The evening grew long and the springtime sky had turned to black. The Temple of Tikal, despite the demand that night, was closed. Its owner could not help but worry about the events that night - worried about the safety of his friends. All he had heard that day was a text message from his lover, telling him that they had started the plan as they could not wait. The opportunity presented itself and they risked P.A.C.E being ready for them if they took any longer. He received this message in the middle of the day, and saw it too late to speak with Volcan prior.

After the afternoon hours, the bar had closed, and the snake waited. Waited in the bar on his own, listening out for them with his mind to try and read where they were, and if they succeeded. He was full of hope, but with every minute, every hour that passed, he could not do anything but dread that he may never hear from them again. Precious friends he quickly grew close to in a quantity that he could never had dreamed of over the many years he had lived, only to find out they may have been snuffed out like a flame in a deluge of water.

But then, finally… He felt it. The familiar presence… No, more than one. The phoenixes, the dragons - nearly everyone was coming, stepping one after another into the range of his psionic senses. He especially recognized the presence of Volcan, who seemed to be making sure he was the first to the door.

The snake rushed off his old sofa and down the stairs into the bar, running over to the front door and frantically unlocking it and opening it wide open, almost ripping the door off its hinges as he leapt outside in his scruffy and untidy barrister outfit onto the pavement, looking up the street to see the phoenix walking triumphantly towards him. Behind Volcan, Tsume was leaning on Vinge for support, the ice phoenix taking most of the weight off of a bandaged leg she was noticeably favouring, and Lighris and was similarly helping along a very tired-looking Rikyuu along, with Kyle bringing up the rear of the group - now in casual clothes instead of his tactical gear, and Avelyn walking beside him out of her lightning armour.

“Miss us?" Volcan asked, as if the question needed to be asked.

The snake simply pounced onto Volcan, wrapping his arms and tail tightly around the bird, uncaring of any of the public.

"I wasss ssso worried about you! When I sssaw your messssssage I tried calling but I couldn't get through. I didn't know if you would ever be back," he replied, squeezing the bird in the embrace with his eyes closed and head hung over his shoulder.

“Yeah, I sent that when we were still clearing the mountains," said Volcan. “We had to get over the border to finish the job, so I couldn't call sooner." He looked back and stepped as Vinge and Tsume came to stand beside him, the latter still supported by the former. “Took a few hits but we all came out alive."

Ordagova slowly released the fire phoenix and looked over the party behind him, seeing Tsumé visually wounded. "Are you ok, Tsssumé?"

“I'm good," she said, giving him a rather geeky thumbs up. “I get stabbed by giant killer robots all the time," she added sarcastically before she winced as she put too much weight on the leg. “Ow… Though not usually all the way into the bone."

"She should be fine, I checked her out and she will recover." Avelyn spoke up. "Luckily it missed everything major."

"Ouch…" Ordagova hissed with a sharp inhale. "Here… let me help" he insisted, leaning down to pick her up from before and cradled in his arms. She was surprisingly heavy for her petite size, like carrying a boulder, but the strong snake easily managed.

“Whoa! Well… thanks," she said, somewhat embarrassed but not willing to say so.

"Come on in!" He called out to the party and led them into the dark bar. The lights were off as the snake hadn't had time to turn them back on yet.

Leading the way back into the bar, Ordagova carried Tsumé over to one of the large plush bay seats, settling her down softly, before moving behind the bar to flick the light switch on, then heading back over to the front door to lock once all of his friends had entered, noticing Rikyuu coming up the rear.

“You look tired." The snake commented as he locked the door behind him.

“Nothing that hot food, a hot bath and about a whole day of sleep won't fix," he replied cheerfully to Ordagova, giving a weak smile.

“Unfortunately I can only offer the food," Ordagova suggested.

“I will take the biggest anything you got," Rikyuu replied.

Ordagova chuckled. “I'm afraid only Volcan getsss that. But I will sssee what elssse I can find," he agreed before moving around to behind the bar counter before calling out: “Drinksss! To cssselebrate!"

Certainly needing no more encouragement, the phoenixes all took seats at the bar counter – minus Tsumé, with Avelyn and Kyle coming to join them. Volcan breathed a long sigh of relief, finally getting to sit down in a nice, quiet location for the first time since that morning.

“In the span of a single day," the phoenix said, catching the ear of Avelyn and Rikyuu. “We've taken P.A.C.E down for good… We can finally have our lives back, without fearing an invisible airship or armoured goons bearing down on us at any moment."

“Normal for you guys" Avelyn spoke up, “all in a day's work for me and Avi."

“More power to ya, bud, but my work's only just begun," Rikyuu said to Volcan. “I still need to find others of my kind, and figure out what happened to my creator. Still, I'm glad I could help you out; P.A.C.E needed to go down, that much is certain."

“We were glad to have you, Rikyuu," said Volcan. “And, consider this. Maybe when Avory and Ayane have time to sift through P.A.C.E's files they could find something about Nero."

“You think so?"

“We know they worked together briefly. It was from Nero that Rex got that cloning technology to make those cyborgs - he said so himself." Volcan reminded him. “Rex would probably have seen Nero as a loose end, since he'd be one of the few people in the world who knew his directive existed, so it stands to reason he'd try to keep tabs on him."

“Well, I don't know if Nero would've known about the Directive," Rikyuu replied, shrugging. “But he at least knows what Rex was about and, if he's the man I hope he is, he'd have planned to stop him. He created me to protect people, and Rex made weapons and technology to hurt them."

“I'm sure Avory will be sifting through all the data tomorrow. He might even be doing that now as they do clean-up; he won't stop until he's found out everything" Avelyn chimed in, reaching around to pat the blue dragon on the back.

“Well, if he doesn't want me out of your house too soon, I'll be ready to know whatever he can tell me," said Rikyuu, nodding gratefully to Avelyn. “What's next for the Lightnings anyway, now that P.A.C.E is dealt with - back to tracking down that weapons dealer?"

“That was the goal all along." Avelyn confirmed, “But there are likely others like P.A.C.E out there who buy Achtbening's weapons; the Bauhinia Project being one of them."

“All I can do is wish you luck," said Rikyuu. “But don't be afraid to reach out if you need a little help."

“We should be fine. But we're always looking around for new recruits we can trust," she hinted.

“What can I get everyone to drink?" Ordagova chimed in.

“All the drinks this evening will be on me and Avory," Avelyn called over to the snake. “I'll have a Singapore Sling"

“Of courssse" the proprietor agreed, before looking around to the rest of the party.

"In that case, I'll have something heavy," said Lighris. "I'd say we all deserve to get slammed tonight after what we've been through."

