Chapter 11
Everything that needs to be found here has been found. The cleanup crews can come in now that the area is secure to search for anything of value and determine if it’s worth the government establishing a foothold here. A distinct possibility since the portal opens in a deserted castle, ensuring stable supply lines, and modern weaponry should make it easily defensible.
At least that’s what I thought would happen.
"I’ve got this" Karl motions to the mages who were starting to set up a protective barrier around the portal. "Finish up in the surrounding areas and you can call it a day"
This announcement was met with widespread cheers. Cleaning up is the easy part. But for a group of non arcane mages to set up a barrier that will hold well enough to keep out dangerous magical beings would take them half the night, a task that Karl could accomplish in minutes.
"Okay, done" He smiles at me and Lala "Let’s get back and write those reports. Lala, I’ll get you settled into your new home." Trudging to a Jeep the cleanup crew brought over to replace our mangled pickup truck, we are back at the Safe House before I even have time to fully process my thoughts in preparation to do my first official report.
My first mission. First Report. First rescued survivor. Today has been a big, big day. Unfortunately it will end with hours of mindless paperwork, as the Task Force command insists on same day debriefings, saying the need to know more about the portal phenomenon is paramount to all other concerns.
Far too soon my phone rings, Lala’s soft voice on the other end of the line "would you like a midnight snack? I can bring you whatever you’d like? Karl said you’d be up still doing work"
I gently rub the growing throb in my forehead. Has nobody taught this poor girl about the one question at a time rule? "Sure, thanks Lala, I’d love something"
"Excellent, I’ll be there in just a moment"