Disclaimer: I will say it again if I must. I don't own it, this is my own little plot twist, and I probably have to do this d--n disclaimer just to boost Craig and Steve's ego.

Rating: It's censored so…PG? PG-13? The world may never know.

Summary: Um, Oooh, Uh… I can't think of one. I'll write you up an IOU.  =)

!!!Author's Note!!!: So sorry about posting the last chapter late, but it wasn't my fault this time. (I know, a likely story). Fanfiction.net's site screwed up again and they wouldn't let me upload anything for three days. So again, I'm sorry.  Blame the site. Also, I've checked and double checked, and found out that the real spelling of the word Triumvate, is really the Triumvirate. I'm sure of it this time. Sorry I've been misspelling it.

Feedback: (Shadow Elf has decided to walk with the little green dude she's met, who's told her that his name is Yoda, and is now walking around the city, trying to find out from the small guy just where she is so that she can start barding again)

   "So let me get this straight, this universe is controlled by a very strict and almost communist government whose laws are carried out by Klu Klux Klan rejects in armor, and their leader, the Saddam Hussein of this whacked out realm, is an old shriveled prune who apparently works with-" [she makes quotation marks in the air] "'The dark side'?"

Yoda: [nods]

   "But there are no evil mages right?"

Yoda: Evil mages there are not.

   [Grins] "Then I think I'm going to like this world just fine."

Quote:

              "The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his."   ---General George Patton

**********************************ShadowElfBard************************************

4:38 PM, Tuesday

Pensacola, Florida

Hotel Room 42

(Jarod)

   Nothing is ever simple is it?

   If you think about it, really think about it, I have never truly had a moment peace, a calm serene moment, or a normal segment of time to call my own. I've always had to deal with more important things. Conspiracies, Centre interference, crimes, data searches, and the occasional run from the pursuit team. And now this.

   Astrea's call has completely tossed away any illusion I might have had of trying to stay safe and hidden. I could have refused, I probably should have refused, but I feel like I owe the girl. I know, I know, in some inadvertent way she was the one who put me in the Centre in the first place, but she worked so hard at freeing me, and had been willing to give up her own life for it. That's not something I take lightly. So, even though I am experiencing a twinge of fear at the prospect of willingly going to Blue Cove to search for clues and data as to what's happening, I feel all right about it. At least I'll be helping out a friend right? But speaking of friends…

   I click on another icon that is being displayed on the screen. I hacked into the Centre a few minutes ago, and now I'm trying to find out whom it is exactly that Mr. Broots is now working for. I really should be getting ready to travel to Delaware to go meet Astrea as we'd planned, but I'd told Sydney I would check up on the technician. My word is my bond.

   Another reason I suppose I'm doing this is that I'm curious. A bad trait to have sometimes I know, believe me, but I can't help it. I also like Broots, he's a bit cowardly at times, but he is kind, selfless, and a wonderful father. The only crime he's ever been guilty of was being so good of a technician that he caught the attention of the Centre. But that can't be helped. And if he's been able to remain moral and virtuous after all his time working there, then he truly must be a good person. There aren't too many of them out there. I need to save the one's I can.                                                                                

   I let out a happy sigh as I reach the page I was looking for. Finally. They've changed the "locks" so to speak, on the site. Strange, that. Hmm. I'll look around later to see if there's something new going on. But not now. Now I have to find out where exactly a tech has been sent. Ah, here we go. Preciously worked under Ms. Parker on specially designed pursuit team…yadda, yadda, yadda…recently sent to office in sub levels. Current employer Mr.--

   Raines. He's been sent to work under Raines. And if this data is correct, he's been stationed in Raines' office.

   I exit the site and shake my head sadly.

  Broots. Poor, timid, quietly brilliant Broots. How had he been sent to that hell? What could he have possibly done to deserve it? But of course, within the Centre there was no deserving, and there was definitely no pitying. They would do what worked for them, to hell with how it affected other people. People aren't their concern. It's just a job, and looking out for others isn't in the job description.

   How perfectly convenient for them.

   I lean back in the chair. I told Sydney I would e-mail it to him, but if I'm going to be leaving… maybe it would be easier just to call him. At least that way I can make him think I'm going to be staying where I am for a while.

   I reach over for my cell and then push the button that will dial Sydney's number. It rings once, then twice, and then I hear it being clicked on.

