Draft II: Focus more on the Ergon. Make it clear they are enemies of the city and the most likely group sending the entities. Shamanic magic and whatnot is the suspicion. Also, as a link to Clarissa's eventual conversation with the Pool, say here that all element cults and Ergon want to either destroy, disrupt, or steal from the Conduit Plant. That makes the revelation of the Pool's defense of the Conduit Plant strange. Why are they doing it?
Note: Good spot to introduce Baird. He's the Chief Scienseer, kind of like the Surgeon General or Science Advisor to the President. Idea: How can I craft the dialogue so that Baird catches them in the lie about there being a survivor without letting on that he knows?
Note 2: What happens here? This is where the High General informs Baird as to the extent of the threat to the Conduit Plant, which until now has been hidden. The Census Office is desperate, but they continue to hide it even though they are taking losses and are unable to conceal the problem any more. People are talking and Baird has to be informed before he finds out on his own and causes a shitstorm.
Note 2 contin. Rylan and Davoust are there ostensibly to be available for specific questions if Baird has any concerning the details of the mission (Rylan) or the Census Office's current beliefs about the danger to the plant (Davoust), and that is true, however, once Baird leaves the real meeting begins. This is where the High General orders them to work together to perfect Infusion so they can combat these new entities. The Spymaster is silent for the whole meeting until addressed.
Note 2 contin. The Census Office believes they are under attack, and they share this with Baird, but they do not know from who or how. Baird says he will begin working on the problem immediately. They decide that they cannot wait for all the facts and need to act before they are destroyed and the city is lost. It is an existensial threat in their eyes and they plan to meet it blade for blade.
Note 2 contin. Timing. Is this meeting occuring in time before Clarissa and Davoust meet in Medical? Davoust could get her clearance here with her orders. Same with Rylan. It means they decided to throw Clarissa in to see if they can steal the work the work the cult is doing rather than destroy them. The Spymaster could chime in and say he may be able to provide details soon on the inner workings of the Servants of the Pool. Btw, the Servants. What have they done to be considered so dangerous? Have they stolen something? I doubt it. Whispers from all the other cults maybe. The Census Office doesn't know anything about them and this along with the fear shown by other cults who encounter them is enough reason. Perhaps they have been able to trace a series of lost shipments of goods or something to them. Clarissa may find these goods in the form of well-equipped soldiers and the lab gear they have for experiments.
Future References:
Castles. "The Medieval Castle: Life in a Fortress in Peace and War" by Philip Warner. Bran Castle. Rupea Fortress. Also, this is where rank and recognition are determined. The cloaks, the rank stripes, etc.. The brass are wearing them.
"The Illustrated History of Military Insignia" by Peter Taylor
Play: Julius Caesar by Shakespeare