March 27th, 1500. Rome.
'Something is coming,' Machiavelli said, looking up from the maps he and the Doctor had been looking over. The Doctor looked up to see the door open – Leonardo stepped through it first, followed by Ezio. His eyes met the Doctor's, and a grim sort of recognition was shared between them.
'We are on the move!' Leonardo announced, beaming. 'La Volpe has gathered his thieves, and Bartolomeo has split his men between the French and our efforts! Claudia has dispersed her girls amongst il Vaticano, to see what they can, uh, find out.' He finished a little awkwardly.
'Is it enough, Doctor?' Ezio asked from behind him. He still stood in the open doorway, ready to take off at a moment's notice. This last few days had been spent on the move – there was too much to be done. But it didn't pain the Doctor to answer as he did.
'No. No, not nearly enough.'
'Then what can we do?' Ezio asked without hesitation.
The Doctor's mouth made a slim, tight line.
'We send a message.'