Sable and I spent the rest of the night and most of the next night waiting for Robert to show up. We found some shelter in some old abandoned car during the day light hours, and although trying to sleep huddled down in the back seat wasn't exactly comfortable, especially given the fact that we had to cover all the windows with paint. But hey, when you live as a starving, unemployed man being chased by hoards of the undead, it wasn't the most uncomfortable night that I've ever had. I can't say the same for Sable though. I could tell that my partner was getting anxious, and to be honest, I wasn't feeling that much better. I didn't tell her that though; I figured that one of us had to seem like they're in control.

By the end of the second night, I could tell that Sable really couldn't wait much longer, and I had no idea how I was going to prevent her from committing a very loud and messy suicide when she inevitably decides to storm into the compound herself. Thankfully, Robert and a few fellow vampires showed up before that.

It was Sable who first noticed the gang, and when I saw them myself I wasn't feeling too great about our prospects. Robert's forces looked warn down and haggard, to put it nicely. Even from a distance I could tell that Robert's men were skittish, worried, and no matter how well Robert himself hid his fears, I could tell that he was more worn out than he looked. I wasn't sure what he was going to do with a measly force of only a half dozen vampires, but I didn't give them enough time to try whatever it was that he planned to do. I ported close to the man.

My sudden appearance made the already frightened vampires flare up with alarm, but their training forced them to not immediately act on instinct. Robert quickly told his men down, and greeted me politely. Up close, he looked a lot worse than before. Where the normal, regal man used to be, was a man who showed his age. The winkles on his face seemed more profound now, and even his usual neat clothing seemed more aged.

“What happened?” I asked, nodding to Sable as she made her way towards us.

“Information about our home seemed to have leaked to the damned humans.” Cursed one of Robert's men, “They sent the whole fucking army after us.”

Robert glanced at the man in disdain, but just sighed, and added, “I don't know what happened, but we were attacked in our own homes. Thankfully we managed to evacuate most of the family, but the ones that stayed behind to buy the rest of us time...”

“I'm sorry...” Sable muttered, holding Robert's hand.

“It matters not.” He said coolly, “What's important is that we get the rest of our family free, and if things get any worse, we must speed up our plans for the humans.”

“Plans?” I asked, “What plans?”

“I'll explain it later, Lord.”

Sable gave Robert an inquisitive look, and asked, “Lord? What's that about?”

“I'll explain that later as well.” I answered.

“But it's good to see you here,” Robert continued, “Breaking into the compound will be easier with your abilities, my Lord.”

“Seriously, what gives?.”

“Right now really isn't the time, Sable.” Robert interrupted, “The more time we waste here, the more time the enemy has to mobilize against us. The news that my sources have been telling me is not good. It seems like this attack is just the beginning of something big.”

Sable looked at Robert with unease, and said, “Then shouldn't you be helping out the other heads? I mean, I know that saving the people in the cells' important and all, but you don't have to come personally, right?”

Robert laughed, and said, “Of course I have to come personally. This is something that the Lord has asked, and doing any less would be an insult.”

“Again with that Lord business. What is that about?”

“Do you truly not know? The man you call Frank is none other than the Lord of the Night.”

Sable stared at me wide eyed. “What?”

I sighed, and muttered, “I'll explain later. We rescue the prisoners first.”

Sable pouted and answered, “You better have a good explanation.”

“Right, let's get going then.”

* * *

Thanks to my abilities, the gang and I were able to make it into the compound without much difficulties. Sable led the way to where most of the other prisoners were being kept, and the few guards that were did meet were dealt with easily enough by Robert. I have to admit, after seeing Robert's strength, that Sable's stories about him might all be true. The man moved like a human bullet when he noticed any opposition, and the ease and fluidity of his movements showed that he was more than used to fighting. He incapacitated the soldiers with a blur of his hand, and even had the decency to remove the body before we passed them, and all of this took less than a fraction of a second to accomplish. Heck, it didn't even look like it exerted him in the lead to do all that. The man is really darn scary. I really wouldn't want to be this guy's foe.

By the time we got to the inner parts of the compound where the cells were, we only encountered a dozen or so guards; not surprising if my guesses were right. The people working at this compound were probably having their own share of problems dealing with SIDNA. Thanks to that though, we were able to free the all of the prisoners in record time, and our escape from the facility was just as carefree as our entrance. Outside of the facility, Robert ordered his men to move the ex-prisoners to safety.

“So how's everyone holding up, Robert?” I asked, “And what is that plan you were talking about before?”

When Robert confirmed that the last of the freed prisoners were gone, he turned towards me and answered, “To be honest, things are not going well right now, my Lord. The human army took us by surprise, and we were inadequately prepared for their arrival. Something, or someone, must have informed them about our location. We are losing our forces rapidly, and if this continues, then the elders will be forced to take the first step and wage a full on war against the humans.”

“A war?” Sable asked.

“Yes, a war. Our agents hidden within the major human governments will start a new world war, and while the humans are weakened by the chaos and infighting, we will strike.”

I looked at Robert in shock, “You guys want to start World War III.”

