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"This is most troubling, Commander Two," said the male, orange-furred cat standing before him, hands tucked behind his back as he glared straight into Kyle's eyes.

Kyle, as always, stood at rapt attention before his superior in the directive. Commander One - Adrian Broadside, was not happy, and he was not someone to interrupt when he was displeased. His time as a SEAL had left him with very little patience for incompetence, and he was already not fond of Kyle - though to this day, Kyle did not actually know why.

"You had only one job - to capture a phoenix, a mere boy," he went on. "You let him lead you on a merry chase through the countryside, and ultimately lost him. Your VTOL suffered significant damage, your pilot is in intensive care with a concussion, and you lost a Cyber Soldier. How did you let this happen?"

"My standing orders were to take the phoenixes alive, sir," Kyle reasons, keeping calm as he spoke. Adrian knew what Kyle's orders were, of course, but he had asked a question and Kyle was giving his best answer. "My men held back in pursuit of that goal, using only the force we considered necessary to achieve it."

Adrian scowled at him. "And how did that turn out? You didn't even catch the Wind Phoenix."

"Even with his powers disabled, sir, he proved to be very swift and he took cover in the woods," Kyle returned, patiently. "We had no reason to believe someone would come for him, let alone the two phoenixes that Commander Three previously encountered."

"The ones he can't remember," Adrian replied, nodding. He had to agree with that part. "And how did it all go wrong?"

"There was a blue dragon among them who was unaffected by the Disruptor, sir."

"Impossible," Adrian stated. "The Disruptor's field affects everything. Meta-genetics, elemental, psionics - it even cuts off one's ability to use magic." He spat the last word. "This dragon could not have retained his powers."

"My men and I can all confirm it, sir," Kyle stated, with more firmness in his tone. "The dragon was not affected by the Disruptor."

"How could that be possible…?" Adrian wondered aloud, more directing the question to himself than to Kyle.

"I am likewise curious about that myself," a voice piped up. A voice both men knew.

They whirled in the direction of the voice and snapped to attention even before they confirmed who it was. A elderly human crossed the room, supported by a cane gripped in his left hand and tapping on the floor as he walked. The man had a receding hairline, a thick, straight-combed beard that had turned almost white with his age, and his eyes were intense even in his passive expression. He had thick black eyebrows that only further pronounced the intensity of his light brown eyes.

"Dr. Rex," Adrian said as he and Kyle saluted.

"At ease," Rex assured them. "Commander Two. Tell me about this dragon you saw. What did he look like?"

"Dominantly a sapphire blue, with light blue undertones, including two markings below his eyes," Kyle explained. "His eyes were yellow, and he had two sets of horns, one large, one small, growing from the back of his skull. He was fit, and when he fought a lot of his fighting patterns mirrored what I might see in the army."

"What of his powers - the ones not affected by the Disruptor?" Rex asked.

"It's hard to describe sir. It was like he summoned energy into his hands, shaped it, and it became solid," explained Kyle. "He formed shields, spears, even handcuffs to restrain us. It seemed like the only limit to what he could make was imagination."

"How did you get free?"

"When the Cyber Soldier was deployed, I saw an opportunity," explained Kyle. "I struck out at the dragon, and the shackles disappeared."

"Powered by concentration," said Rex, rubbing his chin with his hand. "Anything else?"

"No sir. Nothing I haven't mentioned," replied Kyle. "It will all be in my report as well."

"And what of the Disruptor?" Rex asked. "Was the dragon the one who damaged it?"

"No sir. That was one of the phoenixes," replied Kyle. "He flew up to the Retriever while the dragon provided cover. It was him who caused the pilot his concussion."

"The red one?"

"Yes sir."

Rex let out a huff. "Twice now he eludes us, it seems," he said. "He destroyed the VTOL of Commander Three, which we still haven't found. Now he damages yours, and you were not even after him."

Kyle pressed his lips together, refraining from commenting. Technically, he had been searching for the red Phoenix, for the purpose of surveillance and seeking another opportunity to capture him. The appearance of the wind phoenix had been sheer coincidence, and taken as a moment of opportunity to capture another phoenix species. But his time as a Marine had taught him, correcting one's superiors was not a quick way to get on their good side. Especially not if that superior was a man of high intelligence.

"And your Cyber Soldier. It could not stop him?" Rex asked.

"He wasn't alone, sir," replied Kyle. "When Disruptor went down, it was destroyed by the elemental power of the blue one - the lightning phoenix."

"Ah. It may have been a poor choice to equip the Cybers with an explosive power source. It seems I did not account for my Disruptors ever failing," he grimaced.

Wisely, Kyle stayed silent, letting Rex have his moment of thought and listening as he spoke up. "Commanders," he began. “I am changing your standing orders. This Fire Phoenix and his group of… freaks, are proving to be too much of a problem. Elevate status to 'capture or kill' - whether or not we acquire them for further study, they know about us and we must make sure our operation remains secret. I will see to it your Retriever is repaired, Commander Two," he nodded to Kyle, “and your Disruptor will be back online. When next you search for the phoenixes, hold nothing back. Whether or not you succeed in capturing them, make sure it is the last time they see us."

“If I may," Adrian spoke up. “I propose we alter our battle plans for the next encounter, and I guarantee there will be one."

“Explain, Commander One?" Rex asked, arching an eyebrow.

“Commander Three's squad is still without a craft to take them into action," he said. “The phoenixes have twice now seen us operate with six operatives, but the retrievers are capable of seating ten, not counting the pilot. I propose we divide Commander Three's Squad between our remaining teams, adding to our numbers."

“A larger group increases the chance of discovery, does it not?" Rex inquired. “Is that not why SEAL teams operate in small squads?"

“Affirmative sir. But the phoenixes are likewise growing in number," Adrian replied. “We now know of at least four of them, and they have their two dragon allies, plus whoever was in that mechanical suit that attacked Commander Two's Retriever. We face at least seven opponents now, each one unique in their abilities. We have the advantage of weapons and tactics, but that has not been enough so far."

“All fair points. But how do you intend to approach the phoenixes, then? Surely you don't mean to take the fight directly into the city."

“No sir. That action would surely expose us," Adrian replied with a shake of his head. “We need more data on their movements, and once we know that, we can plan our next move from there."

“Back to reconnaissance and observation, then," said Rex, pulling at his beard as he considered. “Yes… Perhaps we do need more data then. I will leave the strategy to you then, Commander One. When you have a proposed plan of action, bring it to me for approval."

“Yes sir," Adrian replied.

“Commander Two," Rex stated, looking at Kyle. “You will have the same mission, and you will report directly to Commander One with all of the data you gather. Understood?"

“Yes sir," Kyle complied.

Rex dismissed them, and Kyle and Adrian went their separate ways while the elderly man went another. He only walked five steps though, before the phone in his pocket rang. A custom phone, designed to integrate with the Directive's isolated network; he pulled it out to look at it, and it was identified as a call from the command center. He accepted the call and held it to his ear. “Yes?"

“Doctor, there is a message for you coming over the secure line," the voice on the other end reported.

“Put it through to my phone," Rex bade the communications officer. There was a click, and a heavily German-accented voice spoke from the other end of the call.

“Hallo, mein Freund." The voice mused to the old man, “A little vogel has told me you have made a few new friends recently. Ich was wondering if you were ever going to introduce me to them."

Rex scoffed. “I am very busy, Achtbeinig, and you are not normally the one to contact me for business," he stated plainly. “So tell me, what is this about?"

“Ich am still nicht certain how this has come about; we are still looking into if this has come from our end …or yours." Achtbeinig spoke, “There was a leak. Someone seems to have given our cold friend a warm trail. He is now after one of us."

“Cold friend… Ah, you refer to that ice phoenix?" Rex asked. “Yes, I can already confirm that the leak came from the… Late host, of the local underground fighting ring. Unfortunately, if you're hoping to punish him for that, our frozen acquaintance has already seen to it."