"Amen to that!" Pavan chimed in.

"Hang on, are you even legal drinking age?" Lighris asked, looking at the Wind Phoenix with skepticism.

"I'm older than Tsumé - of course I'm of legal age!" Pavan replied indignantly.

"Bet you're a total lightweight though," Lighris challenged, grinning.

"Oh it's on now, thunder head," Pavan retorted.

“What would you like that'sss heavy then?" Ordagova asked the two competitive phoenixes.

"Got any Scotch?" Lighris asked. "Little something from the ancestral homeland."

"Bro, you take more from the Irish on our dad's side," Volcan pointed out.

"Yeah but, Scotland makes the better stuff," said Lighris, shrugging. "At least to my palate."

“So will that be two ssscotch whissskiesss?" The snake asked, looking over at Pavan curiously.

"I'm from the isle too… Least my dad is," said Pavan before shaking his head. "Bah! Yes, if Lighris can handle it so can I!"

"He's going to hurt himself," Volcan whispered to Avelyn, a tone of dismay in his voice.

“I'll keep an eye on them" Avelyn whispered back as the snake turned around, looking over the bottles behind him on the decorated shelf and picking up a bottle of scotch with his hands and a tumbler glass with his tail, scooping up some ice and placing it on the counter, repeating the process for the second, before corking the bottle and pouring the whisky over the rocks.

He placed the bottle down on the counter and picked up the two glasses, stretching out to the two birds either side of the counter to place their drinks in front of them. “Enjoy~," he hissed melodically.

"Cheers," sId Lighris, picking up his glass.

"I'd say big ears but, we don't have them!" Pavan joked, rather poorly, before he and Lighris knocked back their drinks.

"I'll try some of that Scotch too," Rikyuu added, still sitting between her and Volcan.

"Sling me a sling please," Tsumé called.

"Eh, what the hell," said Kyle, taking a spot at the counter "I'll get a Mai Tai. Haven't had one of those in years."

Ordagova nodded as he took the orders, pouring Rikyuu another scotch on the rocks before turning to the cocktails, the Singapore Sling for the avian girls and then the Mai Tai for the human.

Volcan decided only to get food, ordering a burger while watching his brother and Pavan at their game, shaking his head at them. But he said nothing against it, letting them have their fun. 'Ancestors know we've earned it after today,' he thought.

After a while Ordagova returned to the bar carrying two large burgers for both Volcan and Rikyuu, and a plate of nachos balanced on his tail, placing them at the centre of the bar for anyone.

"Ooooh food!" Rikyuu practically crowed, picking up the burger and taking a big bite of it.

"Eat hearty, Rik," agreed Volcan as he picked up his own burger to bite into it. 'Thanks, hon,' he directed the thought to Ordagova with his mouth now full.

'Don't mention it, sweetheart' Ordagova directed back to him with a smile.

Not long after the group started tucking into their food and drinks, a portal started to form in the middle of the bar that fizzled here and there before finally stabilising. From there, Korban, Red lightning, Ayane and Obsidian began walking into the bar one after the other, with Kieran entering last and closing the portal behind him once they were all through.

“Fucking hell that took forever to get done." Korban moaned out, rolling his head along his shoulders. “Was it really necessary for me to stick around and play guard duty? I thought the whole base was pretty much ours after we took out the head honcho."

“No one asked you stay, Korban" Avory reminded as he walked passed the husky in his red armour.

“And doesn't mean there wouldn't have been some guards left," Ayane, now out of her armour, offered. “That place was huge - plenty of places to hide."

“Actually, they kinda did." Kieran pointed out. “Whatever. Semantics at this point." He added before he took note of everyone already enjoying the fruits of their victory. “Shit, looks like they started without us."

“Better late than never I guess." The husky said with a shrug, already heading over to the bar to grab himself a drink.

“Hey, Ordagova. Do you mind if I park this downstairs for the time being?" Red Lightning asked, looking over at the snake as he headed for the stairs, tapping his suit with an armoured knuckle.

“Be my guessst" he agreed, as the red suit disappeared through the doorway behind the bar. Ordagova came over to Korban's seat giving the husky a welcoming smile, “Sssomething ssstrong?"

“You know it. Gimme something that'll leave me buzzed fer more than a few hours." He replied. “And something light fer the magical cat while yer at it."

“Hey! I can order my own drink!" Kieran protested, shooting a scowl at his partner before turning to Orda. “Gimme a Vodka Orange. Half n' half."

Ordagova chuckled, quickly grabbing the vodka and orange juice to pour it for Kieran before turning back around to his display of drinks, reaching up to the top for an over-proof bottle of rum he moved there from the cellar, ready for Korban to try.

“You know, it will alwaysss be difficult to make you feel 'buzzsssed' for too long a time with your abilitiesss," the snake reminded the husky. “But now I think about it, there isss sssomething that might give you that kind of feeling…" he pondered after pouring Korban a large glass of the expensive rum, straight.

“Challenge accepted, bucko." He returned, grinning. “What's it called?"

“I'm not actually sssure what you would call it in Englisssh…" Ordagova admitted, “It isss sssometimesss ingesssted in cssselebratsssion, ssso I think it would be appropriate today"

“Considering we just took down some totalitarian dipshit and his little patsy party, I'm inclined to agree." Korban remarked with a nod. “Hit me up, barkeep."

“Let me sssee if I ssstill have sssome…" the snake enquired, before leaving the bar counter and heading down the stairs behind, passing Avory now unsuited on the way down.

Having been served his drink, Kieran decided to part ways with Korban and mingle with the others as they all celebrated their victory. He saw Vinge apart from the others and went over to approach him, waving as he got closer.

“Yo." He began, standing next to the ice Phoenix. “Quite a party you guys started. I'm a little insulted you didn't wait fer us to join in first." He remarked in jest.

“We did make a few detours on the way back," Vinge replied, shrugging. “First we dropped Shiryu off at home, then we managed to sneak Rex over the border where he'll be found by the authorities. We made certain he was along their patrol routes."

“So he's gone for good, eh?" Kieran asked after taking a sip of his drink. “Good riddance; he deserved worse than what we gave him if you ask me." He remarked spitefully, then his expression softened as he glanced at Vinge once more. “By the way, uh... Sorry about yer Dad, man."

Vinge let out a long sigh. “...I suppose, after all these years, I was prepared for it, though I would be lying if I said it did not still hurt to hear it firsthand," he admitted. “But justice has been served, for him and everyone Rex made suffer… That will be enough."

Kieran nodded softly in understanding, then glanced away at his partner at the bar for a brief moment before he looked back at Vinge. “Hey uh… you didn't hear this from me, but… I think you and my boss have that much in common at least." He whispered to the ice Phoenix.

