Big Apple, 3PM

[Jim Raynor]

"I don't like this," Skaggs hissed, words slipping through clamped teeth.

"I didn't ask you to like it," Ditto murmured, hands in pockets. "I told you to do it."

The staircase was grimy and splattered with a dried mystery fluid. People streamed past them as they descended, with most eyeing Skaggs and taking another step to the side. The stench that wafted up from underground was horrendous, a terrible concoction of body odour and vomit with a trace of urine. Ditto exhaled sharply through his nostrils as it first reached him, and then decided to breathe through his mouth.

"How do you vagrants live like this?" Ditto asked as they left the last stair and passed under a flickering fluorescent light. "It's like you wallow in your own excrement for pleasure."

Skaggs gave Ditto a sideways glare. "You think this is a choice? What option do we have?"

"We could've met Enigma above ground, for one. Somewhere well ventilated, preferably."

"Stop your whining," Skaggs bit back, thumping shoulders with a man in a trenchcoat heading towards the staircase. "You're getting what you want."

Ditto's eyes sharpened. Mental note: don't treat Skaggs with anything but disdain or authoritarian discipline. "Watch your tone, Tattoo Parlour." Ditto didn't actively call him that anymore, but he noticed the extra wrinkles that formed on the thug's brow when he used it, and he used it specifically for that reason. "If I talk to you with any measure of civility, be grateful for it instead of throwing it back in my face. You might regret that."

Skaggs looked like he had more to say, but he kept his mouth shut and busied himself with pushing through the crowd.

They soon entered the subway station. Railway tracks lined both sides of the thin and dimly lit platform. A few commuters loitered about, some sitting on the chipped and discoloured plastic chairs while doting on their smartphones like a mother on their child. Others leaned against the support columns covered in cracked tiles, disinterested eyes moving over the dull landscape impatiently as they waited for their train. The cavernous subway tunnels darkened about two feet from the last fluorescent lights on the ceiling, leaving a great deal of mystery as to what lay beyond the veil. If the overwhelming scent of urine was any indication, there was an entire civilisation of hobos in them, and none of them cared about sanitation.

"Is she here?" Ditto asked in a low voice.

"We'll get to her soon," Skaggs said. He opened his mouth to add something, but ostensibly thought better of it.

Good. He was learning.

It came as faint echoes at first; a squeaking, grinding noise, dancing off the filthy walls. Louder and louder it grew; the sound of steel rolling over steel, the shaking of metal. A handful of the sitting commuters stood out of their chairs and peered into the consuming black maw of the tunnel in anticipation. A dim yellow light pierced through the darkness, and moments later the train screeched into the station, brakes whining as the dilapidated vehicle slowed down and finally shuddered to a halt. Automatic doors hissed open, some only parting half way, as the commuters struggled onto the cramped carriages.

Skaggs waited until the station was empty and the train's wheels started their gradual, squealing motion before he made any move at all. Ditto kept close to his side as they walked with the train, the faces through the windows speeding up until they were blurs of colour. As the last carriage threatened to zoom past, Skaggs burst into a sprint, catching Ditto off guard.

"Hey!" Ditto shouted, chasing after him. "Where do you think you're going?!"

As the edge of the final carriage whizzed out of the weak light and into the black of the tunnel, a hooded figure flung themselves at Skaggs. Ditto watched as the tattooed thug reached out and caught the leaper in mid air in a fierce hug, taking several staggered strides backwards to peter out the momentum. Skaggs put down his catch and Ditto walked up.

"Enigma, I take it?"

The woman looked at Ditto. The cowl shadowed her forehead and the top of her eyes, but Ditto could see a sparkle in them. She sized him up, mouth in a half smile. She was svelte, dressed all in black, and about the same height as Skaggs, although that didn't make her tall. A dagger had somehow found its way into her fingers and spun through them with natural ease. It was small, the blade no bigger than Ditto's index finger, but he suspected she knew how to implement it for maximum effect.

"Mhm. So you're ... Ditto, are you?" she said in a mirror smooth voice.

Ditto was already delving into her. Dextrous, confident, elusive ... best not underestimate her.

"Indeed," he responded. "That's an interesting mode of transportation."

"No one checks the back of the carriage. Plus it's more exciting."

Ditto nodded. "It was quite the gesture to agree to see me. Skaggs here tells me you only ever meet with him."

