* * *

Pegasus wished he could disappear into a corner, but there were no corners to disappear into. The main area largely known as Command, or comm for short, was currently standing room only. The security monitors above Cypher’s station confirmed that there was no one moving around in the hallways.

The bustle died down as Zeus stepped out of his office. “As some of you have heard, we’re still on alert for a chemical attack.”

There was no need to explain who from. The New Nation was the only foe important enough to warrant this much attention. Well, the only known foe. There was something bigger out there, but so far, they were nothing but shadows, giving commands without leaving trails that might lead back to them. It was frustrating, to say the least.

“A chemical research facility was attacked less than twenty-four hours ago,” Zeus continued.

Muttered complaints could be heard among the agents. More than a few of them looked at Pegasus—or should he call himself case study number two?

Did he look like an appropriate cautionary tale?

“Do we know what’s been stolen this time? Or is it another off-the-books project?” Griffon asked, failing to keep the annoyance from his voice.

“All the information we have on the stolen chemicals and their effects will be on your computers by now,” Zeus said with no change in tone.

Scorpion raised a hand from amidst the crowd. “Sir, has there been any new information regarding their target?”

“Lore believes their target will indeed be the university. Our primary focus will be on the conference taking place there in a couple of weeks, on the nineteenth.”

“We’ve spoken to the university about canceling the event,” Athena said. “But we’ve asked they continue to organize the event as if nothing’s changed. We don’t want to give them time to pick another target.”

“As it stands, we’re going to be diverting all of our resources to this,” Zeus said. “Most of you have already received your new orders. As of yesterday, all our other investigations are on hold or handed back to the primary authorities unless connected to the New Nation.”

Several people straightened. While everyone was busy with other tasks and smaller investigations, their focus remained the same.

“What about the ones where a connection is still trying to be established?” Python asked.

“Have you anything concrete since our last update?” Zeus asked her directly.

She shook her head.

“Toss it back then. If they still need our assistance when this is over, we’ll be happy to help.” Zeus turned to Griffon. “Your team has point in tracking down the chemicals. Cypher and Lore should have something to get you started.”

Pegasus looked towards Cypher and saw him nod almost unperceptively. Griffon checked in with his team, which was spread out across the room. Pegasus’ absence from their ranks was to be expected, but there were a few surprises.

“Unicorn will handle the follow-up on Gellman,” Zeus directed towards her. “Athena has already set aside a few of you to help her. Check your orders. Anything not related to the bomb threat will also be directed to Unicorn.”

Unicorn nodded, looking solemn. Pegasus was sure she’d rather be heading out with the team. From the others’ reactions, Mermaid would be taking her place.

“I’m sorry to say no one is getting any downtime,” Zeus said. “If we do our jobs well, people don’t die. So let’s do our best.”

Pegasus coughed out a laugh. That was as much of a pep talk as they would get. Zeus only did these speech things because Athena said it helped with morale.

“That’s all for now. Get to work.” Zeus met his gaze. “Griffon, Pegasus, Dragon, conference room.”

Feeling like a fish going upstream, Pegasus made his way through the disbanding crowd towards the conference room. When he got there, Zeus was already inside, sitting at the table as if he’d been waiting there for hours.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Maybe he had a hologram do the announcement.

Pegasus made sure to switch his smirk to a more inquisitive expression before Zeus looked up at him.

“It’s about our guest,” Zeus started as Griffon joined them. “Pegasus will be aiding Dragon in coaching her sister.”

Pegasus nodded. Griffon frowned at both of them.

“I recognize the timing is not ideal,” Zeus said.

“Shouldn’t we postpone sending her back out?” Griffon asked.

The door to the conference room opened and Robyn entered.

She stopped near the door as if intruding. “Sorry.”

“We were discussing your sister.” Zeus signaling for her to sit down. “In the grand scheme of things, it won’t take much time. The report is practically done. And since Pegasus is still out of commission, there’ll be no conflict for him.”

“But shouldn’t we hold off on sending her out?” Griffon insisted.

Pegasus shrugged. “We can have everything ready and still only send her out when we’re sure.” He wasn’t crazy about sending Sarah out into danger either, but there was no problem with starting the process now.

“Athena suggested this would be an appropriate time to get everything settled,” Zeus said with a glance at Robyn. “Since you’re cleared to go on the next assignment, there is that added concern.”

