"We went the wrong way! We were supposed to take a left back there!!" Zelda whispered as she came face-to-face with an aluminum wall.

"Another dead end?" he sighed. "These vents aren't very reliable…"

"Shh!!" She pressed a finger to her lips.

"Sorry!" Professor lowered his voice. "It's just, you'd think that this would be efficient since it's a classic move and yet… this harder than walking in, point blank."

As they began the agonizing slow and difficult process of turning around in a three and a half foot air vent- without making a sound- she said, "Well, it was you who suggested this. Don't complain to me."

"That was a very Leon-like comment you just made. I hope he hasn't affected you in any way." He squeezed his eyes close at the thought of it.

"Shh!"

"What? I was being quiet!"

"No, listen…"

They waited and listened to the conversation that echoed along the vents. It sounded like the Seth Clone and Kämpher. At the voice of the longhaired Orden member, William stopped breathing.

"I will hold onto the traitor's chip," she spoke.

"No, Mien Herr wants it, so he shall have it. If you're upset that someone may steal it, do not worry. He has decided to keep it in his room and that is the safest place anywhere in this galaxy."

Zelda mouthed, "What are they talking about?" Alas, the two had begun to move away, ceasing their ability to hear the rest. Shrugging, she continued on.

Two dead ends and thirty minutes later, the found the opening to the room they were looking for. The Professor retrieved a mini screwdriver from his pocket and undid all the screws holding the vent opening in place. He dug his fingers in and yanked it up, allowing them to enter the room. She jumped down first and scanned the room.

"Tres!" she cried softly and ran to his side. He was lying on a table, still covered in ice and eyes closed.

Professor called out, "Wait! There may be sensors on the table that react when someone touches it."

"Ah," her hand flinched and she clasped it behind her back.

He finished lowering himself from the vent and frowned when he saw Tres up close. "…I think that I know what that conversation was about. It was about a chip that's installed in the lower back portion of his neck. If they've removed it, his systems are stuck in this mode until it's put back in. Which means, even if we get all of this ice off of him, we still need the chip, re-install it and hope that it hasn't been damaged in anyway."

Her eyes widened, "And Kain…"

"…Has it in his bedroom," he ended. "Where ever that is."

"Who knows how strongly it's guarded."

"Who knows when he is and isn't there. Because heaven knows we can't take him on."

She placed her head in her hands. "I'm sorry Tres! I should have never left you! You wouldn't be in this state if it wasn't for me!"

William placed a hand on her shoulder and gripped it. "It's not your fault so don't blame yourself. If you're willing… we'll get out of here and contact Caterina. She'll tell us where Kain's room is located and we will go and get the chip. Alright?"

She looked up, "Really? You'd take that risk?"

"You forget that Tres-kun was my guinea pig in many experiments. I wouldn't let this happen to him," he winked. "Now, I'll let you have a short second before we leave so… yeah." He scooted off towards the opening, giving her a moment.

Zelda bent down to say softly into her partner's ear, "I will say it again: I'll save you. Don't give up because I'm coming back for you. Oh.. and since you can't really hear me- I suppose I'll tell you want I've always wanted to say vocally, even after I first said 'I love you'. I think… that you're completely gorgeous! You're so beautiful- it's dangerous! I know. There have been many times when I've fallen down a flight of stairs because I was too busy staring at you." Her face turned red in embarrassment although no one could hear her.

William appeared, "Come on, we can't stay any longer."

"It seems my time with you is up but I'll be back. Soon. And with your chip." She stood up straight and followed him to the vent. She pulled herself up, resealed the opening and dissolved into the inky night like a phantom with a purpose.