Vladimir and Valentine were playing a game of chess when Blake was ushered into the door. It was a stalemate and Valentine was thinking over his next move.
Blake spoke despite everyone shushing him, "Why did that assassin attack me?"
"Not suspecting Gabriel?" Vladimir asked watching his brother move his knight
Blake answered, "My father is a terrible human being but he isn't sloppy with his work."
"I don't know if I should be happy you're self aware or pity you for our bad luck." Valentine sighed watching his brother move his rook back to home
Vladimir nodded, "We have an idea of who sent them after before Gabriel's men could get you. After all what's the most important thing in a battle?"
Valentine was stuck on the possible choices to do. He could sacrifice a piece or enter the deliberate space Vlad made and maybe retreat. Vladimir face became smug as the route for victory was coming into view.
"Information." Valentine said "Gabriel knows you've been snooping around his not so righteous work, if he know, we all do. Certain individuals with very important information and some wouldn't leave you alone."
Blake frowned, "Can you be more direct!"
"We can't. We made some deals and have some restrictions placed on us so talking in roundabout ways is the best way to help you gain anything." Vladimir sighed "I prefer being straightforward but the backlash is painful."
Humphry who was silent finally spoke, "Was becoming powerful part of your deal?"
"Checkmate!" Valentine beamed "And no, it wasn't. The contract is fading away so we need to make Nox family stronger quickly."
Blake spoke, "My father has also be obsessed with obtaining more skilled Pioneers and individuals over the years. Is this the same reason."
"Will you like to join Nox family, Blake?" Vladimir asked saving his King and calling checkmate as well
Valentine smiled, "Maybe if you do well, I might whisper the answers into our ear?"
The brothers looked at Blake with innocent expression after fanning his need for answers. Blake was right that they and Gabriel were in a rush for any means to keep their places save. Poaching Blake from the Pioneers' side felt like a win in their minds.
It been several decades since invader, Pioneers and the like had become norm. Invaders were on the losing side for so long that it won't be a surprise if they did something crazy but no one ever though of it.
"The restriction are fading meaning time is not on our side. Gabriel and the others had a head start because they betrayed us but we might barely make it." Vladimir thought adding Blake into his calculations
Valentine gave up the chess match as he noticed the pincer situation his King was in and wondered when Vlad had moved like that. He silently cursed and took out a deck of cards to start another game.
Blake spoke, "I'll join-"
"It will be hard to trust you so easily though." Valentine interrupted with a regretfully expression "You were a Pioneer after all, a beacon of justice!"
Blake's jaw hardened and the other Nox members were now very interested in the current situation. With information the obtained in this moment made them understand that their Heads weren't moving on some adolescents whim and something was going on.
"What do I need to do?" Blake smiled "Make it flashy so I tarnish my reputation as a bonus."
One of Vladimir's towering whistled at Blake audacity and the others started looking at him with slight hint of approval.
Vladimir spoke, "Nothing much. We are interested in the core in the Capital used by the government. It's hidden away in the research department because it causes a rift with the threat level of 8.5 out of 10."
Blake's stomach plunged at the request and felt he was a lamb in a den of tigers. He had to become like them to learn more about this dangers younger brothers of his and the secret his father was willing to keep even if it destroyed his family.
"Is that all?" Blake lied "Consider it done."
Vladimir snapped his fingers and the towering men advanced. Valentine called in the woman who helped his brother obtain the titanium box with the core inside.
"My subordinates and secretaries, beastfolk one of the races that migrated and they are bear shifters who also have abilities. My luck is good, meet Donovan and Dmitri." Vladimir introduced
Valentine smiled, "My brother borrowed her because of her stealth and espionage skill although she's not a Pioneers but she can handle them so don't underestimate her, Delphine."
"I'll go in the morning." Blake informed
Vladimir nodded, "You're the leader use them how ever you wish and they will monitor you as well as keep you safe. Good Luck."
They watching their half-brother leave and the smile on Vladimir's face dropped as he collected his cards from Valentine.
"I know you rigged the shuffle but I can still beat you." he scoffed
Humphrey spoke, "So we just wait?"
"Of course not, Blake is just a distraction. If he passes, yay and if not so what, I'm not losing sleep at night." Valentine shrugged
A man got closer and slammed his palm on the the table. The cards were thrown around, the Nox members stared and the brothers were forced to raise their gaze to the person who disrupted their break.
"You don't trust us much. Give us a chance as well like Blake, fit us into your little calculations you've been making." he spoke
Vladimir said, "What do you mean?"
"We want to gain your full trust Head. And we'll create a show to satisfy your sadistic tendencies." the man, Kilian Nox spoked
They wanted to refuse but there was only so much two people could do. Vladimir wanted to slowing ease into trusting the Nox member but if they offer why not try.
"One chance." Vladimir told "Success or failure doesn't really matter so do your best."
Morning came soon and Blake snuck into the Capital City, Dawn and looked toward the Pioneer Headquarters building.
"Sentimental?" Delphine asked with curiosity
Blake chuckled, "I'll live. We do what we must, right, I'll bear the consequences and won't betray Nox."
He sliced into the air and blades dug into the skyscraper. The building began to crumble down as he severed his previous bond and slipped into the building.