Mach and Salazar sat in silence as they drove along the wide roads of Ardew. There wasn't much to discuss, really. They both knew where heading, who they were going to see. The car itself was quiet, too, sending them along under electric power. They were in no particular hurry, keeping pace with a city bus next to them. If anything, they were hesitant. Powersk had told both of them how had they found this information. The GRU had done a pretty good job of covering their tracks, but there was enough of a trail left to connect the dots between a handful of witnesses, ranging from peace officers, organized criminals, and the CPDG itself. Most didn't actually know who they were dealing with all those years ago.

Mach turned down an exit and slowed the car, coasting down a suburban main street. There weren't many cars along the road here, but the sidewalks held many late afternoon shoppers. Not just lone individuals, Mach noted, but many families, too. Here Mach was, on a mission to keep society itself from collapsing, while a neighborhood was out for cold treats in the park.

 Powersk had told Mach that if there was anyone else he could have sent instead, he would have. But Mach had one thing no one else had: Spoken to him. Many have spoken to "Gambit" or "Team Lead Helix." A few even to "Agent Fulcrum." But Mach had spoken to the real Task Landager, and in a time of crisis, was entrusted with the protection of his son, a crack in the GRU facade that Mach, Salazar and Powersk had only just stumbled into.

But that was all long ago, when the future seemed like it was set in stone. They had stood watch while it crumbled around them. Now, Mach and Salazar were driving to find a past that would rather be left alone and forgotten.

Mach pulled over into an open parking spot and turned off the car. He could see the storefront just a couple building's length down the street. Salazar turned to look at Mach. "I guess we're doing this, huh?"

"I guess," Mach replied, getting out of the car and walking down the sidewalk. "Part of me hopes he isn't here."

"Powersk have you spooked?" Salazar smiled. "Me too. I'd be pissed if I were him."

"Not just angry, offended. After everything that happened, and we show up at his door? That's personal." Mach said stopping in front of the building, "But part of me thinks he'd understand."

The building had a simple, but professional looking storefront. There was little in the way of advertising, just a few pictures and equipment on display in the glass windows.

"Exris Martial Arts," Salazar read, then glaced back at Mach.

Mach though for a second before shaking his head. "Not a name he's told me."

"Its too close to be a coicidence." Salazar reasoned. 

"It would be a very deliberate coicidence. Way too direct."

"Maybe it was deliberate." Salazar shrugged.