Van Freiheit awoke abruptly to a loud banging on his apartment door. He started to get up to answer it, but stopped when he realized who it would be. He chuckled a bit, and then slumped back into bed. Making Thomas angry like this never got old.

            Fiona peeked out from the kitchen, where she was making breakfast. "What's that racket, Van?" she asked as she opened up the salt shaker and poured it into her coffee.

            "Who do you think? Thomas, of course."

            "Shouldn't you answer it?"

            "Nah, I'll make him wait a bit," Van said as he picked up a nearby magazine.

            "Dammit Van, I know you're awake! I can hear you!" Thomas shouted from outside the room. "Open up, this is no time for jokes! We have a major emergency out here!"

            "Thomas, everything is a major emergency to you," Van muttered in reply.

            "Maybe you should let him in," Fiona suggested. "He really sounds worried."

            Van sighed and stood up. He walked over and unlocked the door, and was nearly knocked over when Thomas barreled into the room. "Geez, Shubaltz!" Van shouted. "Calm down a little!"

            "Calm down? You want me to calm down?" Thomas asked. "Haven't you watched the news lately?"

            "No, moron," Van replied. "Since we got back from our mission at two in the morning, I decided to sleep in, instead of waking up at the crack of dawn like you did."

            "Well then, you've missed a lot," Thomas scowled.

            "Oh come on, what could be so bad?"

            Thomas said nothing. He walked over and switched Van's TV on.

            "It's been almost twenty four hours since the assassination attempt on President Camford, and tensions are no lower today than they were yesterday," the reporter said. "Civil war threatens to turn New Helic City into a battleground."

            Van whistled. "Damn, that's not good."

            Thomas glared at him. "It gets worse," he replied.

            The reporter continued to summarize the previous day's events. "And the assassination attempt on Emperor Rudolf has made things even worse, as the news has spread throughout the town overnight."

            "Oh my god," Fiona gasped. Thomas looked over to her, seemingly noticing her for the first time since he walked in.

            "Miss Fiona, you shouldn't be watching this!" he stammered. "You'll worry yourself too much!"

            "Shut up, Thomas," Van muttered. "I'm trying to hear the damn news report." The reporter continued to speak about the events, mentioning that both Herman and Rosso were suspected for the crimes.

            As the news program went to commercial, Van turned to Thomas. "So I assume we'll be heading to New Helic?" he asked.

            "Naturally," Thomas replied. "Moonbay's already agreed to take us there. And you owe me some money. That girl charges way too much, and I had to pay it all!"

            Fiona smiled. "I'm sure she was just kidding you, Thomas," she said. "Moonbay wouldn't charge us anything."

            "She'd better be kidding," Thomas muttered. "That cost me a whole month's pay!"

            "Don't worry, Thomas," Fiona replied, laughing. "I'll go get your money back." With that, she turned and left the room.

            Van scowled as he watched Thomas out of the corner of his eye. "Keep your eyes to yourself," he muttered.

            Thomas snapped back. "What? I wasn't looking at anything!"

            Van sighed.

            Thomas turned to leave, but then looked back at Van as he thought of something. "Hey! Why was Fiona in here at this time of day, anyway? Shouldn't she still be in her own room?"

            Van smiled. "Go away, Thomas. I have to get dressed for our big important mission!"

            "No! You're not doing anything until you answer me!"

            Van walked casually up to his door and slammed it in Thomas's face, locking it afterwards. He then proceeded to get dressed with Thomas's screams in the background.

*  *  *  *

General Rob Herman scowled as he glanced at the handcuffs he was wearing. He couldn't believe this.

"Honestly, mother," he said, ignoring formalities. "Why do we have to do this?"

Louise Camford glanced at her son. "I'm sorry, but it must be done. The Imperial citizens want you locked up, the Republican citizens want Rosso locked up. Rudolf and I decided that this was the only way we could appease the populace."

"But I'm innocent!" Herman shouted. "Rosso is the crook here!"

Camford sighed. "You have no more evidence than he does," she muttered. "To the citizens, you might seem pretty guilty. I know that you're innocent, and I know that Rosso is too. We just need more time to find out what's going on."

"You know this won't solve anything," Herman replied. "The people won't be satisfied until they've started another damned war!"

"I know that," she replied. "But this will buy us time. That's all we can ask for now. Hopefully, Van Freiheit or Captain O'Connell will discover the truth. Until then, this is the best way you can serve your country."

Herman slumped back in his chair. "It still sucks, though," he muttered.

*  *  *  *

            Rosso was expressionless as the jail doors slammed in front of his face. "Oh well, it's not like this is the first time," he muttered.

            Rudolf and Viola both frowned a bit at Rosso's morbid humor. "Again, I'm sorry we had to do this," Rudolf said.

            "Don't worry, kid," Rosso said. "At least this way, you guys will have a little more time before the inevitable happens. And it's not like I'd be particularly safe out there anyway."

            Rudolf smiled. "I'm glad you understand. Unfortunately, based on what Captain O'Connell has said, Herman isn't taking this as well as you are."