“See to it that such a matter does nicht happen again." the German spoke firmly. “If you have nicht already seen the news, mein wonderful kollegen from Europe are over here at this very moment; und I do nicht believe this to be a coincidence, Doktor Rex."

“The Lightnings are your concern, Achtbeinig," Rex stated firmly. “The Ice Phoenix, I will deal with, but a pair of samaritans in exosuits are of no interest to my directive."

“Nein. But they will take viele interest in your 'directive' once they find out what you do." there was a pause for reflection, “See to it that this does nicht happen again, or our partnership ist over. I cannot afford such reckless customers."

Rex scoffed again. “The Lightnings cannot possibly know about my directive," he said. “And for your sake Achtbeinig, they had better not find out from you." His voice carried a warning tone as he spoke the words. “Rest assured, the lone interloper matter is well in hand. You just be sure those two hotshots that have chased you across the world are likewise pacified. I'll not risk our anonymity for your squabbles."

“They think that Ich am still locked up. But depending on what was exactly leaked and if they found out about it, they might now think otherwise. Because of your mannschaften, this would be on your head. Ich won't talk, but Ich cannot guarantee they won't find you."

The conversation was going nowhere, Rex thought. Both he and Achtbeinig suspected the other of leaking the information that was leading the Ice Phoenix to them, despite Rex saying otherwise. With a frustrated grunt, he lowered the phone and hung up. This problem was becoming more of a risk to the directive by the day…

