Other Side of the Raid
Justice (Part 2)
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Previously on “The Other Side of the Raid”
Chapter 8, Part 1: Justice
Aria arrives in New York two days early for the three-day International Dungeon Safety and Cooperation Summit at UN headquarters. Security is tight, with specialized mages screening for unauthorized surveillance devices and spells. During the opening session, Aria delivers a carefully crafted welcome speech emphasizing international cooperation and Explorer safety, deliberately steering clear of item retrieval or any methods tied to her Federation connections. The conference draws her attention to Dr. Emily Chen, a young analyst from Diamond Analytics whose presentation on cross-border Explorer safety statistics reveals unsettling patterns that capture even the most seasoned delegates.
During the lunch break, Aria finds herself drawn into an informal gathering that quickly takes on the shape of something far more serious. Emily is joined by Marco “Ritmo” Santos of Rio’s Rhythm Raiders Guild, Anastasia Volkova of the Siberian Frost Legion, Jack “Dusty” Thompson of the Outback Explorers Alliance, and Dr. Priya Patel of the Mumbai Crystal Masters Guild. Each subtly establishes credentials and helps secure the table against eavesdroppers before Emily lays out the core of her research: over the past six months, she has identified statistically improbable accident rates among lower-ranked Explorers in dungeons where certain A-rank parties are active—with every incident falling just outside standard Guild monitoring windows.
The group corroborates Emily’s findings from their own regions. Marco has witnessed young Explorers in Rio silenced after questioning specific parties, Dusty has documented a trail of similar incidents across the Pacific rim, and Priya’s Mumbai facility lost two researchers who were investigating the same anomalies. The most urgent case is Lily Zhang, a popular streaming Explorer now in critical condition after a reported “training accident”—she had been due to start an internship at Emily’s research division the following month. Emily’s analysis places a 93.7% probability that the incidents across multiple Guild jurisdictions are connected, and the group steers Aria toward an official diplomatic inspection in Los Angeles, where an A-rank party called the Efficient Exterminators has been particularly active. Aria recognizes both the careful orchestration behind the lunch and the unique opportunity it presents, given her diplomatic authority and her recent conversations with Captain Whiskers.
Key Takeaways:
Aria attends the International Dungeon Safety and Cooperation Summit at UN headquarters in New York, presenting a speech focused on international Explorer safety cooperation
Dr. Emily Chen’s data reveals a pattern of statistically improbable “training accidents” targeting lower-ranked Explorers in dungeons where certain A-rank parties are present
The incidents are timed to fall just outside standard Guild monitoring periods, suggesting deliberate and coordinated targeting
Representatives from Rio, Siberia, Australia, and Mumbai independently confirm similar patterns of Explorer abuse in their own regions
Lily Zhang, a popular streaming Explorer, is in critical condition after the most recent incident and had been set to begin an internship at Emily’s research division
Emily calculates a 93.7% probability that the incidents across multiple Guild jurisdictions are connected
The Efficient Exterminators, an A-rank party active in Los Angeles, is identified as a focal point for investigation
The group subtly encourages Aria to leverage her diplomatic authority to conduct an official inspection in Los Angeles
Justice (Part 2)
During the coffee break, Aria found herself in a quieter corner with the morning’s impromptu group. Dusty was sharing some kind of high-energy trail mix he’d produced from one of his many pockets.
Dusty: “Sometimes the best data comes from being on the ground,” he remarked casually while offering the snacks. “The LA situation might be just one example, but it’s one where we’ve got solid documentation and,” he glanced meaningfully at Aria, “the right people in place to act.”
Marco: “Like a dance where some performers follow their own rhythm,” he added, his usual fluid movements becoming more controlled. “Sometimes you must correct one pair before you can fix the entire ensemble.”
Anastasia: “Given our earlier discussion,” she stated quietly, “tactical analysis suggests organized activity extending beyond Los Angeles. However, addressing even one instance could provide valuable intelligence on larger patterns.”
Priya: “The crystal resonance monitoring systems we’ve been discussing would benefit from comparative analysis in different locations,” she added, her tablet displaying complex energy patterns. “Starting with areas showing the most documented anomalies.”
Emily: “I’ve already started preparing the demonstration protocols for our facility tour,” she adjusted her glasses while pulling up new data. “The Efficient Exterminators tends to be most active during peak exploration hours, so if we time the visit correctly...” She paused, checking another data stream. “While they’re not the only group exploiting the system, they’re perhaps the most... documented.”
The next two days of the conference followed standard diplomatic protocols - endless meetings, policy discussions, and carefully worded agreements about international cooperation. While Aria maintained her official participation in various sessions about Guild standardization and Explorer safety measures, she also noticed how her new colleagues used their time strategically. Anastasia attended every session involving incident reporting procedures, while Emily’s presentations became increasingly focused on data collection methodology in specific regions. Marco and Dusty took turns observing sessions about jurisdiction overlaps, and Priya thoroughly documented discussions about crystal energy monitoring.
By the final day, the closing ceremony moved swiftly through final acknowledgments and formal farewells. As delegates began dispersing, Aria found her new international colleagues exchanging contact information with a sense of purpose that went beyond mere professional courtesy.
Marco: “The rhythm of cooperation,” he grinned while programming numbers into his phone, “it has its own special tempo, no? Though we must each dance to our own tune in our territories.”
Emily: “I’ve already compiled all the relevant data for your visit next week,” she said, then quickly added, “For the facility tour, of course. The statistical comparison protocols are quite fascinating, especially when we factor in regional variations...”
Anastasia: “Documentation has been prepared,” she stated precisely. “Should additional tactical analysis be required. While similar situations exist in other regions, this case presents unique opportunities.”
