AN: Hello everyone I'm back from my research. So it's been what 2 or 3 weeks since my last update before I went on this research quest. I am officially back in writing mode.

And as penance for this you'll be recieving a very long chapter since I feel sorry for keeping my readers waiting. I'll be writing the next few chapters in the upcoming days since the research period has really helped.

Some real life update I will be having some driving lessons in the next few weeks so please be patient if these updates are slow. But don't worry I promise to complete this story. Now onto the story.

"You have to learn from the past in order to move forward." Fr. Sebaya.

Chapter 9 - Revealed Players

Unknown Location, Sunday, 9:30 pm

"I'm actually not surprised that Subject 20 is coping up well with the symptoms of the bleeding effect. So far he seems to still be sane after three moderately vivid hallucinations."

"Is that so Lee?" Geraldine replies non-chalantly as she places her bra back on. She recieved a mysterious message while she was in the spa in the form of a message in a cupcake. She knew who it came from. It had been awhile since they've met. She sent a message to her mother that she would make a detour to Leiman's house first for a proper reunion. Her mother replied that as long as she was back by midnight it was fine. As usual whenever she and Leiman were catching up, it usually means a pleasure before business protocol. This time was no exception.

Being one of the main leaders in the Animus project, Leiman could give her a first hand look at their progress. So far she has learned that Tim Scam, or rather Subject 20 has had his first taste of the Animus yesterday. As usual after the first experience of being in the Animus for more than 30 minutes, the bleeding effect symptoms were immediately felt, hallucinations.

"Yes, especially considering that he was in the Animus for about an hour and a half. Normally the average subject can only endure being in the Animus for the first time for only 30 minutes at most. He was still hostile after the session. But his vitals and coordination are still well from my observations." She heard him zip up his pants as he stands up from the rumpled bed.

"That's only the first session though and he wasn't even undergoing any real memory exploration. His sanity may suffer after a few of those sessions. Then his vitals and coordination may start to go down."

"You sound like that may be a bad thing Geraldine." She heard a smirk in his voice as he turned to face her after putting his shirt on.

"If Subject 20 does become insane then it will be easier for him to succumb to the compulsion serum. We can manipulate and control him. Things may become much easier after that."

"But you still need his free will in order to thoroughly explore his genetic memories. And even if he does it willingly, don't forget that he is one of the top manipulators among WOOHP's inmates."

'Aside from me of course' she thought as she finished dressing up. Crossing her arms at him she looked at him with a neutral expression. Internally she was waiting for the moment to finally leave after she has learned what she needed to learn.

But he didn't need to know that.

"Don't underestimate him Lee." He brings her into his arms. Not long ago they were in a similar position only aiming to take off each other's clothes.

"Relax Geraldine, it won't be long before he will be bending to our will. You underestimate our team sometimes."

"I'm just trying to be realistic based on my observations in the WOOHP prison." She walks away from his embrace as she goes to the mirror to fix her hair.

"And have you seen my team break even the most stubborn of subjects? People like Subject 20 manipulate people in order to survive. When he realizes that it is only by complying with Abstergo that he can escape death and keep on living, he will no longer be a problem."

"Have you read his file? Even WOOHP labels him as a genius."

"He used to be one of them."

"He was their top spy and weapons designer. They use a lot of his inventions till this day. And now he is one of the top escape artists among their inmates." Finishing in fixing herself she turned to him unimpressed.

"I'm sorry for my lack of enthusiasm, but I doubt that he will be decieved by whatever you're feeding him. He'll find out that once Abstergo is done with him he'll die. And before you know it he'll escape when given the opportunity."

"IF given the opportunity." Out of the bedroom, she doesn't feel that she may not punch him if he annoys her further. And yet another reason why she is just using him for sex and information. His habit of being just too overconfident in his abilities.

"I just want to contribute my own feedback to the Animus project. You are one of the heads, Leiman. Take it or leave it."

"While I appreciate your thoughts don't worry. Our team will be vigilant when it comes Subject 20." He walks her to the front door where they say their goodbyes and she walks a few blocks down Madrid. She found herself in the opposite corner of the Salvador Hotel and waits. Not long after her arrival, a hooded man walks and stand beside her.

"It has been awhile Raphael. Or are you going to start avoiding me like the general population?" She hears his chuckle. The deep baritone chuckle that she misses so much. But she can't afford to show it.