Bringing up the phone again, he made the call to Commander One, bringing it back to his ear as it connected. “Commander. There's been a change of plans," he said. “How soon can your team deploy?"

~~~~~

Obsidian cut the engine as Rikyuu, Volcan and Tsumé climbed out of the car, looking up at the large building ahead. The Unity Falls Megaplex was not a single structure, but composed of several interlocked structures - two concrete buildings, and a third, extra-large building with a metal arching roof. The extra large structure had no windows to speak of, but many exit doors. Inside were the Canadian side of the city's two indoor ice hockey rinks, where they hoped to find the mysterious Ice Phoenix.

“So," Volcan remarked. “Does this place have surveillance?"

“Only over the entrances," replied Obsidian. “There aren't any over the emergency exits - we'll go in through one of them. I've been in here a few times so I know where most of the cameras are. "

“How will we do that?" Tsumé asked. “I can tunnel through concrete but unlike with dirt I can't hide the damages it'll cause - it'll be obvious."

“Leave it to me," Obsidian said with a pang of regret as she led the way over to one of the fire exits of the main structure.

The three of them followed, unsure what she was planning. The door she led them to was out of sight of the main entrance. It was an outward-swinging door, and the outside had no handles, the seam filled with weather stripping leaving no room for even the finest set of thief tools to fit inside. Marks on the door showed that such attempts had been made before - the paint was gouged in places, likely from a crowbar, that could not find any purchase.

Obsidian put her hand against the door, and shut her eyes. She stood still for a long moment before they heard the latch being removed, and she stepped back from the door which she pulled open with her telekinesis, swinging it wide.

“Okay, that works," said Tsumé, nodding.

“Let's go," Obsidian urged them.

Volcan could tell that what they were doing bothered her, and he made sure to double-check that there was no camera watching the door as they stepped in. Obsidian was taking a considerable risk doing this - if word got out that she had broken into the Megaplex, and was unable to explain her actions in the process, her career as a police officer would be in jeopardy.

“Let's hope we never have to do this again," Volcan assured her as she joined them inside.

Rikyuu shivered, rubbing his hands over his upper arms. “Brr. I really should start putting on shirts again," he said, pulling at his red vest.

“Why don't you?" Tsumé asked, arching a brow at him.

Rikyuu shrugged. “I just prefer going shirtless as long as I can get away with it, I guess."

Tsumé smiled, and poked his abdomen with her finger. “Well, at least the packaging is nice," she remarked, winking at him.

The dragon visibly blushed at the flirtatious comment, watching the earth phoenix as she walked up the corridor. Volcan gave the dragon a sly look as he passed, and Rikyuu had to shake his head to clear it before following after them.

“So… How do we find this guy?" Obsidian asked. “Volcan, could you see him with infrared if he's in the rink area or something?"

“If he's an ice phoenix, he'll be as cold as the rink itself," Volcan replied. “He could be standing right in plain sight and my infrared wouldn't pick him up."

“He's tall, white as snow and has a glare that can stop your heart," Tsumé said flatly. “Believe me, you will know him when you see him."

They followed the hallway until they were able to step out to the main hockey rink. The lights were dimmed, leaving most of the area enshrouded. All around them, the rink was surrounded by seats for spectators to the hockey games which would be starting in a few months. They could hear the machinery that cooled the ice rink working, unseen below the floor, and the ice had been freshly treated by a zamboni machine, its surface smooth, clear and glassy.

The four looked around the rink area, their eyes scanning the seats around the rink for any sign of anyone. Volcan, despite knowing it was futile, still used his infrared vision but all he could see was a cool mist over the rink and the heat from the lights above. Otherwise, the infrared was useless and he shifted his vision back to the visible spectrum.

“I don't see him," Volcan said. “Anyone else?"

“Not a sign. There's no one here anywhere," agreed Rikyuu.

“There's another rink, and he could be hiding in the locker rooms," Tsumé suggested. “Maybe we should check them. We could split into pairs, and-"

“I don't want us separating," Obsidian interjected, shaking her head. “We know this guy has killed people - we do not split up."

“Okay," Tsumé agreed. “So what do we do then?"

“We'll check the locker rooms one at a time," said Obsidian. “We'll start on this side, with the home team's rooms, then work our way over to the visitor side. If we don't find anything, we'll move on to the second rink and repeat."

“And there are no cameras that'll see us?"

“Not back here, no," replied Obsidian. “There's a security guard that does rounds through here during the hockey season, to make sure nobody is messing with the player's gear before the games. Aside from the Zamboni machine, there's nothing of any value back here throughout so thefts aren't really a problem."

“Has anybody ever tried to steal the Zamboni?" Tsumé asked.

“Not that I know of. They wouldn't get far without the key, and it won't fit through the fire exits," Obsidian replied as they reached the first locker room. “Now, cut the chatter," she whispered.

She peeked into the locker room, training her ears to listen. The lights were out inside, and when she flicked them on, she saw nothing. Volcan came in just behind her, helping her look around the room. All of the lockers were shut, and too small for a person to hide inside, especially if the ice phoenix was as tall as Tsumé had described. Eventually, they stepped back out, and checked the next locker room.

One by one, they went through each locker room in the front rink. But there was no sign anybody had been in any of the locker rooms for many months. They moved to the hallway connecting to the back rink, passing a thick door as they walked and…

Volcan stopped, looking at the door up and down. “Obsidian," he said quietly. “What's in this room?"

She looked back at him, and then to the door. “That's where the Zamboni is stored, between the rinks," she replied. “Why?"

“Shouldn't it be locked?" He asked, pointing down at the door latch, where a bolt for a padlock sat empty.

Obsidian's eyes narrowed, walking back over to stand beside Volcan and checking the bolt. “You're right. This is supposed to be locked," she said.

“Uh, guys?" Tsumé asked. “I just felt movement…"

“From where?" Volcan asked.

“Through that door," she said, pointing at the door in front of him. “Something just ran across the room."

The phoenix and dragoness stepped back from the door, looking at it as they pondered their next move. They each shared a look, everyone looking to someone else for a suggestion. They hadn't thought this far ahead, evidently. They had hoped to find the ice phoenix there, but Volcan at least had imagined finding him seated in the audience chairs, out on the ice or, maybe sleeping in one of the locker rooms.

“...What now?" The fire phoenix asked, feeling stupid.

“Well, we came to find him right?" Rikyuu asked. “Let's try talking to him."

“How do we do that without getting an ice spike through the eye?" Tsumé reminded. “There's no way out of that room - he likely feels cornered. He might shoot first, ask questions later, yanno? For lack of a better term."

“Rikyuu, can you protect yourself from any ice he throws at you?" Volcan asked.

“Yeah, hang on," Rikyuu replied, hastily creating a barrier in front of himself, shaping it like a police-issue Riot shield as he approached the door. “What do we say to him?"

“I'll think of something," Volcan said.

“That does not fill me with confidence…"

“Oh shut up - we're all winging it here."

With that, Rikyuu stood before the door. Obsidian moved to take the handle, looking at her friend before nodding and pulling it open. What came out of the room was not a flying ice spike, but a flying, man-sized figure, letting out a furious yell as they launched themselves at Rikyuu. A well-placed kick slammed into Rikyuu's shield and threw the dragon back into the wall and sandwiching his wings between himself and the concrete, causing him to drop the shield as pain lanced over his back.

Rikyuu managed to block the next attack; a second kick aiming for his face caught by his arm. The figure stumbled, but yanked his leg back and used the momentum to place both feet on the floor again. “Hey, hey, hey!" Volcan exclaimed. “Stop, we're not here to fight!"

The ice phoenix, rather than take him at his word, reached for the sword on his belt. But just as his hand closed around the handle, Tsumé lunged, seizing his arm and forcing his hand down. “Stop!" She pleaded.

The ice phoenix looked at her, and became still, his eyes studying her. “You?" He asked.

“Yes, me," she said. “We've met before."

“Why are you here?"

“Like my large friend there said," she nodded to Volcan. “We're here to talk."

With that, she lifted her hands from his sword, stepping back and keeping them raised so he could see them. Volcan followed her example while Obsidian who went to help Rikyuu stand up. The ice phoenix looked between each of them, slowly, before his hand loosened on the grip of his sword, but did not pull away.

“What do you want?" He asked.

“We think we may have a mutual problem," Volcan began. “By any chance, are you familiar with strange men in masks and tactical gear?"

The ice phoenix fixed him with a stern look, and Volcan found himself instinctively taking a step back. 'Holy shit, Tsumé wasn't kidding. That glare could give someone a panic attack,' he thought to himself. He cleared his throat, and continued.

“My brother and I have encountered them twice," Volcan began. “And a friend of Tsumé's there," he nodded to the earth phoenix, “was attacked by them earlier today. We want to know why, and how we might find them so that maybe we can put an end to it."

The ice phoenix relaxed further, lowering his hand away from his sword and righting his posture to be more passive. He spoke slowly, and with gentleness that did not show on his face. “They are after you, for the same thing they were when I first encountered them nearly fifteen years ago," the ice phoenix explained. “I do not yet fully understand why they do it, but they hunt down people like us. Phoenixes, and those with special powers, such as psionicists. There was a girl killed some time back, I believe - a homeless woman, part of the lower echelon of this city's society."

“Natalie," Volcan said. “Yes… I met her the night before she was murdered. That's when I first encountered those men."

The ice phoenix looked at him thoughtfully. “Were you close to her?"

“No, I had only met her that night," he answered. “I saw them harassing her, and one of them pulled a gun. I stepped in."

“How did a prostitute's murder lead you here looking for them?" Obsidian asked.

The Ice Phoenix looked at her then as he answered. “She fit the bill of their usual targets," he explained. “Someone with no family, or a long criminal history - someone who's disappearance could go unnoticed or be easily explained by the law."

“Who's they?" Obsidian asked.

“They call themselves the P.A.C.E Directive," he answered. “They are only known to the underworld of society, working in anonymity. Even the government doesn't know they exist, or if they do they are keeping it secret."

“And, you know about them how, then?" Tsumé inquired.

“Because when I first met them, as I said, almost fifteen years ago, they came to my home and took my father," he answered. “My mother and I were hiding as he fought to protect us, but he was overpowered. They took him aboard a strange vessel and vanished into the night. We never saw him again."

“So you've been hunting them all this time, looking for your dad?" Volcan asked.

“Looking for closure," said the ice phoenix, closing his eyes. “And, hoping I could prevent this from ever happening to anyone else. If I could bring them down, nobody else would have to suffer what I did."

Obsidian scowled, clenching her fists at her sides. “And you think that justifies you killing people?" She asked. “Ever since you came to this city, more than ten people have ended up at the morgue, impaled or with their throats slashed!"

“I was looking for information," the ice phoenix replied calmly. “They were where my leads had taken me. I had no intention of killing them, but they gave me no choice."

“Oh really?" Obsidian asked, doubtful.

“He's… Telling the truth, actually," Tsumé piped up. “The three men I saw him kill that night. The ring leader was trying to make him fight in their underground ring, but he was refusing. One of the others in the room tried to stab him in the back. I think we could safely say he acted in self-defense at least in that case."

“And what about the rest?" Obsidian asked.

“If you mean that fat mobster and his five enforcers, they drew first," the ice phoenix stated.

“Yet not one of their guns were missing a single bullet when we found their bodies?" Obsidian asked.

“Their weapons were in their hands, and I heard the safeties being taken off," the ice phoenix returned firmly. “You expect I would just stand there and not defend myself?"

“Of course not! But there had to be a way to do it without killing them!"

“There was not. To defend myself, I had to use my powers. I could not let them walk away after seeing what I was."

Obsidian grit her teeth at that, clearly wanting to argue further. Rikyuu looked at her as if seeing her for the first time, and even Tsumé seemed taken aback by her friend's anger. Volcan stepped forward, putting his hand on Obsidian's shoulder. She turned to look at him, her brow still furrowed.

“I'm sorry, 'Sid, but he's right," said Volcan. “If he hadn't killed them, they could have exposed us. We're not supposed to exist."

“But… I…" She struggled to form the words, unsure what argument she could make. She was right, of course - murder was murder, and no one was above the law. But the ice phoenix, and Volcan as well, were also right… Phoenixes did not exist. They had to live in secret… Could they really be considered subject to the law if they did not exist?

