Chapter 3: Contention

"Oh my God Walter… that's disgusting!" Astrid cried out as Walter removed a large… something from the dead man's stomach.

"I know isn't it fascinating my dear!" Walter responded excitedly, causing Kimmy to groan as her own feelings of revulsion began to take shape.

"She said disgusting Walter… disgusting… as in that thing is gross and you should put it back right now." Walter made a disappointed face as he placed the grotesque fleshy sack that was the size of her head inside a large container and sealed it.

"I always thought you were made of sterner stuff than our lovely Astrix, Ms. Dominic, but it turns out I was wrong."

"Agent Dominic." She corrected him forcibly, fixing the strange man with one of her famous glares. Kimmy had joined the Fringe Team, despite her uncle Charlie's objections a few months after completing her academy training. Walter, like her uncle, was still having difficulty adjusting to her new position but they would get used to it, they'd better.

"You tell him!" Kimmy excitedly turned around as Olivia and Peter made their way into Walter's lab. Olivia had been the main impetus for her joining the FBI, the woman was her role model and she aspired to be just like her in almost every aspect of her life. The other aspects however… She needs to smile more and be less serious… maybe if she does that she and Peter will finally stop eyeing each other and do something about their blatantly obvious mutual attraction. Smiling warmly as both Peter and Olivia approached she received two quick nods and two equally quick smiles. Uh oh… that doesn't look good, how much more complicated can this case get… Her thoughts trailed off as Peter began to pass out steaming cups of coffee to Astrid and Walter and when he turned to her she felt her heart almost burst with joy. He finally remembered this time, I can tell!

"And one hot chocolate for our new agent." From the way he smiled and the way his voice trembled slightly as he handed her the beverage she immediately ascertained what had happened.

"Olivia had to remind you, didn't she?" Peter sighed and nodded, his smile growing despite the hard look that she threw his way. She turned to thank Olivia but held back her words when she noticed that Olivia was on her phone and had that look on her face that she got when Broyles was demanding things from her. She watched as Olivia quickly hung up her phone and hastily made ready to leave.

"Broyles needs me, something's up." When asked what was going on by Peter she shook her head, clearly confused. "He wouldn't say but he demanded that I report to headquarters as soon as I could… are you guys okay without me for a while?" As Olivia left in a rush Kimmy sipped her hot chocolate but the rejuvenating effects of the delicious beverage were lost on her as her thoughts consumed her concerning Olivia's hasty departure. Broyles rarely splits us up like this… what could he possibly need her for that couldn't be handled over the phone, clearly it doesn't involve the case. An argument that had sprung up between Walter and Peter brought her out of her thoughts and she joined Astrid in trying to calm them down and figure out what exactly the problem was this time.

They had driven for hours, but apparently they were finally at their destination, which creepily enough was the middle of a dense forest. If Max didn't trust the men she was with complicity she might have started to freak out a while ago but she knew that these men would never harm her, she felt completely safe with them.

"Let's go ladies, come on move!" Canderous began to usher them out of the vehicle but he soon turned to the driver as Hans slowly exited the vehicle. "Come on Gerrard, prep the ship, what's the matter with you!"

"Shut up you oaf!" Gerrard grumbled loudly as he reached for his weapon. "Hans… what's up, everything okay?" Suddenly, Max didn't feel very safe, not at all.

"Get down!" Hans had barely finished calling out his warning when a blue bolt of energy struck him in the chest and he collapsed immediately.

"Ambush!" Canderous screamed and in a flash the massive man was outside the vehicle firing his weapon as he nimbly moved from cover to cover.

"Stay down!" Gerrard screamed moments later he too was firing at unseen enemies as he sought out cover. Chloe threw herself on top of Max and reached out to the unmoving Hans. Her hand came back with the man's sidearm and after a quick inspection she seemed satisfied that it was loaded. While Chloe was busy Max peered outside of the car and saw Canderous fall as several bolts of blue energy struck him all at once. His face was locked in a silent scream as he collapsed onto the ground without a sound. Somehow, Gerrard managed to make it back to the vehicle and he tore open the trunk and wrenched out a scoped rifle and was almost immediately acquiring targets and firing as he ran for cover. Unfortunately, he wasn't fast enough and Max felt herself suppress a scream of panic as he too collapsed numbly to the ground.

