"Today… marks a tragedy," Alex started, addressing the various workers and conduits at the refuge, "Director Davis has sadly passed away."

A faint murmur erupted from the group she was addressing. Each voice was a whisper, and each voice was saying something different. Some asked how he died. Some asked what was going to happen. Others asked what the Director did, rarely seeing him outside his office.

"Fortunately, I'm happy to say that it was due to natural causes, and not," she started before seeing Troy walk in with a guilty expression, "Foul play. When I first joined this organization, nearly 8 years ago, I was put under his supervision and I worked with him side-by-side in helping people like you. He was my mentor. I realize you all have had very little interaction with him, but he was a man who cared."

There was a brief moment of silence as Alex fought back the tears that threatened to leave her eyes before speaking again.

"As a result, I will be the one to step in as the new Director. If you have any issues or urgent matters, you may bring them to me. Are there any questions?"

There was no response, not even a whisper among the group.

"Thank you, you're dismissed," she concluded, causing the group to disband and return to their tasks. However, her gaze met Troy's and suddenly he couldn't move. When all the others cleared the hall, she walked up to him, remembering the security footage.

"Listen, I… if it was my fault, I didn't mean—"

"You need to leave," she interrupted.

Troy stopped, and his heart sank.

"What?"

"That's what you want, isn't it? To leave?" she spoke coldly.

"No! I mean… I want to be an agent," he defended.

"So did I. I wanted you out there because I thought you would do amazing things. But every time I tried, he refused… and I never knew why. Now I do."

"Ms. Cooper please," he pleaded.

"That's Director… to you," she snapped, "I thought he was talking about your powers, but it was your emotions you can't control."

"That's unfair! Give me a chance, please!"

"You've had plenty of chances. Pack your things, you leave in one hour," she ordered before storming off.

Meanwhile…

"Why did you lie to me?" Ryan asked Bentley at the medical ward, "You want him to go back? You want Kessler to go back?"

"He has to, Ryan," Bentley argued.

"Why? Kessler he… he was the one who took me away. Even when I was left with nothing, he stole me away… you stole me away!" Ryan exclaimed, looking at Cole.

"You were the prime conduit," Cole whispered.

"Yeah, all those Reaper assholes? They got my powers! I was hooked up to a machine just like that and I was forced to give my powers to dozens of other people for days. I was a kid!"

"Ryan… the fate of the time-space contin—"

"Oh really? Do you even hear yourself? I thought we were done with all the secrets…"

"Ryan please," Bentley pleaded while walking towards the young conduit. As a response, Ryan held out his hand and held it to Bentley's chest, where it began to glow a light blue.

"Ryan, stop!" Cole shouted.

"Tell me you won't do it!" Ryan shouted back, "Tell me you won't go back!"

Cole took a second to look Ryan in the eye. In those few moments, Cole saw the makings of a tear in the corner of his eye.

"Please…" Ryan pleaded.

"I don't want to go back," Cole began, his eye-contact never leaving Ryan, "But if I have to, I will."

When he heard that, it took Ryan all of his willpower not to lash out at them. But instead, his removed his hand from Bentley with a less-than-gentle push and walked out. His stare was engraved in Bentley's mind for several seconds after he left.

"Are you okay?" Cole asked.

"I honestly don't know," Bentley replied, still looking at the doorway.

"Don't worry, Zeke will sort him out," Cole promised.

About forty-five minutes later, Troy had finished packing up his things. He looked at his bed and the ruffled sheets he left there. He then looked down at the small backpack he was packing his things into. Troy had very little personal belongings; basic clothing and hygiene products were all he packed. Knowing that the First Sons were required to give money to conduits who were leaving, he didn't bother to pack any food. With a sigh, he hefted the backpack over his shoulder and left the room, shutting the door behind him.

He met up with Alex just outside the hanger who was discussing something with Delsin and Fetch. However, when she saw Troy, her focus was turned on him. Delsin also turned to see Troy.

"Troy!" he called out, walking towards him with the other two following, "I heard you were leaving…"

"I have no choice," he said sourly, looking over at Alex.

"Alex, you know it wasn't his fault."

"He's unstable Delsin, we can't keep him anywhere near the others."

"But he's one of our heaviest hitters! We need him!" Delsin argued, raising his voice.

"No! We have our heavy hitters! Davis has been trying to kick him out for months, and it took me this long to see that!"

Their arguing began to draw the attention of the passerby, including Eugene, Zeke, and Ryan.

"I was like that too! We all were! It's gonna' take time!" Delsin continued.

"We're out of time!" Alex countered.

It was at that point, Troy pushed himself past the group. He took a few steps towards the hanger door before turning around to face the new audience.

"I came here to do some good," Troy began, "I wanted to make a difference. They promised me that chance. But they lied."

He paused for a second and any bit of chatter that escaped their lips had disappeared.

"They wanted to make me, all of us, into weapons. But then they learned that they couldn't control me. They learned that they weren't the ones with their fingers on trigger, and they got scared. I don't know about the rest of you, but I think I'm staring directly at the new Augustine," he challenged, looking at Alex with rage in her eyes.

"Delsin," he continued, "You know I'm right. You broke everyone out of one prison, now it's time to leave another."

Delsin was shocked. For several seconds, he couldn't find the words to say. But eventually he replied.

"These people here are doing good things Troy. They, Alex, wants the best for all of us. I'm sorry, but as long as there's work here, I can't leave. I'm sorry."

Troy took a step back, feeling betrayed by the one he considered his hero, his idol.

"I'll go."

Everyone, Troy included, looked to see where the statement had come from. They saw Ryan. He walked up with a stoic expression on his face as the murmurs kicked up again.

"Ryan?" Delsin asked, dumbfounded.

Once Ryan was by Troy's side, he spoke again.

"Troy's right! Every day, we're seen as weapons! We train for missions, we work tirelessly, and for what? They say it's for our benefit, but how can it be? I tried to see the good side in the people here, but all they do is lie and cheat! As long as this organization is run by non-conduits… I can't stay."

"Ryan…" Zeke began, "Listen buddy, I know what you're going through, but you need to think. Is this really the right thing to do?"

"I don't know what the right thing is anymore Zeke," Ryan responded. He then walked up to him and removed his Reaper hoodie. He bunched it up and handed it to Zeke, who reluctantly grabbed it.

"I'm gonna' miss ya' kid," Zeke said, understanding that Ryan's mind was set.

"Me too," he said, closing in with a hug. He then stepped back and walked over to Delsin, Fetch, and Eugene.

"Thanks… for everything."

"You don't have to leave," Fetch whispered.

"I do. Things are burning to the ground here, and I can't watch that anymore."

"We'll miss you," Eugene added.

"Look on the bright side, at least you'll get the room all to yourself now," Ryan joked, causing Eugene to crack a smile.

"Take care of yourself," Delsin told him.

"Yeah, you too."