That question raced through her mind again and again, fighting with her senses of right and wrong, her duties as a police officer. Her claws scraped against her scalp, messing up her hair in the process, and she clenched her eyes and shook her head, feeling tears coming but she didn't want to let them show.

She opened her eyes to look at the ice phoenix. Somehow, that stoic expression he wore, the cold logic behind his eyes only added to her frustration. He did not even seem to regret his actions, so certain that he had made the right choice even if it had led to the deaths of multiple people. His only goal seemed to be finding the men who had taken his father - what else was there? Justice? Or revenge?

“I think we should go," said Rikyuu. “We shouldn't stay here. Someone could come back to check the rinks at any time."

“Rikyuu's right," Tsumé agreed, and then looked at the ice phoenix. “We have somewhere we could talk, if you want to come with us?"

He regarded her. “I'm surprised you would allow me," he said. “When we last met, I considered killing you, you know."

“Yeah, the death eyes you gave me kinda gave that away," she admitted, gesturing at her eyes with her fingers. “But I also saw how shocked you were when I went through the wall."

“I was not expecting to meet another phoenix, let alone in a place like that," he admitted. “You caught me by surprise."

“And you will not find me in such a place ever again," she stated firmly. “But either way, we can talk more about that later. Maybe over a drink? We know a place."

He considered the offer for a moment, turning his gaze back to Volcan. “This friend you mentioned," he asked. “Is he alright?"

Volcan nodded. “Yes. We managed to find him in time."

The ice phoenix nodded back. “Good. I am glad to hear it," he said. “I would hear of your battle with them - and I am sure there was one, given the condition of your right hand, and that blood stain in your shirt." He cocked his head at Volcan, looking at his injured side.

Volcan looked down at his side, and then lifted his gaze again with a grimace. “Uh… Yeah," Volcan replied, stupidly. He wasn't sure what else to say.

“Lead on," the ice phoenix said.

“Wait, what's your name?" Rikyuu asked. “We can't just keep calling you 'ice phoenix' so, what do we call you?"

“Vinge," he answered. “My name is Vinge Glaseros."

“Vinge… That sounds Scandinavian," said Tsumé. “Where are you from?"

“My mother is from Norway," Vinge replied.

“Ah, that would explain it," Tsumé replied.

“Come on. Let's get moving," Volcan urged them as he led the way back to the door they had originally entered through.

Tsumé and Vinge fell into step behind Volcan. Rikyuu and Obsidian brought up the rear, the blue dragon staying by his best friend's side. He kept his hand's on Obsidian's shoulder, trying to comfort her in her moment of conflict. Obsidian stayed silent all the way back to her car, speaking up only when Tsumé asked her if she wanted her to drive, to which Obsidian agreed, not feeling quite herself at that moment.

But as they approached the car, Volcan stopped. He lifted his gaze, looking around suspiciously. Rikyuu, helping Obsidian into the backseat of the car, noticed this and moved over to Volcan, poking his arm to get his attention.

“What's wrong?" He asked.

“Not sure," he said. “I just… I get the feeling we're being watched…"

Rikyuu followed Volcan's eyes, looking around the parking lot of the Megaplex. They sky, having almost completely turned to night when they had first reached the Megaplex, was now completely dark. The parking lot was illuminated by the many lamp posts arranged in an orderly grid to provide light to all corners of the lot. There were not many other cars around - only three he could count besides Obsidian's, and all of them were closer to the main entrance. Night staff, most likely. But there wasn't anyone standing out in the lot that he could see.

“I don't see anything," he said honestly.

“Neither do I," said Volcan. “But recent experience has taught me…" He clenched his eyes shut, and then reopened them, a yellow glow coating his eyes as he lifted his head, and turned in a circle. “That doesn't always mean nothing is there."

Seeing the world in infrared, he found what had him on edge. Above the parking lot, an all too familiar craft loomed, hovering lowly above the roof of the hockey rinks. Volcan didn't let his gaze linger there, pretending that he didn't see anything, before turning back to the others.

"Guys. We got company," he said.

Obsidian leaned out the door. "What do you mean?"

"They're back," he said. "One of those VTOLs is near. Don't look up - its above the roof of the Megaplex, six o'clock high."

"What is it doing?" Tsumé asked, following Volcan's advice.

"It's just sitting there," Volcan replied. "I think they're watching us."

"Why not just attack?" Rikyuu asked.

"Too many houses nearby," Vinge spoke up. "If they approached, and began shooting, someone would hear it and the police would be on the way. They won't want that - their modus operandi is to find isolated targets, capture, and escape."

"So they're going to wait until we separate," said Obsidian. "Then they'll attack."

"We can't let them follow us back to Ordagova's place," stated Rikyuu."I can't think of a way we could lose them, though…"

"They will strike a target that is isolated," repeated Vinge.

"So?"

"So if one of us leads them away," he went on, "the others can escape."

"No way, that's too risky," said Obsidian.

"If you have another suggestion, voice it," the ice phoenix returned in a flat tone. "If one of us tries to attack them, they will break off and flee, or gun down whoever flies up there." He then looked over his shoulder at her. "All warfare is based on deception. We must have them on our terms if we are to survive."

"What do you have in mind?" Volcan asked.

"I will lead them back into the megaplex," said Vinge. "They will deploy in pursuit of me - I am likely the one they are after."

"By yourself?"

"You can come back after they begin to follow me," Vinge replied. "Besides, inside the rink I will have the advantage."

"What about the night staff inside?" Obsidian asked.

"They will be far from the danger, and will flee when they hear the fighting," Vinge answered.

"Obsidian," Volcan said. "Call Ayane, tell her to suit up. We're going to need her if we're going to do this."

"You really want to go along with this?" She asked.

"We don't have a choice," Volcan said lowly to her.

Obsidian considered his words, and then looked at Vinge. Once again, he seemed sure of what he was doing, his stoic expression and calculating gaze enough to tell that he was deep in thought even without her needing to read his mind. She didn't want to peer into his thoughts, not wanting to know what else he was thinking of… But she did, and saw he was playing through various scenarios in his mind, considering the possibilities of engaging the assailants while inside.

'He's a strategic thinker,' she thought to herself. Then, Volcan's words echoed in her head again, and she asked. "Vinge… why you, though?"

"It stands to reason they know by now I'm looking for them," he said. "They won't let that stand, especially not now that the four of you have found me. They'll want to keep me from talking."

"If we wait much longer they're going to know we're onto them," Tsumé added warily.

"Then it's time to act," Vinge said before he started walking back to the multiplex, pretending to wave to the others. "Go up the block, then come back - do not use the car. Return by air."

They calmly climbed into the car as Vinge walked back to the emergency exit they had come out of. Somehow, he opened it from the outside and disappeared back inside. Volcan sat in the back seat, watching the VTOL as Tsumé drove the car out of the lot, Obsidian on the phone with Ayane as Volcan had suggested.

A few moments earlier...

"Dr. Rex," Adrian reported. "We have tracked the signature of multiple phoenixes to the Unity Falls Megaplex and are standing by. Do you want us to enter and seek the target?"

"Standby," Rex answered. There was a pause. "Repeat. You said multiple signatures?"

"Affirmative. There is also a car parked out of sight of the main entrance," he continued. "Four door sedan, colour gray."

"The car may not be relevant… But if there is more than one phoenix inside, we must proceed cautiously," Rex answered. "Remind me, why did you think to check the Megaplex?"

"It is a logical place for the Ice Phoenix to be hiding," Adrian replied. "It offers- wait. Sir, standby."

Rex went silent. The pilot had gestured to the commander, letting him know something was happening. Down below, they saw movement coming away from the building. Five figures, walking toward the aforementioned car. Five figures he recognized, especially when they passed into the light of one of the lamp posts, and he caught his breath.

"Dr . Rex… confirmed sighting of the ice phoenix. But there are four others with him. One of them is the fire phoenix encountered earlier today."

"What?! What is he doing there?" Rex demanded. "How did he know where the ice phoenix was hiding before we did?"

"I do not know, sir. Permission to attack?"

"No. In that public location it is far too likely you will be noticed," Rex replied. "Standby for now and observe. Watch what they are doing."

"Confirmed. Standing by," Adrian replied, though he wasn't pleased by his leader's choice.

They watched as the five stood, seemingly in conversation, around the car. The two females were sitting in the vehicle, the fire phoenix and blue dragon standing together beside it while the ice phoenix was by the passenger side door. They spoke at length, and all the while Adrian felt his patience thinning. He wanted so much to simple spin up the VTOL's mounted gun and strafe over the five of them, eliminate them all before they ever knew there was danger.

It would be so easy, he thought, and so satisfying to watch them all die…

He almost gave the pilot the order, daring to go against Jacob Rex. But as he opened his mouth to speak, he bit back the words as the five began to move. The ice phoenix was going back inside the Megaplex, it looked like. The others were climbing back into the car. He narrowed his eyes, and turned back to the communications console.

"Dr. Rex. They are splitting up," he explained. "The ice phoenix is going back into the Megaplex and the other four are departing. How do you wish for us to proceed?"

There was only a short wait before Rex answered. "Deal with the ice phoenix first," he instructed. "We don't know what kind of information he has given the other four but we can't risk him passing it along to anyone else."

"And the others?"

"Let them go for now - we'll find them again. Put an end to that ice phoenix's questioning once and for all."

Once again, Adrian felt disappointed. But he gave the acknowledgement of the order. "Understood, sir. Be advised there may be civilians inside," he said.

"Detain them if you must. Make sure they see nothing or have any chance to call the police, but do not kill them if you can avoid it. We don't need that level of attention right now."

"Understood. Beginning operation now."

The lights went out, and the motors powering the machinery below the rink went silent. Vinge, from his position on the top floor, did not react, remaining steadfast and taking in slow, steady breaths It was all going as he expected it would. The Directive's men were coming for him, and he was ready. Whether the others came back for him or not, he would have the battle he had preparing for for fifteen years tonight…

He had chosen his battlefield well. Inside this ice hockey rink, he felt strong. The cold air empowered him, and even the rink itself would be a weapon for him. The operative of the directive had only one way inside - the main entrance. There were no windows into the rink, no skylight to drop through, and the emergency exits could not be opened from the outside. At the main doors leading into the rink, Vinge had already prepared his first trap…

The emergency lights by the door had come on with the power to the rink having been cut. The door was mostly dark, but that was to Vinge's advantage. On the wall above the door, he had created an ice dome, cracked all the way across but holding together by his will alone. He saw the shadows under the door, his eyes narrowing.

He drew his sword. The door opened. He lifted his hand, watching as four people stepped in. He thrust his hand down, and the ice dome scattered, blasting downward like a scattershot shell fired by artillery. The four men recoiled, but none of them went down, their helmets and body armour sparing them from serious injury. They rushed left and right, seeking nearby cover and any additional traps.

Four more figures entered after, and two remained outside. Assigned to watch the door, he suspected. He ducked behind the seats, and moved cautiously along the catwalk, keeping out of sight…

When the pilot felt the VTOL shaking and the door being pried open, he immediately tried to call the team to advise them. But the radio did not work, answering him only with static. Something was interfering with the signal. The pilot drew his sidearm and turned to face the door, only his hands to be seized, pistol and all, by a giant hand. He heard the whir of servos as the hand pulled him back, and he came face to face with a metal-clad giant.

"Take a nap," a feminine voice spoke through a speaker, before he received a punch to the side of the face that sent him into darkness. She set down the pilot, and the suit lowered itself to one knee as Ayane scrambled to climb out.

"Uh… Can I get some help?" She called out the door.

Volcan entered a second later, walking around in front of Ayane and taking her hands to hoist her out of the giant exosuit. "Why would you design an armour you can't get out of by yourself?" He asked.

"I don't usually climb out of it when I'm out of my lab - I'll make a note to correct it," she replied, trying not to grimace as Volcan slid his hands under the pits of her arms and lifted her like a child before setting her down. With that she went to the pilot's seat, taking the controls and bypassing the autopilot. "Okay. I have control. Where am I taking this thing?"

"Just set it down somewhere out of sight," said Volcan, dragging the pilot to the back of the craft and putting him into one of the passenger seats and trying to figure out the complicated straps go secure him. Eventually, he gave up and pulled one of the belts free, tying the pilot's hands with it.