“How is that?" Vinge asked, curiously.

“Well… it's only hearsay, but early on into our partnership, we started getting to know one another a bit. See if we could figure out how our different styles could match up, you know? One topic that came up was favourite childhood memories, and when I asked about his, he responded with, and I quote: 'Hard to say. I stopped being a kid the day I turned four.'"

“I was much older than that when my father was taken," said Vinge. “But, I believe I see your point."

“Yea…" Kieran nodded, taking another sip. “So… With P.A.C.E. gone, what're yer plans now? You gonna head back to yer home or you plan on stayin' a bit longer?"

“I'm not yet sure, to be honest," Vinge admitted. “I've made friends here. Something I never really could up north in the tundra. One thing I need to do though is return to my mother, to apprise her of my father's fate. Perhaps I could convince her to come back here with me."

“Well if you ever find the time, I wouldn't mind taking a few more pointers from ya." Kieran stated with a smile. “Never really had a mentor before, and it felt refreshing being taught by someone that knows what they're talking about."

“I could give you a few more lessons before I set out," Vinge offered.

“Appreciate it." Kieran answered, smiling as he lifted his glass up. “To toppling over a prick and his empire?"

Vinge lifted up the light beer he had selected for himself. “To the end of P.A.C.E," he agreed.

Avory headed over to Tsumé, relaxing on the soft bay seating off to the side, chatting to Avelyn, “Hey! How are you feeling?" he asked as he moved to sit beside her, “That was a nasty gouge you got there."

“It still hurts, but I'll manage," she said. “It's not often something manages to pierce my skin, let alone hits the bone. Rex was not kidding around when he built that monster."

“Well, regardless if it was unlikely for it to hurt you, I'm sorry I wasn't quick enough to save you in time," Avory replied solemnly.

“Hey, don't sell yourself short," she stated. “If you hadn't dove in there when you did that thing would've skewered me. So, thank you," she said, lifting her hand to rest it on his arm.

The raven-hoopoe felt her hand against his arm, holding it through his white hoodie, unsure what to say, left gazing back at her in stunned silence.

“What's the matter?" She asked, shaking her head slightly. “Not used to having someone show gratitude for saving them?"

After a moment he began to speak, “No, not really."

“Really?" She asked, smirking. “The great Red Lightning has never had anyone thanking him for his help, at all? Surely not everyone is so dense that no one else sees the good you do."

“Well normally the ones who would be grateful are too busy running to safety," Avory replied, noticing her smirk.

“What, never caught someone falling out of a building or rescued from a fire?" She asked, shrugging.

“Same applies," he replied, Avelyn nodding in agreement behind Tsumé. “The real world isn't like the movies where the hero is rewarded with a kiss on the cheek."

“Maybe not," Tsumé replied, shrugging. “But giving thanks isn't exactly getting personal. So, again, thank you for the save."

“You're very welcome," Avory smiled warmly, gazing a little longer at the beautiful green bird.

'…Shit. Well there goes my chance.' Korban thought inwardly as he watched the conversation unfold between Tsumé and the Lo'Raven twins from where he sat. He couldn't exactly hear what they were saying over the ambient noise of the others talking about their victory and any other topics that came to mind, but he could tell by their interactions that there was an attraction budding between them, leaving him feeling he had missed his chance at wooing the earth Phoenix.

Finally the snake reemerged from behind the bar, carrying two large, clear, unlabeled bottles with him and placing them down on the counter, turning around to find the shot glasses. Picking up two stacks of shot glasses he laid them out across the counter and poured a little bit in each, and then filled up one all the way. He then turned back and looked for another bottle on the shelf behind him, finding a bottle of champagne, uncorking it and topping up the rest of the glasses with it.

Once done, the snake took the straight shot and places it in front of Korban, it looked clear and didn't smell of anything, but the snake assured him it would give him a buzz for a few hours.

“Everyone! I've made sssome cssselebratory ssshots! Come help yourssself to one! But be careful not to have too much! They can be quite ssstrong!" Ordagova called out to the party.

“What have you got for us?" Volcan asked.

“It'sss a drink from my people we ussse to cssselebrate. It doesn't taste or smell like anything, so I mixed it with champagne which is a more western drink for cssselebrationsss." he educated, “It'sss also typically drunk with loved onesss." he smiled, happily over at Volcan.

“Sounds good to me," said Lighris, setting aside his glass of Scotch, while a slightly tipsy Pavan tried to down his third glass of it.

Ordagova moved, picking up a shot glass and placing it in front of Lighris. The lightning phoenix picked up the glass, smelling the contents briefly before he opened his beak and downs the shot in one go. It didn't taste like anything other than champagne.

“I'll go grab some," Avelyn commented to her brother and Tsumé, smiling quietly at each other, before leaving the table to go over to the bar counter where the shots were being served. “Hey Kyle," she smiled at the human beside her at the counter, opening up conversation and asking curiously, “how does it feel to be rid of former employers?"

“Feels like I'm really on the path to redemption," said Kyle, nodding. He looked at ease, his lip curled in a light smirk as he enjoyed his Mai Tai, having just had a shot, and seemed to be at ease for the first time since Avelyn had met him.

Avelyn smiled more, happy to see Kyle happy himself for once. “You know… that looks good on you" she remarked.

"What does?" He asked, not understanding.

“That smile," She answered. “Hold on…" She said before grabbing two of the shots and taking them over to Avory and Tsumé's table before heading back to Kyle, standing between him and Volcan sitting on the other side to continue the conversation, grabbing a third shot glass for herself, sipping at it.

He chuckled. “Well, thanks," he said. “Hopefully, not the last you'll see of it. I suppose my next concern is where I go from here?"

“Well, you don't even have your own place yet, or at least, not that I know of" Avelyn reminded him.

"Not yet, no. It's on the list. That and, finding a better job than just flipping burgers next time," he added with a smirk. "Not exactly a living wage. I don't even know if I can safely put military service on my resumé."

“Well, I don't know what's going through his mind. At least, at the moment" Avelyn giggles a little looking over at her brother with Tsumé behind them, “but he has been impressed by you and has mentioned considering asking you if you want to be part of our team." Avelyn revealed.

Kyle blinked, his smile disappearing as the implications behind what she was offering dawned on him. "Hold on. You want me… To be a Lightning?" He asked, his tone suggesting he could hardly believe what he was hearing.

“You've shown you've got the mindset for one" Avelyn gave him a reassuring smile, “Sure, we'll need to get you suited up in one of the Spark suits to see how you handle it. But I'm sure you would be a worthy addition to the team"

Kyle was blown away by the offer. As he pondered it, he couldn't help but ask the question. "Are you sure?" He asked. "After what happened with that American Dream guy, not to mention the fact I used to be part of P.A.C.E, you really trust me enough to offer me a suit?"

