Night was drawing across the city in a creeping slide towards the west; the suburbs sat beyond the Schuylkill water caught in dimming relief as the sun dwindled in a smouldering red. To the east, a deepening blue was giving way to darker colours as the suburbs there already twinkled; the Delaware River a snaking border between the peninsula and the city’s limits beyond. The encroach of night quite ordinary, as the neighbourhoods and streets darkened, it would occur, to at least one, that the scene was a little novel, as they surveyed the world from a certain high window. Stood by the tall, narrow glass work, Leon Zander mused that the scene below was a somewhat tranquil picture; a brief portrait of the warmly ordinary, and especially when contrasted with his purpose here. Turning from the window, he continued his trot up from the landing to the second floor; a tall, wide hallway of creaking wood passed as he returned to the room that served as the hub of the investigation.

The agent of that shadowy, half-known agency of Paranormal Control, Leon’s purpose here was part of a wider, singular effort, though the varying elements of that were challenging in themselves; something that had occupied his thoughts, among other concerns, from the moment of arrival in the city. The objective of this task a convincing tangle, the investigation had started some days earlier and had led, as the day dimmed now, to a particular town house in a scenic neighbourhood. It’s tall, cultivated appearance enough to draw passing respect, the building did little to betray its sometimes far from ordinary purposes. It was this very place that drew attention as a car parked close by; the occupants peering briefly at their task before getting out amid the sights and sounds of suburban twilight. The door passed without problem, they knew it was prudent to remain furtive in their business, and thus worked to not draw too much attention to their tasks inside. The first floor ordinary and richly furbished, as per the wealth and taste of the owners, the second and third floors were a more debatable encounter; a selection of locked rooms sometimes reflecting a invested interest in some odd tastes as the paranormal, occult and esoteric might allow.

This room a library of sorts, Leon had investigated for hidden apertures and rooms before requisitioning a table for his needs; the paraphernalia of paranormal and more ordinary investigation spread as bespectacled eyes considered a list of certain things believed found within the house.

Absently tabulating these findings on a tablet computer, cradled in one arm, the approach of sneaker clad feet made him turn to find his partner, of sorts, stood in the doorway, having returned from scrutinising the floor above and with some success, seemingly. As she seemed, she would have been an unexpected choice for a life engaged with paranormal – then again, weren’t they all, at some point, he mused silently. A firm, cultivated build of ordinary height, the brunette was casually clad; sneakers, skirt, shirt and zipper top an inconspicuous profile. Drawing back a bang from blue eyes, Elaine Melbourne proffered a small specimen bag with a measured smile. At this, Leon seemingly perked up at the contents.

“Ah! – hedging my bets, though you found something?”  Bag pinched between two fingers, Elaine nodded and not without some affirmation too. “Thankfully, yes; I thought it was a long shot – many high or polished alchemists careful about cleaning up after themselves, though that doesn’t guarantee something will not slip through the net, and in this case, we’ve struck gold, so to speak...”

Leon welcoming the finding as he took the little baggy, he pressed a slender flashlight to its contents; the sunken twilight of the room not helped by the heavy drapes across the windows. Elaine watching with piqued, though tempered interest she mused openly as Leon considered what they found.

“It’s really quite small, though still rare to find something like that in a casual lab of any sort, especially when you consider what’s involved in making it. I can’t say it’s wholly purified either – something people at HQ might quibble over, though either way, it’s evidence that we need – and more importantly confirms what’s been going here...”

Her words meeting with a nod from her partner, Elaine had drawn across the table as Leon plucked the small object from the plastic recess and considered it from between a pair of tweezers. “Yeah -- yeah, I think we’re on to a winner here. Can’t say that it’s the perfect smoking gun, but where they’re lots of casings, you can bet someone’s been pulling a trigger... and for some alchemists, it’s much the same rule...”

