Sable smirked and clicked a button on his sleeve. The wall behind him screeched apart to reveal thick overlapping layers of metal, each layer splitting in a different manner. When an opening formed, Sable stepped aside. The edges retreated, revealing a mirrored room on the other side. Below the steps of the circular platform was a formation of enhanced military soldiers.

Sable was prepared for this. Knowing his police officers would be spared, he saved his best men for last.

"Are you pleased?" Sable asked, motioning toward his true trainees. "Not many people have the liberty of seeing these soldiers. They are the new SS6 Formation. Fitted with the latest in technology and weaponry, trained in all forms of combat, and individualized to exploit their strengths, they're fused with DNA Matrix 1.3, making them abnormally strong fighters. Even you, Vecto, should know this."

Vecto looked at Sable and then at the room of waiting soldiers. He returned his gaze to Sable. "You're avoiding the question! I want to know about Morphaal, not some pathetic group of yours!"

Sable's eyebrow twitched. "Here's the deal. If you can beat my soldiers . . ." He distanced himself, confident Vecto would fall for his bait. "If you do, I'll tell you everything I know."

Vecto glanced at Crysilis. "Keep Sable in sight," he commanded, then looked back at Sable. "I'm much different than before." He proceeded into the room.

Sable clicked his sleeve again, and the dividing walls between the rooms began to reform, sealing Vecto in with the SS6.

He sighed, relieved that Vecto fell for his trap. Even if Vecto beat his soldiers, the room was fortified so that not even Vecto could escape. He turned around to see Streamline binding the fallen police officers with their own cuffs.

"So how's your day been?" Crysilis asked Sable as if they knew each other.

Sable looked at him. "If you insult me like that one more time, I'll-"

"You know, you're an idiot for leaving Vecto alone with them."

"My soldiers are trained to kill, and I've known Vecto for years. He doesn't like to harm people, so I'm betting he'll lose."

"I hope so," Crysilis said.

Sable raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Crysilis continued. "Vecto has been sporadic and angry as of late. Be grateful that we didn't kill anyone, but I'm uncertain about Vecto."

"We'll see." Sable clicked a button on his sleeve to bring up a holographic screen to view the interior. He expected the see the fight commence but what he saw instead was a blank screen. Vecto must have blocked transmissions. It meant only one thing: Whatever Vecto planned, he didn't want them seeing. That worried Sable.

* * *

Vecto strolled down the steps and scanned the blue room filled with diverse-looking soldiers, each with his or her own unique weapon and ability. He came to a stop only a few feet away from them. "Who wants to die first?"

Without a word, the soldiers readied their weapons.

"No volunteers? In that case, let me show you a secret," Vecto said. His body flickered. Coded information scrolled down his body as the holograph image of his red suit flickered off and on from what appeared to be a shield in the shape of a human. The shield became translucent, and it revealed a daunting sight: a floating orb surrounded by an arsenal of floating weaponry.

"Oh sh-" one of the soldiers yelled before getting shot.