Part Three

Brookhaven University, the following day.

Today was a good day for Sonya Blade.

The weather was nice and pleasant. So much so that she decided not to take the SUV to work, but rather her treasured motorcycle; a Liberty Triumph, complete with motorcycle saddlebags, allowing her to take her teaching material to Brookehaven. Her old bike had been totaled in an auto accident years earlier. Fortunately, Sonya was not on the bike at the time, as the bike itself was parked outside a bookstore when a truck smashed into it. The Liberty Triumph had been a gift from her husband.

Johnny had joked that she loved the bike more than she loved him.

The classroom was empty, save for Sonya and Elena, the students having left for the day. While Elena proceeded to pack the teaching materials, Sonya was wiping down the dry board. Tomorrow, she would be spending the better part of the day grading term papers in regards to Niccolo Machiavelli and Sun Tzu. The day after that would be spent at Strategic Solutions.

Sonya was in a good mood, which stemmed from the night before. Johnny had told her about Cassie's desire to join the military, and Sonya had decided to talk to her eldest daughter (by three minutes) of her decision.

[Flashback]

The night before, at the Cage Family Home.

A family meeting was taking place inside the living room. Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage sat on the love seat, while their two children was seated on the couch, and their niece was on the armchair.

Sonya had been surprised to discover that her niece and her eldest daughter wanted to join the military following high school. Roxanna was already studying to become an actress, with her father grooming her to follow in his footsteps. The twins had just turned seventeen, and starting their junior year in high school.

Had it not been for the fact that Roxanna Carlton Cage dyed her hair racecar red, you couldn't tell her apart from her twin sister, Cassandra. Sonya had raised a big stink over it when Roxy dyed her blond locks, but it had been Johnny who allowed it, saying that 'At least it makes them easier to tell who's who.'

While he had been banished to the couch for a week over that, Sonya had to admit that he was right over that.

Usually, it's the elder sibling who was the responsible one. But it was Roxy who was the responsible one. Ironically, it was Cassie who took after their father when it came to style, while Roxy took after her when it came to substance, although for Cassie, having both was better.

They did, however, inherited their father's warrior bloodline and his penchant for low blows. Fortunately, for Sonya, they inherited her looks, her skills and her drive to be the best at what they do.

Jacqueline Sonya Briggs was present because Sonya had asked her to be. The daughter of Jackson and Vera Briggs was considered family by Johnny and Sonya, just as their children were considered family by Jax and Vera.

"Cassie...Roxy..." Sonya began. "You're both in your junior year of high school, as is Jacqui. Have you any thought as what you want to do when you graduate?"

"I've been taking acting classes since middle school, Mom," Roxy replied. She looked at her father. "I know what I want to do. Dad wants me to attend college before I break into acting."

Sonya nodded. She then turned to the other twin. "Cass?"

Cassie and Jacqui exchanged looks. "I talked about this with Uncle Jax and Dad. I want to do a tour with the Army. Since I can't act, I figured that the military was the next best thing." Cassie raised her hand, stopping her mother's reply. "I know you have your concerns, Mom, and I know you still don't think too highly about the Army after what had happened to you...but I gotta do this."

"Why do you want to go into the Army, Cass?" her mother asked.

Cassie sighed as she ran her hand through her short blond hair. "Roxy and I lived in you and Dad's shadow all our lives. Jacqui lived in the shadow of Uncle Jax under her life. Honestly, I had no problem with that. It's easier to admit now that I was spoiled. But all that changed with the Red Dragon and the Blood Code..."

Cassie took a deep breath, while Roxy placed a hand on her twin sister's shoulder for support. Even now, it was difficult for her to speak about the Blood Code. Skarlet had corrupted Roxy, who in turn corrupted Jacqui and Cassie was the last to succumb to the deadly blood magik. When Sonya and Jax was captured alongside Kotal Kahn, it had been a corrupted Cassie who had inflicted the Blood Code on Sonya herself, while Roxy had corrupted Mileena.

"I wasn't in control when Havik ordered us to try and kill Dad and the others when they came to rescue us, but I was still aware," Cassie confessed. "I never felt so...helpless in my life."

