Okay, yay...these next four chapters are my favorite in the fic, and I have been impatiently waiting to post these. All of your questions will be answered...about pretty much everything. I've had these done for quite some time...and I've edited them and rewrote them a million times, so they're exactly the way I want them to be. That's enough talking...I want you to read!

33. Vaughn's Next Order

Locke quickly walked to Vaughn's office, stopping outside when he saw Xane leaning against the wall with his arms across his chest. He had one foot flat on the floor and the other rested with the heel against the wall, and he was quickly shaking it as he stared straight at the wall on the opposite side of the hallway. His face was so still that he looked almost as if he was in a trance as he waited. It was early in the morning and Locke wasn't sure why Vaughn had them wake up at such an hour and in such a hurry.

"Hey, Xane," Locke greeted the older man as Xane broke out of his trance and nodded back. Locke looked around for a second to make sure that no one would overhear their conversation, then continued. "So do you have any idea what the hell this is all about?"

"No, I don't," he admitted as he stood up on both feet again. The sincere and worried look in his eyes proved to Locke that he was telling the truth and was curious to know what was going on as well. "This is the strange thing, too. Usually I know what Vaughn is up to, but he's kept quiet about this thing. I'm assuming that this kept him up all night as well."

Locke frowned and, with his voice coated in sarcasm, said, "Well, if it kept him awake all night, that would explain why he sent someone to wake us up. It's not like our sleep matters or anything." Looking at his watch, Locke saw that it was already six am, the time that Vaughn ordered them to be in his office. "Well, it's time. Is he already in his office?"

"I'm pretty sure that he is," Xane stated as he faced the heavy wooden door and held up his hand to knock. Before he followed through, he hesitated and turned toward Locke again. "Do you think we should just knock? Usually Vaughn is on time with things so I just walk in. However, I have a funny feeling about this whole situation."

"I don't want him to be pissed at us," Locke said with a shrug. "You're right though. This is very unlike him. I mean, it seems like lately, every time I go into his office he's unorganized, frantic, and looks like he's hardly gotten any sleep. I wonder what's going on with him." Xane remained silent for a minute and looked down at his feet. Locke furrowed his forehead as he studied the older man. "Xane, are you sure you don't have a clue?"

Putting his hand on the doorknob, Xane opened the door without responding to Locke or even knocking. Vaughn whipped his head up from his desk in surprise, knocking over the ink well that was by his right hand. He cursed as the ink poured all over the letter he was composing and gave both men a disapproving frown. With a sigh, he held up the piece of paper and let the excess ink run down and drip onto the lacquered wood.

"I told him he shouldn't barge in without knocking," Locke said quickly, trying to redeem himself. Vaughn's look didn't soften and when he looked over at Xane, he noticed he was giving him the same look. "Sorry."

"Come in," Vaughn stated as he put the paper back down on the desk on the puddle of ink that covered his desk. He groaned as he searched through his drawers to find something to clean up the mess. "Thank you for coming so early this morning and on such short notice."

Locke scoffed and shook his head as he watched Vaughn. "You're making it sound like we walked four miles to get here. We rolled out of bed and walked down the hall. Besides, it's not like we had a choice in the matter."

"Anyway, Vaughn," Xane began as he walked over to the chairs in front of Vaughn's desk, cutting off Locke's sarcasm. As the older man started to sop up the spilled ink with a towel, Locke sighed, made his way over to the other chair, and sat down. "What is so important that you made us wake up extremely early?"

"Well, I guess I have to say that it's something that neither of you are going to be happy about," he admitted with a frustrated sigh. He looked at Xane then slowly turned to look at Locke, studying them and waiting for a response. "Fine, I'll be bluntly honest; you're both going to be pissed."

"Meaning?" Locke asked, his face deadpanned. That was a phrase that he had never heard Vaughn say before. If he knows it's gonna piss us off, then why is he going to say it? He thought as he tapped his toe on the inside of his shoe.

"Vaughn, is this something that can be mentioned while Locke is here?" Xane lowered his voice, but since Locke was two feet away, he was able to hear clearly.

Locke turned his head toward Xane slowly, looking between Vaughn and Xane, offended that neither of them were looking at him. "Hey guys, in case you haven't noticed, I'm right here. Care to share with me what you're talking about?"

