As Xander approaches the edge of the Snowfields, he picks up the sound of engines being pushed hard to catch up. Risking a look behind, he sees the three familiar forms of his new friends. Parking at the side of the road, he waits for them to catch up.
"Hey guys," Xander greets once his friends are parked alongside. "What's the occasion?"
"Rescuing you," Rob explains. "Well, intending to. Rather academic now."
"How did you escape?" Hanna asks.
"I had inside help," Xander answers.
"From who?" Maria prompts.
"My father," Xander explains. "Turns out he doesn't approve of CRM-114, and would have exposed the whole thing himself if it wasn't for the court martial that would inevitably follow."
"Typical army thinking, always putting yourself first," Hanna spits. "No offence."
"None taken," Xander assures.
"Did you get your camera back?" Rob asks. Xander answers by pulling the camera out of his pocket. "Well, given we no longer need to do what we came to do," Rob continues, "how about we head home?"
The next morning, Leader Metharom summons Hanna to her sanctum. Hanna goes alone, taking the fourth camera with her.
"Good morning," Tracy Metharom greets as Hanna enters the sanctum. "How did the rescue go?"
"It didn't, ma'am," Hanna answers, handing over the fourth camera. "Xander got out before we could go in."
"Interesting," Tracy muses as she accepts the camera. "I had a feeling that might have happened."
"Ma'am?"
"The commanding officer of that base is Gabriel Lykos, so I took a punt on him being Xander's father. I'm glad it paid off."
"I don't understand."
"I'm not surprised. After all, as an orphan, you've never experienced the trust of a loving parent."
"With what I've seen, I think I'm better off without parents," Hanna states.
"You think that now, but you'll change your mind one day," Tracy promises.
"With respect ma'am, you're talking total crap."
"Ah, there's the spunk," Tracy smiles. "I was worried: you were being unusually polite."
"…I'm in trouble again, aren't I?"
"Given the quality of your work these last few days, I think I'll let that little transgression slide," Tracy decides. "You, Maria, and Xander have done a fine job getting this information. I think you've earned the right to a little cheek."
"You're forgetting Rob: he helped us get the photos."
"He wasn't part of the mission."
"Without him, we'd have never got into the room with those documents."
"So you included him on the mission without checking with me first?"
"And I'd do so again," Hanna states defiantly.
Tracy smiles again. "Good: I like to see initiative. Now go before you say something I will punish you for."
"I… Yes, ma'am," Hanna replies, leaving without saying another word.
Tracy chuckles to herself. I know I shouldn't tease her like that, but it's just too much fun.
