035 - The Baying of the Hounds

[Tullaryx]

The agent who survived the encounter with the mystic now known as Tyne was in the ICU section of Lionel Johnson's Napa estate. While it surprised his consligliere when the man appeared out of nowhere in a state that Lionel could only describe as flayed everyone involved recovered quickly to stabilize the man. He couldn't remember the individual's name at the moment, but then he knew enough not to bother trying to remember. The agent and what had been his team did their role well enough for the rest of his recon teams to do their jobs.

"Make sure that once all tests have been completed and checked in triplicate you personally see to it that this agent is to be taken care of," Lionel gave Anselmo instructions before dismissing the man to get back to making preparations for his trip to the Ohio area.

"It shall be done, sir," his ever-loyal assistant replied before leaving the suite to attend to his instructions.

Tyne.

He knew the name sounded familiar. His research just weeks before the incident at theSan Simeon compound brought up the name. He didn't know it was a person. But now that the word was given an identity he could plan on what to do with this self-proclaimed power mystic to suit his needs.

From what the hidden teams who monitored the power-levels which took out the decoy agent team this Tyne was a mystic of significant ability. The fact that Tyne knew spells of Material Translocation was a great find. There's a chance this mystic's adept use of translocation would be of much help in finding the solution to his transdimensional problem. His current problem now was how to counter Tyne's abilities.

While he had enough experiences in his own world with individuals who used magick, or a similar ability, this world's own rules on magick he was still learning and mastering. Lionel knew that he had his own unique set of skills and abilities that none in this world had an equivalent to, but most of it was defensive in nature. His own grasp of spellcasting was due more to his nature than what this world offered. Doniatrakos had mentored him well enough to harness his own magickal abilities, but like others of his kind these abilities still paled in comparison to those whose very nature channeled a world's magickal forces.

Lionel had to use not just preternatural skills and abilities but the tech he had brought over from his own world. Even the strongest spellcaster could be distracted enough to throw their concentration off-kilter. He needed just a few moments of hesistation on Tyne's part for him to take advantage of the game and have it end in his favor. While he had no intention on killing the mystic it didn't mean Tyne would believe his word. He knew he had to bully, entice and bribe this individual to following his lead until he had no more use for him. He may even reward the man for his service. Lionel had no use for this world and only wanted to return to his. It wouldn't hurt to leave this world with someone beholden to him to try and finally take control of everything.

There would be enough time for him to finalize his plans for acquiring Tyne. Even as he pondered on that he watched on the wall monitor the secured live-cam feed of Anselmo gathering the test results on the surviving agent's injuries. There was enough residual magick on the mangled agent's body to try and find a counter to the mystic's powers. While magicks in this world could never be nullified by technology he knew from his studies that their effects could be dampened enough to minimize their damage.

On another part of the wall was a set of monitors where he had handpicked operatives who would act as his harriers. They were to take no part on taking down Tyne. Their role was just to harry and hound the man to the point of exhaustion. Even mystics of significant power had a limit to what they can do physically. He knew each operative to do their job even if it meant to their death. Each he had blood-bonded personally. There would be no hesistation on their part. His will was theirs and no amount of primal self-preservation instinct remained in these individuals. Even if he ends up losing the whole platoon it would be worth it if it meant Tyne was in his custody by the end of the operation.

He had to bring Tyne back alive and for that he knew that he may end up damaging his own self in the process. It was a good thing that he wasn't human anymore by standards of what makes one human. For the upcoming operation he decided to forgo his synthetic serum and go for the real red instead. He usually detested the practice of going for the natural stuff, but he needed his own abilities and skills to be at their peak.

"Anselmo, when you are done in the ICU could you begin the selection of 'volunteers' who'll be donating prior to operation commencement," Lionel spoke into his wireless headset. His consigliere looked up at the camera closest to him and nodded at his instructions.

With that Lionel sat back in his chair and thought of his dead man's contigency plan. There was a chance he wouldn't survive this encounter and if that possibility ever comes to pass the results of the tests made from the residual ashes of the victims of the San Simeon compound would be released on this world.

If this world was to keep him from ever returning home then he would make sure this world paid for its interference.
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