Several seconds of silence followed but all too soon she heard several distinct voices as dozens of figures quickly surrounded the vehicle. Chloe, weapon in hand, looked at her for a long moment and Max saw the desperate look in her eyes.

"Chloe no!" She pleaded but it was too late. As Chloe rose up there was a flash and a blue bolt of energy struck her in the head and she collapsed immediately. This time Max did cry out as Chloe's limp form went still. Suddenly a burst of searing pain erupted in her head. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth as the world spiraled around her. Feeling her consciousness fade she reached out desperately for Chloe's limp form. The pain was too great, the world spun too rapidly, collapsing with exhaustion next to her partner the world went black as the voices drew closer.

As Olivia walked into Broyle's office she immediately felt herself go cold under his intense glare. He was clearly extremely unhappy about something and as he motioned for her to close the door behind her she knew that something very serious was going on.

"I'm going to cut right to the chase. Why exactly did you suggest that we keep an eye on Maxine Caulfield and Kevin Anderson again?" She felt her mouth go dry as his penetrating gaze bore down on her.

"What happened…" She began but he immediately cut her off.

"Answer the question agent." Taking a moment to collect her thoughts she returned his fierce gaze with her own.

"They had a strong connection to our case but we felt that it was in everyone's best interest that we didn't leave any record of how or why." Broyles' attitude seemed to soften somewhat but he still seemed extraordinarily on edge.

"That wasn't your call to make Agent Dunham… and before you ask again… several hours ago Maxine Caulfield and her fiancé were abducted from their home in Seattle, Washington."

"What? By who? What do we-." Broyles waved away her questions and she cut herself short as he pushed a button on his desk phone and spoke into it.

"Brief Agent Dunham please if you would be so kind Nina." What does Nina Sharp and Massive Dynamic have to do with this? Nina Sharp, the leading representative at Massive Dynamic always seemed to somehow get involved in almost all of her cases and here she was again getting involved in a case that she had thought had been resolved years ago.

"Hello Agent Dunham, let's get right to it shall we?"

"Yes, let's." Too many questions were circling around in her head and she hoped that at least a few of them would be answered when Nina was done speaking.

"Five years ago, Agent Broyles asked me if we could keep an eye on two people for you. He contacted us because he wanted the fewest number of people involved in the surveillance, especially since you were hardly forthcoming with why you wanted tabs kept on these seemingly mundane individuals. Several hours ago, three men were spotted escorting Maxine Caulfield and Chloe Price from their residence and their vehicle proceeded outside of town to a dense forest where they were almost immediately attacked by dozens of armed soldiers. Our satellites are currently tracking the vehicles that these soldiers, and your friends, are in as they make their way to their destination."

"Do we know where they are taking them?" Olivia blurted out the question before Nina could resume speaking, she just couldn't help herself.

"No but we have a fairly good idea. We believe these men to be part of the Treize Faction and we expect them to be heading towards San Francisco International Airport." Nina paused, anticipating Olivia's questions this time.

"Why not a closer airport… and why the Treize Faction?" What would the Treize Faction want with Max and Chloe…

"There are indeed closer airports than the one I mentioned but the Treize Faction doesn't own a private airstrip at the closer locations. They also have one of their fancy new high-speed planes on the tarmac in San Francisco as if they are waiting for someone. And before you ask again we believe that the Treize Faction is behind this because the other person you asked us to keep an eye on, Kevin Anderson, was arrested earlier today along with his fiancé in Luxembourg by Treize Faction special forces."

"What? Why?" Olivia found herself asking as her mind grasped for answers.

"We don't know, the details are almost nonexistent. They were arrested while trying to leave the country at Luxembourg International Airport. But we did get our hands on some security footage which does explain why you are so interested in the young man, he put on quite a show. I'll forward the footage to Agent Broyles, you should be able to watch it for yourself shortly." The call ended after she and Broyles exchanged a few words and Nina assured them that her people would keep an eye on the situation and inform them if the convoy of vehicles that they were tracking made any unusual stops. Once the call was over Broyles gave her a searching look as if trying to read what was going on inside her head.

