The trio huddled around, a frustrated groan echoed as Void facepalmed.

" Look, whether you like it or not. This is the only way." Levi shrugged.

" Big words for someone who opted for being the lookout, I'm the one emptying my pockets." Void raised his brows.

"So? Gotta lose some to win some. That jade token you still have will get you in, but they'll question your presence. Not to mention that it'll log that entry on their system." Levi listed out the problems.

"Unless you're in the mood to sit in a 2x4 by four concrete holding cell for a fortnight you better have a good reason to visit."

Although he was reluctant, Void couldn't help but agree with his assessment. As for the reason he was visiting?

They had discussed it earlier, but the only feasible reason was Void returning the Juggernaut's severed head to the Praxic Fire for further study. A hunter returning loot? Had the world gone mad?

That was exactly Void's first assumption, well...until Bandit explained that as long as Void claimed he wasn't able to understand what it was, the warlocks stationed at the Praxic fire would gleefully take it off of his hands.

So not only was Void giving away a valuable source of glimmer, he was being shamed for it.....great. Of course, it didn't end there. The plan was for Void and Bandit to go to their station, and while Void acted as the distraction, Bandit would swipe the fragment.

All this had to happen as the Consensus was in session, otherwise the presence of Wei, Eriana and Sai would render their efforts useless.

Naturally, the plan was...incomplete. As Bandit continued to elaborate on the various policies adopted by the Praxic Fire to inspect each and every relic in their possession.

Which meant that not only did they need to swipe the ring, they had to replace it with a convincing replica. As for how Bandit knew all this?

"I have....connections."

For a second, Void could almost spot a cheeky smirk on the exo's face as it settled back to his typical cold glare.

"Alright, I sent you what the fragment somewhat looks like, we need the replica as fast as possible."

Levi checked his transponder as he nodded, "Not a problem, I already forwarded it to someone, it'll be delivered to the room in a bit."

"Is that secure enough?" Void chimed in.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"I know them personally, its not gonna be a problem." Levi reassured the two as they nodded.

Void contemplated as he turned to Bandit. "Last thing, how do you plan on tagging along? I don't suppose they'll let me take you in the front door?"

Bandit looked at him with intense assurance and solemnly nodded, "Yes."

"....Bro." Void stared back, a mix of frustration and irritation in his voice, and a slight urge to beat Bandit's ass.

"As much as you wanna break his face in, that man is not lying." Levi raised his palm to calm Void down, the same dignified blank stare plastered on his face.

"Watch and learn bozo." Levi gestured to Bandit, the hunter nimbly leapt off the bed and turned back, sauntering towards Void, but as his footsteps inched closer, an odd phenomenon occurred.

Bandit disappeared. A jolt ran through Void's nerves, his eyes darted around the room. But not even a shade was present. At full alert. Void instinctively got to his feet, his sixth sense was blaring, danger was close.

But....where?

'Invisibility? No, I would've detected that. Perhaps, stealth? But his energy signatures have vanished.' Void's thoughts raced.

He glanced at Levi, but a smug grin was all he got in response.

Void's eyes had scoured every corner of the room, yet he'd been unsuccessful. It was then, that he felt it.

It was very faint, almost indistinguishable to the untrained eye, but a ripple ran through his shadow. Void looked beneath his feet, and he could sense it. A strange pulse of energy had latched on to it.

'Below!'

As he figured it out, his own silhouette seemed to turn murky, a familiar cold glare flashed as Bandit rose from inside, turning back into a solid figure while Void stared in awe. Although he and the others could "blend in" with the shadows. What Bandit had shown was at a level far beyond that.

The ability to latch on to shadows and merge with them was inconceivable.

Levi smirked as he judged Void's astounded expression, "Amazing isn't it? An ability so frightening yet unheard of."

Void blinked as he came to his senses, "Who else knows about this?" He preemptively asked.

"Only a handful, make sure it stays that way." He answered with a sharp glare. Void nodded without hesitation, the less people aware of such a technique, the better.

As their planning concluded, the door to Void's room shook a bit as what seemed to be a droid inserted a package through his mail window. A small intricately wrapped box dropped to the floor beside the trio.

Bandit carefully unpacked the box as he examined the ring fragment, a very precise replica of Void's desperate yet botched rendition of the relic.

"This, is perfect." He thoroughly checked its integrity and pocketed the fragment.

What no one seemed to notice was a small secret crest- A black archway, stamped on top of the box the trio had just thrown away.

Levi turned his attention towards his transponder as he coordinated the plan, "Consensus begins in an hour. Before that, a few squads of guardians will prevent anyone from entering or leaving the Courtyard."

"I'll sneak through and watch from the Hangar. If anyone leaves the Consensus hall, or anything happens, we're connected." He tapped his ear as the trio felt their comms sync.

"Next, you two make your way to the Vanguard's secret floor and then the Praxic fire's quarters will be in front of you. Void will get their attention somehow as Bandit swipes the ring. Once you're done, give us the all clear and get out of there." Levi listed out all the necessary steps.

Void and Bandit nodded.

"If we're lucky, nothing goes wrong and we're out in ten minutes." Levi gave a rough estimate.

"And if we aren't?" Void geared up and chimed in.

Levi exhaled a deep sigh as he contemplated, "Well, I suppose two weeks in solitary aren't that hard. Right Bandit?"

The exo shot a stank glare towards the two, he grunted and whispered back.

"Just bearable."