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Parasite is the third part of The Underground series

Chapter 5 of 29

A Mutual Acquaintance

"So check it,"

Jenna spoke as she walked alongside Alias down an empty dark street wrapped in her black peacoat, "on my breaks I did a little digging into our mystery doctor. Turns out, Openshaw at one point had been expelled from the medical community for "unethical practices." She informed, making quotation marks with her paws.

Walking next to her, Alias strolled lazily, paws in his pockets protecting them from the cold. He listened as he basked in the floating euphoric feeling of alcohol. It was times like this that his life didn't seem so bad. Sure, it was an illusion brought about by his chronic substance abuse, but in what reality did that ever matter? It seemed as if he and Jenna were the only two souls left in this part of Arcadia, Valley Vista. The district had a pretty name, but that's all it had going for it. Given, it wasn't the West End's ghetto where establishments like the bar The Pitt was located, but it was a cesspool for The Underground. However, the more Alias spent time in Arcadia, the more he felt like he belonged here, as if he were cutting out his own turf. Back in Palamont things had been different. Before, he always felt like he was treading on territory only by the good grace of Xen Hets, and that thought disgusted him.

When they'd walk along, the typically cynical black fox couldn't help but to feel a little at ease for reasons he couldn't understand. In the early hours of the morning when he'd walk Jenna home from work he almost wished they lived a little farther away from Delirium. In his mind, it was these small breaks in their world of chaos where they could simply be. Between the activities of their chaotic lives, she could be herself, telling him about her day at work and the antics of some of the other Delirium employees, and he could talk to her about what he had been doing most of the day. Topics like the Invisible War and The Underground itself were rarely brought up. Neither of them even touched on issues such as Xen Hets, or their newest threat "The Shadow Player". It just wasn't the time for those things. This was their time, and the outside world would just have to wait the ten minutes it took them to walk from Delirium back to their apartment on Grinstead Avenue. In this small window, they would lay down their burdens, even if only for a short while. All the more reason why Alias wished they could simply keep walking the darkened streets for eternity; just the two of them.

However, tonight was one of those rare occasions when the work had to intrude. Jenna seemed pretty eager to talk about her research into Openshaw anyway. Perhaps she had discovered something.

"Unethical Practices?" Alias asked, with a sight laugh due to his intoxicated state. "And this is the guy you were trying to get me not to kill."

Alias felt his body being knocked over to the right sightly as Jenna shoved him playfully.

"You know, I hate it when you jump to conclusions before I finish my story." She replied with a simple smile on her face. "Apparently," she continued, "he was only a few years out of medical school when he authorized an experimental drug that hadn't been approved to be administered to a patient."

"Ew..." Alias replied in a low tone. "I bet that went over well."

"It did." Jenna replied, causing Alias to look down at her. "For the patient at least. Saved her life."

Not exactly sure where this story was going, Alias opened his mouth to say something but Jenna continued.

"Higherup's didn't like his methods and wanted to make an example of him in front of the entire medical community." Jenna continued in her feminine tone. "So, he had his license to practice medicine revoked, disappears, comes back about ten years later, and hands over the cure to Grider Syndrome. So, they decided they made a mistake and gave him his license back." A cold breeze blew over the foxes, causing Jenna to shiver slightly. Alias had enough alcohol in his system that the temperature wasn't really an issue. "That was about five or six years ago, and it was a huge controversy at the time. But talk about giving a big middle finger to whoever kicked him out when he comes back and grabs a National Honor Award for his genetic work."

"So he was a geneticist?" Alias asked.

"Yeah," she nodded, "Grider Syndrome is like a chromosomal disorder or something." The dark blue vixen shrugged, scowling. "It has to do with our evolution and leftover traits that we no longer need that resurface in some people. I don't know, there was a lot of medical talk that went over my head, you know?"

"And he's the son of a bitch who cracked our genetic code?"

"No." Jenna replied shaking her head. "He did like every other scientist before him; stood on the shoulders of geniuses and just happened to land his paw on an answer."

As they conversed, neither fox took much notice of the two figures walking towards them. They both saw them, but neither of them had any reason to be concerned. Each pair, walking side by side, continued on their same trajectory and it was only until there was just a few feet between them did Jenna move behind Alias in an effort to let them pass. However, the two figures, stopped on the sidewalk blocking their path.

