As they made their way to the main event space, Sage gave a smile over her shoulder.

"You'll all like it, scrumpchkins," she cooed. "A special guest is among us and no entry fee."

"No entry fee?" Tyler fumbled in his pockets. "But I—fignuts!" he shouted and stopped. "My Bolt!" He began to make his way back to the station. "It's got my ID in there, and, and everything, too. I-I had it with me in the taxi, must have fallen out, guys, you got the number still?"

Luka rolled his eyes. "But you can't go all the way back—"

"Luka, the number. Maya?" Tyler shifted from one foot to the other. Scotch could not help but think how hot he still looked panicking. As Maya called the taxi driver and asked about a Bolt, Tyler looked like he wanted to make a dash for it. Scotch met eyes with him.

"It'll be fine," he said.

"Yeah, I hope." Tyler gave a lopsided smile. "Damn it. I was just so caught up into," He leaned over to whisper, "flirting with you."

Scotch burned. Damn it.

"Got it!" Maya said. "They took it back to the school."

"I'm going." Tyler moved to leave when Luka stopped him.

"All the way back?"

"Yeah."

"Ridiculous."

Tyler shrugged. "Go on without me. I'll be quick. Be back in no time. See ya," he said and flashed a smile at Scotch and ran off. "I'll text you when I get it!" he called back.

"I'd hate losin' my Bolt, but not worried about ID," Mason said. "What'd he whisper to you, Scotchie? And are we goin'?"

Ty's hittin' on me. But when do we start datin'? Scotch pursed his lips. With Dex they had an official 'do you wanna be my boyfriend' conversation. He didn't like it so unclear.

Moments later they were in a huge banquet hall with a stage way up front that had band playing music. Citizens of various Halfhuman sub-species were milling about in fancy suits, casual dress, and everything in between. There was a large space opened up before the stage and some citizens were dancing a slow waltz with their partners.

Such things that the Human cultures left in our veins. Scotch recalled the documentary on Human culture that came all the way from a faraway planet called Earth. According to that, Humans hated each other so much that they nearly went extinct until some got on a spaceship and traipsed over to Elgana, claiming it as their own. With them, they brought their culture.

Centuries and centuries ago and here Halfhumans still waltz like pathetic Humans. Scotch hated slow music for dancing. Dancing, at least, he could successfully do. But it had to be fast with musicians strumming crittles and stomping on orckets. The slow stuff, he never knew how to move his body.

"They've got scotch, help yourself," Luka said and went to greet some other citizens who turned to smile at him.

"Well, guess we gonna help ourselves," Ginger said. River nodded and together they walked over to the drink table which was self-serve. Podge had gone to talk with some cityfolk and Maya had disappeared as well as Sage.

"Suddenly, I don't feel very hungry," Mason said as he eyed the many tables around them. The tables all had plates with little gray cakes, gray cupcakes, other gray pastries on them. Why was everything gray? There were also some little appetizers that looked like black ooze on green crackers, and strange little gelatin things on single spoons with a dollop of strange brown sauce on it.

If this is what the rich eat, I don't wanna be rich. Scotch frowned.

It was obviously the kind of party they were not used to. "How about drinks?" Scotch said to Mason and tried to make the most of it, but the drink section was crowded with citizens milling about talking with drinks in hands or paws. River and Ginger could only stand awkwardly behind, waiting to get in which didn't seem like it was going to happen anytime soon.

Awkward and uncomfortable. Scotch exchanged uneasy glances with Mason. This was not what they signed up for. He had been hoping something comfy-cozy and what he got was an entire reunion party he didn't belong to. What made it worse was how all of the citizens here had no country accents.

"Ya think they did this on purpose?" Mason whispered so only Scotch could hear.

His Bolt buzzed. Scotch saw it was a text from Tyler. Before he could open it, the lights in the banquet hall dimmed and the musicians carried their instruments off the stage. Sage came up onto the stage.

Sage stage. Scotch smirked at the rhyme. He took a quick look at the first line of the text but all it said was 'scotch'. A senior next to him glared and Scotch hurriedly put the Bolt away. He would look at it later. At least Tyler had found his Bolt.

A beam of light directed onto her and her green and yellow shimmering dress looked all the more expensive as it sparkled. Everyone had stopped their chattering and gathered around the stage, pushing Scotch and Mason around. They dodged the crowd and went off to the side.