"Agent Dunham, you will proceed immediately to San Francisco and you will join up with and take over command of the FBI task force that will be joining the assault force that is being prepared to intercept this convoy. CTU and Force Recon forces are being deployed as well and overall command of the operation has been given to the senior CTU agent, I hear he's quite good. Under no circumstances are we going to allow foreign agents to abduct two American citizens. Once you have retrieved the girls you are to bring them back here for debriefing and the four of us will have a long chat about what this is all about, do I make myself clear?" Olivia nodded and he brusquely dismissed her. As Olivia rushed out of the office her thoughts went wild as she tried to comprehend what was going on and why an old case had suddenly come back to haunt her.

Preparations were almost complete; the fleet would soon be ready to move. He had always known that one day he would do this, perhaps this is what he should have done the moment he had come home. Home… what I fool I am for thinking that this place could have ever been my home… even if I hadn't found a clone in my place this planet never would have been my home… Kevin's thoughts trailed off as he stepped onto the bridge of the Night Hammer. He had expected to be greeted by controlled chaos but the scene that he discovered was different, but refreshing.

The crew always came up with new ways to impress him, and right now was no exception. The crew were all busily undertaking their duties with professionalism beyond what was expected of Imperial officers. Most of them had served the Empire before but now they served something greater, they served him. He often forgot this simple fact, every single man and women aboard his fleet had chosen to follow him for one reason or another. They had chosen this because they believed in him and they were ready and willing to carry out his orders, no matter what.

It was an almost overwhelming sensation as he watched the men and women on the bridge of the Night Hammer attend to their duties. As he moved about them he made sure that his pride for them showed on his face. Even though they were all seemingly consumed with their work he knew that they would be watching him out of the corners of their eyes. Admiral Natasi Daala was seated at her command chair in the center and behind the many work stations beneath her. Typical Imperial design, make the crewman feel beneath the commanding officers… but there wasn't much that could be done about the bridge design at the moment. Natasi caught his attention and motioned for him to join her. Her shoulder length dark-red hair hung freely down the right side of her dark green uniform. She would have been a beautiful woman in her uniform if her years of service in the Imperial Navy hadn't shaped her into the hardest, coldest, and sometimes angriest woman he had ever known. She was currently unconsciously toying with her hair at the moment with her hand, carelessly wrapping and unwrapping several strands around her fingers as she read a report. Something is wrong, she always does that when something is wrong… too bad it's almost adorable. If I ever want to die I should tell her that, that will get me thrown out an airlock really quick…

"Something wrong admiral?" Kevin asked as he approached, keeping his voice neutral and suppressing a smile as she quickly ceased toying with her hair. Her dark green eyes cast their steely gaze upon him as if searching him for the slightest sign of amusement but, finding none, she nodded and motioned towards the report she was reading.

"We lost contact with Lieutenant Hans's team… could be nothing, could be something… but what we do know is that your clone and his pretty little fiancé were nabbed by Treize as they tried to leave the country." Perhaps this is the danger I felt… perhaps… there are any number of non-critical reasons why Hans and his team would have gone dark… but perhaps my timing with this operation was a little premature. It's a shame that Kevin has been captured but if Treize thinks that he can use him as leverage than he's stupider than I thought, Kevin is a clone and clones are disposable… it is a shame about Kate though… she seems nice… His thoughts brought his attention to something else and he did his best to control his emotional response but Natasi immediately noticed his expression. "Don't worry sir, no moves have been made against her… yet. But If Treize knew about her I would have expected him to go for her first."

"Trust me, he knows, he's going to go for her last. He knows that I only have limited resources in play… he's trying to force me to reposition my assets and show my hand too early. I'm not worried." She doesn't believe me, she can read me too well…

"There is… something else that needs your attention… though it could be nothing, perhaps a coincidence.

"I don't believe in coincidences." Kevin returned flatly. "Report."

"Two of our long-range satellites have suffered 'catastrophic mechanical failures' and no that doesn't mean that they've been destroyed… the code monkeys were very specific about that. One of them started acting up almost two hours ago, the second about half an hour ago."

"What do your code monkeys think could be happening, we've never had this issue before or is this another maintenance issue?" Maintenance issues, the whole damned fleet is falling apart and now our early warning satellites are coming to pieces… No sooner had that thought crossed his mind when an alert sounded from one of the crew pits and a concerned looking officer turned to look at them.