Dusty: “Just remember,” he added, producing yet another packet of trail mix from somewhere, “sometimes the best data isn’t in the official reports. And what we learn here might help elsewhere, even if we can’t address every problem at once.”
Priya: “Our crystal resonance monitoring systems will be calibrated to receive comparative data,” she noted while checking her tablet. “The patterns we document could prove valuable for future... research purposes.”
As Aria packed her conference materials, she reflected on how a seemingly routine international meeting had evolved into something far more significant. While they couldn’t address every instance of Explorer abuse globally, the LA situation offered something rare: clear documentation, willing witnesses, and unusual interdimensional interest, given Captain Whiskers’s personal involvement.
Three days later, Aria found herself on a flight to LAX, reviewing Emily’s preliminary data on her tablet. The official itinerary listed facility tours, Guild visits, and data analysis sessions. What it didn’t mention were the growing number of “training accidents” that seemed to follow the Efficient Exterminators or the strange patterns that Emily’s data had revealed.
Her diplomatic position offered unique opportunities - she could access areas and request information in ways others couldn’t. Yet she knew this investigation would need to be handled delicately. The Efficient Exterminators had grown confident in their methods, perhaps too confident. After all, as they themselves often said, what happens in a Dungeon, stays in a Dungeon.
One case at a time. Aria reminded herself as the plane began its descent.
We can’t fix everything, but we can make this one count.
The LA skyline emerged through the window, its familiar landmarks bathed in late afternoon sunlight. Somewhere in that sprawl, the Efficient Exterminators continued their activities, unaware that their carefully documented patterns were about to catch up with them.
Emily was waiting at the arrival gate, surrounded by her usual array of tablets and adjusting her smart glasses with nervous energy. As soon as she spotted Aria, she hurried forward, already pulling up data streams.
Emily: “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve delayed your hotel check-in,” she said, fingers flying across one of her tablets. “There’s some data you need to see first, and my office has better security protocols.” Her glasses briefly displayed a series of scrolling numbers. “Also, a 73.8% probability that the Efficient Exterminators has informants in most major hotels.”
During the drive to Diamond Analytics, Emily began outlining what she knew, her usual professional demeanor occasionally cracking when discussing specific incidents.
Emily: “The Efficient Exterminators is led by Marcus Chen, former corporate efficiency expert,” she pulled up a profile on one of her tablets. “His methodology is... disturbingly systematic. They treat lower-rank dungeons like resources to be ‘optimized’ - their term, not mine.”
The clinical precision in her voice can’t quite hide her anger. Aria noted.
Emily: “Their support specialist, Dr. Sarah Williams, has a background in military psychology. My analysis shows a 91.2% correlation between her presence and incidents being classified as ‘psychological stress-induced accidents.’” She adjusted her glasses, pulling up another dataset. “And the twins, Jack Porter and Jill Porter... former Olympic gymnasts until they were disqualified for ‘aggressive conduct.’ Their synchronized attack patterns are technically brilliant but...” she hesitated, “the aftermath is never pretty.”
Aria: “You’ve put together quite a detailed profile on them.”
Emily: “The statistics don’t lie,” she replied, her voice dropping slightly. “In the past six months, lower-rank dungeon incident rates increase by 312% when they’re present. But they’re careful - every incident is perfectly documented as ‘training accidents’ or ‘environmental hazards.’ Until Lily Zhang...” her voice caught slightly, “there was never enough proof to justify official investigation.”
The Diamond Analytics building came into view - a modern structure with crystal-powered security systems visible to Aria’s trained eye. Emily’s office would indeed be a better place for this conversation.
Emily’s office reflected her personality - multiple screens displaying data streams, crystal-powered analytical devices, and what appeared to be a baseball memorabilia collection carefully arranged among research equipment.
Emily: “My father - he’s the LA Guild Master - he knows something’s wrong,” she said while activating additional security protocols. “But the Efficient Exterminators maintains perfect documentation. Every incident has witnesses, signed statements, even medical reports citing ‘unfortunate training accidents.’”
She pulled up several official reports, each meticulously prepared.
Emily: “Look at these timestamps,” she pointed to specific data points. “Each witness statement is filed exactly 43 minutes after each incident. The probability of that happening naturally is...” she adjusts her glasses, “well, statistically impossible.”
Aria: “And your father can’t act without solid evidence?”
Emily: “The Guild system has strict protocols,” she replied, frustration evident in her voice. “A-rank parties have special privileges - they can conduct training sessions, assess lower-rank Explorers, even declare certain areas off-limits for ‘advanced training.’ Dad’s hands are tied without concrete proof of misconduct.”
No wonder she’s been documenting everything so meticulously. Aria realized.
Emily: “Officially, we’re hoping your diplomatic audit might reveal procedural irregularities,” she continued, pulling up more data. “Something that could justify a formal investigation or at least increased oversight of A-rank activities in lower-rank dungeons.”
Her glasses displayed another stream of calculations.
Emily: “Based on current patterns, there’s a 97.3% chance they’ll continue their activities during your inspection. They’re too confident in their system to change their behavior just because of a diplomatic visit.”
After reviewing more evidence, Emily finally drove Aria to her hotel. The building was impressive - clearly chosen to reflect her diplomatic status.
Emily: “I’ve arranged a meeting with Dad tomorrow morning,” she said as Aria collected her luggage. “He’ll have to maintain official neutrality, but...” she hesitated, “he’ll be thorough in explaining all Guild protocols. Including any potential... procedural gaps.”
She’s hoping for an official solution. Aria mused as she headed to check-in.
If only she knew what other options were available.
📡 End of Transmission
Oliver here - That was quite a chapter! Our dimensional frequency is picking up intense emotional resonance from Aria’s world. What did you think of her decision? The comments below are buzzing with theories from other interdimensional travelers...