Episode One: New Taste

"That, we will, doctor." Rodrigo says. He peers down at the civilian. "Is he sedated?"

"Sir, are you awake? Do you remember me, sir? Detective Diaz, LAPD. Can you tell me what happened in the diner? Did those costumed kids say anything to you?"

Once Jersey returned, Cole briefed him on his intentions regarding the prisoner.

"I'll do two things next: create an honesty field in there then try to make him less hostile to us. Violence or threats against him or his people will only break the spells. If you want to intimidate him, fine, just know the limits. We can talk mentally as we go to better fine tune the interrogation. If that fails... I'll go directly into his mind and try to pull out the information. We clear, Jersey?"

"We have them in custody, but we'd like to make sure we get all their buddies. Is there anything else you might have overheard them say? Even the tiniest detail, anything at all, it could help us."

Cole watched Ulgrik through the glass for a bit then manifested a zone of truth around the goblin.

"Tough but not impossible to crack. I'm ready to go in," Cole told the female orc.

Once he was given the go ahead, Cole concentrated on calming Ulgrik's emotions through the glass to make him more compliant before entering the room.

"Hello, Ulgrik," Cole said in a non-threatening voice as he sat across the table from Ulgrik. "I'm Agent Zhiantara. Have you been mistreated?"

"They were wearing masks to intimidate. Seems to be their M.O. Don't worry, we'll make sure your son is alright. You just concentrate on your recovery and putting all this behind you."

PROWL plays back an audio clip meant to sound like someone clearing their throat. "Ahem. Detective, perhaps it's best if I wait for you outside so as not to, er, stress the patient." Without awaiting a reply, the bot turns its heel and exits the room.

Once outside, PROWL says to the halfling,
"Analysis: subject has begun to doubt his reality. Subject will not remain a 'Joe' for long.

Recommendation: chemically-induced amnesia, or lobotomy. "

"You hurt people, Ulgrik, and we could be treating you a lot worse but that isn't how we operate. I need you to tell me about the weapon shipments, Ulgrik. A lot of people will get hurt because of those weapons, including your people, too. Please help me stop that. Tell me about the weapon shipments, Ulgrik."

"We can help you, protect you all. Who is Jakor, Ulgrik? How do we find him before things get any worse?"

"Rest up, Charles. We'll find your son, don't worry." With that, Rodrigo exits the room, closing the door behind him. He eyes PROWL and the halfling technician. "That could've gone worse. We'd better go see how the others are doing with Ulgrik."

Cole knew that Ulgrik was no longer sympathetic to him but perhaps Ulgrik remained sympathetic to his own survival.

"It's a simple question, Ulgrik: do you want to die fighting for Jakor or not?"