“...Well we ain’t dead, that’s a plus.”


    “...”


    “Which, if you think about it, is kind of amazing.”


    “..."


    “I mean that whale thing took out the whole-”


    “Zan?” Ray interrupted Zanzibar as the two of them sat outside Dawson’s office like unruly students.


    “Yeah?”


    “...As much as I appreciate you trying, I’d rather just be with my thoughts right now.” Ray was originally going to snap at him, but he could recognize Zanzibar was at least trying to comfort him. Araki finally exited the office and Dawson stepped out, raising a hand when Ray opened his mouth.


    “Neither of you are in trouble, but both of you need to get in here and tell me everything that went down.” Dawson gestured the two inside and even without the runes for a lie detection spell carved into the seats in front of Dawson’s desk, Ray would’ve spilled the beans down to every last detail. Dawson’s face didn’t change much throughout them recounting what happened on the boat, but at the mention of the bake-kujira he leaned forward. “And you’re certain of what you saw?”


    “Don’t ask me, ask him.” Zanzibar gestured with a thumb to Ray. “All I saw was a fog cloud and then something landed on the ship.”


    “I’m certain, sir.” Ray leaned forward. “It’s the only thing it could have been. I... I think the kitsune summoned it.”


    “Explain.” Dawson looked straight at Ray.


    “It’s the only explanation I can think of. I know it sounds crazy but it seems like the kitsune was able to make some sort of whale call, that deep thrum we felt. As well, I saw it raise its head and look straight towards the back of the boat as the bake-kujira approached.”


    “Could’ve just seen you.” Zanzibar pointed out, but Ray shook his head.


    “It was looking past me, I’m sure.”


    Dawson sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair. “I was afraid of that.”


    “Oh God, what is it now?” Zanzibar dragged a hand down his face.


    “Congratulations: you’ve both just received promotions. Unfortunately, this is not the end of your time with this case.” Dawson opened a drawer and pulled out a stack of papers. “While there’s no official word out yet, there was a running theory that someone’s been altering the kitsune you’ve encountered-”


    “No shit.” Ray shot Zanzibar a look.


    “-And thanks to the cooperation of the kappa smugglers you captured, now we know for certain. Apparently, some “secret society-” The words from Dawson were dripping with disdain, “-was paying them handsomely in magical protection and goods to transport the kitsune to another smuggler."


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    Dawson gestured to the papers and Ray took the stack, holding it so Zanzibar could also see as he leafed through. Fact sheets of older men and a few very elderly looking fellows with facts on them, followed by images of the men and others standing around various animals after what must’ve been a successful hunt. Dawson continued, “The Order of the Red Elk. Apparently an old and storied collection of hunters – mundane hunters – that had actually been a thorn in our British counterpart’s side several decades ago. It was believed they had gone the way of a typical country club until today.”


    “Okay... and why’re you telling us this? Sounds like you know exactly who to go after.”


    “Make no mistake: we are. However, being such a large operation when already short-staffed, we cannot cover every step... at least, not with the number of high-ranked Hunters we have on hand right now. So, congratulations on your promotions.”


    There was a stunned silence from the two as Dawson reached into his desk again to pull out a small white whale charm and some sort of thick white blade, setting them on his desk.


    “...Well shit.” Zanzibar reached out, grabbing the blade. “A machete?”


    “Both of these are made of bone fragments from the bake-kujira, rewards in addition to your promotions. You will need them where you’re going.”


    “Where is that, exactly?” Dawson waved his hand the stacks of paper in Ray’s hand flipped to an image from above a sprinter van, two mugshots next to the picture.


    “Andreas Rosetti and Michael Carrette. Another pair of low-rank smugglers, not unknown to the Administration. Their faces match the description the kappa crew was told to look out for. We had a feeling they’d be involved in this regardless, and tracked them down to an island den they use near Niagra Falls.”


    “Niagra Falls? Isn’t that a kelpie sanctuary?” Ray pointed out.


    “Indeed. It’s unclear how they managed to avoid or repel the kelpie, but I feel as though you’ll discover as such in the course of your investigation.”


    “An investigation that comes with loads of hazard pay, right?” Zanzibar tapped the machete. “Because I noticed how you talked about how you needed to bump us up the next rank to fill out some manpower for this, and it feels like-”


    “You two will be going in alone, yes.”


    “There it is.”


    “I understand your concerns, but if I had another option, I would take it. Even if the promotion is fresh, I have faith in both your skills... and your discretion.” Ray looked to Zanzibar. “Strictly speaking, this mission hasn’t been approved yet.”


    “Wait-wait-wait, hold on-” Zanzibar tried to interrupt, but Dawson continued.


    “The Canadian government has been slow to grant us permission to enter the area. It’s been decided that this is of too great an importance to simply sit idly by and wait. Ergo, we are sending you two to intervene. You will have extra equipment and backing, of course, but you must not be observed.”


    “Nuh-uh, no way, I’ve seen the movies: we screw up, magically you have no idea who we were, and we sit in a Canadian prison for life.” Zanzibar stood and jabbed a finger towards Dawson, and Ray swatted the hand down.


    “Zan!”


    “No, no, Mr. Boothe is right to be concerned.” Dawson waved a hand. “As said, I know how big an ask this, and we also knew he might need greater incentive.”


    “No amount of-”


    “38,000.” Dawson interrupted Zanzibar, causing him to pause. “$38,000 as an addition to the hazard pay you shall be receiving, along with your promotion, Absolution, and a cancellation of your fees.”


    “...Alright I’m in.” Zanzibar sat back down, though he still didn’t look pleased with the situation. That was... a lot, for one mission, but that likely reflected the risk and desperation of it. Absolution of his record would be huge for Zanzibar, and as money obsessed as he was the other benefits must’ve been too good to pass up.


    “Excellent. Be prepared, gentlemen. It’s going to be a long walk to your destination.”


    “...Walk?” For once Ray and Zanzibar were in sync as Dawson chuckled quietly.


    “Of course, an engine would be too loud.”


    ...They did say the path to success was a long and arduous one. Time for them to put that to the test, it seems....