"Buona Sera to you too." After making sure there were no eavesdroppers she shares what she has learnt. She can't see his expression because of the dark night sky and the hood that he wears. After she has finished, he thanks her for the information and tells her that she should continue keeping an eye on Tim Scam.

"Raphael, I don't have much time...it's late. I can't afford anymore suspicions from Abstergo or the Templars. Can you tell me why you are so interested in Tim Scam?"

"I'm sorry...but you will know in due time. But trust me when I say that it is in your best interest to help him as much as possible." She raised an eyebrow at that.

"I don't know who you serve. I still don't know what your motive is. But for some reason, I know that you are one of the few people who do care for me." It was a relief to be openly sincere with someone other than her mother. In a world where if you fail expectations or where you have to pretend in order to survive...it was refreshing to be yourself with someone who didn't give a shit.

Before she knew it, they were walking towards his car. Black as night and speedy. It wasn't aesthetically pleasing, but it served it's purpose. It had always been this way since she first escaped WOOHP.

For the first time in her life she was alone and on her own. The Templars refused to help her if she can't survive on her own after escaping prison. She guessed that it was their punishment to her for the failure of her plan to take down WOOHP. When she was beyond exhausted, he took her in and helped heal her back to health.

But he didn't stop there. He taught her how to fight and survive. Over time a silent contract between them was created. They didn't ask or strive to know whom the other was without the consent of their person. They both hated it when people became nosy.

She doubted that Raphael was even his real name.

When she returned to Marron, she agreed to help him and whomever he served in exchange for their protection and continuing her own training under him.

She wasn't as stupid as Marron would like to believe. It didn't hurt to have extra security if or when the time came that the Templars or at least Abstergo were to fall. She needed any type of protection that she can get for both her and her mother.

And if this type of protection required that she would still be in the dark of whomever Raphael is working with then so be it.

"Leiman didn't suspect anything?"

"I don't think so. He's disregarding my feedback as usual."

"Don't be too trusting. I suspect he's not telling you everything. You may have to find other sources to find out how Tim Scam is really doing. Do it without looking suspicious."

"Is he really that threatening?"

"I'm just preparing you in case he betrays you."

"It wouldn't be the first time."

"That doesn't mean it no longer hurts." He said softly as he parks the car not far from her house, but still hidden from any wandering eyes. Concealed by the darkness of night and the trees that covered them from the moonlight.

"Thank you Raphael, for watching over me." She smiled catching his eyes in the darkness of his hood.

"You're welcome. And be careful Helena."

Subject Facility, Monday, 8:45 AM

He awoke abruptly from a strange dream. Despite his room being cold, he could feel his sweat running down his face and him breathing heavily.

He doesn't know if his strange dream was a hallucination from the bleeding effect or if it is an actual memory of Altair. What he did know was that his mind was fucking up from the bleeding effect and had started to seep into his subconscious.

Just like in his experience in the Animus, he was in his ancestor's body. His surroundings from what he could see was in Jerusalem. He, or rather Altair, was headed toward a secluded corner not far from the assassin bureau. Waiting for him was someone in a brown hood. He observed that this must not be a fellow assassin since they did have very distinct uniforms that were similar to the schloar's robes.

"What made you change your mind?" He asked or Altair asked the hooded person.

"I've reflected a little bit...I don't think there's anything left for me with the Templars." A woman. Now why does her voice seem familiar?

"Are you sure Altair that I'm allowed to join? After all that I did against the assassins?"

"I'm not going to lie - it may take some time. But there was a very recent time that I acted as a traitor to the assassins. And there was a time when Malik would've never apologized or even consider reconciling with me."

"And look at you now. The mentor of the assassin brotherhood. And you and Malik have a stronger relationship."

"If they can do those things with me, they can do those things with you. Although it will take time." He heard her sigh sadly.

"Time and effort to prove that I'm not acting as a mole for the Templars. I don't blame them. And you...what do you think?"

He could hear the wind rustling and the nearby merchants selling their wares. The beggars asking for alms. The bell ringing for a moment of prayer. When the moment was over Altair replied.

"I think that it's a shame that the Templars took you for granted." He felt Altair smirk as he casually crosses his arms on front of him.

"That's not what I mean Altair." He could hear the annoyance in her voice as one could clearly see the rainbow through a crystal prism.

