"Well, look what the cat dragged in." She quipped dryly as she swung open her apartment door. Ben, tired and worn from the trip in, chuckled under his breath in response. He opened his arms to give his cousin a hug, which she accepted with ferocity. For a minute, they held each tightly, both smiling at finally being reunited after such a long time. Gwen eased backwards, releasing her hold on him. "Come on in. You look beat."

"Yeah, entering the atmosphere as an intangible alien life form will do that to you." He muttered good-naturedly. Reaching down, he picked up his small knapsack, standard Plumber issue, and walked past Gwen into her apartment. He threw the sack down next to her couch, eyeing the cushions with relief. Then, he set a couple of her throw pillows to the side before sitting down with a heavy plop. Gwen had disappeared into her small kitchenette. Ben heard the rattling of glasses before the rush of water from the faucet. The sound was soothing enough to convince him to close his eyes for a moment or two.

It had been one hell of a journey back from HQ. The last mission hadn't been long, but it had been busy, and he had come back to his bunk feeling like a pancake. After a few hours of sleep, he was paged by the Communications department, notifying him of a message from Earth. It was from his parents, reminding him of the annual Tennyson family barbeque and requesting his presence. His mother had left a side note suggesting he stop by Gwen and carpool back to Bellwood with her. Ben had laughed out loud at that idea. Like he needed a car. He grinned at the memory, cracking open an eye as a shadow fell across him. Gwen handed him a tall glass of ice water. He took it gratefully.

"I figured. So, out of the academy and into the field. You must be busy."

"Grandpa keeps me on my toes. What about you? College finally turning out to be everything you expected?" Ben asked. Gwen's lips began to contort into a grin but she smothered it. Ben watched her with interest as she set herself into the matching lounge chair beside the couch. She squirmed a little, getting comfortable against its high back, and then took a silent sip from her glass.

"It's...turning out to be." She answered cryptically. "Not that you probably care. What a lousy cousin you are, only coming to visit me my senior year!" Gwen accused him playfully. Ben threw his free hand up in defense.

"Don't blame me! I'm only one of the most revered super heroes in fifteen galaxies. Besides, I'm here to save you gas, remember?" She scoffed, blowing bubbles into her water.

"Right. So you're suggesting we fly back to Bellwood instead?"

"Unless you can come up with another idea." The minute he said it, he knew she was going to make him regret it. She quirked an eyebrow at him before disappearing in a flash of magenta. Ben had to steady his glass. In his shock, he had nearly launched the water over his shoulder. A second flash filled the hallway and Gwen walked out as if she had never left in the first place.

"Teleportation spell. Instantaneous, free, and the best part, no tangled hair."

"I guess." He murmured. "It doesn't make you woozy anymore?" Gwen shrugged as she reseated herself.

"Not really. Just because I'm retired doesn't mean I've stopped working with my powers. Or stopped talking with people from high school." She shot him a pointed look. "I've actually been talking quite a bit lately with Julie." At the name of his former girlfriend, Ben cringed. He cast a furtive glance towards the open window, suddenly wanting to skip the teleportation and just fly back home.

"Oh? How's she doing?"

"She's doing well. You wouldn't know because you've been off planet, but she's competing in Wimbledon next year. And Ship ran away. She hasn't seen him in months."

"Huh."

"Don't sound so interested."

"She broke up with me, remember?" He spat out sourly. He reached over to set his glass on the end table, then folded his arm petulantly over his chest. Wanting to get in a jab himself, Ben eyed his cousin sitting calmly on the chair, and locked in on her. "I hear Kevin broke up an illegal alien slave ring recently. It was a pretty big deal at HQ." As he predicted, Gwen bristled at the mention of their former partner. However, just as Ben was preparing to duck, she sighed and nonchalantly smoothed out her skirt. Her dour frown was replaced with a smug grin.

"Well, that sounds lovely for him. My new boyfriend recently won a few very prestigious academic awards for his work in the humanities." Now Ben was really glad he had set down his glass. He sat up off the cushions in numb shock.

"You have a boyfriend?" His surprise seemed to irk her a bit. The redhead followed his lead and relegated her glass to the small pedestal table beside the lounge chair, then folded her hands in her lap.

"Yes. Don't look so shocked." She replied testily.

"Sorry. It's...It's just that its been years. And no one's mentioned anything."

"I've been a bit busy to regale our parents with stories about my personal relationships. Besides, its a new thing and I didn't want to mention anything about him until I thought it was going somewhere." She confided quietly. Ben watched her for a moment, noticing just how happy she seemed. The idea of Gwen being involved with someone else was still a bit foreign to him, but Gwen and Kevin hadn't even spoken to each other since high school. The idea that there might be a reconciliation had long been lost. It was only going to be a matter of time before she found someone else, seeing as he already had. Pushing his former partner out of his mind, Ben smiled devilishly at his cousin.

"So I'm the only one that knows? Not even Ken? Does this mean I can't make fun of you at the reunion?" Gwen shot him a sharp look.

"Absolutely not! If you so much as breathe a word about it to anyone, especially Ken, I'll teleport you to the worst place you can imagine!"

"Okay, okay! Calm down. Does Romeo have a name?" He asked. Gwen opened her mouth to say when suddenly she stopped. Her eyes narrowed, as they always did when something confused her. Ben waited patiently for a response. "Gwen?" She flinched slightly at the sound of her name. It was so subtle Ben barely noticed it. He frowned when she seemed to come out of her slight reverie and pointed a long finger in his direction.

"No more information. I've already said too much."

"Fine. Don't tell me. You know I'll find out eventually right?" She ignored his look of determination and drained what was left of her water. Ben stood and offered to take hers to the sink, along with his own.

"I have to get a few things to take back for the weekend." Gwen muttered, disappearing down the hall once again, this time on her own too feet. Ben shook his head and laughed a little. He still knew exactly how to push her buttons. The idea of letting his knowledge of her new suitor slip to her older brother was tempting, but spending an entire weekend with an angry half-Anodite made it a little less appealing. The only advantage he could find was that if Ken pushed her enough, she'd break and they might be able to find out a little more about the prestigious scholar who had caught her attention. He couldn't deny he was painfully curious about the man replacing his old friend back in Bellwood. There was a small crash from inside her bedroom and Ben jumped at the noise, almost sending one of her glasses careening onto the linoleum floor.

"Gwen? Everything okay?"

"Yeah, it's fine. Too many books on the bookshelf, that's all." She appeared out of the darkness of the hallway, carrying her backpack and an overnight bag. Ben grabbed his own luggage and then Gwen's hand, outstretched towards him over one of her end tables. "You ready?" She asked. Ben grimaced as her eyes began to glow. He never really liked teleporting. It felt oddly like being squeezed out of somewhere you didn't really want to be squeezed out of.