Enigma flicked her head up slightly, and Ditto saw a black lock of hair swing down her cheek and back into the hood. "Usually. Skaggs is the only one I can trust. But he did tempt with a saucy tidbit of information, and he'd only give it up if you were allowed to participate." She glanced at the thug for a moment, then back to Ditto. "And he knows I can never resist that."

Ditto eyed Skaggs, who wore his normal scowl. What was he up to?

"Really? And what, pray tell, did he have in store for you?"

Engima smiled. "You."

Ditto's countenance faltered momentarily, but he caught it before it sagged for too long. "I beg your pardon dear, I could've sworn you said me."

"Oh, I did," Engima went on. "He told me you defeated the Skullbangers singlehandedly. They threw everything at you and you just - bonk! - knocked them down, one after another. Even Diesel couldn't stop you. And then you took them over! Changed their name and everything! It's not every day you hear of something like this. Some guy just walks off the street and decides to overthrow a petty six man gang? I just had to meet you."

Enigma's thin lips pressed into a smirk. Was she teasing him?

"Oh, and don't call me 'dear.'"

Skaggs didn't grin, but the rest of his face seemed to smile.

Enigma was in far too much control here. Ditto hated being led in a conversation, especially when the other person held the information he craved. He had to turn this around somehow.

"That's very ... gracious of you," Ditto said, adding a grunt to show his impatience, "but I didn't come here to be praised." I've got a mirror for that. "I've heard you've got your ear to the ground in Coruscant. Nothing gets by you. Am I right?"

Ditto watched Enigma's features as she processed the challenge to her reputation. To her credit, she didn't give an inch. She plunged her dagger into a camouflaged sheath on her hip. "That's right. Someone so much as coughs in this place and I'll know about it."

"So then, I take it you know all about the explosion on Tier 4."

"The F-Zero track," she said. "Unfortunate business that. All those people had turned up for a sporting race, and some terrorist has to blow it up and ruin everyone's fun."

Ditto narrowed his eyes. "I'm afraid my interest in the matter is less than humanitarian."

"Oh?" Enigma feigned surprise, then smiled, as if she amused herself. Arrogant.

"Yes. I happen to know that a large contingent of clones was sent down from Tier 1 to Tier 4 in order to assist. I have a hard time believing that such reinforcements were necessary for such an incident, especially those guarding the uppermost level of the city." Ditto held out an open hand, palm up. "Care to fill me in on what the real reason was for their presence?"

"Ah," Enigma said. "I see."

She paced about the dingy station, the flickering lights occasionally plunging what was visible of her face into darkness. No one else had arrived since the last train roared through. Enigma knew how to orchestrate a clandestine meeting. Smart.

After a long and infuriating pause, she looked up. "Tell you what, Ditto. I'll let you know everything I know about the explosion at the track."

Ditto caught on. "If?"

"You've done this before," Enigma said in mellifluous tones.

"The knowledge 'industry' isn't well known for its pro bono work, my dear." Ditto smirked.

For the first time, Ditto saw her slip. A slight and extremely quick pressing of her lips. But it faded as fast as it happened. She really hated being talked down to. Ditto could appreciate that.

"No, I suppose it's not," she replied in a much less soothing voice. "Skaggs told me something I find hard to believe. As an information broker, all unverified claims, especially exaggerated ones, are worthless to me unless I can be certain they hold water. And you are the one who can make this fairy tale come true."

Knowledge that Skaggs had that was hard to swallow? What would ... oh.

"I think I know where this is headed," Ditto said, thrusting his hands into his trouser pockets.

"You do? Then let's get it out in the open and make sure we're on the same page," Enigma said. "Skaggs said you can shapeshift. In all my years, I've never heard of something like that. I've heard of incredibly skilled warriors, of people who can shoot energy out of their hands, wield magic, fly without a hovercar, all sorts of things. But to change your form? That's a rare skill indeed." Her eyes narrowed. "If it exists."

"Are you suggesting that the payment for the information is to be made by me transforming into another form?" Ditto asked.

Enigma shook her head. "I'm not suggesting it. I'm saying it."

Ditto eyed Skaggs and Enigma, both with hard and unreadable expressions. Transform? Why would she want to see that? Ditto had a hard time believing her reasoning was honest, but when he considered it, what harm was there in it? Skaggs and Team Rocket knew he could morph, and he had no concerns about that. If an 'information broker' knew as well, how could that affect him? Having dealt with many of her kind in Kanto, Ditto knew such facts were their livelihoods. It wouldn't be blabbed to the first person she bumped into on the street. It might sell for a high enough offer, but even then, so what? Ditto's ability to transform meant no one could ever know it was really him. A physical description was worthless when he could strip and mould his body at will, and an enemy knowing that pre-emptively made such a little difference, especially since he was so skilled at ... well, everything.