Well it is true he hears Altair's thoughts as he internally laughs.

"I've long ago stopped caring what faction you are from-Templar or Assassin. Its only a part of yourself. That's not why I have feelings for you." He hears the woman laugh and she steps closer to him.

"You were very annoyed when we first met."

"And you were ready to die when we first met." Altair leaned on the wall as he and the woman became closer still.

"I take it you're still happy with my decision?"

"To still love me despite nearly killing you during my time of revenge against the Templars. Or is it possible that you're turned on because I could either be a soldier or a part of a harem?"

Hehe there's a whole list of what turns me on about you.

"No-I'm in love with you because no matter where you are you don't take shit from anyone." He then realized that they were in an embrace that may be a little too intimate for a public place.

But they didn't give a damn.

Suddenly his partner grabbed his hand and ran towards a secluded stable. They bribed the stable boys to either not mind them or to take a walk for an hour or two. Suddenly Tim felt them share a passionate kiss.

"I love you Altair Ibn La'ahad."

You have no idea how long I've waited for you to say that these were Altair's thoughts as he took off his hood.

"I love you Maria Thorpe."

'Ah Maria, the woman who posed as a decoy for Robert de Sable. So Altair ended up with a former enemy.' He wasn't able to think more if Maria was his ancestor or not. What happened next is highly impossible to be a part of Altair's memories.

He distinctly remembered Maria to be a British woman who had pasty white skin, brown eyes and dark brunette hair. Plain for his taste.

But when he in Altair's place took off Maria's hood, the woman was definitley not Maria Thorpe.

Maria Thorpe did not have Fair white skin that refused to tan in the sun. She did not have flaming orange red hair that was fire against a light. And Maria definitely did not have beautiful green eyes that haunted his dreams.

Sam...Sam not Maria was in his arms right now.

And then he woke up.

Normally he wouldn't be able to remember strange dreams. Or he chose not to remember. He was too busy to really analyze them anyway. But this dream...it refused to be forgotten in anyway.

Was this another symptom of the bleeding effect? Why did the dream involve her? He wasn't delusional to deny of his own feelings for her to himself.

In his recent scheme to take down WOOHP he made sure that she was nowhere a part of the massacre that he was planning to have in Jerry's office. He even ordered his own creation to make sure that she was safely away. And even the Scamlars themselves were designed not to fatally hurt her. If she was hurt or if she died, it was because she was with the other targets that were designated to be dead.

He hears his door open to bring in his breakfast. Normally he would pretend to be asleep so they could serve it during brunch period. But he's hungry, and he's not sure if he can go back to sleep after that dream. And while it is a shot in the dark...did the dream have a hidden message? And if so where did it come from?

He needed food. To hell if it's a trojan for some sort of chemical. He needed fuel.

After stuffing himself with the provided breakfast, he didn't have a chance for further solitude. Ruining his morning was Vidic, the bastard and his annoying assistant Leiman, the human popsicle.

"Good Morning Subject 20. It's time to get up, we have a schedule to keep. It's time that you start exploring the unexplored memories of -"

"More memories of Altair?"

"No, today we'll start with the genetic memories of the priority ancestor. You'll find out who he is when you get inside the Animus."

Seeing that he was left with no choice, he sighed as he went with the bastard and the popsicle out of his room. Once outside he was accompanied by four different henchmen who were different from those who were guarding him the day before.

A waste of human resources in his opinion. Nearly the whole of Sunday he was too exhausted from the Animus experience to do anything other than sleep with the occassional bathroom trip and food to keep his body going (although all he was only going to sleep). His mind was too tired to plan anything and were only seeing vivid hallucinations that prevented him from forming any coherent plan aside from sleep. His sleep has been relatively dreamless. Until the dream he had last night.

When they arrived back in the Animus Room, it wasn't long before he was forced back inside the Animus by Vidic and the four new henchmen. He tried fighting back, but they were faster than the last ones. Or rather he was slowed down because of the bleeding effect. It wasn't long before he was once again attached to the Animus. This time it was the popsicle who inserted the injection like instrument in his nape. Also known as the most painful among all of the Animus attachments.

"Now that you have an idea of what you need to do once inside the Animus, you will now explore the unexplored genetic memories of the priority ancestor that we have been waiting for. He is from a more recent past. A lot of things will remain the same. But these are still unexplored memories, you won't have the same interactive experience you've had with Altair. I trust you know how to stay synchronized Subject 20?"

