No sooner had Indira spotted the blood soaked form of Kurt, she had ran like a bullet towards him, calling for the medic as she goes, she and Luc lay him face down onto a nearby table, with Luc swiping the table clear of the neatly stacked papers that some poor soul must have spent hours sorting.

Across the crowd, a new figure passes through towards the centre, brushing by Luc as she goes. Her thin figure had a noticeable speed as she examines the wound. Blood had been pouring over and staining Kurt's lower back, had he not been wearing Kevlar, Luc would have come back alone. Carefully examining the wound, small but noticeable, a small glint of white could be seen.

"How bad is it man?" Kurt whispers for Luc to hear. Luc squats down to meet Kurt. His eyes tell him he is almost about to slip out of consciousness, his face wore a constant dazed expression.

"I can almost see your bones." He replies, perhaps a bit too honestly.

Kurt lets out a deep sigh, clearly in deep pain, but keeps a straight face. The medic begins tending to the wound. Not wanting to potentially throw up, Luc looks away, deciding to bring some comfort to his wounded friend.

"Maybe if you hadn't had such a fat ass, perhaps they would have missed you." Luc says, immediately bringing a small smile to Kurt's face, followed by a small chuckle, then a groan.

"Don't make me laugh, it hurts when I do." Kurt replies, closing his eyes.

As if on cue, Indira looks around, then back to Luc, a stern stare tells him what she will ask.

"Where is James?" She asks, and he hesitates for a moment.

"Is he dead?" She asks, in a slightly lower voice, her brown figure gaining a slight slouch.

"I..I don't know, he ran off, to buy us time." Luc mumbles, getting a worried but angry look from Indira.

"If they have him…Everyone pack up, we are moving!" Indira yells to the gathering crowd, they respond with confused looks. "Now!" She cries, and everyone begins moving, scurrying like rats, packing everything into containers and bags alike. Luc chases after her, who had moved to the meeting room, he sees her, packing the map away. He grabs her shoulder, stopping her briefly.

"Where are we going…" But she interrupts him, slamming the map into his hands. "Pack all this up, and follow me!" she says whilst folding up additional papers of Intel, chucking a bag towards him.

Outside a familiar diner, Luc watches the streets like a hawk, scanning anyone passing by. Every few minutes, someone would walk by holding crates or bags, or sometimes both, these carriers were heading inside the diner. Keeping his vigilant overwatch steady, he spots one trooper walking down the street, clearly alerted to the large amount of carriers passing by for the past five minutes. Luc, hidden in the shadow of the wall, raises his commlink.

"One troop, to the north." He recalls. A moment later, Indira replies.

"Almost done, five left, buy them some time."

He steps out of the shadows, holding a data pad, although turned off, he pretends to motion the carriers into the diner, looking as business like as possible.

Having heard the trooper right behind him, he turns, and nods in greeting, which the trooper curtly returns. It talks in a high pitch. Although its rifle was lowered, it didn't stop Luc's slight nervousness.

"As dal mor del?" it motions to the ones carrying bags. Luc takes a deep breath before responding.

"Linderio." He replies, nodding to the diner. Pretending to check his black data pad when a third bag carrier passes.

"Fob a din fertu?" Luc asks while smiling. But the trooper doesn't return it, but frowns instead.

"Ja yil..dolan." The trooper, clearly angry, scowls and returns back down the street.

Being slightly embarrassed, Luc follows the fifth and final carrier into the diner, Indira talks to the owner, passing a large bag to him, who stores it below the counter before nodding. Luc leans against the counter, next to Indira.

"Hard at work?" He says, she frowns in reply. "Why are you so red?" She asks, having noticed his fading blush. "Did the mean trooper man give you a warning?" She smirks.

"Well…I may have called 'her' a 'he'." He almost whispers, receiving a laugh from Indira.

"Not exactly a ladies' man are you?" She scoffs. "You haven't changed a bit."

"Where are the rest?" Luc asks, avoiding her statement, clearly in annoyance.

"This is everyone, a few other safe houses in the city have the rest of the resistance. I know the owner, he won't compromise us." She replies. "I'll relay attack plans to the other safe houses. Ask the owner for me tomorrow. We will have a strike plan by then."

"Is there any word on James?" Luc asks.

"No word on anything from up there." She replies sadly. "Don't worry, he can take care of himself."

