That Could Have Gone Better (Leon/GM)

[Allison Kazim]

"So how is Miss Violet going to join us?" Since she wasn't with them in the car.

[Zack Asiv]

Winters would smile and nod.

"Ah, Violet has her own mode of travel she prefers. Likely will meet us there shortly after ve arrive by tracking my PT."

[Allison Kazim]

"I see." She was certainly curious, but also had the impression that asking would only result in that same smile and a 'you'll see' response.

Ali decides to off-road it a bit! She and Donovan had walked this part, but she gave the villages enough space that the vehicle wouldn't be at risk of hitting anyone or their flocks outside of it. She still remembered the old shepherd referring to them as children. Naive.

"We should be close. It was a few villages over from here."

[Zack Asiv]

Winters would quietly ride along with a smile.

[Allison Kazim]

It wasn't the first time the smile unnerved her, but short of demanding his thoughts, she wasn't going to find out much.

Unless stopped or instructed otherwise, she parked the car jut outside the area of where they had found the bandits, examining the area.

[Lucifer]

The area which only days before was a barren wasteland was now fertile land. A small field had been plowed and even the very first sprout of crops were starting to poke out of the dirt. A small pond had bubbled and sprung up from a trench that had been dugout. And a few small huts were in construction, though tents were also pitched up. There would be no one around, however with the exception of Azure standing in the middle of the camp. A cautious expression on his face, sword at his hip. But sheathed.

"You've returned."

It wasn't a question, just an observation. But there was no mistaking that he seemed troubled by it like he was expecting a tragedy.

[Allison Kazim]

There was a sense of satisfaction and a fleeting flicker of hope for the people here at the sight of the tilled fields. Signs of life and a home. The things they longed for most, even if it was only Azure standing in the field. His weapon present at his side, caution on his face. It made her wish she had traveled alone.

"We have." She nodded as she got out of the car. "Azure, this is Agent Winters."

[Zack Asiv]

Winters would walk over staying in a to the side line with Ali, smiling and giving a bow.

"As ze Fraulein says. I am Agent Locke Winters and I understand you are to thank for rescuing our trainee's from a likely untimely end."

He would stand up straight after barely taking note of the weapon.

"Vould you be open to some questions about ze bandits zat had ze old var veapons."

[Lucifer]

"It was the right thing to do. We have no desire to see people come to harm."

He continued to eye them cautiously.

"I don't know much, but I am willing to answer your questions as best I can."

[Allison Kazim]

Ali nodded in silence, agreeing with Azure's statement as well as indicating Winters was free to ask without her interjecting for now.

[Zack Asiv]

Winters listened, the experiment was at least negotiable which was helpful.

"Vell, primarily I need to know, if zey appeared to have any form of... Assistance. Did it seem like zey vere vorking on orders, or vas it random? If you could tell at all."

He wasn't pushing it with that question.

"Did zey use the old var tech?"

Simple, but important question.

"Lastly, how powerful do you believe zey are on a scale of unfinished experiment to full fledged General Project experiment."

[Lucifer]

He crossed his arms and frowned as he thought over the questions.

"Unfortunately I have no idea if they were working on the orders of someone else or not. We arrived after your people had already engaged. It did not take long to see what was going on, however."

He sighed lightly, uncrossing his arms.

"Someone used a gun, the woman with you was shot in the chest. They also had bombs strapped to hostages. From what we've seen of the area, they had been using explosives. As for how strong they were, it varies. Some of them appeared to be unpowered. The one with the gun bailed out when we engaged. The powered ones ran the range in power."

His eyes flashed when the word 'project' was mentioned but he'd not stumble on his words. There were a few powerful ones, the biggest threat would be their leader. If I had to guess, I would say they probably operate on a hierarchy of strength."

His eyes moved to Ali, and then back to Winters.

"What are your intentions here? Is it simply to follow up on what your own people could tell you? Or are you here because of me and mine?"

[Allison Kazim]

Ali considered the questions as well, resting her chin on her fingers as she did her best to recall the events that happened.

"That's right. It was some form of metal canister that sounded like thunder." Well, 'gun' was now in her vocabulary. "I didn't see anyone that matches the textbook experiment look to them there. There were prisoners - elderly, ill, women in a cage. But the bandits themselves appeared to be lead by a man with some kind of ability that got stronger when I fought him. He took orders from someone covered head to toe. About this tall." She used her hand to measure the shorter man's height from the ground.

"I didn't sense any sort of qi use from what he used. If he had it, he didn't need to use it."

[Zack Asiv]

Winters looked between them as they spoke, he wasn't ignoring Azure's question, but he wished not to help Ali understand the weapon.

"It is similar to a Prota veapon zat fires elemental Qi energy instead of metal balls, but ze addition of Guns is concerning."

He would then look back at Azure, it wasn't that he couldn't get the info from his own people, it was that they had a perspective that could be helpful. Seemed there was some sort of outside leadership, or possible aid. Bandits aren't generally known for deep working organization.

"Particularly I vas involved due to it's factor of danger, but now... I believe I am involved due to it's importance. Heir Asiv has an offer for you to be left to your own... However, there are stipulations, demands, and as usual ze issue of your true freedom."

[Lucifer]

"I'm listening."