The party had been split in half. One struck with luck, the other with tragedy. The two factions were completely unaware of each other's actions during the duration of each other's absence. However, an essential element to this little merry operation that had been largely forgotten by all but one was facing a dilemma as well.

Lady Julia Swan of the Swan estate was troubled. Her thoughts kept straying to the man Edward Falcon, self-appointed leader of the mission. It had been almost a week and she had not heard word from him. She sighed. Was she in love? She immediately sat up. Of coarse not, she rationalized, it would be silly to think otherwise. Feelings like that disappeared years ago. Than why was she feeling so anxious about all of this? It must be the mission. Yes, the mission. It all rides upon Falcon's broad, muscular shoulders. And upon those shoulders rests those darling blue eyes and that boyish grin...

"Madam?" Jean-Paul Gourmand's voice snapped her back to the estate dining room. She immediately straightened up.

"Yes Gourmand. What is it?" She asked.

"We have received word via telephone that Monsieur Abondues is heading over to speak of certain events." Gourmand replied.

                Julia's face fell. "Tis the news I've always longed for. What of the lady Uematsu, how is she faring?"

Gourmand's face took its turn turning into a sulk. "The old windbag won't leave me alone madam. I've taken her all over the French countryside and she still is not satisfied. I would never think such energy could rest within such an old frail body!"

                Julia smiled. "It is good to know that at least someone is enjoying themselves. When is the Monsieur scheduled to arrive?"

                DING DONG. The door chimes rang out loud.

                "That would be him." Gourmand stated.

                Julia sighed. "Let him in."

** *

                Monsieur Abondues walked into the dining room in his normal arrogant posture. Following him were several of his lawyers and other representatives of the governor's. He did not look happy at all.

                Lady Julia dressed in her elegant gown, curtsied to them. "Welcome Monsieur. Welcome all. Will you please take a seat?"

                "I think we will my lady." Abondues replied. He waited a minute, as if expecting something.

                Lady Julia gave him an inquisitive look before setting on the idea. "Oh!" She clapped. Several servants marched into the room and pulled out a chair for each Frenchman.

                "Thank you madam. Now, I am sure you are knowledgeable as to why we are here, are you not?" Abondues spoke. As he spoke he fiddled with an empty wine glass.

                "I am not quite sure as of yet Monsieur. Would you like some chardonnay and a muffin?" Julia replied.

                "Why thank you madam. I thought you'd never ask." He rolled his eyes. Servants poured the white wine into their glasses around the table. "Now to discuss the matter. It has to do with your little operation Aware now?"

                Julia furrowed her brow in an attempt to think. "My investigative team has been gone nearly seven days Monsieur. I cannot think of anything done."

                "Only three of your operators have been gone the week. Three have been here in Manches the entire time. Do you think not that we would have our own eyes watching them?"

                "This is a private enterprise Monsieur Abondues. You can't be spying on my actions!"

                "On the contrary. You have a murderous serial killer in your custody and several dangerous aliens causing a ruckus here in Manches and destroying public property. I think very well that it has the interest of the governor and his people. It is the best for France and her people. That's what we do madam."

                "What actions have brought you here to my estate gentlemen. I can tell you I haven't seen any destruction or defacing of public property within this past week."

                "Of coarse you haven't madam. The action took place within Manches underground network. Several gentlemen of Manches have been assaulted, a train has been stolen, a steam shovel destroyed, and several miles of track damaged to no repair. The criminal suspects in this case belong to your operation: John Accel, Ayame Uematsu, and Jack Cardin. The three are missing as of this moment."

                "Really. Quite fascinating. But I would like to see how you know that these three did these heinous crimes."

                "Ah Madam. We have an eyewitness report from three different men. That is all we need to throw the book at your team. When you signed Jack's release forms it clearly stated he was on a probationary sentence. One actions would land him back in cell block 9."

                Julia stood up. "And how do you know that these three men are not liars? Many think Jack is guilty by rumor alone!"

                "Why would any gentleman of France lie? You are forgetting your true loyalties, Madam Swan. Viva La France!" Monsieur Abondues stated.

                "Viva La France!" Abondues's men repeated with all the gusto they could muster.

                "Well what do you plan on doing with them once you find them?" Julia Swan asked irritated.

                "Jack Cardin's original sentence shall be put back into effect. And the other two shall receive the same sentence for aiding an enemy of the state of Manches." Abondues finished off the chardonnay. "Well my lady. We shall take our leave. Bonjour."

                The men helped themselves out the door, hailing to the drivers in their respective horseless carriages. Julia stood on the front steps next to the butler, visibly fuming with rage.

                From the top of a column decorating her front lawn, a bandaged man in a green coat with a red splotch on his forehead quietly watched.

                "What do those men want with Jack's friend?" Jack asked himself.

                Once the governor's men were gone, Julia stomped inside her abode. Stealthily Jack followed. He needed to find help. And the only form of it at the moment was in Julia.

                "My lady?" Gourmand approached Julia as she sat down in a large sofa.

                "Oh Gourmand. Why must things keep getting worse and worse? Falcon has been gone a week, Other Jack is still at large, and now the governor wants Jack executed, along with the rest of the party. I don't know what to do anymore…" Julia placed her face in her hands.

                "Shhh. There there my lady. It will be all better. If there's one thing I've learned about this particular group, it's that they can handle themselves. Master Falcon is probably on his way home as we speak. And Miss Ayame is much to slick for the silly police to catch. Now why don't you have a pasty? I promise you'll fell better by the time your done eating it." Gourmand handed the woman a pasty.

                A creek was heard from the rafters. From the high above ceiling leaped down the bandaged leper Jack. Landing gracefully on all fours, he slowly rose to his back legs, swaying in his odd manor. Needless to say, Julia and Gourmand both had a look of dreadful fright on their faces.

                "Julia It is I, Jack, Ayame's friend. I have returned." Jack said.

                Julia leaned forward. "J-Jack! You're in grave danger! The Governors men are after you! You need to run as fast you can this moment!"

                "No! Jack won't leave friends!" Jack replied.

                "Where are they? Where are Accel and Ayame?" Julia asked.

                "Other Jack." Was all Jack said.

                "What? Other Jack?" Julia asked.

                "…Other Jack attacked us. K-killed Miss Ayame with a dagger… knocked me and Accel off train. I fell below tracks into deep ravine several days ago. Train still moving, Jack felt it…" Jack told.

                "Oh my god… Is Accel still alive?" Julia asked.

                "…I-I saw Accel two days past in dark tunnels deep underground. …He had the bloodlust in his eyes. He would not even acknowledge me. He hunts Other Jack by himself down there in the place of many graves."

                "Place of many graves?"

                "The old catacombs." Gourmand reported. "They were built in medieval times by the church to house the dead of the clergy. However after all these years most people have forgotten about them. They're underneath the underground railways and electrical tunnels by far."

                "We have to help him! He can't fight underground by himself forever! Oh if only Edward was here!" Julia cried out.

                "Jack does not know what to do. The power stone is lost…" Jack sighed.

                DING DONG! The door rang once more.

                "Madam." The butler came in. "A red bi-plane has just landed on the family lake."

                Julia jumped to the end of the room. "The Hockenheim! Damn that thing to hell but for once I'm glad to see it!"

                Jack and Gourmand followed suit to meet the arriving party.