"I know the feeling," her mother said. "I did rip off Kintaro's head."

"You and Dad taught us how to fight," Roxy said. "We even learned from Uncle Jax, and received instruction from Uncles Kenshi, Hanzo and Kuai. But Cassie agree with me when we both feel like...a second-rate Cage. You, Dad and Kenshi saved Earthrealm when we were babies. You even brought Uncle Jax, Hanzo and Kuai Liang back to life. How can we compete with that?"

Sonya was about to reply, but her husband had beaten her to it. "Roxanna...we don't want you to be like your mother and me. We want you to be better than the both of us. Try not to make the same mistakes as we did, and believe me when I say we made plenty."

"Cassie, if you do decide to join the military, then I won't stop you," Sonya said. "But you have to do this for yourself, and not to redeem me. I've long since been redeemed in the eyes of the public."

Cassie looked up. "You mean...?"

Sonya smiled. "I may not be 'Mom of the Year,' but I will always be proud of you, Cassandra Cage. Both you and Roxanna. Your father gave you his blessing in regards to your decision, and now you have mine. And when your tour's up, there will be a spot waiting for both you and Jacqui at Strategic Logistics. I'll see to it."

Jacqui beamed. "Thanks, Aunt Sonya."

"Yeah. Thanks, Mom," Cassie seconded.

[End Flashback]

"You seem to be in a good mood, Boss Lady," Elena noted.

"My daughter wants to follow in my footsteps," Sonya explained. "First by joining the Army, then both her and Jacqui want to sign up for Strategic Solutions once they are discharged."

"So you're gonna go and put in a good word for the both of them with the Director?" the Black Lotus mole asked.

"Not yet," Sonya replied. "They got to prove their worth first. I plan on training Cassie and Jacqui into the ground in order to prepare them for what is to come. Johnny wants to take the both of them to Seido. I'm still kind of apprehensive on that."

"Why?"

"Long story."

"You made a very good life for yourself, Major Blade," a third voice said.

Sonya stopped wiping down the dryboard. "I know that voice," she said. "One hoped I'd never have to hear again." She turned around. Almost immediately, her good mood went bad upon seeing one of the two perpetrators of her fall from the military, in her classroom.

Drew Blake. Formerly known as Captain Blake, now Secretary Blake. His hair was starting to go grey at the sides, and he traded in his Army uniform for an expensive-looking suit, but it was him. He stood in front of the students' desks, the only thing standing between him was the massive counter-like desk that Sonya was standing behind.

"It's been a long time," he said.

"Not long enough," Sonya replied, giving her nemesis what her husband called her 'signature Blade death stare.' "Why the hell aren't you dead yet?"

Meanwhile, Elena remained silent, watching as how this would play out between.

"Easy, Major," Blake said, hands in a placating gesture. "I come in peace. I just want to talk."

"I'm not a Major anymore. I have you and your father to thank for that." Sonya pointed to the door. "See the door? Use it, and get out of my sight."

"Okay, you're still upset over what happened. I can see that."

Sonya blinked. "Upset?" she repeated. "Upset would be me jumping over this desk and showing you your spine. Upset would be me bouncing your ass up and down the halls of this building. Upset would be my husband caving your balls in before knocking your head off off your shoulders. Upset would be my daughters beating you within an inch of your life. You haven't seen me upset, Blake."

"I'm not here to get into a pissing match with you, Sonya," Blake said. "Look...I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry for me and my dad torpedoing your career."

"..." Sonya folded her arms across her chest.

"I wanted S-F. I wanted that command," Blake confessed. "But when they gave it to you after Briggs died...I was angry. I saw it as me being looked over."

"You wouldn't have had the respect of Flagg and the others," Sonya said. "You're a desk jockey, not a grunt or a veteran. You always hide behind your daddy when you never got you way. I worked for everything I had. When it was taken away, by your daddy if I remember correctly, I had to do it again."