"We just lost another satellite… it's having the same issue as the previous two…" Definitely not a coincidence…

"Show me." In moments Kevin was beside the man and his subordinates in his crew pit and several streams of data played out across his screen. He did his best to decipher and absorb the vast amount of information that played across the terminal but much of it was beyond his comprehension. Shaking his head, he turned to the officer. "Show me a map of these malfunctions, from the first incident to the current one." The officer nodded and quickly brought up a two-dimensional overlay showing the locations and times of each incident. Shit… that's not good.

"Admiral! Deploy a pair of Tie-Phantoms to these coordinates equipped with observation packages. If I'm right they will arrive just in time to intercept a fleet that's trying to sneak its way into our territory." Natasi quickly carried out his orders but she soon turned back to analyze the coordinates for herself. The Tie-Phantoms were massively upgraded versions of their standard fighter craft. They had been designed with the intention of being an almost invisible strike force due to their unique hull design and material that resisted detection. Kevin's fleet, unfortunately, only had a dozen of the highly experimental craft so they had been delegated as scout craft, their design made them ideal for reconnaissance roles.

"These are for another satellite of ours deeper into our territory… why this one, there are several others that they could go to?" Nodding to the crewmen and their officer he complemented them on their work, causing the men and women to burn bright with pride. Kevin climbed out of the crew pit and made his way back over to Natasi as she continued to analyze the data.

"So far the path that they have been plotting through our territory makes me almost certain that they are making a straight shot for Earth…" He watched as she finally understood and her entire body went tense.

"Where the hell did Treize get a fleet? Everyone that we know wouldn't dare stand against you… does he have friends that we don't know about?" Kevin shook his head before answering, though her analysis did have some merit. The New Republic has never been outwardly friendly with us but I don't see them attacking us, they know what kind of support I can bring to the table.

"If this fleet were his, he'd have made a grand show of it. He'd have let me see it so I would be forced to split my forces… this is… something else."

"That sounds an awful lot like a coincidence… you know those things that you don't believe in."

"Yes… it certainly does…" Whatever was going on, they would certainly have their answers soon. Kevin watched through the many durasteel view-ports on the bridge as the two scout craft tore away from the Night Hammer and blinked away from view as they made their hyperspace jump to the coordinates that he had provided.

Olivia arrived at the staging area, a hangar nearby the Treize Faction air-strip, moments after the final briefing had concluded. She had never worked with CTU before nor the Force Recon marines but luckily, she didn't feel too out of place. She was greeted by several FBI agents and they even helped her get geared up. She was quickly provided with a tactical vest and an assortment of gear. While she was gearing up she noticed the man who appeared to be in charge, he had yet to finish gearing up himself, begin to walk towards her with the intensity of a man that did whatever it took to get the job done.

"Agent Dunham? I'm the agent in charge, Jack Bauer." The man, according to her extensive briefing during her flight across the country, was the Director of Field Operations for the CTU or Counter Terrorist Unit for the Los Angeles branch of the agency. She was surprised that she had never had the privilege of working with CTU before but then again, her team rarely cooperated with other agencies outside of the FBI, the cases that they usually dealt with were just too delicate.

"Agent Bauer, I read a lot about you during my flight, I can see why you were given overall command of this operation." The man smiled grimly but seemingly relaxed from Olivia's disarming remark.

"Initially I thought they were sending you to take over… so, why is the FBI so interested in these two girls… and why the hell are these Treize Faction goons trying to make off with them, what's so important about them?" Olivia recognized an interrogation when she saw one but Agent Bauer wasn't really trying to hide the fact that he had initiated one, blunt and direct… just like his file said.

"I'm sorry but I can't speak about why we are concerned about the hostages but we have very little information on why they were abducted, I was hoping you guys would have more information." The man scoffed at this, seemingly frustrated.

"I have strict orders that these two girls are not to leave the country but I've also been ordered not to cause an international incident. I can't do both if these Treize Faction guys resist… help me out here, anything that you know could help." Even though she appreciated where he was coming from she didn't feel that telling him that Max once had the ability to control time would help him with his orders, not that he would believe me anyway.

"Again, I'm sorry Agent Bauer, we know just as little as you do concerning the abduction and as for the reason that I'm here… we all have bosses." Her answer didn't seem to satisfy him but there wasn't much he could do about it and he obviously knew this. With one last frustrated scoff he cut straight down to business as they finished gearing up.

