Alexander was mentally going over the all of the recent developments and was feeling terribly satisfied with himself. Bru-haha was proving to be everything he could want in an employee and more. Today he had even arrived to work in a collared shirt and tie. As Alexander moved up the ranks, he felt he would be right there beside him, integrating the orcs as a new central pillar of labor for Congo.

  Alexander proofread his next policy request change for the orcs: an allowance for a section near the orcs’ barracks to be used for honor duels. The proposal said they should be allowed to fight until submission rather than to the death. While looking over some additional fighting rules and considering how the orcs would feel about them, Bru-haha stepped up to his cubicle.

  “Some visitors are here to see you, Master Alexander,” Bru-haha said with a slight bow.

  “Thank you, Bru-haha. That greeting still doesn’t feel right, so please think of a new one. More casual, if you would.”

  “Certainly, Boss,” Bru replied. “It’s the government employee Brian, who can’t decide on a title, and his partner.”

  “Ah, are they in the conference room?”

  “Yes, Boss.”

  “I think Boss works… thank you, Familiar Bru-haha.”

  “I think just Bru-haha works.”

  “Fair enough.” Alexander nodded as he stood.

  In the conference room, Alexander could see two men sitting through the glass walls. One was Brian Ortez, who Alexander had worked on and off with recently to combat the sporadic monster appearances. The other was a younger gentleman with medium-brown skin and glasses. As Alexander opened the door, the young man stood up with expectation in his eyes. Brian slowly got up and reached out to shake Alexander’s hand.

  As Alexander reached out to reciprocate the handshake, he felt something emanating from Brian’s hand. Alexander paused and touched his glasses. When he did, he noticed a large ring with a black onyx stone on Brian’s hand, emitting a faint orange glow.

  ^

  You notice a suspicious energy coming off of a ring. Do you wish to attempt to identify the item?

  Yes/No

  “Yes,” Alexander confirmed.

  Alexander’s mind raced through the spells he had studied, one standing out: the spell Suggestion. Another prompt hovered near the ring.

  ^

  Identification successful. Item name: Ring of Influence.

  Ring of Influence

  When you shake someone’s hand with this ring, they will view you as someone with a favorable relationship with them. For the next hour, they will be more open to all your suggestions and opinions.

  Alexander withdrew his offered hand and commented, “That is quite the ring you have there.”

  Brian shrugged before responding, “It’s from the prize box I got in the world quest. I figured today might be important enough to use it.”

  “Well, I suggest you not use it on me or my colleagues,” Alexander replied, catching Brian’s eyes briefly unfocus before he smiled.

  “A fair enough suggestion,” Brian said, withdrawing his hand and glancing at it briefly. He shook his head, then gestured to a tall, spindly man behind him. “Let me introduce my colleague, Judah.”

  Judah turned at the sound of his name and extended his hand. “A pleasure to meet you, Alexander. I saw the footage confiscated from Brian’s… friend, and I’m anxious to see your abilities in person.”

  Alexander glanced at Judah’s offered hand and deliberately chose not to shake it. After an awkward pause, Judah withdrew his hand.

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  Noticing the lanyards around their necks, Alexander said, “I see you both have your visitor tags. What brings you to my place of business? Checking on the orcs, I presume?”

  “Actually, we’re here to speak to you,” Brian said, pulling out a photo of a young woman and handing it to Alexander.

  “I don’t recognize her,” Alexander said.

  “This is Megan Dyer, a senior at John Amos High School,” Brian explained. “Two days ago, she went missing during a play. We discovered a portal similar to the one that had appeared here, but smaller, and it seems stable. We believe it leads to a different location.”

  “What reason do you have to believe that?” Alexander asked.

  “Judah is an… expert on fantasy lore that parallels these occurrences,” Brian replied, making air quotations with his fingers when he said “expert.”

  Alexander cast a subtle judging gaze at Judah. Judah, oblivious to his lowly standing, bowed slightly and launched into a rambling explanation.

  “Based on my collected data, the patterns of the manifestations of powers and portals align, and as the nature of the play was fantasy-themed, I—”

  Alexander raised a hand to interrupt. “Excuse me, but this isn’t a work-related conversation. I need to be off the clock.”

  He pulled out his phone, opened the Congo app, and clocked out for his fifteen-minute break. Judah shifted uncomfortably, wanting to continue his explanation.

  “Very well,” Alexander said. “I must decline any invitations you may wish to extend. I am the acting Human Resources Manager, not an agent or adventurer.”

  “You’re a Wizard, Alexander,” Brian said with heavy tone.

