Tal paced around the warehouse in a long arc like a buzzard anxiously waiting for its next meal to finally just keel over and die. His boots slapped against the concrete. His arms were clasped tightly behind his back. His mind was churning. As soon as he had left the apartment, he had sent a quick note over to Deidra summoning her back to Megara. She'd landed several hours ago and was staking out the primary docking facilities. She was his insurance policy should Korsha make an untimely arrival.

The warehouse he was standing in was filled with a distasteful musk. The smell of burned ozone and rusted metal permeated everything. He’d built up the interior walls creating counter surveillance and shielding that had turned this lonely warehouse into a hidden refuge. He’d reinforced the walls, though the old worn down exterior continued to groan. A ghost he couldn’t get rid of.

There was a bang against the far wall. Tal strode across the room. He lifted his arm and used his omnivice to unlock the door. It slid open on silent hinges. Standing outside was their contact from the hospital. A portly balding man dressed in a doctor's navy blue regalia. Tal stepped aside and pointed to the middle of the room where he'd set up monitoring equipment.

"Put him over there."

He watched as the man motioned to another who was unloading Anadrov's stretcher from the back of an unmarked vehicle. The large man, most likely a mercenary, pushed the floating stretcher with ease. Tal kept his distance, eyeing their work as they moved Anadrov from the stretcher over to the medical bed. They set to work switching over his vitals and within minutes they had switched over to Tal's system.

The mercenary lumbered out, exiting the container and getting into the driver seat of the vehicle. The doctor on the other hand slunk up to Tal. No doubt wanting extra compensation for work not finished. Tal flicked over the chit. The man was going to have quite the surprise when he used it. It had a spyware protocol that would affect all of his financial systems. Not that he would realize it until it was too late. It was just one more redundancy to ensure no roads lead back to him.

"Use the adrenal pack when you're ready to wake him up."

Tal nodded and watched the doctor go. He sealed the door shut behind them and made sure it was locked. He turned back and eyed Anadrov. The thaeruun was lying there sleeping in a peacefully induced chemical coma. In the early days after Deidra's disappearance Tal would've thrown himself upon Anadrov. He would've torn the man apart like an animal. Since then he’d learned to let his rage cook off, to cool and simmer. This was the reward for such patience. His slow deliberate footsteps were clipped, echoing in the hollow interior of the container as he approached the man.

"After all this time here we are."

Reaching the unconscious man, he grabbed the adrenal pack. He ran his finger across its circuitry, admiring its simple yet effective design. He pressed down and watched as the yellowish liquid shot down the tube and out towards Anadrov. He grabbed the chair, its legs scraping as he dragged it over. He set it down next to the bed and settled into it. He was close enough to speak intimately with Anadrov but not close enough for the man to grab them. He crossed one leg over the other and steepled his fingers.

Seconds later Anadrov groaned. Several minutes later the bed creaked beneath him as he sat up. Tal watched the man like a hawk. He was looking around, bleary-eyed. He blinked several times before finally resting his gaze upon Tal.

"Tal?"

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"Indeed," Tal said as though he were weary, "it's good to see you made it. I was beginning to think the Dominion would lose one of her most faithful servants."

"Where…" Anadrov trailed off, he groaned as his head lolled forward. He brought his hand up to support his head.

"Take this." Tal said, fishing a stim from out of one of his compartments in his suit.

Anadrov took it and down the liquid without hesitation. Tal grinned. This is going to be far easier than he thought. The man already trusted him. He was quiet as he let the stimulants help Anadrov. He wanted the man to be fully aware of what he was about to tell him. It would hurt all the more.

"Where are we?"

"That's what Korsha would like to know."

Anadrov's eyes narrowed. There was a stiffness to his body that Tal had rarely seen. Anadrov shifted to face Tal, "What are you talking about? Is this a kidnapping?"

Tal kept his face stoic suppressing the wicked grin he wanted to flash Anadrov.

"You're in a safe location. I regret to inform you that," he paused and grimaced as though he were conflicted, "Korsha has gone rogue."

Anadrov's eyes widened and his head shook from side to side in disbelief.

"Deidra found her. She convinced her to turn against you. As far as we can tell they’ve been planning to kill you for some time now."

"That’s not possible. Deidra can’t…” He shook his head, “But Korsha defended me. She saved my life."

Tal had been prepared for this. He marveled at Anadrov's perception. Even after everything he'd gone through his mind was still as sharp as ever. Always fishing for the finer details. Yet he'd anticipated this question and so Anadrov at once more fallen into his trap.

"It was a ruse. You were meant to die in that cave. You were supposed to wither away sometime after. A slow death. If I remember correctly she said, 'a punishment fitting your crime.' You can see for yourself in these documents I’ve procured."

Tal produced a data shard from his omnivice and plucked it from his open palm. He handed it over to Anadrov who then placed it into his own palm. His omnivice activated. His eyes darted back and forth. Tal kept a keen eye on him. He watched as bit by bit the man's stoic resolve lessened. He was recording the experience. It would be something he'd show to Korsha if he ever got the chance.

Anadrov's face slumped as his eyes became glassy. His hand dropped as though he couldn't take it anymore. His head fell back against the bed which was now in a seated position.

"She went back to Grimnar?"

Tal allowed himself the pleasure of a smirk, "Yes."

Anadrov let out a shuttered breath. He forced his eyes open and stared out at something only he could see.

"Why would she betray me, after everything I've done for her?"

"She's a mage. It's in her blood."

Silence descended between them. It was heavy and thick like a storm cloud. Anadrov turned to face Tal. The older man regarded him for some time and Tal felt his insides churn. What was going on inside that man's head?

"What about you?"

"Me?"

Ice spread out through Tal's chest. He had to keep himself from gulping. He eyed Anadrov's hand which now gripped the edge of the bed. Had the man figured out what was going on? Or did he believe that he was a co-conspirator? Tal had no doubt that he could take the man in his current state. Yet Anadrov was resourceful. An honored veteran who'd served in multiple exterior campaigns. This was not a man to underestimate.

"What do you get out of all this?"

"Repaying an old debt."

Anadrov smiled, "Well done."

Tal blinked, unsure how to accept the compliment. His omnivice chirped and he gazed down at it to see that Deidra had messaged him. Korsha had arrived on the planet. He sent a quick reply, ordering her to catch Korsha and bring her to him. He sent her the coordinates. There was only one last thing to do.

"You look thirsty, jer Anadrov. Do you still like tea?" Tal said as he made his way over to a drink station and removed the veil from its compartment.