Junction Pt. 02

He threw a force wall which the dragon had to turn to avoid. Then another in front of the first jet which slammed into it. then the dragon came in again. He put up an arctic tornado and sent it out from him.

Then teleported back to the giants and hit that location again with two more sets of fire tornados. He saw a ship leaving port and teleported over it. That one had mages. He cast an ice storm below him and then a shrinking fire tornado around the ship while he fell.

He teleported back to the town. He crashed the next jet which got the attention of the dragon as it was going after the townspeople. He flew off on another wall and switched containers. He was at the halfway mark on his internal one. The dragon got closer and he teleported off and behind him. He watched as the dragon turned and he put up another force wall quickly which it slammed into in mid-turn.

The dragon spiraled into the trees as he put a wall in front of the third jet. Sending it to the ground in a thousand pieces. He burned through Ki rapidly at this rate. He went above the trees and put a wall of force over the dragon and a fire tornado around the outer edges trapping it inside. He repeated it. He knew where the line was drawn with dragons.

The dragon went to make a break for it and he put up another wall in that direction. He turned and got out of the fire as Jace shut down the fire. The dragon was down to 2,000 Ki but had started regenerating fast. Still on the ground though. He activated his sat connection, "Minister of Defense, "How are you today?"

Jace heard, "You got that blue off the townspeople and brought down 3 jets according to radar. The UAVs are flying over the border because they do not know where you are going to next."

Jace sighed, "At the movement, I am over a section of woods with a blue weaving through them because I knocked the fucker out of the air. The giants should be toasted. I am going back up to the north and confirming that."

He got there as 3 giants approached the top as Jace set off another tornado over them in the tunnel. They went falling down the ladder taking those behind them with them. He went out to where the ship had been and it had moved off. The mages having saved it from burning up.

He went back to the town, "At the town again. Send in our UAV's keep them away from the dragon. Sending another wall off but more toward the north and one more toward the east." He finished the second wall of fire when he saw the dragon almost upon him.

He got into a sphere again. The dragon tried to crush it in its teeth. He shot one sword through and cut into the upper jaw even as it tried to shake him to death. He looked at his health, dropped below 500 and he teleported back to the town after cutting a meter-wide hole in the top of that dragon's mouth.

He clicked in another tank and looked for the dragon. Not seeing it he went back into a sphere he went straight up again. The dragon had landed and waited for him to do this. He leaped and Jace threw another wall which it slammed off of and turned away at that point.

It was headed up north, "Heading to those air defense units to the north and checking they were all destroyed. He teleported out there and set off another tornado to get 2 in the middle as the dragon approached, he teleported into the cave, "Alright, Still got that blue hounding me." He teleported back to town high in the air.

He smiled, "The blue went into the water, the caves, or disappeared."

He teleported to the front step and walked back in and took his armor off, "Back at the safe house now. I am waiting for a damage assessment." He still had a tank charging him as he walked into the living area. Richard had the UAV footage up.

Coop shook his head, "Never knew where you were until I saw the sword coming out of the dragon's nose. You crashed 3 jets, and they are looking everything over."

Jace sighed, "What are the ground forces looking like?"

He sighed, "Hard to say, those that are left are spread out. The Avalon elves contacted the Royal family about fires on their borders and then said someone put them out."

Jace nodded, "I kept it away from them even when they shot me with arrows. I was in stealth at the time. Minister of Defense, do you want to get the Director of the Marshals to dispatch 2 more units to the safe house to pick Richard and I up for questioning in regards to this attack on the Avalon Wilds?"

The Minister of Defense asked, "Why would I want to do that?"

Jace smiled, "Because a certain Environmental Activist against Oslon Expansionism for the Entitled just posted and claimed responsibility on the attack in the Avalon Wilds. Someone in their group sent an anonymous tip to Marshal Cooper who ordered the town evacuated as a safety precaution and to show that I am still barely walking.

