David hunched over his knees, balancing his bag and books as much as he could in the chopper's swaying motion. He sighed as yet another patch of turbulance forced his pencil to skid halfway across the page, making him pick up the rubber for the tenth time in half an hour.

"Lets see... I-Chi, Ni, San, Shi, Go, Ro-Ku, Shi-Chi, Ha-Chi, Ku, Ju..." He counted off each one on his fingers as he went, holding the notebook in place with his elbows, comminting the numbers to memory.

"However, 4, 7 and 9 have other names..." He muttered to himself, tail flicking on the bench set into the wall. He glanced out of the window, down onto the flashing waves in the morning sun below and unconciously shifted away from the thick glass, his legs curling up beneath him. His wings shifted beneath his long cloak, undone for the short overseas trip, and his nostrils flared as he picked up the mild scent of food from the cockpit. He grumbled to himself and hunched back over, ignoring the gnawing feeling in his stomach as he flicked through pages of painstakingly handwritten notes.

A large jolt of turbulance knocked him against the wall, making him hiss through his teeth as he collided wall with a large bandaged wound on his back. Bandages criss-crossed his entire body, but the back wound was the worst. If you were to remove them, you would have come across a large gash running the length of him, from shoulder blades to the top of his tail. A keepsake from his "Grandfather" on Monster Isle. He rotated his shoulder, growling deeply in his throat as bone scraped on bone with a dull clicking. It was pure luck that he had avoided the worst of Cyber-Godzilla's attack and only caught the tip of his claw. His father, the currant Godzilla, took the brunt of the blow, but was expected to make a full recovery. Eventually, along with the help of Elsie, they accessed certain Leviathin technology that made up the majority of Godzilla's cybernetics. A cut-off switch was accessed through David and his wings and while C-G was in Dreamland a remote access was grafted to it. Now, whenever he ventured out of his territory, the cut-off activated automatically.

David closed his eyes and rubbed his chest. No matter how indestrucible you may think you are, a ball of super-heated plasma still stung. He was completely worked over; bruises beneath his silver fur, bones cracked and small rivulets of blood seeping through the bandages that would be removed before arrival. As a result, he was craving meat to help treat his wounds and recover vitally needed energy. Even fruit would be welcome, but fresh, raw meat was needed eventually. He rubbed his stomach soothingly as it gurguled away to itself, looking forward to even the school's cafeteria food. From what he had heard, it was usually underdone anyway, so rare steak was n the agenda.

The co-pilot tapped on the dividing glass partition, the darkened glass making David a mere coloured blur to the humans. Putting aside his schoolwork, he fastened his cloak and tucked in his gloves, all traces of fur covered. Finally he pulled his hood up, making his face a pool of shadow unseen to human eyes.

He opened up the window, tapping his fingers on the glass as the co-pilot shifted on his chair, holding up a paper bag like an offering.

"Hungry?" David smiled and took the bag with a grateful nod, his tail beating the air behind him out of sight.

"Starving... Thanks." He moved back, swaying as the chopper continued its journay back to New York, already tearing into the brown paper.

"Hope you don't mind... We're Vegetarians." David peered in and lifted up a slice of bread to reveal the BLT with a serious lack of B. Making a face, he replaced the bread and looked deeper, hoping to see something remotely edible.

"Hey, no problem. I'm quite partial to a-" He lifted up an apple with a look of relief. "-Peice of fruit every now and again myself." He tossed the bag on top of his notes and leaned back, rubbing the red skin on his sliver fur and moving it to his mouth...

Just as he noticed a large brown stain on the bottom of the apple. Extending a claw, he poked it into the stain and sighed wearily as rotting juice trickled out. He growled and threw the rotten fruit into the bag and leaned back, closing his eyes. His stomach growled along with him, scowled at by its iritated host, before gurgling away like a grumbling dog curling up in the corner. Moving up to the glass again, he leaned against the wall and rolled his eyes.

"How long to New York again?"

