When Tristan heard a knock at the door, he wasn't sure what to expect. He and Rogue were currently the only ones in the apartment and the rest of their friends were all preoccupied with other engagements.

As he crossed the room to answer it, he briefly entertained the idea that it was Harley or Kaedro - never mind the fact that neither would be caught dead in the Tower at the moment. But when he opened the door, he found it was someone he'd never thought to expect.

The blond Praxic warlock with the mismatched eyes was back. Tristan failed to recall his name.

"Tristan Bentlix," said the Warlock, "I don't know if you remember me. I'm Sarren Windrunner. I'm with the Praxic Order."

"I remember," said Tristan evenly, "You were here asking questions about Harley after he was arrested."

Sarren nodded. "May I come in?"

Tristan hesitated for a moment, weighing the options. He was distrustful of the Praxic Order at the moment. Any one of them could be conspiring with the assassins. On the other hand, he wanted to know what had prompted the Warlock to show up.

Curiosity won out and he opened the door wider. Sarren moved past him into the common area.

Tristan closed the door and turned to face the other Warlock, crossing his arms. "May I ask why you're here?" he said, not bothering to use a particularly friendly tone.

Sarren turned, inclining his head. "I have some questions for you."

Tristan frowned. As far as he could recall, he and Rogue had done nothing that would prompt a Praxic investigation. It was possible that Sarren had found out about them helping Harley escape, but if that were the case, surely he would have brought more Warlocks with him.

"To what end?" he asked.

"I know you and Rogue-12 paid a visit to Executor Hideo yesterday," said Sarren.

"Many Guardians visit the New monarchy representative. It's hardly a crime."

"I didn't say it was." Sarren's gaze became calculating. "But I also know you asked him about Miyako Thorne. Why?"

Tristan didn't let his surprise show. If Sarren knew what they asked about, he must have talked to Hideo himself. But the Praxic didn't know that Tristan knew that Thorne was the mole. Not yet, anyway.

Tristan knew he couldn't answer the question without giving himself away. And if he remembered correctly, Sarren's bionic eye could pick up physiological tells that occurred when people lied.

"Why are you interested in Miyako Thorne?" he asked instead, hoping Sarren might divulge information about the mole.

"Praxic business," said Sarren, "She's one of ours. What was your interest?"

Tristan knew he was caught. There was no way he would be able to answer the question without revealing what he knew. Drawing a breath, he prepared to tell Sarren the truth. Maybe if he claimed responsibility, the Praxic Order would leave Rogue out of it.

But before he could speak, loud footsteps echoed down the hall. Speak of the devil, thought Tristan as the burly figure of the Exo stepped into the living area.

Rogue was dressed casually, sans armor for once. His gaze cut from Sarren to Tristan. "What's he doin' here?" he asked, nodding towards the Praxic Warlock.

"He's here to ask us some questions about Miyako Thorne, apparently," Tristan replied. Internally, he was thanking the Traveler that Rogue had shown up when he did.

Rogue huffed. "That so? I knew I heard voices out here." He moved to stand behind Tristan, crossing his arms and meeting Sarren's eyes. "Ask your questions, Praxic."

Sarren blinked, looking slightly thrown. Tristan stifled a smile. It was nice to know that Rogue's intimidation tactics worked on even members of the Praxic Order.

"Why were the two of you asking about Miyako Thorne?" asked Sarren.

"Couldn't find her at her quarters so we thought we'd check in with her faction rep," said Rogue in a matter-of-fact tone.

Tristan had to stop himself from turning to look at the Titan. Rogue had found a clever way of answering the question without giving too much away. Tristan wondered idly if the Exo's internal systems would respond to lying in the same way that a biological lifeform's did. He figured they might.

Sarren frowned but continued the line of questioning. "Why were you at her quarters?"

"Couldn't find her at work," replied Rogue. Again, his tone was casual, completely unbothered.

Tristan saw Sarren sigh. "If you're going to continue answering unhelpfully, then-"

"Are we under arrest?" Tristan asked, cutting him off.

Sarren's lips pressed together. "Not at this time."

"Then would it be possible for you to be transparent with us? Since you're interested in Miyako Thorne and you came to ask us about her, she clearly did something to warrant a Praxic investigation, correct?"

Sarren's frown deepened. "...Yes," he admitted.

