"Hello?"
    "Hello. This is Kymrik. How are you?"
    "Where are they?" Ute demanded.
    "I thought you might be interested in that piece of information. We're perfectly comfortable leaving, we've got what we came for. But it seems certain people have upped the stakes somewhat."
    "What do you mean?"
    "Your brother is not satisfied with the conclusion of that last... situation. He has the feeling that were he to go about living the life he wishes to lead, you would do something foolish, like try to track him down."
    "So he has one functioning brain cell."
    "It's not nice to speak ill of family."
    "Get on with it."
    "It's really quite simple. He's perfectly willing to have us release your parents, just as long as you hand yourself over." A long, threatening pause. "Two innocent lives are at stake. Surely, surely, you would be willing to sacrifice yourself for your parents lives?"
    "Where do you want me to meet you?" he asked quietly.
    "First of all we have to make sure that your overexuberant comrades don't cause any problems, so I would appreciate it if you did not repeat this conversation to them."
    The meeting was set for 11 PM at the island which had once been occupied by the Wuxia. Hans would hand himself over, and his parents would be set free. Kymrik refused his attempt to bargain to have them set down elsewhere in the city beforehand.
    "Why?" Promethean inquired, frustrated.
    "It is important to your brother that your parents witness the triumph of his philosophy. Our philosophy. They can't very well see that if they're not present to watch."
    "I should mention that my brother has become very American. I'm sure you won't believe this, but he'll be quite a shock to the Fourth Reich."
    "I'm afraid you're operating under a misconception." Kymrik and Marcus were with Mind Lazer now, it appeared.
    "Are you sleeping with him?" Promethean inquired maliciously. "You seem to be on very intimate terms...." The phone slammed down on the other end.

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