   "Who is this?" I hear barked in from the other side.

   I bring the phone away from my ear in surprise. "M-Ms. Parker?"

   I hear an intake of breath. "Jarod?"

   We both are silent for a few precious moments, completely taken by surprise. Ms. Parker, as usual, recovers first.

   "What do you want wonder boy? "

   "I want to talk to Sydney. I would think that to be obvious since I dialed his number."

   I can practically see the curling of her perfectly crafted lip. "Freud isn't here at the moment." Then she adds sweetly, "but if you leave your number and address, I'm sure he'll try and contact you back."

   I smile in spite of myself. "Sorry Ms. Parker, I'm afraid I can't do that. But maybe I can pencil you in for a date some other time. Next Tuesday good for you?"

   "Why wait so long? Just let me grab my gun and a pair of cuffs and I'll be over right now."

   I roll my eyes upward in amusement. She doesn't miss a beat does she? "You know I'd love to keep playing this game with you-"

   "Don't I know it." she mutters.

   "-But I have to give you some information."

   "Oh, so you are going to turn yourself in." I hear her remark snidely.

   "No, nothing so drastic." I reply coolly. "Sydney asked me to find out where Mr. Broots has been sent, and I have the information he requested. But since he isn't there…"

   "Tell me lab rat." She snarls. "Now."

    "Worried are we?" I taunt.

    "Give me the information."

   "Say pretty please."

    "Pretty please you fu----g ba----d!" she screams at me. "Now give me the god da--n information!"

   I widen my eyes in complete surprise and pull the phone away for a moment. Whoa. I have heard her call me things before, but never with such ferocity. This must be a touchy subject for her.

   "All right, all right. No need for profanity." I say relenting. "Broots is working in the sublevels."

   "The sub levels? What the hell is he doing down there?"

   "Probably creating codes for Raines." I tell her. "He's working in his office."

   "Raines?" she asks, a bit of fear and hatred creeping into her voice. "Broots was auctioned off to Raines? That wheeze bag has my technician? He has my computer whiz creating programs and retrieving information for him? How dare he steal my lackey!"

   I'm about to say something to calm her down, but the call is suddenly disconnected. I look at the phone in stupefied amazement. She hung up on me. She… hung up… on me. Me. That's a first.

   I put down my cell and shake my head slowly. God help Raines. He's going to need it.

4:52 PM

Blue Cove, Delaware

The Centre

Hallway

(Ms. Parker)

   I storm through the halls of the sub-levels, ignoring the fact that nearly everyone is practically throwing themselves at the walls to get out of my way. I'm too infuriated to notice. All I can think on is the fact the Raines has Broots. My Broots. Not his. And I'll be damned if he's going to take him away from me.

   I growl fiercely at the sweepers who are standing in front of the doors that to Raines' office. But they don't budge. My eyes seem to glow red as I glare at them with such intensity that it would make even the prince of darkness shudder.

   The guard on the right gulps nervously, but neither of them moves.

   I cross my arms. "All right stony, what's the deal?"

   The one on the left, Willie, is a little more composed then the man beside him. "I'm sorry Ms. Parker but you are not permitted to enter. Mr. Raines isn't in his office right now. Try coming back later."

   "Then why are you guarding the door?" I question, my gaze still sharp and piercing.

   Willie doesn't seem to notice how cruel a stare I'm giving him, and remains impassive. "Mr. Raines's office has been the target of thievery before-" He gives me a look, and I just smirk. "-And he would like to make sure that his personal files and such remain safe."

   "Oh how sweet." I sneer. "So you're being a good little boy scout and looking after his things. Excuse me while I don't believe you."

   Willie narrows his eyes just a smidge. "Ms. Parker, there is nothing in there but Raines' personal items. If you would like to contact Mr. Raines, I last heard that he was in a meeting in Mr. Lyle's office. Why don't you go check up there for him?"

   I'm about to respond with a witty retort, but it seems that I don't have to. From inside the office there comes a surprised and slightly childish, "Ow! Hey!" and I realize that I've just won.

   I turn back to him, as he seethes with quiet hatred, and give a victorious and knowing smile. "Nothing but personal items huh?"

   Willie purses his lips with anger.

   I motion to the side with my head. "Move it."

   He grudgingly concedes and steps out of my way, and the other sweeper follows his movement eagerly.

   I wink at Willie just to torment him further and then push open the door to the office.