“We will, if there is no other option.”

“Do you even know what that will mean? It's not going to be trench warfare or chlorine gas anymore, we have nukes and fucking bio-weapons. Humanity will destroy not only themselves if this happens, but when the nukes go off then there'll be nothing left!”

“I realize.” Robert sighed, “But if they continue like this, then our entire race will parish. A world war will not be pleasant, but we have made the necessary preparations in case of a nuclear war. We are prepared to deal with the fallout, as well as ensure that our species will continue to live on.”

“And what about the other supernatural parties? I'm going to guess that they won't be happy about this.”

“They are in on the plan, and I assume are equipped to deal with the necessary risks involved.”

“But...”

“I know, my Lord. But the plans are not set in stone. There still might be something that we can do to prevent a worse case scenario.”

“Then we have to stop them. How long do you think we have until things are dead set?”

“We have already organized most of the major figures in Vladimir's estate from Europe, and more emissaries from other communities are arriving from around the world every hour. When the last of them arrives, then the meeting will begin, and from that period on, we will have only a few days at most. Overall, I'd say we have maybe a week to work.”

Sable cut in, and asked, “And what exactly do we have to do in order for the plans to be cancelled? I don't think the three of us will be able to fend off all the human pressure now that they've mobilized against us.”

Robert shook his head and sighed, “You're right. This is what we have feared the most. With the humans so set on ending us, we have no real hope of fighting back. Our numbers are too small and too scattered, and that is why we devised such an unfavourable last resort in the first place. We can only hope to negotiate with the human leaders for a compromise.”

“Then I'll go talk with them.” I answered, “I am... acquainted with the higher ups at SIDNA, and I can at the very least attempt to reason with them.”

“You cant!” Sable half-screamed, she was clearly not happy with that decision. I wasn't blaming her, if I were in her shoes and she wanted to do what I did, then I'd protest just as hard. But there was no other way, or at least none that I can think of.

“I agree with Sable.” Robert added, “You'll be needed at the hearings as well.”

“Doesn't matter.” I shook my head, “It's the only real hope that we have.”

“Then at least let me go with you, Frank!”

“You know that you can't, Sable. I can get in because the people at SIDNA are at least a little familiar with me, but you'll stick out. And plus, if worse comes to worst, I can just port out. You can't. Stay with Robert and help out here.”

“Frank...” Sable answered, half muttering. I can tell that she was still unhappy with the plan, but Sable was smart enough to realize that there really was not alternative. She also knew that staying here and defending her family was the best course of action for her.

“There's no problems with you then, Robert?”

“Although I am not happy with your course of action, and would rather see you remain here,” Robert said reluctantly, “I know that cannot stop you. Even I do not like the prospect of a nuclear war, and you are our only hope of an alternative, my Lord.”

“Then it's set.”

I nodded to Robert, and gave Sable a quick peck on the lips before porting away. I was never really good with good-byes, and I really couldn't drag things out, especially when I was fighting the clock. Plus, I'm not sure if I can get back into SIDNA, what with all the changes that I've gone though, much less make Sarah Fortune look at things in my point of view. I just hope that things go for the best... but when has that ever happened.

With no clear location in mind, I just retraced my steps back to the town where I first encountered the soldiers. I ported for a bit of it, but realized that the people at SIDNA would probably not take my appearing out of nowhere kindly. Thankfully my new constitution greatly improved my stamina, and I was able to jog at a reasonable speed towards the town. I just hope that they didn't connect the dots and realize that the vampires that were terrorizing their forces a few days prior was me.

Without any kind of identification, I had no idea if just going up to one of the poor slobs and asking to see Sarah would actually worked. I know that if some stranger asked me to do that, I sure as hell wouldn't just show them in. I'd have called the damn cops, or just have the lunatic the boot. Unfortunately, without any other way of doing things, it's exactly what I did when I saw the first bunch of armed soldiers.

When I approached, the SIDNA guys tried to brush me aside – with a little too much force for my liking – but when I explained my situation to them, they didn't immediately threaten to open fire on me. Now that was surprising. Instead, one uniformed dude muttered something incomprehensible into his mouthpiece, and a few moments later another uniformed man came out. The new guy was carrying some kind of scanner or something, sort of like those you see in airports or cop shows, and give me a quick run over with the thing. Apparently, I checked out, because the told another soldier stationed near-by to take me to headquarters.

I guess the big boss didn't leave me out to dry when she dropped me into a portal leading to who-knows-where. I dread to think what would have happened if I somehow didn't check out with the scanner though.

As it was, however, I was kindly lead to an unassuming car, and after a brief drive, I was shown into a rather unassuming building. It looked grey and ugly, like every other office building I've ever seen, but after winding around the place a bit, and passing a good array of security, I saw something that was certainly not unassuming: a portal. It was more or less identical to the one I went through originally, but this time I'm betting that this particular portal leads back to a place that I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to go back to. I'm not sure how well people like take to hearing about my recent activities, and I wasn't entirely sure that I can lie to Sarah.

Still, if I didn't want the world to get nuked into oblivion, so I'd better get this over with.