Pierce sat across the table from his son. It was the first time he felt a little unnerved in close distance to him. But the look in his eyes that day he couldn't forget. It left him with this odd feeling he may be neutered at any minute.

They were sitting like now having dinner. "I hear you made a mess

again."

"Well, it's bound to happen once in a while." Slated stated flatly.

"You sound very calm for someone who cost me two of my best men." He slams a fist for added effect.

He was unimpressed. Slate snickers darkly before meeting his father's gaze with empty eyes. "The price seems really after what I lost. They should have already known it was a suicide mission. If you were going to miss them you should have kissed them goodbye."

"I don't know how I ever begot such an ungrateful son."

"Oh? Where was this concern when your little buddy was playing hide and seek with Janette?" A dark grin lined his face. " Maybe if separate you from your, little friend. You can find time to track me better." He slams his steak knife into the table. "Even better let's remove his two bouncers so you won't have to worry about creating another troublesome spawn like me."

Pierce is horrified by the son who had become a stranger before his eyes. He swallowed hard. ''I think it would be wise for you to go rest.

He chuckles again masking the brimming rage within. "Well if you think so, then it must be so. Right?" He said with a shrug.

He watches son leave his few before silently shuddering. Even now as he sits across his son once again he felt the need to shudder once more. He clears. He clears his throat. "Your performance lately has been decent but could stand-"

Slate sudden shove from the table halted his words as he locked his knees and moved the napkin over his special friend. "Since it's decent, let's leave it. " His eyes were absent and neutral like he was in auto mode. "I need to be a lot more careful with picking my shooters from now on." He. "He tightened his fist. I pushed off his marriage long enough. I need to find him a proper husband to keep him in line. "

Barbara sat at her desk going over the files. Waiting for a call from the agent. He had called this morning saying in had big news and would be in touch at the rendezvous. He never showed up. They sat waiting for a call on the emergency line. The phone finally rang. "Taff are you alright?"

"I am fine. I was worried I was followed. So I skipped the meet heading straight here. I drove around a bit in case I was followed her-" There was a sound then silence. "Taff? Taff?" Barbara signaled for them to send the relief team in. She could hear someone rummage around before the line went dead.

"Let's go. I want to meet this piece of work. When they arrive not only Taff, but the rescue team was dead except one He hangs from the ceiling by one arm. Tears streamed from his eyes, barely audible words came from his swollen bloodied lips. She could hardly recognize him until she moved up close. " Wallace?"

He realized someone was close to him screams blares out at the top of his weak sore lungs. He mumbles and cries as he was let down onto the floor.

The happy go, lucky full hearty guy, she knew from the academy now curled into a fetus position on the floor.

"Galactic Hell! What happened here?" She demanded from her team who had no answer.