Chapter Twenty-Nine

"So, where did it come from?" Aeron asked Jeremy while the operator was hunched over a microscope. The man had been running tests on the dirt he'd found since the previous morning.

"Give me a second," Jeremy murmured as he moved the speck to another mechanism. He pulled and pressed various levers and buttons before turning back with a worrisome expression. "You aren't going to believe this," he started, "but—as crazy as this may sound—I'm positive that this mud came from Earth." The man was right. Aeron didn't believe him.

"Why don't you scan it again? Who knows? You might have made a mistake." After all, for something like that to show up there… it was simply unthinkable.

"No, I'm certain that this came from Earth. No other realm shares this exact geological structure. Plus, there's bits and pieces of plant life mixed in with it that can only be found there." When he said that, Aeron scowled and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I know what you're thinking. How can that possibly appear in the Scale's safe?" Aeron sighed—this was getting more complex with every moment. "Oh yeah, don't worry, the Minister told me everything."

"That doesn't sound like Beurt," Aeron responded. "How did you get it out of him?" He knew that the Minister let Jeremy inspect the standard tools, but the Scale's existence was classified information only privy to the Minister, himself, and the Council. Then again, he should've expected this. Jeremy was the top researcher and operator.

"Cherub or not, when a man like Beurt is that desperate, he'll do almost anything to keep his head above water. Remember, if an incident as major as this goes unpunished, he might be removed from his position," Jeremy added with a chuckle.

"God, what a nightmare that would be," Aeron groaned as he rolled his fingers against the tabletop. "Either way, it's our job now to track this thing down. Are you certain that it came from there?" Jeremy nodded. "Great," he sighed, "it looks like I've got my work cut out for me."

"You know, this is the first time in my life that I've heard you complain about more work. What? Did the Demons and boring debates just not do it for you?" Aeron rolled his eyes. He wouldn't dignify that question with an answer. "Ah, so now you're giving me the silent treatment—I see how it is."

"How could matter from Earth, of all the realms, possibly make it to that safe?" Unless the Minister was lying, only Angels like himself and trusted personnel had ever laid eyes on the Scale's lockbox. It wasn't something ordinary mortals could ever hope to get close to. Plus—even if they did—it would be impossible to bring physical sediment into the building.

"That question I don't have an answer for. However—if there's one thing I know for certain—it's that you'll have to pay another visit to Earth, and that's a problem."

"Why would that be an issue?" He was a judge. His job was to visit other realms and rehabilitate them. And Earth was the location of his most recent assignment! He knew that place like the back of his hand!

"All I know is that it's dangerous. You're going to have to ask Beurt for more information," Jeremy told him as he carefully placed the speck in a vial before handing it to Aeron. "Take it. You never know when evidence like that might prove useful."

"What? Do you think I'm a bloodhound?" the Cherub snapped. It wasn't like he was going to sniff the perpetrator out.

"No… it's just that—knowing you—I'd think you'd want to keep it." He couldn't tell if Jeremy was serious or pulling his leg. Did he look like the type of person who kept keepsakes?

"Eh, whatever," Aeron thought as he rubbed his eyes. For some reason, this entire situation was making him exhausted. After begrudgingly thanking Jeremy for his work, Aeron shoved the vial into his breast pocket and left to inform their boss of this new development. Thankfully, Beurt wasn't that far away. The Minister was just outside of Jeremy's office, nervously twiddling his thumbs as if he knew his career was crashing down around him. "You know, you could at least try to look professional," he told him as he lit a cigarette and placed it in his mouth.

"Since when do you smoke?" the Minister asked, which was surprising. The old Beurt would've reprimanded him immediately for even thinking of smoking in his presence.

"I guess when your job is hanging by a thread, you don't worry much about simplicities like this," Aeron wondered as he scratched the back of his neck. "Jeremy thinks that the mud we found came from Earth."

"Really. Is that all?" Beurt mumbled as he held his aching head. "God must have it in for me if that's the case." Aeron sighed as he crushed his lit cigarette butt under his heel.

"Jeremy had a similar reaction. Is there a reason why searching Earth is a problem?" he asked. The Minister nodded.

"Yeah… and it's a big one. Rehabilitations take a long time to recover from. If I send someone to search it now, I could risk destroying the entire realm." Doomsdays like what Aeron implemented on Earth intrinsically changed the very foundations of planets. Depending on the method, entire ecosystems and species might morph. So much so that even the mere presence of a judge's gavel could cause significant problems.

"I guess that makes sense. I mean, I did nearly wipe out their entire race," he said. "But that still leaves us with a problem. Somebody needs to search for that scale, and it can't just be any old judge or Angel. It has to be me." He was the only one with the stamina, rank, and strength necessary for this mission. If he didn't take it up, who would?

"This is quite the predicament," Beurt whispered while he chewed nervously on his thumbnail. Even if he wanted to bring someone else in, he couldn't brief them on the Scale. In other words, he was stuck.

"Beurt," Aeron spoke, "no matter how you look at it, I'm the only option." The Minister scowled—he knew he was right. "That said, I can't do something like this alone. Do I have permission to bring in some help?" With how little evidence they had to go on, it was possible that he'd end up having to search for years on end.

"It depends," he said. "Who do you have in mind? If it's a mortal, though, I'm going to have to decline—we can't trust their kind with a matter as important as this." Aeron frowned. That prejudiced mindset would be the end of him someday.

"Well… she is a mortal. However—when it comes to exploring realms—I can't think of anyone better for the job." Beurt might've been a racist fool, but even he couldn't ignore a personal recommendation from the Templar.

