JACE paced the floor in frustration.  The emotion was quite unfamiliar to him.  Usually he could accomplish anything to which he set his mind.  For once, however, even his brilliant intellect seemed insufficient to the task.  Despite his intelligence and his financial resources, he lacked the connections necessary to accomplish his goal. 

He had searched every DNA database on the planet, had scoured the city with his DNA detector on, he had even resorted to scanning warehouses looking for any sign of them, but the people who had kidnapped and tortured him had vanished.  After examining the possibilities, he had determined there were only three possible courses of action left to him.

First, he could stop his search.  This option was unpleasant.  Should he do so, he would be admitting defeat.  The people who had dared to attack him would still be out there some where, probably laughing about their victory over him.  He was unwilling, at this time, to pursue that particular course of action.

The second was even less palatable.  He could notify the rest of the Conquistadors about what had happened and request their help.  It was likely, with the greater resources of the team, that they would be able to find these people and deal with them.  Unfortunately, that would require admitting to them what had happened and, worse, admitting that he was unable to deal with it himself.  Revealing his weakness to his teammates was intolerable.

This brought him to the third unpleasant option.  Although not a course he would have normally chosen to follow, it seemed the only one available to him.  His browser beeped and he smiled as a phone number was displayed on his screen.  Even Angelo DiSantiago's private cell phone number was available if you knew where to look.

With a calming breath, JACE ordered his browser to call the number.

The other end picked up.  It sounded noisy in the background - loud music and drowned voices.  A rustling, followed by an authoritative, if distracted: "Angelo here."

"Mr. DiSantiago, this is Dr. Jace," JACE replied, grimacing slightly.  He disliked dealing with an unstable person, but necessity overwhelmed desire.  "I would appreciate a few moments of your time to continue our discussion from New Years Eve."  He considered saying more, but didn't want to discuss it over an open line.  "Is there a time and place we can meet?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line, followed by a rustling and harsh noises.  Meanwhile, the music and voices dwindled, then became almost completely muffled.  A door slammed.  "How did you get this number?"

JACE smiled a cold smile.  "It was rather simple, Mr. DiSantiago.  I got it from your brother's cell phone.  He is kind enough to have it in his memory."  Laying down a false trail seemed a good plan.  He had no desire to admit he had hacked the phone company's database to get the number, at least not over an open line.

"Javier...?" Angelo's voice was skeptical but he sighed heavy with irritation.  "Where are you?"

"I am currently at my home, however I can meet you at your convenience."  JACE hated to be so accomidating, it made it likely that Angelo would take advantage of the situation, but he needed this to work, so he had no real choice.

"At my convenience?" Irony replaced skepticism.  JACE heard a weary chuckle, followed by: "One hour, you pick the spot."

"As you wish.  At the Cathedral in one hour then.  I will be in the laboratory."

"And Doc," he added, "Don't call this number again."

"I do not anticipate a need to do so, Mr. DiSantiago."

(An hour later)

To all outside appearances, JACE was calm and collected.  He moved carefully around the laboratory, monitoring the results of various experiments he was working on for the Conquistadors.  In particular, he was examining the possibility of enhancing the hypercycles to allow them to travel at rates similar to his power assisted flight mode.  Regrettably, the current power source of the cycle was inadequate.  To improve them as he wished would require a complete rebuild, something he wasn't inclined to do.

As he studied the results, however, he had to force himself to focus.  The time for Mr. DiSantiago to arrive was nearly here and JACE wasn't looking forward to the meeting.  He didn't like or trust the man, but he was required to seek his help.  This was an uncomfortable position for JACE in many ways.  That, in part, was why he was in his power suit.  Jonathon found it quite psychologically comforting.  In addition, Angelo DiSantiago had proven himself unstable in their previous interaction and the protection of the suit was well warranted.

The DiSantiago patriarch was in true character when he arrived: irritable and impatient.  He was wearing a navy blue tailored suit, unbuttoned at the collar, tie loose around his neck, and strode into the lab with all the presence of a prowling carnivore.  Angelo slung his jacket over the back of a chair and turned on JACE after a brief evaluation of the room.

