Author's Note: To make up for the depressingly long (read: years) between postings on this story, today you're getting a twofer!

CHAPTER 26:

Philip filled a mug with coffee (and a little something extra. He was pretty sure he was going to need it for this conversation) and took a seat next to Thomas at the kitchen table. Nick backed up from setting up the video chat with Martin.

Martin looked well. "No cane?" Philip asked him.

Martin shook his head. "No sir, not anymore. Doctors say everything is healing quite well."

"Good to hear," Philip smiled.

"So what news do you have for us?" Nick de Latour asked Zandar's head of palace security.

Martin shifted so he was leaning into the camera. "If you recall our meeting about the children's hospital visit," he began, "Margaret kept the press contacts to a minimum, to limit who was aware of the visit. We now think we know who leaked your whereabouts that day," he told Philip and Thomas.

Philip's eyes narrowed. He hadn't forgotten the car accident that had claimed his driver's life and given Martin his injuries. "And?"

"After numerous attempts at gaining employee records, we came up with a name: Andre Dumond. Mr. Dumond worked for the Zandarian Free Press. He also quit his job shortly after the accident."

"What a coincidence," Thomas muttered under his breath.

"We have been unable to locate Mr. Dumond. His employer informed us that he didn't return to work to turn in his press credentials. He is not receiving unemployment cheques, and we can't seem to find any property registered in his name. And the tabloid that ran your photo refuses to name their source."

"So no one knows where he is?" Nick clarified, and Martin nodded.

"What about the shots fired at the charity gala?" Philip questioned, leaning back in his chair. "Any results there?"

Martin nodded. "We're able to identify the weapon. The weapon is a Beretta M9."

Nick swore. Philip turned to him, eyebrows raised. Nick pulled his weapon out of the shoulder holster and set it on the table in front of the prince. "Those are the ones issued by palace security." His tone was grim.

"Are you saying…" Philip tried to wrap his head around it. "That someone on…on my staff was responsible for that night?"

"It would explain how they got a weapon onto the grounds, as well as the tabloid photos," Martin said. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Your Highness, I am so sorry. Not for the first time, I question my ability to be head of security-"

"Don't even think about resigning," Philip cut him off. "This person has outsmarted us at every turn. I trust you, Martin, as my father did. This is not your fault." He leaned back, ran a hand through his hair. "There's been no incidents since I left?"

Martin shook his head. "No, Your Highness. No photos, no other incidences of anything suspicious."

Philip glanced at his two compatriots. "Let's fix that, shall we?" He sat up. "Martin, have Margaret make arrangements. I'm coming home."

"Sir, I don't-" Nick began, but Philip held up a hand.

"This needs to end. The only way to do that is to draw Mr. Dumond out into the open. I can't do that from here."

"You want to offer yourself as bait?" Nick's jaw dropped.

Martin rolled his eyes on the screen. "Don't be so surprised, Mr. de Latour. It's not the first time."

"What are you going to tell your friends?" Thomas asked as Philip packed his suitcase upstairs.

"Oh, I think they can handle themselves," Philip said. "James Navarro is around, bringing their total to eight. And the Chargers stay here, so they can use the Graphite powers and the PachyZord if they need it." He looked at his friend.

He shouldered his bag. "Besides, I've taken on Fury and Singe. I think we can handle one man."

"That one man is someone on your staff, Philip," Thomas pointed out. "Are you prepared to deal with that kind of betrayal?"

Philip paused. "I'm tired of hiding. I'd rather confront this particular matter head on. No matter where it leads."

"Please keep me apprised of things here," Philip told Tyler over the phone the next morning. "My promise still stands. If I'm needed, I will be here."

"We'll be fine," Tyler assured him. "Go get this guy." Someone in the background called, "Good luck!" and was immediately hushed.

"Is that what you say when someone's going to go catch a royal assassin?"

"What else do you want me to say?"

Philip grinned, shaking his head. "I'm going to miss you all. Please try to stay out of trouble while I'm gone."

He could almost hear the grin in Tyler's voice. "We'll do our best!"

"Say hello to your father for me when you see him. Talk to you soon." Philip hung up and followed Thomas to the plane. Once in his seat, he took a breath and let it out. This is going to end. One way or the other.

The helicopter touched down on the grounds and Margaret met Philip, Thomas and Nick at the doors. "Good to have you back, Your Highness," Margaret greeted him with a smile.

"Good to be back," he replied, returning the smile. "I see the country is still running?"

"More or less," Margaret teased. "Though I do still need the budget report by noon next Monday."

"So glad you saved that one for me," Philip rolled his eyes. They made their way down the hall to his office and he sat down in the familiar chair, looking at the family photo on his desk. Martin joined them a few minutes later. "Welcome back, Philip," he greeted him, forgetting the title. Philip didn't bother to correct him.

"Martin. You look well." Nick closed the door and Philip clasped his hands together, leaning on the desk top. "No new developments on Mr. Dumond since our last conversation?"

Martin shook his head. "Unfortunately no. However…." He handed Philip a file. "We found the car. He ditched it over the border so it took longer than I'd have liked, but we found it."