"I guess. Let's get this over with."

But Ben had never mentioned to Ken anything about Gwen's boyfriend. He couldn't remember why, looking back at how eager he had been to devise a plan to do so. Now, he couldn't help but wish he had. Maybe it would have prepared him to meet the man himself.

Ben looked across the warm sidewalk at Shane Hopewell, taking in the man's well-kept appearance and instantly realizing why Gwen had found him so appealing. He was the exact opposite of Kevin, in both looks and mannerisms. Where Kevin was tall and dark, Shane was tall and dashing, with a bright, inviting smile, and shining blue eyes that moved analytically behind a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles. Where Kevin was brash and unforgiving, Shane seemed the perfect gentleman in his brown blazer and matching trousers. His hand, immediately outstretched in a courteous display, lingered between them before he rescinded it, looking slightly abashed.

Ben took a step forward and squinted up at Shane through the light. He had never met him before and had never heard a description, but something about him seemed familiar. Yet, as much as he tried to place that familiarity, it evaded him. Sensing he was beginning to make Shane feel uncomfortable, Ben eased off.

"Hey. I'm Ben Tennyson, Gwen's cousin." Shane's face lit up in recognition at Ben's introduction.

"Ben! How great it is to finally meet you in person. Gwen's told me so much about you." He grabbed Ben's hand without hesitation and vigorously shook it. The younger man laughed uncomfortably at his enthusiasm.

"Thanks. I guess." His lackluster response caused Shane to abruptly drop his hand.

"Of course, I wish we had met under different circumstances." At this, his attention turned to Kevin, who had not moved from his spot, nor unfolded his large arms from across his chest. "You are?"

"The mechanic." He answered dully, annoyance roiling beneath the words. No doubt Kevin had also realized what Ben had moments earlier. The disparity between them was too obvious to completely escape him.

"Ah. Well. How kind of you to help the family at such a painful time."

"Uh huh." Kevin toned again. Seemingly aware that he wouldn't get anywhere with Kevin, Shane turned back to Ben.

"I'm terribly sorry if I've interrupted anything."

"Why would you say that?" Ben inquired.

"I saw you two in the apartment. Were you collecting some of her things?" Shane turned slightly on the heels of his leather loafers, looking up towards the curtained windows of Gwen's apartment, as he spoke. Then, he shoved his hands in the pockets of his trousers, casting his gaze back to the floor.

"Oh. That. Yeah, her parents asked me to pick up a couple of her...um...things." Ben searched for the proper words, not sure how to explain her spell book and badge. Shane cocked his head to one side and pointed at them in confusion.

"What are those?" Ben looked down at the items in question, then back up with a loud, forced laugh. Beside him, Kevin rolled his eyes.

"These things? Just a book and an alarm clock." Shane didn't seem convinced until Kevin jumped in.

"We're also taking back her car." Ben shot him a short look at the lie. He didn't get a chance to dispute it, however, as Shane stepped forward, as if to grab the items in question.

"What's so special about those? I've never seen either of them before." He stared intently at the purple binding of the book, then at the badge. His attention was somewhat unnerving and Ben slowly moved them behind his back in order to shift the focus.

"If you don't mind my asking, Shane, what are you doing here?" Shane sighed at the question, straightening but never removing his gaze from where the book and badge had disappeared. He popped his glasses back up on the bridge of his nose with a long, elegant finger, then grasped at his forehead.

"I came to say goodbye."

"To a building?" Kevin asked incredulously. Shane scoffed a little.

"No. To Gwen. I'm leaving later tonight for Europe to continue my studies at Oxford. Since she's gone, this is the best I can do." Ben and Kevin exchanged impressed glances, with the latter giving a low whistle under his breath. Shane ignored it and continued. "I'm not sure how much you know but I was the last one to see Gwen before her disappearance." Ben felt his stomach fall abruptly at Shane's confession, surprised when he actually leaned forward a little and nearly lost his balance.

"You...You saw her the night she went missing?"

"Yes. We went out to celebrate the end of the semester. I dropped her off afterwards. She went into her apartment...and never came out."

"Did you tell the police this?" Kevin asked gruffly. Shane snapped his head towards him.

"Of course! I was the first one down at the station to give my statement."

"Funny. My aunt and uncle didn't mention anything about you." Ben said slowly. The police report also made no mention of the man's statement. He watched Shane closely, suddenly not sure if he completely believed the good guy act he was putting on. He remembered the way Gwen had gushed about him and his academic awards, but refused to reveal anything else. Ben knew all too well that appearances could be deceiving. Was it possible that Gwen had been duped into liking someone who wasn't all that they seemed? It was a bit hard to swallow, but not impossible.

"It was my request that since I was cleared of any suspicion right away, my name not be included in the investigation. The academic institutions I hope to be involved with in the future won't take kindly to an applicant with a record, regardless of the reasons. That being said, it doesn't mean I don't feel any guilt about what happened."

"And why is that?" Kevin moved forward, dropping his massive arms. He jutted out his jaw at the blonde man in an unspoken challenge. For a minute, it looked like Shane might accept. There was a jump in his jaw, a twitch of muscle that Ben noticed, but before he could step in to play peacekeeper, Shane's face relaxed. He pivoted on his heel and walked a few paces down the sidewalk until he came to rest just below Gwen's bedroom window. When he turned, a single tear rolled down his cheek. Kevin wasn't moved but Ben found himself feeling even more confused than he did before. Shane's story seemed believable, as did his emotion about Gwen's disappearance. However, there was still something off putting that Ben could not place.

"I loved your cousin. And it kills me every day to know that I could have done something to keep her safe but didn't. Please." Shane came back to where the two of them stood, looking into Ben's face imploringly. "I've been too much of a coward to call her parents. Could...could you please tell them how sorry I am about all of this? And that I hope and pray and wish every day that she is found safe?"

"You can't tell them yourself?" Kevin once again spoke up. This time, Shane sneered at him openly. Apparently he no longer appreciated Kevin's interrogation.

"It isn't that simple. You wouldn't understand."

"I understand more than you know."

"You're the mechanic right? What was Gwen to you besides a quick paycheck? You don't understand anything."

"Alright, alright! Enough!" Ben interjected, sensing Kevin's short fuse begin to burn. His dark eyes narrowed dangerously and his fists remained tight and clenched at his sides. Shane came back to his senses with a sudden jolt, and looking ashamed, started to back down the sidewalk.

"I apologize. It's just...I can't take this anymore. It was nice to meet you. I hope you find her in the end." And with a flourish, he was gone. Ben watched him silently walk down to a fancy black town car, get inside, and pull out of the driveway. Kevin started to follow when Ben reached out to grab him. He shook his head.

