Chapter - 6

The faculty were meeting once again to discuss what had happened. Dr. Bellum was the one monitoring, so, she gave the report. She said, "Tigress and Paper Star are missing, and Troll has been arrested. Troll however did manage to send me a sample of the security algorithm, but without the proper facilities, I don't know when I'll be able to break it."

Maelstrom interrupted saying, "We have a slightly bigger problem. With Roundabout no longer in a position to retrieve are operatives, it is only a matter of time before this location is compromised. We will have to put the mission on hold for now."

They then discussed the cleanup and where to relocate too. They decided to split up and try to find a new location on their own and agreed to contact each other in four months' time. When they were sure any information Troll could give was no longer useful.

However, events would happen to make that meeting untenable. The first one was due to a anonymous tip, Professor Maelstrom would be caught in the London Airport, a computer "glitch" would see that he got stuck in the revolving doors during his attempt to flee. When Achme agents would arrive to take him in.

Similar incidents would happen throughout the months, mostly to the male members. The second thing was because, due to an unseen influence the remaining members would find one reason or another to head towards Middleton. Where they would mysteriously disappear without any trace. [But that is for later, here is what happened the following day of Troll's arrest.]

/////

Carmen was on a conference call with Player, Zack, Ivy, and her mentor Shadowsan. After hearing everything Shadowsan said, "Just so I am clear on everything. Let me repeat, while consulting on how to case a restaurant, you found Tigress, Paper Star, and Troll. After Troll left you stayed to observe the remaining two. Until the "staff" found you and escorted you out. You waited outside after failing to get back in, and not since the doors were locked and at no point have you seen Tigress or Paper Star leave."

Carmen answered, "That is true, but I had to leave once Player told me about Troll's arrest. So, if they left after that I wouldn't know." Shadowsan then asked, "Player, have you learned anything about Troll's arrest?"

Player answered, "From what I can tell the arrest came after an anonymous tip, and as of an hour ago he was given to Achme's agents for questioning." Everyone was silent for a moment, then Shadowsan said, "With Troll captured and since they have lost their means of freeing him cleanly, they will most likely go into hiding, until the information he has is no longer useful. I might know where a few of them would go to hide, but unfortunately I'll need Zack's help."

Carmen responded, "Why don't you share your suspicions, and we can divide and conquer." Shadowsan countered, "Under normal circumstances I would agree, however, with the fact that they were essentially broken by a restaurant hanging over them. It is likely they would try to strike again as a matter of pride."

Then Player said, "Alright so here is the game plan. Ivy will join Carmen as the set-up some surveillance of the restaurant. Shadowsan and Zack will search potential hideouts, and I will maintain contact with everyone to keep both sides up to date."

They agreed to the plan and ended the call. However, they were unaware that there was an extra person monitoring the call. One who collected enough data to deep fake a phone call in the future.

/////

The sound of children laughing and having fun filled the air. It was a noise that was pretty common. Standing in center of it all, was the Happy Man, someone who was seen but no one really paying any attention to.

However, he was watching everyone. The drunk dad hitting on the attractive babysitter. The mom who after a long day just wants a break. And the child who's coddled up-bringing had spoiled them to the point of entitlement.

He seen that and more on a daily basis. He had a pretty productive time since the restaurant opened. Also, his experiments have proven an interesting diversion. Adrena Lynn had proven to be a rather submissive individual. She became a willing member of his bedroom party after one night, and she hasn't even realized that she's not a human anymore.

Tigress was balled up in a corner for a few days, but a little TLC and she accepted her new role. Paper Star was a little more defiant, or at least in the beginning. The expression on her face was priceless after he controlled her like puppets on a string. The three of them joined Shego and the others entertaining him at night. He was almost ready for his next plan.

He unfortunately couldn't figure out how to remove the death flaw, but he did create the next best thing. The hidden micro-drone, he could control a few of them a once, and he doesn't have to leave as long as the target is within town.

There were still problems of course. There were more eyes on the restaurant then he prefers. Still, making the necessary arrangements to deal with them was proving to be a simple matter. All he had to do was time it properly.

/////

Kim was walking with Betty Director. Betty was telling her about the file GJ had on the restaurant. Only one name kept appearing throughout the file, and they were going to talk to the only individual they believed could give them answers.

As they approached, Kim felt nervous. If her instinct was correct, then they would basically be going up to the villain and say, "I know you are evil." They found their target, Betty said, "Happy Man, we need to ask you about William Afton."

H.M. turned to face them; his usual smile gone. He said, "This is not a conversation to be had with an audience. Please, follow me." They followed him to a section that said, "VIP only." They found themselves in a hallway with a bunch of rooms, Kim never knew they were there.