Immediately, the intoxication and euphoric sense shattered and Alias went into full alert. Paw resting gently on the grip of his pistol, secured at his hip and concealed under his black trenchcoat, Alias noticed the hare's eyes following his paw. The Mercenary's eyes narrowed and his ears laid back as he stood his ground before these two thugs, placing his body between them and Jenna. They stood at a standoff, looking back at the thugs in leather coats and clothes that made Alias feel that these people were not just common muggers. No, they looked entirely too sophisticated for that.

"There's no need for any of that." One of them, a rabbit, said aloud. "It's a quiet night in Arcadia, no use getting APD involved in anything, agreed?"

"Let me be clear," Alias growled in a dark acidic tone, feeling the presence of danger like static electricity, "I can drop you both before either of you can even reach for your piece." He felt Jenna peeking around his shoulder, her eyes scanning the developing situation. "I really don't care who you are, and I will kill you if you try to hurt me or my friend here." He stated very calmly and plainly.

The rabbit simply raised his paws slowly. "Like I said, there's no need for any of that." He repeated. "You have many names; Dunkelheit, Tueur to name a few. Trust me when I say that we're well aware of your..." he paused, considering his words, "talent. It's how we came to know of you."

Like harsh, unbridled electricity, Alias could feel a cold, flash of realization whipping through his body at the mention of the morbid aliases he commonly used. He didn't think anyone would ever connect them. "Alright..." He said in his dark tone. "You've got my attention."

"We represent someone who's interested in speaking with you about employment opportunities." The hare continued.

"Not interested." Alias snapped back.

"You sure?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. "She'll make it well worth your while."

"You know, I really hate it when people make me repeat myself." Alias growled, grip tightening on his pistol.

"Alright, alright..." The hare consented, backing off. "No harm in asking, right?"

At this, both the hare, and his companion a male mouse, stood aside allowing them both to pass. The black fox stood there for a few moments, eyes darting back and forth from the hare to his partner. Then slowly, both he and Jenna sidestepped around them, Alias discretely pushing Jenna in front of him so it was his own back that was turned on the two.

"That Mick fella is a pretty funny guy, you know?"

As soon as the words left the hare's mouth, The Mercenary's blood went cold. Without hesitating, he pulled his gun from its holster and in a flash, had the rabbit by the throat, pistol to his forehead before his partner could even do anything.

"One chance." Alias growled through his gritted teeth, applying more pressure on the gun. "One explanation, or I blow out the back of your fucking skull!" He shook his black pistol slightly. "A forty-five hollow-point at point blank? You'd be lucky to have a head left at all!"

However, he simply choked slightly and smiled. "I really... wouldn't do that... if I were you." He looked over to his partner who's paw was under his coat, and shook his head.

"Who sent you?" Alias snarled, using his paw to shove the hare against a light pole.

"Like I said..." The hare choked out. "I represent... someone who would like to talk to you about... employment opportunities." As Alias looked back into the hare's eyes, he could see there was no fear of death anywhere in them. He was either very assured of himself, or very stupid. Either way, it told Alias something about him. His paw loosened just slightly, allowing the hare to speak clearly. "Michael Stallard is already at the meeting, and I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see you there."

Even if he was slightly drunk, Alias didn't have to have it spelled out for him. Clearly, if he were to refuse, something bad would happen to his friend at their paws. He didn't seem to have much of a choice. Mick had helped Alias at a time when both he and Jenna were being hunted. Furthermore, it was because Mick came through for him at that critical point that Jenna was still alive. Had it not been for him, Jenna never would have walked out of The Lazarus Institute. Even if this was a setup, Alias felt as if he could handle himself. But first, he had other obligations to attend to.

God fucking damn it, Mick! His mind cursed. What was this? The second time Alias had to drag Mick's tail out of the fire now? As this line of thought continued, Alias knew he owed Mick regardless. Because Jenna was standing here, still breathing, he would always owe Mick.

Slowly, and regretfully, Alias released the rabbit allowing him to breathe. He lowered his pistol as well, however, still gripped it tight in his paw, ready for anything. Backing up to Jenna, he leaned down next to her ear. "Go back to where we were, explain what happened, I'll find you later." He whispered.

"That won't be necessary." The hare said aloud, causing both Jenna and Alias to look over at him. "The opportunity is expanded to you both. We're in need of a computer expert." Out of the corners of his eyes, Alias could see Jenna's facial expression. They had her pegged as well.

"No." Alias flat out rejected. "You came for me, you don't bring her into whatever this is!"

