<P>Dominic watched a small boy walk over to the newspaper counter and say some unheard comment to the woman behind it, whose face began to burn with anger.
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<P>"The Luminous Path compound is right there," Jock said, pointing towards a high wall of brick. What it encased could not be seen from their position, and the only opening piercing this impenetrable box was a rusted metal door, much too high and flat for scaling. In front of this door stood a man dressed in white. He held a harsh-looking automatic shotgun.
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<P>Dominic sighed lightly. "Are you sure we can trust them?"
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<P>"Yes." Jock's answer came immediately, and his faith in it was apparently strong. "I trust them. Paul Denton trusted them. Listen, Dom..." Jock removed his sunglasses and Dominic saw the deep, naked eyes concealed behind them for the first time. "Tracer Tong is the only ally we have right now. He's a very important figure. More important than you think. We need to speak to him. Unfortunately, the Luminous Path is not going to let strangers like you two walk straight into their headquarters. They already know me. I can go in and try to convince Tong that you mean him and the Luminous Path no harm..." Jock's voiced trailed a bit on the final words of the sentence, as though he suddenly realized that he, himself, was not completely confident in that statement. "I can convince him, but it won't be easy. Honestly, I think his scientific curiosity will be our best shot, what with your, uh..." He waved his hand unknowingly. "Immortality."
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<P>Dominic nodded comprehensively. In truth, he did not care where he would be dragged next. He had nothing better to do than let the leash lead him and follow obediently. He stopped questioning things when he started doubting his sanity, his very existence.
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<P>Abruptly, Jock raised one arm and pointed towards the man in white before the great metal doors. "That man is a brick. He won't let you in unless it's proven to him that you are not an enemy of the Luminous Path. Or, if he's ordered to let you in." There was a pause.
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<P>The woman at the newspaper stand could be heard yelling. The small boy ran away, wailing.
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<P>"Wait here," Jock said. "I'll see what I can do."