Xero dropped the capsules without another second to lose.

They both closed their eyes as they continue to lower towards the chemical vat, the capsules slowly starting to expand its icy touch throughout the hazardous chemicals.

"Zero," Xero started again, unsure if the chemicals would freeze in time. "I-." She was cut off as they suddenly flopped onto a thin layer of ice. "Move, move, move," she yelled as they started to inchworm their way across the already melting ice.

With a last burst of energy, the duo lunged off of the remaining ice like a fish on land,, the reminding ice melting within the vat.

They both feel their breaths coming in heavily, both considering all their life choices and whether or not this near-death experience could have been avoided. It couldn't.

Xero strained as she tried to rotate around in her chains until she was finally facing her friend. She could instantly see the blush on his face, just as rosy as hers; his heartbeat even faster than it was a moment ago.

"So…," she finally said, "On a scale of 1-10, how mad do you think Katz will be over this failed mission?"

"I don't know, maybe a cool 6," he said hopefully.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," a familiar voice said.

The duo turned and saw Mole and Susan Shadows at the exist Roach had just escaped through. "Katz isn't known for his temper, but that doesn't mean he doesn't expect results," Susan continued as they made thor way to the duo.

"I radio for backup," Mole said excitedly.

"And I happened to be in the neighborhood. Now let's get you out of those chains," she said as Mole turned into a chain saw.

"Hold up, wait!" Xero yelled, "can't Mole just turn into a skeleton key?"

Susan turned to Mole who just shooked his head no. "Apparently not. Now just hold still. You won't feel a thing."

Xero clung onto Zero as though that would make a difference, but Zero was instead turning his head around the room.

"Did you see that?" he asked anyone who would listen.

"What?" Xero asked, her head turned away from the saw at work.

"I thought I saw a pair of red eyes."

Katz lowered the paperwork and looked at the 'dynamic duo,' their hair, and clothes a shuffled mess. "He got away," he asked as he re-read the report.

"Well, yes," Xero said cautiously.

"But," Zero said quickly, "we have an idea what Roach is planning."

"Yes," Katz said sarcastically reading through the report, "He's trying to amass an army of roaches. Which he can't control whatsoever."

The duo looked at one another and then down sheepishly.

Katz could only grab at his brow. "This was supposed to be an easy mission," he continued. He then stopped and looked at them mournfully. "If you two can't complete even the simplest of missions together, maybe you two shouldn't be together."

Zero looked up at him shocked. "You want to split up our team?"

"I never said that's what I wanted."

"Katz, I know we messed up," Xero said panicky, "just give us another chance."

Katz leaned back in his chair rubbing his temples. "I'm leaving tomorrow morning, and the council is sending a temporary replacement of their choice, Mrs. Whitman. I will warn you, she is known to be a very strict woman. When I return, and she has the tiniest of complaint about either one of you, I'm going to have to separate you both indefinitely."

Katz watched sadly as the duo left silently out his office door no other words needing to be said.

"You were a little rough on them," Susan said hidden in the shadows.

"You're only saying that because that boy is your own blood."

"I said on them, not him. They work best as a duo."

"Let's just focus on how we're going to rescue the Poppyfield's," Katz said trying to change the topic.

"Her parents won't like that you separated her from one of her few friends."

He just looked at her unamused. "As I said, this isn't what I want."

Susan only looked at him in silence. "Well for starters," she said trying to change the conversation herself, "I think we're going to need a M.O.L.E unit."

"Right," Katz agreed, "I'll have the technicians send one up."

"Might as well just uses Xero's and Zero's partner, Mole. You're going to have Mrs. Whitman breathing down their necks, why keep Mole hear if he's going to do the same thing?"

Katz turned to her annoyed. "I get it, you don't like how I have to discipline them but let's not forget we have a mission to complete."

"Fine," Susan said backing down, "but we're not done talking about this."

Katz turned to a monitor, "Please send up M.O.L.E unit 349."

Hello readers this is Mod. HQ, just writing to let you all know that I'm back in classes tomorrow, so it might take me more time than usual to upload chapters.