Some of the Force Recon marines were already in position, ready to provide sniper support should the situation deteriorate into a shootout. The rest of the marines would assault and pacify the Treize Faction aircraft while the CTU and FBI units would intercept and surround the approaching five-vehicle convoy once it had cleared the final security checkpoint. The more plentiful CTU agents would surround the convoy once it had been stopped while the smaller FBI team would extract the hostages, provided they were surrendered to them. The exact vehicle that contained the hostages was unknown, making the assault all the more difficult. The intercept had been cut down to the wire to reduce civilian presence since it was seemingly almost a certainty that the Treize Faction agents would resist. This was blatantly obvious by the presence of the marines, they were armed to the teeth with the latest weaponry. The CTU agents and her own FBI task-force looked like soldiers themselves, just slightly less armed, but only slightly.

Just as she and Agent Bauer had finished checking over their gear a CTU agent called out that the convoy had arrived and in a flurry of activity the marines boarded their five armored Humvees while their CTU and FBI counterparts piled into a dozen black SUV's. The drive towards the intercept point was tense and short. It must have become apparent what was about to happen to the Treize Faction agents as a dozen vehicles speedily barreled down on them. The two vehicles holding Olivia's team held their course as five CTU vehicles veered ahead of the convoy and the other five moved to cut off any potential escape. The five black sedan's that made up the Treize Faction convoy continued on towards the safety of their aircraft until it became blatantly obvious that the larger CTU vehicles speeding towards them were more than prepared for a head on collision.

Screeching to a halt the convoy kept its line formation and the CTU forces spread out into wide semi-circles around the stopped vehicles, effectively surrounding them. As Olivia's two vehicles' approached the tense scene she noticed the marines in their five armored Humvees begin their assault on the massive dark blue high-speed aircraft. No shots had been fired yet but she could hear the marines barking their demands at the Treize Faction personnel despite the distance between them. Her team's vehicles came to a halt just outside the CTU perimeter just as the situation grew complicated.

All at once the heavily armed Treize Faction agents exited their vehicles while CTU and FBI agents alike piled out of their own and took up firing positions. Olivia's heart sank when she saw that most of their opponents were wearing very heavy battle armor, they had come prepared for a fight. The Treize Faction forces were heavily outnumbered and completely surrounded but their grim determination showed no signs of breaking as the two sides stared back at each other, weapons held at the ready.

Just as Olivia was moving into position behind one of the CTU vehicles a voice called out and her heart stopped.

"Long live Master Treize!" All at once the situation exploded as everyone started shooting. Almost immediately the lighter armored Treize Faction agents fell to the ground but their more heavily armored comrades resisted and wrought devastating damage upon their foes. CTU and FBI agents alike were cut down mercilessly as their own rounds seemingly bounced off their targets. As Olivia fired her weapon feelings of dread began to grasp at her heart as the closest agent to her cried out in pain as a bullet tore through his plate armor. The man collapsed and continued to scream until moments later several more rounds tore through him, rendering his mutilated body silent. All of the sudden the remaining Treize Faction forces began to press away from their vehicles as they continued to pressure their attackers. Just as Olivia's magazine ran dry on her weapon she froze when the closest hostile turned his attention towards her and his armored head exploded.

Reacting immediately several of her heavily armored opponents shifted their attention away from the beleaguered attackers and towards the new, more dangerous threat. The loud report of a far-off shot reached her ears just as another of her opponents collapsed onto the pavement, his head almost completely torn off. More and more of the Treize Faction soldiers turned their attention away from their attackers or sought cover, but as another one of their heads exploded in a sickening display of gore they began to realize their desperate situation. Momentarily relieved of pressure the remaining CTU and FBI agents vengefully redoubled their fire and several of their heavily armored opponents succumbed to the withering fire as their thick armor was overwhelmed. The last three Treize Faction soldiers made a mad dash for the center vehicle but all at once two of their heads exploded and the third collapsed as a well-aimed shot tore through the lighter armor around his neck.

