Chương 89: Chapter 88 – Logical Logistics

"We need to get all of you to your designated locations before our window of opportunity closes," Elena sighed.

"Alex, if you wouldn't mind," she said, turning to him.

"Okay, so this is going to have to be done like a very coordinated dance move. It's not like we can just press a button and have each of you go where you need to be. We do not have access to the Shirley system, and our teleport system is limited. We face the same restrictions as Blackwood."

"That means we'll have to get all of you to the fairy realm first in order to reach the other realms," Elena said, rubbing her temples.

"We can only transport two at a time and hope that you land near Shirley to send you off to the appropriate realm. Because we don't have the credentialing to enable Shirley, Seraphina and Celestia will be crucial in getting you all to the right places. Seraphina?" Seraphina stood, wings flickering faintly in the soft light.

"At my last meeting with Jasper, he devised a non‑traceable credential for both me and Celestia. The fairy portal system is on lockdown to prevent anyone from Blackwood's team from using it or making their way to other realms." She pulled out a small key card that shimmered faintly.

"This key will override the lockdown, but it won't prevent Shirley's activation from being detected." She looked around the table, her expression serious.

"Jasper is on standby to disable any detection, but because we can't pinpoint our destination from here, there are thousands of portals we could end up near. The working theory is that our portal system is attracted to an operational portal. We think we can narrow down the location by keeping one portal open on the fairy side. The hope is that it will attract our portal and you'll all land in the same zone, but we can't guarantee that will be the case."

"And what if we end up on the other end of the fairy sphere and not the optimum location?" Regina asked.

"I'm glad you asked that, Regina," Elena said.

"Alex, can you explain please?" Alex stood and walked to the whiteboard, uncapping a marker with a squeak that echoed in the quiet room.

"Each departing group will be given one of the emergency fobs. If you end up somewhere you shouldn't, press the communicator button to let us know you've landed. After you call, you'll be given the all‑clear to return and we'll try again. I know it seems like throwing darts at a board blindfolded, but it's the best alternative we have right now. If you successfully land in the loading zone, you'll give your fob to either Regina or Roxie, who will shuttle it back here for the next group.

Currently, we have three working fobs on site. We'll need one for the dwarven relocation to keep with them after the transfer in case of emergency. Another will be with Roxie and Illianna in the elven realm. That will leave one here unless one of our field agents returns with another."

"The fairy portal is also limited. We can transport three at a time, so this means multiple trips to get everyone where they need to be. On that last trip, the fob will stay with the group," Elena added.

"This also means that Seraphina or Celestia will be shuttling you, which lowers the limit of how many can teleport at once. You may have to wait in potentially hostile territory for your group to arrive. Regina and Roxie will serve as guards in the fairy realm as we begin shuttling everyone," Alex said. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Elena moved beside him, tapping the whiteboard.

"Due to the complexity of this maneuver, it's crucial that you all understand the plan and safety contingencies." She looked at Regina.

"I'm going to let Regina take the floor. It's crucial that you listen to her… she'll be your lifeline." Regina sighed and stood.

"Okay, so we can only transport two people at a time from here to the fairy realm. I'll be in the first transport with Celestia. Celestia and I will wait at the fairy gate for the first team of two."

"We'll send Sheera and Rowan next, and Celestia will escort you to the dwarven realm where you'll wait for the rest to arrive. Celestia will provide you with the appropriate documentation for your arrival." The group looked at Celestia, puzzled. She turned to Seraphina, who gave her a reassuring nod.

"After our earlier conversation, Elena, Alex, Seraphina, and I started making the necessary arrangements for Sheera, Rowan, Thai, and Ray in the dwarven realm. With Jasper's assistance, we secured special exile status for all of you," Celestia explained.

"Seraphina traveled to the fairy realm to meet with Jasper, who was integral in arranging not only safe passage but accommodations and security. You have to remember that until Jasper reached out to the dwarven authorities, they had no idea goblins or elves even existed."

"Be prepared, folks. You'll be quite the spectacle. Expect stares and glares from the indigenous population. The dwarven king granted the special exile status under great duress. It took major convincing to make him aware of the threat to his kingdom as well as your lives. He's still skeptical of your role in defeating Blackwood's quest for multi‑realm takeover, so please don't do anything to upset them," Seraphina warned.

"That means you, Ray," Elena said, shooting him a glance.

"What? I can behave!" Ray said loudly. When necessary," he added, his voice barely above a whisper, looking innocent.

"For all our sakes, I hope so," Elena replied, shaking her head and giving Regina a nod to continue.

"Anyway, Sheera and Rowan will come to the fairy realm first. Celestia will immediately shuttle you both to the dwarven realm, where she'll hand you off to Grimwald Steelcutter. He'll serve as guardian and liaison. He's been briefed and will handle getting you acquainted with the dwarven realm."

"Grimwald is great. You should have no issues with him at all," Celestia said warmly.

"I've worked with him before. Just remember that although they're smaller than us, they're not children. Treat them with respect. They're fully grown individuals and your hosts. They deserve courtesy and consideration."

"While Celestia is escorting Rowan and Sheera, Elena and Alex will send Thai and Ray through. That way Thai has two guardians to protect her while we wait for Celestia," Regina said.

"If things go wrong, I'll send Thai back to Elena and Alex using the emergency teleport system."

"Please don't panic if it seems like it's taking a long time to get Thai to you," Seraphina said, smiling reassuringly.

"We're unsure how long the transfers will take or what obstacles we may encounter. Know that Ray and Regina will do all they can to ensure Thai's safety."

"I would give my own life to save her, you know that," Regina said, nodding at Sheera and Rowan's worried faces.

"Me too," Ray added, glancing at Thai, who was still sleeping soundly on the sofa.

"Once Celestia returns, she'll shuttle Ray and Thai to the dwarven realm and stay there with them. Alex and Elena will then send Seraphina over before sending Illianna and Roxie. Seraphina will escort Illianna and Roxie to the elven realm before returning to the fairy realm, then join Celestia and her group in the dwarven realm. I'll be waiting at the fairy gate to get the emergency fob to bring back.

Once everyone is where they need to be, I'll use the emergency teleport to return here," Regina said, scanning the room.

"Any questions?" The room fell silent except for the faint hum of the teleport systems warming up in the background. Elena looked around, memorizing each face. This might be the last time they were all together.