"Don't."

"I can't believe we let him just walk away like that." Kevin growled at his side. Ben looked down at the book and badge in his grip.

"We got what we came for. Let's head back to the lab."

"Some idiot comes waltzing around the complex, telling you he was the last one to see your cousin alive, and you want to just go home?"

"She's not dead."

"What?"

"She's not dead!" Ben spat out. He wheeled on his older partner, holding up the book and badge. "Shane isn't our concern right now. These are what we needed and we got them. We can't waste time with false leads and -" Kevin held a hand up for him to stop. He opened his mouth to complain when he noticed Kevin's face had gone completely slack in shock. "What?"

"Did you think that Hopewell asshole looked familiar?" Ben frowned at the question.

"Yeah. I mean, maybe. I'm not sure. Why?"

"Blonde hair, blue eyes, handsome, impeccably dressed. The only thing missing was the goddamn glitter trail." Kevin spoke conspiratorially. He pushed past Ben, staring down at where Shane's town car had been previously parked. "Michael Morningstar." Ben thought for a moment then shook his head vigorously.

"No. He looked nothing like Morningstar. You're just having jealous flashbacks-"

"How long has it been since we saw him? He's resourceful, Ben, he could have done something to his face. We have to go after him before he gets away."

"Kevin, listen to yourself. You're being ridiculous! This is Gwen's boyfriend."

"And what more did you know about him?" Ben scoffed and turned away. Kevin quickly followed him. "Seriously, Tennyson. What more did you know about him?" He stopped and thought for a moment. Kevin had a point, as much as Ben hated to admit it. He could have kicked himself for never finding out more. After a few moments of silence, he raked a hand through his sweaty scalp.

"Nothing. I know nothing about him other than he won a couple of academic awards and Gwen really liked him." Kevin bristled a little at this last part, but he seemed vindicated.

"Do you think the library's open?" He started to walk back over to the Camaro. Ben followed close behind him. He rolled his eyes a little at Kevin's accusation. Then again, he couldn't be surprised. After all, Kevin and Michael Morningstar had never seen eye to eye, and Morningstar had, on more than one occasion, sought to get his slimy hands on Gwen. But to think that Shane might be him in disguise was something Ben had never considered because it just seemed plain impossible.

"Maybe. What good would come from visiting the library?"

"We talk with some of the workers there. See what kind of impression they have of Blondie."

Much to his parent's chagrin, Ben had never felt that he missed out on anything by not going to college. In fact, he often thought that perhaps he got the better end of the deal. He had no large amounts of debt assigned to him from loans. He never had to stress about final exams or term papers. His schedule wasn't determined by classes or part-time jobs. The farthest reaches of space was his campus and the classes were pass or fail, literally. Then, he and Kevin walked into Gwen's school library and his thinking began to change. If the campus outside had been green, but slightly dated, the library was completely opposite.

The two of them looked around the large, open atrium in quiet wonder. The entire floor was bathed in sunlight and filled with the gentle lull of running water from the small indoor fountain. A few groups of people sat around at its base, mostly talking amongst themselves, though there were one or two who sat alone with a book or a cell phone. A heavier-set brunette girl chewing on a pen tip occupied a circular desk to one side of the metal detectors barring further entrance into the library. Ben could see beyond the detectors a multitude of double doors leading to different hallways. Above the fountain, three levels of balconies rose up to the glass ceiling, and every so often, signs of life reached their ears on the first level.

Kevin overcame his awe first and left Ben wandering around the tile floor. He made his way over to the brunette at the desk, putting on his best smile. The girl appeared, at first, to be rather flattered by this and smiled widely as he casually rested himself against her kiosk.

"Can I help you?" She asked quietly.

"I hope so. This may seem like an odd question, but did you by chance know Gwen Tennyson?" At the mention of her name, the brunette's smile melted off her face. She looked up at Kevin as if he had suddenly sprouted horns. Ben, noticing her reaction, moved to join him at her desk.

"Why do you want to know?"

"I'm Ben, Gwen's cousin. This is Kevin, a mutual friend. We're in town tying up some loose ends for her parents. She worked here, right?" He interjected. The brunette nodded, slowly at first, then a bit faster, as if coming to her senses.

"Yes. She did. We started together during our freshman year. Gwen was the nicest person I've ever met. It's so sad what happened." The girl's eyes started to water and she reached for a kleenex near her computer. Kevin leaned backwards just as she blew her nose rather loudly. Ben, who normally would have had to resist the urge to snicker, continued on somberly.

"Yeah, it's a pretty difficult time. Did Gwen act or say anything strange the last time you saw her?" The girl thought for a moment, then shook her head.

"Not really. She just seemed tired. Really tired. I assumed it was because of finals. Gwen always studied so hard. We didn't get to talk very much this last month because we were put on opposite schedules." She paused and scrunched her nose in confusion. "The police asked me these same questions. Didn't you talk with them?"

"The investigation is on-going." Ben said. Kevin leaned back in to take over.

"We were wondering if you could tell us anything about Shane Hopewell," He paused as he caught sight of her name badge, "Claire." His charming smile didn't really have any effect on her. Claire's eyes immediately narrowed upon hearing Shane's name.

"Who?" She asked confusedly.

"Shane Hopewell. Tall, blonde guy with glasses. Didn't he also work here?" Kevin pressed.

"He didn't work here. I've never heard that name before. Hold on, let me check the student phone book." Claire bent over in her chair and opened a bottom drawer. She pulled out a large book with the library's facade on the cover. Kevin gave Ben a pointed look. He chose to completely ignore him, instead watching with interest as Claire paged through the book. When she finally got the right page, she searched up and down the list. She looked up at Ben and Kevin with a raised eyebrow.

"There isn't a listing for Shane Hopewell."

"He was a graduate student. Won a couple of awards or something." Kevin said. Again, Claire shook her head.

"This listing includes students, staff, and faculty. If he attended this university the past academic year in any capacity, his name and number would be displayed. Maybe you don't have the name right." Kevin casually cocked his head to the side, eyeing Ben grimly.

"I don't know Ben. Do we?" Ben wanted to be able to say something smart in return, but found he could do nothing but feel his gut sink to the floor. Swallowing, he tried to remain calm. Claire gazed at him questioningly. He waved his hand dismissively and gave a small chuckle.

"We must have gotten something mixed up. My aunt and uncle probably heard it wrong. Did you know Gwen's boyfriend?" Claire scrunched her nose.