  Alexander paused, frustrated that this was becoming common knowledge. Sensing an opportunity, Brian stepped closer and whispered, “Special Investigations has been researching your reported abilities. They haven’t found anyone with powers as diverse or plentiful as yours. There might be one or two worldwide who could compare to you, but it’s a stretch. Do you really want to stay in this office instead of pursuing the opportunities out there?”

  “There’s a young woman who needs your help!” Judah added, appealing to a heroic sentiment Alexander didn’t possess.

  “Congo needs my help,” Alexander countered. “This is a time of transition, and the orcs need a steady leader.”

  “Granted,” Brian admitted. “But modern weapons have no effect on any of the monster types. This is a reconnaissance and rescue mission. We need to know what new threats are out there. Please consider joining the team. We leave in three days, and you’d be compensated handsomely by the Federal payroll.”

  Brian jotted down the timeline for their team.

  “Bru-haha,” Alexander called.

  The two agents flinched as an orc entered the room. “Can you show these gentlemen out? The purpose of their visitor tags has been fulfilled. We don’t want to expose any company practices unnecessarily.”

  Brian rolled his eyes and Judah looked excited to be walked out by an orc.

  “Right away, sir,” Bru-haha said, grinning. His smile had improved greatly, but it still made the agents wince.

  -Brian the Conspirator-

  Brian noticed something different about the orc escorting him and Judah out of the building. The orc carried himself with a dignified air, his appearance polished to a more human standard. It seemed as if he was deliberately trying to put them at ease.

  “Agent Brian,” the orc said in a rumbling baritone, his speech echoing Alexander’s refined cadence, “I overheard some of your conversation due to orc ears being more sensitive than your own.”

  Brian wondered how the orc had become so articulate. Even with the magic translation items that he had seen, typically the education levels showed through with the translation.

  “Of course,” Brian replied. “I must apologize to Alexander if I said anything sensitive within your hearing.” He was testing.

  “Oh, no,” the orc responded. “I assist Alexander closely and am well aware of his immense capabilities, though he doesn’t use them as most would expect. With that in mind, I have a suggestion for you, given the importance of your cause. As you’ve likely learned, our world is fraught with hazards, and even more so in the worlds adjacent to your own.”

  “Worlds adjacent?” Judah squeaked, his eyes wide with excitement and a hint of fear. The revelation was unsettling, and Brian felt the weight of these threats that they were hopelessly ignorant of.

  “I’d appreciate any insights you are willing to share,” Brian said.

  “When it comes to the other planes, I only have heresy to go by. If it’s about appealing to Alexander’s fierce loyalty, you should instead appeal to Congo,” the orc explained.

  “How would we do that?” Judah asked.

  “Why not speak to our General Manager, Susan?” the orc suggested. “Frame it as a chance for expanded business opportunities. Global shipping? Try inter-dimensional shipping. New products, new clients. Alexander could be an excellent brand ambassador, as he’s capable of surviving where others can’t, and the title of Wizard carries honor across worlds—though he prefers to keep that title secret. Wizards are secretive by nature, so the legends say. I had never met one before.”

  The orc’s words made sense, but Brian’s years at the IRS gave him a gut feeling the orc was angling for something in return.

  “How about I mention this to Susan in casual conversation and pass along your card?” the orc offered.

  “I’d be grateful for your help,” Brian said, handing over his business card.

  He had changed his title again before printing them to “Agent of Supernatural Affairs.” He was certain it would change again before the month was out.

  “Any chance you’d join the expedition as well?” Brian asked, feeling more comfortable with the orc.

  “HA!” the orc laughed. “Better to ask young Ridley or that young lad with the colorful dart weapons. Those two will be great champions of this planet!” His face lit up with a devious grin, which he quickly softened to appear less intimidating.

  “As much as I’d value their assistance, the danger is far too unknown to bring minors into this operation,” Brian replied. “Thank you again.”

  The orc nodded and headed back inside.

  “That was an unusual conversation,” Judah remarked as they watched him go.

  “But potentially very profitable,” Brian said. “We need Alexander, no matter how quirky he is.”

  Brian glanced at his Ring of Influence and sighed. It had proven useful when discussing these strange realities with his superiors. Typically he only used it when they had trouble matching common sense with situations that were all but common. Just then, his phone pinged with a notification.

  “Well, at least we have one capable person on their way to join the expedition,” Brian sighed.

  “Really? Who’s that?” Judah asked, glancing at Brian’s phone.

  “That fire sorceress from New York has just decided she is coming to Mekland.”