X Element

Bringing The Band Together

It was an awkward drive. Vincent drove, Linday rode shotgun and Danny was confined to the back seat. He didn't even have the strength to protest how ridiculous it was.

"A Xera 560....custom model, helium powered" Linday remarked. Then threw Vincent a glance, "Mr. Drew, if anything you have fine taste". Vincent didn't reply, though the smug on his face was not as easily concealed as his words. He even winked at the rearview mirror, where he knew Danny would be looking.

"When you two are done being best friends, could you come back to reality." Danny sounded annoyed mostly because he was. "Now what exactly do you want from us, besides to see us helpless".

"Its quite simple, we're going to an auction holding tonight". Linday said.

"Thats it?".

"You were expecting something more?".

"You threatened my family.....so yeah".

"Well then strap on your seat belt cos here it comes. I don't need to tell you about the kind of deals your company makes on the sides."

Danny was tired of hearing this. "Okay look, I may technically be the top share holder but, that doesn't mean I control everything. My opinions carry weight, but against the hundreds others trying to get a piece, its not very much. I can't be involved in everything and you can't put that on me".

'This isn't about putting it on anyone" Linday was cool headed despite Danny's angered tone, "Its about the situation thats been developed. So you sell meager ounces of the element to third party members. Some gangsters here so they can power their bases off the grid, some small scale rebels, some shady coorparations conduction their own experiments. All the while you thought the people you were selling to wouldn't come back to bite us in the butt. You thought they'd use it to fight their own wars alone, you never asked what if one of your customers turned around. Well, one of them did."

Danny felt a cold coming up his spine, everything she had said was true and he knew it up until that last part. He always told himself the exact same thing she was saying. He did it so the consequence of want his company's actions wouldn't keep him up at night. So much for that. "What do you mean?"

"Did you hear about the Rekind power plant accident?"

"Sure", Vincent confirmed, "It was all over the news last week. Some good people died."

"Well, it wasn't an accident" Linday said coldly, "If you were to go to the wreakage and scan it with that fancy watch of yours Mr. Essen, you'll pick up traces of the element." Linday's voice took on a dark tone. "Somebody planted it there, it was a message, a start of something bigger. And you're going to help us stop it".

Danny tightened his jaw, he was running out of things to be angry at. The company, the element, himself. "So what's this auction about then?".

"Our Intel suggests that an auction will be holding for a piece of the element, if it's correct, some shady personalities are going to be there. Your job, Mr. Drew, is to get us in. Don't be surprised if you see some familiar faces in the city's crime underworld."

Vincent swallowed, "I don't think I can do that. I've worked hard to build my reputation".

"I understand Mr Drew, but unfortunately for you, I couldn't care less".

Danny saw Vincents grip on the steering wheel tighten. He wished he could do something to get his friend out of this, but he was powerless. He couldn't even help himself out of it.

"And you, Mr Essen, will cast an illusion that will help us secure that element by any means necessary. We'll have a discussion on the full scope and limits of your abilities later, but I do hope you can handle this....for your sake".

Danny didn't even have an answer. He just stayed silent.

They drove to the venue of the auction. The venue, as it turns out was a top five star hotel, and as a matter of fact, it was one that Danny had been to before. He immediately wished that he had wore a better suit.

They stepped out of Vincent's car and approached the building.

'Morey Hotels' shone in bright letters just above the buildings entrance and it had more lights in the ground floor alone than the whole of most buildings.

"Mr. Drew, you are the one with the invitation, and you are the main person. We are your assistants". Linday handed Vincent a card. He didn't say anything, he just solemnly accepted it.

They went in the first entrance without so much as a beep, the security guards merely giving them a glance over.

"Proceed to the floor and room number on the card."

Vincent glanced at the card. Room 12, 5th floor. They took the elevator. No one gave them so much as a second look. Nothing out of the ordinary with three business people on their way to do business.

All the while, Danny kept thinking about his parents. He wasn't on the best terms with them, but still, he didn't want to see them die. And he tried not think about Beth. He couldn't bring himself to the thought of what they might do to her, and if she were to find out, would she ever forgive him?.

"We're here". Linday said. Which was obvious. The big brown oaken doors with two hefty seven foot guards flanking it made it obvious. These guards did not ignore them.

"This is a private event", one scowled.

It took a moment for Vincent to realize that he was meant to speak. "We're invited.", he handed over the card. The guard stretched a meaty hand and received it, then looked it over.

"Its for one".

"These are my assistants".

The guard tensed, "Like I said, your invitation only covers for one".

Danny already began to craft an illusion. An illusion of them walking away leaving only Vincent. It was a simple illusion but there was no need for it as it turns out.

"My assistants go where I go", Vincent affirmed, "You don't need to worry about them".

The guards stared them down for a few more seconds before eventually letting them in.

The first thing Danny thought 'wow, Linday was not kidding when she was talking about familiar faces'. He had barley walked three steps when he already began noticing familiar faces. Mostly businessmen, politicians some judges. Some he knew personally, some he knew by reputation. 'Best I keep my head low'.

The hall was large and packed. Wiith an auctioneers podium in front, brightly lit. It displayed some obviously expensive materials....but not the slightest sign of the element. He checked his watch to confirm. Nothing.

Then a man in a black suit and balding head who looked like he was being forced to do what he was doing came up. "Next item for auction" he spoke into a microphone. "An ancient 19th century old world telephone". He brought up the device carefully with gloved hands, the artifact was brown and ridden with rust.

'How could people have possibly used this for communication, how could they even carry it around'.

"Bidding starts at three thousand dollars.

Danny choked, "for that?". Amazingly though, hands began flying up.

"Three thousand five.......four thousand.....four thousand seven..."

"It's crazy how people with a lot of money find it easy to throw it away", Vincent remarked.

"Indeed", Linday agreed, "Now place a bid".

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School today was strange for Diane.