"Damn, like a herd of hungry oinkers." Mason bristled.

Scotch nodded in agreement. "And the food looks just like the garbage we feed them back home."

River and Ginger soon joined Scotch and Mason on the sidelines. They still didn't have their drinks but did have scowls plastered on their faces.

"Ain't ever gonna come to one of these again. Never not," Ginger whispered hotly and folded her arms across her chest.

Sage adjusted the Speecher around her head and began to speak into it. Her clear voice was amplified, and it echoed around the room. She started off thanking everyone for coming and all the usual formalities that bored Scotch so he soon tuned it out and began to count, as best he could, to see how many citizens were actually here. But he quickly lost count for it seemed like the entire student body from Cataloogy Police Academy was there.

Even more were coming in as Sage spoke. The entire banquet hall became like the school's auditorium in no time. Scotch even recognized some from attending the same classes. There was a sudden tap on his shoulder. Cursing himself for not paying attention to his surroundings well enough to notice, he whipped his head around to find Christoph.

"It's you!" He hissed and Christoph shrugged. "You were invited?"

Mason turned. "You were invited?" He looked him up and down. Christoph was dressed in a simple white shirt with a dark green tie that had little light green 'CPA's all over it—something from the school's on-campus shop. Over his arm draped a dark blue jacket.

"Came with a cityfolk senior. He said I should if I have nothing to do." Christoph said. "Looks like the academy moved to the hotel."

"No shite, Charlotte." River remarked. "It's obvious we were all lied to."

All lied to might be an overstatement. He caught word of excitement, something to do with 'promotion' and 'wish I get picked'. As more and more citizens joined, Scotch caught sight of some doormen in hotel uniform ushering stragglers in and closing the doors. Scotch strained his ears and focused on that specific direction. It was something he had been practicing and it was paying off. He caught the tail-ends of a few words the three doormen exchanged as they gather up some bags at their feet.

"...they're up to, reckon?" said a scratchy voice.

"...tell with police bums," said a female and Scotch turned his head just in time to see two males and a female leave with the last words being from the female.

"Why worry? We get paid."

Scotch frowned and turned his attention back to the stage.

"And now, the female that made all of this possible. Please welcome her with a round of applause!" Sage said and began to clap. Others joined in, murmuring amongst themselves. Who could their special guest be?

A shadow of a Gaetlin stood behind the curtain. Out came Trinity. The crowd gasped and some stopped clapping. Scotch gaped in sheer shock as Captain Trinity came onto the stage dressed in her police uniform as if she'd just come from a job straight to the stage. She took the Speecher from Sage.

"Thank you, Bellware," Trinity smiled a toothy, fangy, Gaetlin smile. "Students, you must all be wondering why I'm here at your party. But this is not just any party. This is a celebration. During last year and the beginning of this year, myself, Sambles, Torrent, and Grant, with the lead of Sambles, have created a Special Student Task Force. SSTF is to provide our bright young students an early opportunity for a job. You will be assigned to an ongoing investigation and take part in it as back-up and receive on-hand, on-field supervision. Not just Cataloogy, but in any city, any town, you will be sent to work over break and come back to CPA and exceed. The Second Ring needs more bright, young, strong policecitizens to keep order to prepare for trying times."

Tryin' times? Maybe Humans have divided politics, but I haven't heard anythin' about tryin' times. Scotch looked at Mason who mirrored his expression of confusion. Trinity went on to explain that the idea for a student force came about two years ago when Edglings massacred the Kathula race and the politics in the High Collection seemed to falter.

"Better to be careful than be sorry." Trinity shook her head and then smiled. "To start off SSTF, I have contemplated long and hard who will lead the force. They must be intelligent, quick on their feet, and able to handle any situation. They must be determined to keep our Ring safe and, even after graduation, be willing to dedicate their lives to helping nurture students for a brighter future. It's an honorable promotion to one such senior."

Trinity gestured to Maya who looked around. Those around her stepped back as if they had known all along. "Maya Sambles, would you join me on stage?"

Whoever started it, citizens began to clap and cheer, but Scotch didn't join in. Maya, him, and Luka had overtly talked about the OB case and there was no doubt in his mind Trinity was suspicious. Maya looked shy at first, but once she was handed the Speecher, she gave a non-faltering acceptance speech as if she may have been hinted at it before. After her speech, Luka could be heard cheering the loudest probably proud of his girlfriend.

