"I trust you have something to report."

"Certainly something. We've found evidence that the group we're investigating are state sponsored. A few strands of hair were found as well; possibly Naja's. What are our next steps?"

"That comes later. What evidence makes you think they're state sponsored?"

"At the location where we found the hair, there was a door, like a bank vault door. Too large an expenditure and rather odd for a terrorist group to use. So there are two questions: what country is sponsoring them and what kind of weapon is behind the door. My guess for the latter would be either a nuclear bomb or biological weapon of some kind."

"A concerning sentiment in either case. Well for now you three look for any further evidence and otherwise sit tight. I need to speak to my new boss in the meantime."

"Who is he and what is he like?"

"She is hard working. Quite like you in that regard. I think you'll like her when you meet face to face."

"I'll be the judge of that."

"I look forward to hearing your assessment. Call me if you find anything else I should know about. Otherwise, sit tight for now."

"Will do."

Hiccup marched into the rear section of the private plane he and his cohorts were on.

"Hiccup, you'll want-" Fishlegs began.

Hiccup didn't bat an eye. "Hold that thought. I'm getting a beer."

"Uh, why?" Bekker blinked.

"Aimal. That's why. Can I get anyone else a beer?"

"Why are you drinking again?" Friis wondered. "You said you only do that when someone dies."

"Or when I regret how that person died. It's a new thing for me. Anyway, with whatever is behind that steel door, I think we're stepping into something above our pay grade; above anyone's really - so I think Sigrid will call off the mission. Who wants to bet differently from me?"

"How much for this bet?"

"Well we've got a couple bottles of beer, so how about one of them?"

"Deal. Friis, Fishlegs, you both in?"

"His name is Fishlegs?"

"Fred, actually. Fishlegs is a nickname. Please don't ask, Friis."

Friis blinked. "Uh…"

"And I was given the nickname 'Hiccup' when I was younger. Again, don't ask, but you should be able to guess why."

Sandra Friis blinked, then looked at Bekker expectantly.

"Ketchup top," she told Friis. "Because of my red hair. Any more questions?"

"I-"

Merry Christmas you filthy animals!

"-Whose phone is that?"

"Mine," Hiccup took out his phone. "It'll be Sigrid calling. Let me put it on speaker real quick… Sigrid, you're on speaker. What are we doing now?"

"You are all to return to Berk. A team from Skagen will take over for the time being. You have someone to tend to and someone else to find."

"Find? Okay, who?"

"Aage No-Name."

"Aage? Gods, what's he done?"

"Murder. But what's worse is that he and Dan have both disappeared. I'm sorry Hiccup, Fishlegs as well, but you may need to find and kill him."

Hiccup met Fishlegs gaze, and in his friend's eyes he a reflection of the sense of despondence he felt at the idea of having to kill a friend as close as Aage had been.

Nevertheless, he answered Sigrid as his training required.

"Understood. We're on our way."

He hung up, pocketed his phone and stood. "I'm going to get drunk now."

"I'll come with," said Fishlegs.

"Bekker? Sandra? What say you?"

"I wouldn't want to intrude. You guys go ahead," said Bekker.

"Well if you change your mind, you know where we'll be. Sandra?"

"I don't drink."

"Alright. Well, the offer is still open to you. Same as Bekker. Have fun, ladies. We'll be taking off in an hour or so."