*A/N: Hey everyone! I know I haven't been updating, and I'm sorry! I wanted to see how many reviews I could get before I updated again... not a good idea. I was actually thinking of ending the story... but, I'm really not sure. At one time, I was under the impression that no one really liked it much, but I'll let you decide! Anyway, I'm planning on making the next two or three chapters about the intruders, to fill in some gaps and add more detail to the story! Ok, I've blabbed enough, it's time for you to read!

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Fifteen minutes had passed. Any moment now, they would be arriving at the gates of the Croft Manor. Peter was anxious about the whole mission, but the rest of his comrades seemed very calm and collected. Peter was normally a very fearful little man anyway. The one thing that Margin could do was follow orders from his leaders. Well, really he took orders from everyone because he was so small and no one liked him. Peter wrung his hands and a tiny bit of sweat ran down his face. "Oi, the little one is scared!" Peter turned his head to look at the speaker and was met with a malicious glare. He decided not to move or breathe loudly until they reached their destination.

That moment came all too soon. Peter's head jerked sharply towards the door next to him as a fellow worker unlocked it. Quickly, the man was gone, and every one started to unload. They were a safe distance away from the manor, a bit past the front gate so no one could see them. Peter drew in sharp, hesitating breaths and ran his eyes over the huge mansion. He had never seen the Croft Manor in person before, but eventually he would see all that he needed to see.

Vladimir exited his car and stood, eyeing the Manor. His dark eyes took no more than a glance at all of the mere pawns that had been recruited. They were beneath him, but somehow, he felt as if he was one of them. Shaking the absurd thought out of his head, the tall commander made his way toward the small man that was meant to give Croft a nasty explosion. He grinned shortly as he approached the tiny man. Vlad tapped him on the shoulder and watched him jump in fright. "No need to be afraid, dear..." Vlad did not remember the pawn's name. He arched an eyebrow awaiting an answer. It was embarrassing for a Commander to be at a loss for words. "P...Peter." The man answered. Vlad nodded slowly and led this-Peter- away from the rest of the recruits. "My dear, Peter, you are the most important part of this mission, and do you know why?" Vlad gave a downward glance to Peter as they walked and felt a sudden urge to strangle the little man for he took too long to speak. "I... I'm not sure, Commander, sir." This was precisely what Vladimir wanted to hear. He loved to be the bearer of bad news, or maybe... maybe he didn't. All Vlad knew was that he was supposed to, and that was good enough for him.

Vlad stopped in his tracks and placed a large gloved hand on Peter's shoulder. "We have told you about the explosives no doubt," Vladimir began, shortly tracing shapes on his defining chin, "at least the putty that you will be placing on the glass barrier." He watched as the short man nodded eagerly up at him; he had so much innocence in his eyes. Vlad turned his eyes away from Peter, feeling that he could no longer lie to him if he kept staring into those vast pools of hope. The commander tightened his grip on Peter's shoulder and spoke more softly, "You are not to tell anyone about the vest that you are wearing. That is the demise of Lara Croft, and I won't have anything interfere, is that understood?"

Peter furrowed his eyebrows shortly as he listened to his commander. 'What would a silly little vest have anything to do with the mission?' Peter shook his head, thinking that he would never understand the logic of his brave commander. Peter smiled, but a trace of uncertainty dared to play on his lips for a brief moment as he caught a rare glimpse of fear on his commander's face. Fear? No, never would the great Commander Vladimir ever show any signs of fear! Peter smiled cheerily and looked up at his leader. "Peter, this vest that you are wearing is packed full with explosives. As soon as you press this big red button here, it will explode." Peter watched as his commander waved a black object in front of his face. Peter furrowed his eyebrows and thought, 'Why don't we just use normal dynamite or... or... something else? Putting explosives in a vest is just silly.'

Vlad could see that the small sacrifice did not comprehend the situation at hand. "Peter, you will be stationed exactly where we planned. When Croft is standing anywhere near you, you will pull out this detonator and push the red button." Vlad's eyes searched for any sign of understanding in Peter's eyes. He found some, and it was horrific. Peter's face was weighed down with the comprehension of his assignment and his eyes became utterly terrified. Vlad expected some kind of argument from the tiny man in front of him, but no such thing came. Vladimir's mind shivered under a short wave of confusion as the Peter-character made no motion to dispute his mission. Surely any other recruit here with half of a brain would deny this request, but this... Peter... he didn't show any sign of backing out. Odd.

Peter felt his head nod slowly as he realized, just now, how heavy the vest was that he was wearing. He never imagined in his wildest dreams that he would be sacrificing himself for the sake of a mission- never. Margin felt no other emotions but of a sudden emptiness. Fear did not cross his mind, but a new surge of something else... What could that new emotion be? It must be something that Peter had never felt before. Could this be denial? Peter had never done anything against his commander's word, but now he felt like yelling in Vladimir's face. Vladimir... he had said Vladimir, not Commander Vladimir, but only the first name. Peter's mind raced with questions. Was he losing his respect for his leader? He had never before argued a strict request and he was certainly not used to this new feeling.

Not exactly knowing quite what to do, Peter shook away the new emotion, and decided that he must follow his instructions. Who needed denial anyway? There was no point in turning down this noble deed. If the mission counted on it, then Peter would do it, no questions asked.

Vlad, sensing no disagreement in this conversation, smiled shortly at Margin and walked away from him, ready to prepare the first wave of assassins. A sickening smile spread across his face, "Excellent."