 It was about the size of a baked grain of rice; a somewhat misshapen and mostly cloudy crystal, its centre seemed invested with a golden colour which, if one were to watch closely, concentrated a soft glow. Eyes lingering on it for a time, Leon recorded footage of the finding on the computer with a brisk commentary; these words intended for the review of others once this was uploaded, come time. Finishing his narration, he was careful to return the specimen to the seal bag before slipping back on his glasses. Considering the collection of other various findings, it could be concluded that their mission had been a success, at least this part of it. Eyeing Elaine, his companion craning her head to peer between the drapes to the now lit street below, he considered the time.

“Well... time flies, doesn’t it? It’s been nearly three hours...” Elaine smirked without breaking her watch; a dim smile forming as she glanced back at her friend from the corner of an eye.

“Yeah, and can’t say it wasn’t enjoyable – I think I’m beginning to get a taste for this; all those little nooks, crannies and hiding holes -- like a game, almost... not to mention it’s been like a haunted house without the haunting...” Packing his things away with a grin and dim chuckle, Leon considered the doorway and the seldom lit, shadowy enclaves beyond their pressing search.

“Yeah -- definitely a classic deal for anything in want of a dusty basement or cob webbed attic to dwell in; be that of the tentacle or butcher knife garden variety. Still... pulling you into a shadowed doorway way would probably be an ironic punishment, of sorts...” The levity of his inflection not lost as he considered his partner, Elaine inclined her head with a faux, irksome look before it reformed into a thin smile and hollow chuckle.

“Yes, well... who knows, where we are these days -- still, that doesn’t guarantee a happy ending before the credits role, if you catch my meaning?...” Leon considered her look for a moment, an intriguing expression he had seen before, and nodded with a dry, soft laugh as he took the point.

“Good point, good point... though I can’t say I would mind happy endings, a little more these days, for all involved -- well, you know, all things considered and the stuff we do.”

Elaine drew back towards him from the window, recognising his point though proffering only her knowing smile. “I know... still, it’s getting late now and I doubt we could find any more without more light.” Leon nodded as he shouldered his bag, and regarded his phone again. “Yeah, that’s true. With things like this, we can call it a success and cut out for the night; I can upload this to PC later and we can go from there...”

The two in agreement, they briskly made their way down and, once fairly certain of the privacy of their departure, slipped from the front door and out into the street; nothing in them to suggest suspicion and the house left as it once was, before their sudden arrival. Drawing inside the car, it occurred to Elaine to look up on her side as she opened the door; something in the high corner of her eye catching her interest. Atop the pitched roof of a similarly tall home, was a lingering shape; caught in relief against the glow of the street lights, it unfurled and leapt skyward with a caw before she lost sight of it. Puzzled for a moment, Elaine thought it slightly odd – a sudden, little punctuation to their excursion before she ducked into the car. Leon starting up, Elaine lingered on the sight briefly.

“Something caught your eye?”

“Oh? Hmm... not really – just a crow, maybe a raven, by itself up there. I thought it was a bit odd.” Leon grinned.

“Huh? A tempest tossed raven -- maybe you should try to take things a little easier; all this poe-faced work is getting to you...” His words cresting in a grin as the pun did little to inspire Elaine, she inclined her head with a flat inflection; itself veiling just an ember of levity, though with wearisome regard for Leon’s attempts at on the job humour.

“Quoth the raven: nevermore.”

Leon chuckled as he turned back to the wheel, and soon they were off into the suburban traffic of a Philadelphia night. Though, it would remain that the feathered apparition would linger on Elaine’s thoughts for a little while to come, that night...

<><><><><><><>

The hours that followed the pair were unexceptional; returning to a particular hotel room before electing to leave for dinner a little while later; the place a somewhat bustling, colourful restaurant-bar chain in which the pair found a small enclave to relax, as they could. Their meal a hearty, filling affair as the world swirled on about them – a small cluster of broad monitors screening a football game, with others on local news – the air was thick with mingled voices; the nearest of which was a table of lawyers grumbling about a case they lost.

