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'Sounds like you're expecting another attack any moment now,' said Voreese.

"Indeed," said Bartholomew. "We've captured or otherwise subdued nearly a hundred infiltrators, but they have all been operating in stealth. No leading figures or major players as of yet."

"But you're sure that it's Jercash's work?" said Hector.

"That's what my bosses tell me," said the kid. "They know him better than I do. I've never had the misfortune of meeting him personally."

'Me neither,' said Voreese. 'And I'm hoping that never changes.'

The captain smiled. "A woman after my own heart."

'Hah! Precocious little fella, aren'tcha? Y'know, I've got a friend who'd probably be falling head over heels in love with you, right now.'

That gave everyone in the group pause as they looked at the reaper for a moment.

'What? Not me. An actual old friend. She always had a thing for an experienced mind in an adorable package. I mean, yeah, it was kinda weird, but... Oh, she's a reaper, though, so it's not as, uh, well, er--'

"Anyway," said Roman, "is there any more information you can give us on when this attack my happen?"

"At any moment, just as you said." Bartholomew bobbed his head to the side, seeming to think about how he might be able to give a better answer. "Perhaps you would like to return with me to our local headquarters? If you have any niche questions, then I am sure one of our specialists there could answer them for you."

Another pause arrived as everyone digested that suggestion.

"...That's quite the invitation," said Hector carefully. "But from the sound of things, we shouldn't bother you guys when you're obviously so busy."

Bartholomew held his gaze for a second. "Well, maybe we could use a bit of your help, too."

Ah. Hector had been wondering if the conversation would go in this direction. It was either this or threats, he'd figured. He much preferred this one, though he still had be cautious, of course.

Just because the young captain was phrasing it this way didn't mean that the Vanguard viewed their small group as non-threatening. Perhaps Bartholomew was just trying to be diplomatic first, before resorting to force.

Hector didn't sense any new arrivals around the building, but still. He knew enough about how the Vanguard operated by now to know that he shouldn't just blindly trust whatever they said.