He looks sharply at her a moment. He was on his way to see David but she'll hear of it soon enough. So wordlessly, he hands her the envelope he's been clutching, as they've turned down the hall for the Royals' offices anyway and it was more or less deserted as it was.
When she opens it, she'll pull out a couple of photographs of an obviously dead body, clothing ripped and bloody, but no apparent fatal wounds. One photo in particular is focused on the man's chest, over his heart, where a tattoo of a lightning bolt can be seen.
Once she's had time to let that sink in, he speaks, "there was an attack several days ago at one of the Spade guard towers near one of the crossing-points to Outside. Several of our guards were killed, but this man is the only one of the attackers that was captured. He managed to kill himself before he could be questioned. The guards seemed to think it was just another test-attack by the Chessboard," they were, after all, enemies, and tended toward infrequent skirmishes like this rather than outright wars. "Except there's no evidence he belonged to either of the Kingdoms and they tend to mark their Pawns rather...obviously." Such as the tendency toward all-black clothing, or all-white, respectively. "All he had was that tattoo."
"Clearly." There is never enough intel whether military, bratva or Deck. "Either way our attention is divided when it needs to be most focused. Fortuitous for someone." She cannot shake the feeling that the one is connected to the other, but tunnel vision makes mistakes. Julien is correct. They need information.
She finishes the report then hands the packet back to Julien. Victor is out of commission. She distrusts Ethan's hot head. Julien, of course, but that would put the Spades down an effective leader. "Who do you suggest?"
"I suppose there are a few options. Perhaps Delilah," if she was ready to actually prove she was capable of managing such tasks again. "Or I know of a few lower Numbers who'd like the opportunity to prove themselves."
He shrugged, "or even the Jack." Sieben was certainly capable of discretion, after all. Though he wouldn't want to leave before his little experiments were finished, Julien was sure.
A choice that is no choice. Their Jack, who is not effective fighter, or the woman known to be derelict in her duties. David's favorites, perhaps. Not hers. "Meghana is still dealing with the Andrea situation. Seraphina has the training. Oliver, but he is attached to the Arcana." Eli if he had not proven an addict.
She blows a wisp of hair from her eyes. None of them was a Julien, and he was needed here. "I could go."
"Oh yes," he said, barely refraining from rolling his eyes. "Because we should prove ourselves as idiotic as certain other," red, "Suits and send one of our Royals into an uncertain and dangerous situation."
"Julien. I had no idea you cared." Yet it is type of mission she has handled before.
"Always you insist on keeping fun to yourself." Her tone remains light even though her face remains grave. "I thought of you first. But you we can afford to lose even less than myself." She is new. Their Spades would roll with the hit. The loss of Ace or King? Would be devastating.
"It is maddening. This is type of work suited for Jack. He can no doubt ferret out information, but what will he do if things turn sour?"
"It's not about you personally, your highness." He said, flatly, "but the simple fact that you are Queen now." If she were still a Ten, he'd probably have already sent her off to deal with it. But alas, she isn't.
But he'll also flash her a momentary smirk at her comment on his irreplaceibility. Oh, Katya, he had no idea you cared, either.
"I suppose he could poke them with a needle...." Julien said idly.
That catches her off guard, her snort quickly concealed by a cough. They should see to providing further combat training. Perhaps Urania would consent. She and the Jack were friends.
"I know I cannot be rabbiting off to investigate. I am merely frustrated. Do we know whether Rachel has been drawn to Diamond outposts because of similar incursions?"
And Elisha is here. Better to get intel from him than deal with Alexander. She slants a wry look Julien's way. "I will speak to Ceiro. At least that way I am doing something."
When she opens it, she'll pull out a couple of photographs of an obviously dead body, clothing ripped and bloody, but no apparent fatal wounds. One photo in particular is focused on the man's chest, over his heart, where a tattoo of a lightning bolt can be seen.
Once she's had time to let that sink in, he speaks, "there was an attack several days ago at one of the Spade guard towers near one of the crossing-points to Outside. Several of our guards were killed, but this man is the only one of the attackers that was captured. He managed to kill himself before he could be questioned. The guards seemed to think it was just another test-attack by the Chessboard," they were, after all, enemies, and tended toward infrequent skirmishes like this rather than outright wars. "Except there's no evidence he belonged to either of the Kingdoms and they tend to mark their Pawns rather...obviously." Such as the tendency toward all-black clothing, or all-white, respectively. "All he had was that tattoo."
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"I concur. It is far too convenient. But is this feint to draw our attention or actual attack?"
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So at some point in the very near future, he'd be paying a visit to their new head of security.
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She finishes the report then hands the packet back to Julien. Victor is out of commission. She distrusts Ethan's hot head. Julien, of course, but that would put the Spades down an effective leader. "Who do you suggest?"
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He shrugged, "or even the Jack." Sieben was certainly capable of discretion, after all. Though he wouldn't want to leave before his little experiments were finished, Julien was sure.
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She blows a wisp of hair from her eyes. None of them was a Julien, and he was needed here. "I could go."
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Pause.
"You'd do better sending me."
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"Always you insist on keeping fun to yourself." Her tone remains light even though her face remains grave. "I thought of you first. But you we can afford to lose even less than myself." She is new. Their Spades would roll with the hit. The loss of Ace or King? Would be devastating.
"It is maddening. This is type of work suited for Jack. He can no doubt ferret out information, but what will he do if things turn sour?"
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But he'll also flash her a momentary smirk at her comment on his irreplaceibility. Oh, Katya, he had no idea you cared, either.
"I suppose he could poke them with a needle...." Julien said idly.
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"I know I cannot be rabbiting off to investigate. I am merely frustrated. Do we know whether Rachel has been drawn to Diamond outposts because of similar incursions?"
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Though perhaps Katya should talk to the Hearts since Julien's distaste for them, and particularly their King, was rather well known.
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That was sort of like saying thank you for taking the task he disliked, wasn't it?
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So nice to be on the same page.
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