SEPARATION

"Loyalty to petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul." -Mark Twain

Isle of Skye, Scotland (Elysium)

Several tall columns of rock shoot up through the deep, serene blue lake that is in this large underground cavern. Some of the columns even reveal minerals of some sort that glisten off the light of several torches that have been rigged to illuminate this usually dark part of Earth. A large walking path forms a half circle around the lake in a backwards C.

The cavern's size is a little bigger than a large football stadium. It is both amazing and even intimidating in appearance if you scan up the walls to the ceiling. It's even more amazing that this cavern lies below the ground, hidden and unknown to the world...although this part of northern Scotland isn't exactly a high traffic area. It's only point of entry is in the middle of a steep cliff that faces the sea, buried under large brown vines.

But in Elysium, that entry has actually been shut permanently after an explosion Rambaldi ordered collapsed the entry way shut. So the only way to actually enter the cavern is if you've been there before or someone teleported you there. You could also drill through the top, but that could take a while, given the cavern's depth under ground.

This is Milo Rambaldi's secret cavern...a cavern whose whereabouts were completely unknown to the world for about 5 centuries. For over 500 years, the only person to even step foot in this cavern was Sydney Bristow as she tracked down The Tonic, the final weapon that helped Tom Falk complete the Ultimate Prophecy, aka Project Nadia. Nadia Falk, her sister, was technically there with Sydney, but in spirit only.

This cavern was hidden from the world from when Rambaldi died to the moment Tom revealed the Ultimate Prophecy, which turned Tom into Rambaldi's killswitch as he wiped the original prophecy, and it's most important followers, off the face of the Earth.

Those followers went to Hell...and most of those followers, along with others who died along the way, have forced the five members of the Elysian High Counsel to seek solace in Rambaldi's cavern.

All five members are on the north side of the large lake and all have varying degrees of nervousness on their faces. All five were held at knifepoint not a few minutes earlier. Being held at knifepoint is something that just isn't supposed to happen in Elysium, not even in fun.

Rambaldi is leaning back on a cavern wall, staring blankly out at the large cavern lake. Right now, he feels like he has egg all over his face. Even though it isn't there, he feels like there's an egg running down under his chin and down his neck. He feels slimy and uncomfortable. He wonders if the rest of the Council will ever trust him again.

Aristotle, Albert Einstein, and Marcus Aurelius are huddled together off to Rambaldi's left, near the entrance to the room where The Tonic was housed at. All three look very agitated.

But not as agitated as Paris of Troy feels right now. Paris sits on the edge of the lake, his legs hanging over the ledge, with his feet hanging just about an inch or two off the lake. His back is turned to everyone else, which is a good thing because he's dealing with a cornucopia of feelings right now.

He's relieved. He's relieved over the fact that his proposal to compensate adoptive parents was approved before Arvin Sloane and his crew arrived in the chambers.

He's angry. He's angry that Aristotle and Rambaldi are still alive. He's also angry that Sloane's failure will leave them as a potential lingering problem...a problem that he must be careful around for an indefinite period of time. He's also angry at the snide remarks Arvin Sloane made to him, almost outing him to the rest of the council.

But outweighing the first two emotions he's feeling is sadness. Aristotle and Rambaldi's death would have meant his ascension to High Counselor. High Counselor means influence. Influence means allowing the some that are damned to Hell into Elysium. One of those damned is the love of his life: Helen of Troy.

And now, Helen remains in Hell. Unless she were to risk sneaking back into Elysium, she's likely to stay there now. This was the one shot to eliminate Aristotle and Rambaldi. The council could stay in this cavern for as long as they need to. He knows neither Sloane nor Irina and Elena Derevko know where this cavern is. This also means the other masked companions probably don't know either.

But there is some shred of hope still inside him. Il Credo Divino already has killed two of Sloane's group, and are probably carving up the other seven as we speak. Paris hopes that this can be swept under the rug with him allayed of suspicion.

Paris turns his head and looks at Rambaldi, who continues to stare off into space blankly. Perhaps trying to conceal his true emotions, he frustratedly tells Rambaldi "I hope your band of killers are still good at what they do."

Rambaldi remains silent as a stone. He pays Paris no attention at all as he continues to be lost in thought.

The other three members of the council turn to Rambaldi curiously. After a few seconds, Marcus finally breaks the awkward silence. "I find your silence curious, Milo. Do you honestly have no defense for what just transpired?"

Rambaldi shakes his head slowly, but still says nothing. Aristotle, perhaps understanding where Rambaldi is coming from, tells Marcus "I think it is best that we wait for answers from Laurent L'Andre. Maybe he can fill in some blanks that Rambaldi can't at this time."

Paris lets out an unsatisfied chuckle and says "If it weren't for his prophecy, we wouldn't be in this predicament." Marcus sticks up for Rambaldi and says "Paris, you've been told about bringing up this tired discussion..." Paris snaps back "This is the PERFECT time for this discussion, Marcus! These were men and women that had their lives ruined because of Rambaldi, and now they're back! I hate to say it, but Sloane was right. Don't you see..."

