"I have a personal question, though, if you don't mind," Dr. Vott started.
"Go ahead, mate," Diego answered, taking a sip from his bottle of wine.
"That day, the day you saved me—there was a third guy, wasn't there?"
"Miz Renner," Diego said. "He's dead."
"My apologies. However, this may sound heartless, but I am more interested in that particular mission concerning the phantoms."
Diego glanced at the ceiling. He took a deep breath and emptied his bottle. "Two daemons, trapped in a cage for 'research,' merged into a phantom. It began to feed on humans and grew stronger. Miz, Donna, and I were sent to exterminate it. As usual."
"Is that how it was told to you, or is that what really went down?" Dr. Vott asked.
Diego tossed the glass in his hand and caught it. The glass cracked in his grip.
"It wasn't a phantom. It was a half-breed. That lab was one of the places they were keeping their experiments. Apparently, they moved the other 'merchandise' there, but someone broke in."
"The Foundation."
"Yep," Diego said. "One broke out before they could move them, and the Shield asked us to deal with it."
"And then you lost Miz."
"We lost Miz, yes, but he wasn't the only one who died. A total of three other Shield agents—all under Elizabeth Lionharte's command."
"My goodness. And it was covered up just like that?"
"It isn't even on their records, which means Elizabeth herself isn't aware of this branch of the Shield."
"And you also didn't make anyone aware of this until I asked."
Diego sighed. "Unlike the other Primes, I'm a nobody. Heck, the only reason I'm still alive is because I have Martha by my side. Back then, I was only an aide, in no position to make such a claim."
Dr. Vott nodded. He understood more than Diego let on. Being a normal person was one of the worst things to be, especially in a world where power was the true determinant of everything.
"So, I sent it to someone who could do something about it."
"Huh," Dr. Vott exclaimed.
"Yep. With Donna's help, I managed to leak some info to someone who knew what to do with it. They've also been regularly reporting to me."
"I'm... I'm impressed."
"Thank you."
"No problem."
"Might I ask who this individual is?"
"Elizabeth Lionharte."
Dr. Vott raised a brow. "That's a joke, right?"
"Nope."
"That certainly is a joke. Elizabeth would never work with someone like you. No offense."
"Well, if the info is reliable, then yes, she would. Besides, I doubt I'm the only one who works with her and isn't in her sphere."
"But... but..." Diego rubbed his palms over his face. "Diego, I also worked with her on the Foundation, with the exact purpose of finding out about the half-breeds."
"I know. Shocking as it was to me, I'm glad it worked out perfectly well."
"Wow."
"Want a glass now?"
"Sure."