"Just act out whatever my ancestor is doing and do not deviate. Don't worry I'm not in elementary anymore."

"Behave Subject 20!" The popsicle shouted in an annoyed voice as he was looking over the control panel.

"You also won't be waiting in the Animus software since these are unexplored waters. Your only job, Subject 20, is to stay in synch with your ancestor. Immerse yourself in his mentality to encourage synchronization." Vidic then turned to his team and gave the go signal to start. After a few more double checks from the control panel, he was once again hoisted up by the Animus. His vision was blinded with white and his senses were abruptly stopped. If it had been his first time he would've thought that he was either dead or dying.

A few seconds later his senses returned. They were different from his, but it felt as if they were his own.

His surroundings appeared ro be in some sort of party. In the midst of Spring, various decorations were hung in what looked like a grand ballroom. His eyes then lock on to a woman who was deviating from a crowded area with another man. From the looks of it, they appeared to be lovers.

Extract the information from Ms. Yuliva. It is with heavy heart that we have confirmed that she is a double agent working for those Capitalists in the west. After extracting the information, kill her. There should be no witnesses.

He felt himself stealthily maneuver through the crowd. Not losing sight of Ms.Yuliva and her partner.

Olga Yuliva, how could you do this to us? How could you betray our country like this? And now I have the burden to kill you.

Once they have reached a secluded corner he immediately paralyzed then swiftly killed her partner with a slash of his throat. But then he felt a knife wound on his shoulder and fell when Olga Yuliva forced him on the ground.

"How dare you?!"

He was able to remove the knife from his back and fought back. Blow after blow he and Yuliva fought. Blow by blow when it seemed like one of them was winning, the other shot a dirty trick to make the field even again.

"Who persuaded you to their side Yuliva? Who are they?"

"Do you really believe that I can't think on my own?"

"Knowing you, a lap dog to the higher authorities? I doubt it."

Then he ended up at his back on the floor as Yuliva shot bullets to him. He was able to dodge them. But one bullet grazed his left cheek which would later on leave a mark.

"The end of the line Spiridon. What a shame, you were a great student. And you still have much to learn about life and people."

"Coming from you, I'm not sure whether you're just buying your time. You were my least favorite of teachers."

She leaned down with a knife on her hand.

"You better start thinking beyond the lines of country loyalty and other trivial things such as race, political systems and gender, Spiridon. Once you can see beyond and truly think about where and who you are and what you want, you gain a whole new perspective of what is right and wrong."

"Which is why I'm sorry to do this Yuliva." He brought his hidden knife out and slashed across her center before she can deflect his blow. She tried to block and deflect it but he was able to place another slash to the area just beneath her breasts. And then she fell, while Spiridon threw away the knife on her hand after he stepped on it to get her to release it.

"Why did you do it Yuliva? Who are your fellow western spies?" The dying woman laughs at his questions.

"I already gave you the answers Spiridon. It's not my fault that you can't decode it." This was her last statement. Searching her body for any clues he finds several coded messages in her bag and a paper with train schedules and routes. The ones that lead to Berlin was circled.

Out of curiosity more than necessity he also search and looted her partner and would have been lover. He too had several coded messages with a route going to Berlin.

It seems like the enemy is planning something in Berlin. Is it to escape the power of the Soviet Union? No one can escape that for long. We appear to be gaining a lot more support and territory.

Gathering the bodies he dragged them to a fire place in one of the rooms of the building and lit them on fire. Once he was sure that whatever is left of them wouldn't be recognizable he left the premises and went back to his headquarters.

The headquarters lay underground and led to a secluded buildings that were used to train new recruits. He arrives in an office where three people were waiting for him.

"The deed is done, Yuliva only said to look beyond borders of political systems, country boundaries and race in order to see what is right and wrong."

"Even in her last few moments Olga is as vague as ever." The sole woman among the three muttered.

"Komcor, were you able to get anything else out of her?" The older man among the me asked him.

"Da Komandarm, she was meeting I think with a fellow spy for the west. These papers from both of them contain several coded messages and train routes going to Berlin."

"I see, good job Komcor, we'll decode the messages and study them. For now you can go to the clinic to have those wounds treated. Wait in your cabin afterwards or train with the others while you are back here in the KGB headquarters."

