James followed Agent V once the plane landed. Although Xavier had told him to keep his distance, Agent V made sure of that as soon as they touched the tarmac, under orders to end his watch and take James away. At first, he didn't understand why they were in such a rush, but from a distance, he saw Xavier and his entourage being stopped by an army of police officers, who took Xavier in handcuffs and led him out of the building.
He quickly realised why he was pulled away. If the ISD were seen with Xavier at that moment, it would go from a religiously inspired terror attack to a conspiracy about the deep state orchestrating it. Watching, he saw Xavier calmly follow the police's orders, letting himself be dragged off, showing no fear or anger, saying nothing as reporters bombarded him with questions when he left the terminals.
Inside the arresting group, he saw the Captain and Jeremiah. Both looked around in confusion, noticing someone was missing, and when he saw the captain make a call and his phone vibrate, he knew they were looking for him.
"Answer it. On speaker," Agent V said with a calm voice as they followed from a distance.
"Sir." James quietly said and waited. The Captain moved away from Jeremiah so he couldn't overhear.
"I thought you were with him?" James muted and looked to Agent V.
"Tell him, the ISD cannot be seen with Mr Taylor at the moment." Repeating the words back to the Captain, he watched the man freeze up realsing the deeper meaning in his words.
"Have you seriously joined them?"
"They offered me a deal, sir. As for Xavier."
"He's innocent." The Captain said quietly, cutting him off, "He gave us a tip about these attacks. But all evidence points to New Horizon, and right now the city needs a target." James nodded, finally understanding why Xavier was so calm about everything. He had already laid the groundwork to prove his innocence. With the final favour he called in, it was only a matter of time before he walked free
James muted the phone again and turned to Agent V. "That is enough. We have places to be." Nodding, James spoke again.
"I must go." Not waiting for the Captain to speak, he hung up and followed Agent V towards another exit reserved for Government officals. Unlike the packed entrance through which Xavier was being led, it was empty save for a few blacked-out cars and security. Agent V flashed his ID and led James to a car, getting into the driver's seat.
A guard opened the back door for him, and getting in, he saw Parker sitting, waiting for him. "I did not wish to meet like this, but this is unexpected," Parker said with slight anger.
"Will the ISD face any backlash. Both the Agent driving and I will be on the flight logs?" Parker looked to him and shook her head.
"You two were never on that flight nor in Estella. That is the official narrative. So far, only Mr Taylor is a suspect, but I am sure he has prepared for this very moment. There will be no issue." James nodded, wondering why he even worried in the first place, forgetting what type of organisation the ISD was. Parker waited for James to speak, but seeing him say nothing, went again, "Do you have any questions?"
James fell into thought and nodded, "What happened with Cain?" Parker tapped the armrest in thought if she could say anything. Releasing James was already a part of the organisation and had no intention of helping him, she said.
"Mr Manning is cooperating with the ISD in a larger case against General Waltz. He is being held in a secure facility. Outside access is only reserved for his lawyer, but if he is helpful, we will allow visitors." James narrowed his eyes.
"But what of his sentence?"
"He has made a deal. If he follows through, all charges will be dropped." James clenched his fists and ground his teeth.
"He's a murderer." Hatefully saying, Parker showed no reaction as she replied.
"A deal has already been made. His freedom, in return for the knowledge he can provide about the General, is inconsequential." Parker leaned over, "You must understand, now that you work for us, your own feelings in matters are second to the stability of the state. We have already granted great leeway by allowing you to continue your pursuit of Zoktis."
James stared at her and smirked, "You allow me to do so because it is in the state's interest. Don't try to make it seem like anything more." Parker shrugged.
"Of course. That is why, any information that we deem useful to our cause will get our support." James looked into the mechanical eye that pierced the soul and clicked his tongue, turning away.
At first, he didn't wish to say anything, but knowing it was his chance, he sighed and spoke. "They are led by a man who wields time. His aide has an Aretfact that can control space." Parker showed no reaction, and James could tell it was because Agent V had already told her.
"I heard, but not in detail. You met the man. What degree of time could he control?" Paker leaned over and tapped her temple, making a sound of metal tapping against metal.
James stared ahead, vividly remembering it, "He could stop time." Parker tensed up and sat up. Looking at him, she tried to see if he was lying, but seeing that James was honest, she took a sharp breath.
"You are sure?"
"I would never forget."
"I mean, are you sure it was him stopping time?" Parker said with a rare panic. "It wasn't something that felt like that." James scoffed and looked away.
"Anyone else would be confused about its true nature, but I saw his aura. It was defintly time related. It seemed not to affect me completely, since I copied Xavier's ability. He likely was near immune to it." Parker's mechanical eyes flashed with a white light, making her panic vanish.
"Good, anything else?" Parker ignored the news about the Aretfact that controlled space, not seeing it as a threat.
"I saw a book within the Church, about Zoktis. Five Jewels, Five Natures, Five Children. Any idea on what that means?" Parker didn't speak as her fingers danced on the armrest.
"No, the Director may, however." Looking at James, she smiled, "You say you can see the true nature of people's abilities, but you must forgive me for not believing you by your word alone. Prove it. What's mine like?"
James didn't even need to use his eyes to remember what it was like, hers being something that was unlike anyone else, "A circuit board that holds your augmentations together. It is unique even in terms of unique abilities."
Parker nodded in satisfaction, "When we arrive, you will undergo a few tests to prove you are fit for service. Do not worry, if you fail, so long as you aren't a danger, we will keep our end and drop the charges against you." James nodded and leaned against the window, looking out at the passing roads.