"This is not my fault."

The flat words were uttered by Rambaldi just now, his first sign of conversation since leaving the table in the Elysian Council chambers. Paris gives Rambaldi an incredulous stare. "Is that so? This was no random attack!" Rambaldi looks down at Paris and says "You're right. This wasn't random. This was deliberate. But it wasn't I that enabled these people to leave Hell." Aristotle asks "Then what was it?"

Rambaldi looks over to the other three council members and asks "Arvin Sloane said that he was in Cocytus Lake. Are any of you familiar with Cocytus Lake?" Marcus nods and says "Yes. It's the frozen lake in the Ninth Circle of Hell where the worst of the worst are buried. This circle reserved for the truly treacherous. Some are buried in ice up to their knees, some up to their waists, some up to their necks...and there are some that are completely buried underneath Hell's ice. They say the Devil himself is confined to that very lake, with ice all the way up to his waist. It's rumored that his wings constantly flap on his back as he tries to escape. The wind he creates forces bone-chilling cold wind to blow throughout the lake...that wind probably is what caused the frostbite scars on the faces we saw."

Rambaldi nods, realizing Marcus has the story down, and and says "Now, how would anyone be able to leave the confines of that lake if they were under a block of ice, much less in the vicinity of Lucifer himself? No one escapes that lake." Einstein, looking like he was in deep thought, says "That ice is probably firmer than any ice we can conjure up in Elysium or on Earth. Been there for thousands upon thousands of years. It doesn't matter if you've been there for five, fifty, or five-thousand years... upward force on that ice would do absolutely nothing. They had to have been released from that ice somehow."

Suddenly, Paris starts feeling uneasy at the turn this discussion has taken and turns to face the lake to hide his trepidation. He knows that Helen at least had a part in springing them from the Ninth Circle, but that's about the extent of his knowledge. He doesn't know all the details, like Helen's bag of salt that melted the ice around Sloane and the Derevkos.

But to the best of his knowledge, the Council doesn't suspect that it was his idea, hatched right here in Elysium, that sprung them from Hell, but he wonders how long that will last. So, it's time to start steering the ship away from danger.

Paris turns to Einstein and says "Someone in Hell must have a bone to pick with us here. Why else would they want Aristotle dead as well? My guess is Rambaldi's death might just appease Sloane and the rest of the crew. But Aristotle might have been the real target. He's the High Counselor. His death might cause chaos." Marcus replies "But why leave me, Albert, and you alive? We have a protocol when something like that happens, the next in seniority would take over unless the other surviving members call the promotion into question..."

Rambaldi's jaw drops in disbelief. After all, he just remembered who's next in line if Aristotle were to perish: Paris.

Ramabldi quickly turns to Paris and says "If Aristotle were to die, you would be next in line. YOU would get the benefit of our death!" As the rest of the council's gazes turn to him, a very defensive Paris hops up to his feet and says "HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE ME OF BETRAYAL!"

Rambaldi tilts his head to the side in surprise. "That's funny. I was just stating a fact. I never said anything about you betraying us." Paris starts hyperventilating a bit, his will starting to waver. "No! No, you had a tone! You gave me a look!"

Aristotle starts casually walking over in Paris's direction. He calmly tells the agitated prince "There is no need to raise our voices in anger over things we're not guilty of." Paris hangs his head and takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry...it's just that I'm offended at the mere thought of betraying this counsel."

The cavern goes awkwardly silent.

Paris timidly turns and goes back to studying the water like he was before. Rambaldi gives Paris a bit of a cocky stare...seeing Paris all riled up amuses him at this point. But did he just solve the mystery already? That's what he wonders. Fortunately for him, he would not be the only one in the cavern that shared that idea.

A pair of footsteps are heard coming from the Tonic Room, as the Council members have deemed it. A tall man in an off-white hood emerges. Laurent L'Andre has returned.

Aristotle asks "Is the problem gone? Tell me they're dead!" Laurent, his hood already down, shakes his head. "I'm afraid not. They linked up and teleported away."

Paris starts storming towards Laurent. "YOU LET THEM GET AWAY!" As Marcus and Einstein restrain him from getting in Laurent's face, Laurent says "I do accept some blame for that. However, we were trying to figure out where this portal is. Killing them would have not solved the fact that there is a way for the damned to enter Elysium at will."

A discouraged Aristotle says "So you still have no idea on where this portal is." Laurent quickly replies "We believe Siberia is the most likely option. Not only is it remote, but men in black fitting these people's description were discovered at the Novosibirsk airport by Alec Derevko's men. I'd say that Siberia would be a logical place to have their camp."

Rambaldi asks "Do they know the locations of our homes?" Laurent shakes his head. "I highly doubt it. However, I would not return to your homes until we deem it safe."