“Trust me. We've been keeping an eye on you." Avelyn revealed. “That key swipe you've got for the house is also a tracker, and has been checking for communications equipment around you. You're clean." She smiled at him, reaching around with an arm across his shoulders. “Besides, if you did want to backstab us for P.A.C.E you would have done it back at that base, or at the mansion by now. Obsidian and Ordagova can't see anything wrong in your mind either - I wish we had that knowledge with Sam too."

Kyle took another moment to consider, chewing on the idea as he imagined himself in a suit like Avory or Avelyn's. "I'll definitely think about it," he said, smiling again. "A good soldier is always ready to update his arsenal, and maybe this way I can still do some good in the world, even if it's behind a mask or a helmet."

Avelyn smiled sweetly at Kyle, but felt a growing urge to kiss him. Before she knew it, she had already lent in and kissed the human's cheek, holding her beak against his dark skin. Kyle was especially surprised by this, but voiced no protest to the gesture - though he couldn't stop himself from lifting his hand to his cheek when she pulled back.

"Uh… What brought that one on?" He asked, almost mechanically, his mind barely processing what she had just done.

She paused for a moment, noticing the human's sweaty scent after a long day's fighting. “I… I'm not sure." she stated, “I guess… I've taken a liking to you, ever since we first met"

Kyle snickered at that. "Heck of a first meeting, finding a hairy black human sitting in your kitchen eating a bowl of cereal," he remarked in good humour.

“Hey, you're talking to a very feathery black bird who was exposing her tits and nethers to you" Avelyn giggled holding him closer around his shoulders, “I dunno if it put you off your breakfast or you were eating that up instead."

Kyle, having been in the middle of sipping his drink, sputtered a laugh and nearly choked on it when she said that. "Hey, I was careful where I put my eyes!" He said, even through the laugh that had snuck its way to his lips.

“Sure you were~" Avelyn cooed to him, smiling at he laughed, leaning in to his ear, “You didn't have to, and don't need to now~."

If it could have been seen more clearly, other than his face flushing into a darker colour, Kyle would have been blushing bright enough to rival Volcan in that moment…She giggled again at the human's cute innocence before leaning in again, this time planting her beak on his lips, and holding it there. Kyle didn't know what to make of it at first, but he decided he didn't mind it, and he pressed his lips to the tip of her beak. A bit awkwardly at first, as humans and avians were never built with gestures of affection in mind

Avelyn eventually tilted her head to the side and parted her beak more, sliding it around the human's cheeks and jaw, her tongue outstretched and pressed between his lips, prying them apart to be met by his own tongue, and he happily returned the french-style kiss, bringing up his hand to caress her cheek with his slightly calloused fingers, feeling her soft feathers between his digits, all the more pleasing to touch. His caressing caused her to blush and lean in deeper; wrestling his human tongue with her long avian one. Holding his head close with her arm around his neck and over his shoulders.

Her other hand slowly reached up from her side to his chest, feeling over his body through the fabric as it sat perched upon the bar stool like a trophy. He was certainly well built; she could feel it through his clothes, with hard chest and abdominal muscles and well-defined arms. Just the way a soldier should be, and no fur or feathers to hide it.

She cooed blissfully in the kiss, much to Volcan and Rikyuu's surprise, only just now seeing what was going on between them.

Avelyn couldn't help but drop her hand down to find the hem of his top and slide it up invasively; her claws and fingertips feeling over his strong muscle; tracing each and every contour, her thumb flicking over one of his nipples. She lent even deeper into the kiss as far as her beak could go.

“Hey, hold up," said Kyle, pulling back gently from Avelyn. “We ought to save that for somewhere more private, wouldn't you say?

“We can either take a cab home, or if you're as hungry as I am, the washrooms are out back" the raven girl hinted.

Kyle snorted a laugh. “Don't think Ordagova would appreciate that," he said. “I'll call us a taxi."

It was then that they both heard the snake chuckle and shake his head from the other end of the bar counter, serving their other friends.

“I look forward to it, handsome~," Avelyn cooed, giving Kyle another shorter kiss on the lips and his pec a grope before releasing him.

Kyle watched as Avelyn stepped away, noticing Ordagova giving him a knowing smirk before the human simply requested to borrow the phone to call them a taxi. “First girl I've had since the marines, and it's her of all people," he said to himself. “Man, did I get really lucky or what?"

Kieran came on over with Vinge and joined his partner in trying out the shots. The husky picked up his shot glass and gave a small toast to the two. “Well, bottom's up." He remarked before they took a swig of their drinks.

“Hmm. Not bad." Kieran remarked after he finished his drink, gently placing his shot glass back on the counter. “Was expecting it to be a bit heavy, but it's actually kinda nice."

“I've never had champagne before," Vinge admitted, but he didn't seem to dislike it by any definition.

Korban had a look of disappointment on his face as he slammed the cup down on the counter, looking at Orda with a snort. “Hey, I thought you said this was strong stuff. Doesn't even have a taste to it."

“Give it a bit; it's got a pretty delayed aftertassste," the snake insisted, handing out the rest of the shots before taking one himself.

Korban narrowed his eyes in suspicion slightly before letting out a sigh and shrugging helplessly, deciding to take the snake's word on it and just enjoy the party for the time being.

“Hey, does this place have a karaoke machine?" Pavan asked.

Before Ordagova could answer, Lighris turned to glare at the Wind Phoenix. “Don't you think you sang enough today while we were fighting?"

“Hell no! Even after all that I still got energy to burn!" Pavan cheered, raising his drink high. “I want to sing and I want to dance the whole night away!"

Over in the bay window, Tsumé fell back against her seat like she was exhausted - which she likely was after the day's events, further adding to her exasperation. “Does he ever run out of energy? He's like a living battery!"

“I'm not sure; you've known him longer than me," Avory remarked, reaching out for one of the shot glasses Avelyn handed them, bringing it to his beak to smell before sipping the small glass.

Tsumé likewise took a swig of the shot glass. It was not her first time having champagne, having been introduced to it once before - if only a sip. But it was clearly a good quality, and she looked at the glass with some concern. “This was likely expensive," she remarked, arching a brow at the drink. “Good stuff."

“Yeah, although, it just tastes like champagne," he remarked, lifting it up again to take the rest of it. “Probably better in a champagne flute than a shot glass," he commented putting down the shot glass on the table, looking back over to Tsumé again for her opinion.

