"The Stargate Project? Are you absolutely sure that's what he said?" Shinra asks, frowning and adjusting his glasses. He and Celty are currently sitting on Shizuo's futon, waiting for the girl to get out of the bath; Celty had brought her some strawberry-scented body wash and shampoo, and she had liked the smell so much that she'd immediately started to fill the tub so she could try them out.

Maybe next time I should bring her bubble bath...

"Yeah, I'm sure. Why, you heard of it?"

"Yes, actually - that's why I find it so strange."

[Strange? How is it strange?]

"'The Stargate Project' was one of several code names given to a secret American military unit established in the late 1970's in response to rumors that had begun to circulate about Russia spending millions on psychic research. The unit was incredibly small, comprised of maybe 15, 20 people at most - it was defunded and declassified in the mid-90's, the C.I.A deciding it was no longer worth the resources. It shouldn't exist anywhere, let alone here in Japan."

[That is pretty strange...]

"So, what... you think the guy lied?"

"Considering the fact that there's a scared little girl with psychic capabilities currently splashing away in your bathtub, I think it's far more likely that the it's the C.I.A that did. It wouldn't be the first time a government agency lied about what they were doing. Who did he say he worked for, again?"

"I don't remember exactly, it was some weird foreign name. Vi-something?"

"Vick? Vicky? Victor?"

"No, it wasn't any of those."

"Virgil? Viggo? Vince? Vincent?"

"Say that last one again?"

"Vincent?"

"That one. That's it, I know it. 'Vincent.'"

"Now that we have a name, we can get a number."

[How? His number probably isn't available to the public.]

"True, but it might be available to specific individuals... and if that's the case, there are only a couple people I can think of who are likely to be one."

[Like who?]

"Yeah, like who? Anyone I know?"

"..."

"Shinra?"

"..."

"Like who, Shinra?" Shizuo repeats, narrowing his eyes. "Because I know you're not about to suggest we ask that goddamn fucking parasite for help, right?"

"Look, I know you don't like him, but - "

"No. No buts, Shinra. We are not involving him, end of fucking story. You said you could think of a couple people, right? Who's the other one?"

[Please tell me it's not who I think it is...]

"Other than Izaya, he's our only option."

[I think I'd prefer Izaya.]

"Yeah, well, I wouldn't." Shizuo growls, crossing his arms.

"You say that now..." Shinra mumbles, his voice strained. "I guess I'll call him, then... with any luck, maybe he won't answer." Flipping through the contacts on his phone, he finds the one he needs and presses the Call button.

Unfortunately, luck is not on his side.

'Shingen speaking!'

"Damn it."

'Shinra? Is that you?'

He sighs. "Yes, it's me."

'Ha, I knew I recognized your voice! Even if it has been months and months since I last heard it... have you called to check on your beloved father?"

"As delusional as ever, I see!" Shinra interrupts with a forced cheerfulness, having no patience for the older Kishitani's nonsense. "I'm calling because I need information. Have you ever heard of the Stargate Project?"

'Ah, the men who stare at goats! A fascinating movie visually, but I always thought that the writer had a fundamental misunderstanding of how parapsychology - '

"Do you know if they were really declassified like the C.I.A said? Do you think they could have continued on in secret?"

'If I told you, I'd have to kill you! Hahahahaha!'

"So that's a yes, then. Has Nebula ever had dealings with the people in charge?"

'Hmmm...'

"Do you at least happen to know if anyone there has spoken with a man named 'Vincent' recently?"

'Hmmmmmm... Vincent, Vincent, Vincent... nope, doesn't ring a bell!'

"Would you actually tell me if it did?"

'What, don't you trust your own father? I'm disappointed in you, Shi -'

He hangs up. "Well, that was a complete and utter waste of time!"

[Nothing?]

"Nothing useful, at least."

"So what the hell do we do now?"

"Well, we could still ask - "

"Are you trying to piss me off?" Shizuo cuts him off, his fists clenched. "'cause if so, you're gettin' pretty damn close to succeeding."

"Alright, alright, sorry! I'll drop it... but it does mean we're back to square one."

