"You knew about this?" Ethan demanded, his voice dangerously low. "You knew they were selling people? Are you in agreement with this, Thompson? Do you support this horror?"

Thompson sighed, looking out over the manicured garden. "It's not about whether I support it or not, Ethan," Thompson said, his voice heavy with resignation. "This goes far beyond anything you can imagine."

He turned back to Ethan, a look of grim honesty on his face. "Do you truly believe being a Congressman gives me substantial power? I wouldn't even be qualified to set foot in this compound. The only reason I was allowed in tonight, and the only reason they tolerated your entry with me, is because removing Vance has made me the near-certain future Governor. I barely qualify to be here."

Thompson paused, letting that reality sink in. "The reason I know about these auctions and their mechanics is because I once accompanied my former mentor, a very powerful man, to one of these events. He explained how they functioned, top to bottom."

"That still doesn't explain why you support this filthy place," Ethan said, his fists subtly clenching.

"I don't support it, Ethan, but I cannot do anything," Thompson countered, shaking his head. "Even the people they sell here—the slaves—have no salvation. Suppose one escaped and ran straight to the police. The police would question them, confirm their 'ownership,' and return them to their buyer without a second thought. These slaves are legally recognized on a global level."

Thompson looked out at the dark sky. "Do you think Celestial Garden is the only organization of its kind in the world? There are many great associations, just as large or more powerful than Celestial, and they decided together—among the world's true powers—that this trade will happen. You cannot fight the entire world for mere ideals, Ethan. That is a lesson learned slowly, usually painfully."

Thompson's words hit Ethan with unexpected force. He had anticipated local corruption, but not a level of complexity where the world's most powerful entities had quietly sanctioned these barbaric acts. The sheer scale of the agreement was staggering.

Suddenly, a resonant voice boomed over the compound's hidden loudspeakers, signaling the end of the recess.

"Attention, respected bidders! The second, and most exclusive, round of the evening will now commence! Only those holding an invitation of Silver Tier or higher are permitted to proceed. Please follow the marked pathway to the secondary gallery."

Ethan instinctively looked down at the envelope Thompson had given him. He broke the seal and saw a simple, heavy card with a distinct silver symbol embossed on it, indicating the required tier.

"What will you do?" Thompson asked, watching Ethan intently.

"I'll go," Ethan said, his voice flat and resolved. "I want to see the degradation they are capable of with my own eyes."

Thompson simply nodded, accepting the answer. "This way," he said, leading Ethan past the initial auction room and down a much more discreet, heavily guarded corridor. They entered a smaller, more exclusive hall. Of the sixty or seventy people who had been in the main room, only about twenty highly privileged individuals followed the instructions and entered the silver gallery. The rest began to politely excuse themselves, indicating their level was not high enough.

Outside the mansion, nestled in the dense woods bordering the property, Jason watched through thermal optics as a steady stream of less-important guests began exiting the compound. He spoke urgently into his comms.

"Everyone, get into position now. Guests are leaving, the main event is starting," Jason said. "If Ethan signals that anything has gone wrong, or if we see any signs of a struggle, we go in. Massacre everything you find until we retrieve the assets."

Old Falcon stood beside him, adjusting the scope on his long-range rifle.

"Are you truly ready to face the entire world for your boss, Jason?" Old Falcon asked, his voice rough and quiet.

"Completely ready," Jason said, his eyes fixed on the mansion's distant walls. His voice held no doubt.

"These are the big leagues, kid," Old Falcon said, his tone flat. "Even I couldn't hold my spot inside after I fully breached it. So, I truly hope you are strong enough to withstand the pressure of the world's real powers."

"When are you going to tell me everything you know, old man?" Jason asked, his voice betraying a hint of frustration. "You always find excuses not to tell me the full story."

"You don't need me to tell you," Old Falcon said. "You're living it right now, and I'm certain you'll discover everything in your own time, whether I teach you or not."

Just then, Alexandria and Victoria arrived, escorted by Falcon 15.

"Falcon 15! Didn't I tell you to take them to the secure bunker?" Jason asked, annoyance flashing in his eyes.

"I couldn't," Falcon 15 said simply.

Alexandria stepped forward, her face etched with determination. "I am not going anywhere," she said. "I need to know what happened to my sister and my daughter, and I will do whatever is necessary to find out."

Jason softened slightly, recognizing her desperation. "He's inside the auction now. The minor guests have already left, so it's likely that your daughter will be auctioned in this next round."

"Auctioned?" Alexandria asked, her voice rising in disbelief. "My daughter? What?! This isn't the Middle Ages! Slavery was abolished! How dare they even say that?"

"I know how it sounds," Jason said, his gaze hard. "But it's the truth. Those places are that despicable."

Alexandria put her hand over her mouth, tears streaming down her face as she shook her head vehemently. "This is impossible," she kept repeating, her voice muffled by her hand.

"Unfortunately, it is real," Jason said, his voice flat with grim acceptance. "I didn't expect the situation to be like this, but we can't do anything about it. These people have the power, and the backing."

Alexandria finally broke, screaming in anguish. "Call the police! They will stop them! They will arrest them!"

"The government is behind all of this," Jason said, his voice devoid of hope in this particular matter. "There is no way they will send anyone to this place to help us."

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