“Maybe. But he's got to have enough for everyone," she said with a shrug. “They don't really make those bottles in big quantities.

“Well, can I get you another drink? You've practically finished yours," Avory offered her, looking over at her cocktail glass where only a single chunk of pineapple was left dunked in a dribble of Singapore Sling.

“I think I'd like that," she agreed, nodding.

“Anything in particular?"

“Just another Singapore Sling, or anything else fruity if you have any ideas," she replied, shrugging.

“You might like a Brennivín Bouquet… but that depends on if Ordagova has any Brennivín" the male said, stepping up from the seat and walking over to the bar.

Rikyuu, deciding to to go check on his oldest friend among the group, left Kyle and Avelyn to their privacy and went to sit by Obsidian, who was further up the counter. “So, 'Sid," began Rikyuu as he changed seats to go speak to his friend. “How's your head after all the mind-wiping you had to do today?"

“Again, blocks, not wipes - other than Rex," she corrected, sipping on her Moscow Mule that Ordagova had brought her. “And, honestly, there wasn't as many as I expected. The technicians numbered only a couple of dozen or so, and the researchers only half that. Most of them were so terrified of Korban and Ayane they didn't put up any fight. One did manage to get ahold of a gun and shot Korban, but he just shrugged it off."

“That healing factor of his would make him pretty scary," agreed Rikyuu. “You shoot him, and he doesn't even react, that's gonna scare anybody."

Obsidian nodded. “After that, Kieran sent each of them close to where they used to live, appearing comatose near hospitals or police stations. I did go with the idea of sending a few who knew each other on camping trips but there'll be big gaps in their memories they'll be looking to fill. Some of them won't even know how old they really are, but I can't do anything about that."

“How old they are?" Rikyuu echoed, not understanding.

“Some of them had been in P.A.C.E for years - one of them, almost since the beginning. Him I had to wipe as I did for Rex, but thankfully he's from the opposite side of the continent so there won't be anyone giving it a second look," she said, and lifted her hand to rub her right temple. “All of the effort did end up still giving me a mild headache, but that should be gone after a good night's sleep."

Rikyuu nodded. “You know, you handled yourself really well today," the blue dragon said.

“How's that?"

“Well you're not a soldier, but you handled yourself just like one," explained Rikyuu. “Coordinating with your teammates and making sure everyone got through safe and sound."

“Well, cops do the same sort of thing on raids, you know," she pointed out.

“How many raids have you done?" Rikyuu pointed out. “You're a patrol officer last I checked, not SWAT."

“Fair enough."

Rikyuu grinned slyly. “ Although a little of that inner momma dragon I've come to know certainly came out when you saw Shiryu and scolded Volcan for bringing him."

Obsidian looked at him, surprised. “You weren't even in the room! How did you-?"

“Your voice is much louder than you think, 'Sid," Rikyuu replied with a wink. “Especially when you don't approve."

Avory eventually returned back from the bar to Tsumé, carrying two reddish purple drinks in tall glasses, as well as two more celebration shots. “He did! I'm surprised he had some" Avory remarked, placing the two large drinks down first before unhooking the two shot glasses from his pinky fingers. “I hope you'll like it; as the name implies it smells and tastes like a bouquet. They also had more of those shots left over, so I grabbed two more"

Tsumé breathed in the smell of the drink, detecting the hints of lavender and rose. She was sceptical at first, wondering how flowers might contribute to a drink, but she sipped it regardless, letting the liquid flow over her tongue.

Avory waited to see her try the drink, smiling at her reaction, seeing that she appeared pleased. “I thought you'd like it"

"I do. Is this really made with flowers?" She asked, looking at the drink in her hand.

“Mhm; the main ones are lavender and rose." Avory revealed, “I'm not sure about over here, but back in the UK you can get lavender and violet flavour things; and rose is pretty common place, especially in Turkey."

"Very interesting… I'll have to get this more often," she said, taking another sip.

“There's also something else I've been meaning to ask you," Avory began

"What's that?" She asked.

“Well I know I've employed you, so I don't know if I should be asking this, but the way I see it is that you're just a friend that I also pay to do my garden, but…" Avory paused nervously, “sorry; I've never asked this before."

"What?"

“Would you like to… go out? Sometime? perhaps?"

"You mean on a date?" She asked, tilting her head curiously.

“Well… yeah" Avory blushed, looking at her, “No, no; I'm sorry… Forget I said that… it was stupid for me to have asked…" he then quickly dismissed, looking away from her and at the floor.

"Okay, sure," she said, surprising him. "When did you want to go?"

Avory blinked in surprise looking back at her, “Seriously? You would?"

She shrugged. "Just because it's not at my dad's behest doesn't mean I can't give you a shot." She said, "Besides… You saved my life twice since we first met, and you gave me a job. I think a date is the least I could do."

Avory sat there in shock, not knowing what to do. Lost in he flung his arms around her and held her close, leaning in to kiss her beak all of a sudden so soon.

"Ah ah, bit too fast," she said, a finger on his beak to hold him back though she giggled at his almost child-like giddiness. "Let's actually go on the date first, okay Romeo?"

Avory gulped, letting go of Tsumé and drawing back slowly. “Sorry… I've never dated before."

"Clearly not," she said, giggling again. "Don't worry. I'll make sure not to disappoint." She added with a wink.

Avory's heart fluttered, gazing back and smiling wide seeing the beautiful green girl giggle. He then reached for the two shots and handed one to Tsumé, lifting his own up to hers.

“To the end of P.A.C.E and a new beginning?" Avory suggested.

She smiled and held up her own drink. "And to just generally kicking ass," she added, her competitive side shining through once again as she tapped her glass against his.

With that the two birds parted their beaks and downed the champagney shot, enjoying the taste, before chatting about other things over their flowery flavoured drinks; slowly finding their arms around each other's shoulders enjoying each other's company.

Later that night, after everyone had full bellies and buzzed themselves from multiple drinks, it was late into the night and everyone was almost ready to leave. Korban in particular was feeling rather tipsy from the shot he had earlier, and gestured to Kieran that it was time for them to start heading back to their trailer via a portal.

As his partner got to work on conjuring a portal, Korban turned to the others and gave them all a quick salute. “Well ladies and gents… It's been a hell of a ride, buuuut I think it's about time we head on home." He announced. “Got more bounties lined up fer the taking and all that shit." Korban remarked, then he was about to turn and head through the portal that Kieran made, when he paused as a thought came to his mind. He lifted a finger up slightly and turned back to the group. “Ya know… About our agreement." He stated. “I might have to change the terms a bit."

Those words had the room quiet, and all eyes turning to look at the husky; some wary, others curious.

