You do not share loot in a fast food restaurant. We are at a parking lot overlooking a romantic lake munching Indian take-away.


    L: I feel like I should not be hungry.


    P: It seems to me that mentally we are no longer fully human.


    L: I resent that. But you should know.


    We concentrate on the food.


    L: We part here, don’t we?


    P: Would you want to continue after this?


    L: You are right.


    I just love Palak Paneer.


    L: I have an address for you. A guy who does forged papers.


    P: Thank you.


    P: You know, shit happens.


    P: And then, sometimes you got to do what is necessary


    L: Necessity. Is that your excuse?


    P: Ultimately yes. Those who object to that do so because they dislike the consequences, not out of honest reasoning.


    There is no objective need for sucking a beverage through a straw out of a bottle to take that long.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    L: Could you drop me off there when you get your papers?


    P: Sure thing.


    P: You know, your basic idea is correct. You will need coins, stones and essences. And these won’t be sold in stores for the forseeable future.


    L: Any you want me to kill for it?


    P: I want you to survive.


    L I am sensing an attempt to make some stupid quote sound profound.


    P: To embrace a goal is to embrace the means necessary to achieve it.


    L: From which book is that?


    P: Read and find out


    A piece of unsolicited advice: Try to avoid causing women with [Mighty Strength] to strike you.


    P: No, seriously. We were undermanned. You need a way to block off intruders, too. And going by railway was putting too much emphasis on staying undetectable.


    L: Any more great advice?


    P: You need to be ready to avoid letting curiosity guide you.


    [Mighty Strength] is a terrifying power.


    P: But this was really a productive looting session. We have a gun and an essence.


    L: I’ll take the gun.


    P: Agreed.


    --


    We are getting troubling news on TV


    ? A cupola of unkbown origin has enveloped the Russian city of Kostroma,


    ? blocking railway and highway traffic just as the world has started rebounding


    ? from the monster intrusions


    P: This may be the power behind the intrusions showing up. Do you still want to leave?


    L: Even more urgently


    P: Then we should spend tomorrow on consolidating our gains.


    --


    Three nondescript men are meeting in an expensive penthouse in Moscow.


    1: It has begun.


    2: Yes. Our drones as well as the ritualists are confirming it.


    1: Have all members been warned?


    2: Yes


    3: We have to assume that the second stage will also come


    1: So you want me to pick a finalist


    3: You have time, but it cannot be avoided.


    1: I have one in mind, but we need to secure him the attunement


    2: We could kill two birds with one stone


    3: That is disgusting


    1: That may be the case, but it also could give him people who would have an incentive to give him somebody to protect.


    3: You are the expert.