"Is it your intention to arrest her?" asked Tristan, hoping the other Warlock would say yes.

Sarren hesitated for a long moment. "It is," he said finally.

Tristan nodded. That meant the Praxic Order had taken his anonymous tip seriously. His posture relaxed somewhat. "So you've confirmed that Thorne is the mole?"

Sarren's gaze sharpened and he took a step forward. "No one outside of a select few knew that there was a mole," the Praxic Warlock said suspiciously, "Where did you get this information?"

Tristan shifted and his shoulder bumped into something behind him. He turned to see that Rogue had moved forward to stand just over his shoulder.

He faced Sarren again. "We'll tell you," he said, "Under the condition that we won't be arrested by the Praxic Order."

Sarren was silent for a long moment, his brow creased. "Fine," he said, albeit reluctantly, "You will not face punishment as long as you tell me all you know about the mole… Provided you did nothing illegal yourselves, obviously."

Tristan released a breath he wasn't aware he had been holding. He was fine with sharing their discoveries since Sarren already knew that Thorne was the mole. However, he saw no reason to share the information about the assassins with the other Warlock. He didn't yet trust him enough for that.

"Very well," he said, "I witnessed Miyako Thorne acquire Harley's file."

Sarren's eyes widened. "How?"

"I was there on other business." While not lying, Tristan kept the amount of information as limited as possible. "I was unaware of who she was at the time. It was only later that I found out her identity. We looked for her at her residence but she was not there, so yesterday we visited Executor Hideo as we knew she was pledged to New Monarchy."

"That explains some of it," said Sarren, "But how did you know it was Hayden's file that she had? How did you know she leaked it?"

"You're tellin' me you wouldn't keep tabs on one of your friends if they got arrested?" said Rogue, "We've been followin' Ace's situation."

"Even so, only a select number of people were aware of the leak," Sarren pointed out, "There is a limit to how much info you would've been able to acquire."

"Ikora told us," said Tristan.

He knew it was a lie but he hoped Sarren was too discombobulated to notice. It was better to keep the Drifter's name out of things. The man was a shady character. He continued. "She knows we're close with Harley. I asked her a few things about the Consensus trial." Maybe that was enough truth to disguise the lie.

He could tell Sarren was considering the information. "Ikora would certainly be informed," he muttered, "Did you learn anything from Hideo when you visited him?"

"Only that he's a Darkness-taken coward who wants Ace dead," growled Rogue.

"...Nothing specific," said Tristan, "He denied knowing where she was. OR much else about her."

"I see… What do you mean he wants Hayden dead?" the Warlock directed his words at Rogue.

"He wants to exile him," said the Exo, "Even though he knows it's a death sentence."

"Hmm," said Sarren, nodding, "Well, you'll be pleased to know that I learned significantly more from him."

Tristan looked up in surprise. Had the Executor admitted some level of involvement with Harley's situation? He and Rogue had suspected Hideo was more tied in than they'd first theorized. Also surprising was the fact that Sarren seemed willing to share the information.

"Hideo admitted that he was the one who ordered Thorne to steal Hayden's file in the first place," the Praxic Warlock told them.

"I knew it!" yelled Rogue triumphantly, "I knew that weasel was behind this!"

"Did he give you a reason?" asked Tristan.

Sarren nodded. "He knew about Hayden's case and he was...dissatisfied with how we handled it. He wanted a harsher punishment so he had the file stolen in the hopes that there would be something incriminating in it he could use to call for a trial."

Tristan's brow furrowed. Hideo had done exactly what they'd suspected. He didn't agree with how Harley's case had been handled, so he'd decided to take the matter into his own hands.

"You're arresting him, right?" asked Rogue, "Tell me you're gonna arrest him."

Something like a wince crossed Sarren's face. "I don't think we will. The Praxic Order's job is to deal with the temptations of the Darkness. Harley will still have to stand trial. The only difference will be that Hideo won't be a part of it."

Rogue moved forward threateningly. As he passed the Warlock, Tristan grabbed his arm. If the Exo had truly been set on fighting, he wouldn't have been able to hold him back. But Rogue stopped, now standing between him and Sarren, eyes narrowed at the Praxic Warlock.

Sarren had taken half a step backward, hands raised slightly. "I wish we could do more," he said, "But the best I can do is make sure Thorne is punished and Hideo's involvement is made public to the Consensus."

