Chapter 22
Operation Wasp's Sting
Vigau, Arielle, Bonaventure
The Vigau Municipal Police consisted of ten regular officers and five Witch-hunters. As such, the meeting room of the station house was not very big. The Superintendent was not attending, but Master Turco was there, so the count was still fifteen. A map of the town was posted on the chalkboard in the front. In truth, from where he stood, Inspector Andress felt rather like a schoolmaster. Appropriate enough as the regular officers seemed little better than delinquent schoolchildren.
"Gentlemen," he began gravely, "there is a grave violation of the Mage Ban going on in this town. I have been investigating it for weeks and the time to capture those responsible has finally come. We've received an anonymous but credible tip that something big is about to happen tomorrow and we are going to be ready for them.
"For this task, I have deputized fifty volunteers. The day and night patrolmen will be making the rounds in their usual quarters heading a squad of six men each. A Witch-hunter will be assigned to each quarter and has the liberty to go where he will with as many of the deputies as he deems necessary. There's a lot of ground to cover, so I recommend splitting into pairs, but stay within running distance from each other in case backup is required.
"We don't know precisely how many violators will be active tomorrow, but we need to be prepared." He gestured to a nearby desk and said, "ARCANUM has furnished these bangles for both the regular officers and the deputies. They should provide some measure of defense." He pointed to the center of the map. "Master Turco and I will be standing by here in a horseless carriage to respond to the most serious threat at any given moment."
He took a moment to gauge their reactions before continuing, "We want to catch the violators in the act, but don't take any foolish risks. You are authorized to place any suspicious person under arrest and if we have to fill the jail to make this town safe, we will fill the jail."
There were a couple rolling their eyes or making some other display of insufficient regard for the situation. Inspector Andress addressed this head-on, saying, "Some of you, especially among you regular officers, fail to fully appreciate ARCANUM's work. Some of you may even think that life was better before the Mage Ban or have sympathetic views toward the mages. None of that matters now. You have a duty to protect this town and that means putting an end to the abuse of the forbidden arts. Remember your duty and keep your wits about you."
That seemed to get them in line. Even if they were not fully committed to the cause, the risk to their lives would be no less for it. If that was what it took to motivate them, then so be it.
Having put all this together so soon after his assignment here in Vigau did fill him with no small amount of pride. Quite unintentionally, he found himself puffing out his chest a bit as he paced back and forth while delivering the conclusion to his briefing.
"I have dubbed tomorrow's action 'Operation Wasp's Sting', for just as a wasp's sting can decimate a bee hive, we will decimate the rogue mages who flout the law in this town. Their days are coming to an end. Tomorrow we settle things once and for all. Be ready, men. We assemble again tomorrow at dawn. Dismissed."
The room promptly emptied, leaving just the Inspector and Master Turco.
Glancing at the map, then turning to Inspector Andress, Master Turco asked him, "Do you think these measures will be sufficient, Inspector?"
In truth, he would rather have a hundred men and twenty of ARCANUM's mages to comfortably overwhelm the suspects, but he had to make the most of what he had.
"It is all I can do, Master Turco," the Inspector replied. "I will be relying much on your power."
Master Turco grinned.
"Hunting Phoenix Guild wretches, it will be more pleasure than duty."
His personal stake could prove to be more of a liability than a help.
"So long as you are focused on what must be done," the Inspector said, "enjoy yourself as much as you will."
"Oh, you can be quite assured of that," Master Turco replied.
Truth be told, Inspector Andress would be taking no small pleasure in tomorrow's action himself. In particular, he expected to see Giger Taus counted among the first of the jail's new guests. The chase would be at an end at long last. He could hardly wait.