Mr. Cross and Mrs. Cross smile as they greet old friends among those present at the Christmas gathering. Albert sighs to himself in boredom at having been dragged to the social event to mingle. At his side, stands the petite figure of council member Soren in a Santa girl outfit. Eying council member’s outfit, Albert wisely keeps his thoughts to himself. Council member Soren was basically a pedophile wet dream. The ultimate jailbait, that was over the legal age of contentment.

Margaret Cross whispers to her surly son, “Albert, try to at least pretend to be happy.”

Albert plasters a fake smile on his face. “There happy,” Albert whispered back.

Margaret sighs in resignation and elbows her husband, Monty Cross firmly in his ribcage to grasp his attention. Monty winces and politely excuses himself from the conversation, before turning toward his wife and hissing, “What dear, I was in the middle of an important conversation?”

Margaret’s face becomes steely as she ominously says, “Oh, what I have to say is of no value to you?”

Monty swiftly backpedals, “No, dear! What I meant to say, that it’s just rude to leave a conversation like that. But never mind that, what is it dear?”

“Dear, will you say something to your son?” Margert pointedly said as she gestures with her eyes at their eldest child.

Monty sees the rather fake smile on Albert’s annoyed face. “Fine, I’ll have a word with him. But couldn’t we just have left him at home with his sister?” Monty said earning him a dark glare from his wife. Monty swiftly puts an arm around his son and says, “Albert, how about you try to enjoy yourself just for the evening. There's food and even pretty girls for you to chat up. Go and act your age.”

Albert opens his mouth to complain, but the Montgomery couple emerges from the crowd and stops to speak to his mother. Margaret and Bonnie were college friends and fellow sorority pledge sisters. They both squeal each other’s names, “Margaret! “Bonnie!” Before hugging each other with glee. Monty and Douglas greet each other with a head nod in the fashion only husbands can in full understanding of each other.

Soren snorts to herself at the unsightly display and mutters, “Freaking teenagers. I’m going to get myself a drink,” before striding over to the punch bowl. But given Soren’s actual age that failed to match her physical appearance that was an accurate description. Of course, one could also argue, that Soren contributed to wrongful misunderstandings by dressing far too young when in comparison to her actual age.

“How are the kids?” Margaret asked.

“Growing up as usual,” Bonnie replied.

The two-woman chat like old times as Monty nurses his drink in silence and Douglas placidly looks on. Before Douglas can pry his wife out her friend’s grasp, a female voice from behind him says, “So this is the Grandma Montgomery’s family home? It’s quite nice considering I’ve never been here before.” Albert glances up with shock at the familiar voice as Soren spits out a mouth of her alcohol punch on a poor unsuspecting guest. The guest almost gives her a dirty look, but Soren gives the guest a scorching guest that makes the guest swiftly hurry away and vanish into the crowd. Soren bites her lips anxiously at the uncanny coincidence of the appearance of Victoria Starr. Nothing good could come of it.

Douglas's face contorts for a moment before he turns around with a welcoming smile. Arms stretched wide for a hug, he s, “Victoria, you made it! I thought you weren’t coming?”

An unexpected polite expression is on #017’s face with an equal polite, cordial smile as she most firmly evades his outstretched arms. “Why Uncle Douglas, I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” #017 sincerely said causing Douglas to stiffen at the unexpected reply as his arms lamely fall to his side.

“Is that you, Aunt Bonnie? Why I haven’t’ seen you since I was a mere child, you look as breathtaking as ever,” #017 comments.

Albert gapes with shock as Monty’s eyes narrow in recognition. Margaret's cheeks tighten in shock as Bonnie trembles, before turning to face the child of that woman! Wearing a fitted white suit and black sleek boots, #017 makes quite the striking figure. But rather, than the presence of her mother being invoked, there was a far colder one, that of her father.

Bonnie faintly smiles and says, “You’ve grown so much since I last saw you, Victoria, you look just like your father.”

#017 smile wolfishly widens at the accurate statement. “Yes, I’ve been told that countless times,” #017 coldly said causing the air to become awkward. “Anywho, I’m here on Uncle Douglas’s invite, he said, he wanted me to get to know my three lovely cousins. I still remember Jamie and Jennifer from when we were children, but I’ve never met Tyler. I would just love to meet him.”

Bonnie lips attempt to twitch themselves into a semblance of a smile, but fail miserably creating a strained expression on her face. “Yes, I’ll go get them right now,” Bonnie hastily replied, before darting into the crowd, wildly gasping for air.

Douglas coolly eyes his niece for a moment, before a bewitching smile appears on his face. “I’m told you’ve met, young Albert Cross. But I’m sure you have yet to meet his parent, Monty Cross and Margaret Cross. They’re just wonderful people, please allow me to introduce you both,” Douglas eagerly said, causing the Cross couple to pale further and for an emotion of irritation to cross through #017’s eyes, before swiftly fading.

“I would be most pleased to make their acquaintance,” #017 dutifully replied. With a pleased expression, Douglas moves in to begin the introductions as Soren darts closer to the scene of the events.

*

The troops had landed at various locations from the castle grounds to the walls. The teams gathered under the clear light of the full moon. Despite being the home of a world political power, there was an obvious lack of security on the grounds. Probably because no one had dared attack them since Genghis Khan. And look how that had ended for him? Death by a brain aneurysm.

The coast is eerily empty and clear of any security forces. The men despite their large combat boots and equipment move soundlessly in the dead of night. The troop’s scout motions to them from behind a hedge that the area is clear. And regardless of feeling uneasy at the lack of a security entourage, they were given the go to sign.

Their troop leader leads the way at the scout’s signal. Their group is the first group to reach an entrance and promised the main doors are unlocked and unguarded. One of the soldiers carefully pushes the door open that lets out a chilling squeak. The soldiers freeze and switch on their thermal vision, but they are unable to see or sense anything. Cautiously, the troop enters through the gapping jaw-like doors into the belly of the beast.