"I really don't have much of a choice." The hare replied, shrugging nonchalantly. "I was told to bring in you, her," indicating to Jenna, "and Stallard. I wasn't given the option of partials on this one. My employer will be upset if I don't get her too." He cringed as he spoke. "Just take my word for it. She's a heinous bitch when she doesn't get what she wants." He paused, letting this soak in. "So, it's kind of an all or nothing deal here."

"You have no idea who you're fucking with right-"

"Hey!" Jenna interjected, grabbing Alias's arm and spinning him around to her, arms jolting in surprise. "It'll be okay!" She assured him, blue eyes looking relatively calm now, however, still held elements of alarm. She then turned to the hare, who stood there casually, paws in his pockets. "Fine." She agreed. "Let's here what she has to say. You said it's a she, right?"

At this the hare laughed. "Most definitely."

"I don't like this..." Alias whispered to her. "Just be ready..."

Interestingly enough, they never asked for Alias's guns. They really didn't need to. They might as well of been using Mick as collateral to get them both there. Things had just taken a huge one-eighty in their lives. Sighing, Alias shook his head and followed the thugs. They didn't even try and guard them, they just walked along in front with their backs to Jenna and Alias. Normally, such a move would have been blatantly stupid, but they knew what they were doing. They knew they had Alias's number called.

Turning off the sidewalk, they moved down a dark alleyway. The fox's mind started pondering exactly what kind of meeting this really was, until his eyes fell upon the glossy, black surface of an expensive limousine. The headlights were off, but Alias could see dark silhouettes moving about inside. The hare led them both over to the rear passenger door, holding it open for them both. Swallowing hard, Alias leaned over and slid inside.

Jenna was quick to follow, sliding in next to him as the door to the outside was shut. Upon entry, he was quick to notice a familiar mink, dressed in his usual expensive stylish manner, consisting of a brown suede sport coat and silk black dress shirt. As his brown eyes met Alias's green ones, Mick looked like a little kid who had been caught with his paw in the cookie jar. He didn't smile, or even nod. His face was solemn and grim.

Sitting next to Mick was something quite different. She had a face that Alias had never seen before. Clearly, he had never worked for her or any organization she had been affiliated with. There was no way in Hell he'd forget a face like that; much less a body.

She wore black heels, stilettos that looked like they were merely toothpicks attached to her feet. Her long, slender legs were crossed at her knees where her black business skirt ended. They were shapely, and hard to ignore. Her feminine serpentine figure was well accented by her tailored suit, that hugged her body in all the right ways. She was perfectly proportioned in every way; velvety cream fur was flawless. Her dark hair fell down to her shoulders, looking soft and smooth to the touch. The only thing that disturbed Alias about the siamese feline was her eyes. They were cold, almost as if they were lacking a soul. Every time Alias made eye-contact with her, he almost had to look away. It felt like sharp pieces of ice were being rammed into his chest when he looked at them.

"Well..." Her velvety voice finally spoke, breaking the silence. Her voice was soft and elegant; an illusion no doubt. Alias had every reason to believe she was a very dangerous person. He could feel it like he felt the cold Arcadian breeze at night. "I suppose introductions are in order." She continued. "Michael," she purred, stroking the back of Mick's head, an action he didn't seem comfortable with, "I already know... and rather well." The sexual innuendo very apparent in her speech. "You are the mercenary known by many names, but Alias seems to be your preferred title." Her dead eyes then went to Jenna. "And you," she said, leaning forward, "you just got the lucky draw of finding company with these people." The feline paused for a moment, smirking. "My name is Isis, and I wish to extend an employment opportunity to all of you."

"Who do you work for?" Alias asked point blank.

Her attention went to the fox, a look of subtle awe gracing her muzzle. "Now that would be telling."

Alias glanced over at Mick who's eyes were turned to the floor.

"What's the point in going into details that are trivial at this point. You haven't even accepted the offer yet." Isis explained, eyes darting between Jenna and Alias. "I have a very critical business deal going down soon, and I need the best people working under me." She turned to Mick. "An arms dealer," then to Jenna, "someone who's familiar with electronics," then to Alias, "and a soldier of fortune. Mick has informed me that he has access to those who can construct a specific weapon, which I intend to acquire. Mick has the contacts to move it, but I need both of you to obtain it."

Alias looked around the limo. Mick didn't even try and explain anything. He just sat there, looking at the floor. "What kind of weapon are we talking about."

"A radiological atmospheric dispersion unit." Isis replied, thighs rubbing together slightly as she spoke. "What some may call a 'dirty bomb'."