We can explain to the press why we got called in to see the Director. We could just take my car. There, the post has been made from an anonymous server routed through 23 City-States. I would also point out if I was involved that I am a bounty hunter and would be claiming bounties if any were to have been had. I have established that trend already."

Richard laughed and the Minister of Defense laughed shortly thereafter, "I am sending 2 units via the Director to bring the 2 of you in for questioning. We will give it a few days unless you have something else."

Jace smiled, "2 things, Ship named, Brickton registered out of BoYork was seen leaving the Dock. I tried to set it on fire but the gaggle of mages aboard managed to keep it from spreading.

It is in the North Sea and en route to that province. Thought a few Reds in the Royal Family would like to know who some of those Environmental Activates against Oslon Expansionism terrorists might be. Based upon UAV footage you can collect and who claimed responsibility.

Second, your UAV's caught sight of a blue dragon in the area and it has a third meter-wide nostril if you have any idea which City-State might be inclined to answer that as a blue dragon involved with a terrorist organization does not sound very good when they are attacking the San Angels City-State."

The Minister of Defense laughed, "I will pass that back to the King."

Jace got undressed and took a shower. He put on some new clothes and grabbed his cane as Rayne came up and hugged him, "Thank you for not losing another leg."

Jace laughed, "It would be funny to get married from a wheelchair while it grew back again."

Rayne shook her head, "Not funny. Alright, they are waiting for you."

Jace nodded and went out and got in the car with Richard driving. Coop looked over and chuckled at Jace.

---

Two hours later and they had briefed the anonymous tip as Marshal Cooper spoke with Director Younger, "They probably contacted me because they did not know how to get a hold of Jace Rivers as he is still out injured and in protective custody."

Jace added, "The fire tornados and such could be cast by hundreds if not thousands of wizards, and from what the UAV footage you just showed it could have been a gaggle of wizards. An enormous amount of Ki would be required for one to do that. They were all over the place, likely an assault force of some kind. Timing their attacks. 6-12 mages most likely given the Ki expended. One of those tornados was ice-based as well along with ice storms. Again suggesting a larger force."

The Director looked at him, "How do I know this?"

Jace sighed, "I have only been to a couple of locations in that valley. I plane shifted and was gone for 6 months and I am barely walking. I have my sidearm only because it has a laser function on it. I cannot fire it without being prone to do so; like the attack on Marshal Coopers Home.

I have been searching for a home, trying to find something to invest some of those DC's into, and oh yes. I am engaged now in case you have not heard. The most exciting part of my day is waking up next to her."

Jace handed the Director a slip of paper, "Anonymous tip. 3 groups of would-be assassins running out of those locations. I contacted a private company to do aerial surveillance on houses I put lowball bids into. They were rejected but they were also cased, 6 houses, 2 going back to each of those 3 locations with surveillance equipment. I would say talk to the company but this environmental group destroyed them last night and the valley today."

The director sighed, "Yeah, you are out of work all right."

Jace nodded, "House hunting. I even had Marshal Weber teleport me to pick up my wedding rings while we were at the hospital. I could have gone on my own if I could teleport. I am going to have to get the ladies to teach me that for the future when I am closer to returning. Especially if I am working out in the wilds and need to get home to the city in time for dinner."

The Director shook his head, "Get out of my office. There is press in the lobby waiting for you."

Jace nodded, "Understood. Do not know much about what is going on, other they used a spell-like one I have been seen using."

The Director nodded as they walked out. Richard chuckled, "You realize they probably told him what was going on."

Jace shrugged, "I am out on disability. Cannot have that happening."

Coop chuckled as they rode the elevator to the lobby with their protection detail. One of whom was Marshal Weber. Jace nodded to him, "Rayne said yes."

Weber smiled, "I suspected she would."

They got to the lobby and Jace hobbled out to the press, "This is one time where I might answer more than one question."

The pressed laughed and he pointed to a reporter, "There are reports of widespread destruction in the Avalon Wilds. Reports of fire tornados like you have been seen using in the past."