"Since the file was released illicitly, I don't suppose there's any chance that its contents could be taken out of consideration?" said Tristan, releasing his grip on Rogue's arm.

Sarren's wince was even more noticeable this time. "I'm afraid not."

Tristan nodded. He had suspected as much. Even if they were lucky enough to get the file's contents removed, it wouldn't change the fact that the Consensus had read it. Their perspectives would still be influenced by it, whether consciously or not.

The Praxic Warlock sighed. "Unless you have any other information relevant to the case, I must be going. I need to ensure Miyako Thorne is arrested and processed. Also… I would like you two to come by headquarters tomorrow to share your story with my boss."

"As long as we ain't arrested," said Rogue.

"...The conditions of your information will extend to her," Sarren assured them.

Tristan exchanged a glance with Rogue. He didn't see the harm in meeting with Sarren's superior. They would just have to be careful not to give themselves away. It would be a good opportunity to get a feel for the Order. "We'll be there," he agreed.

Sarren looked satisfied. Tristan and Rogue followed him towards the door. "I'll let her know to expect you," the other Warlock said, "But one last thing before I leave… It was you two who sent the anonymous tip, right?"

Tristan hesitated for just a second before nodding.

Sarren's mouth quirked into the smallest of smiles. "I thought so... Thank you for your help." With that, he opened the door and showed himself out.

Once the Praxic Warlock was long gone, Tristan turned to face Rogue. "I'm still not sure who we can trust in the Order," he said, "But it gives me comfort knowing that the Miyako Thorne situation has been taken care of."

Rogue nodded. "Same here," he said, "Get any feelings 'bout that guy?" His head jerked towards the closed door.

Tristan frowned thoughtfully. "I'd like to speak with him some more but nothing stood out as alarming to me. We'll have to see what his boss is like tomorrow."

"If we decide they're trustworthy, should we tell 'em about Ace?" asked the Exo, "I know the assassins already got to him once in Praxic custody but he won't be able to hide at the Peak forever."

The Warlock considered Rogue's statement, nodding. "You make a good point. And if he were to be found, I'd much rather it be by Praxic Warlocks than bounty hunters and vigilantes."

"So we're gonna tell 'em?" Tristan sighed. "I'll think about it."

Sarren wasted no time in going to Aunor's office. He knew the other Warlock was usually there early, especially when she was invested in a case.

He opened the door.

Aunor was seated at her desk. The light from her Holopad illuminated the circles under her eyes and glinted off of the wisps of hair that had managed to escape her braid. Her eyes moved across the screen rapidly.

Sarren hesitated in the doorway. "Is this a bad time?" he asked.

Aunor glanced up, then did a double-take. "Sarren!" She waved him in, the energy of the movement contrasting with her tired appearance.

Sarren entered the office, closing the door. He didn't want anyone to overhear what they would be discussing.

He approached the desk. "I have an update on the mole situation," he said.

Aunor didn't appear to have heard him. "I have an entirely new angle on the Hayden case," she told him, excitement lacing her voice.

Sarren's eyebrows shot up. He certainly hadn't expected to hear that. He pulled up a chair and sat down across from her. "I'm all ears," he said, deciding that his news regarding the arrest of Miyako Thorne could wait just a bit longer.

"Ok," said Aunor, "So yesterday I went back to Hayden's cell. There were a few things that struck me as odd."

"Did you figure out how he escaped?" asked Sarren, leaning forward.

"That's the thing. I'm not so sure it was an escape. In fact, I'm almost positive it wasn't. All signs point to a struggle between Hayden and someone else inside the cell. If it had been an ally breaking him out, he wouldn't have fought them."

For some reason, that made Sarren feel worse than if someone had helped Hayden escape. "Another Guardian?" he asked.

Aunor shook her head. "I don't think so. I believe it was a civilian. Or multiple civilians. Ikora agrees with me."

Sarren considered the theory. It did make some sense. Back when he'd first looked at Hayden's cell, something about the evidence felt odd to him. But they'd had other problems to deal with, so he hadn't pursued it.

"What's the motive?" he asked.

"Still not sure on that one."

He frowned. "I wonder if their goal was to abduct Hayden or kill him…"

"There was no body in the cell," Aunor pointed out, "Or evidence of one having been removed. Still, I suppose Hayden could have come out on top and fled himself. An angle to pursue later… You had something to tell me?"