A heave lead weight seemed to have formed in Alias's stomach. This went well beyond what he was used to. There was a fine line between being a mercenary and being a terrorist. Was she actually asking him to obtain a radioactive weapon for her? Even if that kind of explosive wasn't considered a true weapon of mass destruction it was damn near close! This wasn't just Invisible War issues. This was national security and shit that he never wanted to get involved in.

Alias didn't say anything for a few seconds, looking around the limo at Mick, Isis and Jenna. "You can't be serious."

"No, I am very serious, Mr. Alias." Isis corrected, leaning back against the comfortable seats of her luxury car.

"And you just think I'll be a happy little mercenary and run off to do your bidding?" He let out a slight laugh and shook his head. "You clearly don't know how things work around here."

"You underestimate me." Isis said, leaning forward. "Is it because of this body?" She asked, uncrossing her legs, then recrossing them the opposite way seductively.

There was something strange about this woman. Something wasn't right about her, but Alias couldn't put his finger on it. She just seemed off... not normal. Even her word choice was unusual when referring to her own body.

"I am willing to pay you adequately, but a little bird told me money is not the issue with you." Isis continued in her velvety tone. "So, to you Mr. Alias, I offer her." Her eyes went to Jenna. "She's quite the lovely little catch. It would be a shame if she were simply to vanish into the cold Arcadian night one evening."

Alias let out a low growl at the threat, but remained still.

"To you," she spoke to Jenna, "I offer him." She looked over at Mick. "Michael and I have our past... a well documented past. Something many government organizations would love to get their paws on." Isis shook her head, smiling slightly. "How much of a shame would it be if Mick were to spend the rest of his years in a federal prison for illegal arms trafficking? You look like a good person." She told Jenna. "Can you imagine how all that guilt would eat you alive from the inside, knowing you put him there?"

Alias's eyes slowly panned over to Jenna, who sat there with her legs crossed, arms folded across her chest. Slowly, she swallowed, eyes directed down at the ground. Jenna was by nature an emotional person; it was just who she was. Even now, Alias could see the conflict inside her. On one end, wanting to tell Isis to jam this job up her ass, and on the other, feeling a sense of obligation to Mick whom she considered a friend. After all this, Alias himself wasn't sure what he was feeling towards Mick, but the word 'friendship' wasn't coming to mind. How else had they all ended up here?

"And to Mick, I offer you Mr. Alias." Isis explained. "He doesn't fulfill his end of the deal, and every law enforcement agency and every criminal organization will know that you were directly responsible for a little incident involving the Lazarus Institute. I'm sure I don't need to elaborate."

"Be very careful what you say next..." Alias warned in his dark acidic tone, eyes now thin slits. "A lot of every day instruments can be used in lethal ways."

"I also caution you, as you don't know that I haven't given this information to someone with instructions to deliver it to very influential people if they don't hear from me." Isis replied in her calm, seductive demeanor.

Alias snorted. "My guess is you don't."

"Is that a risk you're willing to take? "

"But you want me to think you do, so on the off chance when I leave here tonight, I'll start searching for someone who has information that doesn't exist. When my leads turn up cold, I'll panic and come back to you." He finished, followed by a long silence.

"So how about we skip that step?" The Siamese suggested, cunning smile gracing her lips. "Get straight to the point. You will be here," she reached into her breast pocket of her jacket as she spoke, pulling out a card, "at this time." Reaching across the way, she offered the small white card to Alias, who hesitated before taking it. "Take the interim to gather any equipment necessary."

"What's the job details?" Alias asked, looking down at the card with information scribbled on it.

Isis again shook her head. "You'll find out soon enough."

Alias scoffed, feeling a little exasperated. "How the hell am I supposed to know what I'm going to need if you're not even going to tell me what's going on?"

"Special equipment won't be necessary." Isis clarified. "But you have to understand that as of right now, the only assurance I have of your loyalty is using your friends as collateral. It'd be foolish to trust you with mission sensitive details at this point. Not until you can prove how committed you are."

Again, Alias felt a prickle of rage at the base of his neck. It would be easy, so easy, to kill her. But her threats were very real, and Alias had no way of knowing how serious she was about all this. If he called her out, and she turned out to be telling the truth, Xen Hets and the Shadow Player would be the least of his concerns. It would be a challenge just to leave the country.

"Fine." Alias replied dryly. "You've... got a deal."