Paris chuckles and says "Great, so we're stuck while you go combing through the woods of Siberia..." Laurent gets in Paris's face and coldly says "One, you're stuck here because this is the safest place in Elysium to be, and believe it or not, I do care about your safety. Two, we are coming through the woods, but there's a problem with quantity of staff, so yes it might be a while. Third, if you get mouthy with me again, I will cut..."

Marcus cuts Laurent off before something bad happens and asks "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Laurent stares a hole in between Paris's eyes for a bit, then turns to Aurelius, who asks "Laurent, how do you find out where this portal is, or where these people are?" Laurent takes a quick breath to compose himself and replies "We know that Tom, Nadia, and Mary Falk are also their targets. Therefore, we will allocate assassins to protect from afar. Surely these people will try an attempt on their lives at some point, so we have to wait for them to appear and try to capture them. We're better at hand-to-hand combat than they are and we're better at hiding in the shadows. We have the advantage."

Paris chuckles and says "And then you get to use your wonderful and humane methods of torture..." Laurent sneers at Paris and coldly says "Would you like a sample?" Paris says nothing, but keeps an irritated stare.

Laurent then turns to everyone else and says "If you men are quick about it, you may return to your homes to gather some clothing and personal necessities. One at a time, though." Paris says "I'll go first."

Before anyone can object, Paris closes his eyes and disappears, causing some frustration among the rest of the council members.

Laurent turns to everyone and asks "Was Paris acting this strangely before I arrived?" Rambaldi quickly replies "Yes. In fact, I think we should thank him for this predicament we're in now." Aristotle shakes his head and says "It is too early for that..." Rambaldi cuts him off. "His actions since then are not that of an innocent man. And guess what? He flees the first chance he gets. You think that's a coincidence?"

Marcus finishes his pondering and says "I hate to accuse a fellow Councilman of betrayal, especially an original like Paris, but I see Rambaldi's point. He would have a lot to gain from our deaths." Einstein asks "I know I haven't been here all that long compared to the rest of you, but has an investigation been launched against a fellow Councilman before?" Aristotle shakes his head. "No. There never has been reason to. In fact, there is no protocol for such a thing!"

Laurent speaks up. "Tracking him would not be a good idea. Paris would be too suspicious. Besides, I believe our priority is to protect the Falks. We can get the information we need that way." Rambaldi tells Laurent "If you're able to catch one of them in the act, ask about Paris' involvement. " Laurent gives him a quick headnod and says "It will be done."

Laurent then turns to Aristotle and says "It would be best to continue behaving normally around him. Paris is tense and jumpy...try not to instigate him." Aristotle turns to Rambaldi at the mention of that last part. "I think we can do that." Rambaldi reluctantly nods and says "I'll do my best. Sometimes, people just make it too easy."

Suddenly, Alec Derevko appears next to Laurent, causing everyone to jump a little bit by his sudden appearance. Laurent quickly asks "What are you doing here, Alec? You're supposed to be back..." Alec, in his thick Russian accent, cuts him off sternly. "We have a problem." Rambaldi asks "What is it?"

Alec replies "Our weapons cache was raided." Laurent asks "What all was taken?" Alec replies "Guns and ammo." Aristotle asks "How much was taken?" Alec replies "Three of our Glocks, six magazine clips, and some extra shells. At least one of them must have returned while the confusion was taking place in the chamber. We scanned the rest of the facility and it appears nothing else was taken."

Rambaldi tells Laurent "It's imperative that the Falks be protected now..." Laurent nods, but before he says anything, Alec says "Some of us feel we should send scouts unaffiliated with Il Credo Divino into Siberia. I understand this is not your preferred idea, Laurent..." Laurent snickers and says "It will do no good." Alec replies "Anyone not allocated to the protection of the Falks should be tasked to something, and we do have allies, Laurent. I say we focus on the remotest parts of Siberia and the area around Novosibirsk. In fact, we start in that area and work our way north and east."

Laurent defeatedly sighs and says "It'll be like finding a grain of sand on a beach. But we need to find this portal. Do it." Alec then gazes at the council members and says "A member of Il Credo Divino will be stationed at your homes, but I would advise not returning to your homes for some time. They will be hunting you...best not make yourselves readily available to those dogs." Aristotle tells Alec "Paris already left. When he returns, another one of us will leave to gather some belongings." Alec nods and says "I will escort each of you personally upon his return."

Laurent then says "And I will shadow Tom and Nadia Falk. Starting now." Rambaldi then says "Good luck. Report back to us when you can, even if it's to tell us nothing is happening." Laurent nods and says "Will do. Take care, gentlemen."

Laurent then teleports to San Felipe to find a hiding place to scout Tom and Nadia's home. Nadia would be home with Maria, but Tom was busy doing other things.

Bunker, MO (Elysium)

A frantic Tom Falk appears in the backyard of his Mom and Dad's house. He immediately sees his father Tom Falk Senior and grandfather Edward Landry up on ladders putting up light-gray siding on the back side of the house. Half of the one-story ranch home is finished, with the other half still exposing the dark red wood finish it always has had.

