...What...shit.

Bert. Give me five minutes. Please.

You have 5 minutes to switch Death off or give me the means to do it. In 5 minutes 1 second I'm quick roping down near his position.

You know... if we can travel at supersonic speeds... I rather highly doubt he can keep up while we run away.

There's a certain question of collateral damage as he chases us down though... any way of knowing if he's killed anyone since his little break-out?

And why do I keep seeming to miss the memos on everything?

I can't run away from this one, I let Ben down in the first place. I should've had that drink with him in the first place and watched his back while we were in Hicksville.

Besides, I doubt a little thing like the speed of sound is going to get in hsi way.

Sonic booms cause collateral damage, too...

I'm scanning him to see if he's under someone's control... If he is, I'm going to interfere with that from here.

Bert, I know it's way past five minutes... If you absolutely have to engage him right this second, then for Creator's sake, please don't show weapons... He's after both Gabriel and me, and I can't figure out why.

That means he isn't necessarily in kill-mode... He's probably got the heightened adrenaline because he's not sure what to do. And that's gotta scare the shit out of him...

I wasn't planning on bringing any. Alright, I'm going in. If they put up a statue of me, remember to tell 'em to remember the duffelbag at my feet.

Alright... I have my answers. He's not under anyone's control... He is following his protocols. His last order was to stand down when all his enemies were destroyed... The list of his enemies included Demon Fists, Shadow Society members, the other gang that was there, any demons and monsters associated with them, and Delemorte...

Delemorte hasn't been found, and he's killed a number of confirmed enemies since the place where he was being held captive.

He's still acting under his last orders... I think...I hope to Creator that he's coming here to try to protect us, or demand some answers...and in the meantime, he's following his last orders... I hope.

He has no orders about Lazlo... Gabriel left him the free will to choose what to do...so like I said before, approach with caution, show no weapons, and try to talk to him.

DIRECTOR DEL CAINE*

Tact squad will be on scene in 10 minutes gentemen, I hope the hell you got nothing but sunshine and rainbows for me when we get there.
They have there orders....we can not allows Codename: Death to enter the city. I will not allow innocent lives to be lost, even if that mean taking Holister down.

Turtle, you only get one shot at this.

I will wait here for Mr. Holister. I know just the lever to pry death from his position of control. He has a very strong bond to his neice, his nature is that of a protector, especially hers. A man's true nature can be changed, but it cannot be overwhelmed entirely.

Del Caine, call back you tactical squad, that approach has been tried, with more bloodshed being the only result. (and your "horsemen" were barely slowed)

Shang's right, Agent. Please pull back... Let Bert try this, if he's going to... Pull back. We don't need to add to his list of enemies.

You've seen the orders Death has received... His last order is to stand down once all confirmed enemies have been destroyed. He's only killed Demon Fists since leaving the last fight scene.

He's hunting our enemies, Agent Del Caine... Please don't stand in his way.

I don't want innocent lives lost over this...

If you want to do something useful, clear the areas he's going through... Then he won't have to make choices about innocents.

DIRECTOR DEL CAINE*

Alright then...

Alpha Team...stand down...give Turtle some time. Proceed to drop zone and wiat for further instructions.

Ill go with your call, the last thing I want to do is put Holister down, but if things go south

Agent Cross, ready your Dragnov, if Turtle fails,.....take him down.

Everything's...gone quiet. Too damned deathly quiet. I can hear my heartbeat...

...

Shang...when this is all over, I promise to be a better host than "I" was earlier today...

Bert, Robin, Pendragon...you guys are too damned good for me. Everyone here is. I owe you guys... I owe everyone here, really... Ron... Celeste... Everyone... You guys have saved my life, and my family's lives a number of times over...

All alone, or in twos,
The ones who really love you,
Walk up and down outside the wall...

Some hand in hand,
Some gathered together in bands,
The bleeding hearts and the artists make their stand...

And when they've given you their all,
Some stagger and fall after all, it's not easy...
Banging your heart against some mad bugger's wall...

This shit is driveing me nuts. I had a strange thought I pulled Holister out of a hell once before, maybe I could do it again? Bert if your bid doesn't work I can be there in seconds And I will try to get to Holister.

Have some tea my friend, all it will do is lower the blood preasure, and ease the tightness in the muscles, it is not one of my "special" blends the only unusual ingredients are willow bark, and some clove. The body needs to be allowed to relax once in a while.

Oh, is this thing still on? oops, blasted computer quit writing everything i say. Will someone show me how to turn this cursed thing off?

Shang whats happening there?

My computer decided to post something it picked up and recorded a couple of hours ago... We narrowly avoided an...altercation between Shang and my alter-ego... Why my computer posted it now is a mystery that will be solved when we figure out where all those socks go when they vanish from the dryer, and why...

Del Caine do you have eyes on the situation?

Hey guys, I'm not dead yet. I am exceedingly confused however.

Holister wrote:He raises a sword...

Protocol Overide - Pasword MOLLY

Password accepted.

Phase 5 - Return to Directive Primary.

Reinitializing -----.

He lowers the sword and walks away again...

Protocol Command - "Save him...he is me...I am him "

Protocol Overide....Locate Gabriel

Protocol Overide ...I am Azrael

If anyone has any ideas I'm open to suggestions. Time is a factor here.

DIRECTOR DEL CAINE*

Affirmitive.

I have Agent Cross on deck with both Turtle and Holister in his sights.

The beacon just went off again, but Holister is still moving...

I say, you heard the man do as he askes. If you need any extra back up I can be there in a blink of sorts.

I am still here, I will come. I will help as best I can. In our last encounter the Death persona did not seem to consider my blades to be weapons, so I am bringing them. (I swore long ago not to leave them while I have the will, and ability, to use them.) They will stay sheathed, unless I have reason to spill my own blood.

Del Caine I think this is your Que.

He just stole a truck, I think he's headed for KT's now.

Modify my last post. clear the road don't want anything to set him off before he gets where he is going.

We're on our way.

Yes, that's plural.

No, don't ask.