"You were always better at it. Commanding loyalty. I learned that first-hand when I was given command of S-F, when everyone resigned in support of you...and in defiance of me." Blake swallowed hard. "I need your help, Sonya."

Sonya blinked. "My help?"

Blake nodded. He reached inside his pocket and pulled out two photos. Walking over to Sonya, he placed them on the desk. "My wife," he said, pointing to the first photo. "My daughter and her husband," he said, pointing to the second photo. "My daughter's three months pregnant."

"And what does this have to do with me?" Sonya asked.

"Strategic Solutions and Logistics."

The former major cocked an eyebrow. "So you know I work for them?"

Blake nodded. "Part time, as an analyst and consultant, yes. You've been with them since their inception. Which means that you're well-connected to the Director." He looked down at the photos. "The Black Lotus kidnapped my family."

Had Sonya noticed, she would have seen Elena's expression do a complete 180.

"And you want to have a sit-down with the head of the most influential private military companies on the West Coast in the hope that they can rescue your family?" When Blake nodded, Sonya shook her head. "The company doesn't do wetwork. We provide security. Violence is only a last resort."

"All I want is to meet with the Director, Sonya. That's all. Everyone has a price. I will sell my soul to get my family back. You're a mother. If your children were kidnapped, you'd do anything to get them back, right?"

That made Sonya pause. The Blood Code Incident had left a bad taste in her mouth, as not only was Cassie and Roxy were kidnapped alongside Jacqui and corrupted under the Blood Code, but both Jax and herself were also corrupted when they attempted to rescue them.

"I'm trying to find a diplomatic solution, for once in my career," Blake said. "I've already paid their ransom. But they haven't been released yet. I'm hoping to see if The Director can negotiate for their release."

Sonya frowned. "The Director does not..."

Blake cut her off. "I know that it's against policy for The Director to interfere in the affairs of others, but I have to try, Sonya. Please..."

For one minute, Sonya said nothing. Then she produced a sheet of paper and a pen, and scribbled down an address. She slid it to the opposite end of the desk. "Be at this address tomorrow at 3 p.m. You'll get your meeting. I can't guarantee anything else. Now get out."

Blake looked at the address. Then he nodded and departed without another word.

"Sonya?" Elena prodded.

"Go home, Elena," was all that Sonya said. She needed some time to think.

Later on...

Sonya found herself on the beach, staring out into the ocean. Funny how things brought themselves full circle. She spent her time staring out into the ocean when she had first been dismissed from the Army, and now, she found herself here again. She had hoped never to see Blake or hear from him following her dismissal.

She was wrong. And it only took her fifteen years.

She was supposed to be grading her students' term papers. Instead, she was looking out at the ocean, just as she had done fifteen years earlier. Sonya didn't know why she agreed to Blake's request for a sit-down with The Director. Part of her wanted him out of her sight, while the other part actually sympathized with his plight in regards to his relatives being abducted.

She had called in a favor to Suchin, the wife of Kenshi and the Shirai Ryu's representative to Strategic Solutions. Suchin had given Sonya the details surrounding the Black Lotus' kidnapping of Blake's family. A black-ops operation in Thailand designed to weed out the remnants of the Red Dragon who had been terrorizing the area. A family had been caught in the crossfire, slain by Blake's men. The family had been members of the Black Lotus.

Blake himself had remained behind in Washington to attend several important meetings and hearings while his wife, daughter and son-in-law went on ahead to Madrid for their vacation. That's when the Black Lotus kidnapped them, and demanded ransom.

Much to Sonya's surprise, the Shirai Ryu had discovered the location as to where Blake's family was being held. However, Hanzo had given the order not to do anything. What was going on with Blake had nothing to do with the Shirai Ryu.

"Something on your mind?" Johnny's voice broke through her thoughts.

Sonya turned her head. "Hey." She turned back to the ocean.

Unlike the last time, when Johnny had embraced her from behind, he chose to stand beside her. "You haven't answered my question, babe."

Outside of giving her husband the stink eye for using that term of endearment, Sonya told him what had happened today with Blake's visit.

Johnny didn't show no emotion, nor did he open his mouth until Sonya was finished.