“Which agreement?" Avory then asked cautiously, glaring over at him with his arm around Tsumé.

“The one where I said I'd be gone after this job and you'd never see me again." He answered. “Been giving it a little thought throughout this little party, and… despite the annoyances I've had to deal with in working with you lot… Yer not all bad. Hell, a few of you were willing to give me a second chance, which is more than I can say fer a lotta people." He added, glancing at Volcan specifically.

Volcan met Korban's look but said nothing, letting the husky continue. “So, with that being said, I'm thinking I might stick around you guys fer a bit longer…" He said, then lifted a finger up into the air. “On one condition."

He then pointed at Tsume with that same finger. “You n' me. One date." He stated with a grin. “That's all I ask."

Tsume blinked, tilting her head. “...That's it? A date?" She asked, clearly having not expected that to be his condition.

“That's it." Korban answered. “Pretty fair trade considering we just took down probably the biggest threat to our collective existence, don'tcha think?"

Tsumé considered it for a moment, looking between Avory and Korban, then shrugged. “I'll have to think about it, but I don't see the harm," she said, slowly.

The raven-hoopoe holding her blinked in complete shock looking between them before finally resting his gaze on Korban. The husky shot a grin back at Avory as if to say 'snooze, ya lose,' before nodding back to Tsume. Evidently he hadn't heard them discuss their own plans earlier. “Am I hearing this right? Korban will stay on the condition he goes on a date with you? Do we even want him to stay?" the male avian voiced.

“Alright then. Text me a day that yer open and I'll look around fer places we can have fun at while I wait." He said, turning to the portal. “…Don't keep me waiting too long, Baby Girl~" he added as he stepped through the portal, the gateway closing behind him afterward.

Seeing Avory's ruffled feathers, Tsumé leaned forward, angling herself to meet his eyes. "Not to worry," she assured him, giving another wink like the one She had given him before. "You asked first; you get first dibs."

“...I still don't know why we would want him to stay. That's just a win-win for him? He's the one who wanted to stay and wanted a date with you. Why was that even an offer?" Avory remarked, trying to wrap his head around the whole ordeal. “Such a conman…"

Once on the other side of the portal, Kieran was already nodding off on his cot, having just pulled the covers over himself when Korban walked through. “You took your time…" he remarked sleepily.

“Yeeaaa well, it was worth it considering I just scored a date with Tsumé right under that rich kid's beak." Korban shot back with a grin.

That got Kieran's attention, making him sit up and look at Korban in disbelief. “Shut the fuck up!" He exclaimed. “Yer lyin'!"

“I am many things, Kitty. A liar ain't one of em." Korban shot back. “I'll fill you in when we're nice and sober. Go get some shut eye… You've earned it, and a little extra on yer pay."

Stunned, he stared at Korban for a moment. “…Who are you, and what'd you do to my partner?" He asked with a chuckle, then shrugged as he flopped back into his cot, closing his eyes for a good night's sleep.

Korban lifted up his left arm and activated his wrist terminal, swiping through screens until he found the funds he had procured from Jacob Rex's accounts. He began transferring over a portion of those funds to Kieran's account, then paused as a thought came to his mind; one that made him glance to where the portal once was.

“…Fucking hell." He muttered, rolling his eyes as he began tapping away at his holo keyboard, digitally separating chunks of the funds into separate sections on his screen.“This better not bite me in the ass later on…" he muttered, powering down his computer and turning in for the night…

One by one, the group began to depart from the pub. The last to leave was Vinge, shaking hands with Volcan one more time before they were to part ways.

“I owe you much, Volcan," he said.

“You don't owe me anything, Vinge," Volcan assured him.

“But I do," the ice phoenix stated, more firmly. “You stopped me from following a path from which I might have never come back. Vengeance almost consumed me until you stepped in." He held Volcan's hand tighter then. “And, you stood by me, from the moment we first battled P.A.C.E together to the final battle with Rex. You even trusted me to decide for myself whether or not to take my vengeance when the opportunity was presented. Something, I think, that if we had not met, would never have come to pass - or, even if it did, I'd likely have fallen too far by then."

“We may never know," said Volcan, shrugging. “But you have been through a lot, Vinge, and I was more than happy to help you. My entire reason for fighting P.A.C.E may have started out selfish, but we both accomplished some good on the way, protecting families like Shiryu and his father, and saving ourselves from giving in to hate in the long run."

Vinge nodded in agreement. “Indeed we did," he said. “I hope we meet again very soon, my friend," he added with a smile. A genuine smile from the heart, perhaps the first Volcan had ever seen on Vinge's face.

“Likewise, Vinge," said Volcan, smiling back.

With that, Vinge turned and left the bar, leaving only Volcan and Ordagova as the last of the group departed, locking the door behind them. Volcan's feathers were bright, nearly enough to glow in the middle of the pub. Ordagova could see it, plain as the day that Volcan was happy, and even in his exhausted state he was standing tall.

Ordagova walked up to the phoenix and wrapped his arms around him tightly, pressing the top of his maw against the bird's beak, smiling happily. Volcan leaned back into his lover's embrace, sighing happily as he felt comforted by the snake's presence.

"Even if the world will never know it," he said. "I really feel like I did something good today."

“You did; but mossst importantly you're free. We're free. No longer needing to hide from P.A.Csss.E" the snake hissed; his tongue wisping across Volcan's beak.

"That's a freedom I'm glad to have," Volcan said, returning his lover's embrace and wrapping his wings around the snake as well. "No more worrying if someone is going to hit me in my sleep…" He sighed blissfully, leaning into Ordagova. "Feels like a huge weight has been taken off my back."

“I know…" the snake hissed, rubbing the bird between his shoulder and wing blades, “I'm ssso happy for you… For usss. For everyone"

Volcan sighed again, but then felt a twinge of pain in his head, gently pulling back from Ordagova to put one of his hands against his forehead. His discomfort was evident in his sour expression, and he was unsteady on his feet.

“Volcan! Are you ok?" Ordagova asked, reaching out again for the phoenix, holding him tighter by his shoulders and pulling Volcan against him, leaning him against his body for balance.

"Just a… A headache," he said, shaking his head and blinking his eyes repeatedly, trying to clear them. "I'm probably just tired... It's been a long day."

“That'sss a ssshame" the snake remarked with a caring smile, lifting his hand up to stroke and caress over the phoenix's forehead, “I thought you were in the mood for more persssonal cssselebrationsss~" the snake hinted, his smile turning into a teasing grin.

Volcan chuckled. "I'm afraid the most I could probably manage right now is some hard cuddling," he said. "Raincheck?"