----

The helicopter touched down lightly on the small Heli-pad next to the school football field, releasing the new student into the Campus grounds. With a half-hearted wave, he shook his head and shifted the loaded bag on his back.

"What kind of person doesn't like meat?" He chuckled to himself, ignoring his moaning guts and made his way towards the main building just as the first bell rang.

----

Across the other side of the street, a pair of men lowered small military grade binoculars, one flicking a lighter open and closed, increasing in tempo as the chopper touched down and lifted off again. The Asian tapped his thigh with a finger before leaning over and muttering into his companion's ear.

"There was nothing in the briefing about a helicopter pad..."

"Details... Nethertheless, our associate will have to appropriate our pay of course." The Russian continued to flick his lighter with the embossed soviet flag on the side. A pair of dog-tags swung from his neck, with no name, no insignia, no number. Just a rank.

Captain.

And on the reverse, a clenched fist under a cresent moon.

The Asian hissed air through his teeth and leaned back, his own tags dropping out from the fold of his shirt with the same symbol on reverse.

Seargent.

"I do not recomend that action... You have not had the... Pleasure... Of meeting our currant employer." His eyes were slightly glazed over as visions passed over them. Visions of hidious mutations... Body parts in glass vats... Unholy genma born in some lab.

"He does not take extortion... Or failure well." The Russian gave a humourless smirk and closed over the lighter with a dull clink.

"Is not extortion comrade. Is... Expenses. After all, he is getting much money from this venture." The seargent pursed his lips but said nothing as he moved the gears into reverse. In two hours or less, the car would be abbandoned at some roadside somewhere, doused in petrol and set alight, along with a bundle of clothes and gloves and two sets of skeletons. Fresh from the army's own personal supply. No one would ever know that someone was watching the school...

----

David turned round just as a large black SUV reversed out and away, two stoic men up front with dog tags glinting in the pale morning sun. The number plate was a good peice of work... But he could see the duller, muted colours just peeking over the new, shiny plate screwed on top of it. Clicking his tongue, he watched the car drive out of sight, wondering what army would be suicidal enough to monitor him...

"Well well. If it isn't double-oh-seven himself..." David dragged his eyes away from the road onto the more serious threat of Susan advancing towards him, camera in hand and a determind expression on her face. He bit back a groan as she gripped his wrist and pulled him towards the large double doors.

"Okay, spill it... What was all that about yesterday?" David bit his lip, wondering just how much he could tell a "civie" about the Monster Island Project, or his connection to it. In the End, he decided to stick with the basic truth.

"My Grandfather... Got out of his Retirement home shall we say." Susan narrowed her eyes and stared at him straight in the face, one hand on her hip.

"Your Grandfather. You needed a military escort to see your grandfather?" David pulled his arm away before she could feel the fur beneath the heavy material and turned away for the school entrance just as the bell rang.

"Yeah... A couple of tanks would have been useful as well, but we can't always get what we want, can we?" Susan scowled, her natural talant for journalism telling her that there was something more to his story that met the eye, but for all she could tell, it was the solid truth. Sighing, she brushed her hair out of her eyes and walked up the huge steps leading up to the school.

----

David winced as the Locker took a sample of his blood and opened, giving him acces to his school supplies and CARTHAGE. Typing hurridly with one hand, he set up a query about known survaillance on the Imperrium Acadamy. Within seconds, the computer had hacked the school's own systems, the FBI, the CIA and every other major intelligence agency's computer files about the Imerium Acadamy. Besides an obvious note about the school's pupils, there was nothing doing.

Hissing through his canines, he started up a low scale survailance around the school and its grounds, hoping that whoever was watching him was stupid enough to try it again. Slaming the metal door shut, he turned on his heel, ready to face his second day of living amung humans out in the open.

The week went slowly, the classes bar music and English going over everything he already picked up from Elsie, Mendal and the rest. In the first test of each class, he managed a hundred percent, however much of this had to be contributed to the fact the teachers kept the answer key open on their desks, too far for any student to look into... But then again, David wasn't like regular students. However, he tried his best not to look, but temptation usually wore out on one of the more difficult questions.

