The elevator shimmied as it came to a stop on the 27th floor of where ever they were. The doors opened and Alister brushed past her. He waved his arm again, indicating that she should follow. They walked down a long hall, turned right, and walked some more, before stopping at a pair of double doors. Deirdra recognised the Paradius corporation's logo on them. she realised that they must have taken a back way into the building. But why? Her thoughts were interrupted as Alister opened one of the doors and ushered her inside what looked to be a conference room. There were three men seated at the head of the table, engrossed in a deep conversation. They fell silent and rose from their chairs when they spotted the newcomers.

"Ah, Alister, you've come. And you've brought the girl with you. Well done", one of them spoke. Deirdra turned to look at Alister, confusion on her face, but he kept his eyes locked on the speaker. "Come. Sit. Both of you.", the same man commanded. His tone was gracious but authoritative. Deirdra saw no harm in obliging him, and so she took a seat. Alister, however, remained standing. He hoped they would get this over with quickly. Deirdra looked at him again -and again, he would not return her gaze. She then turned her attention to the three men, who still stood.

The first man, the one who had spoken, was tall and slender and wore a purple silk suit. He had bi-colour eyes and long blue-green hair. Next to him stood a thick-set and muscular blond guy. He had a crop cut and sideburns and was dressed in biker garb similar to Alister's. But the most memorable thing about him was his penetrating stare. His eyes never left Deirdra's face. The third, and least imposing, member of the trio was a teenage boy with spiky brown hair, baby blue eyes, and a winning smile, also dressed as a biker. He looked to be a few years younger than Alister and Deirdra was grateful for his presence, as he didn't seem to be taking this meeting so seriously. The others' cold appraisals frightened her, though she knew better than to let it show.

The man in the purple suit then introduced himself as "Dartz" and asked her her name. "Deirdra Wallis. But most people call me DeeDee", she replied. "It has been brought to my attention, DeeDee, that you are a skilled duelist", Dartz said. She shrugged. "Maybe. What does that have to do with anything?" She glanced up at Alister, wondering what else he had told these people and why. "More than you might think", Dartz answered, smiling.

"Care to explain?"

"But of course."

She shifted in her chair as he continued.

"I'm sure that you are aware that we live in a world of immorality, greed, and corruption."

"Uh...yeah."

"And that a number of learned individuals throughout the ages -priests, philosophers, scientists, and the like, predicted that there would be an end to this world."

"Yes."

"And that -"

"Can you just get to the point? The point being what it is you want with me. I highly doubt I'm here for History 101."

Dartz was momentarily taken aback. And for the first time that night, Deirdra saw a smile creep over Alister's face. Meanwhile, the spiky-haired boy was trying to cover a snigger as the blond guy narrowed his eyes at his younger companion, then her. When Dartz regained his composure, he looked mildly amused himself.

"The direct approach. Very well. I am the leader of a group of talented duelists who are working to push up the date of Armageddon, if you will. Our little 'family' consists of the three young men you see here as well as three other 'family members' who are elsewhere at the moment."

"And this concerns me how?"

"I intend for you to join us in our endeavours."

"And what if I don't feel inclined to do that?"

Dartz's face darkened for a split second, then returned to a smile.

"Why don't you sleep on it? I believe you'll come around to my way of thinking sooner or later."

He turned and addressed the blond guy, saying, "Raphael, why don't you show our guest to her quarters?" Raphael nodded and came around the table. Deirdra rose from the chair and took a few steps backward, bumping into Alister. He gave her a rough push into Raphael's outstretched arms. The biker twisted her around, pinning her arms behind her back. Then he marched her out of the room. She didn't attempt a struggle. She might have been able to beat Alister or the spiky-haired boy in a fight, but she already knew she had no chance of overpowering this Raphael.

They reached their destination in no time. A pitch black store room. Raphael threw open the door and shoved her inside. Before shutting it, he said "Do me, and yourself, a favour and don't escape. I'm not going to be in a very good mood if I have to hunt you down at 4 a.m. or something." With that, he shut the door and the bolt clicked soon after. "...Not that I'll get much rest anyway, with all the racket Valon makes", she heard him mutter, going down the hall.

Dartz, now in his office, poured himself a nightcap and settled into his posh office chair to reflect on the night's success. Alister had performed remarkably well, considering his attitude problem. But then Dartz knew that he would, as he had made it quite clear that anyone who valued their job -and their soul, would do as asked. Sure, the biker had pleaded a reasonable enough case against bringing the girl to DOOM headquarters. But Dartz was not an entirely reasonable man and he had his own plans to execute and his own end goal in mind. Other people's personal dilemmas were of little interest or importance to him and would certainly not stand in his way. He sipped his bourbon thoughtfully, then switched on the monitor that was connected to the hidden camera in the store room. He smiled at what he saw. Yes, Dartz may not have been a reasonable man, but he was a man who knew how to get what he wanted.

In his room, Alister slipped off his boots and coat and plunked down on the bed, but he didn't bother switching off the light. He knew he wasn't going to get much sleep tonight. Or for many nights afterward. And it wasn't because of the music. For once, he was actually grateful for the heavy metal guitar riffs emanating from the stereo in Valon's room, and he grinned a few moments later when Raphael barked "Turn it down!"