"I hope he can." Luc says, turning to leave.

"Don't go anywhere near the ADVENT HQ." Indira warns. "Were gonna make a few aliens 'disappear' and blow up a monument or two." She laughs.

He thanks her for the warning, and leaves into the afternoon gaze of the sun. On the horizon, the tips of the distant mountains reach out and almost connect with the suns edge. He heads down back to his home, passing by an unusual sight. A large MEC stood nearby a scanning security tower. The tower itself was similar to a lamp post, but had a more elegant and alien material. Its rays of red cross over the walkway that Luc stood upon. The MEC had turned its white visor in his direction, holding an oversized rifle to its side. It was twice his size, and had an unusually large back, probably just its power core, Luc thinks.

Not wanting to cause suspicion from the MEC and its deathly gaze, he strides into the scanners field. The scanner does not react, as if he had never even passed underneath. The MEC still stared at him, not letting its gaze to leave Luc's face, even when he had passed the MEC and passed swiftly into his house.

Obviously his attempt on the ADVENT commanders life had taken its toll, or maybe it was the tighter security for the coming Unification Day celebrations. Regardless, it was still an unforgiving sight.

As he climbs his porch, a small glint under the doorway steels his gaze. Curiously, he reaches for it, and the thing crimples in his fingers, he slides the paper out, and turns it over, a small message reads…

Meet me back at the pub.

And not wanting to piss off a deadly alien, he retraces his steps back to the pub. Now on the opposite side of the MEC and its security tower. This didn't stop the MEC from continuing to stare at him once again, not daring to look away. Keeping his cool, Luc ignores it as best he can. And not until he turns the corner away from the MEC did he finally relax, and slow his pace.

-XXX-

Ana had been surprised that Luc had not been home, and even further surprised at how late he had been when he finally showed up. Now no longer on duty, she had made her way to his home, expecting him to be inside, or fighting in an alleyway somewhere being kicked to death again. But she had faith, and it payed off when he finally entered the pub. She had sat, or in her case, coiled, at a table near the door. She waves him over when he enters.

"Long day?" She asks him.

"You don't know the half of it." He replies, taking a seat, pouring some water from a glass jug, which had been sitting on the table.

"What happened after I left?" He questions, while sipping on the water.

"My commander." She spits. "Put me away like some tool, not wanting me to get in the way…I wish I could just." She clenches her hands. Not needing to finish.

"I know what that's like." Luc states, followed by a smile. Ana almost does the same, before thinking out loud.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She could swear a look of panic passed over him, before he quickly composed himself. "A figure of speech." He says, she keeps staring in confusion. "An illiterate term." She doesn't blink. "I didn't mean it." She finally nods in understanding.

"I want to find the rest of these 'Exalted'. I know it's a threat to everyone, but this idiotic commander neglects anything I find, he's covered up your attack, and now this." She hisses in disgust.

"Might be some gentlemen's club, I didn't see any females among them. Just a bunch of grey men." Luc jokingly comments, Ana hisses "Men.." In response.

"Yep, you got that right, though not everyone is like that." She questioningly looks right at him. "You said that about humans in general." She recalls

"Yeah well, I may have been wrong, but..Ok fine, but surely this isn't just a human problem is it?"

"You humans have it so easy." She states, somewhat annoyed. Luc, being the curious human he is, continues with,

"Are there any males? Your kind I mean, I don't see many around." Luc hadn't exactly 'travelled' or actually went out of his way to find out, but he was curious none the less.

"Very few, they are dying…we are dying. The Elders help, but only delay." She coldly replies.

Luc goes quiet for a moment. "I'm sorry to hear that." He says, almost face palming at his stupidity. 'Guess I'm not a ladies' man after all' he thinks to himself.

"How exactly are you dying?" He asks. "You seem fine to me." Noting how she looks perfectly healthy, at least on the outside.

"Its…complicated." She says. "Genetics, confidential. Couldn't tell you if I knew." Although she knew that her species had such a lower population than long ago, she didn't know the cause.

"Well, now you sound like a friend of mine. But I won't ask of it no more." He says. She thanks him for his respect. She herself had been dying to know, quite literally and figuratively.