The ship jerked suddenly as it touched down, and Volcan heard the engines cutting. He finished restraining the pilot, and then stood up as Ayane came out of the cockpit. She looked at the restrained pilot, and nodded to Volcan. "I disabled the ignition. Even if he gets free, this thing's not going anywhere without me."

"Are one of those cyborgs on board?" Volcan asked, looking down at the floor

"Yes, but it can't be deployed while the ship is on the ground, so even if it powers on it'll be trapped in its hold," she replied. "Not to worry though - I also disabled the remote activation."

"Perfect," said Volcan, nodding to her. "Let's get back to the Megaplex before we're too late."

He helped Ayane back into the armour, but didn't wait for her as it powered back on. He ran out of the VTOL, and took flight as he raced back to where the fight was waiting. Ayane was not far behind, the suit rockets bringing her into the air and easily catching up to Volcan.

They landed outside the main entrance, where the others were waiting. "Heard anything?" Volcan asked as he touched down.

"No gunshots yet," Obsidian answered. "They must still be looking for him."

"Do you think he bailed?" Ayane asked.

"Unlikely," replied Obsidian, her brow furrowed as she considered what she had seen on Vinge's face as well as in his mind. "I think Vinge has wanted this fight for a very long time… He won't run."

"We'll let's get in before he gets himself killed," said Rikyuu, conjuring another shield like the one he had made earlier that evening. "I'll take point. Ayane, cover me - you're the only one here with a gun."

Ayane reached down to the holster on the hip of her armour's leg, drawing her custom sidearm. She held it at a ready position, falling into step with Rikyuu as he led the way inside. The others stayed behind the two, letting them act as shields against the enemy fire team.

They passed by the reception counter, behind which they saw three people, bound and unmoving on the floor. Obsidian immediately jumped over the counter and into the office, moving to check the three people. One was a security guard. The other two wore jumpsuits marked 'Custodian' in bold white letters on their backs. Their hands were secured by zip ties, fastened behind their backs, and each of them snored as if sleeping. Obsidian found a feathered dart in the neck of the guard, but she left it alone.

"Are they okay?" Tsumé asked.

"Alive. Just sedated," she replied. "They'll be out for hours at least."

"At least PACE didn't kill them," said Volcan.

"Yes…" Obsidian reluctantly agreed. With that, she hopped back through the window again and rejoined the others.

They increased their pace, heading toward the rinks. Their approach was far from silent with the heavy footsteps of Ayane's armour, so it came as no surprise when they heard gunshots as Rikyuu rounded a corner in the doorway. Fortunately his shield was placed for just such an attack, deflecting the bullets and sending them ricocheting into the opposite wall. Ayane raised her pistol and fired twice back at the shooters. One of them yelped in pain, but another gun kept shooting.

Rikyuu, leading with his shield, charged at the second shooter. The masked assailant emptied his entire magazine uselessly into Rikyuu's shield, not a single round penetrating, and when he hurriedly to change his magazine - or perhaps reach for a backup weapon; Rikyuu didn't wait to see - the dragon threw his full weight into the man, slamming into him and flattening him against the wall.

Obsidian telepathically rendered the two unconscious, taking a moment to check on the one Ayane had shot. Despite the large caliber of the bullets in her weapon, the man's armour had held and he had no visible wounds. She nodded to Volcan as he dragged the two men aside, and turned her attention to the door leading into the rink.

"They'll have heard the shots," she stated.

"I'll go first," Ayane offered. "Nothing they're carrying can pierce my armour."

"Let's hurry," said Volcan.

Naturally, Adrian had heard the gunshots from the entrance. He sent two men back to check on it, while the other six continued the search. They were in the back rink when they heard more gunfire from the entrance, followed by a yell. He heard his radio buzzing at him, but all he heard was static… and then silence.

"Sir. We've been compromised," one of his men stated.

"No shit, Sherlock," Adrian snapped at the operative. "Damn it… Abort. Back to the VTOL."

"But the others-"

"We will have to retrieve them later," Adrian interjected. "Back to the ship, now."

They complied, and began filing toward one of the emergency exits. Adrian brought up the rear, his gaze fixed toward the rinks main entrance. He couldn't see anything from where they stood, but the lack of response from his men confirmed his worst fear. They had been caught in a trap set by the phoenixes. He had to admire how quickly they had come up with such an elaborate plan, baiting him and his team into a position that ultimately favoured them.

Worse yet, he couldn't reach the pilot for the VTOL, who was supposed to be maintaining a low altitude over the Megaplex with the Disruptor activated, but the surprise scattershot at the entrance was an indicator that the Ice Phoenix's powers were still active. Either the pilot had withdrawn against orders - which Adrian doubted, or the attack at their rear was a sign that the pilot was already out of the fight, and with it their air coverage.

A crash from ahead snapped Adrian back to the present. He saw one of his men throwing his shoulder against the fire exit, another pushing on the bar and kicking it repeatedly. "What is the holdup?" He demanded.

"Sir, the door won't open! it's frozen shut!" One of the men answered, indicating the door.

A thick layer of ice had formed around the latch, and a strip of ice - far too deliberate to be natural, had formed in the door's seam, sealing it completely.

"What do we do, sir?" One of his men asked.

"Make for another exit. Stay alert," Adrian replied, calmer than he really felt. He needed time to think, certain that the other exits would also be sealed with ice. The enemy was determined to keep them there…

"Contact!" One of his men shouted suddenly.

Up the corridor, a pale figure stood at the bend. Though most of him was in shadow, his eyes glowed with elemental power, blue akin to the glaciers of the arctic. No sooner did the trooper call out the name did the lights vanish, dashing to the side. The trooper fired a short burst, but the bullets found no target.

"Pursue him!" Adrian commanded, raising his own weapon. "Hug the walls! Don't let him get behind you!"

They moved up the corridor, reaching the corner where they had seen the ice phoenix. There was another emergency exit there at the bend, but as with the last one, it had been frozen shut, refusing to open when one of the men tried it. The hallway opened into the rink area again, and they saw movement out on the ice. One of them called out the target and fired, shooting through the plastic barrier into the rink, but the target faded from sight, disappearing into the blackness again.

"Where did he go?" The shooter demanded, sounding on the verge of panic.

"Contact, left!"

At the corner, the fire phoenix appeared. In his hands, a massive fireball had formed, casting an red glow over him and his surroundings. Adrian gave the order to scatter, bounding over the wall and onto the ice, followed by another. The fireball came before the others could jump over the wall or shoot the phoenix, and the flames washed over them like a wave.

Fortunately for them, their fireproof armour coating saved them from being set alight, and the insulation prevented the heat from becoming suffocating. But even behind their goggles, they had to clench their eyes shut, unable to see the next attack as it came. The blue dragon ran up behind them, wielding a pair of clubs formed from the strange, solid energy he generated. He came up behind two of the men and bludgeoned them over their helmeted heads, a dull thud heard from each of them.

From behind the fire phoenix, the females appeared. The dragoness seized the two remaining men in a telekinetic hold and pulled them toward her. The earth phoenix kicked one square in the head, and the dragoness repeated the move to the other, both men falling to the floor, groaning. Then, after a throbbing sensation in their heads, both fell unconscious on the floor.

Out on the ice, Adrian and the last of his soldiers shakily stood up, unable to find friction on the freshly smoothed skating ice. The soldier let out a shout of alarm, seeing something racing over the ice toward them. He fired his weapon at it, a short burst hitting something solid, sounding like glass. He barely managed more than a confused grunt before the object slammed into him - a human-sized ice block, featureless but bearing a distinctive humanoid shape.

Momentum carried both the soldier and the sculpture flying into the wall at the edge of the rink with such force the poor man was almost crushed flat, the plastic shielding cracking as his helmet collided with it, and the sculpture likewise cracking as it fell over onto the ice loudly. That was when Adrian heard something landing on the ice behind him, and he turned around sharply. The movement caused him to slip, but he held his footing, coming face to face with the ice phoenix.

"You played us all for fools," Adrian said bitterly.

"I have been preparing for this moment for most of my life," the ice phoenix retorted, lifting his sword level with his face, the tip pointed at the ceiling in a form of fencers' salute.

Adrian drew his knife, brandishing his KEBAR and lashing out at the ice phoenix, who easily side-stepped his bloodthirsty attack. Unlike Adrian, the ice phoenix had no difficulty walking on the ice as easily as if it were dry ground. Adrian slid a full meter, tripping, having to hold his knife out at his side so as not to fall on it by accident. Then he received a kick to his back that sent him gliding into the wall of the rink.

He tried to find his footing again, spinning to face the ice phoenix again. But he was quicker, closing the distance between them and driving his sword into Adrian's collar, hitting above the rim of his armour. Adrian yelled out in pain through his mask, grabbing the blade with a gloved hand to try to pull it out to no avail.

"You've lost," the ice phoenix said, in a tone as cold as the steel of his sword.the glow had returned to his eyes again, but unlike his voice, there was a fire behind them. A hatred that made Adrian feel a pang of fear for his life when he met the Avian's gaze.

"Now you're going to tell me everything I want to know," the ice phoenix stated, moving close enough that Adrian could see his face clearly, and his own reflection on the inside of his goggles. "Where is your base, and where is my father?"

The yell of anguish that echoed into the hall had Kyle immediately on edge. Fearing that someone had infiltrated the base, he drew his sidearm and immediately ran toward the source of the cry. He reached the main control room, in time to see a chair being hurled across the room. Following its path, he saw the one who threw it to be none other than Dr. Rex, who fell into a fit of coughing from the exertion. Two people left their stations to catch him before he could collapse, easing him into another chair and trying to calm him.

Kyle walked into the room, holstering his pistol as he approached one of the technicians still at her station. "What happened?"

"Operation failed," she answered. "Commander One's team was overwhelmed and they have been taken captive. We've confirmed local authorities are en route to his location now."

"I'll get my team! We'll extract him!" Kyle offered.

"It's too late. You'll never get there in time," she replied, shaking her head.

Kyle didn't know what to feel at that moment. On the one hand, he disliked Adrian Broadside. The man was an effective operative to the P.A.C.E Directive but cruel and brutal to those under him. There was certainly no love lost between him or Kyle, but the idea that he was soon to be in police custody didn't seem possible. Of all the operations Adrian had led, few ended in failure, but never had one ended in capture.

Rex continued coughing for another moment, until he managed to collect himself and waved away the two technicians. They returned to their stations and Rex leaned back in his chair. "Commander Two… My cane," he said, pointing to the discarded wooden cane lying on the floor.

Kyle wasted no time, picking up the cane and bringing it over to the elderly man. Rex nodded in thanks to him, and slowly, shakily, pushed himself up to his feet. He took another moment to catch his breath, with Kyle never leaving his side in case the old man needed help again.

"Commander… It falls to you," he said.

"Sir?"

"Team One cannot remain in police custody under any circumstances," Rex stated. "It is only a matter of time before one of them reveals too much. We must-" he paused to cough again. "We must not let that happen."

"What is my mission, sir?"

"When team one is taken into custody… You will extract them," he said. "If you cannot, you must silence them. All of them, or at least the ones you cannot bring back. Eliminate anyone - any law enforcement officer, who gets in your way."

Kyle jerked as if he had been hit, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at his employer. "Sir… You want me to attack civilian law enforcement? And kill Commander One if I can't retrieve him?" He asked.

"Exactly," replied Rex. "The Directive cannot be exposed, whatever the cost."

"Sir, I…" Kyle struggled to say. "I-I can't… I can't do that."

"You must!" Rex said in a commanding tone.

"I was not trained to kill my own people, or attack civilian law enforcement without provocation!" Kyle protested.

"But you were trained to follow orders!" Rex retorted. "And I have given you yours! Now, carry out your mission, and do not come back until it is completed!"

Without another word, Rex turned and left the man standing, stunned, in the control room to stare after him as he hobbled out. Kyle felt his jaw clenching and fists tightening at his side. Those words echoed in his mind, bringing him back to the last time he had heard them. The defining moment that had made him desert the marine corps, and take up the offer from P.A.C.E that had made that decision available to him…

Follow orders, it kept echoing, playing over and over again in his mind like a broken record. Follow orders…

