"Easier said than done." Hal sighed.

"We need a plan of attack, and the proper team." he went on.

"Unfortunately, we're not going to get anywhere just sitting here and rehashing the same information." he then said further.

"So what do you propose we do?" Azazel asked.

"See if any of your demonic channels can provide information." Hal told the demon.

"And we'll need to know the best places to enter your complex from." he then said to Vanessa. "The best places to mount the assault."

Hal looked over towards the door, and was stunned to see who was there.

"Lyrei?" he addressed her, surprise in his tone.

"How are you-?" he started to ask, before she interrupted.

"Answer my question first." she said.

"Fine." Hal replied. "We've discovered where he's hiding, and he's vulnerable for a few days. However, he's successfully absorbed a nexus, and we need a team that can effectively storm the complex and take him down." he told her.

"Now, how are you up and about? What happened?" he asked.

Hal narrowed his eyes at Vanessa when she said what she did with her laugh.

"...I'll bet you're not." he said.

"I saw how you looked at Erica when she mentioned the runestones." he went on.

"But I didn't say anything because of our truce." he reasoned.

"Regardless, I'm willing to bet you know a lot more about Erica than you're letting on."

"...." Hal was silent as he heard that.

"And, knowing you, had none of this happened, you would be trying to abduct her and use her." he then said.

"It's frightening just how much you... know..." he went on, trailing off a little.

"I'm willing to bet you have informants in my Unit." he commented.

"Don't be so surprised." Azazel responded. "I'm willing to bet she has... or had, at least... ears and eyes in EVERY aspect of the world, and its organizations." he told Hal.

"Wouldn't be surprised if her tendrils extended to the Triad and Council."

Hal did not look impressed.

"Damn it." he cursed.

"I had a feeling his loose lips would sink this ship someday." he growled.

Azazel just sighed quietly.

"Wonderful..." he mumbled.

"Just... great." he muttered, shaking his head and looking at Vanessa.

"I'd say that's clever... because it really IS... but it's Samuel. Just... he's... ugh." he finished.

Upon hearing this, both Hal and Azazel's expressions were immediately pointed and enraged. They said nothing, though. Not immediately. They knew that she was looking to get animated reactions out of them, and they would NOT grant her that satisfaction.

"...thank you for telling us that." Azazel said.

"The fact that you've done so means you see her as no longer useful to you, I am assuming." Hal then commented.

"That, or you don't want to wrest control of her back from Vyran." he said further.

"..." both Azazel and Hal were silent for a moment, before the latter pinched the bridge of his nose.

"...fair enough." was all he said.

Meanwhile, Lyrei wasn't waiting for very long at all... maybe about 8 minutes or so... before she saw what she could only describe as a tear in the fabric of reality form before her, and female individual came through.

Followed immediately by a male.

"All right, where ARE we?" the male asked immediately.

"...." he was silent, before shaking his head, his hair moving slightly, revealing his elven ears.

"Right." he said.

"Okay then. Cool." he said further.

"What's the situation?" he asked.

"The missive mentioned Callie's father, as well as Vyran, but the details were sparse. And you mentioned time was precious." he added.

"So what's the deal right now?"

Adym winced when the runes were traced onto the back of his hand, but after a minute or so, he seemed to calm down.

"...well, that should help." he said.

"At least we'll be able to communicate with the denizens of this world." he reasoned. "Well... I will be, anyway. I needed the help." he then clarified.

"But can we get more information?" he asked Lyrei.

"Seriously, what's happening right now?" he asked further.

"Or who can we go to for more comprehensive info on this?"

Adym looked at Callie, then to Lyrei, and nodded slightly.

"Let's go." he agreed.

The three of them made their way back to where Hal and co were, and Adym froze for a moment when he noticed Vanessa.

"I..." he stammered.

"I'm surprised to find a dark elf in this world." he admitted.