Wolf shotgunned his entire mug of coffee in one frustrated chug before slamming the empty mug down on the countertop. It was later in the day than he intended to be up and his coffee was already cold, much like the rest of his breakfast.

"So they got him, huh?" The canine sighed out, crossing his arms over his chest and looking down at the floor. "How does an ape like Oikonny get taken prisoner? He's smart, quick, skilled... What else did they tell you?"

Panther stood on the other end of the counter from Wolf, leaning forwards with his chin resting on his knuckles. Leon on the other hand was staying out of the way; he didn't like to be involved in these kinds of decisions, instead opting to listen from afar.

"They didn't say much," The ebony feline spoke, "It sounds like the Cornerians played dirty, something about a trade at the Cornerian outpost on Fichina going awry. I'd guess that Andrew showed up in good faith to trade prisoners and got taken by surprise."

"That's it? Not a raid..? No battle? Just snatched up during a diplomatic meeting?"

"From what I understand, that is correct. It was supposed to be a weapon's free meeting, Wolf. It sounds like the dogs are desperate to put an end to the conflict."

"Pathetic." Wolf huffed, shaking his head. "Both of them. I thought I knew Andrew better than to risk himself like that. Especially now that he leads an entire army." The trio stood in the kitchen in silence, Wolf grumbling under his breath and poking around his mostly-eaten breakfast plate with his index-claw. He mulled some thoughts over in his head before speaking again.

"So what do they want from us? Money, guns?"

"…They want us to rescue Andrew while he's still on Fichina, Wolf. It's a small base, they think we can-"

"Not. Happening." The captain interrupted, putting his hand up in a 'stop' gesture. "I explained to them very clearly that I'm not interested in their stupid squabbles. Just because Andross had me on the payroll doesn't mean I fight for their interests. My loyalty died with him. If little nephew Andrew wants to pretend to be the next great Andross that's fine- but I'm not responsible for what happens as a consequence. He knew who he was playing with. If he wants to be bailed out, his men will have to do that for him."

"Yes captain I… I had a feeling you would say that. In fact I told them something similar already."

"Then what the hell else is there to talk about?" Wolf barked, slamming his palm down on the expensive counter tiles. Panther swallowed a lump in his throat, he knew Wolf wasn't upset with him but his aggression could still be intimidating, especially when delivering bad news.

"Well, you see; they're under the impression that the force they would need to mobilize to rescue him would be picked up by the Cornerian scouts before they even breached the airspace. And if that happened… The Cornerians would react by rushing Andrew off of Fichina and back to their homeworld. And we both know there's no getting him back once he's there."

Wolf put his head back down in his food as he mulled it over again. Under normal circumstances, Leon considered himself similar to the Boss's finger. He wasn't to pressure him, disobey him or falter him in any way. When the Boss needed something done, he would do it with no questions asked. The two had spent almost the entirety of their criminal lives as partners and were often in perfect synchronization. That said, this time Leon felt there was a necessity to air his own thoughts on the matter.

"Boss if I may…" The chameleon asked from the corner of the room. Wolf turned his head, empty socket staring at Leon from under his eyepatch.

"Speak."

"Oikonny's Army doesn't possess the same levels of skills or discretion that we do. It's quite possible that we could do this for them just out of good faith, no? It's just a prison break after all, all we need to do is sneak in and sneak out."

"A prison break on a military base, Powalski. It's not the same as grabbing some idiot out of county jail. There are hundreds of trained men there."

"We've only been doing easy jobs anyways." Leon shrugged, speaking with an air of confidence. "I understand it's not my decision to make, but… I'm willing to accept the challenge. Do not reject it on my behalf."

"Sure," Wolf continue to speak to his teammate from over his shoulder. "We go, we do it. We break Andrew out, good job us. Then what? Right now those Cornerians think we're no longer a threat to them, if we do this we're painting that target RIGHT back on our foreheads."

"I didn't know you were one to back down from a fight." The reptile teased, he only got away with such transgressions because of their history. Anybody else would eat a face full of claw.

"I don't want to hear anything else from you. Panther, get back on the communicator and tell them I'm rejecting their offer. I don't care what they have to say to me. My answer is final."

"Captain, they sounded… Resolute. This may have been their last-ditch option." The feline spoke in opposition. He understood that Wolf's word was law but felt he was at least owed the full context.