Tom walks up to the house a bit and shouts "HEY!" Edward and Tom Senior look down at Tom in surprise, nearly dropping the piece of siding they were holding.

A cranky Edward shouts back with somewhat of a country drawl "Dammit Thomas Loren, do you want us to fall off these ladders and break our freaking necks?" Tom cockily replies "Your neck is too thick to be broken, old fart!" Edward looks over at Tom Senior with feign anger. "Your son is awfully damn lucky I'm up on this ladder, otherwise I'd be down there kicking his ass for calling me an old fart!"

Tom Senior chuckles a bit and says "Go for it. I can wait. My son needs a good asskicking every once in a while. Keeps him in check." Tom holds out his arms and says "Hey, you don't need to send the old fart to do your dirty work! I'm right here!"

Tom Senior dismisses Tom's playful challenge and asks "What do you want? You obviously came here for a reason...surely it wasn't to help your father and grandpa put up this siding." Before Tom can respond, Edward says "Your brother was going to help, but he skipped out on us...he's been doing that a lot lately." Tom raises an eyebrow at that. "Eddie's not here? That's why I came by! He wasn't home!"

Tom Senior, now a little concerned, asks "What do you need to see your brother for?" Tom tilts his head a bit, surprised at the question. "Mom didn't tell you about Connie's wedding?"

Tom Senior hangs his head somewhat at the mention of Mary Falk. Edward notices Tom Senior's look of dismay and looks back at Tom. "Tom and Mary got into an argument last night, before she came down to your place."

Tom folds his arms and rolls his eyes. This is not the first time this has happened apparently. Tom lifelessly asks "Ok, what was the issue now?"

Tom Senior replies "Your mother thinks I can't relate to Eddie when it comes to Connie. She told me to stay out of it." Tom snickers at that a bit. "She actually told you that? Wow...now I know why she looked like death warmed over when she showed up at my doorstep last night. She must have just come from the fight."

A defensive Tom Senior says "I snapped and took it out on her. I said some stupid things..." An agitated Edward yells "You're damn right you said some stupid shit! You told her that she should go back to Bill Vaughn! Do you know the turmoil she went through, waiting for your ass to die on Earth and not continuing her romance with Bill?" Tom gives his dad a really offended look. "You really said that to my mother? What the hell is wrong with you?"

Now, Tom Senior is incensed from his son and father-in-law's comments. He snaps. "I SCREWED UP! ALRIGHT? THERE, I SAID IT!" Tom Senior takes a couple deep breaths as Edward and his son await further response, both looking displeased at him. Tom Senior, his voice a bit hoarse now from the screaming, continues. "And now...your mother won't talk to me. She's staying at Edward and Violet's house." Tom shakes his head in disgust and says "You're really unbelievable. Are you really that incapable of thinking about other things besides yourself?"

Tom Senior lets out a dejected sigh, then says "Look, your brother once told me that he checks up on Connie from a time to time. If I were looking for him, I'd check Earth. In fact, I'd check Connie's." Tom just glares at his father angrily, still upset over his treatment of Mary. However, he says nothing. Tom Senior now looks offended. "Or would you rather just stand there and continue to keep throwing me under the goddamn bus? Because I know that was one of your favorite pastimes after I died!"

Tom just lets out a quick, disgusted chuckle and says "I was stupid to think you changed when I arrived in Elysium. Some things never change." Tom Senior flatly replies "That goes for both of us."

Tom looks over at Edward, who's looking down at the ground like he's trying to make himself invisible from this conversation. Not wanting to belabor the issue anymore, Tom closes his eyes and teleports away, saying nothing more before he leaves.

Edward starts climbing down his latter, irritating Tom Senior even more. "Oh, you're leaving me too?" Edward stops and looks up at Tom with an angry look. "I have to take a piss, Tom! Jesus Christ..."

Tom Senior just stands there on the ladder as Edward climbs down, holding a piece of siding and wondering if the whole world is turning against him...just like it did when he was alive.

Los Angeles, California (Earth)

Eddie Falk finds himself standing in the hallway of an average contemporary suburban two story home.

He's fixated on the wall that is almost filled to capacity with family photos. A man and woman are depicted in many of them. The man looks friendly enough, if not a tad pudgy. He wears glasses, has balding black hair, and just has a look like he works with numbers somehow, like an accountant or a stock broker.

But Eddie's not interested in the man. He's interested in the brown haired, green eyed woman.

Eddie's bloodshot eyes are a sign that he's been crying recently. His brown hair is in a mess, like he woke up and decided not to bother brushing his hair today.

The woman he's looking at is the wife he left behind on Earth.

He stares at a picture of Connie posing in front of a sunset by herself. She's smiling brightly, clad in a light blouse and skirt.

Eddie sniffles a bit. "I took this picture, Connie. I remember like it was yesterday. You were so beautiful..." His words are stopped as more tears pour out of his eyes. He doesn't succumb to sobbing, but all his strength is needed to stop him from completely breaking down, which is something he's not known to do.

