Things had become quiet.

Too quiet.

Kage didn't dare breath a sigh of relief. Even if she was in the clear, she didn't want to chance it. She felt so ashamed. She had left Mr. Splinter to face those...things. She knew he could probably get away, at least fight them off for just a little bit. Kage heard voices and stilled herself. She didn't even think, she just froze, waiting for the voices to go away.

They were voices she didn't know, a few so deep she was surprised, and others normal, but still voices unknown to her. She was silent. The mystery voices had stopped by her hiding place, and Kage felt fear jolt through her heart. If they were who she thought they were...

"It stinks down here," a voice grumbled.

"Where we headed, dude?" another asked.

"To get those green thugs," a third voice snarled, presumably the leader's. "They've messed with us for the last time, it's time for them to get what's coming to them!"

The first two voices cheered in agreement.

"The Boss wants them out of the game, permanently," another voice said.

"Then let's teach them a lesson," a new voice seemed to smirk.

"No duh, dude."

"It's not that simple, you idiot. Do you remember the last time they kicked your butt? This ain't a normal jump, stupid."

"Then...?"

"Turn your brain on," the leader snapped. "I work with idiots," he growled. "We're going to do this smart, got that? Ya'll stick to the plan, and it'll all work out."

"That means no 'improve', got it?"

A chorus of voices nodded a dull agreement, and then the shuffle of feet let Kage know the group had moved on. Her blue eyes widened in shock. Mr. Splinter had told her that something had been going on topside, that someone had taken the lead for evil. So this guy had sent a posse down to the sewers to get the the turtles?

Whatever was going on, Kage wasn't going to get involved. All that mattered was she stay hidden until those things left the sewers, and she could go back to Mr. Splinter and see if he was still okay...

Kage turned her eyes toward the darkness, knowing it was her last defense against whatever was after her, and then disappeared into its depths.

~(0)~

"The only thing I don't get," Leonardo said to Captain Mortu. "Is why you haven't found this fugitive yet. If the device hears sound, wouldn't you have pinpointed the location yet?"

Captain Mortu sighed.

"It was still in its prototype form."

"Then why...?"

"There wasn't time," he said frustrated. "Certain things became out of our control, and plans had to be changed. The data was hidden before we had a chance to fine tune its carrying case, and it was set to be a safety locator. It was supposed to be locked around its guardian's neck, a way to keep it out of enemy hands. As for the sound, we only had time to program it for vocal chords. Coughs, sneezes, it only created static. A ship has been in your quadrent for the past six years because the static was always from your area of this solar system."

"What has transpired on your home world, Mortu?" Master Splinter asked gently.

"War," the captain replied tiredly. "We have been at war, old friend."

Leonardo looked at the Utrom in shock. His people were generally peaceful, they liked science, not weapons!

Well, usually...

"I'm sorry," Master Splinter murmured. The Utrom sighed, but smiled.

"At least one mission will finally be accomplished, it will boost morale for my people."

"I wish you luck in your endeavors, Mortu," Master Splinter replied.

That's when the alarm sounded.

Leonardo jumped up, running to Donnie's computer. The warning system was glowing red alarms, and Leonardo checked to see where the intruders were.

"Back tunnel," he called out.

"I will see to it," Mortu nodded.

"No!" Master Splinter spoke up suddenly, startling everyone. "I mean, no, please, your a guest. I will go."

"Sensei?"

"It will be okay, Leonardo," he assured his son. The rat got up from the sofa to head for the tunnel, Leonardo wondering what his father was expecting. The shadow girl? Kage? Was there someone else out there?

A shout was heard, and Leonardo was on his feet. What had he been thinking? To let his Sensei go alone? He was such an idiot! Leonardo ran toward the tunnel, hearing the alarms disappear...and he wondered why. He reached the silent tunnel, looking around confused, unsure, shocked.

There was no one there.

Correction, there was something there.

A note was on the floor, and Leo reached down for it. He felt like an idiot. No one had had the guts to come to the lair in years, so he hadn't expected anyone to ever use that tactic again. But obviously they had, and for a reason.

Leo read the note, growing cold. He was supposed to be the leader, he was supposed to protect them! He had failed...again. He knew they had come for him, his brothers, but they ended up taking a different mutant instead.

Leave us alone, or you won't ever get the rat back

Why did he feel like this was deja vu?