"Gwen didn't have a boyfriend." The atrium fell silent. The remaining people sitting near the fountain had surreptitiously scooted closer at the mention of the Tennyson girl's name, mumbling to each other but also obviously paying attention to the conversation. Claire scoffed a bit and scooted herself forward so she was perched on the edge of the office chair. "She barely had time to eat outside of class, let alone hold down a relationship. I'm not sure who this Shane person is, but if he's telling you he and Gwen were dating, he's lying." She finished with finality. The phone on her desk started to ring and she excused herself to answer it. Kevin, not stopping to say thanks or goodbye, grabbed Ben roughly by the arm and dragged the younger man towards the door. He glared at the people on the other side of the detectors eavesdropping, and more than a few quickly found new interest elsewhere.

"Still think my theory is stupid?" Ben didn't answer. The minute they were outside the glass doors he wrenched his arm from Kevin's grip.

"Gwen told me they were dating. I remember the conversation as if it were yesterday."

"Well apparently they weren't. Not according to Claire." Kevin glared at him. He began to stalk towards the parking lot, situated just to the south of the building. "I should have went after him right away. Now we have to track his ass through the city." Ben followed behind, lost in thought. It was possible that perhaps Gwen had decided not to tell Claire about her relationship, but that didn't account for that fact that Shane Hopewell didn't attend the university, at least according to the directory. Maybe someone in the Humanities department would know him. It was a Saturday, though, and he highly doubted anyone would be around to help them. Ben jogged to catch up with Kevin.

"Wait. We should probably talk to the Registrar's office too." Kevin didn't approve. The older man turned on his heel and threw his hands up.

"What more proof do you want, Tennyson? Hopewell is dirty. You want to find your cousin? We need to find him."

"I'll admit, he is incredibly suspicious, but Gwen was adamant about not telling anyone what was going on. If she wouldn't tell me, why would she tell Claire? We should make absolutely sure that we're going after this guy for the right reasons-" A short beeping sound interrupted his last thought. They both immediately looked for their badges, only to find that it was Kevin's that was going off. Moving quickly, they ran back to Kevin's Camaro. Ben glanced around as he got into the passenger seat. There were a few people walking around the picturesque setting, mostly on the sidewalks leading to the student center. None paid them any attention, save for a lone girl with white-blonde hair walking out of the library. She looked away quickly when Ben spotted her and continued on her way towards the student center. He watched her back for a moment or so, only coming back to the present situation when he felt Kevin tug at his t-shirt. He quickly got into the car and closed the door just as Kevin answered the page.

"Levin here."

"K-kevin? It's Argit." Ben's breath caught in his throat. He regarded the badge with wide-eyes. The call came sooner than he thought and he cursed inwardly that they were so far away. Kevin would have to drive all the way back to Bellwood, then continue on to the Cellar Door. He, on the other hand, would be able to get there quickly enough as Jet Ray.

"What do you got?" Kevin asked quickly.

"It's that guy. The one I told you about before."

"The one talking about Gwen?" Ben chimed in.

"Yeah. He's here. He just got here." The rat-creature's swallow was audible through the speakers. Ben felt his mouth go dry as he leaned over the badge, the green light making his face glow even in the afternoon sunlight.

"We'll be right there." But Kevin didn't move.

"What does he look like?" He asked.

"I dunno. It's dark in here and he's surrounded by people. I can't get a good look."

"Keep him there until we show up." Ben commanded. Again, Kevin didn't move or cancel the page. The older man stared thoughtfully at the badge's face. When nobody responded immediately, Argit cleared his throat nervously.

"Listen, you wanted me to call. I'm not gonna risk my neck for you two, or the broad." The badge beeped as he hung up. Ben reached for the door handle.

"Where are you going?" Ben had just pulled the handle when Kevin reached over and grabbed his arm. He tried to pull away, looking up at him in confusion when he wasn't released.

"To the bar."

"The guy at the bar isn't nearly as important as Morningstar." Ben threw his head back in disgust.

"I'm not going to believe that until I've seen some proof other than your gut reaction. I agree that we need to find Shane, but this guy at the bar might be the key to that, and more." He implored. Kevin shook his head decisively.

"We don't know that for sure. It could be a false lead. We know Shane is lying. We need to find him first." Ben remained silent for a moment, digesting Kevin's words. He leaned back into the seat. Kevin did have a valid point, but he still couldn't help but feel there was more to the story than just assuming that Shane was Michael Morningstar sniffing around for revenge.

"Someone needs to check this other guy out too. Just in case. We'll split up and meet back at the lab when we can." Ben didn't wait for Kevin to argue. He pulled free of his partner's grip and got up and out of the car. The door slammed behind him as he reached for the Ultimatrix, but the window slid down and Kevin leaned as far over as he could to yell at him out the window.

"Just so you know, I think it might be a bad idea to do this separately."

"Then come with." Ben said plainly. Kevin sighed and shook his head.

"Fine. Go ahead. If I haven't heard from you in a couple of hours, I'll come looking."

"Ditto."

The white-blonde girl watched the two strange men in the car from the outdoor seating area, situated in a scenic niche by the student center. She had set her purse down on the metal park bench and leaned a knee onto the seat in order to get a better view of the Camaro and its inhabitants. Behind her, the usually bustling hub of student activity was deserted, save for a few who had stayed behind for summer classes. None of them noticed her at her perch.

The brunette man, who had only minutes earlier gotten into the car, now exited the vehicle. He exchanged a few more words with the driver, words she couldn't hear. They seemed congenial enough. The brunette had smiled before disappearing in a flash of green. He was replaced with an ugly, red creature that leapt up into the air and took off into the sky like a jet. The girl jumped in shock, but regained her composure soon enough as the man still in the car peeled out of the parking lot, leaving nothing but smoke and tire-marks in his wake. The car swung out in front of the student center. Through the window, she caught sight of the man behind the wheel. As if on cue, he turned his head, catching sight of her standing amongst the flora. He slammed on the brakes and swung over to the side of the road. There was a small buzzing as the window rolled down, though she could barely hear anything over the grumbling of the car's engine.

"Hey." He called out to her. Frowning, she waited for him to continue. When he didn't, she pursed her lips.

"Can I help you?" She asked coldly.

"I need to find the registrar's office." The boy said bluntly. She pointed down the road where it was split by railroad tracks.

"Go down that way and turn right after the tracks. It's the new building just beyond the gymnasium. There's a rather large sign out front, you shouldn't miss it."

"Thanks." The boy didn't even bother rolling up his window. He gunned the engine, leaving her mired in a thick black haze of exhaust and burning rubber. She coughed and waved the air in front of her face. When next she looked, the green car had disappeared beyond the tracks, heading in the very direction she had advised him to.

"Did you see that car?" A couple of boys had run out of the student center. They jogged farther out into the road, eyeing the marks on the pavement. She watched them with mild interest. They hadn't noticed her yet. One, a slightly chubby boy with a spattering of acne on his face, huffed lightly as he looked excitedly up at his friend. "I'd recognize it anywhere."