Eddie walks down the hall a bit at stops at a large framed picture that takes up much more space than any other picture on the wall.

It features a photo of himself in a Navy uniform, looking much younger than he does now. Above his photo is a folded American flag in the shape of a triangle...just like it's always folded when it's handed to the widow of a fallen Veteran.

Below his picture is an inscription:

"CWO3 Edward Aaron Falk

Former U.S. Navy SEAL

Operation Desert Storm

Born: June 11, 1970

Military service: 1990-1998

Medically discharged: 1998

Deceased: September 11, 2001

He died like he served: a hero. We shall never forget his sacrifice."

Eddie starts seething at the second-to-last sentence and starts slowly shaking his head. "I was no goddamn hero. I failed. I failed because no one would help me save the plane."

"You're a hero because you had enough guts to even try in the first place."

Eddie turns to his right and finds his brother Tom standing a couple feet down. He quickly wipes away some lingering tears on his face and asks "When did you get here?" Tom calmly replies "Just now. What are you doing here?"

Eddie snaps back "What does it look like I'm doing?" Tom fires back "Trying to hold on to the past."

Eddie turns back to the pictures on the wall. He studies them for a moment, then says as if in a trance "She's beautiful, isn't she?" Tom slowly starts walking over to Eddie and says "She always was, Eddie. She was a good woman, you were lucky to have her in your life."

Eddie shakes his head and says "No! She was the best! We had our ups and downs, but she always stuck by me. After my back issues took me out of the Navy, she was there when I was at my worst, when I thought my life was over because I couldn't be a SEAL anymore!" Tom nods as he pats Eddie on the shoulder and says "I know. She was strong...not a flake like my ex was. I'll admit I was sort of jealous of you sometimes."

Tom's attempt to cheer Eddie up falls flat as Eddie just keeps staring blankly at the pictures. Tom sighs and says "Eddie, you know what I'm going to say." Eddie quickly nods and says "Yeah, yeah, I have to move on. You're preaching to the choir."

Tom asks "If I'm preaching to the choir, then why are you here?" Eddie thinks for a bit, then replies "I just want to see her smiling one last time. To know that SHE'S moved on from ME! To know that she's going to be taken care of for the rest of her life! To look at the man that's going to be doing the job I should be doing and thank..."

The tears overtake Eddie once again and this time, he sobs. Tom looks genuinely troubled at Eddie's crying. He's only seen his older brother cry like this a handful of times, and not once since they reunited after Tom died.

Tom reaches to give Eddie a hug, but Eddie pushes him away and slowly starts walking away, hands on hips. Hugging was never Eddie's style.

Tom starts following him slowly as Eddie makes his way towards the dining area. Feeling helpless, he says "Eddie, you waited since the day you died for Connie. It was the respectable thing to do. I know it was just as hard for Mom..." Eddie turns quickly and says "WHAT? No! It was worse for her! It was worse because Dad was spiraling out of control and all she could do was watch for almost 20 years! She could have picked up where she left off with Bill Vaughn, but she stayed loyal to Dad!"

Tom thinks about that last sentence for a bit, thinking about what he wants to say about what he just learned earlier.

Finally, he just can't contain himself. "Eddie, right before I came here, I learned Mom and Dad separated. She's staying with our grandparents."

Eddie's face makes a quick switch from pain to a look of blank shock, like he was just hit by a bolt of lightning. "They're...no. No! What the hell happened?"

Tom thinks about how he's going to word this, since the subject of Eddie's current dilemma was the trigger for it. Finally, he says "I just came from their house...Dad and Gramps were putting up siding...Dad told me him and Mom got into a fight last night. She bolted when Dad told her to go back to Bill Vaughn."

Eddie's jaw drops at that. Suddenly, Connie doesn't seem so important anymore.

He starts shaking his head and says "That narcissistic piece of shit! Why in the name of Christ would he say that?" Tom doesn't respond at first, his mind racking about about how he's going to word this. Eddie picks up on it quickly and asks "Tom, if you know something, tell me. Bros Gotta Know. That's what we agreed to when we were young."

Tom defeatedly sighs and says "Mom knew you were bent out of shape over Connie. Dad caught wind of it and I guess asked if he could help. Mom told him not to." Eddie rolls his eyes and says "That's right, because she knows that he wouldn't know what to say, and whatever did come out of his lying mouth would be about as valid to me as an outdated coupon. He wouldn't know how to help me. Piece of shit..."

Tom says "Yeah. Dad took offense and really let Mom have it." Eddie clinches a fist tightly and now he looks like he's going to knock someone's block off. "I have to talk to Dad..."

Tom holds up his hand and says "No. This is their fight." Eddie snickers a bit and snarkily asks "If that's the case...is it wrong that I'm rooting for another man over my own father?" Tom raises an eyebrow at that. "You aren't serious..." Eddie cuts him off. "I am. Fuck my father. All the shit our mother went through to protect you and Nadia, all the years she waited for him to arrive...and this is the kind of thanks she gets? Bill LOVED our mother! He's a respectable man! She won't talk about him because I know she still has feelings for him. That's why it's hard for her to go to the San Felipe orphanage because Bill helps teach the kids there."