"That's gotta boost her career," Mason mumbled.

"I thought ya talked 'bout OB to her?"

"Ty did." Scotch nodded to Ginger, his heart fluttering with nerves. If Maya was as helpful as she claimed she was, she could hide the OB case from Trinity to help them. But Scotch had only talked to her briefly on the call and maybe a few words on their way to Rickitine Hotel. He barely knew her.

Does Ty know about this? He wondered.

When Trinity took the stage again, the room was filled with a buzz of excitement.

"Now, Sambles will lead SSTF, but until her graduation, I will be managing the force. And Quinn Torrent, who was not able to make it here tonight, has agreed to be Support as well as Luka Grant, who is here with us, yes," She smiled to Luka who saluted her stiffly, "I see you, Grant." She turned back to the crowd. "Other members of Support have been notified. You know who you are. Please do come with me backstage. I have your first task." Her eyes scanned the crowd and Scotch craned his neck to see if anyone straightened their backs or saluted her under her gaze, but he couldn't tell.

Trinity smiled. "Now, do indulge in the food and later, I believe there's a scavenger hunt planned. I won't be joining you for that, but I have contributed to the fees of the venue tonight so do enjoy yourselves. Thank you."

Students clapped and cheered as Trinity stepped off the stage. Mason was clapping next to Scotch but with minor enthusiasm. Scotch crossed his arms and whispered, "Suspish."

Mason grimaced. "Ya think?"

"She's leadin' it!" he hissed back. "And do we know to trust Maya? I talked to her, rather, she yapped." Scotch had told Crystal Hunters the details, but with Christoph here, he kept his mouth shut.

River shrugged and flung her long black hair over her shoulder. "You know, she seemed nice. We didn't talk 'bout OB, but we did talk 'bout junior year and what that would be like. Nothin' that would get me barkin'."

Mason frowned. "What about Luka? He'd just gone off cheerin' like a maniac for her. I think he must've known. I don't know." His voice trailed off.

A dinner was to follow after, so the banquet hall was emptied of students and they were sent to another banquet hall with more gray-mush finger food. Scotch took that time to check his Bolt.

scotch, found Bolt, as you can read *wink*

Scotch smirked and sent a smirk emoji. It didn't go on read. He guessed Tyler was probably on the train on his way back right now. He decided to tell him about Maya and her promotion to lead Trinity's Special Student Task Force.

Luka and Quinn are involved. Know about that? He added and sent it. Scotch only knew Luka personally. Quinn, he didn't talk to since that day she and Tyler saved him from pervert Alex. Whether he was in cahoots with Trinity or not, that in itself was a problem. Thinking about that reminded him of something his father once told him.

There're two types of corruption, Scotchie. Corruption made from the outside and corruption from the inside. Outside is somewhat easy to deal with. Someone or somethin' hurts the force, and the force falters because they were too weak to deal with the hurt. Inside is the most dangerous 'cause ya never know who or what is the real problem. It could be somethin' near and close to ya. Inside is hard to change. It could break the force.

His father had been talking to him that day after Scotch and Mason got in trouble with their pranks but happened to expose that the open kitchen system in Marmaglaid meant that food could easily be tampered with. He and Mason had put nulberries in everything as a joke. They were disgustingly bitter.

But damn, I miss open kitchen. Could go in and get a bite to eat whenever. Scotch licked his lips, feeling hungry. Open kitchen was where Marmaglaid's community kitchen was left open for anyone to go in and eat at any time to share food abundance, so no one went hungry. Now it was closed kitchen and if you were there at a certain time, you would go hungry.

Twenty minutes later, Sage called them all back in for dinner. The dinner was used as a time to talk about the scavenger hunt. Each table of citizens were given a list of items they needed to find. Winner would get a ticket to Melgobbie Lake World, the biggest amusement park in the entire Ring. It was to be two tickets for each member, which was quite expensive. If Scotch's team won, he would take Tyler with him and there, they would have the most romantic time. Then it would be one thing he could thank Trinity for.

"Dreamin' and schemin'," Mason said with a laugh.

"Why am I sitting with you?" Christoph muttered from the billionth time that night. Scotch kicked him under the table and then Christoph curled his lip.

