Jeanne watched without flinching as the general returned her an inquisitive gaze. The tribunal had ended more than half an hour ago, and most of the officers present must have already returned to their respective bases or private homes. But the old division general had insisted on seeing Jeanne before she went home to submit her action plan. And she couldn't refuse without unfortunately offending an entire institution.
So they had taken an isolated room in the courthouse, and protected their discussion with a special barrier made by Jeanne – suffice to say that the efficiency was pushed to the maximum. The general had really wasted no time.
_ Guudi?
Jeanne's voice echoed in the room.
_ You mean you found a way to corner the Guudi organization? A criminal organization that has been tracked for almost 15 years, without success despite numerous leads. And you're telling me you found a way to finally get them?
_ Nothing is really certain, the old man retorted. But our undercover agents have sent the coordinates of several locations for an important meeting of the group members. And this matter, he added, handing her a sheaf of report papers, is all yours. I don't need to tell you that it's top secret, do I?
Jeanne half-reached for the documents before stopping.
_ Let me guess, it's to prove my worth as a member of the 10?
_ That's right, the general replied in a deadpan tone. It's an operation of the highest importance, which should at least be entrusted to rank 3 or 5 of the circle. But in view of the events, you can no longer shirk your responsibilities; it's high time you took your work seriously with all the functions that come with it.
Jeanne didn't even try to find an alternative to get out of it. Finding the king of the night was also a goal she had set for herself as soon as she heard about it. However…
_ When you talk about all the functions…
_ You will have your own special forces unit.
Jeanne had all the trouble in the world not to roll her eyes.
_ Yes, and it's non-negotiable, the general continued as if he had guessed what she was thinking.
_ You want me to fight on a mission of this dimension with people I've never met? How do I know if they're up to it?
_ The Neew unit – named as you know after your code name – has been relentlessly trained and is composed of veteran warriors. And besides, you're the one who refused your duties until now.
_ … Is it really necessary? I'm strong enough to complete this mission alone.
_ That's not the question, and in case of unforeseen circumstances, losing a Paddaan from the circle of 10 is something the General Staff wants to avoid at all costs.
Seeing no objection from her, the general continued:
_ You will meet your team members this Monday. In the meantime, let's discuss the details of the operation in depth.
Another half hour later, Jeanne was walking up the corridor to the exit of the courthouse, excited but also quite irritated, the operation documents in hand. Right next to the large carved wooden door, leaning against a white pillar, a man straightened up at her arrival as if he had been waiting for her. Jeanne let out a sigh of exasperation.
_ What do you want, Jeanne said without slowing down to the Top chief.
_ Oh, I just wanted to talk to you a little, the chief said, following her.
_ I don't feel like it, get lost.
_ Oh, it's just curiosity, the man said courteously, about those words that Agent K00029 reported to me…
_ Oh, for fuck saké, don't you know how to read the mood or what, I don't want to talk to you and even less see you!
Jeanne had practically screamed as she passed through the doors. The few people who were present in the park leading to the exit momentarily turned towards them but the young girl paid them no attention. On the main road, the traffic was still as active, the purring of cars blending in as a natural sound. The Top chief seemed as dangerously calm as before.
_ This conversation, he continued, we know you're hiding something from the General Staff.
_ Then why didn't you talk about it during the trial, Jeanne hissed angrily. Were you afraid I'd mention the fact that your basic policy is to completely extinguish people's consciousness?
There was a silence during which the two characters judged each other with their eyes, a barely disguised hostility hanging between them. Jeanne made a slight tchip, annoyed by this short exchange.
_ Listen, neither you nor I want this matter to be known, so we're going to do something. You stay in your corner and you don't interfere with what I do. If you even try to disturb me in the future, then I swear it will be the beginning of a war between you and me, a war from which I will emerge victorious, is that clear?
Jeanne didn't wait for his answer. Putting a fierce final point to the conversation, she strode across the park and raised her hand as soon as she reached the road. A taxi quickly responded to her call, positioning itself towards her at the edge of the sidewalk. Jeanne immediately opened the passenger seat and rushed into it, disregarding the taxi driver's protests.
_ Hey, easy there, lil' lady, he exclaimed, showing his brown and slightly rotten teeth, we need to discuss the price and the destination.
_ Take me to Lac Rose.
_ Lac what? the driver gasped with a bewildered look. In Keur Massar? You want me to go from Dakar city to Keur Massar with this traffic? It won't be possible, lil'…
_ 50,000 likha, Jeanne simply replied, pulling out bundles of money from her wallet.
_ … Fasten your seatbelt.
Jeanne complied. The sun, through the window, filtered directly into her eyes and she groaned, putting her hand in front of her face. Looking closer, she could see the golden lines streaking across the blurry sky, caused by the barrier. The branches of Gouy-gui were much more visible here, as they were barely a few kilometers from the sacred tree.
Jeanne sank into her seat and let herself go, only tilting her head back to avoid the light in her eyes. The sensation of some warmth on her skin felt incredibly good.
The car was, as expected, stuck in traffic. They had taken the toll road, but it wasn't surprising. All roads leading to Dakar-City faced hellish congestion, since everyone was heading there, either for work or for matters that could only be handled in the capital's heart.
The driver, likely enticed by the prospect of profit after seeing Jeanne pull out a thick wad of cash without effort, tried to start a conversation every ten minutes. But Jeanne ignored him completely. Eyes closed, head tilted back, she enjoyed an impromptu sunbath in peace. Meanwhile, her mind ventured into a realm of possibilities previously out of reach.
If this wound was truly a flaw, she could use it to find answers. Where? That was a good question. She faced a breach in the walls of a prison she had always thought unbreakable. Would she find an escape? Or just another, worse prison? Honestly, Jeanne didn't care about the consequences. It was a price to pay. Even suffering brought knowledge, and the young woman knew knowledge was her most devastating weapon.
Jeanne's thoughts were suddenly cut off by an odd cold sensation. The car hadn't moved, so it wasn't acceleration causing these gusts of wind. The warmth on her body faded sharply, then disappeared entirely.
These signs, along with the distinct smell in the air, were all too familiar, much to the Paddaan's dismay as she sat up and rolled up the passenger window.
The smell of rain…
Sure enough, seconds later, rain pounded the asphalt road with a deafening roar.
"Wow, that was sudden," the driver exclaimed, turning on the wipers for better visibility.
Jeanne only grunted in response. She would've preferred the sun to linger a bit longer.
Because she knew that where she was headed, there wasn't a shred of warmth for her.