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"...Yes," said Hector, wondering why that question was even being asked.

"And yet you are also not on bad terms with them, either?"

At the moment. "That's correct."

"Then perhaps you could assist me something," the man said. "I've asked the Vanguard, but they are quite busy with everything going on, right now."

"I'm not exactly full of free time, either," said Hector.

"Oh, of course, but this is very important. I assure you."

Not so important that the Vanguard wanted to take care of it, though. Hector kept that thought to himself, though, choosing to merely remain quiet.

"...I would like you to check in on my grandmother," said Jacobson. And before anyone could respond, he added, "I know how odd that sounds, but you see, she has been missing for a few days now, and with everything else going, I am beginning to worry."

"So you want me to find her, then. Not just check in on her."

"Well, I know roughly where she is..." The senator paused to scratch his jaw. "She is, um... underground. In the old capital. Where few dare to venture at all, much less alone."

The same place that they'd just come from? Hector wasn't terribly keen to head back down there, especially so soon, but there was something else bothering him first. "This 'grandmother' of yours..."

"She is undead, yes. And she is quite powerful, as well."

"Why did she go down there?"

The man sighed. "She... has a new boyfriend, apparently. And she wants to impress him."

Hector's face flattened inside his helmet.

"This man is... an academic, I suppose. And she wants to collect rare samples for him. Or at least, that is my understanding. Perhaps there is more to it than just that. In fact, I hope there is, because the more I think about it, the more it infuriates me."

"Sir, I think I understand why the Vanguard turned you down..."

"Yes, yes, I know. It is not the most urgent of matters, and she is probably just fine, but still, if you find the opportunity to go down there and look for her, then I would be immensely grateful. Despite her eccentricities, she is a long-standing pillar of my family. My wife in particular adores her and is very worried."

"Alright, I get it," said Hector, stifling a sigh of his own. He wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed by this whole conversation.