Negotiation plans

When we make it back to the mansion, we report what happened to us.

When the topic turns to Holmes, Lupin's expression becomes one of pure disdain. "So that pesky trickster is joining the opposition. That's troublesome. Still, she's no match against me. Still, troublesome. No! It's really no big deal! It isn't... But she's really getting involved, huh."

"Your pride seems to be having a very public battle with your actual feelings." Nemo says.

"She must have had a really tough time during that abduction mission." Van Helsing says. "That's what happens when you fight using methods that lack any depths. Consider it a lesson learned."

"Shut up! I got away, so I won!" Lupin says.

"You were about to be caught when I got to you. You were all 'Nemo! Save me, already!'"

"Not true! I was merely acting hysterical to confuse the enemy! I was planning my miraculous escape from there!" Lupin says.

"Her pride as a lady thief won't let her get over it." Doreen says.

After we finish explaining most of what happened, the biggest remaining is Victoria's wanted notice.

"What should we do? Would it be best if we just shut ourselves in the mansion?" I ask.

"If we do that, they'll eventually detect our location and surround us." Van Helsing says.

"True... This location will be easily found if both the military and the Yard are looking for us, on top of Progenitor." Doreen says.

"Then should we escape London and set up a hideout somewhere else?" Nemo asks.

"That's not a bad idea, but it's going to interfere with our search for information on Pretorius. There's nowhere else as good." Lupin says.

"Whaaat, then there's nothing we can do?" Nemo says.

"...No. There is one way." Victoria looks up at us all, and everyone's eyes are on her. "Listen carefully, Caleb. I think Progenitor, and Pretorius, are searching for you, independently of the others. I don't think the British government is involved in the search for you, either."

"Good point. If the government was looking for him, then they would probably have expanded their forces in the first place." Doreen says.

"Wait a second there. Wasn't it the King's guards who were trying to kidnap him in the first place?" Nemo asks.

"I believe that Pretorius used her position to use them for her own purposes." Victoria says. "Think about it. Even though they failed to capture him, the government hasn't launched any sort of investigation."

"Oh..." Nemo says.

"That means that the only one who the government is after... is me." Victoria says this with a great deal of **** behind her words.

Doreen's voice hardens a little, as if she sense that something is off. "Victoria... Are you considering turning yourself in?"

Turning herself in... is Victoria willing to sacrifice herself to divert the government's attention away from us?

Even though we are fugitives at this point, I don't want to think about handing her over so easily. "That would be saving ourselves at your expense. I don't like that..."

Nemo agrees with my initial negative reaction. "Hmm... I wouldn't be able to sleep with that on my conscience. I'm against it, too!"

In response to our protests, Victoria smiles grimly and waves her hand. "No, that's not it. I can't let myself be captured just yet. There's still something I need to do."

"And what is that...?" Lupin asks.

"Ah... it's not really relevant right now. The point is..." Victoria says. "I feel that I have a way to negotiate with the government to get them to stop chasing us."

"Negotiate with the government? That's a pretty outlandish idea." Van Helsing says. "So if I decide to move forward with your negotiation idea, who would we speak to? Reckless words won't get you any help."

Victoria slowly shakes her head at Van Helping's challenge. "It's fine. I'm not saying this out of desperation. I know we have a good chance." She quickly sighs, then turns to us with determination. "I'm going to get Victor on how side."

"'Victor'... You don't mean... King Victor?!" Nemo asks.

"Yes, that's exactly who I mean." Victoria says. "As I mentioned before, King Victor wants to capture me. He wants certain knowledge that I have. But his greatest fear is that this knowledge will be leaked to other countries. If what I know gets out, the current international situation could be overturned and place Britain in a difficult situation."

"Uhh... International situation, huh...?" Nemo asks.

"That's quite a large stage you speak of." Doreen says.

"So... You're thinking of approaching King Victor, using this knowledge as a bargaining chip?" Van Helsing asks.

"Yes. In exchange for not spreading my secrets to other countries, I will ask her to guarantee our safety and freedom." Victoria says. "I'll expose to him that Progenitor is after us as well, and have him restrict Pretorius' actions so that we're not targeted. That way, we can resolve all our problems surrounding us at once."

"Hm... And what is this knowledge?" Doreen asks.

"I can't tell you." Victoria says.

I wonder why. I thought I saw a dark shadow across Victoria's face when this was brought up.

"Hmph, no matter. If you're that confident, then you probably stand a good chance of success." Van Helsing says. "If you get results, I have no complaints about the methods involved."

"But Victoria, this isn't something that can be done easily, right?" I ask. "There must be a reason why you've been running all this time without doing this."

"You're very perceptive. You're right, Caleb." Victoria says. "It was something I've been considering. But King Victor is the highest-ranking politician. Is he doesn't agree, I'll probably be locked up in some research lab, never to see the light of day again. That's why I escaped."

"Are you sure? You're going to have the most dangerous role if you're trying to use yourself as a negotiation piece." Lupin says.

"That's fine. I don't want to cause trouble for all of you." Victoria says. I can see a strong light in Victoria's gentle eyes behind her glasses. "Victor and Pretorius... We're up against the most powerful people in the country. If we miss this opportunity, we'll be swallowed up by their power in the blink of an eye. The more time passes, the tighter the noose Progenitor, the military, and the police are creating will be. Before they catch us, we have to make the first move. That naturally puts all of you in a dangerous position as well. I know it's a lot to ask but I need your help."

We all look at one another.

"Why not? I'm in. We need a breakthrough either way, and if you say you're ready to take this on, I have no objections." Lupin says.

"Then I'm in, too. It would be totally lame if we get caught and didn't even put up a fight before being thrown in prison." Nemo says.

"You don't even need to ask me. Life as a fugitive is getting pretty cramped. I was becoming bored with it." Van Helsing says. "If we have a means to free ourselves of this situation, we should got or it, no matter what."

"Then I shall cooperate as well, though I don't think there is much I can do." Doreen says.

"I'm fine, if that's what Victoria wants." I say.

"Thank you, everyone. I promise, I will repay you all for this kindness." Victoria says this with her usual smile.

But... For some reason, it looks to like her smile is ****.