            Just then, the prison doors opened, and President Camford and General Herman entered, followed by quite a few guards. "Damn it!" Herman shouted as he saw Rosso. "It's bad enough that I have to be imprisoned for something I didn't do, but now I have to be in a cell by that murderer!"

            "I'm sorry," President Camford said. "But these are the highest security cells we have, and the citizens would be angry if one of you was better off than the other."

            Herman scowled, and allowed the guards to lead him into the other cell. After both of the prisoners were securely locked up, everybody else left the room, leaving Rosso and Herman alone.

            A few minutes of silence passed. Rosso relaxed in the bed of his cell, as Herman paced angrily around his cell.

            "Hey Hermy," Rosso mocked. "Why don't you settle down a bit?"

            "Screw you!" Herman replied angrily.

            "Sorry Robby, I'm not that kind of inmate."

            Herman replied with his middle finger.

*  *  *  *

            O'Connell approached Rudolf and Viola as they left the prison cells area.

            "Did it go well?" he asked.

            "Thank you for helping Viola last night," Rudolf replied. "And no, it didn't go too well. Rosso was calm, but Herman didn't like the idea."

            "As I expected," O'Connell said with a sigh.

            "Anyway," Rudolf said, changing the subject. "What did you want to see me about?"

            "Well, after the stuff that happened last night, I don't think we'll be able to get much information here," O'Connell said. "And usually when we don't have the slightest idea of what to do, we go see Doctor D. So I wanted to ask permission for Viola and I to use the Storm Sworders to go see him."

            "Of course," Rudolf answered. "Visiting the Doctor is a good idea. Maybe he can make some sense of this."

            Rudolf led the way in the direction of the Imperial Limo. As they approached the exit to the prison, Colonel Karl Shubaltz approached them.

            "Sorry, Emperor, but we're gonna have to take an armored Gustav from here."

            "But why?" Rudolf asked.

            Shubaltz opened up the window. Loud shouts were heard from outside. A large mob of people had gathered at the prison.

            "Ah," Rudolf said. "Good idea, Colonel."

*  *  *  *

            "How much longer?"

            Moonbay stopped herself from punching Thomas Shubaltz in the face. "Three more hours. And do you have to ask me that every ten minutes?"

            "Well, excuse me," Thomas muttered. "This is only the most important mission we've ever had, so I'd like to get started on it!"

            "And I'd like to kick you in the crotch. But we can't all get our way, can we? You're lucky enough that I gave you back your money. After this crap, I deserve it!"

            Van and Fiona laughed from the back seat of the Gustav.

            Thomas turned to Van. "I'd appreciate it if you would take this a bit more seriously!"

            "Oh come on, Thomas," Van replied. "Take it easy for now. When we get there, we can get serious. You're gonna tire yourself out at this rate."

            Thomas scowled. "Oh, like I'm going to take any advice from you!"

            Van glanced at Fiona. Fiona nodded, understanding what Van meant.

            "Thomas, settle down!" she said. "It's not good to worry so much!"

            "Well, if Fiona insists," Thomas said.

            Van and Moonbay rolled their eyes.

            "So," Moonbay said, sounding a bit more serious. "How are you guys going to handle this?"

            "Well," Van said, thinking for a moment. "Thomas is going to check out the alley that Herman saw Rosso in. I'll investigate the building that Rosso saw Herman in. Fiona is going to talk to both of them to see if they have any information, since I'm sure the two of them aren't talking to each other, at least not about the investigations. I seriously doubt Herman is taking the jail thing very well."

            Moonbay sighed. "But none of this makes any sense," she said. "Both Herman and Rosso wouldn't do something like that!"

            "Well, obviously," Thomas replied. "We're going to try and see if there was anyone else involved."

            "You think it's Hiltz?" Moonbay asked.

            "Maybe," Van said. "I can't think of anyone else who could pull off something like this. And if he's involved, then Reize probably is too."

            "What about Raven?"

            "If those two are involved," Thomas replied, "Then that murderer probably is too."

            Van shook his head in disagreement. "No, this isn't Raven's style. He wouldn't try such a complex plot. He'd just go in and start shooting people."

            "I hope you're right," Thomas said. "I don't feel like facing the Geno Breaker today, or any day for that matter."

            "Right," Moonbay agreed. "You guys are good, but I doubt you could handle him alone. Speaking of which, where the hell is Irvine? Shouldn't he be helping you guys on this mission?"

            "Well, he's not officially a member of Guardian Force," Van said. "So it's up to him. I gave him a call, but I didn't get an answer."

            "That slacker," Moonbay smirked. "He was probably too drunk to pick up the phone."

            The group continued a bit longer in silence. Then Thomas spoke.

            "How much longer?"

            Moonbay turned to him. "Unless you want to run alongside the Gustav with Zeke, you'd better shut your damn mouth!"

            Thomas was quiet for the rest of the trip.

*  *  *  *

            Irvine yawned, and rubbed his eyes. He'd been riding for nearly a day now with no rest. But he knew that Hiltz was the key to this mystery. And as long as he could see the jet trail from the Reddler, he was going to follow it.