Ditto looked back to Enigma.

... didn't it?

"And what if I refuse?" Ditto said.

Enigma shook her head. "Then we have nothing more to discuss."

"What if I offered you money? Property?"

"No."

Ditto rubbed at his chin. "Why would you even want to know something like that? What worth is there in that information?"

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with," Enigma said. "But enough stalling. Do we have a deal or not?"

Ditto didn't trust those shaded eyes, but he wouldn't find out about the explosion if he didn't comply. Even though a cursory consideration of the effects of unveiling his ability resulted in nothing concerning, Ditto still felt this would come back to bite him somehow.

Oh well, it wouldn't be the first time.

"Fine," Ditto said. "Any requests?"

Enigma's eyes rolled upwards. "Hmm ... how about me?"

"You?" Ditto said.

"Unless that's too hard for you." She smirked.

Ditto shone with a white light and began recomposing himself. In a few moments, a perfect replica of Enigma stood before her, although Ditto had guessed her hairstyle.

Enigma looked at him with wide, probing eyes. "Impressive. So it was true after all."

Ditto immediately changed back into Giovanni. "So. I fulfilled my end of the bargain. Now your turn."

"One more thing," she said. "Can you become anything?"

"Yes."

Enigma nodded. "Then I am satisfied to know Skaggs wasn't lying to me. So you want to know about the explosion."

Ditto inclined his head. "Please."

Enigma took in a breath. "You're right. It wasn't the explosion that brought the clones down. There was enough of a stormtrooper presence at the F-Zero race to handle any terrorist activity, and there always is. No, there was someone there. Someone with quite a high profile. Someone the Empire had a great interest in obtaining."

After a pause, Ditto motioned with his hand. "Yes?"

"Have you heard about the bounty of the rogue space marine?"

"No," Ditto said, and immediately regretted it. Something told him Enigma, even as she was paying him, was still extracting more currency from him.

"Then you may find this interesting. The Empire was developing this gadget that can take the user directly into the Dataverse without using an upload terminal. So basically, you could enter the Dataverse from anywhere. No restrictions. Quite a potent bit of technology."

"I can see the implications," Ditto said, completely lying. His eyes scoured Engima's, but he still couldn't decipher her looks.

"Unfortunately for Palpatine, the soldier who was supposed to field test it decided to steal it for himself and hasn't been seen since. The Empire couldn't track him down immediately, so they're offering a reward for anyone who finds him and brings him to justice."

"What's this got to do with the F-Zero track?"

"I'm getting to that," Enigma said. "At the course, there happened to be a sighting of another of that soldier's squad. Most of them have been detained since the escape, but one other has been at large as well. I don't know why he was at the F-Zero track of all places, but the explosion seemed to spook him and he drew attention to himself. Once he had been identified, the Empire wanted to make sure he wouldn't escape, so they sent in the clones from Tier 1."

Ditto folded his arms. "And did they catch him?"

"What do you think?"

Ditto considered what he heard. A device that could upload the user into the Dataverse ... was that like the Omniverse's version of the Internet? Like Bill's Storage PC, taking people directly into the digital networks, as so many Pokemon from his world had done before? It seemed like such a rudimentary ability to Ditto, but to do it on the fly, without a terminal ... well, Kanto didn't have that sort of technology. Wireless information was just beginning to flourish when he ... left. Perhaps this Empire had honed that same technology that was only in its infancy in his home land.

In any case, such an item would prove rather handy. It sounded like the perfect escape tool; hide out of sight and disappear into the binary infrastructure, only to reappear in a completely different location. Not to mention the opportunities being inside a computer network could provide. He wondered how hard it would be to crack a bank's firewall with a digital Hydro Pump.

"This bounty," Ditto said. "Where do I go to find out more?"

Enigma slipped a folded note from out of a pocket and handed it to Ditto. "Go here. They'll get you on the right track."

"How'd you know I would want this?" Ditto said, taking the square of paper.

Enigma gave a quick, mirthless smile. "I knew what you were coming here to ask about. And before you ask how, what else would it be? You're not the first person who's come to me in search of my services lately, and they all want to know the same thing." She paused. "Hope you learned something useful."