Jace nodded, "There are 100 or 1,000 other mages who know how to cast those. I was briefed that it was at random spots all over the valley hundreds of km away from each other. Last time I showed up after being on the astral plane for 12 hours and gone for 6 months. I do not know how to teleport. I will provide proof. Charlin's Jewelry did up wedding rings for me, Coopers Daughter Rayne said yes when I popped the question. There is a free bit of news for you."

They chuckled. "I did all of the designing work and payment stuff over the Weave anonymously. You could ask the owner or technician who waited on me when I went to pick them up at the store. I was accompanied by Marshal Weber who is off to my left.

He knows how to teleport and he took me to the store so I could surprise my bride. Marshal Cooper got an anonymous tip, probably because I cannot be gotten ahold of, I am injured even though the Avalon wilds is supposed to be my area eventually.

Another 4-5 months best guess. Physical therapy. Also, he is an active Commander so he could pull off that order even if another captain was in the valley. I don't even know how many were in the valley, I just heard they were evacuating. Now I was also told something about some Oslon terrorist group.

The environmental terrorists took credit for this attack and an attack on a drone company last night. From the drone company location to Oslon you would be flying over that valley. I don't know but it is an active investigation and I am not involved in that. Being out recovering."

The next reporter looked at him, "Why are you carrying your sidearm?"

Jace smiled, "I am still a Marshal just out recovering. I used this to help defend Rayne when she was on bed rest and those assailants came to the house. I can fire this gun, the pulse part while prone or on one knee while holding a door frame for support. Else, right now the kickback on it would knock me on my ass.

Speak with the range master if you like he could barely fire the weapon with 2 hands and I told him to fire at the left knee if he wanted to hit center mass. The gun does have a second trigger for doing laser fire and that I can use without falling over. I am still under the protection of the Marshal service because of that attack on Marshal Cooper's home. Being unprotected right now is still a bad idea and I am still a Marshal and a Bounty Hunter. Next question?"

Someone in the back called out, "Someone at the hospital said you had words with Sylvia Xioroz. Days later she ends up dead. What was that about?"

Jace sighed, "I was one of the members of her 'program.' One she was forced to let go of by direction of the Royal Family. She was to have no contact with me or my children. I left the service a Captain after 2 years. I cannot tell you what I did but it earned me a favor with the Royal family that I used to Protect Rayne and myself from having our children taken away until their time for evaluation.

I have enough funds to raise them. I am in the market for a home while in protective custody because of these men who attacked me. I do not know if they were related. We, Marshal Cooper and I collected over 2 million DC's from that home incursion. One man was one of the top 4 most wanted men in the world.

He was worth half that by himself dead. I ensured he was dead. I am also a bounty hunter which brings me back to this first question about the Valley. If there were a single bounty in that valley. Would I not be here collecting on a body instead of being brought in for questioning? 23 bounties since I left the military and I have never left one of any value intentionally walk away in any manner. Some were dead and some could not even walk."

The same reporter, "Were you questioned about her death?"

Jace sighed, "I was under Marshal protection in the hospital with my wife and newborn children. Except for Marshal Weber sneaking me off to get wedding rings I never left her. I had a good reason to do that. The shop owner might even show you a picture of her engagement ring when you contact him.

I have nothing good to say about Sylvia, especially after that horrid list that came out. Some of those dead children were mine, 17 of them were mine. I had a good friend die a couple of days after her, one of a very small group from my time in the program. I do not make friends easily. Especially in that environment.

She killed herself because Sylvia had a woman down the hall from her insert herself into her life after she was released. Sylvia put this married woman on the payroll to become her girlfriend. When she died, she left money behind for her children; technically our children.

It was a difficult thing to do to be required by a program to mate with someone who was not even into men. But I treated her with respect and I ensured she had the money for when she was released to get started.

Most of the money from those first 12 bounties went to a fund for her release from the program, to ensure she never had to work a day in her life for any trauma I might have caused her because of the program rules. All that she wanted and nothing fancy and I collected that on my first day out for her.

