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Nix appeared at the Greater House of Inferno a moment later and closed the breach. He could hear the sounds of sparring from the training yard, but instead of checking it out like he normally would, he resumed his mission.

After activating his stealth package, he walked casually toward the entrance of Talumbir. After being nearly destroyed by Jargon following the Ratscue, the Dragon Master had spared no coin in making sure that it was rebuilt. To Nix\'s knowledge, he hadn\'t been seen in Talumbir in months.

He walked through the gates and then proceeded to the barred entrance leading to the control room, where the Dragon Masters use to sacrifice their marrow. Two dragonspawn stood guard, but Nix walked past them without a second thought. He knew from experience that [Dragon Vision] wouldn\'t see through his stealth package.

Nix opened the gate just enough to squeeze through and opened his Breach Commander interface as he walked down the steep ramp.

[Direct Contact: Bracot Yu]

A dark-haired man popped into his holo. From the background that Nix could see, it looked like he might be in the Great Desert. The swordsman stared at him for a long moment; it was obvious he knew who the Inferno Leader was. "Breach Commander Nix. This is a surprise."

Nix continued toward the control chamber; he could hear several voices on Bracot\'s side. "I apologize for not contacting you sooner; your people did very well in the competition."

Bracot frowned at the Inferno Leader. "We couldn\'t win a single fight... How is that doing well?"

Nix shrugged slightly. "Your bad luck in facing us. It would have been different had you faced another House."

Bracot motioned towards someone Nix couldn\'t see. "What\'s this about, Nix?"

"Is the House of Swords still interested in raising a Greater House?" Nix let his question sink in for a moment. "I\'ve got one you can have. Gather your people together, and we\'ll talk in a few minutes."

Nix closed the holo and studied the panel for a moment before inserting his Master Key.

Master Key recognized.

[Talumbir System Operations]

1. Security

2. Power Grid

3. Transportation

4. Master Key.

"Display System Sub-Menus."

[Talumbir System Operations]

1. Security

a) City Controller (Jargon Kane)

b) City Shields (Enabled)

c) City Gating Platforms (Enabled)

d) City Gun Points (Enabled: Security Protocol)

2. Power Grid

a) City Utilities Power (Enabled)

b) Greater House Power (Enabled)

c) Residential Power (Enabled)

d) Business District Power (Enabled)

3. Transportation

a) Mark V Thrusters (On Standby)

b) Orbital Stabilizers (Enabled)

c) City Levitators (Enabled)

4. Master Key.

a) Annonymous (Nix)

b) Intercity Communication (Enabled)

c) Direct Control (Disabled)

d) City Links (Enabled)

"Open Security Interface, City Controller."

[Talumbir System Operations]

1. Security

a) City Controller (Jargon Kane)

b) City Shields (Enabled)

c) City Gating Platforms (Enabled)

d) City Gun Points (Enabled: Security Protocol)

[A message has been sent to Jargon Kane regarding the use of the Master key. He has three minutes to answer.]

Nix leaned against the panel and waited. From talking to Deidra, he had drawn two conclusions that needed to be tested. The first was that Jargon Kane is inhabiting Hulo. The second was that his consciousness is limited to what Hulo can see and hear in the Bone Fortress.

The Inferno leader watched as the seconds ticked by; the worst-case scenario was that an outraged Jargon Kane shows up. "I\'ll just run if that happens."

(Three minutes Later)

[New City Controller Recognized: Nix]

"Elynmoor was the Dragon Master City that linked all the cities. However... I may have forgotten to mention that the City Key for Elynmoor works in all of them."

Nix took a few moments to put Talumbir on Security Lockdown before turning his attention elsewhere. "Display Power Grid Menu."

Power Grid

a) City Utilities Power (Enabled)

b) Greater House Power (Enabled)

c) Residential Power (Enabled)

d) Business District Power (Enabled)

Deidra Mtui is attempting to contact you.

Tai\'Qui is attempting to contact you.

"Curious, I bet. Allow Contact." A moment later, two holos popped up next to him.

"Nix! I was just notified that Jargon Kane placed his City on lockdown." Deidra was still in her nursery. "The gate between our cities have been closed."

"What are you doing, Nix? Are you in Inferno City?" Tai\'s background showed that she was in the Gemini Training yard, most likely working with the Scorched Earth Acolytes.

Nix ignored the question and continued working. "Disable Greater House Power and display the sub-menus."

Greater House Power (Disabled)

1) House Shields (Disabled)

2) House Portals (Disabled)

3) Tactical Communications (Disabled)

4) Emergency Protocol [Inactive]

"Display Emergency Protocol Menu."

Emergency Protocol

1) Divert Power

2) Enabled Sharing

3) Evacuate Residents

"Evacuate Residents."

[You\'ve chosen to Evacuate Residents. This will temporarily enable Gating Platforms while residents are being expelled to random cities within the Sky Kingdom."