H.M. spoke, "William Afton was the engineer who designed and built most of the animatronic stars here. From the original Fred Bear to the Circus Baby, he even created the Toy Crew. He was also the reason every attempt to revive and maintain the franchise failed."

Kim and Betty looked at each other, then back at H.M. he continued, "Despite the fact the animatronics were created to entertain children. The truth of the matter was Afton was a psychopath wo especially hated children and did some rather horrible things. You are aware that Fazbear's is famous for how life like our animatronics correct?"

Kim nodded and said, "Yes, when we first met, I honestly thought you were a man in a costume." H. M's smile returned, and he said, "Thank you, but unfortunately a side effect of that means the animatronics can be traumatized, as they became unwilling witnesses to his crimes. The reason we're in here, out of the way, is because I don't want to upset them with a ghost. My purpose is to protect them just as much as it is to protect the children."

...

Kim and Betty were standing outside the restaurant. Betty asked, "What do you think?" Kim thought for a moment then said, "I think he told us the truth, but not everything. I think he still hiding something, something dark."

Betty agreed and promised to use her resources to find out everything on William Afton. They left, unaware they both had been tagged with a special tracer. So, a certain individual would know where they were no matter where in the world they tried to hide.

/////

H.M. stood there in his usual place. He did tell them the truth to a point. He just didn't go into detail about the how, for example that the real reason everyone could be traumatized was because they were housing all the ghosts of his victims. He would need to deal with them soon, but the problem was they both were very prominent figures, people would ask questions no matter how it happened.

His thoughts turned to Monique. Kim's friend, if things kept happening to her friends, she might have a crisis of confidence. Could undermine her very being. If nothing else, he could have more toys to play with.

He had made progress observing Kim, her family, her friends, her cheer squad, and their families. He had most of it mapped out. Meeting Betty Director though had put a kink into things, with her looking into Afton, he had some time, unless she somehow figures out that Afton is still technically around. Learning about the man and his actions had honestly soured his mood.

For the first time since he became the Happy Man, he acknowledged the traces of Afton within his mind. This body had been made for him after all, and while the plan failed, an aftertaste could be felt. There wasn't enough to influence him, but more the enough to know recognize the man if he were to return. Enough of him to know the animatronics know the truth of the dark history for Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria.

An argument between to adults that was threatening to become physical had pulled H.M. from his thoughts. As he stepped forward to intercede, he could tell that the louder of the two was drunk.

The drunk one shouted some profanities and then took a swing at H.M. He didn't try to dodge it. The moment the fist made contact; H.M. could hear the bones break. As the drunk man knelt in pain, H.M. grabbed by the shoulder and dragged him outside.

Ten minutes later a cop showed up to take the man to a hospital, and then the drunk tank. The Happy Man then discussed the incident with the other man. Evidently the drunk man was hitting on a young lady, making the girl uncomfortable. The drunk man didn't even have a kid with him, he just bought a slice then spent the entire time trying to hit on any girl who caught his attention. H.M. promised that the incident would not be repeated.

'Hmm, the man is already banned, but I'm going to need to spot others like him. Before this incident my focus was the children not the ones who were also supposed to be watching them. *sigh* More busy work for me then.'

/////

In some office, the three suits were discussing how everything was going. The first read the report, then said, "So, the first month is finished, profits are excellent, and there has been no real incidents reported."

The second then said, "True, but that might be because it's a shiny, new restaurant. We might have to add more things if we want to keep interest high. However, with the fact that the entire thing is automated, it does save us a lot in traditional expenses."

The first suit turned to the third and asked, "On that note, what is the progress for new IPs?" The third man let out a sigh, then said, "Well honestly, not well. We were unable to find the current owner of the Odd World mascots the Rainbow Friends. There was similar issue with the Playtime Company and when it comes to Kandyland, it looks like we will only be able to get the one called Suzy Snacktime."

The first responded, "Well one is better than nothing, but let's expand are option. Check with studios, kindergartens, and or even YouTube. But don't be obsessive, if they say no, respect it and move on."

The second man answered, "Agreed." He looked like he had more to say, but he pauses for a moment to check a notice on his phone. His face became grim and then he said, "Gentlemen, you should know something has just come to my attention. My sources tell me there have been inquiries into William Afton."

The other two also grew grim, then the first man asked, "Did we erase everything that connected him to us?" The third man said, "Everything we had access to, but as they say there are no secrets on the internet. The police filed were unfortunately out of our reach and are a matter of public record at this point, and maybe Global Justice might have a file or two in the original Freddy Fazbear's Pizza incident." The second man let out a sigh and said, "There is nothing we can do, but if anyone asks about the old scandals, then we can throw the former board members under the bus. We wouldn't even be lying."

The other two nodded in agreement. Then they ended the meeting, unaware that certain individuals were already more informed than what they would be comfortable with.