After the events of It Came From Outer Space the Department of Mysteries begins negotiating an exchange program to facilitate international cooperation between the Unspeakables of other nations interested in the extraterrestial meteorite.
However, the Unspeakables of CAWW may have ulterior motives behind their interest in this mysterious artefact...
Conspiracy theories and fringe groups in the US threaten the Statute, causing supposedly eccentric minorities (muggle and magical) to be socially ostracised.
"We are treating the matter with extreme seriousness...and we see it as our responsibility, as one of the world's largest magical societies, to deal with the threat efficiently. The last thing we want is for this to have a global knock-on effect."Temperance Cartwright
"Abominable!" exclaimed CAWW Governer Inglethorpe. "Never before have we had to obliviate the no-maj leader of this great nation, and break with so honorable a tradition."Temperance Cartwright
It had seemed terribly straightforward when he was leaving London. Get close to Hawthorne, Yavin said. Do what you do, get into his bed, get under his skin. See what he's worried about.
And now they knew he was worried about a spy. So worried he'd go through all this trouble! For little old V. Who wasn't actually the spy. It would be a mad double-bluff for Yav to choose him.Virgil Carstairs
Silas had been keeping an eye on CAWW's Weapon Czar for some time now, so anyone could imagine his surprise when Angie's boy started making appearances alongside the fellow's Agency crones.
What were Morgenthau's lot up to? Mysteries never shared.Silas Carstairs
Virgil reports back to Yavin Morgenthau speculating on whether or not Eldritch & Profane suspect a mole in their agency. They resolve to get Cyrus Hawthorne on their side in some way.
They were using a Devereux contact as their insider, someone whose identity even Virgil wasn't allowed to know. As long as Hawthorne was still digging where V could see, their insider was likely safe.Virgil Carstairs
The growing witch hunt hysteria in American muggle society has prompted anti-muggle sentiment in its wizarding communities. Attitudes in CAWW are shifting in this direction.
"The no-maj aren't known for wisely handling even their own affairs," asserted a representative from the Bureau. "They mistreat the natural world and discriminate among their own kind based on superficial differences. How are we expected to reason with them where magic is concerned?"Temperance Cartwright
Virgil lets it drop to Hawthorne that he is aware of something going on behind the scenes between CAWW and EPA, which leads to him being assaulted. He escapes after a confrontation of minds, helped to safety by Silas Carstairs.
Rated Mature for sexual references and violence.
Unspeakable Carmichael Rosier meets with Virgil and learns that Hawthorne has not retaliated after the confrontation in August. They speculate that he intends to switch sides or that he no longer views Virgil as a threat.
Lawrence Collins and Saoirse Collins get into a confrontation with fellow Unspeakable, Nicholas Atkinson, who warns them that they are under suspicion of treason for leaking secrets to CAWW. The Collins are later found dead in a house fire. Publicly, Atkinson is MIA. The reality is that he has been imprisoned by the Department of Mysteries for interrogation.
Thomas Daylight meets with Cyrus Hawthorne for an update on weapons development, and the two discuss the trial run of a prospective project. Cyrus privately contemplates leaking intel to the British.
"No problem. Make it subtle, just so we can gauge the coverage. Our allowed margin for error on this is going to razor thin. I know you boys aren't used to this kind of pressure, but welcome to my world."Thomas Daylight
Yavin Morgenthau talks to visiting Unspeakable Hai Yun about pooling resources to expose CAWW's plans to develop a weapon of mass destruction. He learns that the Chinese will only cooperate if he goes through the DIMC.
"Is Britain of one heart and mind, Mr Morgenthau?" she asked. "Are all your hands on deck? If the petals of a flower are scattered in the wind, how does it attract insects to help it grow?"Hai Yun Li
Virgil and Cassie's tentative acquaintanceship develops. She confides in him that she is being followed by mysterious people, not realising that these people are from the Department of Mysteries.
Looking back at Virgil, Cassie let out a long sigh, trying to find her own sense of peace in the fact that, while most in her life didn’t know of her struggles, at least Virgil did and was willing to help.
“Well I suppose I’m not facing the storm alone anymore.” She said, trying to find a shred of humor in the situation to help her cope. “Especially with you having managed to unearth everything so quickly.”Cassiopeia Collins
Yavin Morgenthau finally shares intel with Deputy Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, so as to open Mysteries' investigation of CAWW goings-on.
Yavin Morgenthau informs the Minister of Magic that the US magical government, CAWW, is using Eldritch & Profane to develop a weapon of mass destruction targeting muggles.