"Evacuate Residents, when that\'s finished, put the City back on lock-down." Nix stepped away from the console and faced the two holos. "Sorry, a bit busy here. What can I do for you two?"

Deidra\'s normally calm face showed the smallest measure of concern. "What are you doing in Talumbir?"

"Let\'s call this a Hostile Takeover." Nix removed Inferno\'s Master City Key and headed back up the ramp.

Tai said nothing further; her laughter made Nix\'s smile even wider.

"Nix!" Deidra\'s voice rose slightly while considering his actions. "Taking over a Dragon City is impossible!"

Nix shrugged slightly and pushed open the gate at the top of the ramp. "So was breaking into one that was locked down." The guards were gone, so was all the background noise that had been present earlier. "He was notified that someone was swimming in his pond, but he didn\'t respond. What do you think that means?"

Deidra gathered her thoughts for a moment while she considered the question. "If he knew you were there, he would have come."

Nix nodded in agreement. "You bet your ass he would have. If you guys want to help, find out where that bastard is hiding."

Nix closed the communication and then opened another immediately after. A wildling dragon stared at the holo in surprise. "Need your help, Una."

The dragon morphed immediately into her air elemental form. "Whatever you need."

Nix smiled widely. "Don\'t want to hear what it is first?"

Una shook her head. "Doesn\'t matter."

******Author\'s reminder******

Unaqoir, the former Dragon Master of Verynzai, was helped by Nix on three separate occasions. After defeating Menial in Chapt 294, he placed her in a Dire Wolf puppet to save her life. In Chapter 307, he put her in the Air Elemental puppet, where she took the name Una Chelonia. Finally, in Chapter 460, he helped her win a new wildling body at the Tembai Academy.

**************************

"Great, I\'ll open a Breach." Nix could tell she was in the Haven\'s Emerald Desert; both she and Tharaka had needed a safe place to meld with the young dragon bodies. He personally invited them to Haven.

A moment later, a white-winged Una stepped into Talumbir. Her short green hair had grown a bit since he\'d seen her last. She fixed him with a big smile. "Did you steal Talumbir?"

"Steal is such an ugly word. Want it?"

Una\'s pretty face was a picture of confusion. "Want what? Talumbir?"

Nix nodded and pulled her by the hand. "His residence is this way; I bet anything that he keeps the Talumbir Key there."

"Wait!." Una put the brakes on and was dragged a few meters before Nix realized. "You can\'t give me Talumbir!"

"No? Give me three good reasons."

Una let herself be pulled toward the Master\'s Office. "You don\'t have the City Key! How\'d you even do this?"

Nix continued his march. "Never mind how I did it. We\'ll find the key. Anything else?"

"Yes! This is a Planar Trial city, not like the ones you already brought up. Unless you plan on staying locked down, you\'ll need an inhabited Greater House."

Nix stopped at the familiar house that Inferno had broken into when they rescued Elan Mtui. "I got one!"

"You have a house? Are you bringing the Greater House of Inferno here?"

Nix let go of Una\'s hand and opened the door. "No. Anything else?"

Una sighed heavily and followed him in. "I\'m not afraid of Jargon Kane; I would have torn him apart in my prime. He\'s going to kill you when he finds out."

"I\'ve got a plan to deal with him." Nix pushed open the doors to Jargon Kane\'s office and started going through his desk.

"You\'re crazy, Nix." Instead of arguing further, Una started searching the other side of the office.

"YES! I found it!" Nix turned to face her, his grin stretching from ear to ear.

"You found the Master Key?"

"Huh?" Nix glanced down at the drawer he was rummaging through. "No. I found this gold pen! I had to leave it last time I was here, no pockets. I did leave a nice note, though."

"Focus, Nix." Una found his grin to be infectious. "You\'ve been here before?

"Sure." Nix pulled the drawer out of the desk and dumped its contents on the floor. "That bastard ass!"

"What now, Nix?" Una noticed he was reading something he found. "That a contract?"

Nix nodded and turned to the second page. "With the Thieves Guild in Mocai. Check it out."

Una closed the cabinet she was searching and examined the contract Nix held out.

[Request: Mocai: Thieves Guild]

[Client: Jargon Kane]

Task

A demon horse has been seen in Everspire and throughout the known realms. Several powerful figures have requested that we acquire the horse known as Nightmare. It has a flame aura and will aggressively defend its master. The current owner resides in Haven but has been known to leave frequently. This is a multi-guild event.

[Additional Directions]

This has to be done in secret. I will consider this contract completed when the item in question is delivered to my Residence in Talumbir.

"Wait here!" Nix stomped into the hallway.

[Summons: Nightmare]

The demon horse appeared in front of him an instant later; he stroked her head and waited for a moment.

[Contract Complete]

You have reduced the jail sentence by 100 years. Please report to LuAnne at the Mocai Thieves Guild.

Una waited in the doorway, not saying anything. After a short period of time, Nix unsummoned his mount. "Why do you look like you\'re enjoying this?"

"Cuz I am. Let\'s get back to searching."