Precisely an hour after the call that Lara had made, two unmarked black panel vans with no windows on the side pulled up to the mansion. The dark window rolled down on the first vehicle, revealing a pale German man in a blue hat and cleaners overalls, gnawing on tasteless gum, who pressed the buzzer for the gate.

There were no guards stationed there but the gate swung open. The window slid smoothly back up and the vans rolled along the driveway and into the underground garage. The motor hummed as the garage door slowly closed behind them.

Immediately they saw the group of bound men but the vehicles were driven around and parked at the door to the house.

The doors at the rear of the vehicles were pushed open from the inside and out poured a group of eight men and two women. Every single one of them was heavily armed and carried two military knives; one on their belt and the other attached to their boot.

The drivers stayed in the van, ready for their getaway.

A tall, well-built blonde man approached the group that were bound with thick uncuttable cable ties, gagged and lined up against the wall.

"Well, what do we have here?" the man asked. He had a thick German accent, but it was clear that his team were not all German.

Two of the mercs stared up at him, loathing clear in their eyes but there was no sign of fear.

"Brave I see, or stupid," he sneered. "Doesn't matter to me." Vlad turned his back on the group and addressed his team. "Everyone clear on what to do?"

"Yes, sir." They all chorused.

"Well then, let's get to it."

The two women and one of the men marched forward and stood before the group of mercenaries holding their large weapons in a low-ready posture. The rest of them entered the house together and dispersed in various directions.

Vlad whistled when he entered the hall, taking in the splendour of his surroundings as he stood at the bottom of the staircase.

"Get a load of this place," Vlad said lightly to his team.

The house was a mess, there were bullet holes in the walls and blood on the floor with dead bodies lying around, but it was still easy to see its grandeur.

"Let's get to work."

They picked up the dead bodies and removed them from the house, depositing them unceremoniously in the back of one of the vans. When they returned inside, the men ripped up the expensive carpets that had any blood on them at all and rolled them up. Those too, were taken to the vans and dumped inside.

The others made a full sweep of the house making sure that there would not be any trace of the mercenaries' presence at all. Bullets, casings, fragments, they were all found and removed from the house; and only once Vlad was happy that every bit of evidence was cleaned or removed, did they go back into the garage.

"It's your turn boys." Vlad smiled malevolently at Hobson's men. "It's going to be tight, but I hope you enjoy the last ride you'll ever take."

All sixteen of them were frog marched to the panel vans and roughly pushed inside. They were squashed and uncomfortable but it was nothing the clean up crew would ever care about.

They all climbed inside the vehicles, shut the doors and drove off.

In the guard house Roland watched them on the monitor. He opened the garage door and the large wrought iron gates, allowing them to leave the premises.

"It's done"

Lara read and re-read the message from Vlad. It was close on eleven pm when it came through. She did not respond. All she had to do was already done and that was an untraceable payment into a specified account.

"That's it. Hobson's men are gone," she said softly to Kaiba. He pulled her in for a hug. Still paranoid about being in Pegasus's home, this way he could speak to her without being heard.

"Any chance of this coming back to us," he whispered.

"Not at all. They're dead. Vlad takes care of everything. Believe me, we're golden," she whispered back.

"I need to call Mokuba and Roland," he said before pulling away from her.

Both were relatively short calls and soon after, Lara and Kaiba were in bed. He was far too wired to get any rest and he loathed the idea of sleeping in a bed owned by Pegasus, but Lara convinced him otherwise and they lay in the darkened room. Their minds filled with various outcomes the next day would bring.

Neither one of them got much rest that night and when morning came, they were ready to fight this battle.

Lara bid Pegasus goodbye and both she and Kaiba made for his chopper.

"Do be careful you two," he said. Lara nodded and once they were safely inside the helicopter, she called Mokuba from Kaiba's satellite phone.

It seemed no one had any rest. The morning was bright at the safe house, even though the sun had not yet cleared the smallest hills.

Mokuba nursed a cold mug of coffee. He had no appetite for anything. His stomach was in knots. Something just did not feel right.

Yugi and Rebecca sat in the study with him, pouring over the maps that Lara had sent the night before while Tea made Fuguta and Kobayashi breakfast just purely to have something to do.

The satellite phone lay on the desk, Mokuba had been staring at it endlessly, willing it to ring. He jumped out of his skin when it finally did. He snatched it off the table, answering immediately.

"Hey Mokes," Lara greeted.

"Lara. Where are you guys?" He asked quickly.

"About to leave the castle. Is Beck nearby?" she asked.

"Yeah she is," he responded beckoning his girlfriend to join him at the table. He pressed a button on the screen and placed the phone between him and Rebecca. "Rebecca's here, you're on loudspeaker."

"Beck listen, I sent you satellite images of the island."

"Yeah, I got them Lara."

