Wayne knocked on the door of Christian's new room. Now that he had one of the special rooms, he deserved some curtosy by no one barging in.
While he waited for a response, he thought over again what he was going to tell Christian about the raid yesterday.
Christian
Christian almost jumped at the knock, before getting up from where he'd been reading on the bed.
He quickly grabbed the pencil that had been drawing on the adjacent wall from the air and put it on the nearby table before going to answer the door.
"Wayne?" he looked surprised.
Wayne
Wayne gave him a brief nod.
"Good day, Christian," he began, then cut himself off, seeing the huge dragon mural on the wall. "I say..."
Christian
Christian followed his eyeline, before stepping to the side so he was in the way.
"Don't worry about that, it's just an outline so far," he looked a little embarrassed.
"Take a seat."
Wayne
"Hmm? Oh, thank you," Wayne said.
He sat down on a nearby chair.
"I thought you might like to know the outcome of the raid we conducted yesterday on Lucious' warehouse."
Christian
Christian's eyes widened.
"That was yesterday?" he confirmed, "how did it go?"
He sat down on the bed and leant forward.
Wayne
"It was a huge success," Wayne beamed. "Went better than expected and we siezed a lot more goods, and apprehended a lot more people than we thought we would."
He opted not to add that - going from the reports - they had used more powers than he had wanted. If they wanted to pin the attack on the Fudge Gang, then they needed to cut down on the powers and make it look like humans were involved.
Christian
"Great," Christian breathed a sigh of relief.
"I knew he had a lot there. Of course I don't know if he had backup anywhere else, but if nothing else it's a start. I take it he wasn't actually there himself."
Wayne
Wayne shook his head.
"No, but we didn't think he would be. Security was a bit lax in some areas and it's been our obvservation that when the head honcho's around everyone suddenly gets more diligent about their work. When the cat's away, the mice will play, and all that."
Christian
"Yeah," Christian sighed, screwing his face up a little, "I don't know where he would have been. Bummer."
He scratched his head a little.
"Well I guess you can't win all of them. Ah..." he hesitated thoughtfully, "I probably should have told you this earlier - before you sent them to Miami - but Munza should be in Orlando. So his lot's also in Florida..."
Wayne
"I see," Wayne nodded. "Well, we probably would have brought them back and sent them out again anyway. Do you know where abouts in Orlando?"
He hadn't expected another tip off so soon.
Christian
"It's just North of Disneyworld," Christian used his hands.
"It's not too far off the main highway. I haven't been there in years so I couldn't really tell you what it looked like anymore. But I know it's not too far from Disneyworld because he had some people working on one of the rides there. They might even have something underground in there, but it's not something I really got into."
Wayne
Wayne raised his eyebrows.
"Working on the rides at Disneyworld?" he repeated. "Well, that's certainly... unique. Do you know what rides? Do you know of any entrances to his lot?"
Christian
"It's been years," Christian shook his head regretfully, "they probably would have changed the ride or something by now. It was something mechanical, that's all I remember. And there were plenty of underground tunnels."
He bit his lip thoughtfully.
"I don't think it had a lot above ground. As for the other place... I think it was a store actually. Again it was mostly underground, but whereas Racer just had, you know, a warehouse that was actually rather conspicuous, Munza actually has it disguised. It's how he's been able to operate for so long very out in the open."
Wayne
"Hmm, I see..."
This would certainly be an interesting project. And he could imagine the grins from the team already: "Oh, I know that I'd been on Space Mountain 10 times already but y'know... just trying to make sure there isn't a secret entrance..."
"I'd appreciate any other information you may have," Wayne went on.
Christian
"I think... I'm not sure," Christian made sure he understood, "that one of the people he has working with him is a seer. But if I remember right he was a bit of a nuisance so I don't know if he's killed him off yet. Just watch out for that brat, because he might see you coming. Otherwise that's pretty much all I can tell you without going there myself."
Wayne
Wayne rubbed his chin.
"A seer... that could make things interesting," he said.