Ditto nodded. "I think so."

"Oh, and one more thing," Enigma said. "I'm joining your gang."

"What?" Skaggs said suddenly. "No fucking way!"

"You want to join Team Rocket?" Ditto said. That was unexpected. She said it with such gusto and conviction. What was her angle? Stay on guard.

"I do," she said. "I'm sick and tired of always hiding in the shadows, staying out of sight. It's tough and dangerous. I want to find somewhere that offers some safety. Somewhere where I can hide out when I need to. Plus, I get a strong vibe from you that hanging around you will make for some intriguing times. You might even be worth your weight in gold."

"I just said no, for fuck's sake!" Skaggs yelled. "You ain't doin' it! Now hop back on the next train and get going!"

"I know you mean well," Enigma said in a falsely sweet voice, "but I don't listen to anyone."

"That'll change if you join Team Rocket," Ditto said, pocketing the note. "You'll be taking orders from me." Good. Establish the chain of command.

"Here's what I propose," Enigma said. "I join and get access to everything the rest of your cronies do. I'll even listen to your direction, but you have to let me do my own thing. I'm happy to assist you in any way I can, but I'm still working for myself."

Ditto cottoned on. "So you're really more of a contractor than an employee."

Enigma smiled faintly. "That's a good way to look at it."

"Why should I trust you?" Ditto said, giving her a hard stare. "Seems you might be a bigger liability than an asset."

Enigma cocked a brow. "You sought me out, remember? You wanted the information I had. I know much, much more than just a little bomb going off at a dirty race track. And I'm always learning more. I have ears and eyes everywhere. If I'm in your gang, you have unfettered access to that information."

"Good point," Ditto murmured. "But you didn't address the question."

"Oh, didn't I?" Enigma smiled. "So I didn't."

"You better not let her join," Skaggs said in a low voice.

Ditto's eyes widened. "Oh, I'm sorry? Is that backtalk I hear, Tattoo Parlour? After we just finished a discussion about this very topic? I better have misheard you."

Skaggs looked like he would tear out Ditto's throat with his teeth. "I ..." He sighed heavily. "I'm not fuckin' happy about this."

"Duly noted," Ditto said dryly. "It pains me to know my one true confidant dislikes my decision." He wanted to hire the informant even more now, even if just to ruffle Skaggs's feathers. He turned to Enigma. "You may be a part of Team Rocket. You may do as you wish, but when I desire your unique skills, you will make my requests your priority."

Enigma answered with a curt nod. "So, I guess I'll see you there."

"Do you know where the warehouse is?" Ditto asked.

"Of course she does," Skaggs said.

Enigma smiled. "I wouldn't be much of an informant if I didn't."

She hopped off the platform and dashed into the tunnel, quickly vanishing from sight, her footfalls echoing off the walls until they stopped entirely.

Skaggs glowered at Ditto but said nothing. They left the subway station, climbing up the staircase and out of the fetid smell. As they walked, he knew he had made a risky decision. Enigma definitely had no allegiance to Ditto, and assuredly had a plan brewing involving the Pokemon. Ditto couldn't see it yet, but he needed to be on guard. Conversely, so did she. As soon as Enigma stopped providing a benefit to Team Rocket, she would be removed. It was a flimsy arrangement, but they both stood to profit.

Ditto just had to ensure that he didn't get the bad end of the deal. As long as he employed his trademark wits, he would be fine. He'd be keeping a closer eye on Skaggs though, just in case. There was something going on between them, an unspoken connection. A friend, sibling, lover? Ditto would get to the bottom of it.

Ditto fished out the square of paper that Enigma had given him and unfolded it as they walked. It detailed the location of a maximum security detention centre. A basic rundown of the captured soldier's description was listed, and a few helpful suggestions as to how Ditto should carry himself while there. It was more than enough to get started.

Yet as they headed back to the warehouse, Ditto couldn't quell the itch at the back of his mind that maybe Enigma had big plans for that information he traded with her. And he wouldn't like the results one bit.

-----

Ditto's shoe clomped on the sidewalk as he stepped out of the hovering taxi. He slapped the door closed and took a deep breath of cool, refreshing Tier 1 air. The sounds of the city bombarded his ears; flying vehicles cutting through the sky, the undefinable and muddled conversations of the writhing lines of civilians swarming the sidewalk. As the taxi left Ditto to himself, he withdrew the folded square of paper Enigma had given him and unfurled it. His eyes skimmed the instructions, taking care to ensure no one else caught a glimpse, then pocketed it again.

