[quote]Angel, Silajir, Colt and I stepped out of the portal and into the warehouse I had hid away in not too long ago. "Did you get the family to safety?" I asked. "Yes, they were clear of the building when we came for you. The City Guard will surely take care of the house for them," Silajir answered. "Make yourself at home, Maverick," Angel said as she gestured to some chairs. I took a seat, then placed my arms on my knees. "Thanks," I said weakly. "For... getting me out of there," Angel willed away her armor, then sat down on the couch across from me. "So, how did all of this happen?" She asked. "Um, Colt, wanna answer this one?" I asked as I shifted around in the chair. My ghost/exo friend stepped forward. "We were on our way back from a mission when our ship drifted into a blizzard. We crashed, then SIVA infected the ship. It built this body for me, and replaced this dumba**'s arms..." "Hey!" I yelled at him. "Yeah! It's your fault we're in this mess!" Colt yelled back at me. I grunted, then turned back around. "Well... You've been through a lot recently. Shower's three doors down, and to the right. You can get cleaned up, and rest if you can," Angel said to me as she got up and walked away. I dropped my head down and lost myself to thought. [i]"That was Guun Ji; Vanessa's hunter. Why was he here? Vanessa must be moving forward with her plan. There was no time for rest! But it's late, and I'm exhausted. No, I can't sleep! What if the SIVA attacks again? Gosh, I'm tired though... But I can't go to sleep... But I can't..."[/i] After what felt like years, I opened my eyes again. The world was no longer dark now that the sun was out. I guess I fell asleep anyways. I raised my head up from the cushions and looked around. "Mornin' sunshine," Colt said to me. He was sitting in a chair beside me. "Has the SIVA attacked again?" I asked. "Yes, they attacked and now we're all dead..." Colt replied. I shot him a stern look. "No, you idiot! Not since last night," "How are you feeling?" Angel asked as she and Logan entered the room. "Rested," I replied. "It's nice to sleep on something other than metal..." I took a deep sigh. "Coffee?" Silajir asked as he pointed to the maker. "Uh... Yes, I'll take some. Thank you," I answered. "I'll take an espresso, four dashes of creamer, two cubes of sugar... shaken, not stirred..." Colt answered as well. The warlock looked around, obviously very confused. "Um... we have sugar... Is that fine?..." he asked. Colt leaned over and whispered into my ear. "He does realize I can't drink, right?... Right?!" I just shook my head. A few moments later, Silajir walked to the living room, giving Angel and me our coffees. He came back later with Colt's and his cup. Colt took the drink, then just stood there staring at the dark liquid. "I-I... Thanks again for giving us a place to stay. But, I think it's time we leave..." I said as I played with my fingers. "Why do we have to leave?" Colt asked. "They have a basketball goal here!" I looked up at him and mouthed my lips to say: [i]'wha'[/i]. "Why is that?" Angel asked. "I can't fight with y'all. This is something I have to do myself..." I replied. "Maverick, you can't take the Technomancer on by yourself!" Silajir exclaimed. "No, no! That's not what I mean. I'll continue to fight off any SIVA attacks and defend the City to the best of my ability, but you two can't be seen with me. If y'all do, you'll be marked as targets by the Tower," I replied. "Maverick, we've already been marked as vigilantes. If working with you is what it takes to protect the City, then we'll do just that," Angel replied. "What about the Vanguard? If they see you working with SIVA, Guardians will lose faith in you. The City will too," I said. "Then, we'll just earn back the City's trust. But, trust or not, we will continue to protect them," the titaness said to me. I began thinking; they were right. I got up and fixed my cloak. "Thank you again for everything, and the coffee. But, there is something I must do," Angel sighed deeply. "I see we can't change your mind..." she said somberly. "Actually, you've done just that," I replied. I turned to my friend, who was rubbing his metal finger along the cup. "Come on, Colt..."[/quote]