"You wanna scotch?" he said. "Oh, but if you have it, it'll be cannibalism."

River groaned. "That's the worse one I've ever heard, Two Names."

"Don't call me that, K-9," he scoffed.

"Rude!" River barked.

"Ya just lonely and ya don't wanna admit it, aye?" Ginger said with a teasing smile. Her cheeks were pink even though she barely had any to drink. "Poor little boy."

"Shut up, wench," Christoph glared, "you don't know me."

Don't care to know. Scotch tipped back his beer. It was the bitter beer, not the sweet one he was used to, but it gave just the right amount of sting. It could even be stronger for him. To really get him drunk, it had to be scotch straight from the bottle. And, the whole bottle.

"No idea about Luka bein' in that," Mason said in a low voice, eyeing the table of new SSTF members. Luka, Maya, and four others were sitting together. Luka turned their way and smiled. One could never whisper covertly around a Sarvai even if they did have Human ears.

About thirty minutes later, Maya left the room. A few minutes after, Luka followed. Scotch got another text from Tyler. His heart almost stopped when he read it.

Beware of Maya. Cahoots. Trinity. OB.

'When did you know' he began to type and stopped. Tyler wasn't back when he should well be by now. Almost an hour had passed since the last text. They were already finishing their dinner.

Ty, where are you? He texted instead. Finishing dinner already.

Archives.

???

Breech. I was called. With Quinn. Then saw your text. Investigating. OB files tampered with. I don't believe Quinn's involved. She said Maya's been a loyal-spoil to Trinity. Trying to conceal information.

A breech? Could it be the female Human? It shouldn't have made him feel so uneasy if he didn't just hear about SSTF where Quinn, Luka, and Maya were involved but not Tyler.

But the OB case, the files are missing right? That's what Luka and Maya told me.

A lightning bolt of realization jolted through him.

The files aren't missing? Luka & Maya lied?

If they lied, we can't stay here. Tyler is with Quinn and who knows who else. Scotch couldn't sit, so he stood. Mason broke away from his argument with River.

"What's goin' on?"

"A bad feelin'," Scotch said and amidst the stares of his friends—and one frenemy—he bit his lip. He had a hunch they had to leave. Tyler was in danger. Maybe he was capable, but if Trinity had gone back, he might not. Before Scotch could suggest they ditch the party, the lights dimmed. It was the Sage Stage again.

"Well, what a good meal that was! Have you had your fill? I think it's time for our scavenger hunt! I already said the rules, but one more time—no sabotage, be civil, and make sure you gather all your items in those baskets with your table number on them. I'll be watching you, so you won't cheat and try to steal another teams'. Also, locked doors are off limits including the basement, this room, and the parking lot. Maya will pass out the scavenger lists and once that is done, I will count down to three and then you will all run out of this room. Remember the prize? Two tickets for each team member to go to Melgobbie Lake World."

Maya was coming around, so Scotch sat down. Tyler was with Quinn in the archives, potentially something to do with OB case. But if the file was missing, why were they investigating? Just precautions?

"Good luck, country kids," Maya said as she handed Christoph a red envelope.

"I'm not a country kid. They are." Christoph shoved the envelope in Scotch's face. "So, you be the leader, Beverage. You decided to call yourselves Crystal Hunters, I'm sure you can manage this if you can do that kind of child's play."

Mason chuckled. Scotch scowled and pinched his friend's cheek before he could say he agreed with Christoph. Scotch was good at deciding things and whether Christoph knew that or not was a matter he was not going to focus on.

"Three, two, one, begin!" came the call from Sage and everyone scrambled up from their chairs and ran out the doors. But Scotch couldn't focus right away. His mind was hung up about Tyler. There was no answer. Scotch scowled and sent a quick text.

Are you ok?

"Scotchie, let's go," River said.

A text came. Scotch looked down at the screen. River and Mason were peering over his shoulder.

Watch out for Luka.

===========

Note: Hi, author here! :D

Whoa, so, a lot of things happened at Rickitine (rih-keh-tahin) Hotel, a four-star hotel. Tine like in Valentine. It's Rikeh, not Ricky. They are particular about it, you can bet :P

Have you been to a four-star hotel? What was your experience like?

Comment here! ===>

I have, but the service was like a one-star hotel. It was for an academic conference I went to. Maybe it was the closest to a real four-star they could get. Idk XD