After sleeping in the gutter for one night Chad found himself heading back underground to his old hideout in the catacombs. He was surprised to find that a number of colleagues were already there - surely they did not need to hide any more? Silhouette itself was no longer necessary, its aims achieved. Right?
It wasn't safe in the streets, though, so of course it was still wise to hide. There was still plenty of danger to hide from. And this level of anarchy and chaos had never been a part of his aims. A tap on his shoulder roused Chad from his thoughts and he looked up to see his old friend Alain standing over him, a concerned look on his face.
"Nicolette's coming. She's got company."
"Who?"
"No idea. Two black guys; well-dressed."
"Is she being forced?"
"Not as far as we could tell."
"Well, let's go see them then."
Old habits die hard. They were still watching for intruders. Maybe it would just take time, but Chad did not feel particularly safe at the moment. When Nicolette, Morgan Everett and his associate Toby Atanwe entered the WW2 bunker that served Silhouette as a base they were met openly by Chad standing alone, but in the plentiful shadows around the dimly lit edges of the concrete room various members of Silhouette were faintly visible with an assortment of weapons readied. Nicolette stepped forward and spoke in an oddly subdued tone.
"Chad, this is Morgan Everett and Toby Atanwe. They... have some things to tell you." Chad looked Everett and Atanwe over again.
"Well then. Welcome to my humble home. Please do come inside," Chad's suspicion was clearly evident; he made no effort to hide it. Members of silhouette moved around the Illuminati as they went into the back, weapons no longer held openly but the threat still very much in evidence. The two Illuminati moved with total confidence, appearing totally unconcerned and at ease with their rather dank surroundings. As the others moved around Chad moved to Nicolette and took her aside.
"So who are these guys?"
"Illuminati. They want something of you... of all of us. What, I don't know." Nicolette still seemed subdued. She turned to Chad with a sudden intensity. "Everett said... the Aquinas router, destroyed. Is it true?" Chad nodded, not bothering to speak. Nicolette sagged, but the tension seemed to leave her. Chad looked at her again.
"Nicolette, are you... all right?"
Nicolette looked up at him, her face set and strangely angry. "Let's go see what the bastards want." She walked toward the back of the bunker, where the others were with the two Illuminati. Chad was left to stare in her wake, baffled by her sudden anger. Finally he shrugged, dismissing the matter, and went to see what the visit was about.