"Alright, doc," he began, "I talked to Javier and I'm not as big of an idiot as you might think." He held up one hand and smirked, not yet beyond a sense of humor, "I don't want to know.  Just show some restraint next time."

He allowed an appreciative smile.  "Now what's this you wanted to talk to me about?"

JACE nodded at him, stalling briefly while he organized his thoughts.  "I wish to discuss the business deal you and your brother approached me about.  Previously I saw insufficient return for the risk it placed upon me.  Now that has changed."  He cleared his throat briefly.  "To be blunt, I now have something I want that I suspect you can provide for me.  If you do so, I will be willing to act as your eyes and ears in the Conquistadors."

Angelo was taken aback - or at least appeared so.  "So now it's more lucrative for you?  I'm intrigued, doctor, truly.  What's changed?"

"I need something my own resources have been unable to provide.  I believe your resources would be sufficient to provide it.  Thus, the business deal would now be sufficiently mutually beneficial."  Only the fact that his power armor was instructed to keep him still prevented JACE from fidgetting or pacing.  He hated the feeling of vulnerability this entire conversation brought.  If it got him the names and locations he wanted, however, it would be worth every minute of discomfort.

Angelo was obviously amused, though he tried not to show it.  "I am pleased to hear you say that," he replied.  "My brother urges me to let the offer stand, despite my own inclination to... up the ante, so to speak."  He regarded JACE for a moment longer, considering this option.  "What can you tell me about your meetings thus far?"

"Are you asking about the content of the meetings, or about my impressions of the team?"

Angelo grinned.  "Both."

"Of course," there was no answering smile on JACE's face.  He had to tread somewhat carefully here.  Until he had what he needed, he couldn't give Angelo everything, or the man would no doubt discard JACE without concern.  Of course JACE would certainly make him pay for his betrayal, but that wouldn't get him the infomation he needed.  "As of yet the meeting had nothing of any significant substance to it.  It primarily consisted of Nemesis revealing his naivety and lack of leadership abilities while the rest of the team waited for him to be done so they could return to their lives.  Soldier Boy made it clear he would be much better suited in a military organization, which this most certainly is not.  The other staff members gave their introductions, repeating the obvious.  Some of the team members took the time to insult or irritate the others, then the meeting mercifully ended.

"As for my impression of the team," JACE went on calmly, "I have numerous concerns.  Individually the members of the team are quite powerful.  Regretably they have no unity.  Most of them were obviously chosen more for their physical appearance than for their compatability."  Now JACE smiled, although there was no humor in it.  "I could go on with specific examples if you wish, but I suspect it would be wiser for us to move to what specifically I want from you first, so we can ensure a fair and beneficial partnership."

The old man was thoroughly pleased.  "This will work out very well for both of us, doctor," he said greedily.  "Now, what is it that we can provide for you, 'specifically'?"

JACE raised one armored hand and a small memory card dropped into his palm.  "There is identifying information on this memory card.  Information about two people.  DNA, height, approximate proportions and a location where they were one month ago.  I want to know who they are and where they are now.  I do not want them to know I have gained this information, nor is anyone else to know the information is for me."  With a snap of his hand he tossed the card to Angelo.  "Find them for me and I will be your willing Judas.  Without even thirty pieces of silver."

Angelo snatched up the memory card from mid air with a deft hand and studied it briefly.  He turned to regard JACE for a long moment, breathing deeply, his gaze scrutinizing.  Finally, he pocketed the tiny disc and gave a curt nod.  "Done."

"Excellent," JACE shivered slightly, aware of the risk he was taking.  The potential reward was worth it, however.  At worst case, he would be forced to leave the Conquistadors.  While regretable, he was willing to risk such an outcome.  Of course, given the nature of the team, it was quite likely the entire experiment was doomed in any case.  Having a connection to the DiSantiago family was one way to increase his odds of survival when the inevitable happened.

"As I mentioned, I do have a number of concerns about the Conquistadors.  Specifically," JACE leaned forward slightly at he discussed his experiences so far.