5

Chapter 5

Central Plaza, Cornell Academy, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, Year 2050, Planet: Grimoire

As they talked, shadows passed the windows and one in particular made Brinton recall they were still on the clock. There was paperwork needing filing and reports still yet to be typed. A sigh escaped him. "Enough yammering," He muttered. "I haven't finished all the extra paperwork that was generated."

Bryant scowled at the interruption they'd had right then but nodded in resignation. "Right, I'll also get back to work." He glanced through a window and winced. "It looks like a few other individuals were captured after all."

"Oh really?" Brinton looked out as well and shook his head in disgruntlement. "This would have to happen on my shift." What a mess and here he'd hoped to go home early and spend time with his precious family. "Well, make sure to clock out on time. I'll complete anything that is left unfinished." He reminded Bryant. "Don't be a workaholic like me."

Bryant was still young and single. He should spend more time with his acquaintances, not an old geezer like him, Brinton.

All reminiscing aside, they had work to do, and Brinton was no exception even in this situation. Notifications must take place promptly. Not to do so would be extremely rude and disrespectful to higher officials than himself. "Well, anyway, here I go to contact the director." Brinton heaved a sigh. He almost fell out of his chair when the very director being discussed strolled through the doors.

"You won't need to contact me." Director Moline sat down in a chair. "I've heard all the wildest rumors out there. Now I would like to hear the truth of the matter."

Well, wasn't this a convenient appearance? Now if only the Commander would show up. Brinton wasn't holding his breath for that one. "Sure, we can talk about what happened." He filled in to the director who nodded.

"So, the current rumor going around that the Paynes and Frost siblings are related to Grifton is circulating and gaining strength?" Doyle Moline didn't seem too shocked upon hearing the news.

Brinton steepled his fingers as he sighed in frustration. "Yes, but there is nothing to substantiate whether it is true or not." It also caused quite a controversy when dealing with the six hotheads. They had a knack for stopping arguments when they appeared in person. It was when they and Tinroy weren't around that all kinds of crazy speculation ran rampant.

"Well, there might be some truth to the speculation." Moline shocked them with that statement. "Though I cannot say for certain until some other documents are produced that would verify the truth or not."

Hmm, awkward, Brinton exhaled. "I have talked with all the siblings, even Harper and Daryl." He shrugged. "It seems that they had another reason for coming to this area. They're searching for older siblings who were conceived through their true sire's philandering."

All three men winced. "So, their surnames aren't even their real father's names?" Moline shook his head. "That is very complicated indeed."

They were startled when someone else offered another opinion. "Actually, it isn't inconceivable that their surnames are aliases and therefore are actually legal." It was the Commander Darmono, and he had some folders in his hands. "You'd all better take a look at what I managed to dig up. It would certainly coincide with what happened to those dragons twenty-five years ago." He handed them to the director and Officer Brinton.

Brinton looked through the folders without comment while the Commander continued talking. "There's also reasonable suspicion that some of the young men and women who disappeared overseas never to be heard from again are part of the missing siblings."

Well, that was totally unpleasant for Brinton to hear. He saw the director grimacing as well as recalling some horrific memories.

"Is this going to be unpleasant for Grifton?"

The Director closed his eyes and sighed. "Well, when you consider that three of them were illegally conscripted minors and Tinroy's quadruplets, yes."

Now that horrified Brinton into speechless silence. He rubbed his jaw in agitation because he really hadn't known anything about the past that Grifton had. It appeared that there was a much deeper history seeped in the blood that Brinton could comprehend.

"Well, this is going to become very difficult to approach him about, now, isn't it?" Brinton wanted absolutely nothing to do with it.

The Commander and Director exchanged glances. Moline shrugged while Darmono shook his head wearily. "I can figure something out," Moline informed them wryly. "It won't be the first time I've had to break bad news to Tinroy. It will be the first time that I have to interact with the Frost and Payne siblings." He frowned. "Where should I go to find them?"

Hmm, well at least he could give that much information out. Brinton exhaled. "Most likely they'll have gone over to the Lamberton Dormitory House. It opened its doors to everyone who lost all their belongings from the outlier buildings and warehouses."

What a dreadful outcome to what had been a fairly decent morning and afternoon.

Not only that but it looked as if Tinroy would have another reunion with the Director and not the kind that he'd probably planned on having either. Brinton didn't envy him that particular event. Rather he was more confused because the Commander had yet to budge. "Is there something I can help you with sir?"

The commander blinked at Brinton. "Hmm? No, not really I was just gathering my thoughts before I took my leave as well." As he spoke, Darmono stood up and looked out the window which provided a good view of the activity in the main receiving area. "Is it always this chaotic?"

Brinton shook his head. "No, it isn't. Today is an exception because of those latest arrivals." He indicated the Outlander people who were separated into small cubicles and clearly infuriated about the situation.