Didn't that sound wonderfully sanitised? A pilot test for mass murder. Solomon adjusted his spectacles, shook his head to himself. He did not doubt the veracity of it.
Morgenthau had disclosed corroboration of intel with Level Five, and the possibility of further affirmation through the Chinese authorities.
"Who's aware of this, besides ourselves and your operatives?"
"Spectre, of course. Johann." Morgenthau shrugged. "And his operatives."
"Good." Solomon leaned back in his armchair. "Next time, I want him here too."
Five's Deputy Head had easier manners and, more importantly, no past loyalties to CAWW for Sol to distrust.Solomon Carstairs
Lazarus Blackburn pays a visit to Cassie Collins, explaining to her that she has inherited the debt her parents owe to the Camden Town Hookers for having failed to deliver a paid order of unicorn blood.
Cassiopeia dreams of the loss of her parents once more, unable to come to terms - a nightmare that repeats, recurring, haunting. This time tonight an additional figure shows up to warn her away from seeking out the truth.
CAWW assigns Auror Garrett Dawson to investigate the disappearance of the Collins. Senior Administrator Thomas Daylight briefs him on what to look out for.
"A little advice before you go," Daylight said. "Watch your step around their Department of Mysteries chief, Yavin Morgenthau. Former American EPA. He's crafty. I can't imagine he'll be helpful, but he might not be avoidable."Thomas Daylight
Lazarus, working for the Department of Mysteries, pays a visit to Coven Cascadia. He is vaguely advised to investigate a nearby area where, unbeknownst to him, the first of Eldritch & Profane's WMD trials will be taking place.
Yavin makes his way to interrogate Nicholas Atkinson about his involvement, and what other information he may be possibly hiding that involved the Collins and CAWW.
Auror Garrett Dawson sets to work the day after arriving in England by making his first visit to the British Magical Library to dig up information on the Collins from past newspapers.
Cassiopeia Collins receives an unlikely visitor to her flower shop. After he makes a seemingly innocent request for flowers as a gift, she finds out why he's really there - a CAWW Auror investigating her parents' apparent deaths and she is his first lead.
Cassie felt like a barrel of bricks had just been dumped over her head, the content and relaxed smile vanishing from her face as a concerned and questioning expression fell over her features. The Federal Bureau of Covert Vigilance of the Congress of American Witches and Wizards…what the fuck?! First her parents were selling unicorn blood on the side, now they were also involved with the American magical government?! Cassie’s crystal blue eyes lowered down to the badge glinting back at her.Cassiopeia Collins
The Department of International Magical Cooperation alongside CAWW are warning potential travellers to the United States of an unknown illness spreading in the town of Winthrop, Washington.
A majority of wixes affected have been children, while the illness appears not to discriminate where muggles are concerned. A total of two hundred individuals - almost half the town's population - have been affected.Temperance Cartwright
The Minister of Magic calls a meeting with the Department Heads to inform of the impending threat of a possible WMD being developed by CAWW and to consult on the next step to dealing with the information, especially with the G8 3/4 Summit on the horizon.
"In, hm, in no uncertain terms. The Americans... that is, CAWW, in conjunction with its Mysteries body, Eldritch & Profane, are developing a weapon of mass murder. The, ah, the weapon is intended to target muggles, to the exclusion of wixkind."Yavin Morgenthau
Nerva Sangréal secretly meets up with Gregory Pratchett at Ramble and Lake, Central Park NYC. She is asked to deliver a sealed envelope to Yavin Morgenthau of Level 9. The pair discuss CAWW moles caught, a CAWW bounty hunter on the loose in the UK and associates to be weary of. Nerva requests reactivation as a S.W.E.E.P auror.
The G8 3/4 Summit comes to an end, without any mention of CAWW's plan to develop a weapon of mass destruction. Governor Inglethorpe continues to spread fear while Minister Carstairs preaches tolerance.
"Something must be done," announced the Governor in his closing statement yesterday morning. "We cannot simply close our eyes and cover our ears to these dangers. The world is changing and we must prepare to change with it, or else have our hand forced."Temperance Cartwright
Nerva Sangreal delivers a message from Gorey to Yavin Morgenthau by hand. After a tense exchange, Yavin examines Gorey's letter: it includes a report from his time as Head of Eldritch & Profane, proposing the very same development of a weapon of mass destruction currently being attempted by the Agency.
When Jacqueline Devereaux came to Mysteries with her tall tale about a weapon of mass destruction, believing her was the easiest thing in the world.