Life in the Acadamy was slowly turning into something to be, if only slightly, enjoyed. He made some friends who, truthfully, knew nothing about the real him, the classes were settling down into a bland programme that was easy enough to follow and he was starting to get used to the acursed cloak that hid him from humanity. He knew that all that would change once spring and summer kicked in with its merciless heat, but that was a bridge to be burned when he came to it.

In fact, life was pretty sweet. Up until Friday...

----

David slid his notebook into his bag, securing the clasp with a grateful sigh. That morning had been brutal, with temps into the twenties. He hadn't even begun to shed his heavy winter coat when the heatwave moved in, making him pant in the sun. That was another aspect of his nature he had to watch like a hawk. He couldn't be seen doing such... Animal like actions. Slinging his bag over his shoulder, he sauntered out of the classroom, meeting up with Susan outside her locker. The lunch period had just begun and hordes of pupils were crawling over the corridors. Pressing against the wall, David pulled his coat tighter against his body out of reflex.

"You'd better watch out David. Jamie's on the warpath ever since the last exam results went up." David rolled his eyes and opened his bag bouncing off his hip.

"Let me guess... Cos I beat him?" She chuckled and closed the metal door, walking down the corridor with him towards the outside benches.

"He usually gets around 95, 97 percent. He's never got a perfect score. Unlike someone I could mention." She quiped with a smile. David rubbed the back of his hooded head, squinting against the harsh sun. Pretty much all the students had opted for lunch outside due to the heat, the populars and rich taking positions under the shade of the several trees that lined the building. Swinging his leg over one of the benches, he leaned on the varnished wood on his elbows, glancing around at the scurrying children. Susan pulled out her brown paper bag lunch and opened it up, lifting out a large sandwich. David merely sat there, not eating a thing. Instead, he was too focused on the approaching bulk of...

"Oh god... Jamie at twelve o'clock." As soon as Jamie caught him in his sights, he began to push his way forward, knocking other pupils to the ground. David stood up quickly, hoping that he would be able to get away before he could catch up with him...

"Hey! Stay where you goddamned are Dupris!" Immediatly everyone turned to the luckless mutant who got off his mark, heading for the relative safety of the schol building.

Slamming through the double doors, he skidded on the slick marble floors, turning into the corners to give him that slight edge of speed. However Jamie was right there behind him, followed by most of the school. Eventually, while looking behind him, he stumbled to the ground, his bag skidding ahead of him, Jamie appearing over him with a smug, self-satisfyied look on his face.

The teachers poured out of their lounges, stopping suddenly at the sight of the School Governer's son standing over the newest student with every sign of enjoyment on his face.

"And don't go looking to the staff for help. They all belong to me." He grinned sadistically and clenched his fists, settling into a fighting position. David heaved himself to his feet, glancing at the pupils. Apparantly, there was going to be no help there either.

"Just me and you..." David ducked the first swing, backing away quickly.

"Jamie, please, don't do this..." He dodged to the right, pressing against the wall.

"You have no idea whats at stake..." He dodged behind him as he overswung, sidestepping as he tried to hit him with a back hand.

David groaned to himself. There was no way to get out of this without fighting back. Dropping to the ground, he stuck out his leg and sweeped Jamie's feet from beneath him, knocking him to the ground hard. Spinning round, he got to his feet, backing away slowly.

"Jamie, trust me, stay down." The bully scowled and got back to his feet, lashing out wildly. Every time he missed, or overswung, David was there with a quick pop to the nose. Nothing painful, just a warning.

"Turn away Jamie. I don't want to hurt you..." Unfortunatly, Jamie didn't have the same moral standards as David, lashing out wildly with fists and feet. Groaning, David reared back and delivered a mild punch which dazed Jamie. Shaking his head, David let loose with three more rapid blows, knocking him to the ground. Cracking his knuckles, David stood over Jamie, shaking his head.

"Trust me Jamie. Stay down."

He turned around, rubbing his shoulder and wincing. He really didn't want to do that...