   Inside, sitting in the corner of the room in front of a large computer set up, is Broots. He has a finger in his mouth, and is muttering angrily under his breath.

   I grin, while his back is still turned to me. "Did the computer bite you Broots?"

   "No, it just shocked me. Darn static electricity, it hurt-" he stops suddenly, and spins around, joy in his eyes. For a moment I swear that he's going to cry. "Ms. Parker?"

   Calm as ever, the corners of my mouth remain turned upward. "Hello Broots."

   He's speechless, elated, but speechless. "I-I thought for sure that you guys had forgotten about me. Th-that you'd got a new tech and that-"

   "Quit babbling Broots." I scold softly. "You're my tech remember? You can't escape me."

   He looks like he's ready to laugh and weep at the same time. "Oh Ms. Parker, you have no idea how good it is to see you're face…" Then he looks confused. "But how did you find me?"

   For a moment I scowl. "I received a call from the self-righteous wonder boy. It took him a while to actually spit it out, but in the end he gave me what I needed."

   Broots chuckles softly and shakes his head. "Yet another thing I owe him for."

   I raise an eyebrow. "Oh no. You owe me for this one Broots."

   "I'll kiss the ground you walk on if that's what you want." He says happily. " I don't care as long as I get out of here." He stops. "I am getting out of here right? I mean, you did come here to put me back on the pursuit team didn't you?"

   "Don't worry Broots. You're coming back with me. So, grab you're things and let's get out of-"

   "I'm afraid that Mr. Broots won't be going anywhere at the moment."

   Broots quickly lowers his head in submission and folds his hands in his lap, while I turn around to face Raines with a glare.

   He's standing just inside of the room with Willie positioned coldly behind him with his arms folded, and my brother, grinning like a maniac as always, is besides Raines with his hands in his suit pockets.

   I glower at them. "I'm taking Broots back with me Raines." I speak through clenched teeth. "He's my tech."

   Raines doesn't even flinch. "Former tech Ms. Parker. According to the Triumvirate, Mr. Broots was officially removed from your pursuit team nearly two days ago."

   "I was never informed." I fume. "That auction was improperly carried out."

   "Then take it up with the Triumvirate." My twin says evenly. "I've looked at the papers myself, and right now if you took the tech with you then you'd be going against not only the Triumvirate's orders, but dad's as well." He puts on a sweet face that makes me want to gag. "Come on sis, is a technician really worth all that much? It thought that Marie was working just fine for us."

   I resist the temptation to throw myself at him and start beating in his face, and give a tight-lipped smile. Then I turn to Raines with unhidden anger. "I will talk to my father about this. I promise you that."

   He gives his own little grin. "Please do."

   I look back at Broots, and see how he's raised his head just enough to allow me to see the longing and fear in his eyes. He looks at me with the expression of a small, wounded animal begging to be saved, and I turn my back on him. It hurts with a near blinding pain to do so, but there's nothing else I can do.

   Then, without stopping or looking back once, I stride out of the office, fury and sorrow and helplessness enveloping my every feeling.

   "I'll be back for you." I promise Broots silently as I go back up to the main floor. "Just hang on a little longer."

5:29 PM, Tuesday

Jessup, Maryland

Astrea's Home

(Astrea)

   "So explain to me again where it is you're heading?" Arthur asks me for about the fifth time today.

   I turn away slowly from the suitcase I'm packing up. "Arthur, I am going to meet with a friend, who is going to help me get an antidote for my…sickness. I'll be meeting with him in a city near Blue Cove."

   "Ah, I see." Arthur nods sagely. Then he bites his lip. "You'll ah, you'll be going alone?"

   I sigh. "It's not that I don't like you Arthur, you're a nice person, but I don't want to endanger you."

   "Endanger me?" he scoffs. "My young lady, I can hold my own thank you. Do try to remember that."

   I have to stifle a giggle at he thought of this man 'holding his own' in a fight, and try to keep a straight face as I talk. "I have no doubt that you can take care of yourself Arthur, but I am better equipped to take these people on. Besides, I probably won't be fighting at all. Its just a get in, get out sort of thing."

   His eyes light up. "A-h-h-h. I see. Espionage!"

    God help me… "No, Arthur, I know you want to help, I really do understand, but I just can't let you come. Should something happen…" I break off as I see him sadly gaze to the ground. He looks so helpless and heartbroken… Maybe I should let him come. Could it be all that bad? If he doesn't enter the Centre then he'll be okay right?

