As he expected he found a picture inside. It had been carefully sealed in a non-adherent layer and framed. That alone attested to the importance this item had to Tieria. Regene was sure that it had been scanned and probably stored directly in Tieria's visual library but he still clung to this physical representation. Something that he could touch.

Regene studied the photograph. It featured Tieria in civilian attire. Blue jeans and a light green shirt, a shy but very warm smile giving him a youthful aura that Regene knew stood for happiness. Standing next to him and with a strong arm around his shoulder was Neil Dylandy, code name Lockon Stratos. He was holding an icecream cone and winking at Tieria. The goofy Hawaiian shirt was not enough to hide his sex appeal, Regene could see it in his carefree way that proved his idea of a sexy sniper who comfortably accepted the raw magnetism he exerted on those around him.

Regene wondered briefly who had taken this picture. It seemed unlikely that it was anyone from the Ptolomeios' crew. He turned his attention to the background. A tropical environment judging by the deep array of greens and the bit of sandy beach that could be seen in the near distance. Summer ease. A slight tan on the human.

It was with some apprehension that Regene removed the photograph from its frame and turned it around. Tieria had written down a date in his very neat calligraphy. Four years prior. A month before the human's death. Possibly the happiest days of Tieria's life.

Regene bit his lower lip in concentration. His assumption had been that Tieria's infatuation had been just that. A fantasy constructed by Tieria on flimsy basis mingled with a profound sense of loyalty that hinged directly on feeling unworthy. Judging by this picture there had been a lot more to it than wishful thinking on Tieria's part.

It made things more problematic. The idealization factor was not attenuated, Regene knew as much, if anything it was heightened for it fed on actual memories that fueled it. Ousting the dead was an uphill battle. The dead soon became perfected in the mind of those who were bound to them. After all the dead would never make any mistakes, never let one down, never reject one. Already Tieria's had a tendency of believing that this human could do no wrong and he could draw daily comparisons with this twin brother, all worked to make this attachment grow stronger instead of fading.

Regene was so engaged in considering all this and making a plan to draw Tieria into his sphere of influence that he did not hear the door open.

"What are you doing?"

Regene started and for the first time felt something like guilt in Tieria's presence.

Tieria strode into the room and confronted Regene who faltered at the cold rage he could easily read in Tieria's attitude, from the way he stood with his back very straight to the sharp light in his eyes.

"Give me that back."

"Tieria, I just wanted to see-"

"Give it back now."

Regene obeyed. He knew that Tieria's anger was not to be taken lightly. Tieria took the picture and frame with a gentleness that did not betray the inner agitation that Regene could so well recognize. The items went into another drawer and Tieria punched in a code. Regene made another effort to reach him.

"I didn't mean to intrude on your privacy-"

"Don't you have a report to file? To Ribbons Almark. Unless you are not yet done gathering information on me?"

Regene recoiled as if stung. Tieria was not facing him but deliberately turned around. It was highly painful that Tieria should question his loyalty like this but Regene could let it get to him.

"I'm on your side, Tieria. I'll always be."

He had the impression that Tieria was getting something from yet another drawer and before Regene had any time to wonder any further Tieria had spun around, a gun firmly aimed. Regene did not even blink. All things considered it was not unexpected.

"Section 23, article 7 of Celestial Being's Guide of Conduct: 'If spies are detected it is up to the operatives to determine whether to shoot them on sight or proceed with interrogations.'"