While Gong briefs Rob, Maria and Xander make their way back to the Palace entrance to reclaim their vehicles and head out of the city, conversing en route.
"Why does Rob want to stay so badly?" Maria asks Xander. "He's never shown any attachment to Shang Tu before."
"It's his home city," Xander reminds.
"Yeah, but your home city is Shuigang, and you helped weaken their defences when Shang Mu and Shang Tu allied against them during that Brevon thing."
"That was different; the future of the whole world was at stake."
Maria thinks a moment. "Captain Icky's after the Crystals… if he gets them, then that could be the case again."
"Then we'd better get moving on those reinforcements."
"Right."
Moments later, Maria and Xander reach the main entrance hall. The guards at the bottom of the staircase part as soon as Xander makes his presence known; the guards at the main entrance however are less congenial.
"Sorry guys, palace is on lockdown; no-one's allowed in or out without express permission from General Gong," one of the guards informs Maria and Xander as they approach.
"Good thing we're on a mission from Gong himself then!" Maria replies.
"Very funny," the second guard retorts frostily. "Now back away and be a good kitty."
"See this scarf?" Maria growls. "See how red it is? What does that tell you?"
"So you're Red Scarves," the first guard comments. "Making it even less likely the general has given you a mission."
"Then let's try this," Maria continues, drawing her blades, violence flashing in her eyes. "Would you rather have two highly trained assassins with a double-figure body count trapped this side of the door, or the other side?" Xander flexes his muscles and draws his tonfa.
The two guards exchange nervous looks. The first guard gives a nod; the second opens a small door within the main door. "Move it," the first guard commands.
"Thankyou!" Maria sings with a saccharine smile, sheathing her blades. She leads Xander through the door; the door slams shut behind them.
"Um, where are our vehicles?" Xander asks.
"Right over there, si-" Maria begins, pointing to where their vehicles no longer are. "Right, show me who took them!" she growls, drawing her ninjato again.
Xander returns to the door and pounds on it heavily; a small window is opened at eye-level. "What now?" the first guard from before asks gruffly. "You're not coming back in."
"Where are our vehicles?" Xander demands.
"Try the impound," the guard answers.
"Which is where?"
"Inside the Palace."
"Which is under lockdown."
"Yes."
"So we can't get to our vehicles."
"Correct."
Xander sighs, then backs away from the door. "No go, little one."
"So we need to steal a couple of bikes," Maria growls. "Perfect. Just perfect."