   I finally give in. "Oh, alright Arthur. You can come."

   He smiles again, his depression suddenly gone. "Really? Oh thank you! You won't regret this, I promise you. "

   "Yeah, okay." Then I fold my arms. "But once we get there you are not to follow my friend and I inside the Centre. Is that understood?"

   He nods eagerly and I can't help but laugh. "Okay, go get packed up."

   He quickly leaves my room to go gather his things and I lay down on my bed. I glance over at my arm and bring it closer to my face, my eyes scrutinizing over it. They're still there, the stripes. Black and getting blacker. I always wondered what cat predator's cells ran through my veins. I knew Raines' had given me wolf, and even bloodhound, but I hadn't been able to guess what feline cells had been injected. So it was tiger cells. And judging from how pale the skin around my stripes have been becoming the past few days, it was probably white tiger cells. It seems fitting somehow.

   I stare up at the ceiling. I wonder if Jarod ever had to go through anything like this. If he ever had to deal with a chemical or drug in his system besides the amnesiac that was administered. I'm willing to bet that he has. The Centre cares nothing about others. We're all just tools to them.

   I ponder upon that thought some more, and bite my lip in concentration. Then in sudden pain I quickly sit up and slowly raise a finger to my lip. I draw it away and it's red with blood. It seems that my incisors are sharper than usual.

   I close my eyes and let my arm fall limp at my side as I struggle to hold back tears of anger.  

   Something must be done soon. I don't know how much longer I have.

6:03 PM, Tuesday

Los Angeles, California

The LA Institution For Child Welfare

(Lia)

I have been sitting here for over an hour or so, I'm not totally certain because I have no way to know what time it is. I've been scanning over old magazines, looking around the room, and had even tried to peek past the door that leads to the halls once or twice before a very well built man in black glasses and a black suit motioned for me to return to my seat.

   I am scared.

   I have a very plausible reason to be, and this time not even my voice of reason can disagree. I've been getting strange vibes. Strange and foreign feelings and dark purposes have been seeping through my very being. I have this unexplainable urge to leave. I've had these sorts of compulsions before, and I have learned to trust them. I've come to learn the danger of doing otherwise.

   But Mr. Cox still has not returned. And supposedly I'm not allowed to leave until he does. I know, it doesn't make sense to me either, but I find myself very willing to do what the frightening man in the black suit tells me to do. Self-preservation is very highly placed on my list.

   But still, his meeting is taking longer than I would expect it to, and I've gotten the feeling that if I don't leave soon, I might not be able to at all.

   Suddenly the door to the halls opens, and Mr. Cox looks around the room, spots me, smiles, and then beckons for me to follow him.

   I get up warily, wondering if I have any choice in the matter, and then upon realizing that I don't, I grudgingly stand and trudge my way over, trying unsuccessfully to try and hide how much I don't want to follow him.

  Mr. Cox seems to notice my unwillingness, and cruelly grins at it. I'm beginning to think that perhaps my first evaluation of this man had been a bit wide of the mark.

   I enter the hallway and he closes the double doors behind me. We begin walking side by side, at a slow, even, and particularly calm pace. But Mr. Cox I know is anything but calm. In fact, were this man any more thrilled and joyous than he was now, I would have guessed that he'd just come back from a rather R rated activity.

   "Well Lia, I must say that your appearance here was at first very shocking. But then to add on that you've recently been orphaned, and that you're searching for a child long since removed from this building… I have to declare that I have moved from shock to astonishment. "

   I stop walking, which is probably a good thing, as I had no idea where it was we were going in the first place, and I stare up at him. What do you mean that the child was removed?  

   He puts on fake sympathy. "I'm saying that I regret to announce that your sister was adopted when she was about two. I'm so sorry to be the one to tell you."

   I tell easily, just from his tone, that he isn't in the least.

   "So, now that you've found out that your sister is gone from here, what will you do, or, rather, what do you see yourself doing?"

   Keep looking for her I guess. One setback won't throw me off track. I realize in the back of my mind, that it feels as if some people are approaching, but ignore it.

   Mr. Cox laughs at my statement. "My you are determined aren't you? One setback won't throw you off, and I have to admit, that I would have been surprised if it had. But-" then he grins in the dim lighting, and I see a predator in his features. "What about two setbacks?"

