The bag was removed from Decha's head so harshly that his head was snatched forward. Decha blinked and got a good look at his surroundings.

He was in a small room. Because of the concrete floors and brick walls, he knew he was underground somewhere. A small beam of light coming out of the ceiling helped him make out the objects and furniture placed.

He felt cold metal binding his wrists down to a surface. His hands were cuffed to a chair. A foggy hand placed a cup of warm liquid on a table in front of him. Then the dark figure of a person sat across from him. "Sorry for the inconvenience, N96."

The voice was deep, but it didn't make Decha react one bit. He was more concerned about Jax. Where was he?

"Do you like tea or coffee?"

"Neither," Decha glared at the perpetrator. "Especially not from abductors."

"Oh, you're mad about that? It was necessary. You know it's not easy for me to approach you in the public eye."

"I don't even know who you are." Decha nodded at the weak light. The figure looked up and a warm smile spread across their face. The figure flipped on a switch, and the light became brighter.

It revealed more of the room. Decha squinted his eyes, allowing them to get used to the light. Then he looked at the person who had him choked, kidnapped, and bound to the chair.

"Antoine." Decha sneered. It was the criminal who distracted him at the Program.

"I know what you're thinking," Antoine pressed his lips thin. "Before you react, I need you to listen to me."

"You've got 3 minutes," Decha growled. He was already fiddling with the lock on the cuffs. He knew he could get out of them in under a minute, but he was willing to let Antoine explain before he wreaked havoc.

"I assume you remember our last conversation, at the event. I gave you a warning." Antoine sat forward. Decha watched him but kept his expression unchanged. "The bombs in Astell weren't meant to get this out of hand. We originally wanted to scare the Astellians. We wanted the Council to pay attention and treat the Brackets as an equal."

"Why don't you tell me who you're working for?" Decha seethed.

"I can't give any names. But I brought you here to ask for your help."

"My help?" Decha scoffed. "As far as I'm concerned, you're an enemy. You smuggled weapons across the border, helping out in wicked schemes."

"I know that, but right now, I'm in dire need of assistance. You're the only General I could trust."

"Me?" Decha chuckled sarcastically. Antoine's words humored him. He thought that Antoine hadn't heard the stories of his battles on the Outside. Even the Bracketers knew about Astell's fierce warriors. "I wonder why."

"I looked into you. Unfortunately, the resources I've been exposed to allow me to know more about your rank, your pins, and your achievements. But after the event, I wondered why you let me go."

Antoine crossed his legs and sighed. "Before the event, I tried to warn them. I sent an anonymous letter directly to the Council, but they ignored me and proceeded to host the event. I knew where the bomb was, and I went intending to ask you to help me stop it. But when I arrived, it was already too late. My warning came across as sudden, and it made you on edge."

Antoine looked up at Decha with a look of despair. "I revealed myself to you purposely. Out of desperation. Because I didn't want this madness to continue. And I surely thought I was going to die when you held the gun to my face that night. But you let me live."

"I'm obligated to obey the law. When a Council Member is in danger, I am supposed to give my life to save theirs. I let you go because of that, not because I wanted to." Decha flicked the cuffs off his hands easily and stood up.

Antoine's sad expression changed to a look of fear. Decha threw himself forward and snatched Antoine by the shirt collar. Then he shoved him into the wall, using his weight to prevent him from sliding around. "I won't hesitate to kill you." Decha spat viciously.

"You won't kill me. I trust you because of the Bracket woman you're protecting."

Decha's blood went cold and he felt a chill run down his neck. He paused briefly, and the right grip he had on Antoine's shirt loosened.

"We both want the bombs to stop. I can help make that a reality. But we have to work together." Antoine stuttered. "P-please!"

Decha looked into his eyes. They were dark brown, very similar to Rory's. Because of that similarity, he released Antoine. But he still made sure Antoine was pressed against the wall. He wasn't gonna allow him to escape.

"First, You're gonna tell me what you did to Jax." Decha raised a finger to Antoine's face.

"We didn't hurt him. We only sedated him."

"Bring him to me."

Antoine nodded frantically. Decha pushed the rest of his weight off of him, allowing Antoine to go by. Antoine looked to the left and voiced a command to someone.

"Burley, bring the other one here."

A tall muscular man with dirt marks all over his skin walked in. He was dragging a black sack behind him. He tossed the sack forward, and the sack made a grunt and wriggled around.

Decha was slightly impressed by the man's strength. He must've been the one to successfully put Decha in a chokehold and make him lose air in seconds. Next time, he wouldn't give him the opportunity to. He was a fast learner in combat after all.

Decha unzipped the sack, revealing a tied-up Jax with a gag in his mouth. His face was red and his eyes were bloodshot. Decha removed the cloth that was stuffed in his mouth, and Jax began to cough.

"Kill them!" Jax spluttered. "They're Bracketers! They're—"

"They're not gonna hurt you, so long as I can help it." Decha eyed Antoine with a threatening gaze. He helped Jax sit up straight and began to untie him. "Tell me what you know about Kilos."