"Okay good. The co-ordinates are on them. What I'm thinking is that since the place is still operational and so remote, there must be a satellite link. I'm willing to bet my right arm it's geostationary."

"You want me to find it and get as much information as possible," Rebecca said catching on to Lara's thoughts.

"That's going to be like looking for a needle in a haystack," Mokuba said with a frown.

"Can you do it Beck?" Lara asked forcefully.

"I can."

"Great. You guys can keep tabs on the chopper."

"Bringing up the GPS tracking right now." Mokuba already had Kaiba's computer set up, he pulled the laptop to him, busying himself with the keys as he spoke.

"Speak to you soon." Lara hung up.

Rebecca set to work immediately and Yugi joined the two of them at the table. He studied the satellite images and it struck him just how small the island was. The base could not be seen and he wondered if that was due to the holographic projections. If it was the case, the place would be drawing an enormous amount of power and he just did not know where it would come from.

What he did know was that Lara and Kaiba were walking in to a very dangerous situation.

The rotors on the helicopter slowly began spinning, steadily creating a hurricane like wind. Inside, Kaiba took the pictures that were held together with a little silver paperclip, from Lara and leafed through them one more time.

His eyes glinted like steel, a fierce determination clear in them as he scanned the photos and once he was ready, he tossed the loose pages behind the seat. He gripped the joystick and with a deafening roar, they rose into the air making the short trip to the island.

The tiny land mass grew steadily bigger as they approached. A tiny dot in a sea of blue. The Pacific stretched out as far as the eye could see, shimmering, breathing.

It was easy to see why the secret base remained undiscovered for so long. It was remote, the dense vegetation assuring no one could get through.

Kaiba knew it was just the appearance of vegetation. While the trees would be used as cover, most of them close to the building would have been removed.

Lara's heart beat just a little faster as they flew towards the lion's den.

"Lara, I don't know what we're going to face in there." Kaiba said frowning. "I want you to stay close to me but I know Hobson, he will want to separate us."

"I know," she replied quietly.

"Remember everything Kenji taught you and do what you need to to stay alive." He turned to look at Lara, pinning her with his fiery gaze. "Whatever you need to." He enunciated every syllable.

She nodded in response. The thought that she would have blood on her hands after this ordeal had been swirling around her mind for a while. It was not a thought she relished, but she had always done whatever she had to for those she loved, and it would be no different now.

Kaiba kept the helicopter flying low as they approached the island. The water swirled beneath them, a fine spray rising up all around. He touched down on a section of the beach, the skids sinking into the sand slightly as they landed.

They unbuckled themselves from the harness and turned to face each other. They were both tense but there were no words to be said now. Kaiba caressed Lara's cheek. She could see his jaw clench.

"Let's go." He pulled his hand away and the two of them made for the dense treeline. Being on the island, it was a lot easier to see what was a projection and what was actual vegetation.

They used the larger trees as cover as they moved closer towards the base. It was a much smaller building than the one Kaiba had destroyed on Kaiba Corp. island all those years ago and it only had two floors that they could see.

A guard walk up to a solid metal panel that slid up, revealing an entrance when he scanned his eye. Kaiba realised that he either had to overpower a guard and get them to submit in order to gain entry, or they had to be bold and walk up to the entrance which no doubt would have a camera. Given the lack of security outside, they had little choice.

"I would have thought there would be more guards. Think they're inside?" Lara whispered, still looking around.

"Or in Domino," Kaiba replied. "You know what we have to do."

She scrunched up her face. "I was hoping not."

They walked to the door, standing confidently before the panel. Kaiba crossed his arms and both he and Lara looked directly at the camera above.

With a hiss, it opened just as he thought it would. Kaiba entered first, walking in front of Lara. Just as they got to the end of the hallway their pathway was blocked. Four guards with rifles stood imposingly before them.

"Come with us," an impossibly large man said. The men surrounded the two of them and led them down narrow corridors and up a flight of stairs. The large man opened a door allowing the group to step into a room filled with metallic panels and control boards with buttons and gauges. It also had a great view of the beach on the opposite side of the island with a small marina and a naval yacht that Kaiba recognised instantly.

"So glad you could join us Seto," a voice said behind them.

The two of them spun around to see the most grotesque human Lara had ever laid eyes on walk in with two men, carrying guns, flanking him. Her body recoiled at the mere sight of him.

"Hobson," Kaiba growled. He saw that the old man carried a thing long switch with him and his blood boiled.

Lara and Kaiba's eyes followed him as he walked into the room to stand in front of them.

"I'm glad to see you haven't forgotten me, Seto."

It repulsed Lara to hear the way Hobson said his name. She had never felt such incredible loathing as she did right now.

"It would be hard for anyone to forget such a vomitous person," she snarked.