Jamie however wasn't about to let this... Ursurper get away with this. Latching onto the nearby wall, he tore off the fire extinguiser and lifted it overhead...

As one, the observers yelled out a warning, but it was too late. Putting all of his weight into the swing, he slammed the solid metal onto the side of his turning head, knocking him to the ground.

As he moaned under his breath, his eyes took on a feral glint as he stood up, rubbing at his long head fur, checking for blood.

"That was a very big mistake..." Jamie froze in place, hands trembling, the metal dropping out of his hands and clanking on the marble. The student body along with the staff reared back, gasping, screaming and struggling against one another to get away from David. Glancing around, he took in their terrified expressions, their gaping expressions... Eventually, his eyes came to a rest with Susan, who reared back, hands held out in a defencive position. David stepped back a little, ears flattening out of reflex. What, he wasn't that scarey was he?

It was only then he felt the breeze on his ears...

Reaching up with one hand, he felt for the large hood that kept him secret, only to find thin air. Gulping, he came into contact with his own fur, hands trembling. Glancing at one of the windows into a nearby classroom, he saw his distorted reflection looking back at him, fur and all.

His hands groped for the hood, pulling it over his face, knowing that it was no use to him now. Snatching up his bag, he ran down the halls, kicking off his shoes and extending his claws for a better grip on the slippery stone, dissapearing down the warren-like hallways of Imperium Acadamy...

----

The crowd stood silent, eyes wide in shock as the edge of the mutant's coat dissapeared around a corner, claw marks scored on the ground and shoes discarded by the wall.

As one the students paniced, yammering and clambouring against one another in their mad rush to get out of the building.

"Did you fucking see that?"

"What the fuck?!"

"-The Hell-"

Susan stayed stock still, still staring at the corner where David dodged past, bodies shoving her from side to side. She glanced down at her hands, replaying the image over and over in her mind. She reared back. She thought he'd hurt her. She cut off his possibly only support in the entire school. Biting her lip, she began to head back outside, eyes glancing for an instant at the deep furrows he had created in his mad dash for escape. Swallowing hard, she tried to ignore the knot-like feeling in her stomach as she turned the corner to reach outside. However, all she found was a wall of students banging on the doors, screaming at the teachers to be let outside. As the student's demands rose in volume, her eyes focused on one particular student.

Jamie.

Eventually the teachers managed to re-gain control, herding them towards their classes and sending out search parties to find young Master Dupris. However, as she watched, he slipped behind the teachers, heading down the hallway David ran down, knuckles white as he clenched his fists. Looking between the kids returning to the relative safety of the classrooms and to the devious nature of Jamie, she sighed and quickly followed him. Perhaps, she might be able to stop David before he killed the bastard...

----

In her office, Hinnemann clasped her hands behind her back, looking out the window, face devoid of expression. Perhaps, with hindsight, she should have asked more questions. The descriptions from the witnesses were exagerated to say the least. Fangs as big as your fingers. Eyes that burned with hellfire. Claws that looked like they could tear out your soul... Even the staff were affected, saying his fur was liquid metal, claws like steel. Even taking high levels of exageration into account, it was obvious why the students were so terrified. What kind of government would place such a... A Beast into a mainstream school?

A monster? Really?

Making her way round her desk, she grudgingly agreed with her chiding subconcious. He wasn't really a monster as such. In fact, he was more polite than most of the well-to-do children, and then there was that fight he broke up... Jamie, the local undesputed bully under the protection of the school board itself, was beating up a young boy. Apparantly, he had found out that he didn't exactly like girls in the same way as other teenage boys his age... And for some reason, this offended him.

In the end, David stepped in, sheilding the young, confused child, positively growling at Jamie. At the time she had thought it was a mere exageration of how angry he was... Now she wasn't so sure.

She sat in her chair, opening a cabinet on her desk without thinking, pulling out a mostly full bottle of whiskey and a glass. Pouring out a sub-lethal measure, she swigged back, screwing up her face as it burned her throat on the way down. Rubbing her face with one hand, she flicked through the contact lists on her desk-tidy. When she found David's, she smirked humourlessly.