The command was clear, and Antoine followed the order. "You're on the right path. Kilos is just the cover, but underneath lies an entire web of fake promises to us. When one piece of Astellian tech is released to the public, another is tested and produced for the detriment of its people."

"You're saying something is wrong with our tech?" Jax huffed when the ropes finally slid off his arms with ease.

"Nothing is wrong with the tech. That is the issue. Let me start from the beginning," Antoine cleared his throat. "You are very much aware of our history, N96. The 5th War."

"The peace treaty establishment?" Jax raised a brow and brushed the dust off his uniform.

"Only the high ranks in Astell know the true history of how our nation fell. After the 5th war, the Brackets have never been able to recover."

"What happened?" Jax looked to Decha for answers.

"It's not my place to tell you. I will say that months ago, rumors about another War began to circulate in the Brackets. Sector B is a small city, so it didn't take long for word to get around. Then there were advertisements of the restoration of Sector B. Promises that we Bracketers could only dream of were solicited around. I did some investigation and found out about the privileges we could receive if we partnered with those who petitioned for change. I signed my life away, to gain something very important to me. The plan was to cause a small ll ruckus in Astell for the Council to reason with us."

"But how does Kilos fit into all of this?"

"I was a part of the very first bombings. The safes in shops around Midtown and Downtown. I brought resources to Astell and sold them to Kilos. I thought it was weird that we had to go to Astell, but I was paid a hefty penny for my work so I didn't pay much attention."

"What kind of resources did you sell?" Jax inquired.

"Rusty Metal. Rusty Iron. Kilos needed something good for polishing and keeping for an extended period. The Brackets are full of it. I know, because I farmed there."

Jax looked at Decha, who had his arms crossed. He was staring at Antoine intently and processing the information he was just given. "What about the man you're looking for, N96? Jamison Clarke."

"Jamison?" Antoine's ears perked up like a puppy. "The name sounds familiar."

"Jamison Clarke, a butcher who works near the border. He's a Bracketer, and somehow is connected with Kilos. Although I'm not sure how." Decha looked at his feet and thought.

"Any children?" Antoine asked.

"He has a daughter."

"Ah, I know who you're talking about now. Jamison Clash. He's about yay high? Short curly hair and brown eyes? Dark skin?"

"You described him perfectly," Jax smiled, "What can you tell us about him?"

"I know of him because my wife used to buy meat from the shop he works at. We call him clash because of the way he handles the knives. I didn't know he was involved in this. If he's involved with Kilos, that's not a good sign. He should leave before... they hurt him." Antoine bit his lip nervously. "He has a daughter, which means her life will be at stake."

"Who are they?" Jax hissed.

"I can't tell you. I'm on the run. If I utter a word of their name, my family will be killed."

"What kind of tip is that?" Jamison sneered and shoved Antoine against the wall. "If you don't tell us, more Astellians will die!"

"N9899, release him." Decha nudged Jax away and looked directly into Antoine's eyes. "Give us a hint. The secrecy won't get us anywhere."

"A hint? N96, they killed my father! They have no right to act this way!"

"Jax," Decha sighed. "I understand your frustration, but keep your emotions in check. We should be satisfied that this man is giving us a tip in the first place."

"H-he's right!" Antoine coughed.

Decha looked back to Antoine with a scowl. "However, I don't take kindly to liars. If you screw us over, I'll come after you. And death will be your only route of escape."

"I assure you, I'm not lying! I want this to end as badly as you do."

"Great. So, the hint of who they are?" Decha raised a brow, very serious about getting as much information as he could.

Before Antoine could respond, the sound of a notification bell went off. All of the men looked at where the sound came from. There was a small holographic screen on the far end of where they stood that began to ring rapidly.

The significance of the bell was an Astellian National Announcement. Decha and Jax both paid attention, as it was something that directly came from the Council.

"Astell is saved. The culprit for the explosions has been caught. Details regarding the Border reconstruction will be announced at a later time." The voice boomed across the room.

Decha and Jax looked at each other, very confused. Antoine looked to Decha with wide eyes. "Is it true?"

"We need to head back," Decha said, and stepped away from Antoine. "If you need to contact me, don't do this again. Contact me directly through my personal line. It's private and our calls won't be tracked."

"Wait, you're letting him go?" Jax spat.

"No." Decha shook his head. "We need to go to the Agency and confirm whether the person caught is connected with this case. I have an odd feeling."

"Of course you do," Jax mumbled.

"Antoine, lead us to the exit."

"This way." Antoine smiled and pointed at the doorway. "I kindly ask that you don't reveal my location. I have to stay hidden to protect the people I love. I'm sure you know what it's like to protect someone you care about."

Decha tensed up and paused. His head was facing the exit, but his words were directed to Antoine. "I do. But we're not the same. I don't hide. That's cowards' work."

"I don't believe it is in my scenario. But I get your point." Antoine nodded.

Burley led the two Generals up a stairway and down a dark hallway. He opened the door for them, watching as they departed from the building.

That's when Jax realized they were downtown. Although content with their location, Jax worried about Decha's words to Antoine.

"N96," Jax began. "Is the person you're trying to protect, Rory?"

Decha was ahead of him, but upon hearing the question he stopped walking. Then he looked away. He didn't want to answer him.