He nodded at them and went towards the clinic. As usual once you become a field agent for the KGB you don't know whom to trust. The only reliable people become the authorities who give your salary and missions. In the KGB headquarters the only way to be safe is to stay quiet and stay stoic. You never really know which ones are going to defect and which ones will eventually betray you.

"You will be fine Spiridon, however this wound may leave a scar on your face. You'll be disfigured for a little bit. But provided that you don't get into any fights or any major espionage action you can remove the stitches in 5 days."

"Spaseeba doctor, hopefully I can have some sort of rest." He then leaves the clinic and heads for his cabin. To have a brief shower to freshen himself up.

He momentarily reflects how exactly he ended up being a top agent of the KGB. Had it started perhaps when ha and his mama were talking about the monsters of this world?

"Mama, are there monsters in this world?"

He recalls asking her that when he became frightened when something would knock on his window in the dark. It turned out it was a tree branch that was being blown by the strong wind.

"Da Malen'kiy, there are monsters out there."

"Where are they hiding Mama?"

"That's the problem Malen'kiy.The monsters in this world are difficult to find. These monsters can fool anyone who don't know they are monsters."

"Why Mama?"

"Sometimes, these monsters can do things that are beyond our control. Sometimes these monsters take advantage of our faults. And sometimes these monsters are just doing what they believe is right."

"I don't understand Mama. What do you mean?"

"Most monsters, Spiridon, do not know that they are monsters. Or if they do, they don't want to believe it."

Oh Mama. Spiridon thought as he began to drown himself in sleep.

I honestly still do not understand your words. Even though I try to.These were his last thoughts before sleep claimed him. He didn't know how much time had passed before he was awakened by the Komandarm. This means that they have a new mission for him and he was to be deployed soon.

"Komcor Spiridon Skailinski, you are to be deployed by the KGB to become part of the Stazi in Berlin. However you are to use this position to hunt and prevent moles and other western spies from going further from our side of Berlin. Nevertheless you are to guard civilians undercover. Walk and talk among them. Do not make them suspect that you are part of the Stazi or the KGB. As for the spies of the west, you are to neutralize them after extracting information." His Komandarm said as he gives him his salary and other resources that he will need for his travel.

"The specific orders Komcor Skailinski, is that you are not to travel directly to Berlin. It may be too suspicious. Spend a few months to two years in another city to get accustomed with their culture. Decieve the civillians into thinking that you are one of them. After spending 2 years go to Berlin. Make the hand signals for the Stazi discreetly. You will then be approached for the password. Your password is Red Diamond. You will have further orders from there."

"These instructions are only for you. Understood?"

"Da, Komandarm."

"Khoroshaya, now pack your bags Komcor."

After packing his things from his cabin, he makes his trip to the Moscow train station.

From there he makes a trip to the station in Kiev to lose any potential followers. It is also to not make it obvious where he is coming from. While there he buys a guide book of Warsaw, Poland. His chosen decoy destination.

While waiting he reflects further on his own past. How he learnt the horrible truth that he was the bastard son of a well-off government official named Rolindari. How he didn't understand why he and his mother cannot see him in public when they were visiting Moscow.

"Why can't I call you Papa?"

"Oh Malen'kiy Papa loves you. But Papa is in a world of politics. Papa needs to take care of his other children so that he can take care of you."

"I don't understand Papa."

"You will in time."

He never met his half brothers and sisters. And his father's wife made life horrible for him and his mother two years later after his father died. Two years later on his tenth birthday his mother's brother, his uncle took him under his wing to save him from further poverty. That was to be the last time he saw his mother. She died the following day.

From then on, his uncle, one of the Komcors of the KGB had given him the path where he ensured him that he will live if he left everything behind and start new. Including emotions and sentiment. He's not sure if they were stripped away from him or if he was just very good at hiding it. Either way, now at 24 years old he was one of their best. And recently, he had just killed another one of their best, a former teacher who was now cremated as a price for her defection.

Looking back, it was hard to tell when she defected. Like many of their best spies that served the KGB, she was emotionless, intelligent and discreet. Her defection was discovered upon accident.

Emotions, they were taught can make people do irrational things. It was another thing among many that they were encouraged to exploit to their advantage.

At the end of the day, everything is a means to an end.

"Train bound for Warsaw will arrive in 10 minutes. To all passengers, please be in the platform. Again the train bound for Warsaw will arrive in 10 minutes. To all passengers, please be in the platform. Spaseeba."