"My Queen works relentlessly to find a cure, we all contribute to her wellbeing, and I've failed her, because of some stupid human that cant command a legion if his life depended on it." She sadly hisses, dreading her Queens reaction to her failure.

"You shouldn't beat yourself up about it." He says, trying to comfort her.

"My Queen had assigned me to this, and I failed her. She won't take this lightly." She ever so slightly drops her head.

"You did better than just sitting by like your commander does, you got this far, that's more than anyone he or anyone else can say." He finishes with a smile, which she returns.

"I'm sure this city doesn't have what you're looking for, but perhaps one day, you will find it, and I hope you do. Wouldn't want to lose a kind person like you, earth needs more people like you." Luc continues, giving Ana some questionable thoughts. 'Kind? No. I'm a murdering snake. What is a snake anyway?' she pushes these thoughts away. And refocuses on Luc.

"Now, let's order something, and I want human food this time, no offense, but your food tastes vile." He calls over the waiter.

"You handled yourself well back at the Exalted house. You fired weapons before?" Ana asks.

In record time, two meals find themselves on the table, but neither touch them just yet. Luc looks up.

"Well, it comes naturally, you know? Just point and shoot." He replies. But Ana couldn't help but notice he was lying. The fast blink of his eyes, the slightly faster breathing, and the quick movement of his eyes told her so.

"So, how long you been in New Isa Ana?" Luc questions, and she thinks for a moment, not about her answer, but about how he could shoot a gun so naturally, and kill a target without hesitation. She may not know, but this human continues to become even more mysterious.

But no matter how much she asked, he would always avoid an answer or change topics, after half an hour of subtly questioning him, and him continuing to dodge her questions, she decides to drop it. And eat what Luc calls, 'Fish and Chips' until it was time to leave.

-XXX-

Now having paid and had stood outside in the cold night air. They exchange goodbyes, and part ways. But not before Luc remembers something crucial a few minutes later, and runs back to Ana, full speed into her direction, he had been over a hundred meters away, Ana had heard heavy footfalls behind her, and turned just in time for him to crash right into her, she manages to balance herself, but Luc wasn't so fortunate, as he crashes into the ground, she may have helped him in meeting the ground, but she didn't apologise.

"What are you doing you idiot?!" She hisses, clearly angry.

"Don't-Go-To-Your-Head quarters." He wheezes in between words.

"Why?" She folds her arms in annoyance.

After a few moments, he stands himself up, adjusting his collar, as if he hadn't just bolted into her.

"It's too dangerous, people are..talking, they want you." He points at her. "And any other aliens, dead.. tonight."

"Whose attacking? Those Exalted?" She questions.

"No, different people, fighters, rebels, the resistance." He sighs. "Please, just trust me on this, they want you dead. I've seen them, you have to believe me." He pleads.

Ana studies him, no traces of lying could be seen, but that didn't stop her doubts. 'Rebels? There are no rebels. No one left to fight the Elders.' But the fact that the first human to ever plead to her is doing it for her sake, only further conflicts her mind.

"If you're sure?" She asks, he rapidly nods in reply, She sighs a moment later. "Alright, this better not be some 'joke' or you will pay dearly. But I need to get back, it's my home'." She says. Luc waits a moment before responding.

"Just avoid the monuments." He gestures to the road leading directly back to the HQ, a monument can just be seen in the distance. "And…just be careful, please." Luc once again pleads. Ana nods, and turns away, heading in a new direction. Leaving a grateful Luc behind.

Ana had taken a path to the east of the HQ, turning in and around alleyways in between cramped skyscrapers, to a more alien based district. This district had more aliens in comparison to humans obviously. Small buildings filled with many different species occupied the large buildings. The HQ alone couldn't survive without the support from the buildings she passed by, MEC's were displaying their superiority outside many of the building entrances. And every now and then, ADVENT hover drones would pass her by, not giving her any attention, as they continue to scan every other building. Almost as if searching for something, but Ana couldn't be sure. They needed all the support for the coming Unification day.

After passing a third block filled with workshops, she changed her route so her eyes faced west, continuing on directly back to home. Slithering towards the beacon of ADVENT's presence. She had wondered if she had just wasted another hour on a humans word of caution. No, Luc's word of caution. Only a fool would trick an Angelko like herself. She wondered why she even remotely believed him in the first place. She had been told that the resistance had no place on earth anymore, they gave up the fight so many years ago. Perhaps they are on the rise again? She knew it wouldn't please the Elders if they found out, but she couldn't help but be excited, perhaps she would get to see some combat, after all these years. That is, of course, if Luc told the truth.