The cacophony of noise and violence immediately and abruptly ended and was replaced by countless voices of the wounded screaming out in pain. Olivia, reloaded her weapon in a quick and practiced maneuver, willed herself into movement, dashing towards the center vehicle that she hoped contained the still living Max and Chloe. Three FBI agents dashed out to follow her, their weapons at the ready. Just as she made it to the vehicle a cry of warning rang out immediately followed by the crack of a gunshot. Olivia and her team dove for cover but as Agent Bauer's exasperated voice reached her ears she registered what had just happened.

"Damnit!" Until a few seconds ago there had been a sole survivor of the Treize Faction forces, but he had turned his own weapon on himself to avoid capture and interrogation. Immediately back on her feet she nodded to her team members and they quickly surrounded the center vehicle and on her orders, they wrenched each door open all at once. Inside she was relieved to find a desperate and frightened looking Chloe and an unconscious Max. She had panicked at first and called out for a medic when she had caught site of blood on Max's face but she quickly saw that it was dried blood from a nosebleed that must have occurred some time ago. Chloe, tears in her eyes pleaded with Olivia and her agents that Max needed help, something had happened and she wouldn't wake her up. With the help of her agents, they cut the bonds on both of the girls and carefully extracted Max's unmoving form from the vehicle as Chloe hovered around them. The other agents had tried to keep her back but had clearly given up when they realized how relentlessly persistent she was.

A massive number of emergency vehicles were fast approaching and as they lay Max onto the tarmac Agent Bauer ran towards them, his face white and his left arm covered in blood. As he approached he swore again at the sight of Max, clearly believing her dead or wounded. CTU agents were searching and clearing the other vehicles of threats and they made a surprising discovery. Three unconscious and bound men were found in the trunks of a few of the vehicles and as the medical personnel scrambled onto the scene to treat the wounded the all clear was finally given. Olivia mentally chastised herself for being so careless towards the end but she had become consumed with the desire to see if Max and Chloe were safe. As she checked over Max she began to worry though, the girl's pulse was week but steady and her breaths were shallow. However, just as her worries began to consume her the girl slowly opened her eyes. Seemingly in a daze she looked around at her surroundings until her eyes focused on Chloe.

"Chloe… what…" Max's words became indecipherable as she cried out in pain, her hands tightly clutching her head.

"Max!" Chloe was beside her in an instant, practically knocking two of the FBI agents to the ground as she barreled through them. "What's happening! What's wrong?" Max's sudden burst of pain had subsided and she breathed heavily, her eyes wide as she looked at her friend.

"Chloe? You look so… different… how did… how did I get here?" Suddenly something clicked inside of Olivia's head and she leaned over Max and motioned for Chloe to give her some room and allow her to speak. Chloe adamantly refused to move away but she kept quiet nonetheless. Olivia cleared her throat and introduced herself and the dazed looking Max stared at her blankly, as if seeing her for the first time.

"Max… What's the last thing that you remember?" Slowly Olivia saw panic rise inside of Max and she felt the same panic creep its way into her. Chloe paled as the words slowly came out of Max's trembling and unsure lips.

"I was in… class… there was a storm…the lighthouse… I had to get the lighthouse…" Her voice trailed off as she struggled to remain conscious but her efforts failed. She passed out and despite Chloe's increasingly desperate protests she refused to wake once more. Olivia was instantly on her feet, shouting out orders to the agents beside her.

"We need to get her out of here now! I want her stabilized and ready for transport immediately!" Max's consciousness had seemingly reverted back to the day that she had gained access to her powers and Olivia was certain that his could only mean one thing. Her powers were struggling to come out once more, something had triggered them but Max's mind was resisting and this internal conflict could be causing untold damage within the poor girl. She needed to get her to Walter, and quickly.

In a rare display of emotion Treize slammed his white gloved fist down onto his ornate mahogany desk.

"The fools!" Shocked and almost appalled by his display Colonel Une stared at him, her mouth agape as she slowly formed words…

"But Master Treize…" Her words trailed off as she struggled to regain her composure but before she could start speaking again Treize instantly collected himself and when he spoke his voice was calm and without emotion.

"Lady Une… those men were not meant to be martyrs. Their orders were to surrender the girls if they met any resistance. Due to our unique status on the world stage they would have been allowed to leave the country without interference. But the fanatical fools decided to make a stand and now the natural order has been disrupted. The damage that this one incident has caused could be the spark that brings everything crumbling down around us… what is the status of our last operation?" Colonel Une, having had time to find her voice hesitated a moment before speaking.

