Skaarg couldn't believe his luck. The conversation with Hyke had gone better than he had planned. He didn't even have to physically hurt the man. He had the entire scene projected in front of him, on record and ready to show Commander Traarg.

If the Commander were to allow him to go on this quest, he could be known as the person who brought home Quentin Ford. By catching the leader of the Five, his intel could ensure the victory of the Engen'ozus. No one, not even a red-shade, would be able to deny him of his ability then. Skaarg turned to BZ, who stood watching over his shoulder.

"Patch me through to Commander Traarg, BZ," said Skaarg and the Syntheticon did as he was told.

Within a moment, Commander Traarg's bulky figure projected in front of him. A concerned look on his face. "Everything ok, Skaarg?"

Skaarg greeted him with a cheeky smile. "Better than alright, Commander," he said. "The transport of Hyke is well underway but I have a nice little surprise for you."

Traarg raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

"I am aware that you informed me not to go anywhere near Hyke Henderson," Skaarg said. "But-"

"Hyke Henderson is a Class A prisoner," Traarg interrupted. "There's a reason that you aren't to talk with him. He needs to be subject to a proper interrogation by my people."

"Yes, but that's just it," cut in Skaarg. "There will be no need for you to waste your resources. I've managed to secure the only piece of information you'll ever want from him."

Traarg scowled. "How exactly did you extract this from him?"

"We had a chat and I can be very persuasive," said Skaarg.

"You were given clear instructions to transport the prisoner to our headquarters," said Commander Traarg. "You were not to go near him under any circumstances."

"I know," said Skaarg. "But I also know what we need from him to ensure our ability to conquer this galaxy. If you want to find Quentin Ford, then I can tell you exactly where you need to go to find him."

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"The High Leader is close to securing Quentin Ford. He is too big a target for us to go for," snapped Traarg then he towered over Skaarg, his four hands balled into a fist. "I have vouched for you time and time again and this is how you repay me."

Skaarg felt relieved that this was a projection. He wasn't sure Traarg could hold himself back from a physical attack if he hadn't. "I get that but when you see what I found, you might change your mind," said Skaarg. "The old man has given me coordinates which will lead us to every single member of the Ironclad Five. Once I visit them, you'll be able to court favour with Zvuurg. With his guard down, we will finally be able to strike."

"The High Leader already has two of the five in hand," replied Traarg.

"Last I checked, there are three more left to discover," said Skaarg. "Trust me, Commander, if I can go to these coordinates, I will be able to bring you the glory and the honour that you deserve."

Traarg thought about it. "No. You will deliver the prisoner to HQ and I will send a fleet of my green-shade agents to investigate this lead further."

"This isn't a heavy duty job, sir," said Skaarg. "It will take more than a little bit of shooting to use this information correctly."

"Then I'll have them accompanied by orange-shades," said Traarg. "This is not your job, Skaarg. Need I remind you that you are lucky to even be an agent of a red-shade, you must stop trying to be more than that."

Skaarg found this unfair, after all he had done. "But-"

"-there will be no buts," said Commander Traarg. "I am your leader and I demand you deliver the prisoner and send us the coordinates. Anything other than this will be regarded as treason."

Skaarg held up his hands. "Alright sir, I will deliver them now."

Traarg nodded. "And I shall see to it that your...disobedience is overlooked just this once."

Skaarg smiled as Traarg flicked off and the communications came to an end. His body shook with fury. He took a deep breath and walked over to the control panel. "BZ, please send the Commander these coordinates," he said, bringing up a file.

"But sir, they aren't the ones which Hyke gave us," said BZ. "Why would the Commander need these?"

"He doesn't," said Skaarg. "It'll take a good while for the troops to realise they were sent on a fool's errand. In the meantime, we can deliver Quentin Ford safely into his hands."

BZ sent off the coordinates and Skaarg tapped the set that Hyke had given him into the navigation unit. His finger hovered over the trigger. To press this button could be seen as treason but if he didn't go, then he'd be stuck as an agent of the Enegn'ozus forever.

Skaarg didn't want to be an agent, he wanted to be a leader. And leaders made decisions that others sometimes didn't understand. He stood back, closed his eye and pressed the trigger.