Milwaukee, Wisconsin
"And where have you been?"
Drake froze and then slowly turned his head to face his wife. "Uh, hi. I was just. I, um, sorta..."
Jessica gave Drake the sort of look only a married woman is capable of giving. "You joined the new European branch of Vanguard."
"I, uh, yeah." Drake thought a moment. "How did you know?"
"Paragon called me before he came to ask you."
"He asked you first?"
"At least someone did."
"I'm sorry, I was just a little caught up in the situation."
"Yeah, I understand. It's good too." Jessica walked over and slipped her arms around him "There was just something wrong about you sitting behind a desk."
"So, it's OK?"
"I guess. But you're going to make this up to me. In a way only you can."
"Does me making this to you involve me having superhuman endurance?"
Jessica smiled up at him. "You could say that."
Drake smiled crookedly. "OK, I think I can handle that."
* * *
An armored figure stood in front of a large screen displaying a map of Europe. The map displayed a line originating in Germany but the figure blocked where the line ended. "So, you survived." Spoke an electronically altered voice. "Good, good." The armored figure turned in a strange, stiff manner revealing only the slight glint of a translucent faceplate and the hint of black and dark red colored metal. "I shall not be denied my revenge."