"Oh, right," said Sarren, "We found the mole."

Aunor's smile was full of teeth. "Excellent," she said, "Was it Thorne, then?"

"It was. When I didn't find her at her quarters, I went to talk to her faction's representative, Executor Hideo. Get this, he was the one who had her steal it."

Aunor's eyebrows raised in surprise. "She told you this?"

"She did, but that was later. Hideo admitted to it. Apparently, he didn't feel like the Praxic Order was doing its job well enough. He had Thorne get him the file and then he leaked it to the rest of the Consensus, knowing that the contents would prompt them to call for a trial."

Aunor scowled. "I wish we could arrest him for it… I'll speak to Ikora. She can at least get him kicked off of Hayden's trial, assuming we find him before you-know-who does."

Sarren grimaced. He had nearly forgotten about who else was on Hayden's trail.

Just then, Tau alerted him to a new message. Evidently, Rogue-12 and Tristan Bentlix had decided to show up after all.

"I also found out who sent the anonymous tip," he said.

"Really? Who was it?"

"They're actually here right now. Should I tell them to come to your office?"

Aunor nodded. Sarren had Tau pass along the request, as well as the location of the office.

They only had to wait for a couple of minutes or so before the door opened and the two Guardians in question stepped inside.

Aunor frowned. "You two are Hayden's friends. How did you manage to get involved in a Praxic mole hunt?"

Tristan shot a look at Sarren before replying. "We'll tell you if you promise that you won't arrest us for anything we might reveal."

Aunor's eyes narrowed briefly. "Very well," she said, gesturing for them to go ahead.

Sarren listened as Tristan told Aunor the same things he had told him yesterday. Aunor seemed to take it all in without protest, aside from a slight raising of her eyebrow at the mention of Ikora.

Sarren wondered what it meant. Had Tristan been lying when he said Ikora was the one that told them about the mole? If he was lying, where had they gotten the information?

Finally, Tristan stopped talking, leaving Aunor to process the new information.

Sarren remained quiet while she considered what she'd just been told, though he could hear whispers passing between the other two Guardians. He wondered how this new piece would fit into the puzzle that Aunor was assembling. Would it make uncovering the rest easier or more difficult?

"What are you whispering about?" she asked suddenly, "Do you have something else to add?"

Sarren was surprised by Tristan's answer. "Perhaps," said the other Warlock, "But before we say anything more, I would appreciate if you could answer a few of our questions?"

Sarren opened his mouth to protest, but Aunor held up a hand, forestalling him. "What questions are those?" she asked.

Tristan and Rogue exchanged a glance. "What are your intentions with Harley, if you find him?" asked Tristan.

"What do you mean?" Sarren asked with a frown.

"He means what're you gonna do if you catch him?" said Rogue, "Kill him? Throw him in the Hold?"

"We're going to take him back into custody," said Aunor, "Unfortunately, he'll still have to stand trial before the Consensus."

"So you're not gonna kill him?" asked the Exo.

Aunor and Sarren both shook their heads. "We don't kill Guardians unless it's absolutely necessary," said Sarren, "By which we mean Dredgen Yor-level of necessary. Hayden has done nothing to warrant execution. We serve justice within the lines, we don't haphazardly cut through them like certain vigilantes."

Aunor nodded, a look of approval on her face. "That's why it's important that we find Hayden before the bounty hunters and outlaws do," she said.

Something about the other Guardians seemed to change. Their postures slackened slightly. A tension that Sarren hadn't noticed seemed to ease.

They traded another look. "In that case, we have more information for you," said Tristan. Sarren saw Aunor lean forward minutely out of the corner of his eye. "With another condition… You two must be the ones to find him. Not whatever team is hunting him right now."

It was Sarren's turn to exchange a glance with Aunor. The request was odd. It would also be difficult to honor since neither of them was assigned to the investigation. Difficult, but not impossible. Sarren knew Aunor didn't have a problem with rogue operations as long as they were for a good reason.

Aunor looked back to Tristan. "You have a deal. Now, what information do you have?"

Sarren saw the other Warlock take a breath before speaking. "We know how Harley got out of the cell. And we know that someone else wants him dead."

A/N: Hah, I actually remembered to update on the right day for once. Finally, the pieces are starting to come together. We're in the final stretch, gang.