“How hard?" The snake grinned, feeling up and down Volcan's back, stroking it before sliding his hands over the bird's bosom and to the front of his pants, unclasping the belt.

"Hard enough?" Volcan asked.

The snake dropped his legwear down to the floor, kicking them off to the side and pressing his clothed groin against his lovers, “If you want the tail, you know how to releassse it~"

Volcan chuckled, sliding his hands down to Ordagova's undergarments and gently removing them, sliding them down until they were around the snake's ankles, making him hiss in bliss.

Ordagova's grin widened as he looked down at his bird, reaching for the hem of his top of pulling it up and over the bird's wings, arms and head, discarding it to the side as his tail thickening and grew until it supported his weight, allowing for his legs to degrade and weaken. Toes receding into his feet, receding into his ankles, into his calves, to his knees, to his legs and to his hips, until the thick and long tail hand took over from his waist down; snaking around the room and around the two of them stood in the bar.

"Still surprises me how enormous you are," said Volcan, chuckling.

“Which part of me isss?" The snake teased and chuckled whilst hissing over the bird's beak, wrapping the tip of his tail around Volcan's ankles. His hands caress the sides of Volcan's chest all the way down to his hips and then to his own belt to undo.

"Your tail of course. You fill up this whole room," he remarked, chuckling. "Have you shown this form to anyone else yet?"

“Did you want me to ssshow my true form to othersss?~"

"As much as I enjoy having you all to myself?" He asked, pretending to consider the ideas for a moment. "Eh, maybe not~" he joked before leaning in to kiss Ordagova.

He welcomed the kiss. After undoing Volcan's belt his hands reverted to the bird's back to hold him close as they kissed, tilting their heads and parting their mouths to accept each other's tongues. Volcan's trousers fell to his ankles under the weight of his belt, which Ordagova tugged off as Volcan lifted his orange claws off the wooden floor for him.

"I love you, Ordagova," said Volcan as he kissed the Naga, for once being the first one to say the words.

“I love you too, Volcan" The snake replied between loving kisses; his hands stroking the bird's lower back and clothed bosom gently; his tail looping around his ankles and tip brushing against his toes.

“Wha- hehe! Easy, that tickles," he said, shifting his feet slightly.

“Oh?" the snake lent back, a smirk on his lips and a twinkle in his eye. Before long Volcan felt the tail tip snaking under his orange talons bushing its scales along the soles of his feet, looping back around to brush between his toes playfully, all whilst keeping them bound together.

“Ah! Hey, c-come on!" Volcan protested, weakly trying to pull his feet away. “You're gonna make me fall over!"

His protests were in vain, as the naga persisted, wiggling his tail and sliding it between his digits playfully as the bird balanced precariously on the thick black tail, moving below him, finally causing the phoenix to fall over backwards and onto the large mattress of black naga tail behind him that caught his fall.

“Al-Alright! I surrender!" Volcan pleaded, still trying to pull his feet away from that tickling tail.

But the tail's owner did little to stop; deciding to pounce onto the bird that laughed and squirmed uncontrollably below him, pressing his clothed chest against Volcan's warm and bare feathery one. He continued to pin and tickle the bird longer and longer until the naga knew Volcan's limit was nearly reached, ceasing moments before the mood would turn sour.

Ordagova gazed down at the gorgeous bird, wisping his tongue across the parted panting beak, trying to refill his large avian lungs from his lover's playful actions. “H-Had your… fun there?" Volcan asked, breathlessly.

“Did you, my wonderful phoenixsss~?" the snake hissed, planting a couple of kisses on the top of Volcan's beak.

“I'll let you know… As soon as I can keep… my eyes open," Volcan replied, almost in a whisper and further indicating his overall fatigue, despite his best efforts to stay with Ordagova.

Ordagova leant down to nuzzle Volcan's neck affectionately before reaching down to pick him up easily in both both arms, “Let'sss take you to bed, my precsssiousss bird"

“That sounds good," Volcan replied, nodding his head slowly in agreement.

