"The crisis at the gates has been averted, sir," said the Elite Klokateer who had introduced himself earlier as 34.

Dick jerked awake. He hadn't even realized that he'd fallen asleep but at least 34 was experienced in running things when Charles was absent. It was good to wake up to good news. The deddy drop had gone as planned and luckily there had been more bears than children.

"And the band?"

"112 and 56207 are two of our best trackers. They've managed to find Dethklok at a bar called Depths of Humanity."

"That, uh, okay. Depths of Humanity, huh. That sounds foreboding," Dick said.

"Dethklok is on the move!"

The announcement came just as Jean-Pierre arrived. Behind him were half a dozen Klokateers pushing rolling buffet tables of food.

"Merveilleux!" the chef gurgled happily at the news.

"Thank you, Jean-Pierre," said 34, getting up from the security panel. "We were starving."

Dick slid down from the raised seat, newly energized at the mouth-watering smell of French toast. The War Room Klokateers who had headed for the food made way for Dick to serve himself first. Charles had really, actually quit this gig? Hell, he'd always had to order his own food, even when he was producer.

"So, the band is on the move. Okay, that sounds promising. Where are they heading?" Dick said. He took his time, eyes roaming over and zooming in at each buffet to see what was available.

"Lord Skwigelf seems to have an idea where Lord Wartooth is being held," said a Gear still at the panel. "Our team is following them to an abandoned building but it appears there are.. obstacles."

"Obstacles? Like what, exactly? Hm?"

The Klokateer could have looked frightened or concerned or noncommittal under the hood, but he'd never know. Dick never did get the whole hood thing. Reading faces was something he was good at and it seemed counterproductive to not be able to stare someone down as they spoke to you. "Ahh," the man sighed as 34 dashed over to resume his place at the panel, "a few hundred angry musicians."

Dick was about to fling his plate of food at the Gear when 34 spoke up.

"Crisis averted. Dr. Rockzo the Rock'n'Roll Clown has distracted the mob. Dethklok and Ishnifus Meaddle made it safely into the building."

"The clown?" Dick's eyes whirred and reset to their default positions as he attempted to process that information. With brows furrowed he stared down at his plate of food. "That fucking clown saved the day?"

"The team is reporting that he stalled the mob with cocaine."

Oh. Well. At least something made sense that day.

It wasn't long before fate decided that Dick needed another brush with a heart attack.

"Dethklok managed to escape, but.. Ishnifus Meaddle did not exit the building. He's presumed dead."

Dick massaged his temples. What would Charles do? How would Charles have handled this situation? Dick wasn't cut out for calling the shots outside of a recording studio. "Nnnn, if he's dead," he said, eyes flickering from red to green and back again in uncertainty, "then Dethklok doesn't have any guidance."

"Your orders?"

"Um, tell the Gears to break cover and assist them!"

34 nodded and gave the command.

"Sir," Dick could tell by the sound of the Klokateer's voice that something was wrong. "They're reporting that Dethklok has already reentered the building."

"Get in there after them!" Dick shrieked with his heart in his throat. William. 34 relayed the message and then closed his eyes and gave a shake of his head. Dick showed his teeth in a snarl. "Put them through the loudspeakers."

It only took a moment for the lines to be rerouted. "Hello?" said a voice.

"You!" Dick said. "Which dickless moron are you!?"

"This is 56207 speaking, sir."

"You let them go back in alone!? Why aren't you going after them? It's your job to die instead of them!"

"It happened too quickly, sir! The doors were closed and barred. 112 is over there now trying to get them open. Huh?" A muffled voice could be heard shouting.

"What? What did he say?"

"A red light, there's a red light engulfing the building! Some kind of beam is coming from the sky. The Revengencers are fleeing and the door is back open!" The sound became muffled again and Dick leaned forward, straining to hear. What? Are you sure? was all he could make out.

"Tell us what's going on!" Dick said.

"112 said the building is imploding? Collapsing? It's still standing right now. He's heading—"

The sound of 56207's voice ended abruptly. Frenzied running and breathing echoed through the room. No one made a sound. Finally, 56207 managed to catch his wind and shouted, "They're out! Dethklok is out and they have Lord Wartooth!"

The War Room erupted into cheers. Dick sank into the seat and put the back of a hand to his clammy forehead. What a fucking night.

"In the bag," he said faintly.