You do not share loot in a fast food restaurant. We are at a parking lot overlooking a romantic lake munching Indian take-away.

  L: I feel like I should not be hungry.

  P: It seems to me that mentally we are no longer fully human.

  L: I resent that. But you should know.

  We concentrate on the food.

  L: We part here, don’t we?

  P: Would you want to continue after this?

  L: You are right.

  I just love Palak Paneer.

  L: I have an address for you. A guy who does forged papers.

  P: Thank you.

  P: You know, shit happens.

  P: And then, sometimes you got to do what is necessary

  L: Necessity. Is that your excuse?

  P: Ultimately yes. Those who object to that do so because they dislike the consequences, not out of honest reasoning.

  There is no objective need for sucking a beverage through a straw out of a bottle to take that long.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  L: Could you drop me off there when you get your papers?

  P: Sure thing.

  P: You know, your basic idea is correct. You will need coins, stones and essences. And these won’t be sold in stores for the forseeable future.

  L: Any you want me to kill for it?

  P: I want you to survive.

  L I am sensing an attempt to make some stupid quote sound profound.

  P: To embrace a goal is to embrace the means necessary to achieve it.

  L: From which book is that?

  P: Read and find out

  A piece of unsolicited advice: Try to avoid causing women with [Mighty Strength] to strike you.

  P: No, seriously. We were undermanned. You need a way to block off intruders, too. And going by railway was putting too much emphasis on staying undetectable.

  L: Any more great advice?

  P: You need to be ready to avoid letting curiosity guide you.

  [Mighty Strength] is a terrifying power.

  P: But this was really a productive looting session. We have a gun and an essence.

  L: I’ll take the gun.

  P: Agreed.

  --

  We are getting troubling news on TV

  ? A cupola of unkbown origin has enveloped the Russian city of Kostroma,

  ? blocking railway and highway traffic just as the world has started rebounding

  ? from the monster intrusions

  P: This may be the power behind the intrusions showing up. Do you still want to leave?

  L: Even more urgently

  P: Then we should spend tomorrow on consolidating our gains.

  --

  Three nondescript men are meeting in an expensive penthouse in Moscow.

  1: It has begun.

  2: Yes. Our drones as well as the ritualists are confirming it.

  1: Have all members been warned?

  2: Yes

  3: We have to assume that the second stage will also come

  1: So you want me to pick a finalist

  3: You have time, but it cannot be avoided.

  1: I have one in mind, but we need to secure him the attunement

  2: We could kill two birds with one stone

  3: That is disgusting

  1: That may be the case, but it also could give him people who would have an incentive to give him somebody to protect.

  3: You are the expert.