~~~~~

The masked cat, which they discovered upon removing his headgear, had refused to speak. Even with Vinge's sword buried in his collar and the threat of further pain being repeated by the ice phoenix, he had never once answered Vinge's questions. Vinge started to become agitated, to the point where Volcan had to step in and stop him from escalating the situation further.

They restrained the masked assailants using their own zip cuffs. Bringing them all out onto the ice revealed their total number - ten operatives, and Obsidian's mind reading told them that there were no others around, besides the pilot who they retrieved from the VTOL and brought back to add to the pile, bringing the number to eleven.

Unfortunately, Obsidian found herself unable to read their leader's mind. Somehow, he was prepared for it, forcing an image to the front of his mind that refused to go away. An image with his hands around Obsidian's throat, all the while smiling gleefully at her discomfort. She had to break off from the attempt at mind reading, daring not press him further lest she risk permanent damage and not wanting to see that vivid image any longer.

The group gathered outside, watching from across the street as police cars rushed in, sirens blaring and lights flashing as they surrounded the Megaplex, covering every exit while a team went inside. All of them watched, including Ayane who was still in her armour but the helmet was off now, as the police raided the Megaplex, and soon came out with the assailants, as well as the civilians who were still sedated, loaded into ambulances that were called to the scene.

"Trained to resist mind-reading," Vinge said with a mix of being impressed, and being disappointed. "I should have known it would not be so easy…"

"Easy?" Obsidian asked with incredulity. "What about that whole fiasco was 'easy' to you?"