Hobson chuckled. "Lara von Schroeder. So much like your father. I must say Seto, I'm disappointed in you."

"Oh no, what shall I do?" Kaiba said, his voice monotone.

Both Lara and Kaiba saw his hand holding the switch twitch and Kaiba cocked his eyebrow at the vile man, challenging him.

"Sarcasm. Really thought we could whip that out of you," Hobson said nonchalantly as he composed himself. Never in her life had Lara so desperately felt the need for physical violence.

Kaiba looked at one of the men behind Hobson.

"Kemo, you're still alive," Kaiba taunted.

"Yes, but you and your girlfriend won't be for much longer." He grinned.

Lara thought the second man standing protectively behind Hobson was frustratingly familiar. She knew she had seen his face somewhere but for the life of her, could not remember where.

She desperately searched her memory, thinking of all the places she had been recently and all the people she saw. Something told her it was not Domino but the only other places she had been to was Germany and the States.

Could it have been Germany. The people at Schroeder Gaming were all known to her but she had also been to dinner with Leon. Was there someone at the restaurant maybe? She had spoken to Klaus and the person who waited on them was female but then she realised there was someone at the restaurant. It hit her like a punch to the gut. They were being watched even then.

"You!" Lara breathed. "You were in that elevator at the restaurant in Munich!"

He grinned crookedly. "Nice to know I left such a lasting impression."

Kaiba held Lara closer. He felt sick knowing how much danger they had all been in without ever realising it.

Hobson pulled a face at the motion.

"A Kaiba and a Von Schroeder… it's unnatural. Then again, you were never a real Kaiba, were you?"

"Listen Hobson, I'd love to stay and listen to your asinine chit-chat but I'm a busy man and all I really want to know is what you are up to." Kaiba glowered at his past tormentor.

"You were always impatient, Seto, but I suppose you should know. I plan to take Kaiba Corp. and restore it to the greatness it once knew under Gozaburo Kaiba."

Kaiba huffed a laugh. "You can try old man, but that is impossible."

Lara shook her head, bare able to believe it. "You realize your puppets on the board are powerless right? There is no heir. The fact that we are here should be proof enough. So how the hell are you going to turn the company when I'm pretty sure your last name isn't Kaiba?!"

"Why don't you let me worry about that my dear. Seto here isn't the only Kaiba in the world and the others would be much easier to control," Hobson said maliciously.

"I'll make sure you never succeed," Kaiba spat.

"Don't forget Seto, I still know how to tame you. Back then I just had to take away your toys and distractions and now look at you, all grown up and still holding on to distractions. Looks like I'll have to get rid of your latest toy." Hobson's eyes flicked over to Lara.

Kaiba's hand instinctively wrapped around hers, pulling her behind him slightly. His fury sparked in a moment and every gun was raised.

"You come anywhere close to her and I will kill you," Kaiba said dangerously.

Hobson smirked. "Kemo, bring Lara to me."

Kaiba was ready to take on the guard but every gun in the room click clacked, ready to fire. Lara squeezed Kaiba's hand then pulled hers from his grasp just as Kemo roughly yanked her towards him. She understood that this way, they still stood a chance of taking them down but if they fought, they would be dead before their bodies hit the floor.

With every gun pointing at Kaiba, they did not have to bind Lara to make her compliant. Kemo wrapped her hair around his hand, roughly tugging her head back and placing his black knife blade to her throat. She stood there with her fists clenched at her sides, but she never took her eyes of Kaiba.

"You see Seto, here I am a god. I can do what I want and there is no one to stop me." To make his point Hobson pulled the switch to his chest then flicked it out hard, it whooshed through the air before it made hard stinging contact with Lara's thigh. She swallowed the cry that tried to escape not wanting to give him the satisfaction. She closed her eyes tightly, breathing heavily through the pain.

Kaiba was murderous. The hatred in his eyes threatened to set the man in front of him alight.

"You're tougher than I thought. Your brother was very soft but then again, like I said, you are very much your father's daughter," Hobson said.

"Yeah you will see just how much like him I am," she seethed through clenched teeth.

Hobson chuckled. "Feisty. The boys will enjoy that." Kaiba narrowed his eyes at the comment but said nothing. He was already shaking with rage and any outlet would break the dam walls.

"You see Seto, I can do whatever I want and once I have Kaiba Corp., I will prove my loyalty once and for all and fulfil Gozaburo's dream. The tanks will be unleashed once again and this time, everyone will bow down to me," Hobson grinned.

"You and what army? I know you've been out of the war game for a while, so let me spell it out for you, I count seven of you, those aren't very good odds against the rest of the world," Kaiba said.

"You think these are the only men I have?! Please Seto, I know you're smarter than that. You see you miscalculated leaving Domino unprotected and anytime now, my men will be returning with young Mokuba."

