Sparks for a Fire [Part 2]

“For starters, this is Josefine and from what she’s willing to share with me at the moment, she’s an international agent on a mission.” Carmen began. “Josefine, this is my Team and we take on clients who have been subjected to kidnappings… And I must show my appreciation for stopping my husband's actions last night.” She spoke with honesty.

“Happy to help…” Josefine smiled. “So I know why Zuma is after the boy, but why are you with him? I’m skeptical that someone of a high caliber education would be involved in a non-government funded task force.” She then proposed.

“Well, to summarize, Izel here was rescued by a few of us in the middle of an unprompted nanobot demonstration. So, he’s hanging close to us for safety.”

“‘Nanobots’ ya say…” Josefine reviewed the ideas in her mind. “So, he’s like your hostage?” She then remarked bluntly, as Izel understandably recoiled in strange embarrassment.

“Uh, well not really, but moving on… She’s going to supply us with some much needed upgrades as long as we lend a helping hand during her stay in Nuevo Eztli.” Carmen explained.

“What is it exactly does she need our help for?” Izel chimed in, focused on their ever evolving circumstances.

“For starters, my mission is to locate the missing President of BijouStars Inc.” Josefine mentioned.

“That’s the French genetic engineering company, right? I read some rumors, but I suppose it's true.” Izel remarked.

“True as the sky is blue. I’ve been here just over a week and my best led is Zuma, because he has a very colorful history of abductions.” Josefine mentioned, with Chima in the background tensing with tame frustration. “But he’s not cracking as easily as I’d hope so getting information out of him might take awhile.” She then added.

“You can’t hack into his memory?” Izel questioned.

“Well, I can’t hack into soft matter, actually, I can… But he might get radiation poisoning.” Josefine realized. “But that’s not necessary, yet, he has a burner phone on him with contacts that are connected with the company. So, he’s definitely hiding something.” She mentioned.

“That’s the gist of it… We’ll provide Josefine with our localized expertise in exchange for high end tech. Any questions?” Carmen announced.

Izel went to raise his hand, clearly the only one prepared with questions, but Josefine randomly excused herself to go into the hallway. Invisible to the other’s eye, Josefine received a call from her boss Kingsley. Izel just watched her walk away in confusion, to then be distracted by his phone vibrating intensely. Once he look at it, seeing a missed call from his father following a message simply saying—Turn on the News—

“Yeah, what’s up? This must be urgent?” Josefine asked Kingsley via Thought Phone with mild weariness.

“I take it you haven’t heard what’s on the News yet.” Kingsley quickly remarked, with a slightly shook tone.

“What?” Josefine faintly asked to then quickly return to the main room to see if there's a TV nearby. “Hey do you have a—” She announced to be met with the TV already on with the latest news.

—For those who have been following this story unfolding the past hour, another Chief Corporate Official of a major Scientific organization has just been declared missing, totaling 36 missing people within the past 30 hours. Each holding positions of CEO, COO, or President of their respective organizations—

From that simple excerpt from the news station’s anchor person: everyone in the main room froze in shock at such an impossibility. Josefine could only find the nearest chair to sit, while she tried her best to understand the gravity of this sudden event.

“Well Kingsley, seems like that feeling you had was right on the money.” Josefine grinned as the events unfolded.

“Good thing you're not the betting type. You ready for the real kicker?” Kingsley joked as Josefine readied herself. “Just like our missing girl, each of these organizations are heavily involved with Gene Editing, Genetic Engineering, and DNA/RNA Modifications.” She stated.

“My god… Someone must’ve discovered something they shouldn't have.” Josefine lamented.

“Super soldier gene, a bio weapon, could be anything.” Kingsley speculated in slight fear.

“What do you want me to do now?” Josefine asked.

“Just stay there and get all the information you can.” Kingsley instructed. “At this point, I’m sure you’ll find something significant, maybe that something that someone could be hiding, or if this was one or multiple powerful individuals behind this whole fiasco.” She added.

“Sounds like a plan.” Josefine simply said.

“Stay safe out there Agent, good luck with your new acquaintances… You’re probably going to need them—Kingsley out.” She ended the call with Josefine best wishes in mind.

“Well shit… Looks like you joined the Team at the perfect time.” Cash suddenly declared, gesturing directly at Josefine.

Josefine clearly felt a nerve or two of overwhelming madness at this impossibility, as she sat still with her new formed partnerships.

“Josefine… If there's anything you want to add, feel free.” Carmen asked, equally bewildered by the event, while the others held many eyes of interest of what she might say.

“Right now…” Josefine stood up and walked to the muted TV. “We’ll certainly have our work cut out for us.” She declared.

“What do you suggest?” Chima boldly spoke.

Once more the Team glared at Josefine, hoping for an answer, weary for the future. As the news of the missing persons unravels in growing numbers, the world will quickly reflect this unprecedented action with unfettered chaos. Josefine still found the confidence to perk her signature smirk with a pride like no other, ready to reveal her grant plan.

“I say… We should be the ones to start a small fire.”