Those funds went to her to live a quiet life away from me and especially away from Sylvia. You might say she motivated me to get my bounty hunter's license to provide some compensation to her for being put into that situation.

I did that initially so I could provide her a future outside the program and away from Sylvia. Again, she was not into male companionship. Now I am holding funds for children in the program and waiting to see if they survive their 2 years of service when they are eligible for release. Like I was. She left me a message in her will.

She called me her reluctant lover, a decent man, and the only true friend she ever had. I set her up and Sylvia, even in death, managed to get to her to where she only saw one way out as she ended her own life. I am not sad Sylvia is gone in the slightest.

I am glad to see they are taking steps to fix issues within the program, by a doctor who was also in the program years ago. Thank you but that is all. I answered more than 2 questions this time. In fact, I answered all of the questions you asked."

The Marshals cleared a path and got them back to the car. The Marshals took them back to the safe house. Jace noticed the sound and went over, "One of the escort cars has a tracker on it!"

They went and found it. The Marshals ended up moving them all to yet another location.

Rayne sat next to him, "I caught your news conference. Nice of you to mention Jessica without calling her out by name. Identifying what else that bitch did to get what she wanted to hound former subjects of the program."

Jace nodded, His secure comms went off and he spoke, "I have you in my head as I am driving and have Rayne with me."

Jace heard, "This is the Minister of Defense. You played the reporters well. That ship was mysteriously sunk before it got to port, Just a few miles from shore. We released the UAV footage of that ship and mages casting at the UAV which was out of range.

That helped to cement them as being members of this terrorist group. Nice way of proving you could not teleport. Having the Marshal do the teleportation to get your wedding rings. I assume that was true?"

Jace smiled, "Yes, that was true."

He sighed, "I cannot give you specifics but the gold asset was located and the caves were cleared again with another cash of funds that came in. Because you have money in the holding company additional funds are going into that account. Easier to hide. I heard they are moving you again?"

Jace sighed, "Yes, hopefully for the last time. I picked up the tracker but only once we were back and away from the reporters and their gear. Forcing us to pack up. The marshals are waiting for an attack at that location this evening, just in case. They will get them as they try and enter the house or pull up outside. They got units nearby. Any battle damage assessment?"

Jace heard back, "We went in with a part of our army, 6,000 to flush out these remaining terrorists. One badly fried giant was found on the ground outside the silos regenerating; it was easily put down. 17 others at the bottom. Whatever, if anything, the fire did not kill from the trolls, the exploding helicopters and Ailon aircraft finished.

The forward camp and the back camp had some useful intelligence sent for the King to review. Several more weapon caches were located, several armored vehicles and tanks as well. We found 8 air defense systems captured, 16 destroyed. The Avalon elves were happy the fire did not spread into their woods.

They suspect you were responsible because you went back and put them out as soon as the air defense systems along there were destroyed. They scouted that area after the fire and saw what was targeted. Your concerns about your car having tracking devices placed upon it were noted.

A likely suspect or 2 had been noted and were being questioned. I had a message from Kindra, she is expecting a child. Said you helped to ensure her husband and your former commander could make that happen. His father is very pleased by this turn of events and wanted to thank you again for fulfilling his son's dying request.

We had Around 2,700 captured. The marshals found several bodies to claim bounties, even among the dead and those captured. All in all, you did the King a huge favor. He would normally give..."

Jace cut him off, "I know what you are going to say but, in this case, I would ask if he would give it to Marshal Cooper. He may ask to let his wife raise their children if they have more. Helen had her tubes tied.

I do not know if she is going to undo that. He helped to protect those people and his marshals by following that anonymous tip as well. Not counting the horrors Sylvia did to him; collecting samples from him twice a year for 10 years after he left the program and even though he married.

Not just in specimen containers either. Then the death of his daughter which is now confirmed by the released records. He suffered and is my dearest friend next to my wife. At least still alive."