Investigative Research

“Of all the places,” Dahlia shrugged. “Gary? “The victim disappeared from an old theater that’s been around since the 1930s. However, it hasn’t done any business for decades. One thing I did find. The theater is listed on a site of Haunted America.”

Dahlia took a bite of the shakshuka that she was served. Her eyes lit up as she sipped the champagne.

“Who prepared the shakshuka? It is excellent. Thank you for the kosher food.”

She paused then grinned. “I know why you like working with this team. I observed your face when you met the big guy. Powers? Wasn’t that his name?”

Katerina smiled at Dahlia as she gave her intel and a compliment to the shakshuka. She replied, "I'll let Chef Meir Adoni know you fancied his food. He has a big ego when it comes to his food but he has earned it through his hard work." Then Ekaterina sipped her champagne when Powers was mentioned. She paused in her sip and elegantly set her crystal wine glass down with a sly smile. She then replied, "Nothing gets passed you Dahlia. The Dragons seemed typical fighter/spy types and the illuminati seemed like the intelligent and supernatural type, however Agent Max Powers........(touching her chin elegantly).... he seemed to be a contradiction and I don't know why. Don't get me wrong the big muscles are nice to admire but wager he is a bigger mystery than he appears. As I looked into his eyes it remembered a quote from a book I read once. The book read, "My dear, you've set your gaze upon the quintessential frontier type. Note the lean silhouette... eyes closed by the sun, though sharp as a hawk. He's got the look of both predator and prey." Ekaterina smiled at Dahlia and asked, "What do you think of the others?"

Dahlia thought for a moment. “Sartre, I’ve heard of before from contacts in Washington. He does side work for the FBI. He’s the most experienced Illuminati. The little redhead is Alyssa. She is a talented hacker. Can most likely find more information than anyone on the team. Sung, the older man, is wise and powerful. A fighter and magical. Moon Eun-Ji, the female Dragon, comes from a high ranking family who have served the Dragons for generations. She will likely work hard to live up to the family name. Choi Yeong is the name of the other Dragon. He’s a fighter all the way. He’s skilled in martial arts weapons and hand-to-hand.”

With the information given, Dahlia couldn’t resist bringing up Powers once more. “So, are you going to make Agent Powers your prey this mission?”

Ekaterina smirked at Dahlia and she replied, "I wasn't planning to, but I do love a good mystery. Do you think we can work with the Illuminati and Dragons without conflict? The original two Templars assigned to this mission apparently refused to cooperate with them and are working solo. I didn't realize how much we missed on the last mission till I read the mission report. To think we missed a fight with a Lich and a cult. Do you think we will run into them again?"

Dahlia giggled at the first question. “I know when you get more than one ideology in one place your bound to get conflicts. If we work hard, we can manage those conflicts to benefit us.”

“I’m not sure about your other question,” Dahlia stated, “but according to the report, the seem to come up regarding the end of the world. So, I would imagine we could run into them again. There was something about an Egyptian pyramid. Maybe we could look there between missions. See what we could turn up.”

Ekaterina sipped her champagne as she nodded and swallowed elegantly. Then she asked, "Seeing as we may run into the supernatural, do you have any defenses and weapons for them? My powers are not exactly suited for a Lich."

“The energy of the Kabbalah can help,” Dahlia affirmed, “but may not be directly. There is some that brings judgment. I’ve never utilized that before.”

She sipped the champagne. “The others handled the battle. So, I believe with the addition of us, it will be even better.”

Dahlia wondered why Kat seemed to be down on her abilities. She took Katerina’s hand in hers and said, “Kat! You are the best Templar with whom I’ve had the privilege to work. You will do well!”

Ekaterina smiled at Dahlia and then sighed a bit before she replied, "You are too kind Dahlia. I think I am fatigued by the life of nobility. All those fake interviews, magazine shoots and my nosy relatives trying to play match maker or making gossip about me, builds up my stress levels. Its ironic that I look forward to a new dangerous mission to vent my stress a bit." Ekaterina sipped her champagne and then asked, "Do you think I am overthinking this?"

Dahlia smiled and squeezed Kay’s hand for encouragement. “Sonnac doesn’t just pick anyone. He’s the epitome of discipline and structure.”

Ekaterina smiled as she used her thumb to gently caress Dahlia's hand as it was being held. Dahlia was a prime example of a warrior woman in Ekaterina's eyes. She was smart, tough and beautiful. Then she replied, "As always you are a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. To think they wanted to pair me up with a muscle brain swordsman in the beginning. I count my lucky stars that my position allowed me to have a say in that matter." Ekaterina then looked up Gary, Indiana and frowned a bit as she said, "This Gary, Indiana sounds like a bad place to begin with. The crime rate is practically crippling the city in population and growth. I can see this becoming a ghost town in a few years. Any thoughts?"

Dahlia thought about what she had read up on the city. Nearly a third lived below the poverty line. The unemployed rate was close to eight percent.

“My thoughts are,” Dahlia spoke slowly and thoughtfully, “that if you do not provide employment for the people where they can earn a good income, they will seek to survive any way they can.”