The announcement shakes him out of his thoughts and he heads for the platform. Luggages firmly on his hands.

What did Yuliva mean when she said to go beyond? Or was it to see beyond? For all he knew, the capitalist system made people a slave to their work. Money was one of their gods. And instead of it working for them, people work day and night to get it. It is replaced water and food as being the key to life. In the west, to get them, you still need money.

While he still experienced poverty in the system, their basic needs were met. They may not be as good as the food of people who were in government. But they were able to survive with the little they had.

The train stops on front of them, he gives his ticket to the conductor who punches it and an usher proceeds to lead him to his cabin.

Taking the opportunity that he was one of the first passengers to enter. He decides to go to the bathroom to relieve himself.

When he was washing his hands, Tim got the shock of his life when he looked straight into the mirror.

It was like seeing himself in the mirror.

The only differences were the facial wound that still had the stitches on his left cheek. The long enough hair to be placed in a ponytail. And finally his skin being whiter than his own.

Is this...is Spiridon Skailinski his father?

He felt himself put a little bit of alcohol in the wound. It stings, but Spiridon had gotten used to it. Soon he feels the train move and he heads back to his modest cabin. On the nightstand was a thick calendar showing the date.

April 25, 1977

That was the last thing he saw before a familiar blindness overtook him and his senses had all stopped momentarily.

"We were making progress Sophia!"

"I can see that, and I'm not allowing that progress to be stopped because he goes insane or sick during the research. He has been there for 45 minutes already, I'm not risking it."

He heard these voices go softer as he regained his senses and was back in the Animus room. In a corner he sees Vidic arguing with a woman who has dark brown hair and deep brown eyes that could be mistaken for black. He sees Vidic storm near him as he is released from the Animus. His feet nearly gave when he stepped down and required a bit of help sitting down in a nearby chair.

"Leiman check his vitals, and afterwards bring him to his room. We will resume later at 3:30. I have a meeting to settle a few things with."

"On the contrary Warren, I suggest that he should be with the other Subjects when it is time for lunch. He needs social interaction aside from people operating on the research." The bastard looked pissed off at Sophia and turned to her.

"Are you mad? Do you know who Subject 20 is? Do you want him to escape?"

"And are you forgetting who funds the research? You may have been able to convince the other Templars with your cause, but money doesn't grow on trees. An insane or sick subject will make this research halt because of the piling expenses. And you know how expensive it is to get genetic memories when the descendant is unable to." The look she gave him made her win this battle.

"Fine, he spends lunch with the other subjects. But blindfolded along the way so he won't know where to escape to."

Beverly Hills High School, Monday, Lunch break

"Announcement: To all Seniors, please don't forget that the Senior project is mandatory for graduation. Again the Senior project is mandatory for graduation. Thank You." The girls grimaced at this as they were in the middle of eating their lunch in the cafeteria.

"I didn't know that it was mandatory, how come we were only told at the end of junior year?"

"Honestly Alex, I think Mandy might be behind it so she could get a head start."

"Hey I also got a head start."

"Sammie that's different. This project is a means for you to stay with us. For Mandy it's her way to cheat to the top." Sam sighed in disbelief and so decided to stir the conversation to a more safer topic.

"Speaking of projects what are you guys doing for your senior projects?"

"Yes Clover what are you going to do for your project? How to be fabulous with trash and junk? Haha" Mandy butted in with Caitlyn and Dominique behind her laughing as they saw Clover's face getting more and more red.

"Well Mandy, it will be way better than yours seeing that you're the real expert on trash and junk."

"Puh-lease, as if anything I own could be trash. My senior project is going to be the best one, even better than you could come up with." Having enough Clover stood up and marched on front of Mandy.

"We'll see about that Mandy!"

"Here they go again." Sam whispered worriedly to Alex as they notice the entire cafeteria was staring at them. Fortunately Mandy and her minions walked away before anything else could be said.

"So what is your project Clover?" Alex asked as Clover went back to sit in their table.

"I'm not sure yet. But I know it has to beat Mandy's" At this Alex and Sam shared a look and groaned.

"Clover, the Senior project is supposed to be a reflection of you. It's not a competition where the best wins."

"Alex is right Clover, do you want to be defined by your rivalry with Mandy or for who you are?"