            But a nap and a beer would be so nice…

            Irvine began to nod off, when his radio suddenly turned itself on.

            "Why do you bother?" a voice asked him.

            Irvine frowned. Hiltz had a knack for hacking communications systems.

            "You're wasting your time," Hiltz said mockingly. "The Saix may be fast, but an organoid enhanced Reddler is just as fast."

            "Say what you like, you psycho," Irvine replied. "I'm bringing you down."

            Hiltz laughed. "Oh, really? I'm sure you wouldn't be so confident if you knew the true nature of our plans."

            Irvine reached to turn off the radio.

            "Don't bother," Hiltz said, anticipating Irvine's actions. "I have total control of your radio. So, this way, you won't be able to warn anyone of my involvement before I'm able to kill you."

            "Piss off," Irvine muttered.

            "How crude," Hiltz smirked. "But, I can see that I'm boring you. And I'm sure you're quite tired. So I arranged something that might interest you. Enjoy!"

            Irvine frowned. He didn't like the sound of that.

            His suspicions were confirmed when three Dark Horns appeared from behind a nearby hill.

            "Ah, shit," Irvine sighed.

*  *  *  *

            "It's so nice to have visitors," Doctor D smiled as O'Connell and Viola exited the cockpits of the Storm Sworders. "I'm sure this is purely a social call?"

            "Not exactly, sir," O'Connell said. "I'm sure you've heard the news?"

            "Of course I have. I've turned on a TV within the last 24 hours, there's no way I couldn't have heard the news. Are you aware that the news programs pre-empted my cartoons today?"

            O'Connell sighed. "Sir, this is quite important…we came here for your council."

            "All right, sure, whatever," Doctor D replied, waving his hand. "Let's go inside…I wouldn't want to leave the lady standing out in the cold," he said with a nod to Viola.

            The three entered Doctor D's home, and the Doc served the tea he had been brewing.

            "Salt?" he asked, offering the shaker to Viola.

            "Ugh…no thanks," she replied.

            Doctor D shrugged. "It's an acquired taste, I guess."

            The three drank in silence for a moment. O'Connell sipped his tea and sighed. The doctor could be quite aggravating at times. It was likely that he had some sort of evidence or information for them, but he wouldn't say it until he was good and ready.

            "So…" Doctor D said, looking towards Viola. "How'd Rosso take the jail idea?"

            "Well, he's been there before," Viola replied. "I'm more worried about how Herman is taking it."

            "Right," O'Connell agreed. "They're probably at each other's throats."

*  *  *  *

      "No, I'm serious," Rosso said. "I really wanna know."

      "I'm not telling you anything about my personal life!" Herman snapped.

      "Come on, Hermy…we're in here for the long run, we may as well enjoy it. Now come on. How many times?"

      Herman said nothing.

      "Oh, stop being so prudish. I'm sure that lofty general title gets you lots of women," Rosso said.

      Herman sighed. "All right, fine…I suppose you won't shut up otherwise."

      "Right. Now say it!"

      "I…uh…twice."

      "Twice? That's it?" Rosso laughed. "Geez, I've lost count of mine…and I'm a damn bandit!"

      "Hey, shut up!" Herman shouted. "I can't help it if O'Connell gets all the women!"

      Rosso rolled with laughter. "Oh, do I detect a bit of jealousy? Your subordinate's takin' all the chicks away from you?"

      "Shut up! Damn it! I knew this was a bad idea!" Herman sighed. "Now don't talk to me!"

      "Hey, settle down, man," Rosso said. "Don't worry. After we get out of here, I'll help you out, show you my technique, you know?"

      "I'm not taking lessons on women from a murderer!"

      "Hey now, we already agreed to stop it with the assassin stuff. Now who were the two? Anyone I'd know?"

      "Of course not," Herman shouted. "They were fine, upstanding citizens, not crooks like you!"

      "I bet I know! That one chick, your mom's assistant…she's a fine one. I'll bet you went for her!"

      "Damn it Rosso, shut up!"

      "Oh, hit the nail on the head!" Rosso laughed. "I knew it! Good job, Hermy!"

      "Quit calling me that! I swear, when we execute you, I'm pulling the switch myself!"

*  *  *  *

      A woman watched from the rooftops as the Gustav pulled into New Helic City. This was a bit of a problem.

      She turned to the blue reptilian figure beside her. "Earlier than we expected," she said. "I guess we'll have to welcome them ourselves. We wouldn't want them to get in the way of the plan, after all."

*  *  *  *

      O'Connell was getting more and more impatient. They'd been here for two hours. The doc hadn't said anything helpful, he'd just been making small talk and flirting with Viola. They had things to do…if he wasn't going to help, then he should just say it!

      "Oh Doctor D, you're so funny!" Viola said, laughing. She glanced at O'Connell, and quieted down a bit. She could tell he was getting angry.

      "Uh, Doctor D…" she started. "You know that we came here for a reason. Do you think that you could help us out?" Before O'Connell strangles you, she added in her head.