Going Down

Dragon sighed as he showed them the classified file folder that Flinch gave to him earlier. It contains detailed reports on the currently rampant smuggling incidents at the city port, where cargo after cargos of unregistered containers were seized. One even contained about a hundred young women from a third-class neighboring country.

"The NIA sought help from the Ministry of Defense to gather solid evidence and investigate further on the real man behind these smuggled containers. General Cray volunteered to the task. As he was deeply investigating, he found some clues pointing Claude working with Volga.

"Coincidentally, Shania was commisioned to do reviews on Club Serene. On the day she visited the private lounge, her camera captured Albart Volga and Morris Claude doing an exchange, making both Claude and Volga the suspects to her kidnapping as they have the most suspicious motive. Now this video can prove two things - 1: Claude is somehow working with Devaughn, albeit the matter needs further investigation; and 2: Claude discovered the existence of this video which prompted him more to kidnap Shania."

"Hold on, boss. You mean to say General Cray set up his daughter a bait? Why would he do that?!" Silver Spoon, as loud as he was, interrupted Dragon.

Dragon: "I'd like to believe that Shania was not aware of what her father's been up to. After all, this video happened a couple of months ago. However, I can't be sure about whatever happened afterwards. The timing of her Club Serene incident looks very suspicious too." A dangerous glint appeared in his eyes, so fast no one was able to see it.

"Boss, what I don't understand is why would Devaughn get involved in Claude's shady business? Isn't Devacci Group powerful enough even to rival your Baylis Empire? Also, assuming she eventually had come to know of her father's doing, why would Miss Cray agree to help and risk herself? It's clearly a very dangerous mission for a woman like her." Firebird, the most silent of the group, asked the very gist of Dragon's own analysis.

There was a pin drop silence as the rest of the team gave him a look of utter shock. Well, they can't be blamed. After all, he was the most silent, man-of-few-words among the group. He treated words like gold that they rarely hear the man speak.

Dragon cleared his throat as he recovered from the initial shock.

"That's what I also told Flinch. But, like I said, I feel that the situation isn't as simple as we think. There are quite a lot of gaps here. We can't afford to lose sight of the situation. These men... They are creating ripples in our city."

Green Day stood up as he retrieved the hard drive from his worktable and held it up. "Boss, I'm finished with this hard drive. Should we turn it over to NIA?"

Dragon spoke while reaching for the item, "Yes, but make additional two copies of all your findings. I'll bring this to Flinch soon."

All of a sudden, Blue Bear exclaimed. "Boss, I found an encrypted file as well from the storage drive. From the looks of it, this a record of their group's business transactions. There's a malicious codename here. It kinda rings a bell, but I can't figure it out yet."

Dragon thumbed through the printed copy, "You're right. I think I've heard of this name before, too. Well, I'm thinking I also need to have a talk with General Cray."

Silver Spoon immediately understood what's at risk that he argued, "You do understand that once you met the Cray Family, they would eventually know your double identity. Why don't you have one of us to meet them instead?"

Dragon faced him, "I'll take a gamble here. I have a strong hunch that something's off about this whole Cray situation."

'Besides, I'd like to see what else is that woman hiding,' he smirked at the thought.

"Anyway, for now, we'll just help NIA gather more evidence to speed up their investigation. Dig deeper on the clues we have and follow their trail. But don't expose yourselves."

As he wrapped everything up, Dragon instructed further, "You've all worked hard. I'll see you at the office in thirty-six hours. I want to see you all well rested but don't slack off too much. I still need that prototype as soon as possible."

Firebird, Green Day and Blue Bear: "Roger(1)!"

Silver Spoon followed after, "Boss, what about me? Don't you have any instructions for me, too?"

Dragon smirked and said, "Make sure my stock price doesn't go down. Or you'll be the one to go down."

Silver Spoon murmured mischievously, "I like going down, alright." (2)

Firebird heard him, smacked his friend's head and said, "Tsk! Pervert."

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Abandoned warehouse, Industrial District

Morris Claude was trembling visibly, sweat dripping all over his body as he stood in front of Albart Volga. The latter exhaled with dark face.

"Unbelievable! Utterly useless! How did I end up working with an idiot like you?!" Volga slapped the table twice as he furiously glared at Claude. Losing two solid evidences against their businesses meant their doom is fast approaching.

"Boss, I was wrong! I should've-" Before Claude could explain and apologize for his stupidity, a bodyguard approached Volga with a mobile phone in his hand.

As he listened to the person on the other line, he tilted his head back and pinched his nosebridge. "I got it, Boss. I can take care of 'her' for you. Don't worry. They will definitely regret touching us."

He continued to listen to the voice on the other line. "Yeah, those kids won't know a thing, you can be rest assured. And no, this won't be trailed back to you. You just have to focus on your current project. Let me handle things on this end."

He listened some more before he ended the call. Pulling a tobacco from his jacket pocket, he clipped the edge and lit it up. He savored the intoxicating cigar as a calculating glint appeared in his eyes.

"Stay put and don't make a fuss. Wait for more instructions. We'll play it by ear for now." Volga then stood and left with his men in tow.

As Claude was left alone in the old office, he was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. He dropped to ground as he patted on his chest. "Oh, my heart! At least, I get to keep my tiny life one more day."

But when he remembered the woman who slipped away in his grasp, he clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. His face turning sinister.

"You don't know what's good for you, bitch! You better had died right there. You and your father will regret this even more!"