The ordinary instilled with a curious, warm vibrancy to both, considering their respective callings, they otherwise occupied themselves with their interests; Elaine considering an online article on her phone, while Leon mused on his half veiled tablet; earphones snug as he reviewed a new cache of instructions from PC, in light of their discoveries. Setting the computer aside, he poured himself a new drink before turning to his partner; the slighter brunette drawing back a drink of her own before returning to nurse the Italian delicacy before her.

“It seems that PC was impressed; the intel proved right and we’ve got real hard proof, on top of what we currently have too – the cherry on the cake, so to speak.” Elaine smiled as she lowered her spoon.

“Good job, and not bad for a few days work after we were dropped into this. Any word on what they want to do next?” Leon mused for a moment before shaking his head. “So far, no – they want to have the Intelligence Division consider it, after which they’ll hit us up with their conclusions, sometime tomorrow morning.” It was Elaine’s turn to nod as she wondered on where this might lead – her sentiments honest after the sudden advent of the situation they had been drawn into.

“Hmm... that’s good to hear; more so, as I know Dr. Jekyll – I mean, Charlotte will want to go over this as finely as she can; actually, a stroke of luck she was available after coming down from that incident up in Vermont...” Leon took a drink before returning with a smile.

“Oh, yes, by the way, Dr. Jekyll sends her regards and hopes for the best success. Also, true too, August just finished up in Vermont, as well – things were up and down, but they soon got to grips with things. Biting off a lot never a problem for her – I mean not exactly fuzzy, but she does get the job done.” Elaine watched; a smile tempted as she briefly welled with a sardonic levity.

“Thank you, and nice to hear too – we’ll probably catch up when I get back, but it’s good to hear about August too. I mean... well... we’re kinda back to back on a lot of things, but coming back in one piece I’ll always applaud. Still... well... I can’t shake the idea that she probably gave animal control a few interesting hours – not to mention if it’s like what happened last time...” Leon perked an eye.

“You – you mean the New Jersey operation?” Her smile growing as she indulged a little chuckle, Elaine tempered her humour a little in good taste.

“Yes, yes – I know, I shouldn’t laugh. But the idea of police and animal control chasing down the red eyed, hulking jackal down behind a beach house only to get the bemused, naked August always gets me, just a bit. Trying to explain away the vanishing by diverting attention – her explanation for herself being “a nudist that sometimes sleep walks”, and the resultant antics before PC could pick her up don’t reflect badly, honestly, it’s just... I would think that things like that would soften that inflated esteem, a bit; a little humility never hurt in the long run, I think... still... all things considered now...” Her inflection dimming as her thoughts moved elsewhere, Leon nursed his drink and glanced at the nearby TV screens for a moment; not wishing to brush the situation between the two very “singular” agents of Elaine Melbourne and August Ingrid.

Spying this, Elaine proffered a coy smile as she poured herself another glass and raised it.

“Heh, well... let’s have a little toast to Andrew and August. A great partnership, a credit to their mission and the PC. Hopefully Andrew gets where he’s going, and that August prospers too, if only for want of congeniality.”

Leon gave a dry chuckle, though said nothing, and broke into a smile as he raised his glass; the chink followed as both drank and the night went on.

<><><><><><><>

Several days earlier...

Headquarters of the Paranormal Control Agency.

The room was broad, but darkened; the sole light that of a wide screen upon a wall upon which a transfer of data finally loaded; the logo of the Paranormal Control Agency giving way to a window of statistics and a larger biography below, both of these compounded by the profile of a sharply suited and well groomed blonde woman of middle age. Amid the shadows, a seated woman took to narrate.

