Zachariah stared at the files that had been sent to him in complete and utter shock. His eyes were almost filled with raw terror. This had been something he was suspicious about for awhile but he had no idea that it actually existed. Immediately he had these files saved with what was pieced together and looked to his group, â€œIt seems everything weâ€™ve feared is coming to life before our eyes. These people have what they need and arenâ€™t going to stop until they get Azrai and the Oni girl. I donâ€™t even want to begin imagining what might happen, so in other words we must act fast.â€ Taking a moment to calm down, a deep breath was drawn in and exhaled. Everyone truly had been blind. They should have taken out this organization five years ago when they had the chance and now theyâ€™re stronger than they were. He cursed himself for being so stupid. If they failed now all hopes of returning to the glory they had centuries ago would be completely shattered.<br/><br/>They could not get Azrai. But it would be selfish to say that they couldnâ€™t get him because he was valuable, no, he knew damn well that Azrai was also a good friend. Zachariah had to protect himâ€¦ and it seems he would have to soon protect Elias as well. Surely the other organization had caught onto him by now.<br/><br/>â€œMaverick, there has been a change of plans,â€ He spoke to Maverick first. His voice was stern to further emphasize that thins have just taken a turn for the worst. â€œMeet me in my Bethlehem Headquarters. This situation has just become urgent and we must speak face to face.  I have already made arrangements to ensure that youâ€™ll be safe both leaving Jerusalem and crossing into Palestinian Territory.â€ After he was finished with Maverick, he contacted Elias again, â€œExcellent work, Elias, I can tell weâ€™re going to get along just fine. Unfortunately theyâ€™re probably aware of your little achievements by now. I will do all I can to prevent them from finding you for as long as I can, but I need to get a name for this mystery organization. Donâ€™t terminate our conversation; itâ€™s vital that we keep speaking. Rest assured that your friends will also be under my watchful eye while you work.â€<br/><br/>He just hoped they had enough time beforeâ€¦<br/><br/>------<br/><br/>So this was it. The part where everyone jumps down his throat and tells him how stupid he was even though again he knew damn well he deserved it. But was it really his fault? He knew he could never share that he had enjoyed his time with Shizu because they knew he didnâ€™t like to get attached to people whenever he went on mission. If he were to reveal that, though part of him wondered if they already knew about it, they would give him even more hell. And an argument was the absolute last thing he needed right now. It was bad enough his body felt like it was on fire; he didnâ€™t need to get into an argument with them. At least in that sense he could let go of some of his stubbornness. Besides, there had been enough arguing when he took on this mission and he really didnâ€™t want the only people he called friends, who he trusted, to stay angry with him.<br/><br/>He was expecting Ivan to deck him and call him a pain in the ass like he always did whenever he fucked up but instead he was calm and there was no violence. It surprised him to say the least especially because he had been so foolish and put everyone in danger by accepting this mission. In the back of his mind, there was regret, but his heart was trying to tell him otherwise. There was something much, much more to this and he was determined to find out. In the beginning he had been so compelled to accept that mission that he could not explain why. He still couldnâ€™t explain why, even when he searched his thoughts to grasp some kind of explanation to tell him why and it drove him crazy. His hand balled into a fist against the wall and he narrowed his eyes in thought, eyes downcast towards the floor. It confused the hell out of him why he felt compelled to protect Shizu even now, even when Ivan was dead right about him not being cut out to be a bodyguard.<br/><br/>However Shizu was still in their possession right? Wrong. He had to give that credit to Maverick. Had it not been for him he would have been dead. They would have all been dead. Sure he was able to keep her safe until they made it out of Japan the first time but Ivan was absolutely right that he should have contacted everyone the first time he was attacked. Maybe this could have all been avoided, but he hadnâ€™t been thinking about it that far, not expecting to be attacked once they got to Israel. It angered him to no end but he wouldnâ€™t give up now. There was something that was still bothering him however, he knew something that he felt he had to deal with, and he was not stopping until he found out what that was. But could he be getting in over his head? Maybe he should just return Shizu to her village if she wants to go back so badlyâ€¦ Ah, but he knew he couldnâ€™t do that. Ivan said it himself that she would not be safe and if anything happened to her he knew damn well he would most likely be responsible for it.