"Well then they'd better find another one that doesn't involve killing all three of us."

"Now forgive me if I'm wrong but… From what I understand the team owes Andross's family a great deal. In fact, I do believe the Wolfen you've so graciously provided to me was created with his science, research and funding. You are my captain, but I'd like to tell you that I'm not opposed to using this opportunity to pay my belated dues to the Oikonny family."

"…You too?" Wolf asked, growling under his breath. He ran his manicured paw stressfully through his headfur, opposite paw curling into a fist. This felt like a mistake, but perhaps his teammates had a point. The dream he'd experienced the previous night still lingered in his head, marring his ability to think straight. The loss that he felt, understanding the consequences of pressing his team's luck against insurmountable odds just one too many times. But maybe none of it was luck- even the very real losses team Star Wolf had experienced in the past turned favorable in the end. It's possible that Leon was right, maybe they were good enough for something like this.

But the image that hurt him most never left his mind. Leon's life taken due to his own neglect, all of their legacy together turned to a black cloud in nothing more than an instant. The pain from it hurt worse than his own death that immediately followed. Wolf didn't mind risking his own life, but when the lives of the only people he cared for were on the line the decision got a lot blurrier. Perhaps there was a middle ground… That's when an idea formed. It was desperate and reactionary, but Wolf knew that his instincts were strong.

"Fine." The greymuzzled captain finally spoke, slicing the tension in the air with his resolve. "Powalski, Caroso. If you two are willing to lend your weapons to the cause then I have no choice but to lead you. Panther, forget what I told you. Get on the communicator with Oikonny's Army and tell whoever's in charge that we'll run their errand." A smirk graced the feline's face, he knew his leader had it in him.

"Yes Wolf, right away. Anything else?"

"Yeah. This is the last time we help them- no more. This is it, they've called in their last favor. Make sure they understand that. We'll have their idiot leader back by tomorrow evening."

"Absolutely- wait… Tomorrow?" Panther clarified, that bit caught him just slightly off guard.

"Did I stutter? Tomorrow. They said time is of the essence, well then we'll prepare today and leave as soon as we can. We'll have to hit hard and fast if we want the ape back before they can call the big guns over from Corneria. Now GO." He pointed Panther towards the door and the feline immediately did as he was commanded- tail disappearing down hallway as he rushed to the communication's room to relay his captain's message. With that, Wolf and Leon were left in their solitude.

The two momentarily stared at each other from across the room, locking eyes as if they were having a silent discussion while Wolf internally debated his next action. He knew he could be making a mistake… But he had to protect him. Leon nodded in approval and turned to retire to his room, eager to prepare for the mission ahead of them. Wolf hesitated for a moment before following.

"Hey." Wolf spoke in his gravelly tone. Leon hadn't made it more than a few steps before stopping.

"Yes, Boss? O-oh, mm." The chameleon spoke in surprise. Wolf had pressed himself up against his back, standing so close that he could feel the mammal's warmth against his cold reptilian scales. Wolf's heavy paws rested on Leon's hips, holding him in place.

"We need to talk." Wolf spoke directly into Leon's ear slit as he rested his muzzle over his shoulder, hot breath tickling his scales ever so gently.

"You can talk to me any time if you treat me like this."

"I'm being serious."

"Go on."

"Panther and I will be leaving for Fichina in our Wolfens. Tomorrow morning."

"Yes yes, I'll be ready. I understand."

"No, you don't. You're not coming with us." Leon tensed up, his mood flipped a complete one-eighty.

"I-… I guess I don't understand. What am I doing then?"

"I need you to promise to follow my instructions closely, can you listen to what I have to say?"

"Y-yes Boss. Of course."

"You'll be leaving for the Cornerian base tonight in one of our civilian-class ships. When you get there you'll relay everything you see back to Panther and I. Ships, guards, openings… Everything. But under no circumstances will you engage. You're going as a non-combatant. That means no guns, fake identity… The works. That also means that when we get there… If something goes wrong, then you leave. You leave and you don't look back. Now, do you understand what I've told you?"

"Boss, you can't-"

"Do. You. Understand?" Wolf repeated himself, sternly.

"But-"

"No buts. I've given you my order."

"…May I at least ask why?"

"You may not, that's an order too."

"…Then I've no choice. I-… I won't let you down, Boss."