(Uncensored version will be made available)

~~~~

Meanwhile…

Adrian Broadside had not felt so at a loss in all of his life. Not even the day he was discharged from the SEALs and court martialled by the military. Nothing could compare to the sense of loss and utter defeat he felt as he came to the ravaged doors of the hangar, or what lay beyond when he managed to climb through.

The signs of the battle were everywhere. Though the bodies had been removed, the blood and the smell of gunpowder was still present, unmistakable and hanging thick in the air. Bullet holes dotted the walls and floor, with signs that they had been fired from both directions - from inside the base, and from out. The attack had been only hours ago at least, in the time since he had led the team to capture the two wind-wielding dragons - that could not have been more than twelve hours ago, to his recollection, since they had attacked the hidden homestead.

“Who?" He wondered aloud, walking slowly through the base to examine the damage closer… “Who could have done this? Who could do this?"

The control room was dark. The servers from the main control console, all missing. On that note he went to the server storage room, checking the shelves for the past archives, stored on silver archiving tapes. To his relief, most of the data storage in the archives seemed to be untouched, but not all; the attackers had evidently been in this room as well and made off with some of the data P.A.C.E had collected over the past twenty years. What remained… Well, it was of no use to the disavowed soldier, having no means to access or utilize any of it.

He could find no trace of anyone still in the base. Even Dr. Rex himself was nowhere to be found; when Adrian went to his lab, all he found were the remnants of a new Cyber Solder the cat had never seen before. Something he wished he could have had when he had been confronted by Red Lightning and the Wind Phoenix, or their friends who had eliminated his retrieval team - Adrian had seen the battle taking place from afar, hidden on higher ground where he could see the battle through his binoculars. He couldn't make out too many characteristics but there was no mistaking the phoenixes he had encountered before.

They had to be responsible for this. But how? Adrian couldn't begin to fathom how they could have found the base, let alone broken in and defeated the defenders - even without him there to lead them, they were all trained men, and certainly outnumbered the small band! Not to mention the Disruptor-

At that, a horrible thought occurred to Adrian. He broke into a run, making immediately for the isolated ward above the prison area - somewhere few in the base had access too. He burst into the ward, barely waiting for the doors to open. The signs of battle were here as well, along with another corpse of a fallen Cyber Soldier…

The Disruptor core had been cannibalised. The platinum-tungsten cage had been cut apart, and the dark core of the device was gone without a trace. That sight alone had Adrian completely awestruck, knowing that not only had the enemy found and disabled the Disruptor - the Directive's ultimate weapon against the supernatural and the mystical alike - but they had taken it for themselves.

"How did they even get it out of here?!" He demanded, his temper boiling over.

He didn't know his voice had been heard, or by whom, until a familiar voice broke the silence of the deserted base. “It would seem our elemental adversaries had some assistance from allies we did not know they had…" Came the voice of Gabriel Rex as he stepped out of the shadows and moved to examine the damage for himself. “By my estimate, I imagine by someone well versed in mechanical engineering."

Adrian spun on his heel, turning toward the voice and seeing the familiar human approach. “Chief! You made it!" He said, with no small measure of relief. “How did you escape?"

“My office has a hidden panic room hidden behind the far wall. Once the attack began, I gathered what I could and sought shelter inside." He explained, standing in front of the mangled disruptor remains and humming in thought. “This is no doubt the work of the Lightnings. Only they would have the technical and mechanical knowledge to properly disarm the Disruptor before taking it apart…"

“That would explain their technical support as well," Adrian reasoned. “We know that the Lightnings use very advanced technology - it would stand to reason they'd understand advanced technology when they see it themselves." He growled angrily. “Damn… I never would have thought they'd found where the base was! How could they have found us?"

“Normally they wouldn't have. Even if the phoenixes managed to get their hands on one of the Retrievers' black boxes, they would have no means of deciphering the encryption keeping the logs safe." Gabriel deduced. “With the Lightnings on their side, it was only a matter of time before they started putting two and two together… and if what Devilshade told us was true, that Bounty Hunter could also have contributed with that terminal on his arm."

“Bounty Hunter?" Adrian asked. “The one you hired to eliminate the phoenixes? He betrayed us?"

“It matters not. At some point or another I half expected him to turn on us despite the impressive down payment I bestowed upon him. That's why I brought in Devilshade as a contingency." Gabriel explained. “Alas, it seems that plan failed as well, and as a result, our headquarters is nothing but rubble and empty servers… It will take us years to recover from this setback."

“From what I saw, not all of the servers are gone yet," Adrian offered. “But if I were the one to plan a raid on this place, I'd come back for the rest of them."

Gabriel caught on to Adrian's point quickly. They were not safe yet, and if they were going to salvage anything from the base's remains, now was the time to do it before one of the invaders returned to scavenge the rest of the base.

“...Then we need to start procuring as much of our information as we can before they return." Gabriel quickly stated. “We must get to the server room immediately."

“What about the armoury? We will need weapons, and supplies," Adrian suggested, though he followed the human out.

“I leave that to you, Commander One." Gabriel answered. “We will cover more ground if we split apart, then meet in my office once we have what we need."

"Understood," the cat returned. "I would also recommend we see if any of the vehicles in the ground floor garage remain functional. I will see to it."

Gabriel nodded in acknowledgement before the two of them parted ways to gather whatever they could from their respective locations. Time was of the essence - there was no telling when the invaders might come back…

A short time later, Adrian arrived at the office of Gabriel Rex. He had procured a cart, on which he carried an assortment of armaments as well as various ration packs - enough to last them for a week or so if they used them sparingly. Gabriel had gathered as many compact drives as he could carry from the server rooms. There was just so much data that he could only carry so much on his person, so he downloaded what he felt was necessary for the future of P.A.C.E., and purged all of the rest to prevent their enemies from gaining any further information on their organization. It was a safe bet they had already downloaded some of that data where they could, but for now it was the most he could do.

With that, he headed to his office, and he found Adrian waiting, along with the cart - a welcome reprieve for the armload of hard drives the human had to carry.

“Is that everything you could carry?" The human asked as he stepped into the office, gently placing all of his drives into the cart.

“Yes. I can go back for more, if you think we have time," said Adrian. “I have also been down to the garage - it appears they left the vehicles alone so the utility vehicles or the carriers should all still be functional."

Gabriel nodded. “We'll take one of the utility vehicles – they are much more inconspicuous." He informed the feline. “If we come across anything of importance along the way, feel free to take it. Otherwise, we've gathered all we can." He added, gesturing for him to lead. “Time is of the essence, Commander One."

“Yes sir."

Soon, the two made it down to the bottom level. The tram, ever since its previous derailment thanks to the escape of Commander Two, had yet to be repaired, forcing them to use the service way on the side of the tram's tunnel. It took them far longer than they would have liked, expecting at any moment for one of the Lightnings or the Phoenixes to appear and intercept them. Fortunately, that fate never seemed to come, and the two were able to count their blessings as they hurried to the garage.

They approached the closest of the utility vehicles - an ordinary, everyday-looking SUV, painted to blend in with public vehicles. They loaded the weapons in first, putting them against the back seat, and then the portable hard drives - dozens of them, carrying thousands of gigabytes of data collected by P.A.C.E over the years, and still only a fragment of what the archives had held.

It would be difficult, they both knew, to rebuild such an organization from the ground-up. But it was their only course now as they both climbed into the vehicle. Adrian took the wheel, starting the engine and driving out of the garage. In the passenger seat, Gabriel opened a laptop computer and linked it to one of the hard drives he had kept on his person, studying the data within.

“Where do we go, sir?" Adrian asked. “I was not made aware of any sort of contingency plan if the operation was ever compromised."

“That is because my father never conjured one." Gabriel simply replied. “He truly believed that our organization would remain forever hidden in the shadows for all eternity, even despite my warning that such a feat was nigh impossible." He further explained, leaning back in his seat. “Therefore, I put together a contingency of my own; hidden from even my father's knowledge should P.A.C.E. ever find itself in a predicament such as this… One that would benefit greatly from his absence…" He added in a much colder demeanour.

“With the doctor gone, you are the last high-ranking leader of P.A.C.E," said Adrian, looking over at the human. “Where you go, I follow. Just tell me where."

“We head for Saskatchewan. There is a bunker that I procured early into the organization's years of operation. We can remain hidden there while we work to build ourselves from the ground up." Gabriel answered. “We will give those phoenixes what they want for now; make them believe we have truly vanished from the face of the earth. Then, when they have truly become complacent in their peaceful lives, we will strike back ten times as hard as they struck us… They will rue the day they tried to interfere with our work…"

“Playing the long game, sir?" Adrian asked, slowing the vehicle to make his way carefully over the road. “That is, if I may be blunt, they've taken everything. I doubt even our financial assets remain intact. Where do we begin?"

“Your suspicions are correct. When I gathered what I could from the servers, I did take a quick gander at our funding. That bounty hunter took every penny my father had in every one of his accounts." Gabriel answered with a bit of a grimace. “With that being said, I still have my own personal funds we can use; not as large as what my father had procured, but enough to help us get started at least."

Adrian nodded. “Understood, sir," he said, keeping his eyes on the worn path ahead.

It would not be easy, both of them knew. But P.A.C.E was not over yet, so long as there were those ready and willing to keep it alive. The organization would rise again, one day…