But a small explosion had interrupted her thoughts. On her left, a large fire peaked over the buildings a few hundred meters away, even though she hadn't any weapons, she proceeded full speed in that direction.

She had closed the distance rapidly. Only one last large building was blocking her path. Using her powerful tail muscles, she began scaling the wall, digging her claws slightly into the wall, and keeping her momentum up using her tail, she soon found herself atop the building's roof. She slithered across the roof towards the far side. But stopped when she noticed a figure, lying atop a small box near the edge, looking towards the flames. She slithered with deadly silence, behind the prone figure, she could hear a gruff voice as she closed the distance.

"Hell, it's a sight for sore eyes I tell ya.." The prone man whispers. Ana had noticed he held a long rifle, he had it aimed down below. She followed the rifles length, to see a devastating sight.

An Elder monument, the one Luc had told her to avoid, had been set aflame. Its two right arms were nowhere to be seen, and the other set were burning, smoke had clouded the sky, and two figures had been sat at the base of the monument.

"Just leave it, it looks good." The gruffly man spoke once again. Oblivious to Ana's presence. She had had enough and went for the man's throat. When the two figures below had thrown some small objects up at the monument, which was followed by two more explosions. Ana stopped and peered closer at the two figures, they held some small grenades and were continuing to chuck more and more at the monument.

"Don't waste em'…Can't wait to see the look on the aliens faces when.." But he hadn't finished, as Ana had crushed his throat with her own bare hands. After a few moments of struggle and a pitiful attempt to scream, he falls limp, Ana catching his rifle before it dropped.

She brought the rifle up, and observed the figures through the scope. The heavy rifle was no different from standard issue magnetic weapons, she aimed the crosshairs in line with the left figures head, who had one hand about to throw another grenade, until Ana pulled the trigger. The figure dropped in mid swing, and dropped the grenade at its feet. The second figure had been quick to react and dived away and behind a car, presumably the one they had used. She took a few more shots at the car, not landing any hits so far, but keeping it pinned down.

A few minutes later, a group of ADVENT, coming from the building underneath her, opened fire upon the rebel. These were led by a Muton, who wore black plated armour, who had charged the rebel in a terrifying frenzy. The rebel hadn't acted until the Muton had jumped upon the car, and brought a large handheld knife down upon the rebel. The Muton, satisfied with its kill, turned and looked up to Ana, who had lowered her rifle. The Muton did a salute, to which she returned, before another explosion had been seen up the street towards the HQ. The Muton wasted no time and had its forces running in to fight. Ana dropped her rifle, and looked the opposite direction, barely able to see the shape of the pub in the distance, she thanked the gods for Luc's warning, as at this angle, the sniper would have surely killed her if she had came that way.

Not wasting any more time, she jumped off the roof, absorbing the impact effortlessly with her tail. And made her way toward the HQ, at an inhumanly fast pace.

-XXX-

She barged straight into the front doors of the HQ, the guards not even asking why she was in such a hurry. The interior lobby had several different hallways leading to several different directions. The grey walls had lines of red lights on every side. She follows the left hallway and takes the stairs to the next level up. She was greeted with one large hallway spanning the entire length of the building. With sets of doors every half dozen meters apart. She takes the third door on her right, passing by many of her kinds clones and some other servants, who payed her no mind. Next to her door, was a guard, who saluted her as she opened the door. Once inside, Ana locked the door, and switched the lights on while doing so.

On the far wall was a large blank monitor, with a small screen below it. The left side had a small mattress and desks lined with her own personal artefacts, and the right side had her own work desk, which had been painted with papers and pads from her 'former' case she was investigating. She slides over to the monitor, and fiddles with the smaller screen for a moment, before coiling down and bowing her head. After a few long minutes, a figure appeared on the large monitor. Speaking in her own language, Ana is the first to speak.

"My Queen, I have some dire news." Ana starts, not looking up from the ground.

"No, not you as well…" An authoritive feminine voice pierces Ana's room, in the same language as her.

"I'm sorry, but you told me to warn you if it happens."

A long silence that seemed to drag time ever onward had followed, before her Queen spoke again.

