While the younger generation is outside, White and Hill parents are in the office on the first floor underground, discussing pressing matters.
Current topic: the army of Chaos.
They discussed the current area of influence and all organizations that are being attacked by the army of Chaos. The data gathered shows that the army of Chaos attacked only groups which are associated with Lebedev or Voronin families, and everyone else that clashed with the army of Chaos attacked them first.
Stella had to pull her people out of the area, because they were being attacked and everyone who didn't leave in time disappeared. It's presumed that they are dead. Well, they are Lebedevs so they were a target but that also means that the army of Chaos has skills to take them down.
Oscar told them that few of his people attended the opening of the Chaos nightclub and that based on the description of bosses, it's Aiden and Sarah.
"Why are you telling us that only now?", Edward asked, his displeasure is obvious.
They are exchanging information once a week in scheduled meetings, and they agreed to share anything urgent as soon as possible.
"We were not sure. As you know, we all had our suspicions that it's Sarah, but no proof. And when he heard that a male joined as leader's partner, we thought that maybe it is someone else.", Elanor explained. "Now that we know that Aiden is awake, the possibility that it's them is above 95%."
"Can't you at least pretend that you are worried?", Stella asked Elanor who was unable to stop smiling.
"Of course, I'm worried. Worrying is part of my job description as a mother. But I am also proud to know that our kids are capable. Do you know that all organizations in the area are either wary of them or openly fear them? Few foolish ones who tried to oppose them don't exist anymore. And Chaos is expanding at the frightening rate. Did you read about all the fantastic rumors that go around about them? Even our contacts are unable to give us details about the forces Sarah has under her command. We approached few employees in the club and they either don't know anything or are loyal. And the army members are absolutely mute. I'm very impressed."
"Based on our intel report, heads of various groups this coming Tuesday have meetings with Chaos leaders.", Oscar said and named a few: "Fangs from the East LA, Bloody Fists from the bay area…"
"Are you going to talk to Sarah?", Elanor asked Stella. "She is the one who started all this. I don't expect them to stop, but I would like them to be more careful and hopefully they know that they can count on our help if needed. Also, it would be great if they share their plans with us."
Stella shook her head. "She does not want to talk to me. I tried during the Christmas party and it didn't work out."
"I will talk to her.", Edward volunteered.
…
"Hi dad…", Sarah greeted Edward when he entered the workshop.
Sarah got the message from Edward that he wants to talk in private. Other parents are in the office (for some reason) so the only other place where they can talk in private (and she wants to bring her father in) is the workshop. Felix is busy with Sophia so he will not interrupt them.
Also, Sarah wanted to test the latest upgrade on her lens for Eve-vision, so she put them on.
Right now, she is observing her father and the information about his current state is shown: heartrate and breathing are increased slightly, perspiration is higher than normal, his pupils are constricting rapidly… Conclusion: he is anxious.
Edward greeted Sarah back and looked around the workshop.
"You added more equipment…", he approached the high temperature furnace first and then observed the cube-shaped device which Felix uses for testing drones, but it's off so Edward can't understand what it's used for. Various devices and equipment are neatly arranged by the wall. The workshop has two desks which Sarah and Felix are using and few storage cabinets, and other than that it's empty.
"Yes. You haven't been here in months. I'm adding things as I need them.", Sarah explained.
Edward took a seat in a chair where Felix usually sits and faced Sarah. "What are you up to lately?"
"I am spending my days by taking care of my fiancé who woke up from a coma.", Sarah responded.
"How about your nights?"
Sarah suspected that it might be something like this, but she expected that Stella will come to talk to her because it was always her mother who came forward. To Sarah, this proved that Edward and Stella are together in hiding the information from them.
"Will you get to the point?", Sarah asked, unable to hide her irritation.
Edward understood based on Sarah's chance in attitude that this is no time to beat around the bush. He needs to get to the point. "Sarah, sweetie… you are playing with dangerous people."
"Oh? Which ones?"
Edward frowned, unsure how to answer this. And he can tell that Sarah is running out of patience.
"I see that secrets are running in the family.", Sarah sneered.
"Honey, sometimes we keep the information hidden in order to protect our loved ones."
"And sometimes the information you keep can help your loved one… but you don't know about that, do you? Because all you know is to tell me to hide in the corner and to pretend that no one is after me. Did I ask for any of this?"
"Honey, we are only worried that you will get hurt."
Sarah looked at her left hand and balled it into a fist before responding. "Dad, I am hurt already. Every time they attack any of us, someone is hurt. What do you think, when will our luck run out? How close is the day when we don't return home because they succeeded? I don't plan to let that day come. You can tell mom that I don't expect you to help, or to understand… but I need you to stay out of my way."
"Sarah… you need to…"
"Enough!", Sarah roared and her eyes flashed red. "Stop telling me what I need and what I don't need to do. I can tell that you don't want to help. And that means only one thing: stay out of my way. Don't make me treat you as an enemy."
Edward saw Sarah's eyes turn red for a moment, but he was sure that he imagined it.
"Brute force is not enough against them."
"Who said that I'm using only force?"
Sarah saw that Edward frowned because he does not understand what she meant. She smirked while making two swift movements with fingers of her right hand in the air.
Edward looked up and his eyes widened in surprise at the sight of drones. Hundreds of them… silently hovering above his head. He felt the slight air current, but he assumed that it's ventilation in the workshop. Now he understands that the drones stirred the air. He didn't see that Sarah moved her fingers again, but few seconds later all those drones disappeared.
"As you can see, I'm not relying only on brute force.", Sarah said smugly. She lifted drones in the air so that Edward does not see them, but this is fine also. As much as she wants them to leave her alone, she also wants her parents to know that she is not getting into this blindly and that she is ready.
"Eve…", Edward mumbled. Sarah increased security around Eve, so he is unable to see the changes Sarah did, but he observed that Eve is… different.
His eyes shifted few times as he thought about his next step. He understood that Sarah will not stop and right now she will probably not accept their help either. Based on the information he got by looking at their schedules and behavior, even JoAnna and Sophia are out of this, so he is not surprised by this outcome.
Edward moved to Sarah and gave her a card.
She took the card and read the phone number, and her eyebrows lifted in surprise when she read the word on the other side: 'SP3CT3R' .
"He owes me. If you need anything, you can reach out to him.", Edward explained before leaving the workshop.
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