"It was only a figure of speech," Vinge returned. "I thought capturing one of their leaders would give me the answers I seek, but it seems not." He let out a sigh. "My mission will go on, it seems, until I have finally found the root of this organization…"

Volcan looked up at Ayane. "So there really is no chance that we'll be connected with this, right?" He asked. "You made sure?"

"I didn't need to," she said. "Those guys disabled the cameras of the main entrances and destroyed the hard drives – filled them with holes. There's no way that footage can be retrieved. We are all in the clear."

"Investigators are going to be scratching their heads for months about this one," Obsidian remarked.

"Not to mention the management," agreed Rikyuu. "All the damage that was done in there. They are not going to be happy."

Tsumé had been silent until that moment, when she felt a footstep behind her. She looked over her shoulder, and saw Vinge walking away from them. "Vinge? Where are you going?" She asked.

Vinge stopped walking, looking back to answer her question. "This place is no longer a suitable hiding place for me," he replied. "P.A.C.E knows I am here now."

"But we just beat all of their operatives, didn't we?" Rikyuu asked.

"I fear their reach may be far longer still," Vinge replied. "I must resume my search for the arms dealer, the one who goes by the alias Chapman. It's my next lead in locating the center of operations and bringing this organization down for good."

Volcan ran over to the ice phoenix, moving around to stand in front of him and blocking his path. "Now hang on a minute," he said, his expression matching the irritation in his tone. "You said you'd help us."

"And I will," Vinge replied with a nod. "But I must continue on my own for now. There's little else I can tell you about P.A.C.E - I don't even know who their leader is, and you have now seen their operatives in action for yourself."

"Yet you still have a lead you don't want to share with us?" Volcan asked.

"Why do you care to know?"

"Vinge, I saw you in there," Volcan stated, pointing back at the megaplex. "When you had that cat against the wall. You were ready to kill him if he didn't tell you what he knew, and he didn't anyway. What would you have done if I hadn't stopped you?"

"You seem to already know the answer to that," the ice phoenix replied in a flat tone.

"And there is the problem," said Volcan, pointing an accusing finger at Vinge. "You aren't just doing this to stop P.A.C.E, are you? Nor are you only killing to protect your anonymity. You're also killing for revenge."

Vinge did not immediately respond to that. At that moment he found himself unable to meet Volcan's eyes, looking away slightly before he spoke. "I… I am unsure," he said.

"Yeah, bullshit," Volcan stated, earning a glare from Vinge. But the other phoenix didn't back down. "Answer me this then, Vinge. If I hadn't stepped in, how many of those eleven men back there would be bleeding all over that ice?"

Volcan waited for an answer. So did the others. Vinge never spoke, and he didn't need to look behind him to know they were all watching him, especially Obsidian who already didn't trust Vinge, and her own glare all but burned into the back of his head.

Eventually, the ice phoenix shut his eyes, letting out a slow breath that came out as a mist thought his nostrils. "It seems you have me at a disadvantage," he said, opening his eyes to look at Volcan. "I don't believe I caught your name."

"Volcan MacAingeal."

Unexpectedly, Vinge showed more of a reaction to that than anything else Volcan had said so far. "MacAingeal? As in, clan MacAingeal?"

Volcan blinked and tilted his head quizzically. "You know of it?"

"Your people and mine have a… Complex history," he replied. "Your clan is well known to my kind, but not in a good way."

Volcan wasn't sure he liked the sound of that, but he pushed it aside for the moment. "Regardless of the past, Vinge. You don't have to go it alone," he said. "We may be different species but we are both phoenixes by birth. If you go it alone, and let yourself keep being driven by revenge, it won't end well."

Vinge was silent for a time, his expression unreadable. It did not change even as he spoke. "I am… Not accustomed to this," he said. "I've been fighting and searching alone for so long. But, I think you are right… I have let vengeance slip into my motivations, too much so." He shut his eyes, putting a hand over his face. "I was losing myself to my anger, and the desperation to find justice..."

"You want to avenge your father, I get that," said Volcan. "Given the chance I would probably avenge Natalie too, even if I only barely knew her. But if I let that be my only motivation, I'm sure I would end up dead. I know you know I'm right," he smiled as he pointed at Vinge's face. "I've seen you have a pretty sharp mind."

Vinge allowed a light smile at that. "You might say I am a student in the art of war," he said. "I've had many years to plan for an encounter such as the one tonight."

"Between you and I, and those helping us, we have a better chance, don't you think? I want to stop P.A.C.E from threatening the people I care about," he looked past Vinge at the others. "Especially the friends I've been making lately."

Vinge nodded, agreeing with the sentiment. "I… I am not sure I can promise that my anger will not surface again," he said. "I've been carrying it for a long time."

"All the more reason to stick with someone who can help keep you in check, right?" Volcan asked, crossing his arms. "Just don't escalate to the point where I'll have to knock you out."

Vinge's smirk widened into a true smile at that. "Make sure you don't miss if it comes to that," he stated.

"It won't," Volcan replied with confidence, and held his hand out to Vinge, who took it and shook, both holding the other's hand in a firm grip.

Even now, watching the two, Obsidian still felt reprehensible toward the ice phoenix. She knew Vinge's reasons, she understood his actions… But still, she couldn't think he had been in the right. Even out of uniform, she was still an officer of law enforcement, and she supported the system, the charter of rights and freedoms, and the law that was meant to protect people.

She didn't need to say it aloud, for the others knew her own thoughts on the matter as well. Especially Rikyuu, knowing her best out of all those present. It would be a long time before she could ever trust Vinge, and he couldn't blame her for it. The dragon offered a comforting hand, squeezing her shoulder and meeting her eyes when she turned to look at him.

"It'll work out, 'Sid," he promised.

She sighed and nodded back to her friend, joining the others as they started back to her car. It had been a long day, and now they all looked forward to a good night's rest. But first, they headed back to Ordagova's to update him and Lighris on the situation...

When they returned to the bar that night, they updated Lighris and Ordagova on what had happened. Pavan had already gone home, picked up by his father shortly after they had left. They told them the full story after introducing Vinge to the two. Ordagova brought everyone refreshments as they recounted the events, from finding Vinge at the Megaplex to the encounter with more of the strange masked assailants.

"P.A.C.E Directive?" Lighris echoed after hearing the name, looking at Ordagova. But even the telepathic snake looked as lost as he felt. "Sounds like some fitness activist group, or something else stupid like that. It's an acronym?"

"As far as I know, yes," Vinge answered. "I still don't know what it actually stands for."

“But your weaponsss dealer might?" the snake hissed, cocking an eyebrow.

"It's the next lead I have, and it was not an easy one to find," replied Vinge. "So far, in all of my searching, nobody seems to have actually met the leader of P.A.C.E in person, nor knows where their base is. But he has to be getting his guns from somewhere, and someone has to bring them to them. I know it is a shot in the dark, but for the moment it seems like the best lead I have."

"I can try to decrypt the flight recorder in that other VTOL we took, since I didn't have to spike that one," offered Ayane. "But that will take some time."

Vinge looked back at her. "You can do that?"

"Piece of cake," she replied confidently, giving a thumbs up.

Even while looking at Ayane, though, Vinge directed his thoughts at Ordagova while the others continued the conversation without him. 'I know you are trying to look into my mind,' he said, and gave the Naga a sidelong look. 'I understand this is your business we are in, but I would ask you to respect my privacy.'

'I believe I've already seen enough. It's not nice what I see in there.' The snake insisted, turning his gaze away from Ayane to look directly at Vinge, 'but I do it for the best of our mission. Make sure no one forgets to mention anything that will benefit us all.'

As the others talked, Vinge turned fully to Ordagova. Aloud, he requested a drink, but in his mind, he said. 'Fair enough. Just the same, I would rather not let our own relationship be one of suspicion between us.'

'I know all of your emotions and intentions. I'm not suspicious of you, and even if I did say I won't ever do it again, would you still believe me?' he asked as he poured the ice-man another drink.

'Trust is a two way street, as they say,' the ice phoenix replied, accepting the drink when offered to him, his gaze meeting Ordagova's. "Thank you," he said before sipping on the drink, reaching into his pocket for money to pay for it.

