Tears of Themis Episode 5 – Sins of Cynicism (I)

As this is part 1 of a 3-part episode, there are fewer scenes in comparison. There are 13 scenes in Episode 5(I) made up of 5 story scenes, 6 debate battles (recommended power level 20879 – 27169) and the balance are crime scene investigations. While the power jump may seem unreachable, I actually managed to complete this episode using a team with a power slightly higher than 21,000. However I had to do a manual run and choose my cards wisely to win it. Perhaps the boosts from skills and Study Room (available mid-way through Episode 5) talent upgrades also helped. Spoilers ahead!

The story begins in a lab, eight weeks prior to the defamation case by Heirson Health Products against Jasmine Kenders, we are introduced to two new characters Jerome Adams, a handsome young researcher, and his mentor. We only know that Tyson is taking action to take down the investigation team (NXX?) and that Jerome is responsible for some kind of human testing.

The scene switches to NXX HQ which is located in an English manor owned by Vyn. It isn’t your first time here since agreeing to join the squad and once again you are treated to a routine clash of tongues between Artem and Marius over the disappearance of Giann von Hagen and Professor Hume’s disappearance. Marius is certain that his brother’s kidnapping had something to do with the Professor who had last contacted him. As the professor was Artem’s mentor, he is loathe to think that he had anything to do with it and cited that the email was incomplete and just circumstantial evidence.

While you fretted over the tense atmosphere, Vyn calmly offers you to tea. His code name within NXX is Adjudicator and is responsible for mental disorder cases. It also dawned on you that your first meeting with Vyn was a psychological assessment as part of NXX recruitment. Vyn further explains that due to the differences in opinion, Artem suggested adding a fourth member so as to view the investigations more objectively. Vyn shared that while he too has divergent views over the professor, he was certainly grateful to have made your acquaintance as a result.

Marius finally calms down after realising he had said something unreasonable to Artem and apologises. Vyn added his point of view that while the professor may have been an honorable man, his state of mind did seem to display some loss of integrity which could have led him to act out of character. Silence ensues. Artem turns to you and apologises for dragging you along for the ride due to his own selfishness. You tell him that your decision to join NXX was purely your own decision and he need not feel the burden. He reiterated that it was also his decision hence he shares some responsibility. Witnessing the exchange between the two of you, Marius butts in and tries to tear you two back to the main topic. The conversation between the three is too funny not to record here.

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Artem’s deep gaze gently rests on you. It seems as if he wants to say something but he only reacts with a small smile.

Artem: Yes. They were your decisions, as well as mine. Therefore, I share some responsibility

Marius: <awkward cough> Since we’re such responsible people, let’s get back to our main topic of discussion. <Turning to you> Don’t worry, Jie Jie. I’m King – I won’t let any danger get close to you.

Artem: …

Vyn: Are we not returning to the main topic of discussion? I did not wake up early and come here to listen to your boasts, Marius.

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Going back to the main topic of discussion, you learnt that the illegal substance that Heirson had been using is NXX also known as Flora X. It was a bacteria that was introduced to Stellis back in the 1930s which caused a widespread epidemic. Subsequently in the 1970s, both Pax and Crimson worked together on developing a gene-repairing medicine using NXX. However the research was forced to shut down due to its severe side effects and all samples were ordered to be destroyed. Its most prominent side effect is that it leads to changes in a person’s mental state while in most severe cases, NXX is known to affect development and cause irreversible damage to nervous system or organs.

The fact that the illegal substance NXX has found its way into the market suggests that some other powerful organisation has gotten its hands on the substance and is illegally using it in consumer products. All the X-NOTE cases identified are connected to the use or distribution of the said substance. Putting all the notes together, you surmise that there may be problems with Heirson’s products and would be the best entry point for investigation. Given the seriousness of the case, Marius had notified the relevant authorities on NXX’s findings and they have assigned a secret agent to assist the team.