Isis simply smiled, as if she knew he would submit to her. "Good looking and intelligent. I knew you would see reason, Mr. Alias." She then looked down at her small golden watch. "Now, I have other things to attend to in preparation for our next meeting." The door to the limo was opened as if on cue. "I look forward to working with all of you." And then she smiled a smile so wicked, Alias could feel every follicle of fur on his body stand on end.

Jenna didn't need to be asked twice to leave. Her feet already hit the pavement before Isis could even finish her sentence. Alias's attention went to Mick, looking like a schoolboy who had just been disciplined. Slowly, he slid along the smooth surface of the seats and out the door. As he turned around, he watched Mick exit as well. He stood there, a look of shame and confusion on his muzzle as he stared back at the stone face of The Mercenary.

"Michael... I believe we have other matters to attend to." A velvety voice called from inside the limo.

He looked back, then turned to face Alias and Jenna. "Alias..." He started, quietly, his paws turned palm-up in confusion. "I didn't- I mean, I'll explain everything-"

"Right now, I think it'd be good for all of us if you kept your mouth shut!" Alias cut him off coldly, a harsh bite of anger laced in his voice. Silence passed between the two of them. Alias's eyes fixed on the mink, unwavering. Mick could do nothing but shake his head slowly in defeat. "I think you should go." Alias suggested in a forceful tone.

Arms folded across his chest, Alias didn't waver, nor did his expression soften. Looking back with a much more remorseful expression, Mick looked as if he wanted to say something. He opened his mouth, but no words came forth and Alias remained silent; not helping him out in the least.

Finally, he turned, letting his chest fall. He slid back inside the limo, followed by the two thugs who escorted them both. Standing aside, Jenna and Alias watched the glossy, black luxury car slowly pull out of the alley.

They stood there in silence for a few minutes, both feeling dumbstruck at what just happened. Suddenly, a volcano was erupting inside his mind spewing out dark, black ashes of rage.

"Fuck!" Alias bellowed out into the night air. "Who the fuck was that?" The black fox vented, walking over to some random cans intended for the dumpsters and punted them down the alley with raw force. "How the fuck do they find me?" He cursed at the dark sky, his voice going up for anyone to hear. "How do they always find me?"

"Calm down!" Jenna hissed at him, grabbing his arms, turning Alias to her and feeling his flinch at her touch. "Pull it together or we're all really screwed!"

However, he felt his rage boil up inside him to an uncontrollable point. "You pull it together!" He shouted, not directly at her but just venting all his anger, pulling away from her and walking down the alley with his arms wrapped over the front of his head and fingers gripping his hair. "No matter what I do, where I go, who I pay off, somehow these motherfuckers find me!"

The vixen walked around in front of Alias, shoving him backwards. "Facts on the ground, Alias!" She shot back at him with more force. "One of the first things you taught me about survival: deal with the situation! And this is the situation! We have a very serious issue now, and all our asses are on the line!" Jenna let her paws flop at her sides in exasperation. "And we're not just responsible for ourselves, but each other. More than just your life is on the line! One of us bolts," she shrugged, "game over."

Baring his fangs, Alias let out a harsh, animalistic growl of anger. Then he swiftly rammed his boot into a nearby dumpster, creating a loud metallic clatter as the rusty steel clanked together. Immediately afterward, a dull aching pain radiated through his foot from kicking the hell out of the dumpster, however, he masked the effect of his act of stupidity. Instead, he simply slinked over to the far wall of the alley, leaning his head against the moist bricks and shutting his eyes.

"Is everything alright?" A deep masculine voice came from further down the dark alley.

His ears suddenly pricked up at the sound, and Alias turned his head in the direction the voice came from.

Stepping out of the shadows, a black and white cat approached them. He was dressed in a black suit and tie, wearing a black overcoat, very similar to Alias's. As the black fox's eyes moved to connect with the feline's, Alias realized that he could only do so for one of his eyes. Where his right eye should be, there was a black artificial patch covering the socket, wrapping around his head. His only good eye looked straight back at Alias.

"Do yourself a favor, Jolly Roger." Alias grumbled in a dark tone, Jenna standing next to him. "Move along."

"How about you, my dear?" The cat asked turning to Jenna. "Is everything okay?"

Sighing slightly, Jenna looked down and rubbed her forehead pensively. "Everything's fine, thank you." She replied without much enthusiasm.

The patch-eyed feline simply shrugged. "Just from the looks of things, I'd say you both might be going through a difficult time."