NAME:Dupris, David

AGE:16

NATIONALITY:CLASSIFIED

Pnts Occ:CLASSIFIED

RESIDENCE:CLASSIFIED...

And so on. The only contact detail she had was a phone number for somewhere in France, and she wasn't the most fluent in the language. Taking another portion, she slammed down the glass, pulling the phone towards her...

----

A thick pair of bolt cutters sliced through the chains with ease, the shattered metal slidding to the ground as a pair of gloved hands pushed open the metal mesh doors. Pulling out a pair of screwdrivers and a lock-picking kit from his inside jacket pocket, a pair of dog tags fell out of his black jumper's neck.

A clenched fist. Beneath a Cresent Moon.

Making short work of the lock on the electrical distributer, he sung it open, peering into the tangled mess of wires and circuits. Tracing one particular wire with a screwdriver, he tapped the connection and manuvered the screwdriver, ready to disconnect. Tapping his earpeice twice, he waited for the signal...

A low beep sounded and he quickly unsecured and yanked out the wire.

----

Hinnemann lifted the phone to her ear, ready to dial. However, she didn't get the usuall tone. Replacing the receiver, she lifted it back up, hoping it would have fixed itself. Eyebrows furrowing, she tapped the hook a few times before checking the wire...

----

On the other side of the school, an FEDex van pulled up, three men getting out the back with long, slim parcels. Tapping on the door's windows, the receptionist let them in once they flashed their badges.

"Three postmen for three parcels? Earning your wages huh?" The middle man glanced at his friends with a knowing smile, tapping the parcel under his arm.

"Yeah. I guess you could say that..."

Just then, a low Beep sounded in the earpeice in his ear. Smile turning to a scowl, he poked his fingers through the thin brown paper and, wrenching off the rest, exposed gleaming black metal that spoke of Death. Training the barrel of the gun onto the unfortunate woman, he motioned for the other two to get to the front desk...

----

Three large, black lorries skidded to a kalt before the school gates, dozens of heavily armed men pouring out the back and storming the school. A large, Russian born brute with a Captain's insignia stood outside the door, sounding them off as they ran inside, weapon safeties off and red Lasers skimming over the walls and doors. When everyone was in, he ducked in himself as his watch beeped several times. As the doors closed over with a click, a heavy three inch thick slab of steel slid down over the door.

----

All over the school, doors to the outside locked themselves, bars appeared over windows, camera's waking up and scanning the hallways. Children screamed as soldiers burst into the classrooms, letting off a few rounds into the celing and ordering everyone to the ground.

----

From the time the first Beeb sounded, severing the phone lines, less than two minutes had passed. By the time the Police arrived, the school was under complete lockdown. No way in... No way out.

----

"Corpral! Situation report!" The lead FEDex man loosened his shirt, tapping on the computer at the front desk. On a layered diagram of the school building, doors and windows turned from green to red one after the other swiftly until the screen was washed with red.

"Building secure sir!" Over in the corner, a man pressed his earpeice deeper into his ear, listening intently.

"Sir, all units report no resistance. All positions taken and secured."

A corner of the Russian's lip turned up, a silver tooth gleaming in the electric lights.

"Good. All children accounted for?"

"Still comparing between classes sir... Apparantly, something shook up the kids today..." The captain scowled, moving in front of the unfortunate soldier and pushing the barrel of his gun into his chest.

"Need I remind you, we are on a tight schedule? Four hours men! Four hours!" The private gulped and backed away a little, checking his earpeice for any new news.

"Ye-Yes Sir!"

The Captain grinned. Loyalty wasn't the most highly prized ideal in an army of Mercs. Learning how to control you men through fear was however, and Captain Sinclair was among the best. Lifting his wrist to his face, he noted that five minutes had already passed... Five minutes before their getaway vehicle would be in position... Any later, and the mission would be scrapped, everyone left behind to the fate of the police.