He waited, watching the streams of people clogging his way, hoping for a moment where a space could open up. As much as he dealt with them and even wore one their own's skin for the majority of his life, Ditto hated humans. Being near worthless, strategically bankrupt humans was even worse, and the idea of touching them made his skin crawl. Having to shuffle in tune with a whole gaggle of the feral monkeys insulted his pride, but he had to do it. Sacrifices have to be made in order to achieve greatness. At least, that's what Giovanni always said.

Ditto sighed through gritted teeth and slipped in front of a suited businessman, quickly adopting the crowd's pace. He clamped his teeth shut as he trudged along, focusing on his target. The location was only around the corner, and then he could shed the crowd and be on his way.

Ditto burst free of the people at the corner and crossed the road. Hovercars came to an abrupt halt as he walked over the pedestrian crossing, although moments earlier Ditto was certain he would be run down. As soon as he made it to the other side, the hovercars wasted no time in taking off.

Passing immaculate stores and businesses, Ditto eventually came upon a plain white building, thin compared to the others that adjoined it. Two single windows glistened in the sun, high above the door. Two stormtroopers flanked either side, rifles at the ready, staring stoically into the city. On a street where every other building was teeming with customers, the stark and unadorned front stood out. Ditto, as little of an opinion he had on humans, knew that the citizens of Tier 1 must have noticed the difference. Though it was likely they avoided it precisely because they had a good idea that it didn't involve them in the slightest.

Ditto strolled up to the door. As he expected, one of the stormtroopers raised his hand. "Halt. This building is restricted."

"I have no doubt," Ditto responded. "After all, you wouldn't want just anyone coming through here."

"Move on," the other stormtrooper said. "We won't ask you again."

"Not fans of small talk?" Ditto said, although he knew he was pressing his luck. He flicked his wrist and out came a small computer chip. "This ought to speak volumes."

One of the stormtroopers took the chip and took out a handheld device with a screen. He jacked the chip into the device and watched the screen quietly for a moment. "I see. Come in."

They ushered Ditto into the door. The chip had been provided by Enigma when she arrived at Team Rocket's headquarters, saying that it would get him in to apply for the bounty hunter position. Ditto had considered it may have been a trap, and was at least expecting Enigma to spring one in the future, but something told him that she didn't have the desire to get rid of him yet. He also thought about bringing at least one of his new crew with him, but he didn't know how notorious they were. He didn't want to lose any of his gang to the Empire yet, and for no reason. Of course, leaving them alone meant giving them an opportunity to plot against their new dictator. Hopefully they weren't so forgetful that they would misremember their battle, and that Ditto could do it all over again.

Then again, he thought with a smirk, I did leave behind an insurance policy.

The inside of the white building was as plain and small as its outside suggested. A single desk was against the wall and a handful of plain wooden chairs faced it on the opposite wall. A suited man tapped away at a computer without looking up at their entrance.

"Talk to him," the stormtrooper said, handing back the computer chip. The soldiers went back outside to their posts.

Ditto walked up to the desk. "I'm here about the rogue soldier bounty."

The man kept his eyes glued to the screen. "Through the door."

Ditto looked to the back wall and saw the door. He walked through it and found himself in a metal detector.

"Stand still," came the receptionist's voice through a speaker. "This will just take a second."

Ditto stood still as an array of sensors scanned him, ostensibly searching for any concealed weapons. He was glad he didn't bring a gun now.

"OK, you're clear," the voice said. "Enter the elevator."

As the receptionist's voice quietened, two steel doors opened before him. Ditto stepped into the elevator, and the doors closed.

"Wait," Ditto said, his fingers sliding down the slick wall. "Where are the buttons?"

The elevator shuddered and fell much faster than Ditto was expecting. At first he thought the cable snapped, but the speed reduced little by little until it moved at a reasonable pace. As he descended, a question struck him; where was he going? He was on Tier 1. Where was the compound for the captured soldier? If it was in Tier 2, why wasn't he directed there instead?

Ditto's southern expedition halted as the elevator clicked to a stop. The doors slid open, revealing a windowless, steel grey corridor. Ditto strolled to its end and pushed through the door.

