason said, looking at Nigel. “So, you’re him, yeah? What’s stopped you from sucking up cores? I’ve heard it’s been slow going.”
“It has,” Nigel admitted. “When I was first brought into the Network, I did all the research I could on magical combat. I found a number of references to non-core advancement in the oldest records, but it was like someone had gone through and excised them.”
“Nigel…” Keith said warningly.
“I’m sorry, Mr Culpeper,” Nigel said, “but I’m not letting this opportunity pass by, even if it is a controversial position. Mr Asano, I believe that core-based advancement was originally introduced as a method to control members through the magic core supply, only for that truth to be lost somewhere across the centuries and leave us with core-based advancement as the only path.”
“Well, I can’t speak to the history of your organisation beyond the broad guesses I’ve already made,” Jason said. “All I can do is to tell you is that there’s another way. It isn’t faster and it doesn’t make your abilities any more powerful, but the end results are individuals that are much more capable. It’s not anything hugely revelatory. Probably a refinement of what you’ve already been trying. It’s a just matter of training.”
Jason took a sip of lemonade before continuing.
“That man who attacked me, who you currently have in your possession. He’s silver rank. Category three. He should have had no problems handling me. Yes, he was trying to take me alive rather than take me out, which meant he couldn’t use a kill move with his opening attack, but he had me in one of the worst circumstances I could be in for a fight. He should have trounced me, but he didn’t.”
“You’re saying he was weak?” Nigel asked.
“Profoundly weak,” Jason said. “Same for his minions who tried to drag me off to France.”
“Where are those individuals?” Other Gordon asked.
“Last time I saw them, they were heading up to Hanging Rock,” Jason said.