Tom looks down at the ground and says "While it'd make me a bit happy to see Dad get spited like this..." Tom then looks back up at Eddie. "...he is our father." Eddie chuckles a bit, surprised at Tom's response. "I can't believe you're defending him. You hated his guts while you were alive!"

Tom hangs his head and says "I still resent him for what he did to us, and for his latest display. I guess I'm just disappointed...I thought he changed." Eddie thinks for a second, then asks "Tom? Do you think people ever really change? Just because we're in a place where we're getting a 'second chance', do you think we truly lose who we were?"

Tom ponders that question for a bit, then replies "I like to think I've changed. I'm a man of peace now. I'm supposed to be the example for newcomers to follow. If these people knew what I did in Mexico and during Project Nadia, then I wouldn't be such a good example, would I?" Eddie smirks and replies "There's no cartels in Elysium, so what's there for an ex-Anti-Cartel agent to do besides get his act together?"

Tom smiles back at Eddie. "Good to see you smiling again, brother." Eddie chuckles a bit, realizing that his mood has improved now that his mind if off of Connie.

Then sadness returns to his face in a hurry. Eddie looks down at the ground and asks "Tom, you have your wife and daughter here. Storm Crew, too. I don't have any of that. And now that Connie is gone for good, what is there for me?" Tom calmly replies "You have your family."

Eddie quickly shakes his head. "The love from a family is not like the love you get from a woman you love with all your heart. I don't have that." Tom smirks and says "Yes you do...well, you can anyway."

Eddie looks up from the ground and asks "What are you talking about?" Tom's smirk turns into a smile as he says "Julieta Romero is who I'm talking about."

Eddie lets out a quick "Ha!" This confuses Tom a bit. "I wasn't being funny. I was being honest. Julieta likes you." Eddie gives Tom an incredulous look. "Bullshit! What the hell would such a gorgeous woman want with me? She could have any guy she wants!"

Tom quickly replies "No she can't. For one, she can't get out much because she's an orphan mother..." Eddie cuts him off. "Exactly! Kind of puts a crimp on any wining and dining..." Tom shakes his head and stops Eddie in his tracks. "If Julieta needs a night out, I'm sure Nadia will fill in if she knew you were taking her best friend out. Plus, there's a new adoption program that might lessen Julieta's workload. The Elysian Council was supposed to approve it today."

Eddie thinks for a bit, then ponders "Ok, say she suddenly becomes free for dates and nights out on the town. She's not going to waste her time on me..." Tom shakes his head quickly and says "Then you don't know Julieta. Keep in mind, Julieta was forced into prostitution in Argentina for the last years of her short life. Her experiences with men are mostly bad. From what Nadia tells me, she hasn't dated at all since arriving in Elysium. That's a long time to be alone, Eddie. She's been alone about as long as you have. But finally, she has found a guy she can trust. She found you."

Eddie cracks a small smile at that. "She said that?" Tom quickly replies "Well, no, but me and Nadia both notice how she reacts when your name is even mentioned. She likes you. You make her laugh. She's developed a comfort level around you. She already knows me, Nadia, Maria, Mom...and now, she needs a rock in her life. Me and Nadia both agree you two would be good together."

Eddie doesn't respond immediately. He's pondering the pros and cons of a relationship with Julieta. Yes, she's beautiful. Yes, he likes hanging out with her in the short chances he gets. But there's just one problem...

Eddie looks left and, with some of the saddest puppy dog eyes you'll ever see, looks at another picture of Connie.

Tom immediately notices. "Eddie. Look at me." Eddie stares at the picture for a bit, even allowing a tear to run down his cheek, then looks back at Tom, who says "You want to move on from Connie? Julieta is how you move on. Even if it doesn't work out...you'll have taken the first step."

Eddie sighs, still not quite buying this plan of Tom's. "So what am I going to do? Just randomly show up at the orphanage to whisk her away?" Tom flashes a wide grin and says "Nope! You're going to pick up Maria from a time to time. She's really becoming good friends with Emilio, and there will be days where it'll be hard for me or Nadia to pick her up. I was hoping her Uncle Eddie would swing by on days where me and Nadia are just a little too busy, you know?"

Eddie starts a low laugh. He points at Tom and says "That's good...I guess all that advice I gave you when you were starting to look at the fairer sex oh so many years ago registered! Take advantage..." Tom finishes the sentence. "...of ANY opportunity!"

Eddie, with his confidence and swagger now completely back asks "So, is Maria over there today?" Tom nods and says "No, she's home today. Nadia's waiting to go over the new adoption program and work on implementing it as soon as possible, so she's hanging out at the house all day. I'll let you know when Maria's at the orphanage...you'll have plenty of time to do whatever it is you do to get ready."

Suddenly, the front door of the home opens up, and Connie herself walks in. She's on a cell phone, talking about wedding plans. Connie cannot see Eddie or Tom, so she is oblivious to their presence.

