"Kyle," Sayuri called out softly.

"I know," Kyle said, "I'm already here."

Sayuri's mouth twitched. How fast did he move to get ahead of her? Considering the mall was quite big and he had been on the other end … the other MIB agents who heard him also was both amazed and in disbelief.

"Ensure Stephan's safety," Kyle said simply.

Sayuri understood.

The main person to be protected here, was Stephan. Ideally, everyone would not be harmed but no one could guarantee that.

Sayuri scoffed at the constant debate and discussion about 'would you sacrifice one to save five'? There were philosophical reasons, ethical reasons, and others. For her, it was plain and simple.

If that one person is someone she loved, or knew, then no such sacrifice is to be made. Who cares about other, unrelated people? What had they done for her? Would saving them make anyone's lives better? Should she suffer for other people?

Selfish? Perhaps.

But it's human nature, isn't it?

There were a few, rare people that would truly give their all for strangers. Would sacrifice for others. The needs of the others far outweighed the need for one.

Yet, in reality, how many people were truly like that?

Also, no matter what you did, there will always be people who will not be satisfied and condemn you.

You help the refugees, for example, but you have those that condemn you for it for not helping 'your own people' first. You help your own people like the homeless, but there are those that condemn you for helping the 'hopeless'.

So, right now, all Sayuri cared was, to ensure Stephan would be safe.

Even if it meant some innocents would get injured. It's not like she would deliberately harm them but you can't control everything, right?

As for Kyle, he was headed to one secluded spot.

Kyle had pinpointed all the possible areas a sniper could be hiding at. He already had the blueprint of the mall in his head, and in the area ahead, there were only two possible points.

Kyle directed one MIB agent to a spot while he headed to the other.

He wasn't sure if this was the plan Donnie had, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

The other guy, who had been caught, would have confessed and lay the blame on Stephan. There was probably some incriminating evidence in the bag that he had given Stephan.

However, it could only work if Stephan didn't talk.

There were too many loopholes in the story. If both were caught, then it would be the word of the mafia-type guy and a respectable clerk-type guy. The police would be more inclined to believe Stephan and do further investigations.

In other words, as long as Stephan could create some doubt about whatever he was being accused of, the policemen would investigate further. The entire plan could collapse.

The only way to get away with it?

Stephan would have to die.

Kyle found himself clenching his jaw, his anger towards Donnie increasing even more. His hatred towards Xavier also increased.

They like killing, is it? Framing innocent people, is it? Just what was it that Xavier wouldn't do?

Once this issue with Donnie was over, he was going to let Xavier have a taste of his own medicine.

Triple dosage.

Just the thought of it made Kyle smile.

He reached the spot easily enough. Sure enough, a sniper was there.

Kyle moved silently, his feet not making a single sound on the ground while he lowered his breathing so that it couldn't be heard. He even retracted his aura, blending into the surroundings like a shadow.

By the time the sniper realised Kyle was there, it was already too late. Kyle had reached over and twisted the guy's neck, breaking it cleanly and soundlessly. Pushing the sniper out of the way, Kyle studied the sniper rifle and looked through its telescopic sight.

With it, he could see the other possible sniper positions other than the two he had identified.

"Point, is it clear?" Kyle asked the agent that had gone to the other sniper spot.

"Clear," Point answered.

Making a decision, Kyle then made three rapid shots, right at the other possible sniper positions. He didn't know if there was anyone there, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

He stayed, continued to watch Stephan who came into view and then out of sight.

Kyle got up, wiped the gun meticulously and left. Even though he was wearing gloves, he wasn't going to take any chances. In order to take the shot, he had to hold the rifle close and anything of his could have transferred to the rifle. He didn't want anything of his to go into the file.

He left as silently as he entered.

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Donnie was livid.

Just what went wrong?!

Not only was Stephan still alive and in the police station making a statement, but there had also been ten other sting operations throughout the country! Not just in this city, but in other States as well.

Each hit cost them millions and worse, the people they were dealing with, weren't happy.

Donnie made a call.

"I told you not to call me on this line," came a crisp voice, full of displeasure.

"It's an emergency! We're being targetted," Donnie replied, "Ten of our operational bases have been hit."

"What?!"

"I thought you were some big shot?!" Donnie hissed, "How could this have slipped through your radar? How could you not know!"

"Keep low," the guy replied and hung up.

"Keep low, my *ss," Donnie replied, flinging the phone. He got up. The heat was too strong. He had to get out.

Even though he didn't think Stephan would play him out, he wasn't going to stick around to find out. He gave a few orders and bought the first flight out.

Nothing better than the present.