Both men ignored his question and Locke huffed. I don't know what the hell is going on with the two of them lately…He thought, angrily drumming his fingers against his thigh.

"After some research, we have finally found out what has happened to the Clemix Diamond since the attack in Kohlingen." He paused, giving both men a chance to let his statement sink in. Xane exhaled and Locke chuckled in disbelief. "It's been in—"

"You've gotta be kidding me," Locke interrupted as he leaned back in his seat. Vaughn shot him a glare, but he shrugged it off and kept talking. "You can't be bringing this up. Not now."

"It's been in the hands of the Empire for the last few weeks," he continued, ignoring Locke's outburst. He wiped his hands with a cloth as his young employee stewed in his seat in complete disbelief that he would even bring this up. "They have it in Jidoor, which seems to be their headquarters for the time being."

"Why aren't they in Vector?" Xane asked as he rested his chin in his hand. "What the hell possessed them to stay in Jidoor of all places?"

"A simple explanation," Vaughn stated as he continued to wipe down his desk. Locke looked up and continued to give him a death glare as he spoke. "There is a very wealthy painter who lives there now. He actually is the one who bought over the VanLente property several years ago."

"Spare me," Locke spat out through clenched teeth. Just hearing Rachel's family name was enough to make his heart sink in his chest. "Besides, a painter moving into the biggest house on the western continent has nothing to do with why the Empire took over Jidoor.

"If you would hold your tongue and let me finish my explanation instead of interrupting me mid-sentence, you would comprehend where I'm going with this story." By the tone in Vaughn's voice, Locke could tell he was stepping on his patience. Mentioning Rachel when I've only gotten about three hours of sleep is enough to make me crack…He thought as Vaughn's eyes burned into his own. After a moment of the two of them glaring at each other, Vaughn's eyes softened and he calmed down. "Moving right along then. The painter, Owzer, has been making quite a few under the table deals with the higher ranking members of the Empire—mainly Gestahl—for quite some time. Due to these side jobs, he has become extremely rich and famous."

"So?" He continued to challenge as he began tapping his foot.

"So, Gestahl asked Owzer to stay in Vector for a few months to draw his portrait while his finest troops reside in his mansion to protect everything in his house," Vaughn continued. The look on Locke's face proved that his explanation wasn't enough to convince him to go out looking for the diamond and Xane put his forehead in his hand. "Unbeknownst to Owzer, there were secret meanings hidden in why Gestahl wanted him out of Jidoor and have his troops move in. You see, Owzer prefers to paint and sculpt in a private area where it is quiet, so he has a secret basement that only he knows the entrance to. With a little gold incentive, he agreed to let Gestahl know the way down. Gestahl told him that it would be in case things go awry, but he really kept the diamond down there."

"I just don't understand why they just don't keep it in Vector," Xane mentioned with a shrug of his shoulders. "There are enough soldiers there to protect it and Gestahl wouldn't have had to go through all that bullshit. It seems as though he's trying to make everything harder."

"It's not at Vector because, as painful as it is to say this, the Emperor is a very smart man. In case you haven't realized it, the diamond has been in the hands of the Empire since the attack on Kohlingen, and we just found out about it. By them keeping it hidden in Jidoor, word never reaches our ears, thus keeping the diamond out of our hands and in their own."

A revelation sparked in Locke's mind and he sat up straight, startling the other two men. "So you're saying that the raid on Kohlingen a few weeks ago was basically because of the diamond? Son of a bitch."

"Unfortunately, yes, that is exactly what I'm saying," Vaughn said as he inspected his ink stained hands. Locke looked down at his feet and shook his head again. "Several years ago, Gestahl hired a new man. He's strong, powerful, and that bastard craves power. It's suspected that he is more power hungry than Gestahl himself, but I find that pretty hard to believe. Well anyway, it's rumored that he was the one who ordered the troops to poison the guards several years ago when VanLente wanted to put the diamond out on display."

"Rachel's birthday party," Locke stated, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Yes," Vaughn confirmed gently as he folded his hands on his desk. "Fortunately, as we all know, that plan failed, but of course the Emperor isn't one to give up easily. When they discovered that VanLente and his daughter went into hiding, they began looking for them. After a long search, they heard of two places where they could be hiding. Guess which two cities they were."

Xane exhaled as he shook his head. "Maranda and Kohlingen."