Eddie's cheer diminishes somewhat, but doesn't go away completely at the sight of Connie. Perhaps it's because he feels hope that there is life without Connie finally.

As Connie takes a seat on a recliner and happily continues her phone conversation, Eddie makes an observation. "You know what? She is happy. And for that, I'm happy. She's in good hands. She doesn't need this guy anymore." Eddie then turns to Tom. "Let's get out of here and get a couple of brews at my place." Tom smiles and says "Sounds like a good idea to me."

Eddie turns to Connie one final time. As she happily chats away on her phone, Eddie softly tells her "I love you, Connie. I'll never forget you. I hope you live the life you dreamed of. Goodbye."

Eddie then puts his arm around Tom, who returns in kind. They both teleport back to Elysium.

Eddie would never return to check on Connie after this day.

Siberian Forest, Russia (Elysium)

It wasn't even an hour ago when 9 men and women that were sprung from Hell were about to start on their path of revenge. And confidence, if not general hostility, was in the air.

Now, only 7 of those men and women remain, and none are feeling very good about their mission now.

They're not in the original meeting ground, however. Instead, they're standing in front of the large portal to Hell.

There is no stone ring or anything of the sort that encompasses the portal. Just a wavy and somewhat distorted picture of a very unpleasant scene behind them: Dark rocks illuminated in yellow-orange light from a nearby fire.

One man, a well-built man, yanks off his mask in anger and looks at Arvin Sloane with a look like he's got bad intentions.

Cesar Martinez yells "Great plan, BOSS!" Kelly Peyton, standing next to a mentally-preoccupied Sloane, yanks her mask off and yells back "You're still here, you ape! Be grateful he got us out of there!" Cesar yells back "For how long? We're right back at the doorstep to Hell, TWO of us are dead, and none of our own targets are dead!" Sloane quickly retorts "We're here because we told Paris to meet us here when the job was done!"

Sloane looks over at Irina Derevko and says "You should keep a lid on the men you control..." Irina, not skipping a beat, replies "He has a point, Arvin." Sloane gives her an incredulous look and asks "What?" Irina replies "We're down two men and we haven't killed anyone yet. Your plan failed."

An agitated Elena then says "One of those men that died had an army at his disposal! Now that Francisco is dead, that army is gone!" Kelly looks over and says "Not necessarily." Elena flatly asks "Why would you say that?" Kelly replies "Remember where Francisco walked up to us from. He came from the opposite direction of the portal!"

Sloane asks "You think he might have his army stationed somewhere around here?" Kelly replies "Yes! We should look for them!" Sloane shakes his head immediately. "No, we need to refocus on what..."

Suddenly, a very nervous Paris of Troy appears.

Sloane immediately grabs Paris by the collar and thrusts his face to about an inch in front of Paris's face. He yells "WHAT HAPPENED?" A trembling Paris quickly fires back "I don't know!"

Julian Sark rips off his mask and asks "You never told us about the alcoves above! You never told us that there was a group of assassins nearby! Wouldn't that be good information for us to have?" Paris pushes Sloane away, not worried about any repercussions that might come of such a move. Then, he yells back at Sark "I have no idea why Il Credo Divino was summoned so fast, or what their plans were! I had no idea they'd go up through the alcoves!"

Elena angrily snarls "You tipped someone off." Paris throws his arms up and yells at Elena "NO I DIDN'T! This was my plan, why would I ruin my own plan? Why would I want Helen to suffer another day?"

Irina then says "Rambaldi summoned them at the table." Everyone, including Paris, looks at her strangely. Mitch Hayes, the last person to take his mask off, does and asks "When he leaned forward?"

Irina nods and says "You noticed that, too. He placed his hands so his fingers would go under the table. There must have been a panic button under the table." Irina then turns to Paris. "Wouldn't THAT be good information for a fellow Councilman to have? Why would they keep a secret like that from you?"

Paris sighs and replies "Il Credo Divino is under Rambaldi's command, not the Council's. He offers their services to the Council, but they're their own entity." Sloane is now curious about this group. "Who are these people? How long have they been in league with Rambaldi?" Paris replies "Since he was alive from what I gather. I don't know the entire story, but I know they're supremely loyal to Milo, and by proxy, they're loyal to the Elysian Council. Milo has a lot of influence, and they're a good reason why."

Sark asks Paris "So where is the Council now?" Paris thinks for a bit, then shakes his head. "Hidden."

Sark raises an incredulous eyebrow at that, but Sloane gets back in Paris's face. "You shouldn't withhold information from a group of angry men and women who just got screwed over in your scheme. Tell us where they are, or we're throwing you through the portal and letting you deal with what's on the other side."

Paris stammers a bit, then says "They're in a cavern! An underground cavern in Scotland!" Sloane sternly asks "WHERE in Scotland?" Paris shakes his head. "I don't know exactly. But unless you've been teleported there before, there's only one access point, and it's virtually impossible to enter ever since Rambaldi ordered the entry way blown shut."