"I thought I had put that part of my life to rest," Sonya finished. "And now, it's back. Blake's back."

"You've agreed to his request of a meeting with The Director, right?" Johnny guessed. When Sonya nodded, Johnny sighed. "You do know what this means, right?"

Again, Sonya nodded. "Yeah. It's against policy to get involved, but one part of me actually sympathizes with him because it's his family that was kidnapped."

"And the other part?" Johnny asked.

"The other part is the devil on my shoulder, telling me to just watch as he dig his own grave."

"Is the devil wearing skimpy lingerie?" Johnny joked. Sonya gave him the stink eye. "Sorry. Bad joke. You knew this was coming, Sonya."

"Still doesn't make it any easier, Johnny." She sighed. "I got some calls to make, and I need to prepare for tomorrow."

"What about Cassie and Jacqui?"

"They already know. I told them. They understand that this is what I have to do. I got to put this to rest."

Johnny decided to just leave it at that. He trusted his wife's judgment, and she always made the right choices.

Well, most of the time, anyway

The following day...

The main office of Strategic Solutions and Logistics was something that Secretary Blake himself was not expecting when he pulled up to it. It was a six-story building of glass and concrete. To the public, the building housed a software research firm, which was kind of true, as Strategic Solutions had invested in the company.

The software company took up three floors, while Strategic Solutions held the remaining three floors.

Sonya Blade stood in the main lobby of the building. She had a meeting earlier in the day at Brookhaven, which was followed by attending a luncheon with her husband, which is the reason as to why she was dressed up to the nines in a womens' business suit; the jacket and pants black, the shirt white, with the shirt's cuffs poking out from the jacket's sleeves, while the heels she wore boosted her height to six feet even (think Mature's Elle Driver-inspired costume from KOF). Her Strategic Solutions ID badge, which has her placed at Level 5 clearance, was pinned on her jacket. Her hair, as always, was tied into her braid. Elena, dressed casual, stood beside her.

The rented sedan pulled to a stop, and out stepped Secretary Blake, flanked by three beefy men in dark suits and sunglasses. His security detail, Sonya realized. The fact that his family had been kidnapped had clearly spooked Blake into protecting himself. From the look of things, he wasn't getting any sleep.

When Blake and his detail made their way to Sonya, she stopped them with a raised hand. "They stay behind." When it looked like that Blake was going to argue, Sonya shot him down. "Either they stay behind or the meeting is off. Your choice."

Blake sighed. He gave the order for his men to remain with the car. Without another word, Sonya led Blake and Elena inside. Sonya exchanged greetings with the security guards at the desk – Strategic Solutions employees disguised as rent-a-cops – and walked down the small hallway towards the elevator. Apparently, the ID Badge also served as a keycard, as Sonya scanned it into a card reader before pressing the button to the top floor.

The top floor consisted of offices reserved for the senior members of Strategic Solutions, only accessible with the appropriate clearance. From what Blake knew of the company, below The Director, there were six high-ranking executives who helped oversee the organization alongside their boss. They walked past the office of Colonel Clark Flagg, who watched flabbergasted as Sonya led one of the architects of her fall from the Army down the hall.

For Elena, the Black Lotus can cross off Flagg as head of Strategic Solutions. Personally, she had her money on the crazy Frenchwoman who killed her abusive husband as The Director.

Blake's breath grew in anticipation as he followed Sonya down the hallway, towards the door at the end of the hall, the door containing only one word emblazoned on the glass: DIRECTOR. Sonya used her ID to unlock the door, and ushered both Blake and her assistant inside.

Blake looked around the office. Not too showy, but it was modern. The office was slightly larger than his own office, complete with a counter covering the wall on his left, a couch on the right wall, and the executive desk poised in front of the window, complete with two chairs in front of the desk, complete with a laptop and a personal communicator. The nameplate was turned towards the window. A family photo also faced the window. A 50-inch flatscreen TV was placed on the wall next to the door.

Even Elena was impressed with how the office looked, as this was her first time inside the office. It looked even better than Sonya's office at Brookhaven.

