In all my Star Wars stories, italicized quotes are used to indicate communication via comm channels. I've decided to use that formatting method in this fic as well. ;)

"You know, when I complained about needing something to do this weekend, a stakeout isn't exactly what I had in mind."

Lloyd tried to keep the exasperation out of his voice. "Kai, this isn't a stakeout."

His teammate snorted. "Could've fooled me. Man, I prefer a straight fight to all this sneaking around."

Nya's voice crackled over their earpieces. "Sure thing, Han Solo. We'll make a note of that for next time."

"Ooh! If he's Han Solo, I'm calling Luke Skywalker!"

"Jay," Cole's voice replied and Lloyd could just picture the way he was no doubt elbowing Jay in the ribs, "you can't just call a character."

"Yeah," Lloyd added, adopting the tone of a no-nonsense leader, "come on, guys, cut down on the chatter. We have a job to do." He took another quick scan of the stage, then the audience. "Besides, I'm Luke Skywalker."

"What? How?"

"I called dibs."

Jay's tone was incredulous and Lloyd felt a grin tug at his lips. "What? When?"

"Oh, it was a while ago, wasn't it, Zane?" At the sound of Kai's voice, Lloyd glanced up at the second balcony seat that was currently concealing the Master of Fire.

Zane's reply was typical and Lloyd wasn't sure why Kai had even gotten him involved in the first place.

"I have no recollection of that conversation. In fact, my memory database indicates that if any such claim was made, I was not present for it."

"Or, it didn't even happen," Jay shot back.

"All right, rein it back in, boys. We need to focus."

Answering Nya with an annoyed yes, mom didn't seem wise, so Lloyd pursed his lips instead. Besides, Kai was already way ahead of him.

"Excuse me," Nya exclaimed at her brother's impertinence, "what?"

"Focus, guys," Lloyd said, keeping his tone firm. "Someone's life is at stake, remember?"

"How could I forget?" Kai let out a groan. "These seats are the worst! I mean, what kind of person willingly goes to shows like this? I mean, pick a plotline!"

Cole's voice sounded over the channel. "Again, why was Kai picked to handle security inside? You know, there's a lot of us out here watching the doors who would've loved to see a free performance."

"You know there's no dancing involved in the play, right?"

"Jay, what does that even have to do with anything?"

"I'm just saying—"

"Shh!" Lloyd hushed, feeling his heart rate begin to climb. "Did anyone hear that?"

"How can you hear anything over this boring monologue?" Kai replied. "I mean, the guy just keeps droning on and on and—"

"Kai, knock it off! I'm serious! Did anyone hear that?" Taking a quick scan of the stage revealed nothing, and he wasn't about to stick his head out from behind the curtain and interrupt the show.

What's more important, Lloyd: saving Carlyle, or your reputation?

The young leader sucked in a steadying breath. Right. No brainer.

"It's all clear out here," Cole was saying as Lloyd tuned back into the conversation. "No one came in through the front."

Nya chimed in next. "The back's been clear since the show started."

"Over two hours ago."

"Kai, knock it off! We know you hate this show. We get it. So you really don't need to keep reminding us! At least you're not the one receiving death threats while you're trying to perform, though I have a feeling you're about to if you keep this up…"

There hasn't been any activity outside, Lloyd realized with a jolt, because whoever it is already came in with the other guests.

"The east windows," Zane informed them all, "are clear."

"As are the west windows," Pixal added. "And my scanners indicate no one has walked the perimeter of the building since Jay challenged Cole to a race one hour and twenty-eight minutes ago."

"Are you two kidding me?" Nya cried in exasperation.

"Hey, it was his fault!" came Cole's only line of defense. "And besides, we went one at a time, so there was always someone guarding the front entrance."

"How the heck do you have a race if you go one at a time?"

The friendly banter only added to Lloyd's already spinning mind, but he forced himself to focus. Focus!

No one came or left during the performance because…

"They already came in," he said into the comm, hoping his voice didn't sound as distant to his team as it did to himself. "They're here. Whoever's been threatening Henry Carlyle bought a ticket and entered with the other guests." No, no, no!

Kai bit out a curse and Lloyd could tell he was already on the move.

How did we miss that kind of detail? How did we—?

"I want eyes on all possible exits now!" The sound was growing louder, hissing at him with relentless energy. An energy that threatened to take them all down with one fatal blow.

"We're already posted at all the exits," Cole pointed out.

"Besides," Jay added, his voice following Lloyd on his sprint to… where? Where was he even running to? He needed to think, he needed to—"What makes you so sure whoever's after this guy is even gonna come out?"

It was then that Lloyd's heart stopped completely, along with his legs as he skidded to a halt in the hallway.

No…

"Change of plans, guys." The sound continued to pulsate through the floorboards. How could no one else hear it? Maybe it's all in your head. "We need to get everyone out of the building, now."

"On it. Come on, Jay."

"They aren't leaving," Lloyd continued, spinning on his heel and racing back toward the stage. "Our target is right where they want to be because their target is right where they want him: on stage."

A beat of silence stalled the comms, then Nya's knowing tone filled his ear. "Come on, boys, this isn't a museum robbery! We're on a time crunch, so let's go!"

Right.

Halfway down the hall, Lloyd spotted the fire alarm and smiled. Bingo.

As he broke the glass, he tapped his comm. "Get everyone out of here as quickly as you can. We can't let them know we've figured it out."

Lloyd's fingers had just closed around the handle when a voice sounded behind him. "I believe it's a little late for that."

Without sparing the voice even the smallest glance, Lloyd gave the handle a hard yank. Almost immediately, the alarm started to shriek its warning.

"Oh," the voice sighed, and Lloyd spun around to find a well-dressed man, "you really shouldn't have done that, boy."

"Whatever you were planning," Lloyd shot back, ready to whip out his sword at a moment's notice, "you're too late. In less than five minutes, this entire building will be empty. Then, it will just be you,"—Setting his jaw, he shifted into a fighting stance—"and me."

The smile that crept across the man's face sent shivers racing down Lloyd's spine.

"No, my dear ninja, it is you who's too late."

Beneath the piercing scream of the alarm, he could hear the sound. The whirring that no one else had seemed to notice; the climbing intensity that he'd convinced himself was all in his head.

No…

"Zane, Cole! There's some sort of bomb that's already been set off! You've got to get—!"

His legs were flying out from under him before he could react. Seconds later, the next blow came.

This time, Lloyd was ready.

A quick sideways roll had him back on his feet. His adversary grinned wildly as he gripped a short metal rod in his hands. Where he'd gotten it, Lloyd had no idea, but it didn't matter.

All that mattered was getting the people out of there safely.

Safely.

"This is pointless." The man took another swing, one Lloyd blocked with his sword. "I've already won. This whole place is coming down in a matter of minutes!"

Now, it was Lloyd's turn to grin. "A few minutes is all I need."

With a primal growl, the man lunged forward, but Lloyd was already spinning out of the way.

Just take him out and go! There's no time for this.

Right.

As the villain readied himself for another attack, Lloyd grinned.

After all, he hadn't trained so hard to become a Master of Spinjitzu for nothing.