He found himself in a perfect square room. A windowed office was inset into the wall, and a heavily locked, reinforced door sat in the right corner. Ditto walked up to the counter. No one was there. He rapped his knuckles on the glass.

"Hello? Anyone here?"

A light burst from the ground, spreading out onto the roof, and in the spray appeared a featureless face.

"Good day, sir. How may I assist you?"

A computer? "Who are you?"

"I am Sector, the custodian of this maximum security facility."

Damn it, a computer. It was much harder to socially engineer a collection of ones and zeroes, should the need arise. "Are you a person?"

"No. I am an AI designed to watch over the interred criminals here."

"OK, great. So where am I? Am I on Tier 2?"

"No. You are within an undisclosed location beneath Tier 1."

So, Tier 1.5? A secret level for the worst Coruscant criminals? Interesting. "I'm here to see the soldier captured in Tier 4 a few days ago. I'm a prospective bounty hunter."

"Ah yes. Please provide your verification chip."

Ditto inserted the chip into a slot on the counter. A few moments went by. "Good. You may question him. Do not harm him, or I will be forced to intervene. Fifth door on the right."

Several loud bangs boomed in the square room, and the blast doors parted with a whoosh. Ditto pried them open and walked down a long hallway full of barred doors.

He stood before the fifth door on the right and turned the handle.

Meanwhile, at the Team Rocket's warehouse ...

"No." How many times did he have to say it?

"I'm getting fucking sick of your negative attitude," Tor said.

Diesel stood from the ground, dusting his knees. When he rose back to his full standing position, he was looking down on the mohawked thug. Diesel loved that about his height; it was a great intimidation technique, and people quickly forgot about it when he sat down. "And I'm getting fucking sick of your constant bullshit. I said we ain't doing it. I don't want to hear another word."

"Oh come on, Diesel!" Skaggs piped up. "What are you doing? You ain't showing him loyalty, are you? After what he did to us? To you?"

"It's a stupid, stupid plan," Diesel said again for what felt like the thousandth time. "You're talking about messing with a Prime. A Prime that thrashed us soundly. Whether or not he sees it coming will make no damn difference. You saw what he could do."

Shingles stood next to him. He could always rely on Shingles. A strong man, both physically and in character. Shingles was one of the few people Diesel had genuine trouble ordering around when it went against his ethics. Though the pierced man's morality wavered from time to time, Diesel had him pretty well pegged by now. And one thing he knew about Shingles was that he was loyal.

"Listen to him," Shingles said, his lip rings clinking. "He didn't lead our group for so long because he didn't know what he was talking about."

"I gotta agree," Vinny said, pulling down his tight singlet. "He's never steered us wrong before."

Vinny was a different story. Once a well-to-do businessman with a penchant for gambling, he lost it all when an associate of Spook Eye's swindled him of all his cash, leaving him with nothing. When he protested, they threw him into Tier 6, thinking he'd die there. He very nearly did, had Diesel not found him. Diesel didn't form bonds easily, and rarely with people like Vinny, but he was different, so he looked after him. Vinny definitely didn't have the stomach for fighting, and he hated doing anything illegal even if it would save his own life, but he was smart. The skills he picked up during his career had helped the group on more than one occasion.

"Yeah, until he handed the Skullbangers over to some dickhead in a suit!" Skaggs returned.

"You make it sound like he had a choice," Shingles said.

"Mooooooore paperclips!"

Diesel looked over his shoulder. Ricky somehow had found a stash of paperclips and was making some sort of weird shape on the ground with them. Ricky wasn't exactly a model thug either. While no one could question his fighting ability, he wasn't right in the head. It was a pity; the old Ricky was a good friend of Diesel's. But one day, after sneaking off to do something only Ricky knew what, he came back like ... he was now. Insane. But Diesel could never just let him go. He always held the hope that one day, he would right himself again. So far, that hope was held in vain.

"Enough," Diesel stressed. "We aren't going to do this. The Skullbangers were holding on by a thread. Maybe Team Rocket can be something more."

"Ah, fuck this," Tor said. "Skaggs and I will handle this. And maybe Enigma too?"

The door to the far room in the warehouse banged against the wall. Out walked a familiar face, hands in his blazer pockets, short hair perfectly combed, narrow eyes seething with anger just beneath the surface.

Except no one expected to see him today.

"Wait, aren't you supposed to be ..." Vinny said, trailing off.

"Oh really?" Ditto said, that searing glare fixated on Tor. "You'll handle what, exactly?"