The desk, however, was empty. No Director.

"Where is the Director?" Blake demanded. "You said he...she...whoever it is will be here."

Sonya said nothing. She instead, walked towards the desk. As Blake watched with dawning horror – and for Elena, with shock creeping on her face – Sonya calmly walked around the desk, pulled the chair back, and sat down, scooting the chair inward. Then, she reached over to the nameplate, and turned it around, allowing Blake and Elena to read it.

The nameplate read SONYA A. BLADE, DIRECTOR.

"Sonya Blade, Co-Founder and Director of Strategic Solutions and Logistics," Sonya introduced herself. She gestured to the chair. "Sit."

Blake swallowed as he slowly walked over to Sonya and sat down in one of the chairs. "You're the Director of Strategic Solutions?"

"I'm the Director of Strategic Solutions," confirmed Sonya. "I co-founded this operation alongside my husband."

When Sonya and her allies had killed Kano all those years ago, Kenshi had came across some rather interesting information whilst fighting Tasia. He had read her mind before killing her, and discovered the location of a hidden Black Dragon warehouse in Reno. One that the Black Dragon stored their ill-gotten wealth.

Sonya had led the midnight raid the following night. The place was guarded with a skeleton crew, as Kano had expected to be back upon dealing with Sonya. Said crew was dealt with, the security cameras and footage destroyed. And inside, the prize: six massive chests, each filled with $5 billion in gold bullion.

Each kombatant claimed a chest, and returned home. Jax had buried his chest inside his barn. Vera had raised a big stink over it, calling it 'blood money.' Jax called it 'severance pay' for destroying the Black Dragon. After explaining what Kano had planned to do to Johnny and Sonya, Vera couldn't help but to agree.

Subzero and Hanzo had used their money to rebuild their respective clans. Kenshi had donated some of it to open several schools for handicapped children and several orphanages.

Johnny and Sonya had buried theirs near their vacation home in Lake Tahoe. Ironically enough, the inspiration for Sonya to form the security firm came from her husband, as he did a movie in which he played as an American who joined the French Foreign Legion. She began to research into private security firms and had came into contact with Colonel Flagg, having just retired from the military. He had also brought along the British operative, Marissa Ronson, and after a night of brainstorming alongside her husband, Strategic Solutions and Logistics was born, with Johnny and Sonya co-founding the organization, but Sonya was the Director of the outfit. Flagg and Ronson were the faces of the organization, while Sonya played along by working as a consultant and analyst.

In effect, Sonya and Johnny were one of the richest couples in North America...although no one didn't know that part.

"But...you're a professor..." Blake sputtered.

"Yes. I'm a professor because I like the work. And I also run Strategic Solutions to give former soldiers like myself a new purpose in life," Sonya replied. "And both being a professor and a businesswoman has been good to me. Now state your business or get out."

Blake cleared his throat, which had gone dry. With a shaky hand, he reached inside his jacket and pulled out a photograph. He handed it to Elena, who quickly got over her own gaffe, and handed it to Sonya.

The picture was that of the two pomegranates.

"I told you that my wife, my pregnant daughter and her husband were kidnapped. The Black Lotus demanded that I paid the ransom to secure their release. I did just that, and all I got in the mail were two pomegranates, one intact and the other crushed."

Sonya looked at the photo. Then she set it down. She knew the truth behind why the Black Lotus had kidnapped his family, but she wanted to make sure that he wasn't lying. "First...tell me what did you do to piss off the Black Lotus. They are usually harmless, playing Robin Hood to the downtrodden and impoverished. They only come after those who abuse their wealth by inflicting misery on others."

"There was a black-ops raid in Thailand," Blake explained. "We were going after the remnants of the Red Dragon. Several innocent civilians were caught in the crossfire. Three of them were Black Lotus - a mother and her two daughters. The black-ops was green-lighted by myself."

"So the Black Lotus kidnapped your family in retaliation, is that it?"

Blake nodded.