She had taken the words right out of his mouth. So, apparently, had Gregory Pratchett.Yavin Morgenthau
Knox Greyfriar approached Yavin Morgenthau, who he suspects has been poaching apprentices from Knareswick to work on Mysteries. The two discuss Greyfriar's possible appointment as British delegate of the ICW, as well as Morgenthau's suspicions of a politically turbulent future.
Virgil is invited to Cassie's childhood cabin in the woods of Penrith where she stayed at every summer. She has a little ladybug on her that lets Garrett follow them to the Cabin. Cassie and Virgil have breakfast/dance and then Cassie goes to start tea while Virgil starts to go through the books in the cabin. At this time Cassie has some memories of her childhood and recalls Gregory Pratchett was invited to the cabin. While Cassie is reminiscing about her childhood, Virgil finds out that her parents had stolen his work at the Death Chamber and surmises it was leaked to E&P. Garrett makes his appearance in the middle of Cassie and Virgils row about leaked information.
“Take it!” she snapped at Garret, though keeping her eyes on Virgil. “Take whatever you want, burn the place to the ground for all I care. I have nothing left anyway.”Cassiopeia Collins
![[[Nicholas Atkinson]]](/wiki/images/thumb/c/c3/NicholasAtkinson.png/220px-NicholasAtkinson.png)
![[[Lazarus Blackburn]]](/wiki/images/thumb/6/63/Lazarus_Blackburn.png/154px-Lazarus_Blackburn.png)
![[[Silas Carstairs]]](/wiki/images/thumb/9/95/Silas_Carstairs.jpg/130px-Silas_Carstairs.jpg)
![[[Solomon Carstairs]]](/wiki/images/thumb/7/74/Solomon_Carstairs.jpg/154px-Solomon_Carstairs.jpg)
![[[Virgil Carstairs]]](/wiki/images/thumb/f/ff/VirgilCarstairs.jpeg/180px-VirgilCarstairs.jpeg)
![[[Yavin Morgenthau]]](/wiki/images/thumb/0/0c/Yavin_Morgenthau.jpeg/142px-Yavin_Morgenthau.jpeg)
![[[Gabrielle Pepper]]](/wiki/images/9/9f/Gabrielle_Murray.jpg)
![[[Carmichael Rosier]]](/wiki/images/thumb/3/3c/CarrRosier.jpg/151px-CarrRosier.jpg)
![[[Johann Storm]]](/wiki/images/thumb/c/cc/Johann_Storm.jpg/180px-Johann_Storm.jpg)
![[[Cyrus Hawthorne]]](/wiki/images/thumb/7/7a/CyrusHawthorne.jpg/125px-CyrusHawthorne.jpg)
![[[Garrett Dawson]]](/wiki/images/thumb/f/fd/Garrett_2024.png/180px-Garrett_2024.png)
![[[Thomas Daylight]]](/wiki/images/thumb/d/d3/Tom-daylight.png/154px-Tom-daylight.png)
![[[Augustina Flores]]](/wiki/images/thumb/e/ee/AugustinaFlores.jpg/135px-AugustinaFlores.jpg)
![[[Cassius Inglethorpe]]](/wiki/images/thumb/8/82/CassiusInglethorpe.jpeg/225px-CassiusInglethorpe.jpeg)
![[[Gregory Pratchett]]](/wiki/images/thumb/c/c2/GregoryPratchett.jpeg/132px-GregoryPratchett.jpeg)
![[[Nerva Sangréal]]](/wiki/images/thumb/3/30/Nerva-sangreal.jpg/142px-Nerva-sangreal.jpg)
![[[Cassiopeia Collins]]](/wiki/images/thumb/a/ae/Cassiopia-collins.png/178px-Cassiopia-collins.png)
![[[Jacqueline Devereux]]](/wiki/images/thumb/2/27/Jacqueline_Lumpkin.jpg/180px-Jacqueline_Lumpkin.jpg)
![[[Hai Yun Li]]](/wiki/images/thumb/c/ca/LiHaiYun.jpeg/212px-LiHaiYun.jpeg)
![[[Natalie Morrow]]](/wiki/images/thumb/8/82/Nemo.png/154px-Nemo.png)
![[[Benjamin Shaw]]](/wiki/images/thumb/f/f3/BenjaminShaw.jpg/120px-BenjaminShaw.jpg)
![[[Yuan Bo Zhang]]](/wiki/images/thumb/f/fa/ZhangYuanBo.jpeg/131px-ZhangYuanBo.jpeg)