"Um both. Representing who I am while beating Mandy." Before they could argue further they heard the X-Powder ringtone. The girls run out to a secluded spot before opening the X-Powder.

"Girls I've decided...that for now I won't take up Uma Husk's offer."

"What seriously Jer? She could've given some way critical help to our mission!"

"Clover has a point Jer. She gave us a lot of info that may actually help us." A part of her also wanted to react along with her friends. But Jerry may reveal something that they haven't seen.

"Girls calm down. I've done my own research based on the files that you girls got from Abstergo, it appears that Uma has fed you some misinformation."

"Like what Jerry?"

"For starters Sam, the event that was called 'The Purge' or 'The Great Purge' that was initiated by Daniel Cross' information, it happened 12 years ago. Not 27 or 28."

"Maybe she's starting to forget. I mean old people forget things all the time." Jerry gave an awkward cough as a sweat drop fell on his head.

"But Alex, this had a huge error. If Uma missed it by 2 or 3 years it's understandable. But to miss it by 14 years was an intentional mislead." Sam pointed out as she is starting to realize what they've been lead to.

"That's not all girls. There is a tragic event that did happen 26 years ago. We're not sure if everything Uma said about the mysterious family is true. And we sadly do not have a way to verify it. In the secluded areas of the outskirts of New York, there was a mansion that was caught on fire. The fire was so great that it almost threatened to set a forest fire."

"Can you send us the police report on it?"

"I already did. I think Uma was trying to get WOOHP involved in a political scheme. Which is why until she proves otherwise I'm not accepting her offer. Now regarding the mission to rescue Tim Scam. Once we get the layout from the files, we could send you to rescue him."

"Finally the mission could be over. And I can start getting to work on beating Mandy."

"Um, what?"

"Don't ask." Alex said as she closed the X-powder. Just in time the school bell rings.

"Come on let's get to class."

"Right. See you later Sammie."

"I'll be in the library if you need me." Because she had finished all of the School's classes in Junior year. She mainly stays in the school library when not consulting with her theses advisers.

In the solitude of the library in her usual secluded corner, she brings out her X-Powder and reads the report on the fire.

Report: Fire on the mansion

Location: Secluded outskirts of New York city.

Cause of incident: Unknown - there are no leads to suggest if the fire was caused by an accident or other circumstances. From the investigation, nothing survived it.

Casualties: Unknown - any victims of the incident wasn't seen when the firemen and investigators arrived on the scene. It is assumed that any persons living in the mansion may have either been cremated in the fire or have already fled the vicinity.

Other Notes: Based on the investigations, the property belongs to a Danella Lurezzi. However upon arrival on the scene it is unclear if she perished or have fled. Based upon recent data, it is assumed that she died in the fire since after the incident, no record of her appears anymore. This is also true for the rest of her family members.

'Hmm something doesn't add up. While this is an official report, there's a heavy assumption on what happened to those who lived there.' She thought as she scrutinized the report.

Feeling like she needs to do a bit of research, she went to a library computer with the dark web browser. She knew Arnold installed it to bypass the no-games rule in the library.

After a couple of hours of researching, she was getting frustrated. It was strange that Danella Lurezzi also doesn't have much record in the official files as well. Sam was guessing that it was either she didn't go out much or it was as if someone was trying to erase her from the official records.

Or possibly someone trying to protect her and her family. But even this seemed a bit unlikely.

The only evidences that she was able to find was that she was born on October 13, 1956. She has an older brother Stefano Lurezzi born on October 15, 1952. Their parents are Leonardo Lurezzi who is of Italian descent. And their mother Anika James who is of British descent. Both parents are second generation American citizens. They are residents of the wealthy neighberhood in Brooklyn. But other than that it was as if she didn't exist.

But then something hit her. And she groaned at the realization. While Uma may have mislead them into when the purge had taken place, her gut feel was that she was telling the truth regarding a certain possibility.

Danella Lurezzi...she may be the Black Queen.

If that were the case then her activities may be erased or guarded by the Hellfire Club. If she wanted to know more about her, she may have to use the Hellfire network.

And to be able to use it, she may have to make her Hellfire debut a lot sooner. She'll need to call her parents when she gets home.

AN: Things are getting exciting! Everything is connected. I cannot wait for you guys to reach the big reveal. We are getting closer :D So far which is your favorite part?