"What car?" The other boy, skinny, short, and bespectacled, didn't exactly share in his companion's enthusiasm. He scratched at his sparse mustache as he continued to look around for the vehicle in question.

"It was the Ben 10 car! You know, Ben 10, that kid from high school who could change into aliens?"

"Yeah. But why would he need a car?"

"He doesn't, but the guy with him did. I don't remember his name, but I saw him once. I bet he's here 'cause of that girl."

"She's been missing for awhile now. Kind of late to the game, aren't they?" The boy with the glasses had seen enough. He began to head back towards the student center. His chubby friend continued to look down the road, almost longingly, as if hoping the car might come back and the boy inside might offer him a ride or an adventure. After a moment or so, she saw his shoulders visibly droop and he trotted after the other boy.

"Gosh, I wish I would got out here sooner." The girl cocked her head to the side slowly. Once the boys had vanished back inside the center, she grabbed her purse and walked out of the seating area. The rest of the campus seemed to have ignored the car's noisy intrusion. There wasn't another soul out walking, and with the boys' departure, it seemed she would be left alone for the rest of her walk. A determined scowl on her face, she set off down the road.

He wasn't surprised to find the registrar closed. In fact, as he parked the Camaro and switched its operating system to defense mode, he had prepared for it. Kevin slid his keys out of the ignition and deftly absorbed just enough of their metal to cover his right index finger. Then, he pressed the digit up against the ignition until he could mold the metal around it and force it inside. It took a bit of tinkering but he did get the engine to start up. Small victory accounted for, he twisted his finger and shut the car off.

"Keep an eye on things for me, baby." He cooed to the dash as he got out. Once more in the balmy summer air, Kevin turned to shut the door and gazed up at the massive structure of stone, glass, and steel before him. He whistled appreciatively. The gymnasium, just next door as the girl had said it would be, was a big building, but the new administrative offices put it to shame. It was just another outdated, dome-roofed pile of red brick compared to its new neighbor. Of course, he assumed they would waste no expense on a place where most of their students began and ended their career. He came closer, surreptitiously keeping an eye on the environment around him. There were a few other cars in the parking lot aside from his, but since the offices were closed, he had to assume they belonged to the few students dedicated to their personal fitness. Tall, bushy pines formed a natural fence and barrier against the street on the other side. He wouldn't have to worry about a passerby seeing him.

Kevin stopped at the front entrance and read the listed hours. He feigned interest. It didn't matter that nobody was home. He would get in either way. Still pretending to read the writing on the door, he placed the same finger he had used in the car up against the lock. He looked back behind him again, just to make sure the coast was clear. Once he was confident, he molded his finger into the keyhole and squirmed around, feeling for the correct combination of shapes that would open the door. He found it quicker than he thought he would. The lock clicked. He felt the turning of the mechanics inside give way and kick-back against his intrusion. With a discreet push, Kevin edged through between the glass doors and into the cool interior.

The lobby area was sleek, designed more like a business than academic offices. The receptionist's desk, situated directly in the center beneath a glass atrium, looked like it had been carved out of black obsidian, with a stainless steel counter displaying the newest brochures and information about the university. Hanging glass lights illuminated the displays, even though the rest of the lights were out. Directly behind the desk was a set of stairs that led up to the second floor. To his right, there was a darkened conference room. He could just see the silhouettes of empty chairs and the dim reflection off of a television screen. To the left, a set of double doors blocked entrance to a longer hallway.

Kevin quickly set to work. There was no sense in admiring the architecture any longer. A building directory had been posted to the wall and it listed what department could be found on which floor. He scanned the list until he found what he wanted.

"Academic Services and Registrar. Third floor." He whispered to himself. "Bingo." He loped easily up the stairs, his long legs effortlessly taking him higher until he reached another set of double doors. A small glass plaque to the side of their shiny metal hinges told him he was in the right place. Smirking, he went to pull open one of the doors, only to find it was locked. Kevin rolled his eyes in slight annoyance. More locks didn't pose a problem, but they were a bit of a nuisance.

After a few seconds of tinkering, he clandestinely entered the Registrar's office. The space was nearly dark, save for a few safety lights inserted in the ceiling. He prowled around the lounge chairs in the waiting area. There was a large desk that formed a barrier between the general room and the cubicles and, he assumed, the computers. He didn't directly see a way to get over the desk so he merely jumped over it, landing deftly on the other side. There was a short beep that followed and he froze in place. He didn't even think about if the building had a security system in place. Groaning inwardly, he turned slightly to see a small box beneath the desk. A red light on the front of it flashed intermittently. It was probably just a panic button. Kevin chose to ignore it, but put himself in front of the nearest computer as quickly as possible.

His fingers flew over the keyboard as he worked on the machine. Getting through the university's password protection had been laughable. He actually considered leaving them an anonymous note telling them so, but then decided against it. No point in warning them until he was sure he wouldn't have to hack into their system again. The software in which they stored their data files were intuitive enough that he didn't even need to break out his badge for assistance. A few minutes of working and he was had all the information he needed at his fingertips.

"Alright, Shane Hopewell, let's put the final nail in your coffin." He muttered as he typed in the man's name. Just seeing it conjured up all the raw emotions Kevin felt standing in front of that creep. He hadn't liked him from the start, and not for the reasons that Ben had accused him of. He wasn't jealous. Why should he be? Who Gwen chose to spend her time with was no longer his concern. It hadn't been for awhile. Of course, that didn't mean he didn't enjoy the slight pang of satisfaction when he realized that there were no pictures of Gwen and Shane together in her apartment. But, all of that aside, there was just something off about him. He was too...perfect, and in Kevin's experience, that was a bad thing. Being too perfect meant you had something to hide.

He watched the computer screen as the database worked to find the source of his inquiry. He wasn't surprised when it came up empty.

"Ha! I knew it! Hopewell's a big, fat fake. Take that, Benji." He was just about to exit out when the thought struck him to look up Gwen. The urge came suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, and he found himself typing her name in without argument. The search returned with a single result. He clicked on her name, opening a new window with all of her information.

Gwen was, of course, a model student. He hadn't expected anything less. She had been put on the Dean's List every semester since freshman year. Her cumulative GPA had never been anything lower than a 4.0. Most of her tuition was paid for by academic scholarships and the rest was charged to a private credit card.

