Enjoy this newest, short, installment :) The bar nestled below the hangar of the Tower sat empty, the late spring night drawing many to an early rest. Doug washed his glasses about to close up the liquor. He took the greatest care cleaning and polishing the crystal and arranging the bottles beautifully. He smiled as the light music playing from the jukebox filled the small bar with a low rhythm. Pulling the key from his belt he was about to lock the cabinet when one of his metal chairs lightly scraped the floor. “I’m sorry,” Doug said turning, “we are closed fo…” he stopped, putting the keys back on his belt. “Hello Miss. Care for a drink?” “Please,” Ophelia said weakly, brushing back her cotton candy pink hair. “Any requests?” “I need something to mend a shattered heart and broken soul.” “Bourbon it is.” Doug took an eight-ounce glass from the shelf. It was perfectly clear and pristine. He opened the ice chest below the bar and pulled a smooth, round, sphere. He gently placed it in the glass and then took a bottle from the cabinet. Doug poured the honey colored liquor and placed the glass in front of Ophelia. She took a sip, the light, rich, flavor smoothly running down the back of her throat. She felt her eyes begin to water as she set the glass back down. “Mind telling me what’s going on?” Ophelia shook her head, but pulled a piece of paper from her jeans pocket. [i]Notice of Dissolution Here the fire team consisting of Ophelia Killian, Raven Oakwood, and Alexander Odinson is officially disbanded. By choice, Alexander moves to the Vanguard solo patrol on Mars. Raven is listed, by request, as temporarily on leave instead of missing in action. Ophelia will remain on active duty performing missions upon request by the Vanguard or other Tower factions. Signed, The Speaker.[/i] “I lost my team Doug.” Ophelia took another sip as a tear fell from her eye. “It was the one thing I could pride myself on.” “Your other achievements don’t count?” “Being born good at something doesn’t bring nearly as much satisfaction and pride as something you work your ass off for.” “I see.” “What would you do?” “Hm?” “If you were in my position, what would you do?” “Honestly, probably be where you are sitting right now.” “I truly don’t know what to do with myself any more.” “Why?” “My team was what I lived for, what I aspired to perfect.” “Can you just make a new team?” Ophelia tightened her grip on the glass. Her hand shook slightly and she gritted her teeth. “No…” she looked down and away. “I can’t replace Raven.” “What about Alexander?” “He…” She stopped. She took a gulp of the bourbon almost finishing it off. “Well, I don’t know if I can find anyone who can beat me again.” She stared down into the glass. “At least, I think that’s how I feel.” “Why not ask him to stay?” “I tried,” Ophelia finished off the glass and set it on the bar close to Doug. “But I couldn’t bring myself to do it.” “Is he gone,” Doug asked stopping himself from refilling the glass. “No…” Ophelia said in a hushed voice. “Then go stop him.” “Doug?” “Leave, your drink will be here when you come back. You are always welcome down here any time you know that.” “Thanks,” Ophelia smiled and stood. She turned and walked out of the bar torn between wanting to catch Alexander and wishing he was already gone. There was only one ship in the hangar, it was an old ship; Alexander’s ship. Ophelia approached slowly, catching Alexander and Amanda talking. She hesitated, unable to reconcile what she wanted. Amanda turned waiving off Alexander and he started climbing into his ship. “Wait,” Ophelia called out. Alexander stopped. “Can you talk for a bit?” “Sure,” he said hopping off the ladder into the cockpit. “Would you…” She paused shifting her weight to one leg. “Why Mars?” “I figured the increasing Cabal presence should be reported on.” “Is that really the reason?” “Why do you ask?” “I mean… you don’t like the Vanguard; you don’t trust guardians…” “Yeah.” Crisp late night air blew into the hangar. It was warm and refreshing, the moon and star light illuminating the night sky. “What about me?” Ophelia whispered. “Hm?” “What about the team?” she spoke up. “What do you mean?” “You asked to be part of my team, why did you change your mind?” “You never really wanted me there.” Alexander turned his head. “Oh…” Ophelia felt her heart drop into her stomach. She was torn. “It was fun, but I think I’m going to go.” He turned and started climbing the ladder once more. Thoughts raced in her head. Don’t leave, she wanted to scream. Please stay. I want you here. “Good luck I guess.” “Thanks.” Ophelia stood silently once again, watching as Alexander’s ship lifted off. She could not bring herself to say anything else as she waited watching the ship disappear into the atmosphere. “You know,” Oliver started, “I’m sure you are aware she wanted you to stay.” “Yup,” Alexander responded. “Why didn’t you?” “I don’t know Oliver, I really don’t know.” Ophelia sat down again, another cold bourbon waiting for her. Doug smirked, shaking his head, but remained silent. He watched as Ophelia downed another glass of bourbon. “I couldn’t do it,” she said breaking the silence. “I know, now the question is why.” “Didn’t seem like he wanted to stay.” “But you wanted him to.” “So.” “That’s all that matters. But, you didn’t tell him.” Ophelia sunk in her chair, Doug was right. The Tower was empty, the warm night breeze slowly waiving the banners along the court. Eververse was close and the post master gone. Banshee stood at his usual post assembling some kind of weapon he was working on. Standing at the foot of the stairs to the Hall of Guardians, she took a deep breath. The spring air brought with it the musk of pine and aroma oak from the tree in the courtyard. She exhaled and walked down toward the crucible master, Lord Shaxx. The lights were dimmed but the banners glowed with a deep crimson and gold. Swords and wolves were stitched excellently into the fabric. Lord Shaxx was sitting at his desk examining reports from the latest matches. He looked up at the soft foot steps. “So Shaxx,” she started, gritting her teeth, “Tell me about the crucible.”