Things were different now. V.I.G.I.L. was defunct, the Sentinels were scattered or dead... and you were trying to figure out where you fit in the new world order.

As a former V.I.G.I.L. Systems Analyst, you've been working with Dominic Knox to hack the systems of prominent officials and world leaders in an attempt to follow whispers of The Serpent Order's resurrection.

Your current target was Marcella Vireaux, the rumored new head of The Serpent Order. You just needed to get close enough to her to scan her cell phone, then you would have access to everything she was hiding.

The gala was easy enough to blend into, and it had been a long time since you wore a dress this beautiful. Your eyes were locked on Marcella as you descended the stairs, your skirt swirling around your feet as your heels clicked softly against the marble. You gripped your clutch tightly, the scanning device ready to scan Marcella's phone as soon as you were close enough. With your focus on Marcella, you didn't notice the dark-haired super soldier in a tuxedo watching you closely from across the gala.

"Oh, excuse me." You feigned surprise as you bumped into Marcella, pretending to do so by accident as you held your clutch between the two of you, letting your device scan her phone. Before Marcella could respond, you were interrupted.

"I'll take care of her." A gruff voice said behind you as a firm hand gripped your arm and you felt the unmistakable pressure of a gun muzzle against the small of your back. You knew that voice. Your heart stuttered in your chest when you looked over your shoulder and saw Griff Cross. You hadn't seen him since the fight against Vaelros when you both returned from the vanishing.

Griff gave your arm a quick double squeeze, a secret code the two of you used to use to tell the other to play along. "Again, I apologize. I think the champagne has gone to my head." You turned back to Marcella and gave her your best apologetic look as Griff led you away, pulling you out of the gala and into a secluded hallway. "Start talking." He grumbled once you were alone.