'Probably Daddy's.' Kevin thought with a light sneer. Her parents definitely had the cash to invest in such a prestigious education for their daughter. They had done it for their older son, why not perfect little Gwen? He continued down the list of her accomplishments, awards, and honors, trying to wash out the acrid taste of his bad thoughts. True, the relationship had been bittersweet, and they certainly hadn't done each other any favors since the break up, but finding the hidden picture in Gwen's underwear drawer had flipped a switch inside of him, one that had been uncovered when he visited their lost connection. He told himself he was just worried about Ben. He was still his friend, after all, and Gwen meant a lot to him. But deep inside the pit of his stomach, he knew it wasn't just about friendship.

"Whatever. Focus." He scolded himself, coming down past the extensive list of classes she had taken. There was a paragraph of red text at the bottom that he nearly missed as he went to scroll back towards the top of her record. When he scrolled back down, he saw it wasn't really a paragraph, just a couple of lines, but they were written in all caps. He frowned as he read the words to himself.

"Student requested to attend counseling services. Follow-up by physician required before account hold can be lifted."

He paused before leaning backwards in the office chair, re-reading the lines over and over trying to let them sink in. Gwen Tennyson, brainchild, killer karate master, and powerful half-Anodite, had been asked to seek counseling? The questions began to build. Who had asked that she do so? When had the request been made? But, the most important query was also the hardest to answer: Why?

Suddenly, his ears picked up on soft footfalls coming up the stairs. Not bothering to shut the computer down properly, Kevin closed the software and pressed the power button. He slid off the chair onto the floor and slithered up and under the large desk cutting the room in two. A key ring jingled from beyond the doors and he could hear the crunch of metal in the lock. A beam of light appeared on the wall opposite him as someone walked further into the office.

"Hello? Is anybody here?" A younger male voice called out. Kevin couldn't help but roll his eyes. Amateur security guard, he confirmed. Like anyone breaking in would simply call back. He reached out and touched the desk with a hand, absorbing the material. In the darkness, he would easily blend in should the guard decide to come around to the other side.

After a minute of watching the flashlight bounce around the cubicles, Kevin decided he had nothing to fear. Sure enough, the guard abandoned his quest shortly after. He listened to the footsteps all the way down before unfolding himself from beneath the desk. It would be harder to get out than it was to get in. Kevin skillfully threw himself back over the desk and jogged to the door. The stairwell seemed quiet. Had the guard been in the building the entire time? He scanned the ceilings for cameras but found none. There had to be surveillance somewhere. He peered over his shoulder in the room. There apparently weren't any back in the office area. Sighing, he realized he was just going to have to make a sprint and hope the guard had wandered back to his post.

Kevin once again opened the door just barely enough for his girth to squeeze through. He made sure it shut noiselessly behind him. Still, everything remained quiet. He peered over the railing at the flights below. Nothing moved. Taking a deep breath, Kevin made his way down to the second floor. Nothing. He continued onwards until he could see the reception desk and the glass doors beyond. His car was still parked outside. It didn't appear that anyone was lurking about. He slid down against the banister until he reached the door and then glanced both ways.

"Amateur." He reiterated, walking confidently out into the lobby. Then, above him, he heard doors opening and closing and he looked behind him wide-eyed as the security guard's shadow appeared on the landing. He sprinted for the door, the carpet muffling his movement, and made it out just as the guard descended the last flight of stairs. Kevin waved at him from the other side of the glass window. He had been right about him. The guard was obviously a student, young and soft, who didn't look at all imposing in his black uniform. The kid came over to the door and scrutinized Kevin before jutting a chin at the hours.

"The offices are closed for the day. Come back later."

"Sure thing." Kevin said quietly, watching the kid walk back into the building. He snickered to himself as he headed back towards his car. What a moron.

His fun being had, he became serious as he reached for his keys. The girl in the library, Clare, seemed to know more about Gwen than anyone else they had talked to. He would go back and ask her if she knew anything about Gwen's counseling visit.

Why anybody drove anymore was beyond him. Ben glided effortlessly above the sparse array of clouds, his green eyes darting back and forth to make sure he was properly covering himself from view. It felt like only a few minutes had passed since he took off from the library parking lot at Gwen's university, but already he could make out the dark mass of buildings on the horizon that was his destination. He smirked as he thought about Kevin trying to dodge the cops on the highway, weaving in and out of traffic when it slowed down due to construction. Driving could be fun but it was an outdated method of travel. Being off Earth for so long had left Ben spoiled in the modes of interplanetary transport. He had been teleported, beamed, and warped anywhere he wanted. Such instantaneous travel made cars seem like a waste of time.

Although, in this situation, he wouldn't have minded having some extra time to think about his plan of attack. He hadn't anticipated going alone and knew from experience that that meant he would have to be extra careful. Argit wasn't trustworthy to begin with. Throw a potentially volatile criminal into the mix and things could get ugly fast. Ben steeled himself for the task ahead. He would find Argit first and get the rat to point out the man in question. Then, he would observe him for awhile, and, best case scenario, end up following him out of the bar where he could confront him one on one. If he didn't leave alone, he would trail him until he was.

The city was now visible in detail and Ben began to spiral downwards towards the section where the Cellar Door was located. As he reached the ground, he let the transformation reverse and hit the cement with sneakers rather than webbed feet. There didn't seem to be anyone around. The bar didn't even look open. Ben frowned and checked the atomic clock on his badge. It was barely 4 PM. He began to walk towards the bar with a sinking feeling. Maybe Kevin was right; Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to split up.

'Shut up Tennyson.' He thought scornfully. He didn't need Kevin to watch his back. He had done this countless times before and had come out the other end just fine. If he couldn't handle as simple a task as observing this loser, he didn't deserve the Ultimatrix on his wrist, or the badge in his pocket. Confidence restored, Ben reached for the door handle when there was a sudden skittering movement to his left. He reacted quickly, curving his body around the other side of the building and waiting with bated breath for the attack he was sure was coming. When nothing happened, he exhaled. No explosions followed, nor any threats or warnings. Ben peered around the corner after a few silent moments and groaned in embarrassment. Argit was hunched over the staircase, trembling slightly, his trench coat pulled up against the hot afternoon sunlight.

"Jumpy for a hot shot hero, aren't ya?" He sneered, his tone a stark contrast to his frightened appearance. Ben quickly glanced around the area and then pulled Argit along the side of the building.

"This isn't exactly a recreational visit. Is he inside?" The rat shook free of his grip and jutted his thin snout towards the back alley behind the bar.

"He just left. I was going to follow him for you."

"Right. And I was going to turn into a chicken and do a dance." Ben responded cynically. He eyed the entrance to the alleyway warily. This was going to be trickier than he expected. "Does he know you were following him?"

"Of course not."

"Did he notice you in the bar?"

"No."

"Kind of an odd time to be going out for a drink, isn't it?" Ben asked. Argit shrugged.