The new addition to the squad is none other than Luke, an agent from the National Security Bureau (I guess this is an equivalent of FBI). Immediately after the meeting was over, Luke dragged you away without a word until you reached his home. You had no idea why he was so angry with you, when he was the one who had concealed what he had been doing the last eight years. He demanded to know your reason for joining NXX. After listening to your explanation, he confessed that after entering university, he had gotten involved with a transnational case which inadvertently led him to be recruited as part of NSB.

Knowing that as an agent of NSB would constantly put his life in danger, he had intended to completely disappear from your life until during one mission he had come across a shipment of drugs that contained NXX and the origins pointed to somewhere in Stellis. Concerned for you and your parent’s safety, he had requested to be personally assigned to this case, thus his presence back in the city. Finally understanding what Luke had gone through all these years, you shared your original concerns over his welfare since he was almost family, and now learning that he was in NSB, your pride that he qualified as one of the best and brightest in the country.

You also shared how you were happy to be working together with him in NXX. Luke, however, did not share the same sentiments. He didn’t want you involved in this case considering the dangers involved but you were adamant about staying. You were done with running just because something was challenging. In that moment, Luke approached you and hugged you closely, reminiscent of the hugs he used to give you as a child to comfort you. You told him you were not afraid but Luke said he was and embraces you even tighter, begging you to quit. Both of you remain in this position in silence.

After awhile, Luke lets go of you and you try and plead your case with him. You told him that you didn’t want to lose sight of him anymore, and now that you are older and have the power to turn the tides, you didn’t just want to wait at a corner and worry. Luke finally sighs and commented that the code name Rosa which you have chosen for yourself is very apt – love, pure and resilient. He relents and resigns to a life where he will always follow your lead, to be your rock and pillar of support. Gazing into Luke’s eyes, you realised that Luke no longer seemed just like family but it was too premature to figure what it was.

For the investigation into Heirson’s illegal doings, you will be partnering Luke to discover the truth behind Jasmine Kenders’ death. Jasmine was your client whom you had helped with the adoption of an autistic child named Hugh. Prior to her death last year, she had been investigating and reporting on the connection between Heirson’s research facility at Opaline Village and the contamination of its water. Jasmine’s case originally had not been flagged out for investigation by NXX but someone had hacked into the Big Data Lab database recently and changed the case status from closed to open several times prompting NXX to look into the case. You decided to start the investigation at Jasmine’s apartment. Luke gifts with you a specially designed lipstick that could also function as a tranquillizer.

Meanwhile Marius does his own digging into the Big Data Lab hacking incident as well as the suspicious circumstances around Tyson’s sudden hospitalisation. Vyn also visits Janus in prison to learn more about his use of Heirson’s products and services. Janus shared that Heirson’s efferverscent had worked wonders for his skin though it did not work consistently well. Vyn offers Janus a win-win proposal for his aid in their investigation into Heirson in exchange for a reduced sentence on basis of good behaviour.

The search at Jasmine’s apartment unveils more questions and suspects than narrows them. After leaving the place, Luke catches Hugh, who should have been at the orphanage, spying at you from the bushes. Observing the condition in which Hugh was in, you decided to bring him back with you to your apartment with hopes to uncover more information. After much cajoling, Hugh requested that you help him avenge his mother’s death in exchange for the information you need… to be continued.

This is the first time we see all the four guys together in the same setting. What is immediately obvious is that Marius is the loudest, most hot-headed and most easily jelly guy among them, probably a function of age. Though it still amuses me. And probably for the same reasons, we see that Artem, Vyn and Luke are irked by his behaviour – Artem telling him he has no interest in his family gossips, Vyn in his boasts and Luke uses Big Data Lab firewall as hacking practice. I would love to know what went through the three NXX members’ mind when they saw Luke pull you away right after the meeting. If they were all interested in you, surely Luke’s appearance is their biggest threat now. Haha.