"I had hoped you'd be safe. But then again, all things must end." She softly speaks. She continues with. "Rise my daughter, it is not your fault, Its nothing we can't fix."

Ana slowly rises to her full height, and raises her head to her Queen. Her blue and white scales reflected her beauty to Ana. The monitor had scaled her down, but she knew she was the tallest and strongest of her kind.

"But I can't hide you forever, you must come back to me, one last time." She looks down to Ana, who raises her head to her full height.

"I will send for you, I must see you with my own eyes before you go." She says with a hint of sadness.

"You can't leave, we need you with us." Ana almost pleads to her.

"It is not I who will leave, for you will be taken from me. The Elders grow suspicious every second." Her Queen says almost nervously. "But know that I will always be with you, my gift to you, will protect you always." They both look to Ana's table, and Ana moves over to it, staring at her Queens most recent gift. A necklace, with a grey chain, almost hummed in her mind. She picks it up to examine it. An Angelko's face, which looked as if about to strike, fangs bared, with angry piercing eyes, stared back at her, almost as if it was alive.

"It will protect you until you come back to me. Promise me you will come back to me." She pleads, never before had a Queen pleaded to a lowly daughter like her. She breaks the chain and clips it around her neck, tucking it into her frontal armour.

"I will my Queen, I will return." Ana speaks without turning back to her. The Queens image slowly fades away, and the screen goes black once more. Ana slowly turned towards her bed, coiling down to rest for today.

She dreams strange dreams, she sits in a bright sunny field, all matter of humans and aliens pass by. Opposite her, is Luc, smiling contently. Then a shadow looms over from behind him. As it passes over the humans, they grow red eyes, and begin fighting the aliens. When it claws over Luc, he grows purple eyes instead, and reveals a small pistol in his coat, points it at her, and pulls the trigger, she looks behind her and sees dead Elder lying on the ground. The shadow finally covers her, and she joins the fight against the aliens, with Luc by her side.

-XXX-

The following morning, Luc had an early start, making his way back to the diner safe house. Today was unusually busy, the streets were packed with people and aliens alike, a few cars here and there were stuck in traffic. An increased amount of troopers were ushering citizens into different zones, attempting to control the bustling crowds. Also a number of MEC's had patrolled the streets, keeping a constant scan on the people it passes.

Keeping to the sidewalk, eventually finding his way towards the diner. But nearby a familiar figure stopped beside him, the same pink flashy alien he had seen a few days ago. It waves to him in greeting, Luc happily mimics it, receiving a smile from it, at least, what he thinks is a smile. And the alien continues on its way, and Luc does the same. 'At least someone is enjoying themselves' he thinks as he looks back at the alien, to see it waving to anyone it passes. Shaking his head, he moves on.

He arrives at the diner and heads inside, the owner nods to him, and waves him over. No one else was present. Except for an observing alien, peering through the windows at some distance away.

"Indira home?" Luc asks, the owner nods his head behind him, to a door in the corner, Luc thanks him and heads over, Descending the stairs to the cellar, the smell of dried blood had made itself clear the further down he goes.

A wooden door at the bottom, creaks when he opens it. Inside, an improvised war room had been set up. The room was somewhat smaller than the actual diner, so the many rebels were all cramped together with no room to breathe. Luc loses himself in the crowd, searching around for Indira, until he reached the far corner, were a small bed with the sleeping form of Kurt was lying down, and Indira sitting nearby, with a small headset on, and a radio next to her.

While she was talking, Luc leans against the wall. After a while, Kurt started to stir.

"You suck your thumb in your sleep?" Luc lies, getting a worried look from Kurt.

"What? NO! I don't!" he cries, getting a laugh from Luc. Indira looked over, and finished her message a moment later, before turning to them.

"Glad you could make it, I hope you enjoyed your last sleep in your home. You can't go back from tonight onwards." Indira states. Luc answers with a depressed nod. But he knew it was a small price that he must pay.

"At least be glad you had a home." Kurt interrupts Luc's thoughts. In a somewhat jealous manner.

"Come on, let's get these idiots organised, I got the attack plans out to the others, we will discuss them now." Indira looks towards the cramped and confused rebels, crawling over each other.

"Jeez, alright. Ahem, hey guys?" Luc speaks to the crowd, but his voice is drowned out with all the noise.