Sark grabs Paris by the shoulder and tersely says "Take us there. Now." Paris shakes his head quickly. "No! They'll know it was me that sold them out!" Sark retorts "Not if you say you were brought in under duress." Carlos cracks his knuckles and says "Or if you were REALLY brought in under duress!"

As the group starts to bear down on Paris, Sloane coldly says "Do you want to bring your precious Helen to Elysium or not? Bring us to the Elysian Council and this is all over before you know it."

Paris thinks for a bit, then looks Sark square in the eyes as Sark keeps a hand on his shoulder. He slowly shakes his head and says "I've made a mistake. You better let me go, or I will reveal the whereabouts of the portal and your camp...oh yes, I know where your camp is! You want that threat to be over before YOU know it? Let me go!"

Sark doesn't immediately obey. He looks over at Sloane, who just sneers at Paris. After a few seconds, Sloane reaches to the back of his pants and pulls out a black Glock pistol. He pulls a magazine clip out of his pocket and puts it in the gun very deliberately, causing Paris to squirm. Sloane knows this, and is taking his sweet time getting his gun ready. Sark now grabs both of Paris's shoulders to keep him in place.

Paris tells Sloane "They know you stole those guns." Sloane chuckles a bit as he cocks the gun. "Good. After all, it was you that told me that guns are taboo in Elysium. Now they have another reason to fear me."

Irina quickly corrects him. "Us...they have another reason to fear us." Sloane looks at Irina with a bit of a sneer. "Right."

That distraction was all Paris would need. He quickly kicks Sark in the groin and causes his hands to leave his shoulders. Now touched by no one, Paris closes his eyes and teleports out of danger.

Sloane starts seething. He starts shaking out of anger. He looks up at Irina with a death glare. "Alec was right. You really are pathetic!" Irina gives Sloane a death stare back and doesn't flinch at that comment. "I'm not the one that had their plans blow up in their face not once, but twice in a matter of an hour. I'd say you're looking kind of pathetic yourself."

Sloane goes to say something, but bites his tongue for some reason. He takes the clip out of the gun, removes the round in the chamber, and tucks the gun back in his pants. He extends his hand to Sark, who looks like he's in a lot of pain on the ground from getting kicked in an uncomfortable area. Sark takes it and gets back to his feet.

Sloane looks out at the rest of the group and says "The priority now is Scotland. We must find the Council's whereabouts..." Elena shakes her head and says "No. We're short two men, we need all the help we can get against Il Credo Divino. We need to find Francisco's army."

Mitch steps forward and says "Excuse me! But weren't Tom and Nadia Falk on the hit list, too? Are we just going to forget about them?" Sloane glares at him and says "They're not the priority at the moment..." Carlos yells "BULLSHIT! I don't care about a buncha old geezers! I don't care about an army! I want Tom Falk's head! And I have...unfinished business with Nadia!"

Irina then looks over to Elena. "Look for Francisco's army. They have to be in the region somewhere. You and Kelly can search the area." Sloane steps towards Irina and says "Who said you were in charge?" Irina replies "Since you failed miserably today."

Elena starts slowly nodding. "My sister has a point. Your leadership has been a failure to this point, Arvin. Now we have three teams here and three things we need to do. I will not follow her and I will not follow you anymore. But I will hunt down the army, you can track down the Elysian Council..." Sloane snaps back "We need to stick together!" Irina fires back "And make us easy to find? No. Elena is right. You and Sark can go find the Elysian Council, Elena and Kelly can go find the army, and me, Mitch, and Carlos will go to San Felipe and find Tom and Nadia Falk."

Sloane turns away and his eyes start darting around, a tell-tale sign that he's perturbed and trying to find the right words to say. Finally, he says "Fine. We report daily. Question is where." Elena replies "The Elysian Council has their place that's off the map. I say we three go to another place that we've been to that was wiped off the map. Sovogda. The rooftop of the Oransky Building. It's still there." Irina and Sloane finally agree on something since they both nod affirmatively. Sloane says "Good. We report and set up base there nightly."

Mitch and Carlos quickly grab each of Irina's arms. She looks at them funny at first. Carlos finally says "Take us to San Felipe."

Irina smirks. Unlike everyone else, even her own compatriots, she actually seems downright happy at how this has worked out so far. In her mind, she thinks "Everything's going according to plan."

Wait, why would she want this kind of chaos? Nothing has worked up until this point. And now she's about to go off on her own with two hotheads. But she did pick them for a reason...a reason only she knows.

With a smirk still creased on her face, she happily tells Carlos "Done."

Irina, Carlos, and Mitch teleport away to head to San Felipe. Irina hasn't been there yet, but she's been to other places in Mexico and it would take them about a day to get there from where she goes.

But little did she know that someone had already arrived to protect Tom and Nadia Falk. Someone they had met earlier that day.

Someone...whose name is synonymous with death during his time.

They were soon going to encounter Laurent L'Andre in his favorite habitat.

END OF CHAPTER