In case something happens to Robyn. She wasn’t instrumental to the process, but her presence would make things easier for Sarah.

Pegasus shared a glance with Robyn. She didn’t seem to be looking forward to it. He couldn’t say he expected anything different.

“I understand Deacon has already forwarded you his research before he went over to help Lore,” Zeus said. “Have you both reviewed his report?”

Pegasus nodded. He’d looked at it that morning.

Robyn shook her head. “How’s my aunt Ruth? Still neurotic?”

“More to the point, as far as he could determine, was there any intervention with the aunt and uncle?” Griffon asked.

“No contact and no surveillance that he could find. He even checked for any signs that either of them had been replaced. He was very thorough, went through the entire process, from medical and dental to a basic memory questionnaire.”

Robyn laughed. “He managed to pull that off?”

“He used the info that we got for Sarah and his police ID,” Pegasus said. “Everything checked out.”

“Get Sarah ready,” Zeus said. “As soon as the smoke clears, we’ll put her back.”

Robyn shifted in her seat. “Sir, I asked Pegasus to take point on this, since I’ll be on Griffon’s team. I know that should be my priority and I wanna focus on that.”

Pegasus felt the childish impulse to laugh. She must really be going for it, calling him sir and everything.

Whether he saw through her words, Zeus nodded. Pegasus expected him to at least question her, but Zeus simply turned to him: “Have you anything so far on planning?”

“I started thinking about it after we spoke,” Pegasus said towards Robyn. “Since there was the attack, we can claim she was still unconscious and recovering from her injuries. This would explain a delay in identifying her if we place her in a hospital the police didn’t directly check. I contacted a couple of doctors earlier today.”

“Who?” Robyn asked.

“Former members of the W.R.O. Both from the Lair. They’re on standby to provide us with the medical support on the outside. One of them works in a hospital the police didn’t check because it’s outside the city. But it’s not impossible for Sarah to have made it that far.”

Robyn nodded to herself, gaze faraway. “Okay. How long does your setup take?”

“If we had all the time in the world?”

Griffon crossed his arms. “If we didn’t have a terrorist organization breathing down our necks.”

“We could have her at her aunt’s by next week, if that’s really where we want her,” Pegasus said. “Regardless of when, I think we should confirm the where first.”

They all turned to Robyn. “I’m still worried about someone coming after her, but I can’t think of anything better. I don’t want her hiding halfway around the world, pretending to be someone else. So yes, I think we should send her to aunt Ruth. And I think we’ve exposed her enough to this world, so the sooner the better.”

Zeus nodded his approval. “Dismissed then.” He raised a hand to stop Pegasus as the others left.

Pegasus sank in his chair, feeling like a teenager about to be scolded.

“Don’t give me that look,” Zeus said, adopting a more familiar demeanor.

Pegasus tried to school his expression, but it was difficult when they were alone. Zeus might be his commander in the hierarchy of this place, but he was also the closest thing to a father-figure Pegasus had growing up. Every once in a while, it showed on both their ends.

“I don’t understand why I’m being completely left out of the investigation. You did ask me to help with Gellman’s interrogation and Sarah’s test.”

“Yes, but you’re still grounded.”

“What happened to my being grounded only until I was needed? Isn’t everyone needed right now?”

“That was before both you and Bear took a turn for the worse. I’ve been kept up to date on her condition, and you’re not looking any better. Maybe next time you’ll think twice before trying to be a hero.”

“I’d rather practice holding my breath for longer instead.”

Zeus ignored him. “I won’t lose you because you think we can’t survive without you for a few weeks.”

“It’s not a matter of pride,” Pegasus said. “I don’t like feeling useless, or being useless, when there’s so much that needs to be done.”

“Someone has to coach Dragon’s sister, and you’re good at that, and that won’t wear you down too much.”

Pegasus laughed. “Have you met her?”

He saw the trace of a smile on Zeus’ face. “I’m sure you can handle it. I’d think anyone would be easier than Scorpion.”

Pegasus resisted the urge to glare at him. He didn’t like the change in subject much. “When I’m done with Sarah, can I at least help Cypher sort through all the chatter?”

“I’ll leave that decision to Doctor Brown. Take care of yourself and get better. Who knows, it might be weeks before the New Nation makes a move.”

Pegasus scoffed. “You shouldn’t say that. You should never say that.”