"Anything that connects us to our would-be assassin?" Thomas asked.

"No fingerprints or DNA. Car is clean. Looks like it was stolen from a rental car lot."

"This guy is smart," Philip said. "But there's got to be a way we can draw him out."

"The budget meeting," Nick said. The others in the room looked at him. "That's a public meeting. And the press is allowed in. It's a perfect time for someone to get in with a camera."

"Or a pistol," Margaret pointed out. "Are you crazy?"

"No, he's right," Philip said. "I have to present the final numbers to the board. It's the perfect opportunity." He turned to Martin and Nick. "Can you work out a way to lay a trap?"

"Preferably without getting the Prince killed?" Thomas added.

Martin looked at Nick. "Let us work something out. We'll have it to you by 5PM tomorrow."

"Done," Philip said. He leaned back. "Which means I guess I have a budget to review."

"Sounds nice and mundane," Thomas said knowingly. Philip looked at him sideways.

The next morning, Philip woke up early, staring at his ceiling. The budget report was nearly complete, he just needed to review the final totals. He got dressed. It felt strange to be back in his suit and tie again. The Graphite Energem was still tucked safely into his pocket. He looked at himself in the mirror and straightened his tie.

He was heading into battle. Just in a different suit and on a different battlefront, he thought. He slipped a hand into his pocket reassuringly. The Energem hummed under his fingers.

Philip passed Margaret's desk on his way into his office. She looked up as he passed and hung up the phone abruptly. He looked at her curiously. "Sorry, Your Highness. That was…uh…a personal call. I know they're not allowed on personal time, but-"

"I don't think one is grounds for firing," Philip told her. He looked at her, concerned. "Is everything all right?"

She bit her lip and paused before answering. "Just fine sir. Martin and Mr. de Latour would like a meeting at noon, if that's all right."

"Ahead of schedule. Excellent. I'll be here." He rolled his eyes. "A few last-minute numbers to look at."

"Coffee?" Margaret asked.

"Black, please. Thank you." He turned to go, then paused. "Margaret…if there's ever anything you need…please, know that you can always ask."

Margaret looked up at him. "Yes, Your Highness. Thank you."

He nodded to her and headed into his office. It's going to be a long day.

At noon on the dot, Martin, Nick, Thomas and Margaret were in Philip's office." Thomas shut the blinds and Margaret made sure the door was locked behind them. Martin stood in front of the group. "All right. Here's what it's going to look like. The senate chamber has three exits, one outside, and two back into the palace hallways. I will be placed at the outside door and Mr. de Latour will be at the west hall exit. Thomas," he said, looking at Philip's friend and personal trainer, "I'd like you at the east exit. You're going to work for me for a day."

Thomas nodded. "Sounds good to me," he replied.

"The Prince will be here, at the podium," Nick continued, placing a schematic of the chamber up on the television screen. "We've invited the Zandarian Free Press as the only newspaper in attendance, as well as two stations that will be televising the meeting on public access."

"And since our friend did not return his press credentials," Philip noted, "that will be his entry point."

"We should be able to get him at the door," Martin said. "If not, we'll have eyes on him in the chamber. If he tries anything, we'll be ready for him."

"Orders are to apprehend alive," Nick added. "Though I must say it won't break my heart if that ends up not being the case."

"I want him for Alvin's death," Philip said. "So do your best." Nick nodded.

"Any questions?" Martin asked the group. When no one said anything, he flicked off the screen. "In that case, I suggest we all go over our roles for tomorrow, and Thomas…we need to issue you a pistol."

"I've got an appointment this afternoon. Can we do that tomorrow before the meeting?" Thomas asked. "My back's not a fan of all that flying we've done."

"Philip just needs to break up with that American girlfriend of his," Nick teased.

Philip pointed with his index and pinky at the two of them. "You do remember that I write both of your cheques, right?"

To: dinoitall

From: (private)

Shelby,

Your last email made me laugh- a welcome distraction. I am glad to hear that Tyler is back to normal after his 'date' with that monster. That's a new one. I hope that Chase and his girlfriend are doing well-it is hard to keep this secret from people you care about, so it is probably best in the long run that she discovered his secret.

How is Riley's brother faring after his encounter with the TitanoZord? I would imagine that must have been quite the shock to wake up in the belly of a giant metal dinosaur.

Onto more serious things. So the TitanoZord and the Silver Energem have been revealed? Have you found the Silver Ranger? I hope that you discover his (or her) identity soon so they may aid you in your fight against Snide. It pains me that I cannot be there with you. The good news is that my fight here in Zandar may be coming to an end. My security team and I have created a plan to draw our assassin out.

Shelby…in the event something goes wrong with our plan (though I have complete faith and trust in my team), please make sure of two things: 1. Please make sure the Graphite Energem makes it back to Amber Beach. May you find someone else worthy of its' power. 2. Please inform Miss Morgan that the Treasures of Zandar's permanent home would then be the Amber Beach Museum. I can't think of anyone better to guard them for the foreseeable future than Ivan and the rest of you.

Philip