"Shit..."

[Don't worry, we'll figure something out.]

"I sure hope so."

The three of them fall silent, staying that way until the bathroom door opens and the cause of this entire situation sticks her head out.

Meanwhile, Nebula Industries...

"Sorry about that!" Shingen tells his guest, putting his phone back into the pocket of his labcoat. "Now, what we were talking about, again?"

"We were talking about that list of potential test subjects you gave my father, but right now I am much more curious about the conversation you just had. That was your son?"

"Indeed! Shinra is a passionate, intelligent, and incredibly attractive young man - he definitely takes after his father, if I do say so myself!"

"Clearly..."

"Though I can't help but wonder exactly how you caught his attention... it's rare for him to be interested in anything other than my future daughter-in-law."

"I can't help but wonder the same thing, actually." Vincent responds, taking a sip of the tea Shingen's assistant had prepared for them. "Do you happen to know if he's aquainted with a man named Shizuo Heiwajima?"

"Ah, Shizuo! Such an interesting human being, I'd love to get a hold of his body! For research purposes only, of course - I may be wearing women's underwear, but that doesn't mean I want to be manhandled!"

"I... see..." Vincent tries to pretend he didn't hear that last part. "So you know him?"

"Indeed! My son and him have actually been friends since elementary school."

How interesting...

"Does your son have a lot of friends?"

"No, not at all. He's far too devoted to science and Celty for that - in fact, other than Shizuo, I think his only other friend is Izaya-kun!"

"Wait... your son is friends with both Shizuo Heiwajima and Izaya Orihara?"

"Yep! They all went to the same high school, along with some other boy whose name I never cared enough to learn. I'm surprised Shinra survived them, to be honest."

"Survived who?"

"Shizuo and Izaya-kun, of course!" Shingen answers, as if Vincent should have been able to assume that from what little information he'd been given. "I certainly wouldn't have wanted to get in-between those two, not even on a good day!"

"What do you mean?" Vincent asks, narrowing his eyes. He had, of course, suspected that Izaya had been lying... he had, however, also hoped that it was just the standard paranoia of a man used to keeping secrets.

"Those boys have hated each other since the moment they met; when my son first introduced them, it apparently took only thirty seconds for them to start trying to kill each other. Isn't that romantic?"

I think you have a fundamental misunderstanding of what the word 'romantic' means...

"Speaking of Izaya..." Shingen adjusts his gas-mask, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Did my information help you find what you were looking for?"

"Yes, actually. It's proved incredibly beneficial so far."

"Ah, good, good... could you come closer? I want to tell you a secret."

Slightly uncomfortable with the idea, Vincent leans forward.

"Closer!"

Hesitating, Vincent leans forward a little more.

"No, closer!"

Half-tempted to just walk out on this strange, real life example of the mad scientist stereotype, he leans forward even more and tilts his head so Shingen can whisper into his ear. "I don't care what you do with Shizuo or Izaya - but if Shinra gets hurt because of you, I'll make sure you don't live long enough to regret it. Do you understand?"

"Of course. I have no desire to involve your son in any of this." Vincent responds, his perfect smile never once wavering. "Thank you for everything you've told me today. It has been... enlightening." He stands up, offering the man his hand.

Shingen takes it, shaking it firmly. "Be careful who you poke, Mr. Montgomery! Literally and figuratively."

"I'm always careful, Mr. Kishitani." Vincent leaves, waiting until he's out of the room to send a text to Jackal. 'I just learned something interesting.'

'oh yeah?'

'It turns out that Shizuo Heiwajima and Izaya Orihara absolutely despise each other.'

'so izaya lied about knowing him, huh?'

'Yes, and I want you to find out why.'

'ill get right on it'

'Keep me updated.' Vincent slips his phone back into his pocket and goes out to where his driver is waiting, sliding into the back seat.

"Where to now, Sir?"

"My hotel, please."

The driver nods, backing up so he can turn around. Vincent leans back against the expensive leather seats of his rental car, settling in for what he hopes shouldn't be too long a ride; he has a lunch meeting in an hour, and he'd really like to take a shower first.