"I was about to clear them for the operation…" Her voice trailed off once again as he shook his head.

"Cancel it, immediately… we can't afford to bring any more attention to ourselves now. I want the men to stand down and abort the mission. Please Lady Une, relay those orders for me, make them understand that I do not wish them to proceed." She nodded and saluted before walking out.

He let out a calming breath as he read the report once more. Despite the situation his men had done well thanks to their new weapons and experimental armor. More than half of the heavily armed federal agents opposing them had died and several of the marines had perished assaulting their craft. This was good news but the bad news far outweighed it. The United States would now see his organization as the enemy and convincing them to work with him in the future would be problematic and take a great deal of finesse. As he read the report he found himself smiling as familiar name jumped out at him.

"It appears that I have underestimated you Agent Dunham, a toast to you." As he said this he reached out and delicately grasped the crystal glass on his table that contained the most flawless wine on the planet. He raised the glass high into the air and reverently tasted the liquor and lavished in the experience, perfection.

As he finished the report he discovered an inconsistency. The Force Recon marine snipers reported only five confirmed kills with their heavy caliber rifles while only three of his special forces soldiers were reported to be brought down by standard small arms fire from the federal agents. The remaining four soldiers had all been brought down by single well-placed shots in the weakest parts of the armor. The battle between mobility and protection was a difficult one and the head of a solider needed maximum flexibility in combat so by design their necks were vulnerable. However, the danger of the weakness had been greatly reduced by clever design and was only exposed at a certain angle of elevation. Whoever had done this knew of this weakness and had positioned themselves carefully to take advantage of it.

Smiling, Treize raised his glass a second time in honor of this unknown opponent. He didn't have hard information at the moment, but if he had to guess, he would say that the grand admiral had managed to outmaneuver him. As he thought more about it and analyzed the CTU, FBI, and Force Recon reports further he became certain that Kevin had somehow managed to either integrate some of his own forces into this task force without their knowledge, or his forces had managed to assist without being noticed.

"Well played dear friend, well played."

"Hey Glaz! You're famous my friend!" Fuze called out as he passed over his data pad. Glaz calmly accepted it from his friend seated to his right and read the highlighted paragraph and the sudden tensions that sprung up inside of him vanished as a slow smile crept across his face.

"Were we spotted?" Ela or Zofia, he could never tell, called out from the back of their non-descript mundane looking van. Everything about their vehicle was unexceptional, except for the five well trained killers and their gear inside.

"No, stupid girl, but none of the jarheads took credit for his kills, he shoots too well!" Fuze responded, turning to cast his admonishing gaze at the two sisters in the back seat. He probably can't tell which one spoke either…

"Someone is going to get suspicious…" Tachanka, normally a man of few words grumbled from the drivers' seat, his deep voice carrying itself easily through the vehicle.

"Don't worry Glaz, I'll tell the boss it was me!" Fuze said playfully as he jostled him enthusiastically. Tachanka bellowed in laughter from the front seat and even the two polish sisters giggled creepily in unison. He remained silent as the laughter died down as he read through the after-action report and sure enough there were notes in the CTU report about his four kills. The custom rounds from his OTs-03 marksman rifle hadn't been found due to the fact that they were specifically designed to disintegrate shortly after they had pierced their target but his very specific shots had attracted some attention. It wasn't that big of a deal, but it was a problem. He liked being invisible, not included in conversations, left alone… the others would never let him hear the end of this.

"Didn't I tell you? Use bigger rifle next time!" Fuze continued his jests sparking another bout of laughter. His friend, who loved big guns, always picked on him for using such a 'small' weapon but Glaz continued to ignore him and delicately handed the data pad back. He did have a point, of course, if he had used the same type of .50 caliber rifle that the American marines had been using there would have been nothing peculiar about his work. The Americans would have argued relentlessly about who had killed who and tempers would have flared and egos would have clashed. But he didn't like such brute force approaches to solving problems, his work was art, his shots were precise, his movements were quick and delicate. And besides, he told himself as a second small smile crept across his shrewd face, if I had used a bigger rifle, I would have only had time to make two… maybe three kills… not four.