"Guys? Hey! People!" Luc raises his voice slightly

"EVERYONE SHUT UP!" Indira screamed. Everyone's hands met their ears. Indira had increased the radio's volume, and had her headset on, everyone looked to her, the room was finally silent.

"Gather round the table, and let us through!" Now that the room had calmed, everyone made a path for her, Luc, and the now recovering Kurt.

"Can you do that earlier next time? Maybe with some warning too?" Kurt said, rubbing his head in pain. However Indira couldn't care less, as she barges ahead to the table at the centre of the crowd.

"From being the quiet girl in class, she's become quite the leader hasn't she?" Luc asks.

"I'd never imagine her like this twenty years ago." Kurt replies.

"I know how you would though."

"You have the wrong idea man." Kurt's eyes looked away.

"I seen the way you look at her, she was worried sick about you when you were asleep."

"Really?" he asks.

"No."

"I swear I'm gonna.." But Kurt was cut off by Indira, who motions to the map. This said map had been updated since Luc had last seen it. The interior was more detailed, with multiple arrows inside and out of the clinic, symbolising the patrols in and around the area. With four bright red arrows pointing from the sides.

"Alright everyone, you all worked so hard over the past months, and I know you all want to get out there and take back your homes." A few cheers go up, but Indira keeps control of the crowd.

"And that is exactly what we are gonna do." She waves to the clinic map. "Our cell will focus on the south end of the clinic, straight at the front doors. I will designate three teams, Alpha, Beta and Charlie lead by myself Kurt and Luc respectfully." A few whispers and questioning looks go around the room. "Enough!" She says, silencing everyone again. "I've made my mind up, and we can't back out now." She takes a breath before gazing to the map.

"I've written up who goes on which team." She slaps a number of papers on the table. "Once I'm done, your to get assembled. Now." She claps her hands.

"I will lead Alpha team inside the clinic, Bravo and Charlie will cover our entrance, then flank the clinic's sides. I'll set up X4 charges inside, I'll announce the detonation sequence, when I do, you better get your asses as far away from the clinic as you can. We will all regroup to the west of the city, on the outskirts, if you're not with us then and there. You will be left behind. The other resistance groups will attack the HQ using similar methods. As well in attacking the northern most part of the clinic as well." She looks to Luc and Kurt.

"I'll provide you two the finer details, the rest of you. Sort yourselves out!" She blares.

Whilst the rebels try to get into the designated groups, fighting over the papers with their names. They leave the three squad leaders alone, who fought their way out of the crowd to the steps leading upwards. Luc begins to talk, but Indira cuts him off.

"Now before you even ask. I will not change my mind, and no. I do not have someone else in mind. And no, I don't think you're up for it, but you've proven you can at least handle yourself, however poorly that is. I don't want to hear any of it, you hear me?!"

He slowly looks to Kurt, who stares in amazement, or fear, Luc couldn't tell.

"Just..Ok, what do I need to do?" Luc says, dumbfounded.

"Cover our flank, buy us as much time as possible, so our guest can get what he needs." She replies.

"Guest?" He and Kurt say in unison. She checks her wrist watch. "Ah yes, he should be hear by now. Follow me." She heads back upstairs, with both he and Kurt following.

Up in the diner, they close in on an old man sitting at a far table. Who had a grizzled old face, with small whiskers starting to appear on his face, he looks up at them, and gives them a rundown smile.

"So you guys done screaming down there? Could here you from up here." He says, whilst nodding to Luc, who returns with his own.

"Have to keep the rabble in check" Indira motions to Luc and Kurt. "These are our team leaders, Luc and Kurt." She sits down with him. "Guys, this is Central. The XCOM representative."

They exchange handshakes, and join the table. Central adjusts his sleeves on his green shirt. "You boys know what you're doing? This is very important to me, to every human being out there." He says in an almost fatigued voice. Clearly, he went through a great effort to get here.

"What do you get out of this?" Kurt replies. Central huffs, before responding. "My…Our Commander, the only one who can save us all. I know this. That is what humanity gets out of this."

"And once you get him out?"

"We stop lurking in the shadows, and take back our planet." He coldly replies. "You may be the first to witness XCOM's revival. You're doing a lot for me, and it will be worth it"

Indira speaks up. "He will give us updates on his situation, the more chaos we cause, the more time he gets, we do our thing, he does his." Indira says, to which Central nods in agreement.