"He wasn't drinking. Just came in, sat down, talked with the bartender, then left." He said gruffly. Argit had not stopped trembling, but there was something in his voice that gave Ben pause. He sounded almost rehearsed.

"What did he look like?"

"You want to sit here asking me questions or go get the guy you came for?" Argit snapped. He scampered back up the stairs and through the door. It bounced back against the doorframe hard enough to cause an echo between the buildings. Ben cursed him in silence. If the man was still in the alley, he undoubtedly heard the door slamming. His element of surprise melted away.

He stopped just short of the alley and listened. Somewhere, a chain link fence rattled in the wind and a few pieces of garbage rolled past, like paper tumbleweeds. It didn't sound like anybody was walking or waiting amongst the detritus. He continued to listen. As he had known before, Argit was not trustworthy, and his whole demeanor just made Ben more certain that all was not what it appeared to be. He wouldn't be surprised to find that the man had gotten to Argit and offered him more than just a twenty dollar bill.

Finally, unable to wait around any longer, Ben rounded the corner, a hand hovering over the dial on the Ultimatrix. But, as he had thought, there was no one in the alley any longer. Experimentally, Ben walked further down until the sun no longer shone and the muck and mire was covered in shadow. Hardened mud showed evidence of old footprints but there was no way of confirming that they belonged to anyone of interest. The fire exists above were so rickety they swayed. There was no sign that anyone had used them for years and if someone had used them recently, they would have made a terrible racket. He swore under his breath. Once again, the target got away. He pivoted on his heel, preparing to pull his badge and call Kevin when something seized him around his throat. He began to choke as the long, thin claws holding him grew colder.

"Benjamin Tennyson." It hissed in his ear. "What a surprise this is." A dark purple mist enveloped him momentarily. It was incredibly cold. Ben squeezed his eyes shut against the chilly air. As suddenly as it surrounded him it left. He opened an eye to watch the mist solidify into a long figure. An Ectonurite morphed before him. It wasn't one he recognized, but it was certainly different from the rest. Its face looked eerily like an elongated human skull, save for the fangs and the empty eye sockets, which were glowing a faint red, instead of the usual purple. There were also strange markings etched into the bone. Ben struggled for air even as he struggled to discern what they were. The Ectonurite laughed low, a rumble that traveled through its claws and reverberated along his neck.

"Who...are you?" Ben croaked. His hands tried to find purchase against the claws, to no avail.

"That's neither here, nor there. Why are you following me?" It hissed, bringing its face in closer. Ben felt the chill once more. He strained to move away from its sharp teeth.

"You tell me!" He kicked out and caught the alien in the side. It doubled over with a cough and released its grip on Ben. He landed on his knees. Ignoring the pain, he dialed into the Ultimatrix and disappeared into a green light. The Ectonurite cringed away from the flash before a metal hand grabbed its outstretched claws. "What do you know about Gwen Tennyson?" Ben, now NRG, tightened his grip on the alien. When its only response was a feral growl, he shrugged. A few steps was all it took to bring the pair closer to the sun-drenched part of the alleyway. He held the Ectonurite out in the sunlight.

"Ahhh! No! Please! Graagh, mraah, you're killing meee!" It whined and writhed but it could not break free of Ben's fist. "Fine! Fine, I'll talk! Just...aaah! Please!" Ben pivoted and brought it back into the safety of the shadows. Its body sizzled. Through the smoke, it glared up into the hidden face of NRG.

"Talk fast, or I keep you there until you're nothing but a pile of dust." He warned from inside the metal casing.

"You are looking for your cousin."

"Stating the obvious doesn't count."

"Everyone is talking about her. Others have been here looking for her."

"Others? Who else?" The Ectonurite waved away his inquiry, but Ben would not be swayed. This was the first break he had had, and he would not let it go before milking it to the last drop. He shook the alien for good measure. It was still smoking.

"Curious bystanders. Those who would use her disappearance for their own profit, on both sides of the law. But you're the first who's found me."

"So what do you have to do with things? Are you the one who swept her apartment?" It deviously smiled.

"No. My role in such plans were much more humble. I was hired only to capture the girl, no more, no less. The one whom you speak of is he who I have come to see today. He is my employer." Ben felt his fury begin to rise. This creature had helped someone take his cousin. And he was being coy about it.

"So you get her, he sweeps the apartment, and then what? Where does he take her? Who is he?" He shouted.

"I will not bite the hand that feeds me, not even for you." The Ectonurite snarled. If it had been aware of how little patience Ben had left, maybe it would have been more cooperative. NRG once again swung the alien out into the warm sunlight. This time, no amount of pleading made him retract it. The Ectonurite screamed and howled. Its skin burned. Only when it looked as if it might actually turn to dust did Ben relent.

"Tell me who hired you and I'll let you go." He bargained. His voice dropped to a dangerous level. The alien shivered and gasped for air.

"You...will find him...at 1771 Prescott Lane. In Bellwood." It wheezed. "That is all I will...say."

"Fine." Ben said with acceptance. He pressed a side button on the Ultimatrix and its green face began to blink. It beeped and then a voice came through the speakers.

"HQ to Officer Tennyson, go ahead." A feminine voice stated. The Ectonurite begin to squirm weakly.

"HQ, I've got an Ectonurite in my custody who has information about the Gwendolyn Tennyson case. Requesting a pick-up in the 356th quadrant. Sending coordinates."

"Over, Officer Tennyson. Contingent being sent."

"You...you said you were letting me go!" It cried. NRG wagged a free finger in its direction.

"Yeah, right. Even if you don't know anything else, you're an accomplice to kidnapping a former Plumber. I think that counts as a crime." They glared at each other in silence before Ben's badge beeped again. The end of the alleyway was suddenly filled with a small Plumber ship. The hatch beneath its bow opened slowly and Magister Ghilil marched down the ramp. Ben groaned at the sight of him. His commanding officer had never quite been a fan of his, and had no qualms about letting him know. The two had gotten into too many squabbles to count. While none had been very serious, it still made for a tense work situation.

"Tennyson!" He called out. Magister Ghilil's scowl preceded him. The two officers behind him walked more slowly, carrying a containment cell between them. The Ectonurite moaned when he saw it.

"Not those. They are so uncomfortable." It complained. Ben shook it threateningly.

"At least its not the sunny side of the street."

"Jokes aside, kid. The last thing I hear, you're heading out on some mission with Max. Then, I get a page that you've gone AWOL. Now, you call me down to pick up your garbage like some two-bit rookie!" The Magister motioned for the officers behind him to take the alien off of Ben's hand. They set the containment unit down beside him. He placed the alien over it, releasing it only when the blue force field shot up from the disc. The Ectonurite hung suspended in the field looking miserable and pale. Ben, no longer responsible for his catch, transformed back.