Sonya looked at the photo of the pomegranates. "The pomegranates are the symbol of Kishimojin. She is the Buddhist goddess for protecting children, easy delivery for childbirth, parenting and family - harmony between husband and wife, love and the well-being of her family." She tapped her finger on the photo. "Kishimojin has 1,000 children, but in order to feed them all, she steals away the children of humans to kill them. The intact pomegranate means survival, while the crushed one represents a death."

Blake's blood ran cold. "Who was killed?"

That, Sonya did not know. "Don't know. Could be anyone. When did you pay the ransom?"

"About a week ago. The pomegranates came to the house two days ago. Is there anything you can do?"

"Two days..." Sonya repeated. "The Black Lotus' M.O. is that once the ransom is safely in their hands, a picture is sent to the family. Once the family receives the picture, the kidnapped party will be released after seven days. Your family will be released in five days."

"How do you know that?" Blake asked.

"I worked with the F.B.I. in regards to identifying potential terror groups that could be a threat to the U.S., and Earthrealm," explained Sonya. "I wrote the report on the Black Lotus. The kidnapped relatives and family members confirmed that after a week, they were released once the ransom was paid following a proper chastising."

'That much is true,' Elena thought. She had read the report herself, as the Black Lotus had a contact with the F.B.I., who had sent a copy to Number One and The Council. Number One was impressed with the report. It was that same report that had placed Sonya on the Black Lotus' radar.

Sonya's PDA began to beep. She retrieved it and looked at the screen. It was a message from Hanzo.

Director Blade. Turn on your TV. CNN will do.

Feeling a sense of dread, Sonya picked up the remote control and powered the TV on. Then she punched in the channel for CNN.

The top news of the hour was that of a failed raid and rescue operation in South Korea.

"...this is just tragic," the anchorwoman was saying. "If you're just tuning in, there has been a raid at a Black Lotus stronghold on the outskirts of Seoul."

Sonya went rigid in her chair. Elena looked worried. Blake's heart was now lodged into his chest.

The anchorwoman cleared her throat before continuing. "We are going to continue to cover this breaking news. From what we managed to find out from our South Korean counterparts, the raid had been carried out by Executive Outcomes, a private military firm with close ties to former Army General Brad Blake."

Sonya knew of Executive Outcomes. They were a rival outfit, considered to be a group of loose cannons and trigger-happy nutjobs.

"As you know, the Black Lotus has kidnapped Sarah Blake, wife of Secretary Drew Blake, along with their daughter, Jessica Blake, and her husband, Lieutenant Aaron Lawrence," the newscaster continued. "In a tragic case of friendly fire, the hostages were slain by the Executive Outcomes mercenaries."

To back up this claim, security footage that had been retrieved by the Seoul police showed just that. The trigger-happy mercs had accidentally gunned down Blake's family in a state of bloodlust. This time around, the Black Lotus was innocent.

"Oh, God..." Sonya whispered.

Blake looked liked as if he had been stabbed. His family was gone, slain because his father thought he was doing what he thought was right. Then, he felt it, building up inside of him, like a volcano.

And then, it came. A terrible scream came from his gullet as he flopped to the floor, on his hands and knees, beating the floor. Within seconds, Colonel Flagg and Major Ronson came charging into the room, handguns drawn, but Sonya was on her feet, giving them both a silent order to stay their hand.

"DAMN YOU!" Blake screamed. "GODDAMN YOU, DAD! WHY?! WHY DID YOU DO THIS?! YOU KILLED THEM! YOU FUCKING FUCK! YOU FUCKING FUCK! YOU KILLED THEM ALL!"

Now, Blake was keeled over on his side, crying uncontrollably. Thanks to his father's arrogance, he would never see his family alive again.

"NO….No...nononononono..." Blake moaned as he continued to wail.

"What the hell happened?" Flagg demanded as he safetied his pistol and holstered it, with Ronson doing the same.

Sonya said nothing. She instead pointed to the TV. Flagg and Ronson got the gist of what had happened and nodded, both looking down at the distraught man in sympathy.