Sinclair flicked the safety on his machine gun. The brats in this school were worth at least ten Million each, with the army getting a nice percentage for a job well done... It would seriously dent the army's earnings if any of them shoud get shot...

He smiled, silver tooth flshing. Of course, should any attempt to escape... He quickly mobilised his men, sending most to guard duty, but some were ordered to patrol the hallways. This place was a maze... A kid could hide pretty well here...

----

David was in the boy's bathroom, holding his head in his hands. How could he have been so stupid? He should have just let Jamie hit him. A human punch was nothing compared to what he'd already suffered in the path of his job. Hell, he'd been eaten alive once!

As he was sitting, feeling sorry for himself, he heard gunshots from the classrooms just as steel bars slammed down over the toilet window. Despite the fact that only a ferret could possibly slip through it. Standing up, bag at his feet, he heard several footsteps approaching in almost unison. That immediatly meant military of some sorts. But who? No army would be sent after him, not if their county's leaders had anything to say about it. Nor would it be the French, they would only try to extract him... American? If there was one thing he had learnt over his short life it was this. Never overestimate the intelligence of America.

Quickly coming to a desicion, he glanced up at the air vents crawling on the celing, eyeing up a cover in the metal. Grabbing his bag, he leapt stright up, fist knocking the metal into the vent proper. Quickly, he clamboured in, replacing the cover just as three armed men stormed in.

He never found out how he goes into this sort of state. From mild mannered Mutant to deadly bio-weapon in an instant. Perhaps it was the sheer hostility he picked up off them, a scent in the air, or a body posture he was attuned to. Or maybe, he mused to himself, it was his "psychic" abilities. The same ones responcible for his intelligence.

Whatever it was, he subtley changed, eyes focusing on weapons; how many, what types and how they worked. They wore some heavy duty stuff. Fully automatic machine guns, several grenades, both explosive and gas, hardware that would make Mendal weep and enough training to satisfy even his Mother...

"All clear... We picked up two hiding in the hallways. No sign of that last brat though..."

"Name?"

"A David DooPriss..."

David growled under his breath.

"Its Dupris... Dupris you bastard..." Tearing his eyes away from the soldiers, he made his way down the air vents, gripping the sides so he wouldn't make a bulge in the metal below.

----

Several army trucks had set up a mobile camp outside the school grounds, technitions setting up computers and other assorted hardware. Hicks gritted his teeth. A school. A god-damned school... When he caught up with whoever was behind this...

His thoughts of vengence was cut short when a larde van with the H.E.A.T. symbol on the side slid into the car park, lurching to the side as it ground ot a halt. Immediatly that blasted Tautopalous and his team leapt out, setting up their own equipment. Hicks noticed with disgust that their's was several steps ahead of their own. It was obvious where the budget had went this year. Stepping up to Doctor Niko, he jerked his thumb at the devices, not hiding his frustration. He was gonna take his anger out on someone and right now Tautopalous made a good targert...

"This isn't your juristiction Tautopalous. Go back to your worms before I order you to be escorted outta here." Monique was the only one to glance up at him before returning to her work. Scowling, he summoned two privates over...

"Before you set us on our way captain, how exactly are you getting in?" Hicks slammed his fist onto one of the tables Randy set up, almost knocking off the sophisticated hardware on top.

"Thats none of your concern!" Monique stood up and calmly held out a letter from the president himself.

"Actually, while my son is within that building, it is. Now, are we going to co-operate?" Hicks glanced over the letter. It was very brief, very to the point. And there was no mistaking the signitures and seal of the joint chiefs of staff. Tossing the peice of paper to the desk, he stood over Nick's shoulder, glaring and daring them to force him to pull rank.

"And what good do you think he can do? He's probably captured with the rest..." It was now that anyone outside France, besides David, had the chance to see Monique smile. Filled with pure humour at the situation.

"If he is so easily subdued, then I am.. How you say? A monkeys father?" Randy chuckled as he finished the last connection, screen coming to life.

"Close French fry. Close."