Ordagova reached out to wave Vinge's hand away, “Thisss one isss on the houssse."

"Very generous. Thank you," he said, nodding and offering a tight, but genuine smile.

Tsumé covered her beak as she let out a yawn. "Okay… I don't know about you guys but I am more than ready to call it a night," she said.

"I'm with Tsumé on that," agreed Rikyuu. "Today took it out of us all, I'd say."

Lighis nodded, standing up from his chair with a wince. "Sadly, I've probably had a few too many even without considering my leg," he remarked. "So, Sid. Think you could give Volcan and I a lift home?"

She nodded. "Of course," she said.

"Bed sounds really good right now," Volcan agreed, rubbing his eyes. "So… Vinge, where's home for you?"

"I…" Vinge hesitated to answer. "I was sleeping in the Megaplex before the attack tonight."

“You can sssleep here, if you wisssh" Ordagova offered.

Vinge looked up. “This is an inn?" He asked, curiously. “I did see a second floor, but I thought…"

“No, but I have a couch you may sssleep on if you wish"

“Oh," said Vinge. He considered the proposal for a moment, and then nodded. “Yes. I would appreciate that."

“But of courssse," said Ordagova with a polite dip of his head. He then looked at Volcan, directing his thoughts to him. 'Seems like you won't be able to sleep over for a while,' he teased.

'He needs a place of his own for now,' Volcan replied. 'Besides. We had our fun.' He added with a wink.

The snake matched Volcan's smile. With that, the group began to clear out, with only Vinge staying behind as the others headed out the door, bidding Ordagova goodnight as he locked it behind them. They walked up the street to where Obsidian's car was parked, Rikyuu helping Lighris along.

Obsidian's pace was slow, and Volcan hung back to walk beside her, concerned. "'Sid. Are you okay?" He asked, his tone suggesting he knew she wasn't.

She let out a sigh, running her hand down her face, from her forehead to the end of her snout. "I'm still conflicted about Vinge," she said. "I know why he's doing this… I understand why he needs to do it, even why he's done it the way he has. But… I still can't consider it to be right." She rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. "It shouldn't be this complicated…"

Volcan nodded, hearing her every word. "I will keep Vinge reined in," he promised. "He's got too much anger in him. Self-control is certainly in question if he carries on like this, but I will make sure he doesn't kill anyone else unless absolutely necessary."

She looked at him. "That's a big responsibility, Volcan…"

"It's my hope it'll give you a little peace of mind, at least," said Volcan. "If he gets out of control again, I will take full responsibility."

She smirked. "That's sweet of you, but I can't hold you accountable if you don't exist, can I?"

"If I mess up, you can punch me," he offered.

She grinned. "Anywhere I want?"

"Within reason."

"Wuss," she teased him, but the talk brought a laugh to her lips.

Volcan shared the laugh for a time, then stepped forward. "Come here," he said, arms open.

Obsidian stepped into his embrace, putting her arms around him. She felt his wings add to the embrace as well, wrapping both of them in his soft feathers. Immediately, the chill of the night was gone, and Obsidian felt both comfortable and safe in Volcan's embrace.

'Oh God, he's so warm,' she thought, and hugged him a little tighter.

"Ye-ouch!!" Volcan yelped, tensing in her grasp, his wings drawing back as his arms slid off her.

Obsidian let go, stepping back from him. "Sorry! I forgot," she said, remembering then the gunshot wound in Volcan's side.

He gave a reassuring wave with one hand, holding his side with the other. "It's okay. Still a little tender," he assured her.

"It didn't open again, did it?"

Volcan rubbed his side, looking down at the wound. "No, don't think so," he said. "We're good.

"Hey, you two coming?" Lighris' voice called from the car. They looked over to see him leaning out the rear passenger side window. "Some of us want to get to bed before they have to go to work."

"We're coming," Volcan called back, and started toward the car, followed by Obsidian.

They climbed into the vehicle, and Obsidian started the engine and drove away up the street.

After dropping off Volcan and Lighris, Rikyuu likewise stayed behind, invited to stay the night at the phoenix's home rather than go through the bother of going back to his own home on the other side of town. It left only Tsumé in the car with her then, who moved up to the passenger seat as they returned to the city.

Obsidian let out a yawn, covering her mouth with her hand. Tsumé looked at her, and even in the dim light, she could see how fatigued her friend was. Her eyes were half-lidded and she was blinking more often than was usually needed.

"Hey, Obsidian," she said. "You want to just crash at my place?"

Obsidian looked at her out of the corner of her eye briefly before turning her attention back to the road. "That's not necessary, Tsumé. But thank you."

"I'm serious. You're barely staying awake even now," Tsumé replied. "You used a lot of your power today and got slammed by that weird device - that has to be taxing."

Obsidian let out another sigh. How many times had she done so that day, she wondered. She still felt a mild headache from how much she had exerted her psionic powers too. Tsumé was right - once she was alone in the car, she'd be at much further risk of falling asleep at the wheel, and there'd be no one to wake her before she had an accident.

"Okay," she agreed.

They pulled up to Tsumé's apartment, and parked in the stall reserved for her room. Since Tsumé didn't have a car of her own yet, the stall had remained vacant ever since she had moved in. After cutting the engine, she joined Tsumé as they headed inside, climbing the stairs to her apartment. Tsumé unlocked the door and invited her in, and Obsidian immediately headed over to the couch, sitting down and letting her body relax into the seat.

"You want my bed?" Tsumé offered. "The couch might be a bit short for you."

"This will be fine, Tsumé," Obsidian assured her. "Do you mind if I put on the news?" He asked, gesturing to the television.

"Not at all. Go ahead," Tsumé replied, pointing out the remote to her before heading into the kitchen. "Think our little jaunt tonight made the headline?"

"Probably."

Obsidian picked up the remote, switching on the television and turning it to her preferred news channel. She adjusted her posture on the couch somewhat to get more comfortable. As expected, they were showing the details of the arrests made earliest that night of the P.A.C.E operatives, all of whom were referred to as unidentified armed assailants.

So far no information about what the men were after or who they were had been released to he media. Not that the police would know, she expected - even with her telepathy she had been unable to get any useful information from their leader. Just thinking back to it made her shudder, remembering that image he'd projected to her of him strangling her…

The broadcast was on repeat, she guessed, as within the hour it was starting to play again. By this time, Tsumé had brought her a drink of water, and went back into the kitchen. It sounded like she was cooking something when the feed on the TV changed. A broadcast that had Obsidian leaning forward in her seat.

The muffled scream Obsidian let out was the first indication for Tsumé that something was wrong. She set down the pan and ran out into the living room, finding Obsidian sitting upright, hands clasped over her mouth and eyes wide in horror as she stared at the television.

Tsumé turned, and saw the live broadcast. Live, of the city's county jail. The entire building was on fire. Emergency crews were all around, ambulances and fire trucks alike. But… no police? That made no sense… until the feed cut away to another image of a police station, which was likewise the scene of carnage.

The main garage had been smashed open, debris littering the street outside, and officers were keeping the cameras crews away to prevent them from entering. The broadcast spoke of a giant figure making an initial entry, and two armed men racing inside behind hij, gunning down all of the officers who were inside before, according to preliminary reports, raiding the evidence locker of the station.

The men then boarded a military grade armoured truck before rushing to the county jail which had been attacked at the same time. Multiple guards had been killed, and even more prisoners had been freed and the only ones accounted for were petty crooks that had already been there, but the unidentified prisoners brought in earlier that night had all escaped aboard the first and a second armoured truck of the same model.

After which, under the cover of automatic weapons and explosives, the armoured truck had escaped into the street and disappeared without a trace. Some of the other prisoners had been found, dumped by the armoured trucks after trying to stow away, so the news said. But when pictures of the cons that were still missing was displayed, every member of P.A.C.E they had captured that night was among those not accounted for.

"Oh my God…" Tsumé whispered, a hand over her beak as she stared at the TV.