"Correct," Vaughn said, watching Locke look off to the side. "They attacked Maranda and when they didn't find anything there, the second wave of Imperial troops went off to Kohlingen and attacked there. Now, do we really want this diamond in the hand of these kinds of people? No. That's where you two come in."

"So, you're basically telling us to turn ourselves into the Empire by waltzing up to headquarters and asking for the diamond?" The sarcasm dripped heavily off of Locke's words and he knew he was continuously trying Vaughn's patience. "Yeah, okay, 'cause that'll work."

Xane leaned forward in his seat and rested his forearms on his knees. "To come at it in a non-smart ass way, it is really risky. Locke actually does have a point buried somewhere in his statement. That place will be crawling with troops and soldiers. We'll be lucky if we can get twenty feet into the town without getting shot or arrested. Oh, not to mention the fact that if Gestahl's finest troops are there, you know damn well that's where Leo will be stationed. I feel that my life would be less complicated if I could stay away from him at all costs."

"Xane, I expected this kind of reaction from Locke, but not from you. You know that we need to get that diamond out of there," Vaughn repeated slowly, enunciating every word. That was enough for Xane to shut his mouth, but Locke wasn't about ready to stay quiet.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" He spat out, noticeably offended. "Are you saying that I'm more likely to overreact because I have a personal vendetta against the empire?"

"I think we all have problems with the Empire," Xane stated calmly as Locke tried not to explode. "You'd be surprised."

Locke scoffed again and looked up at the ceiling. "Well, I wouldn't be aware of the problems that you two have been having with the Empire because you keep everything from me. Does this have something to do with the secret meetings that you two have been having lately?"

"It means that you should mind your own damn business," Xane retorted as he faced Locke. "Vaughn's right. I shouldn't be giving him a hard time about it, but I do have my reasons."

"Well, whatever, that's fine, but you can't expect me to go after it," he said to Vaughn as he stood up and clenched his fists at his sides. "Not after what happened to Rachel. Especially since I have just been informed of how that diamond is what adjacently killed her."

Vaughn folded his hands on his desk and calmly looked up at Locke, who was now slightly red in the face with anger. "You're a member of this group, are you not? Therefore, you will do as you are told and not argue."

"I thought I always was able to have a choice of doing a mission or not," Locke huffed as he put his hands on Vaughn's desk. "I've never been forced to do one, therefore I'm declining it. I can't believe the thought would even enter your mind that I would leap at this opportunity."

"I never thought you would 'leap' into this one, nor did I expect you do. However, I'm able to change my mind and the rules whenever I want, so you don't get a choice in this time," he clarified as he watched Locke's anger rise even more. "You and Xane are the best two I've got in Quantz, and believe me when I say I'm going to need the both of you. I'm not going to take any chances by sending anyone else. In case something happens to one of you, the other will be able to come back and tell me."

"But you're taking chances by sending both Xane and I?" Locke could see Vaughn's patience dissolving once again, but he was going to do everything in his power to get out of going to Jidoor. "Give it up with this damn diamond! Find something else for your craving of riches."

"Locke, this has nothing to do with riches," Vaughn clarified as he cracked his knuckles, Locke wincing at each pop that was emitted. "Again, I reiterate that you shouldn't be arguing with me about this in the first place."

Completely letting Vaughn's statement go through one ear and out the other, Locke just about blew up. "Vaughn, Rachel just died because of that diamond!"

Vaughn stood to his feet and slammed his fist against his desk as hard as he could, causing Locke to jump backward. "And if you don't get that diamond out of the hands of the people who murdered her, more will die!"

"What are you talking about?" Before Vaughn was able to answer, Locke looked over Xane, who didn't look alarmed. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he knew what was going on…Locke thought as he watched Xane eye the floor and shake his head. When Locke looked at Vaughn again, the man calmly sat down and remained silent. "Why do I get the feeling that I'm the only one in this room who is missing a crucial point to this thing?"

"I want you to in just a few minutes," Vaughn said as he waved Locke out of the room with his hand. "Let me speak to Xane for a minute before you depart."

Locke wasn't one to ever complain about a hunt, but he felt as though this mission was more than just for the diamond. He knew that Xane and Vaughn were both keeping a vital reason of why they wanted to get the diamond secret and it bothered him. "Why can't you tell me? I'm risking my life by going to Jidoor too."