Once again, in his infinite wisdom, General Blake had screwed another person over. Only this time, it was his son. And his arrogance had cost him the lives of his daughter-in-law, his granddaughter and her unborn child, and his grandson-in-law. What made it worse was that the Black Lotus didn't even have to do a thing. Their blood was on General Blake's hands.

Sonya sat back down in her chair. "Flagg...Ronson...there is a car downstairs waiting for Secretary Blake. See him out."

The two subordinates nodded and picked up the still-wailing man, Flagg screaming out the names of his wife and daughter. Once Flagg and Marissa half-escorted, half-carried the sobbing Blake out of the room, Sonya clicked off the TV, and sighed. Now, there was Elena left to deal with.

"Elena."

The aforementioned woman turned back to Sonya. "Yes, Sonya...I mean, Director Blade?"

Sonya pointed to the chair. "Sit."

Without a word, Elena took a seat opposite her boss, wondering what was this all about.

Sonya decided to cut to the chase. "I won't tell you not to keep this a secret, because you will more than likely tell your superiors as to what had happened here today."

"So you know that the Black Lotus has sent me here?" Elena asked, wondering how in the Hell did Sonya find out.

"I've known that you were part of the Black Lotus for quite some time," the Director of Strategic Solutions continued. Much to Elena's surprise, Sonya didn't seem upset. Just amused...and annoyed. "And I also know that Strategic Solutions have been on their radar as well, trying to figure out if I'm a threat. So tell me...what do you think of me? And be honest."

"From what I've seen, you're only a threat if someone threatens your family or your friends. Other than that, you're actually pretty pleasant to be around, and both your students and the guys here like you. So what happens now?"

"You stay on until the end of the semester," Sonya replied. "Your contract expires around that time. After that, you're free to go."

Elena blinked. She was expecting Sonya to call in backup, forcing her to fight her way out of the building. She was even expecting Sonya to kick her ass for lying. This was unexpected. "Just like that? I'm free to leave? No repercussions, no retribution?"

"The Black Lotus didn't threaten my family, nor interfered with official Strategic Solutions business in any way," Sonya replied. "And I'd like to keep it that way. As you've already found out, Strategic Solutions is allied with the Lin Kuei and the Shirai Ryu. And both my husband and myself are friends with their respective grandmasters. I'm willing to bet that they also know about my past history, am I right?"

Elena nodded.

Sonya folded her fingers. "I'm not going to stop you, Elena, nor will I try and stop you from reporting this to your bosses. But I got to keep this business clean. I'm letting you go when your contract is over. You can tell your boss that so long as they don't hinder any operatives and/or operations from Strategic Solutions and Logistics, then I will show the same courtesy in return. I will expect an answer later on or tomorrow the latest."

"So you're proposing a non-aggression pact between your company and the Black Lotus?" Elena asked.

"Yes."

"Will that be all?"

"Yes. You may go."

Elena stood up and walked out of the room. Sonya leaned back into her chair and sighed. 'Blake, you fool,' she thought, cursing the elder Blake. 'All you had to do was wait five more days. Had you waited the five days, then they wouldn't have been killed. Their deaths are on your head.'

"General Blake is a dead man once the Black Lotus gets their hands on him," Sonya mused to herself as she calmed herself down.

Sonya looked at the photo. It was of the Cage family, consisting of herself, Johnny and their daughters. The gears inside her head began to turn as she wondered how Cassie would take the news that her mother was the head of Strategic Solutions.

Sonya then made a decision. Just as Johnny was grooming Roxy to follow him into the movie business, Sonya would groom Cassie to become her successor, with Jacqui as her No.2.

Later on...

Johnny was waiting for her when Sonya had came home. Like Sonya, Hanzo had sent him a message in regards to the failed raid that ended with the deaths of Secretary Blake's family. Like Sonya, the deaths had shook him.

He was waiting for her inside the living room. Cassie and Roxy were out with Jacqui. Sonya said nothing as she walked over to her husband and embraced him. Johnny also said nothing as he returned the embrace, allowing his wife to draw onto him for support.

Neither person knew that in the coming days, events surrounding Secretary Blake and his father would take a much more tragic turn.