[The Kingdom Stone Heist: T-2 days. Location: Rage Ravine; Hanna & Rob's house; Den]

"The Kingdom Stone?" Hanna exclaims in surprise.

"Yes, the Kingdom Stone," Rob confirms.

"Does Spade have any idea how well that thing is guarded?"

"I'm sure he does, but that won't stop him."

"Who's the client?"

"Mayor Zao."

"Mayor Zao?"

"I really need to fix the cause of that echo…" Rob mutters; Hanna fixes Rob with a look of amused annoyance. "Yes, Mayor Zao," he continues, "Apparently, the reward for a successful mission is big."

"How big?"

"Enough to mean we'd not have to work for a whole year. Anyway, why are you pretending to be cautious? You've already decided you'll be part of the mission."

"What makes you think that?"

"We'll be helping to steal the Kingdom Stone. Would you really pass up such a thrilling mission?"

"Of course not! I'm just surprised Zao's the one behind the whole thing."

"The Scarves wouldn't be able to succeed on our own: Zao's providing his army."

"I didn't think the energy crisis in Shang Mu was that bad?"

"Must be if he's after the Stone."

A knock on the door prevents any further discussion. Rob gets up to see who it is.

"Are we expecting company?" Hanna asks.

Rob checks through the peephole. "No, but would you turn away Maria, Danny, and Xander?"

"Yes," Hanna jokes.

Rob opens the door. Maria bursts through as soon as the gap's large enough, Danny and Xander following at a more leisurely pace.

"So eager for me to beat you again?" Hanna teases.

"No time for that," Maria replies, barely able to contain her excitement. "We've got big news!"

"That's a coincidence," Rob adds as he closes the door. "We've got big news too."

"The Kingdom Stone Heist is on then?" Danny asks.

"So much for secrecy," Rob sighs.

"To be fair, Maria uncovered Mayor Zao's plan two days ago," Danny informs. "Still, never thought we'd really be going after it."

"Aw, now my news doesn't seem so special," Maria pouts comically.

"Tell us anyway," Hanna requests.

"OK!" Maria squeaks, bounding into the chair. "You know that meteorite that landed in the Snowfields yesterday?"

"Barely," Rob responds. "The news was rather more focussed on the murder of the King of Shuigang. The item covering the meteorite was an afterthought."

"It's not a meteorite," Maria continues.

"Then what is it?" Hanna asks.

Maria grins wildly. "It's a spaceship!"