At the AWIO (Rachel POV)

Rachel sighed as she got out of bed, getting herself dressed in the quiet, empty house. Why did she decide this was a good idea? She had always been fine being alone before, but now it was ****. Still, she needed to see what was happening at the AWIO, since Trevor was gone and the director likely the same. Marcus and Bree could handle most things, but sometimes a new world native’s perspective helps. Additionally, she handled a lot of the complications from sponsors.

Rachel smiles as she drove to the office. Soon she might be out of a job, if Josh did what he intended. Travel between worlds would be like taking a vacation instead of a permanent move. Rachel supposed that the AWIO would become more of an embassy, or a travel hub.

After arriving, she walks into her office to find a disheveled Bree waiting for her. “I saw you pull in, thank goodness you’re back! I can’t do this alone!”

Rachel looks at the exasperated dryad. “Wait, alone? Where’s Marcus?”

“He disappeared the day Josh left! Cleared out his office and everything. Haven’t heard from the director either. Now that you’re back, I think that leaves you in charge, Rachel.”

Rachel blinks as a realization dawns. “Marcus...Marcus is one of the triumvirate of the Abandoned Empire! That explains why he was to interested in Josh’s plans! And why he was always so cagey about what he did here. I bet he posed as the director as well.”

Bree nods. “So what do we do?”

“All we can do is send a message to Josh. Outside of that, I don’t know that we can do much other than starting to change how this place works. This place needs to be more of an embassy than a dating service. I doubt many people will be coming through from the new world knowing that there’s a major war brewing on the other side, and the changes Josh is making will prevent the kind of tragedy that drives monster girls to flee their homes.”

Bree nods. “Sounds like you have a plan.”

Rachel laughs. “Not at all, but I’ll panic if I don’t do something. Let’s get to work, there’s a lot to do!”