   My eyebrows go up in confusion, but before I can do anything, someone from behind me roughly grabs my arms and holds me closely and tightly. Then another person with him takes a pair of cuffs and the hands that have been forced behind my back are bound.

   The act is as effective as if a gag had been thrown over my mouth.

   I am unable to hide my horror, my fear, and my confusion as I stare baffled up at Mr. Cox, someone I thought I had been able to trust. Mr. Cox shrugs off my look, and I'm appalled as to how casually he is able to do so. The two men who had handcuffed me grab my arms and hold me still as he walks forward a step or so.

  "You know, I truly had no intention of doing this to you when I'd first met you. I'd actually looked upon you as a mere kind acquaintance. But you just had to come here didn't you? You just had to make an agent from a covert corporation aware of your relation to one of the most brilliant geniuses on the planet."

   My eyes bug out and he just sadly shakes his head. "Ah well. If it's any consolation you and I will be traveling together once more, though because you'll be cuffed I doubt that we'll be able to carry on a conversation. A pity, but I'm sure you appreciate the need for such things in these matters."

   No, no I don't. I don't know what these "matters" even are. But, predictably, I am unable to tell him this.

   Cox once again sadly shakes his head, and I can tell that he truly regrets doing this. Whatever "this" is that is. Then he slowly reaches into a pocket and draws forth a syringe.

   He places it above my arm that has been so generously provided to him by the gorilla of a man who's holding me. He looks into my eyes once more. "This is only for the transition from here to the jet you know. You'll be conscious for the trip, don't worry."

   Oh believe me, whether I'm awake for the trip or not is the least of my worries.

   "I truly am sorry about all of this." He tells me one last time, before plunging the needle into my skin.

   I try to fight the effects of the chemical that has been put into my system, but in the end the confusement I'm feeling is too much and I look upon my efforts as pointless. I surrender to the darkness and then let it claim me as its own.

8:49 PM, Tuesday

Blue Cove, Delaware

The Centre

Raines Office

(Broots)

   My eyes sting. They should I suppose, after all I've been staring at a screen for the better part of two days. I've finished the code Raines wanted, and I used an extremely complex cipher to make it.  I've already tested its potency, and the strength should approximately be the 132-bit strength that he requested. So, for the moment at least, I can rest while I wait for him to come down and check on my progress.

   Today was horrible. I came so close, so very close to being free that I could have reached out and touched the finish line, but I was knocked down. Shot down is probably more appropriate. Ms. Parker had almost saved me today, but Raines had ruined it. Well, why the hell not? He's already ruined my life, why not my dreams of freedom?

   I think that I ate once today. I know that I had a mug of soup brought up from the Center's corporate restaurant, but I don't remember eating breakfast, or dinner, or any form of snack. I've pretty much been locked in this accursed room all day, except for being let out every three or four hours for the bathroom.  I really don't understand why I'm being kept prisoner in Raines office, it's not like I have anywhere to go. Does he think I'll try to run away? Does he fear that I'll try and contact Sydney or Ms. P? Is he afraid that I'll be stolen or something? Maybe he worries about one of those things. Then again, he could just be paranoid.

   I minimize the program I'm working on and access a calendar that I've put on the desktop. Huh. Today's the twentieth. Saturday is Christmas Eve. Sunday is Christmas morning. I haven't gotten all of my shopping done. I have about three quarters of the presents I've been planning on buying for my daughter, and I'll need to find some time this week to go to the mall. Debbie is really excited this year about it, probably because I've hinted at getting her a computer set up. She's always been interested in computers, just as I have been, and I've been teaching her as much as I can about them since she was about seven or eight. She isn't all the way there yet, and probably won't be for about four or five years, but she already knows a lot more than her classmates do I bet.

   Christmas…gosh it comes earlier every year doesn't it? It's like the holiday hides in wait, and then pounces upon parents only a week or two before. I've found that it's much harder to shop for your kid once they become a teenager. And it's definitely more expensive. Because that's when they want electronics, video games, computer software and programs, TV's and DVD players, movies and CD's, stereos and phones. Those things cost a lot more than a Barbie doll or a Little Tykes jeep. Before I was sent to the hell I'm in now, I'd been putting in extra hours at work just to get extra money. I even auctioned off some of my own program creations on e-bay, whatever I've been able to do to raise more money for the holiday season. 

