Maybe it was my positive attitude or 17mm of morphine currency in my veins, but it seemed everything went smooth sailing after our mission. An extraction team scooped us up mere minutes after the fight, slipping through any remaining threats. Along the ride, Stan kept his word, offering his full assistance as we secured new I.D. for him and his son.

Meaning in a few hours, I was lying in Titan's infirmary watching cartoons on tv, expecting to make a full recovery in several weeks. Instead, Sarah left after I reassured her three times I was okay, not even bothering to have others inspect her wounds. After such an action-packed night, I'd thought I would be tired enough to hibernate. But much like a little kid on Christmas Eve night, I couldn't help but watch my fellow agents still at work.

Gearheads carried armfuls of tools to dissect Hepahastus automaton, Sleepers surveyed various local news channels, and medics were currently tending towards the safehouses' lone survivor. Everyone contributes on and off the battlefield, reinforcing that I was one of many. Amidst my mindless observation, a voice cut through.

"Thank you."

I turned to see Mr.Daniels somehow at my side. But, despite the vast praise, I couldn't accept it.

"It was nothing. Anyone else would've done the same."

"You made sure no one else had to do the same. Never undercut how important that is."

Beneath the sweltering conviction of his words, I could see that Mr. Daniels spoke from painful experience. Knowing any further argument was useless, I relented.

"Thank you, sir, for checking up on me," I said gratefully.

Mr. Daniels smiled while saying. "Anyone else would've done the same."

When I first entered Titan, I heard many scary rumors about Mr. Daniels. Stories of a battle-hardened veteran whose fear and respect are in equal measure. I wonder how that perception would change, though, if they saw how despite everything, he was as human as the rest of us.

After some moments of shared respect, Daniels started to walk off.

"Unfortunately, I can't stay here forever. Your fellow agents also deserve the same thanks. Get your rest James; you've more than-"

He never finished his sentence, interrupted by how every surrounding T.V. started to flick towards oppressive static. The earlier hallways' earlier traffic stopped dead in its track, equally mesmerized by the unearthly sight. Mr. Daniels immediately took charge, raising his comm-link. Every indisputable word made his face tighten with restrained anger. His following terms bled through with aggression.

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"Bring them online, now."

Soon the warbling static morphed into several shapes. The first was a golden emblem of what looked like the Greek Parthenon amongst a black screen. Then, like water, the image started morphing into three silhouetted golden heads. While I stood utterly amazed, Mr. Daniels didn't look impressed, instead getting worked up by saying.

"You have my attention, so I'll just cut through the pleasantries and ask: Who are you, and what do you want?"

Hepahstus's mix of artificial and human motions reared its ugly head as the three started to speak in digitally altered unison.

"I'm sure our skirmishes in Cuba and Detriot are identifiers enough. As for what we want, you already have him," they said coldly.

Beads of cold sweat formed across my body, though I couldn't tell if it was from my fear or Daniel's rising anger.

"And I refuse him to give back unless he's brought to justice in a court of law."

The heads almost seemed disgusted by the words, as if they were radioactive.

"As if justice has ever been part of your M.O.," they said cynically.

The voices then started to get disturbingly more passionate.

"We've witnessed Titan's movements for years, and this night proves how misguided you are. You'd rather extinguish the wildfire instead of stamping out the cinders. To willingly skate around domains where men like Stan have spent decades abusing. When you can drag them into the light from the shadows."

Mr.Daniels fired back.

"Yet you don't seem to have a problem defending him with the same vigor as us," he said through gritted teeth.

"Only because those who serve us can die at our leisure. A fate our enemies will share as well,"

"Is that a threat?"

"It doesn't have to be one. So give up, Stan, now. Promise you'll never interact with us again, and you can go back to leading your armies as we lead the world," they said in a clinically negative fashion.

Their ultimatum suspended oppressively over us like a weight. Titan was no stranger to provocation. It's only natural when you're a big fish inside a vast pond. Enemy groups who knew our name usually fell like autumn leaves. This time though, my blood ran cold from the threat. Tonight was evidence enough they had the power and conviction to match their words.

And yet, facing a sea of unknowns, Mr. Daniels remained steadfast. He almost seemed excited by the threat, his sneer growing more confident by the second. Then, his amber eyes started to shift intensely, stringing together words I didn't know at the time would make history. Immediately the entire room started to swelter in intensive heat as Daniels spoke.

"The funny thing is, I've never seen myself as a leader," he said in a cheerful tone. "Ten years of service, and yet I still can't help but fondly remember my time as a soldier. Wh bullets whisked by my ears and blood-caked bare knuckles where I burned my name into history as The Dragoon.

For a precious few seconds, he reminisced, genuinely nostalgic while ramping up his passion. "This an entire time, I've only led by the example founded under the United Nations in 1945. An oath to be this world's silent sword on those who deem it harm. We fight for a future where we can unite. And to my dying breath, I'll keep true to this creed for decades more. So if you wish war, I refuse to back down towards a future footnote in our history." he said firmly.

The voices matched my shock, staying paralyzed at the perfect counter. All the same, though, they held down their resolve.

"Mark our words then, Titan. We'll grant your wish for war under cloak and dagger. But once you fall like the Titans before, you once did. Remember the night the Pantheon showed mercy?

The image abruptly cut back to the earlier cartoons, though they didn't seem funny now. Without even a word, Daniels departed, sucking away any warmth he had with him. Even while being ground zero for the exchange, I still couldn't believe what had transpired. Knowing tonight's only a forewarning for what's coming; a war beyond anything I've ever imagined, where I may die a man and a father. Yet, an identity I still found strength in as I picked up my phone.

"Hey, Margaret. I know it's late, but I was hoping you could do me a favor. Haha, yes, I'm fine. I want you to bring the phone to Lily for me. I just wanted to hear a voice, it's been a long day at work, and I think they will be much longer."