1463 Grim Findings.
Felix and Ravager went straight to the squad's office after discovering their captain was there.
The room had shelves filled with records of cases, artifacts, and souvenirs from resolved incidents.
The dim light from a vintage lamp washed over Captain Charleson, seated behind a massive wooden desk. His eyes, always sharp, skimmed through a case file.
Felix cleared his throat, drawing the captain's attention. "Captain, I need your backing on Arion's case."
Captain Charleson glanced up, his expression unreadable. "That memory-wiped specter? Why?"
"Because this isn't an isolated incident. I am certain that there's an underground market where these spirits, with their memories and personalities wiped clean, are being sold off as servants," Felix explained.
Charleson leaned back, his eyes narrowed in focus. "That's a grave allegation. Do you have any proof?"
"We have Arion's master, willing to turn in the seller. It's an intricate web, and if we pull the right thread, the whole system might unravel," Felix replied.
Captain Charleson's eyebrows knitted in concern. "This could be a massive operation. Messing with spirits' memories and identities? It's against every code we stand for."
Felix leaned in, "Exactly, Captain. We must shut it down. Think about it. How many more Arions are out there, reduced to nothing more than empty shells for someone's dark pleasure?"
While Captain Charleson seemed in favor of supporting Felix, he didn't give him his word right away. He switched his focus to Ravager and ordered, "Spit it, What do you guys need from me?"
Ravager glanced at Felix before sighing deeply, "We kinda need the witness protection program to buy Arion master's help. He wouldn't come forward without it due to the strict contract he signed with the seller."
"I knew it." Captain Charleson gave them an irritated look, "You think I am foolish to keep risking my career and reputation to support your crazy actions?"
"I did it once in our previous mission, but don't make it a habit." He scolded.
Captain Charleson was righteous, but he wasn't dumb to keep putting his career in the hands of Felix.
Using the witness protection program implied breaking a contract willingly without any punishment involved.
Such injustice and rule-breaking needed to be justified through significant results and not many captains were bold enough to do this for their cases.
"Captain, I know what you are thinking, but you should read the details of the case first and you will understand how big this case is." Felix stressed, "It's one of those cases that can get any captain a straight promotion to a high inspector position right away. It will be really disappointing to see such an opportunity get wasted."
Upon hearing so, Charleson began considering it for real.
'If it's a real case with a big underground organization behind it, then bringing them to justice will do me more than just get a promotion. I might even be considered to run for the Department Chief position if he ever decided to step down.'
'But, can I really trust this troublemaker?' Captian Charleson thought as he stared at Felix's nonchalant expression like his agreement or rejection meant nothing to him.
'I should take it and run my own investigation before using the witness program.' Captain Charleson decided to take the safer approach and study the case on his own before making a real decision.
"Bring me everything you know and I will take it from there." He ordered.
"Thank you, Captain. We won't let them get away with this."
Felix nodded in understanding and took off with the surprised Ravager behind him. When they left the office, he couldn't help but ask Felix.
"Did you know he will agree?"
"Of course." Felix replied calmly, "Haven't you researched his past? He is strict on everyone but mostly on himself due to his high ambition to climb the law enforcement department's ladder. As long as the risk was justified, he would most definitely take a leap of faith in this case for the sake of his ambition."
"I see."
Even though Captain Charleson had yet to fully agree, both of them were certain that he would accept the case after reading its details.
As they expected, the moment Captain Charleson studied the file and met with Arion, he realized the seriousness involved and didn't hesitate to assign the case
to his squad.
He brought everyone to a meeting and began assigning them roles on the case.
"Hazel, I need a full detailed background check on the victim. You have permission to question his coworkers, family members, and anyone related to him."
"Nidam, I need you to bring in the master and check what kind of information is in his possession. If it was note-
worthy, we will put him in the program, if not, we will find other ways to interrogate the seller without his assistance."
"Rookies, since you brought the case to me, I won't leave you aside." Captain Charleson ordered with a stern tone, "You will be responsible for finding related cases or victims. The procedure imposed was to help anyone with lost memories to regain them and if they can't, give them a new identity. So, there must be some victims who went through the system without anyone putting an extra
effort."
Felix and the others nodded in understanding. If it wasn't for Felix's knowledge about the fallen specters and his desire to find a big case, he would have followed the protocol like anyone else.
After all, everyone was overworked with many cases at once and not many
would put in extra effort when no one told them to.
"Report back when you find some decent results."
With that last statement, everyone scattered outside of the office to carry on their
missions.
A few hours later...
Felix and Ravager were seen burying their heads deep in hundreds of
holographic screens.
They were inside the department's record cabinet room, a sprawling chamber
with towering shelves that had the musty smell of old paper and the weight of countless histories recorded within.
Files were stacked and crammed into every nook and cranny, some dating back hundreds of thousands of years if not millions.
Dust particles floated in the air, lit by the dim overhead light.
Suddenly, Felix stood up pulled out a thick folder, and placed it on the wooden
table next to a growing pile.
Then, he scanned it with his crystal device, and the folder's content was
translated into a clear hologram.
The haunting image of a vacant-eyed spirit stared back at him from the case photograph, making Felix realize that he had landed on another victim.