"I'm sorry Magister, but this was an emergency."

"Yeah, I know. The entire force has been mobilized to keep an eye out for your cousin. That doesn't mean you can bend the rules as you see fit. You're coming back with me to HQ." He growled. Ben, however, stood his ground.

"No. I made a promise to Gwen's parents that I would find her. This alien," He pointed at the Ectonurite, "It knows something. It needs to be taken back and interrogated immediately."

"And what are you doing to do?" Ghilil asked, genuinely interested. He crossed his massive arms over his chest. Ben glanced at the Ectonurite.

"I'm going to 1771 Prescott Lane in Bellwood." The Magister frowned, but not out of anger. He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully for a moment.

"That sounds familiar, but I can't place it. I'll have to look it up in the system back at HQ." He muttered. Ben saw his chance to worm his way out of the situation. Smiling, he began to back away down the alley.

"You go do that. And while you're at it, you can let my grandfather know that I'm on the case." He turned to run but found himself unable to go anywhere. Magister Ghilil was firmly hanging on to the back of his flannel over shirt.

"Where is Levin? Shouldn't he be handling this? Its in his jurisdiction." Ben narrowed his eyes. He shoved the Magister off with a huff.

"I'm the one who told him she was missing. If the force has been mobilized, why wasn't he informed right away? She's been missing for weeks." He demanded. Ghilil seemed surprised. Even that, however, bled off quickly as he grew more irritated at Ben's continued insubordination.

"You know how much we have to deal with on a regular basis. Our response was slow only because we're stretched so thin. Your little vacation, unauthorized may I add, doesn't help. Get that piece of scum on the ship." He suddenly barked at the officers. They jumped to action, obviously slack from listening to their argument. The Ectonurite griped at them to take it easy as they struggled to hold the containment unit straight. Ghilil watched them go with a stoic frown. Once they were safely out of ear shot, he leaned in closer to Ben. "Listen here, Tennyson. I've doubted you once only to get my ass handed back to me. You and Levin deal with this as best you can, but there'll be hell to pay when you get back to HQ. You're still one of my officers." Ben said nothing as the Magister turned to walk away.

"I want to know what the Ectonurite knows." He called after his superior. Magister Ghilil did not respond. He didn't even wave. Ben didn't take his silence personally. The fact that he didn't force him onto the ship with the Ectonurite was a sign of good faith. Once the ship was gone, he re-transformed into Jet Ray and plotted a course for Bellwood. Once he arrived, he would let Kevin know where he was.

Ghilil watched the red dot fly up and away from the alley, even as his own ship did the same. Sighing, he sat back in the pilot's chair. He was convinced that the kid would never learn, not from him, not from his grandfather, not from anybody. Years of playing hero had left him hard-headed, not a likable trait in a junior officer. Despite his previous accomplishments, Ghilil refused to let him move up the ranks so easily. This had the opposite effect he had hoped for. Instead of sparking some humility in him, Ghilil's continued repudiation of him only spurred more misbehavior. The other junior officers whispered about it behind his back. At least, he thought grimly, they remained smart enough not to speak about his relationship with the Tennyson boy openly.

"Sir, we're ready for warp." One of the officers interrupted his thoughts. Ghilil waved him away.

"Fine. Begin the count down." He rotated in his chair to face their prisoner. The Ectonurite didn't seem the least bothered anymore with his containment unit. It watched him silently. "I should warn you. If you don't cooperate with us, I'll make what Tennyson did to you look like child's play." He threatened. The Ectonurite laughed.

"Empty words, Magister." The containment cell began to sputter. The officer nearest to it gave a small cry and began to tinker with its control panel.

"Its shorting out!" He called. Ghilil rushed from his chair and pushed him out of the way. The other officer, about to send the ship into warp, left his post.

"Warp the ship!" Ghilil commanded. Even if the containment cell failed, if they were back inside HQ, the ghoul wouldn't escape. The officer nodded and ran back to the ship's controls.

"I'm afraid there's been a change of plans." The Ectonurite said with glee. The navigating officer screamed as something impaled him. Ghilil wheeled to find a wooden staff sticking out from his armor. He watched in horror as the staff slowly slid back through his body. The officer fell to the ground dead. A cloaked figure blocked the controls, the bloodied end of the staff peeking out from beneath its robes. They reached out and disabled the warp. As the ship's engines ground to a halt, the containment unit sparked and then exploded. Ghilil and his remaining officer flew backwards. They hit the back wall hard. The force was too much for the officer and he slumped to the floor. Ghilil, however, had been through worse. He gritted his teeth against the sharp pain in his side and pressed the distress signal on his uniform.

"HQ, Magister Ghilil reporting an officer down on Ship HBI-76. Two assailants, requesting immediate back up." He said into his helmet.

"HQ to Magister Ghilil, SOS received. Help is on the way." The Ectonurite glided over the floor. Its accomplice followed behind silently.

"Farewell, Plumber." It said, its voice like oil. The cloaked figure said something low beneath its breath and a dimensional vortex opened behind them. Its pull wasn't as powerful as others, but it was enough that he Ghilil found himself sliding forward. He had to grab onto the unconscious officer to keep him from slipping away. The Ectonurite disappeared first, glancing at its companion. They nodded and raised an arm towards Ghilil.

"I'm sorry it has to be this way, but I can't have you running back to the Tennyson brat." A woman's voice chimed from beneath the hood. Her hand glowed as she drew closer, placing it over his helmet. His head began to thrum, uncomfortably so. It continued to grow worse and worse until it was all he could do to keep from screaming. It felt as if this woman was crawling inside of his head. And then, suddenly, she was. He pressed the distress button on his suit again, but not by choice. It was she who made him do it.

"Magister Ghilil to HQ, cancel the previous distress call. We've got things under control." His voice said. Ghilil watched with wide eyes as the woman continued to commandeer his body.

"HQ here, you sure about that? Back up ready to deploy."

"Roger that, Back up not needed. Warping in." But it wasn't true. The connection was cut and the woman kneeled down, her head still over his helmet. He felt one of his hands move for the blaster in his holster.

"End of the line, Magister." She said slowly. The blaster moved under his chin. His hand began to shake as he fought her. It couldn't end like this. He wouldn't let himself be simply controlled. Sweat broke out on his brow as he tried to drop the gun. As hard as he fought, she fought harder and his finger finally found its way to the trigger.

a/n: WOO. I couldn't stop myself on this one apparently. Its long. Anyway, enjoy my update, as I promised in 'Born to Be Wild'. Hope it satisfies and keeps you happy until the next. Thanks for all the reviews so far everyone! For some reason I stopped getting e-mail notices when I get reviews, so I apologize for not replying to them as they come in. As always, thanks for reading and enjoy!