----

After ten minutes, convincing himself that they were no longer searching for him in this area of the school, David pulled off his bag, lifting out his laptop carefully. Plugging in his headset, he quickly set up a wireless network, smiling when the CARTHAGE domain popped up with a password request. Grinning, he tapped in a six letter word.

"CARTHAGE, meet Scipio..." The screen cleared before an image of castle gates opening came up.

"...And Scipio, meet CARTHAGE." Grinning, David got to work, making connections and following wires...

----

Randy sat up straight when the computer beeped, a grin spreading over his face.

"Ladies and gentlemen... The wolf is in the house." Monique leaned over him, sqeezing his shoulder lightly. Randy swallowed, unseen by the French Agent. she was wearing some sort of perfume... Sweet and floral. Quite unlike her, but he welcomed the change. Reaching past him, she lifted up a headset and slipped it over her ears, extending the mike. With a faint hiss, David's voice came through the speakers Mendal had just finished setting up.

"Okay, someone tell me why we have an army attending my school... As far as I know, Career day isn't for another two months..." Monique smiled, pushing Randy out the road to make room for herself.

"David, tell me what you see."

----

David hissed through his teeth, leaning back against the metal of the air vents.

"Right now? A spider in a deadly battle with a cockro- Hold on." He moved the mike away from his face, straining his ears.

"I'll get back to you..." Collapsing the mike again, he crept forward to a grille just ahead of him. Below, one of the militant forces who stormed the school was patrolling along the corridor. The canine-like mutant shook his head, tutting.

"Didn't even look up... Ah well, less work for me..." He watched as the young man, maybe in his late twenties, moved back and forth before leaning against the wall directly underneath David's grille. He rolled his eyes as he pulled out a long paper cylinder and glanced down both directions of the corridor. Even unlit David could smell the pungent odour, making his eyes water.

"Okay, that's far enough..." He pulled up the grille and set it down next to him just as the guy was looking for a lighter. Locking his feet together around a pipe of some sorts, he leaned down, arms wide...

The guy never found his lighter.

David clamped one gloved hand over his mouth, the other gripping his chest and dragging him back up into the metal womb he found shelter in. He quickly tossed the guy against the wall before he could regain his bearings and he leaned on close, gripping his arms tight above his head with one hand and searching for weapons with the other. they guy had just figured out what was going on and started to struggle.

"Make any more movements and I'll slit your throat and leave you up here for the spiders. Got it?" Perhaps it was the matter-of-fact way David said it, or maybe he caught a glimpse of fur and fangs under his hood. Whatever it was, he froze instantly.

"Good. Now, I'm going to ask some questions, and you're gona answer them. Okay?" He flicked on his mike again, wanting his team outside to hear this.

"Renolds, Burt, Code Name : Scuttle." David slowly blinked, hardly able to believe his ears.

"What?" The soldier composed himself despite his situation and leaned agsint the metal wall.

"Reynolds, Burt, Code Name : Scuttle." David rolled his eyes.

"What kind of code name is Scuttle? Whatever, stay still for a sec..." He locked his wrists around a pipe, pulling out the soldier's handgun, keeping it level over his heart. Holding the earpiece tighter into his lobe, he muttered under his breath.

"He's just giving me his name and code-name. I don't think he'd be hard to interrogate, but I need to know my limits..."

----

Monique glanced up at Hicks, face stoic. Slowly, she leaned forward, licking at her lips.

"David. Your orders as as follows...

Assess level of threat.

Locate the Hostages.

If possible, free said hostages and get them to safety."

She heard him repeat the ordeers under his breath.

"Safety, got it... But what is my limitations?" Monique sighed, rubbing her face.

"David. you have been cleared for Fifth Freedom. Use all and any procedures to carry out your mission..."

"Prejudice?" She smirked.

"Extreme prejudice... Do whatever you think nessecery to complete the mission." David chuckled over the line.

"So, I've been let off the leash? I'll get back to you..."

----

David colsed over the mike, glancing at the soldier still pinnined by the gun barral pointing his way. Reaching up with one hand, he began to pull down his hood...

"Now, lets say we try this again..."