   Now though, I'm worried about whether or not I'll even be able to spend Christmas with my daughter. Raines wouldn't make me work that day would he? He couldn't possibly be so mean right? I roll my eyes upward at my own stupid thoughts. Of course he could. He's Scrooge and the Grinch rolled into one with a bit of extra evil sprinkled on top.

   I have to ask him though; I'll offer to work all through the night for a few more days to spend that holiday with my daughter if I have to. She spent Christmas with her mother last year, and she'd returned crying. I'm still not sure what went on, but I know that Debbie had been frightened, and angry, and sad, and it had been clear that she'd felt worthless. Whatever her mother had said to her, it hadn't been cheery. But what else can you expect? My ex-wife had problems. She was an alcoholic, and had been arrested on drug use. But the bottom line was, that I'd vowed to do whatever I had to do to keep Debbie away from her on holidays. Holidays were a time for love and care, and it seemed that my ex-wife had neither to give, even to her own daughter.

   I hear the door opening and quickly turn in my seat to face whoever's entering.

   It's Mr. Raines, which is perfectly predictable, and Willie stands holding the door open beside him.

   "Are you finished with the code?" he rasps at me, standing straight and tall.

   "Y-Yes sir. I have it finished. 132-bit strength as you requested."

   He nods his head and smiles. "Good. Then I want you to encode this."

   He hands me a floppy disc, and I hold it in my hands as I stare up at him, waiting to see if there are any more instructions.

   There are. "You are not to read this. Simply insert it, encrypt the data, and return the disc to me." He narrows his eyes. "Should I find out that you've done otherwise, or that you've copied the data to another disc, the reprimands will be…harsh."

  "Yes sir." I then lower my eyes for good measure.

   He stares at me a moment longer, probably judging my sincerity, and then, seemingly satisfied, he turns and prepares to leave.

   "Uh, sir?"

   He turns slightly. "What?"

   "Well uh, it's just that this weekend is Christmas sir-" God I sound like Bob Cratchit-  "and I was wondering sir, if I might have half of Saturday and all of Sunday off to spend time with my daughter." I can see that he's about to tell me flat out no, when I decide to add, "I'll work full time and non-stop until then, I just want to spend this holiday with Debbie."

   He seems to pause and consider it, obviously liking the idea of me working past normal hours at the Centre, and then gives a reluctant nod. "Very well. You may have that time off Mr. Broots. But, until then, you will hold true to your promise and stay and work here at the Centre. Until Saturday you are not allowed to leave without my permission. Is that understood?"

   I can barely hide my joy. "Yes sir."

   "Good. Now get back to work."

   Then he leaves, and I turn around and insert the disc into its slot, waiting as the contents that are going to be encrypted are opened.

   Wow. I can't believe he said yes. That was amazing. It's not good that I'll have to remain here until then, but if I can spend the weekend with my daughter, I'll be fine.

   I smile and then type in some keystrokes and click a few icons that will start up the encryption process. It begins to encode the data, but right before it starts, for one brief moment, a title flashes across the screen that causes me to open my mouth slightly in curiosity.

   PROJECT LOCATION

   Then the words are gone, and the symbols that are included in my code begin to overthrow the letters. But I hardly even notice. My mind is focused on the words I just read. Project Location? A new project? I wonder what that's all about. It must be pretty important, since he requested such a strong code to hide the information. What could it be? Knowing the Centre its probably best if I stay out of it, and safer as well, but I don't know…

   I rest my chin in my hand. Huh. This is a tough decision.  It could be a harmless project, something really legal and simple, but if it is, then why go to such trouble to secure it? Should I tell someone? And if so, whom in the world could I tell? It's not like I can just pick up the phone and call someone.

   I yawn and lean back in my chair, closing my eyes and getting comfortable so that I can sleep for a while. I'll think on it later. Maybe tomorrow. It's just a project, and if I wait a night or so to try and contact Syd or someone, nothing will happen. The world won't be destroyed or anything.

   My eyes open wide.

   At least, I hope not.

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And there's the next chapter! I hope you like how early I'm posting this, I had a lot to do while I was waiting for the site to begin working properly again. Anyways, please, please, please, please, please give me feedback. 

   ---Talk to you soon!

   PS:  I hope you all enjoy your summer as much as I am right now. Because of it, I might even be able to get chapters posted sooner. You never know…