<br/><br/>That it in itself was worse than the feeling of failure still threatening to eat at him.<br/><br/>â€œI apologize, but cannot tell you why I had accepted that mission,â€ he spoke softly, the apology clear in his voice. â€œI feltâ€¦ compelled to accept it, like there was something in the back of my mind that refused to turn it down. Hell, I cannot even find an accurate explanation for it.â€ Ever the honest man, he really couldnâ€™t. â€œI do not blame you for being upset with me. Perhaps I shallâ€¦ just stick with eliminating people instead of saving them from now on.â€ Hint of that bloodthirsty bitterness lingered on the tip of his tongue, but Maverick figured that was just Azrai being himself or so he hoped. He was still a bit wary and not really sure what to make of what the man had just told them. This situation was hugeâ€¦ He had half a mind to grab Azrai by the collar of his shirt and start yelling at him but he knew that wouldnâ€™t end well at all. It wasnâ€™t like he wanted to hurt the guy any more than he was already, anyway so perhaps the best thing was to let it go.<br/><br/>Suddenly there was a message coming into Maverickâ€™s wire. His entire body tensed as he listened to the sound of Zachariahâ€™s voice. â€œI hate to tell you folks this, but Zachariah needs us to meet him in Bethlehem. Things donâ€™t sound good at all.â€ He tried to hide the panic on his expression. Maverick was not someone who overreacted during situations but he knew when his boss was being serious. They needed to leave Jerusalem now. â€œLetâ€™s grab what we need now and haul ass. Before you ask, weâ€™re still in the clear in terms of the enemy coming after us. I think your tech friend discovered something after Zachariah got in touch with him, so I think you should contact him as well.â€ He let out a breath and then gave some instructions to his snipers, only to have them say that Zachariah had given them similar orders. That man was always thinking ahead.<br/><br/>â€œWhere is my Desert Eagle?â€ Azrai asked in a dark tone as he gazed at the two men in his living room with a slightly absent though pained look in his eyes. The man was fighting the pain as best he could but it was still getting to him; his wounds were bad. Maverick shivered a bit at first but then nodded and went into the kitchen, removing the gun from where he had hidden it as a precaution even if it was empty and handed it to him. Azrai then slowly went into his back room and reloaded the gun before slowly opening the bedroom door so he wouldnâ€™t frighten Shizu with his sudden entry. â€œWe are leaving,â€ he told Shizu briefly before he limped over to his dresser drawer and pulled out a pair of jeans, throwing them on.<br/><br/>------<br/><br/>Lucian had been dead sleep when he was dragged out of bed by some stranger, a knife to his throat. The stranger walked him out to the kitchen and pinned him to the ground, still keeping that knife to his neck. â€œWhat the fuck is this?â€ The pilot roared in a clearly irritated tone, irritated may have even been a understatement, livid would be a better word, trying to look over his shoulder at who could possibly be doing this to him at this hour of all fucking times. He had just got back from a long flight and now this!? Something wasnâ€™t right; he knew that since the beginning when he was first told to go pick Azrai up from Japan.<br/><br/>â€œWe have a little pest problem, a hacker, and youâ€™re going to tell me where I can find this pest. Heâ€™s been quite elusive and heâ€™s being helped. I suggest you be good and listen to me, I really donâ€™t want to have to kill you and the hacker.â€ The stranger said in a cold tone. Lucian fell silent. They wanted Elias? What the hell was going on and what had he hacked into to make someone want him dead? â€œNot talking? Thatâ€™s not a wise decision, for I dislike silence. Now come with us and take us to your hacker friendâ€¦â€<br/><br/>As much as Lucian wanted to fight back, he cared for the well being of his friends, he knew he couldnâ€™t. He wasnâ€™t much of a fighter even if he was a decent marksman for one, and second the man his him pinned down. Clenching his jaw, mentally apologizing to everyone, Lucian nodded and the stranger lifted him up and took him outside.<br/><br/>â€œWeâ€™ve secured the hackerâ€™s friend, sir, but it went far too smoothly.â€ A man that had been waiting outside said into his earpiece. â€œAwaiting further orders.â€