"Sir-"

"Not now Kemo," Hobson said condescendingly.

Lara and Kaiba knew right then that not one of the mercenaries managed to send any communiqué to the base, and they had Roland to thank. That little piece of information just made the odds so much better.

"And don't think your private little army can stop my men. See I knew you would still do as Gozaburo taught you, I knew you would have security. That's why I had Yamamoto and Fukuhara arrange the hack. I could see exactly who you had protecting you and send the right men out there." Hobson said Gozaburo's name with such reverence, it was stomach-churning.

"You're insane." Lara said softly.

"I would watch it with the name calling. After all, I control your fate. Actually, maybe we should break in this toy of yours Seto." Hobson nodded at Kemo who slipped the blade of his tactical knife under the top button of her shirt, popping it off and causing it to split revealing a little more of her chest.

"Hobson." Kaiba's voice rumbled low, like thunder.

Hobson knew exactly how to attack the most important parts of a person to get the greatest effect. It was clear to him that Kaiba knew no fear for himself, but tormenting him through Lara would be very satisfying to watch.

"Seto, you know what you can do if you want this to end."

"Give you power over my company?! You're mad. I'm not stupid old man, even if I did, you'd kill us the moment I signed it over," Kaiba raged.

"Well then it shouldn't matter how I get the company Seto, since your outcome will be the same either way. So it's your choice how much Lara here has to suffer."

"Seto will never sign over that company. Not even if it kills us," Lara spat.

"Kemo, you know what to do. The men seem to be enjoying this," Hobson sneered.

Kemo slid his knife under the second button, popping that one too, revealing the toned skin beneath her black bra.

"Hobson, before this day is out, you will die. Mark my words," Kaiba threatened.

His torturer laughed it off. "I can see you won't change your mind. Take him away."

Hands roughly pulled his arms back and a pair of silver handcuffs were slapped onto his wrists.

"Lara…" his voice was firm, his eyes boring into hers. She nodded back unable to say anything in that moment. His voice rang in her head, "if the time comes, I need to know you can protect yourself should we get separated"... "do what you need to to stay alive… whatever you need to"

The four men that escorted them to the room now marched Kaiba out with one of them sticking their rifle into his back.

When he disappeared from view Kemo roughly pushed Lara to stand by the window so that she could see them once they left the building. It took a few moments but soon the group surrounding Kaiba appeared again, making their way to the naval yacht.

"I don't get it Hobson, what was the point of Yamamoto and his daughter?" Lara asked but she never took her eyes off the man she loved who grew ever smaller as he walked away.

"A backup plan. He was a useful tool and so willing to use that vapid daughter of his."

"A backup plan? If Misaki did carry Seto's baby, it would be her or Yamamoto that ran things," Lara said.

"It would have been easy taking it from them. They were disposable from the beginning," Hobson said in an off-hand manner.

"And you say you were loyal." Her voice was coloured with disdain.

"Loyal to Gozaburo Kaiba; not the big five or their minions."

Lara shook her head, unable to fathom how someone could be so vile. They were all pawns and yet, they were willing to do anything Hobson planned.

Hobson watched her reaction closely, amused by the disbelief on her face.

"Don't act so shocked my dear. They were useful for the information they passed even though Yamamoto proved to be quite the dullard."

Lara looked at him with a frown and he elaborated. "You see, I kept an eye on you and Seto. Yamamoto thought his plan to get his daughter closer to Seto was working, but I could see that it wasn't. I knew that plan of his wouldn't work and honestly, I was trusting his reports less and less. Either way, it's always good to have multiple strategies for your goals. Wouldn't you agree?"

Lara looked away, watching as Kaiba walked aboard the yacht and disappeared inside through the door on the deck. She did not understand what the point was of making her watch. Obviously they would hold Kaiba there and find some way to further torture him and as much as the thought made her sick to her stomach, it was not something she could see.

If Hobson wanted them dead, why did he not just do it? Kaiba had said that he was sadistic so maybe what she was watching was his death.

She looked at the short, fat man next to her and noticed the evil smile curling his lips. Just what was he planning?

They stood silently watching for what felt like an eternity, but in reality it was only a few minutes.

"What is the point of this Hobson?" Lara asked emotionlessly.

"You'll see." He chortled. She so badly wanted to punch the man, but any sudden move could end badly for her. There were still two armed men in the room who were much stronger than her. "Do what you need to to stay alive"... "...stay alive"

Her heart was hammering in her chest. There was no movement on that yacht, not that she could see at least.

"Come on seto!" she thought to herself. Lara unconsciously leaned closer to the glass hoping that she could glimpse even the slightest movement but in that moment, without warning or a sign, the yacht erupted in a massive fireball. The explosion like thunder right overhead.

"No," she breathed. "NO! SETO!"

Hobson laughed.

A/N Don't hate me XD