He gave Christian a nod.
"We'll keep that in mind and take steps. If there is nothing else, you can think of, I will take my leave. If you think of anything else in the meantime, please let Dr Morton know that you would like to speak with me."
Christian
"I will," Christian nodded, "thankyou."
Then he hesitated.
"Tanya told me. What she'd told you about me. About where I originally come from," he suddenly felt embarrassed.
"How long have you known?"
Wayne
Wayne paused, considering.
"A few years now, I should think... Yes," he affirmed. "Before the 16th birthday, it's strictly rehab warrants, but between the 16th and 18th birthdays we have a choice between the two, determined on an individual basis. Tanya did a pretty good job of disuading me during that time. It must have been just before your 18th that she told me."
Christian
"I don't know my own birth date," Christian's eyes lowered.
"So is the fact that I'm here just to one-up Guffery, or do you honestly expect me to change?"
Wayne
"We elected an estimate," Wayne explained.
He paused before continuing:
"I can't say that we honestly expect you to change. Perhaps that's unfair, but one's upbringing and experiences generally determine the life that someone has. We hope that you will. We hope that we're able to provide you with some new experiences and skills that may redirect the course of your life. We are also aware that outside sources - such as Guffery - may make truly giving you a new life difficult as best."
A rueful smile crossed Wayne's face.
"While getting one-up on Guffrey isn't our objective, it does make a nice bonus. Or it would if we felt we could gloat about it," he said. "Which, I suppose, is another reason I'd rather not have to put a death warrant on you, now I know. That would feel too much like doing his dirty work, and I don't doubt that recapture or death is exactly what he wants with you."
Christian
"Recapture is all he wants," Christian rubbed his face with his hands.
"It's like a... sort of revenge tactic. I've evaded him twice, so each time it's like... 'next time is forever'. You know? That, and his idea of punishment."
He shrugged.
"I think if anyone killed me he'd start to hunt them out. His plan is to make my life hell, not end it."
Wayne
Wayne nodded.
"I see," he said softly, paused a moment, then continued: "Changing the subject... how are you finding it here?"
Christian
Christian cracked a smile.
"I still don't know how to answer that question," he shook his head.
Wayne
"Hmm. Learning anything interesting? Making friends?" Wayne asked. "Anything about the place you hate? Y'know, other than the fact that you're here."
He smiled back.
Christian
"I don't know," Christian replied uneasily.
"I've... spoken to a few kids but I wouldn't consider them friends. This place gives me time. Something I've never had before. And I can't help but see that as a negative thing."
Wayne
Wayne frowned.
"How so?" he inquired.
He'd like to have more time.
Christian
"It's a comfort zone thing," Christian shook his head.
"I'll get used to it eventually I guess."
Wayne
"Ahh," Wayne nodded. "So used to having little time to do things... yes, I understand. You'd feel better if you had some deadlines?"
Christian
"Maybe," Christian screwed his face up again.
"But you couldn't exactly enforce them the way I'm used to."
He couldn't help but chuckle.
Wayne
Wayne grinned.
"What? Do or die?" he said. "No, you're quite right there. But some other consequences don't let you get out of things so easy."
Christian
"Like what?" Christian looked up.
"Going without food for a day? Or is that too inhumane?"
His eyebrows rose.
Wayne
Wayne blinked.
"I wasn't thinking anything like that," Wayne replied. "I was thinking more along the lines of chores, actually. But in any case, I haven't got any deadline worthy projects for you. We'd have to talk to Dr Morton about that, see what he thinks."
Christian
"Damn," Christian joked.
He glanced across at the wall he'd been drawing on.
"Is there any way I can get a curtain for that?" he asked absently.
"I just hate people seeing it unfinished."
Wayne
"I'm sure that could be arranged," Wayne said.
He stood.
"Anyway, I should be going."
Christian
"Well, good luck," Christian shrugged.
"Keep me updated."
Wayne
Wayne nodded.
"Indeed," he said. "Good day, Christian."
And Wayne departed.