She hands out three earpieces, plus one for herself. "Private commlinks." She states. Luc pockets the device, as the others do the same.

"If there's nothing else?" She finishes, but Luc asks one last question. "What happens after you have what you need Central?"

The old man looks at him with tired eyes. "You meet us at the rally point, on the outskirts, we will pick you all up for extraction, we have enough room."

"Very good." Indira says. "We should all get some rest, and I'll go over our plans again for you two." She gets up from the table. As Luc follows suit, something catches his mind, forcing him to unwillingly look outside, and there, across the street, stands Ana. Who stares right back at him, Luc quickly calls to Indira.

"Just need some fresh air, can I take five?" He asks, Indira responds with a nod, before heading down into the basement, followed by Kurt, and a glaring Central. Avoiding his gaze, Luc walks outside. Ana had already made her way over, and began talking.

"Luc, why.."

"Shhhhhh…" He interrupts, and goes to the corner of the diner. Ana in tow. He quickly pushes her on the other side of the corner. And leans on the wall, eyes front. She tries to move back in front of him. But he stops her.

"No! I can't be seen talking to you, just keep it low profile, pretend you're not talking to me, I haven't got a lot of time." He quickly says, not looking at her while he speaks.

"Ok..How did you know the rebels would strike? And what exactly they were targeting as well?" She asks.

"Look Ana, I haven't been straight with you for some time now." He begins

"Clearly." She brashly replies.

"Well, Ana, I'm..I'm part of the resistance." He says, ashamed.

Her eyes go wide, she should have known, but when he had been attacked, she would never have guessed he would be part of the resistance.

"How long have you been part of them?" She asks.

"Shortly after we first met, I…"

"Why Luc? I thought of you as a friend, and you been a terrorist this whole time?"

"Please, let me explain. I beg you." He pleads. To which she stays silent, giving him a chance to speak.

"I was forced, you have to believe me, they got me into their ranks, forced me to work for them."

"Why stay with them for so long?" She interrupts. "Why not come and report them to ADVENT, or to me?" She asks.

"I learned some terrible things about the clinic, they mutilate the patients, the ones with biochips, stick them in pods for shipping. I almost became one!" He cries.

"How?" She says, not looking away from him.

He sighs before answering. "You're not the only one dying, Ana, I have a similar fate." She goes wide eyed at that.

"Before I met you, I was in the clinic, I have a terrible disease no human deserves, I won't live for long…"

"How long?"

"…Around five years." He callously says. It takes a moment before she quickly thinks of something.

"I..Luc, just…just come with me, we can fix this, I know I can. ADVENT won't hurt you. I..I'll get the Elders to personally see to you. Don't believe in the resistances lies!" She beseeches.

"They are not lies if I have seen them with my own eyes." She did not respond to this. Instead closing her eyes.

"I'm sorry Ana, I believe you when you say you can fix this, but…what I have seen, the people in the clinic…I can't go back. Not anymore."

"Please. You will be killed within a week! And I can't bear the thought of that." She pleads once more. But Luc had made up his mind. He turns to her, and rests his hand on her shoulder. And they lock eyes. He studies her sad but beautiful face, now seeing her in a brand new light.

He smiles for a moment before continuing. "You've been a great friend to me. More than anyone else in this forsaken city. The resistance would look down on me for calling you a friend, but I know your better than anyone I ever know. I trust you Ana. But this time, trust me on this."

She couldn't think straight, he had been so convinced that ADVENT was not what it seemed, but she had never seen these, 'pods' that had people in them. Only that the sick and old had been treated, not processed.

"I'll find a way to fix you Luc. If what you say is true then…" But she didn't finish, as she fell silent to her own thoughts.

"Maybe someday you will see it yourself, or I can prove it to you. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but one day. I guarantee it."

Ana was speechless, she had not left his gaze, and hers never faltered. He let go of her shoulder. He starts to head back to the diner, but turns and says.

"I wish there was some other way Ana, I'm sorry." He turns back and disappears inside once again. Leaving Ana on the busy street. She hadn't realised she had felt so alone after that point. She looks down to the ground.

"As am I." She says to herself. Slithering back whence she came.