"She's important to you." Jax stepped forward, pausing when he was standing right next to Decha. "I noticed it a long time ago, but you're very private. You don't tell me anything."

"I don't have to." Decha shifted his gaze ahead. "Rory deserves better." He admitted, allowing himself to lower his guard for once.

"Why do you say that?"

"She... reminds me of someone." He thought of Chai. Chai and Rory were somewhat similar. Both had the same level of determination despite making continuous mistakes. It was a quality Decha admired.

But Rory was slightly more difficult to handle. She was more stubborn. Also like Chai, she was very selfless. Rather than worrying about her condition, she focused too much on others. He wanted Rory to have a better life.

"Is it someone you care about?" Jax asked, but Decha remained silent. "WAS it someone... you CARED about?"

"That night at the program, when I tried to save your father..."

"You don't have to worry about that—"

"I do." Decha turned to look at Jax. "I'm reliving the same scenario where I could've prevented detriment to people who are very important to me and others. You don't have any idea what that's like."

Although he wasn't at fault, he felt angry for not catching on sooner. Chai's disappearance. Amir's injuries. Strout's death. He felt they could've been solved had he been more aware.

He was very cautious with Rory. He had to be. The last thing he wanted was for someone like her to end up the same way Chai did.

There was a long silence between the two before Jax placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Decha, you need to calm down, dude." It was the first time Decha opened up about something. Jax was starting to think he had a good reason for keeping private all the time. But he also knew it wasn't good to keep all the stress inside.

"When this case is solved, I'll be able to. We need to head back to the Agency and investigate the culprit that was caught." Decha pulled away, leaving Jax stunned.

Jax sighed and followed him.

~~~

"Rory, hold this for me. I'm going to get some sugar cubes to put in my tea." Jessica handed Rory a tray of teapots. She gladly took it and waited in the same spot as Jessica left the living room to go to the kitchen.

Rory was lost in her mind. She hummed to one of her favorite songs and traced the steam coming out of the pot in her head. She was feeling a little better today. The pain in her stomach went away. She knew it was going to return sometime later, but refused to think about it.

Lately, she found herself enjoying the present moments than worrying about the future. Doing that eased her anxiety.

But that all ended the moment the TV screen in front of them automatically changed channels. Rory thought it was weird because normally the channels were controlled by a remote. In fact, she remembered seeing Jessica lock the channel earlier so no one else would be able to change it because she wanted to watch her soaps.

The display had a large box appear on the bottom with large words. Austell has been saved. A reporter came onto the screen and began sharing the National notice.

"The culprit behind all the bombings of Sector A has finally been taken into custody this afternoon. 48-year-old Jamison Clarke, a Bracketer from the northern slums has been arrested for being the primary suspect of the Border Wall's collapse, Strout's assassination, and the mass murder of hundreds of Astellian residents."

Rory's chest clenched when she heard it. Her father was on the screen, alive and well. But she had so many questions. Where had he been the whole time? Why didn't he come searching for her? What was all this nonsense about his arrest?

The shock that went through her entire being caused Rory to completely lose all feeling in her arms.

The tray, along with the ceramic teapot and teacups on it fell out of her hands. It crashed into many pieces once it hit the ground, and the hot liquid splashed onto her legs, but Rory ignored the pain.

The loud sound sent Jessica running back into the living room.

"Patrol Investigators have not yet released a statement regarding the handling of his arrest, but have given us a detailed response about Clarke's feral behavior. Patrol Officers have also found material connected with the bombs in his bag, and have taken it in as evidence."

"No..." Rory covered her mouth in horror. Jessica saw the mess and grew worried.

"Rory! Are you okay? Did you burn yourself?" She crouched down to make sure Rory's legs were okay.

"It's not true..." Rory whimpered, and Jessica shifted her gaze up to her before looking at the TV screen.

"The Council will be deciding his fate, but many are already petitioning for him to be put to death and executed for his heinous crimes. With the high number of votes for execution, more than likely the Council will cater to its people. Investigators are also searching for anyone else involved with the bombings..."

Rory's heart sank. She didn't want to believe it. There was no way her father was involved in killing all of those people. She knew him better than anyone else.

The fact that Astellians wanted him to be executed made her sick. If they wanted him dead, imagine what they'd do to her.

"Rory," Jessica grabbed onto her shoulders, expecting her to react. Instead, Rory frowned and uttered the only words that mattered to her.

"Call Decha for me. Please."

Rory's tone was cold. It sent a chill down Jessica's spine, which was rare because Jessica wasn't the type to feel uneasy often.

"Why? Is it because of the News Report?" Jessica looked at the display again and looked at the recording of the man who was being shoved into the shuttle. "Do you know him?"

"He's my father..." Rory huffed. "I need to talk with Decha."

"I don't think he'd answer around this time, Rory. The Agency gets busier during midday."

"Please!" Rory begged Jessica with her eyes. "He's the only person who works for the Agency that I can trust."

Jessica felt Rory's urgency. She couldn't blame her. If she was in her situation, she'd act the same. Jessica nodded and went to grab her phone. She dialed Decha's number, before handing it to Rory.