Case 3.6: A Debt Squared

Brogan, Brooke, the Officers, and their new pets, all piled into Brogan’s car, which despite the number of passengers, was still spacious. Buckled up and trying to avoid questions about her ‘glowy friend’, the group headed back to the Stronghold. Everyone was quiet, contemplating what they had all just seen, especially Blaine.

Now, with Brooke safe, Brogan asked again why they were at the bar the other night. They told her about the Bridge Gang getting back into the blood trade and were trying to find a possibly kidnapped Conduit. Brogan said she would report that to Tulgan and that they might help.

Brogan pulled the car into the Stronghold underground car park and got everyone out. She let the animals stay in there, so long as someone would pay for cleaning in the case of any accidents. She called down an employee elevator, and the group headed up once more to the penthouse. They could still hear roving bands of orcs calling out for Brooke as they ascended the elevator. Upon reaching the top floor, they quickly made their way to Tulgan’s office. The giant orc was on his phone, still mobilizing orcs, when the group entered. Seeing Brooke safe, Tulgan hung up his call, leapt over his desk, and barrelled towards the child, stopping short and dropping to a knee (still making him over a foot taller than most of the officers), hugging the girl.

Brogan gave Tulgan the details of what had happened, while Dregu took Brooke back to her room. Tulgan visibly winced at the mention of necromancy. Once Brogan was finished debriefing, Tulgan pulled out some glasses and offered drinks to everyone. Jericho took this moment to berate the orcs for not being able to find Brooke but was quickly and loudly cut off by Tulgan, who reminded him that his team’s incompetence was the reason for this whole shit-show happened in the first place.

Knocking back his drink, Tulgan then thanked the officers and said that they can consider their debt paid off, and also added to Jericho that any medical and therapy costs for Emma will be paid for, and he will also cover Emma’s future education costs. Jericho initially turned it down, saying that he wanted to provide for his daughter himself, but Tulgan insisted that this came with no strings attached and that he would do Emma a disservice by rejecting his offer.

After a long day, the officers left the stronghold and went home, Jericho picked up Emma from Mama Rageegee’s before he went, and thanked the orc for looking after her.