Melissa Zolan stood at her personal workstation, working on the formula Andrew had provided. She had been able to run a simulation on the sample, and the results… the RESULTS! This was amazing if everything from this test were accurate. She knew this could revolutionize their company if she could convince the R&D department and Dr. Coriolis.   She hurriedly gathered a new sample and headed for the meeting she knew she was already late for. The research team was meeting again to discuss ideas and share new discoveries. It had been years since anything meaningful had come up in the group. When she walked into the room, everyone turned a glare in her direction. “So good of you to join us.” Said Dr. Coriolis. “I… I actually have something to offer, something I have been working on.” Melissa said. Dr. Coriolis sneered “some pseudoscience witches brew no doubt. Leave the real science to us. Perhaps you can find yourself a man soon and do re

Jay Eisen opened the door to the Gold Dragon restaurant and held it for the five young men who followed him in. For years he had been chasing this group of rich kids from the provincial capital. While they have always seen Jay as below their station, but were willing to suffer him from time to time, especially when he was willing to foot the bill for a night out drinking. Jay understood this to an extent but he continued to invite them out each year in the hope that a real friendship would eventually develop. Even if he was a lower-class friend, he felt the relationship with powerful family heirs from the capital would be an invaluable resource. Even a sentence from them could set business deals in motion, or kill a competitor's business overnight.“Gentlemen, if you head in this way, I will get us a private box. This is our famous Gold Dragon, which has some of the best food in all of Durres ” Said Jay, putting on his best manners.Jay hurried up to the gr

Back inside the Gold Dragon, Andrew sat across from Rosin.“I am sorry that happened to you. I am just glad I arrived in time.” The last, Andrew said with a slight barb that could be easily heard by Landon who stood just outside the box.“Don’t be too hard on him. Everyone has to pee. He has been with me for hours today.” Rosin said seriously.“you could have been seriously hurt, or even kidnapped and he would have never known.” Replied Andrew.Rosin considered this and simply nodded.“Dr. Zollan had some great suggestions and I think we will work well together. The plans are all ready for your approval.” She said, brushing off the unpleasantness from before.“ok, I trust both of your judgments. Are you sure you are ok?” Andrew asked.Rosin paused to consider, but simply sighed and said, “yes, Andrew. Thank you for your concern. My arm is sore but nothing more. Ho

location: Port Manai   Anika turned to Alexa and Keira and said, “today we are going to do some scouting at some of the local martial arts schools. Andrew really wants us to recruit capable people, and those with martial arts training would have a solid foundation to build on.” “Wouldn’t they recognize you, Anika?” asked Keira. Anika paused to consider but replied, “while it is a chance, I believe we can make it work. I have not been to Port Manai before today so unless a veteran from one of my tours is here, it is unlikely. You two are both highly skilled. Perhaps we can send you in as prospective students, and I can watch. I will act like I am unsure about joining.” “OOO! We get to go in undercover?” Asked Keira, excited. “Under covers?” asked Alexa perplexed. Both Keira and Anika busted out in laughter. “Sorry, Alexa. No, not under covers, undercover. It means in disguise.” Explained Anika.

After their visit to the martial arts school, Anika decided they would visit the Port Manai garrison. Port Manai was the second-largest city in Placida and an important port for both naval operations and trade with the islands. Dragard maintained a very profitable trade agreement with the island nations near them that had yet to succumb to the empire. Many needed crops and goods only produced in Dragard, and several of the islands had extremely rare imports to offer in trade. Before the war, many of the southern kingdoms and nations had also traded with Placida here. The garrison at Port Manai was a large complex near the coast and had its own naval port as well as advanced training grounds for marines. As they neared the guarded entrance, Anika cursed to herself. “What?” asked Keira. “Well, I didn’t exactly think this through. We should have stopped back by the hotel and changed. None of us are in uniform, and Alexa has an escort entourage with three