章 86: Snuzzle Thornfield
Kiera and Yoad were closing in on their destination at a swift pace. The journey took them past several types of common transport: Sword-Gliders, Beast Carriages, Libdo Rangers, soaring blades and mechanical vehicles.
"We're here." Upon arriving at the colossal structure of Sphero's Inc, Kiera noticed an OSD vehicle pulling up adjacent to an armoured truck parked on the soft shoulder of the street. The truck bore the distinctive emblem of the Imperial Hounds. She dismounted Barkcode and continue observing the situation from afar.
A pair of familiar figures emerged from the truck to meet the newcomer who just arrived; Colgate and Diana. They were an intimidating duo, notorious for their stringent law enforcement on this side of the cosmos. Wiz remained in the truck tinkering with his devices.
"Mr Thornfield, glad you could make it." Colgate offered his left hand to the OSD operative that came out of the vehicle.
This person was known as Snuzzle Thornfield. A figure of towering stature and undeniable presence. Snuzzle was impossible to overlook. His hard-set jawline and stern gaze bore the markings of a man who had weathered countless storms. He carried an air of natural authority that was highly intimidating; a sign of his seasoned experience in the field.
His attire was simple yet polished, the muted hues of his uniform showed off the OSD badge pinned to his chest. The crisp lines of his uniform was a symbol of his commitment to order. It was an outfit that commanded respect, every stitch and seam speaking of the responsibility he bore.
His hair was a peppered mix of black and grey cropped close to his scalp; a practical choice for a man who valued efficiency over aesthetics. The scars scattered across the tiny exposed areas of his skin narrated tales of battles fought and won. Despite his stern exterior, there was a hint of curiosity in his icy blue gaze. It was the curiosity of a man always seeking answers, always yearning for truth. His sharp eyes scanned his surroundings with the meticulousness of a hawk, missing no detail, no matter how minute.
"Same here." He accepted Colgate's handshake. Snuzzle was a man of few words, but when he spoke, his voice was clear and firm; each syllable would carry the weight of his convictions. His silence was not of ignorance but of observation.
"I don't like being exposed like this." Kiera felt a surge of unease. She was, after all, the infamous leader of the Bastian Bandits, the group held responsible for the Skyship crash. It was in her best interest to steer clear of these enforcers. Swiftly, she manoeuvred herself and Yoad into the concealment of a nearby corner, the obscurity offered a much-needed refuge.
"Kiera, why are we hiding?" Yoad inquired, obviously confused as he looked upon the scene before them. His gaze was riddled with curiosity.
"They're Optimum Security Division, brat," Kiera responded to Yoad's question while eyeing the unfolding spectacle. The gravity of the situation was apparent in her words. "Seems they're on a mission of some kind." She observed the operative that emerged from the OSD vehicle, striding with an air of importance towards the Imperial Hounds' mobile fortress.
"We better get going." Just as they were about to make their retreat, Kiera's ears picked up on a familiar name that was spoken by Colgate's hoarse voice: "Hao Vee, that thieving scoundrel! He won't be able to hide beneath his mother's skirt forever."
"Huh?" A shiver of intrigue passed through Kiera as she halted her step. "Could they be hunting him as well?" she pondered aloud. The prospect of the Imperial Hounds pursuing Hao Vee was an intriguing one. Hao was as elusive as they came, but his recent activities had certainly raised a few eyebrows.
As Kiera contemplated the situation, Yoad watched her closely. She was always one step ahead of the curve, guided by her keen instincts and quick thinking which were her greatest assets. Today was no different.
"I need to hear what they are speaking about." Thinking this, she reached into her arsenal, pulling out her Serpent's Lash. Swiftly, she plunged the weapon into the ground. The sword's hilt vibrated, then sent out a slithering tether that snaked its way across the street. The subtleness of its movement was barely noticeable amidst the bustle of the city.
After reaching across the street, the tether extended and covertly attached itself to the undercarriage of the armoured vehicle. The Serpent's Lash was not merely a weapon but a sophisticated piece of technology that allowed Kiera to eavesdrop from a distance. It was a perfect fusion of ancient craftsmanship and modern technology. This innovation was synonymous with her bandit group.
Inside, the conversation between the OSD operative and the Imperial Hounds continued. "Nice to make your acquaintance, Mr Thornfield," Diana also greeted the operative with slightly restrained cordiality.
"Same here." After the formalities, Snuzzle got down to business. "What is so important to get the OSD onboard this investigation? What specifically did this culprit steal from your Imperial Storehouse?" His manner of speaking exuded a sense of scepticism.
Keeping his cards close to his chest, Colgate responded, "We can't elaborate on that, let's just say it is a priceless treasure."
Snuzzel scoffed. "Then what are we waiting around here for? We should storm that building and apprehend the culprit then retrieve the stolen item." His desire for immediate action overrode his concern for subtlety.
Diana explained, "It isn't so simple, our target is the biological son of the founder of Sphero's Inc and she refuses to hand him over to us. Due to her notable prestige and massive contribution to society, we can't just storm the place prematurely. It would only tarnish our reputation. Therefore, we have to wait for approval, but don't worry, it won't be long now before our superior get back to us. Besides, we don't want to cause a major scene like last time and risk attracting unwanted attention." Diana's calm, measured response contrasted with Snuzzel's prior impulsive outburst. She was the voice of reason in the duo who always ensured that protocol was followed to the letter.
'Why won't they divulge information about the stolen item?' Snuzzel questioned internally while scanning for any clue inside the truck, his inquisitiveness brought him over to the monitors that were flashing with a series of data before Wiz. He went further into his thoughts, 'The treasure the culprits hold warrants such a high level of secrecy? Now I'm curious to know more. I'll stay onboard this investigation until I uncover the mystery.' He didn't press the issue, instead, laid the trap to catch the mouse.
"Hmm?" Diana's gaze flicked towards Snuzzel, her intuition sparked a sense of distrust within her. Though she maintained her composure, she made a mental note of his sudden change in behaviour. She would keep an eye on him, for now, choosing to keep her suspicions to herself.
Back in the shadows, Kiera's grip on her Serpent's Lash tightened. Snuzzel's curiosity matched her own. The mystery of the 'priceless treasure' was an enticing puzzle, one that she was eager to solve.
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