“This is Marisa Bennett. In brief, the daughter of successful business men, Marisa delved into the paranormal and occult at a young age. Soon establishing herself in alchemy, she was an influential figure in several circles for many years and is noted as the author of many texts on alchemical history and its impact. Influential as she was, Marisa could be boldly ambitious and it was a factor in many an enterprise which led to her increasing isolation – ultimately alienation – from several of those institutions. With her ambitions stalled in this respect, she retired from her former position to live a more so private life; one more absorbed in her business dealings, though never wholly stopping her alchemical research or habits. This was the fact of the matter for several years, until she seemingly returned more openly to the esoteric – and these circles mingled conspicuously with other business minded persons. It was around this time that a number of small, but notable incidents – seemingly implicating alchemy – were encountered; jarring, sometimes disparate accounts reflecting some common characteristics...”

The woman still watching, the male agent tapped briefly on a tablet computer as the screen shifted to a further scroll of text, a window depicting some small, seemingly glowing crystals and a luminous, golden liquid. From here, he turned and continued.

“From what we understand, the incidents in NYC and then in Baltimore implicate the creation of a certain alchemical compound: one of the so called “great elixirs” called “Solaris”. Considered the golden drink of heroes, and the well of great feats, the elixir was much studied and sought after around Europe for centuries.

The solitary audience inclined her head as she crossed a leg. “Solaris? – Greek for “like the sun”, if that’s right?..” Elaine intoned.

The man nodded. “Yes, very true – and, as you might know, the name is not figurative either; the alchemy producing these small, bright crystals are further refined as to create a luminous, golden elixir which is the Solaris of legend; capable of investing superhuman vitality and power upon those who use it. Investigations in all cases lead us to a certain businessman who resides in Doylestown, Pennsylvania – a leafy suburb north of Philadelphia. It would seem that subsequent investigations point to this business interest and Marisa being very well acquainted – the evidence being that there is a tentative, singular effort to solicit wider attention and use for this elixir, be that with private groups, companies or armed interests...”

In the shadows were she was seated, Elaine briefly considered the small file she had perused briefly beforehand – pertaining to the details of PC’s intended plans, before she returned her eyes to the screen.

The man tapping at the tablet again, the screen fluttered to display a number of locations and associated information.

“Ms. Melbourne, after some deliberation we’ve come to the conclusion that, at this stage in this case, a singular effort is made to penetrate the heart of this operation – and in effect, Ms. Bennett’s agenda.  As the principal suspect is currently out of the country, we intend to press more immediately into her vicinity to build a larger body of evidence, principally from places known for their fairly exclusive and esoteric connections. We do apologise for the sudden demand and your inclusion on this, though considering the current context and its inherent... factors, we would wish to dispatch both yourself and Leon Zander to hopefully conclude this case – the intention being to facilitate the apprehension of Marisa Bennett, breaking down the concerns involved and stopping the proliferation of this alchemical substance...”

 Elaine, watching as the screen dimmed and the lights came up, drew back a little in the high backed chair and mused for a moment; her superiors regarding her with expectant eyes as she sat up. It was suspicious, it was odd but certainly an intriguing mission, if taken up. With a little further reflection, Elaine gave her answer, and it would be a few days later that she and Leon arrived to begin their investigations.

The mission paramount, it was not lost on either Elaine or Leon as to the significance of their location, and the impression so many of the city’s institutions had made on their world – both in the wider sweep, and in the more circuitous, esoteric sense too. The history, the architecture, the palpable pulse of a nourished culture which drew a certain levity from Elaine and a recognition from her partner; Leon noting that his sometimes enigmatic companion in the paranormal seemed eased by this tangent, and very much engaged with the cosmopolitan spirit of the more central districts they visited.

Of course, the importance of their goals never muted, the days of their investigation past swiftly and a grey, rain pregnant morning, after their search of the town house, would find the partners breakfasting on coffee and pastries at a café; their meal timely as a midday communication from PC brought their next objectives – in all a more sedate proposition as their shadowy superiors deliberated on the objectives...

End of Part One

ElaineXHyde: Project Solaris