A collection of three lanterns flickered in the center of a large opening inside a cold, damp cave hidden away in the base of a foothill located near the outer reaches of Bergstad. Colonel Merrick and Dr. Roslyn Harper huddled together around the light of the lanterns along with a slender man wearing a patch over his right eye who stood at constant attention with his chest poked out and his hands behind his back. His balding scalp was mocked by his full, well-groomed mustache which went well with his perfectly creased, tailored suit. The three were consumed with private whispers that swirled anxiously between them.

    A sudden swooping sound just outside the mouth of the cave silenced the group as they each turned toward the entrance with varying degrees of expectation lurking on their shadowed faces. Within seconds the echo of heavy footsteps grew louder as they steadily approached the heart of the cave. Finally, Jarell emerged from the darkness, into the opening where the flickering light from the lanterns played freely across the shimmering reflection of his armor.

    The gathered group, each standing side-by-side, knelt down on bended knees as they bowed their heads in reverence to their master. Jarell basked in their devotion for a moment with a pleased grin, then he released them from their lowered states with,"Rise my faithful servants."

    The trio rose together but the man wearing the eyepatch was quicker to his feet. He turned behind him to take something out of a suitcase which was near the lanterns. After removing what he went for, he approached Jarell with an exceptionally long coat draped over one arm while he held a wide brimmed hat with his other hand as the others watched. Holding them out to Jarell with a dutiful expression, the man stood proudly in place until Jarell took the offering with a small, satisfied smile.

    "Thank you Cornelius," Jarell praised as placed the hat atop his brow then slid into the long coat which concealed his form from ankles to neck.

    "But of course my Master," Cornelius replied, in an accent uncommon around the Bergstad area.

    "I trust your men have not grown slack in my absence," Jarell cautioned as he buttoned-up the coat.

    "Certainly not my Master. They stand ever ready for your command," Cornelius assured obediently.

    "Good. I have seen things while on the other side Cornelius, things that require our immediate attention," Jarell hinted.

    "Yes Master?" Cornelius inquired.

    Jarell adjusted the coat over his broad shoulders. "It appears that the good Dr. Walsh did not perish like we were led to believe, and he has something I want badly. Return to the compound and prep your best team, I'll be along shortly with further instructions."

    Cornelius gave a quick, confirming nod, then went back to grab a lantern and the suitcase before making a hasty exit from the cave without acknowledging the others, even with a glance.

    Colonel Merrick was the next to approach Jarell, and he did so with an arrogant confidence present in his posture as well as his snake-like grin. "Master, so glad you're back with us now," he greeted.

    Jarell smiled slyly down at Merrick, but in a flash his face was distorted with rage. He reached out, taking Merrick by the throat and lifting the bulky man off his feet. Merrick clawed hopelessly against the angel's grip, then he simply struggled to breath as he clutched Jarell's arm for support.

    "Ah, Merrick..." Jarell hissed with contempt. "Your failed and foolish attempt at capturing the Raven's children has brought unwanted attention to my operations," he said in anger.

    Merrick's eyes bulged as he gasped for breath. Jarell drew him close as he scowled at the writhing man in his grip. "Did you not think I would know?" 

    Dr. Harper watched silently, feeling no sympathy for Merrick since she realized his fate was the result of brash measures taken solely by himself. She knew very well the result of angering Jarell, they all did; but his promises to them were worth the risk.

    "You have failed me for the last time," Jarell growled, delivering Merrick's sentence.

    Jarell squeezed Merrick's throat slowly, crushing the life from him as he gurgled and gasped for air. Within seconds the large man breathed his last and his body went limp, dangling in Jarell's grip. The tall angel sneered one final time at Merrick just before he tossed the lifeless body to the side where it was swallowed up in the darkness of the cave, crashing with a heavy thud when it landed.

    Dr. Harper collected herself with a brief, quiet clearing of her throat. She pushed the square-rimmed glasses on her nose up a little, then walked over to Jarell as she fought the urge to look over where Merrick's body landed. She acknowledged Jarell with a slight bow of her head, then inquired of his will.

    "Master, how may I be of service to you?"

    Jarell looked upon her submission approvingly before answering,"I have much for you to do, but first, I want you to bring me the children of the White Raven."

    "Master?" Dr. Harper replied, with a puzzled and surprised expression.

     Jarell smiled wickedly at her confusion. "Is Talon available?" he asked.

    Dr. Harper furrowed her brow curiously. "Yes, she returned from her last mission a short while ago," she answered, wondering where he was going.

    "Very good. Use her to bring me what I want, her abilities will prove to be necessary for this most important and dangerous of tasks," he instructed.

    "But Master, Talon is trained to kill, not capture. I fear she is not the best agent for this mission," Dr. Harper reminded, daring to second guess.

    Jarell reprimanded her bold doubt with a sharp scowl that she shrank under, then she cleared her throat again. "Of course Master, as you wish," she complied.

    "Bring me Corbin and that precious little sister of his first, then the others. I want them by the end of the week, enough time has already been wasted," Jarell ordered, then he raised a warning finger to Dr. Harper. "Educate Talon on the abilities of her targets, there is no room for error; and be sure to remind her what failure means to her, as well as to her brother."

    Dr. Harper complied with a silent nod, then Jarell turned to leave, uttering one last command as he walked away. "Bring them to Compound B. I'll be there personally to make sure things go smoothly."

    Dr. Harper waited until Jarell's footsteps were no longer heard in the cave before going back to pick up her lantern. She grabbed the one that had belonged to  Merrick also, then she headed out of the cave, but not before stopping near Merrick's corpse to steal a glimpse of what failing Jarrel meant. She swallowed hard at the sight, then focused her thoughts on what she had to do to prepare Talon for the mission at hand.