"Bet you were at the head of your fucking class..." Alias grumbled, speaking towards the wall.

"Maybe I can help?" He offered, causing Alias to scoff loudly.

"You haven't even heard what I have to offer yet." He replied in a deep, yet calm tone.

Pushing off the wall, Alias walked confidently over to the cat, looking him directly in his green eye. "I've had enough offers for one night." The Mercenary growled, growing tired of this guy's persistence.

"Yeah..." He nodded. "Isis can be a real bitch, can't she?"

For the next several seconds, Alias could only splutter nonsense. His brain suddenly blew an emotional fuse. His anger and frustration blocked anything sensible from exiting his lips. Turning on his heels, Alias raised his arms, paws palm-up, and turning around looking at Jenna in utter exasperation. If there was ever an end to Alias's mental rope, he had just reached it. Apparently everyone seemed to know about this whole little ordeal.

"Relax." The feline replied. "And let go of that gun if you want to deal with Isis the proper way. I'm here to help."

Alias let out a slight laugh, his fingers very much curled around the grip of his pistol concealed beneath his overcoat. He laughed even though there was nothing funny about any of this. "Well, excuse me if I'm not surging with confidence." The fox then whipped around fiercely. "Who the hell are you anyway?"

"My name is Special Agent James Trilby." He replied, extending his paw. "Organized Crime Bureau."

For the second time, Alias felt like this guy had just racked him in the balls as hard as he could.

"OCB?" Alias asked breathlessly. "You got anything to prove that?"

Trilby held his paw out, extended for a few moments before he realized Alias had no intentions of shaking it. He then reached inside his jacket to the breast pocket and pulled out a wallet, flipping it open.

Sure enough, Alias's eyes scanned his credentials. Unfortunately for him, it looked legitimate enough. "Fuckin' just perfect..." He let out. However, on his second take, Alias saw something he missed before. "You're ID is expired." The fox noted, folding his arms across his chest. Meanwhile, Jenna had come forward, taking Trilby's wallet for her own examination.

"It's true." Trilby replied. "Officially, I don't work for the OCB anymore. They can't have an agent working on a case that doesn't exist."

Alias let out another quieted growl of frustration. Clearly this guy was off his rocker. Probably some obsolete drunkard who used to work for OCB and now found himself out of a job.

"Oh really, Mr. Bond?" Alias asked with a harsh bite of sarcasm.

Trilby simply nodded. "Really." His right paw moved from his coat pocket, and pointed to his eyepatch. "You see, I have a score to settle with the one who calls herself 'Isis'."

"Good for you." Alias replied without care. "I don't know what you think you have on me, but if you think that you're-"

"Let the guy talk!" Jenna suddenly cut in. Alias paused. looking down at Jenna who's eyebrows angled downward in frustration. "At least let's here what he has to say?"

If looks could have killed, Jenna probably would have keeled over right there. However, Alias chose to say nothing. After a few seconds, he looked back at Trilby, who had pulled out a pack of cigarettes and was lighting one with a golden Zippo lighter.

"Look," Trilby continued, smoke escaping from his muzzle, "this isn't a shakedown." He clarified. "I'm not here to coerced you into anything. Whether you cooperate or not is your call, but I think we can help each other out. Everything I'm about to tell you is completely off book. Technically, I'm not even supposed to be a part of this."

His inner anger calmed for the moment, Alias shot a glance at Jenna, then went back to Trilby.

"What's Isis's game this time? Blackmailing you with something so you'll help her out?"

"Something like that..." Alias mumbled in reply.

Trilby nodded. "I've been following Isis for years now. Trust me when I say things rarely end well for those she brings into the picture. She doesn't like liabilities."

"And the hits just keep on coming..."

"Like I said, I'm here to help." Trilby reiterated. "If you just let me explain everything and how all this started, I think you'll realize we're on the same side here."

In Alias's experiences, people were rarely on his side. There were rarely sides to take, just people with similar interests that one could ally themselves with, and usually only for a temporary basis. However, clearly this James Trilby guy knew what he was talking about, even if he was down one eye.

"Well for starters, you can start off by telling us who the hell Isis is, and why OCB cares about Invisible War issues!" Alias stated clearly.

"Isis wants to sell a radiological weapon, that's a Homeland Security issue." Trilby started slowly. "She needs to be stopped, clearly." Trilby touched his eyepatch, gingerly pressing the tips of his fingers to the synthetic polymer.

"As far as who Isis is," Trilby took a long breath, "the short story is, she was my wife."