"I'll have to read through her file first," he conceded.

"She's a small-time diplomat from the lower sector," Aeron explained as he watched some researchers file past him.

"You want to ask a diplomat for help?" The Minister was shocked. "Aeron, there are so many better options than to bring in some outsider," the Cherub whined as he took out a small notebook. "Here, take this—it's my emergency contacts. There are hundreds of trustworthy Angels that you could take." Aeron was quick to stop the man in his tracks.

"If I'm going to Earth, don't you think it would be better if I had a local at my side?" he said as the Minister sniggered.

"You've spent a hundred years there. Isn't that enough?" Beurt groaned. He made some excellent points. Technically speaking, Aeron had already explored most of the mortal realm. So, why would he need to bring one along with him?

"This one's different. She's an excellent negotiator and is trustworthy. If you're serious about me finding this artifact, we'll need her help."

"Are you seriously asking me to allow some mortal to accompany you?" The Minister obviously wasn't happy with his choice, but he wouldn't back down. "Aeron… I'm trusting you on this. Please understand how urgent this matter is." It appeared he had finally given in. "Who do you want to join your team?"

"Don't worry. Mortals aren't as bad as you think," Aeron joked as he slipped a piece of paper to the Minister. "I've written down her name and contact info. Go ahead and give her a call. I'm sure she'd appreciate it."

"Alright, as long as this person is—" Beurt stopped. "Mr. Weber is this some kind of prank?" he said as he stared at the name with wide eyes. "Why in God's good name would you want her?!"

"I'm assuming this means you've already heard of Zia?" Aeron asked his boss—who was busy ripping the woman's contact information to shreds.

"Have I heard of her?! She's infamous! That woman is one of the few Ascended that holds an official post. I think it's a disgrace. If your actions result in damnation, then that should be it. If I had my way, she'd still be down there burning with the sinners and hypocrites."

"She is certainly unique. However, I feel like her skills would be useful for an investigation like this." Beurt grimaced as his eyes narrowed. Aeron wasn't sure what was more surprising: his expression or the fact that he didn't refuse his suggestion outright.

"Are you positive that you don't want one of your kin as a companion? Just say the word, and I'll find somebody." Aeron grinned and shook his head,

"If it's something like this, then I guarantee that there's nobody in the afterlife better for the job." Again, he was met with silence. Beurt must've been giving this some thought.

"Okay," the man sighed, "I give up—you have my permission to bring Ms. Lombardi in on this assignment. But, if she makes a mistake, it'll be your responsibility, understand?" Aeron shrugged. He was okay with that. "I'll give you until the end of the day to prepare. Please, Templar, make haste, and return the Scale."

"Got it," he told the man as he stretched his wings and flew away. It would take him at least three hours to fly down to Zia's sector, which meant that he had to hurry. As he descended, he flew past a few trainees doing basic exercises.

"Hey, isn't that the Templar?" he heard one of them ask. By the time he'd passed them, he'd amassed quite the crowd.

"Come on. You can at least smile at the newbies. That division is made up entirely of youths—they aren't old and broken like you or me yet," Jeremy spoke from his transmitter.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, Jeremy, but aren't you supposed to be the Minister's lackey?" He should've been appointed a new operator for a job like this.

"Beurt just reassigned me to your support staff for the duration of this mission. He wants me to make sure that you and your chosen partner don't screw anything up." Aeron rolled his eyes, so that's how it was. "I'm amazed that you recommended Ms. Lombardi, though. When the Minister told me, I nearly fell out of my chair."

"What can I say? That lady knows her stuff," Aeron grumbled as Jeremy sniggered and typed something into his computer. "Are you writing a report?"

"How could you tell? I've been working on this baby for five days." The man was most likely plugging away at the following year's research budget. "Hey, I can hear your sighing—you aren't the only one in the Bureau who enjoys their work."

"True… when it comes to your toys, you've always been obsessive," Aeron hissed as he shot through a gigantic cloud. "Ah great," he thought as he rubbed his eyes. It felt as if he had just dunked his corneas in a bath of saltwater.

"Your transmitter is telling me that you're nearing one of my factories. Be careful where you fly there. The exhaust they pump out looks just like clouds but burns as hot as hellfire." Aeron could practically feel the sadistic laughter on the other end of the line.

"Why God? Why did you have to let him be my operator?" If he had a personal hell, this was it. Sadly, he didn't have the time to give Jeremy a piece of his mind. Right now, he needed to focus on his mission. "Is there any way you can contact Zia in advance?" he asked as he neared a residential district.

"Sorry, but the Minister ordered me not to discuss such sensitive information on outside channels. You know how it is. You're going to have to do it in person." Aeron frowned. This whole situation was turning into a massive pain in the ass.

"Well then, I guess my next destination is Zia's office," he thought as he closed his eyes and allowed gravity to overtake him. The wind ruffled his silver feathers like flowing water. At that moment—as he dived through cloud after cloud—he looked like a bird gently flying through the sky.

From the desk of Aeron Weber...

Jeremy has visited hundreds of realms throughout his lifetime, and while he doesn't make it obvious, those trips have had a definite impact on his personality. A few of his coworkers—who knew the man when he was alive—told me that he used to be quite the stick in the mud. I have no idea if they're telling the truth, but the idea is fascinating. Sometimes, I like to think about what the Bureau would look like if he were as serious as they claimed he was. I'm confident that we'd get more done and that I'd have fewer headaches, but I wouldn't want that. Even though I hate the man, I've got to admit that there's a certain… flare he brings to the Bureau that you can't find anywhere else.