"Just go, Locke," Xane said with an empathetic nod and turned away. Locke watched as he put his head in his hand, and he had to listen carefully to hear what he was saying. "I'll be out there in a few minutes."

"What's with this diamond?" Locke was calmer now than before, but he still continued to pry. Vaughn sat back down in his seat as he pointed in the direction of the door again.

"Don't try my patience," he replied calmly and slowly. "Now, wait outside."

With a sigh in defeat, Locke gathered up his anger and stormed out of Vaughn's office. After he shut the door, he carefully looked down the hallway to see if anyone was around. When he noticed he was alone, he pressed his ear against the door to find out if he could hear what Xane and Vaughn were discussing. Unfortunately, the wood was too thick and he couldn't hear anything, frustrating him further. He hated that secrets were being held from him.

Instead of punching a hole through the wall, he paced in front of the door and waited for Xane to walk out. I know Vaughn won't answer anything that I have to ask, but maybe Xane'll explain things a little further…He thought as he felt his blood boil.

Locke considered himself to be a very well tempered man, but when it came to the Empire and Rachel, he became more passionate about his feelings and tended to express them more. Inhaling a shaky breath, he started to think of what happened at Kohlingen. Since he brought her to the Patriarch, he had visited her almost every day. Although there wasn't anything that he could do for her at the time being, he just wanted to be near to her. The thought of her lying in a strange house all alone made him feel guilty, so he would steal out of the hideout whenever he could.

He didn't realize he had stopped pacing until the door of Vaughn's office flew open. Xane walked out and after he carefully shut the door, he shook his head at Locke.

"I'm sorry, man," he apologized, putting his hand on Locke's shoulder. "I know this must be hard for you—"

"No, you don't know," he replied, his voice stern as he glared at Xane. "It's not just the Rachel thing either. I mean, yeah, that's the majority of it, but I feel like I'm walking into a trap. How did Vaughn find out the information about that damn jewel anyway? It's not like a little bird whispered it in his ear."

"I…I can't say."

Locke frowned at Xane, for that was not the answer he wanted to hear. "Xane, what the hell is going on? You know and I don't, and I hate being left out of things like this. Particularly when I'm going to go on a hunt that's so risky. Tell me now."

"I can't tell you, Locke!" He cried out as he turned away. "I'm not allowed to. If Vaughn wants to tell you, then he will. Who knows, if all goes well and we get this diamond back to him, he just might tell you."

"Well, that's just bullshit!" He exclaimed, not regretting the fact that he was speaking loudly. "What's in it for me this time? Or you? Huh? Nothing. This is just us doing a mission for Vaughn, for some reason that I don't even know."

"This is a recon mission," Vaughn validated with a shake of his head in defeat. "All right? This is a recon mission for Vaughn. That's all you need to know, understood? Any more arguments and I'll go by myself."

"Good," Locke retorted as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I'll keep arguing then because I sure as hell don't want to go after that damn diamond. Vaughn is just like Rachel's father; has that lust for greed."

Locke turned on his heel to walk back to his room, but Xane quickly grabbed him by the arm to stop him. "You know that's not it at all. Greed has nothing to do with this situation when it comes to Vaughn. To be honest, it's anything but greed. Besides, do you really want me to go by myself? I'll get caught for sure if I do that and that is something that Vaughn does not want to see happen. Nor I for that matter. Therefore, I suggest that you grow up, get over yourself, and come with me to Jidoor."

Gritting his teeth, Locke nodded his head for he knew that Xane was right. "All right, fine. I'll go with you," he stated quietly as he looked down at the floor. "But, I just have an extremely bad feeling about this entire situation."

"So do I, Locke," Xane replied as he started to walk toward the exit of the hideout. "So do I."

"Wait a second then," he cried out as he caught up to Xane. "If you're having bad vibes about it, why are you going?"

"Do you really want to argue with Vaughn when he has his heart set on something?" Locke shook his head and Xane put his hand against the wall to reveal the door. "Therefore, that's why I'm going. You don't even know the reason why I'm scared. To be honest, I'm terrified."

"I would know if you would stop hiding things from me." Instead of giving Locke some kind of verbal response, Xane only opened the door and gestured him to go out first. Locke obeyed, then decided not to ask anymore questions about it.