The strike team returns to the House, rather upset. During the day, they came across several villages that were
littered with pamphlets from the Ebene. According to the propoganda, Zelazny intends to address "his people" in Surek,
proving both that he is still alive and still in command of Shaldani. Aden and Adriana discuss the rally. They
decide that it's probably a good opportunity to get a shot at some very important Ebene officials, but it's also dangerous.
Adriana decides to send a few members of the strike team, rather than all of them. Philip selects the best warriors
including himself, Aden and Tranns, who's book of poetry was recently published.
The group arrives at the site of the rally where they find a lot of Ebene footsoldiers, mingling with curious villagers
around a dais. As they spread out and search the area, they spot Milady leading Zelazny through the crowd. On
Philip's signal, they converge in to attack. Philip manages to get a sword through Zelanzy's chest. The people
panic, fleeing under Aden's supervision, but Tranns and Philip discover that the Ebene he stabbed wasn't Zelazny, it was a
shapeshifter. At that precise moment, Aden spots another Zelazny in the crowd. This one too turns out to be a
shapeshifter, as do several others. Milady laughs at their misfortune, making it very clear that the whole rally was
a trap. The Phoenix Fighters realize, however, that the trap wasn't set for them, but for the people back in the House
who are without their best warriors to defend them.
Back at the House, Ariadne and Adriana's in depth conversation about Philip's new quarter life crisis is interrupted
suddenly when an Ebene officer named Locke comes bursting in through the window. He breaks into the kitchen and though
Ariadne puts up a good fight, he manages to best her. Going into the bar, he finds Lex and Tugs in the middle of a private
conversation. Demanding Casey, he takes Lex hostage and pulls her through an Ebene portal. The House is left confused
and a mess.
The Phoenix Fighters weigh their options while Tugs panics about Lex's safety. Just then, Milady appears in the
middle of the House. She happily announces that Locke has handed Lex over to her. She'll be happy to return Lex,
but only in exchange for Casey. Adriana tries to explain that this is impossible. Milady offers them eleven days
to get Casey to her. For each day, she'll cut off one of Lex's fingers and then kill her. Aden immediately tells
her they can have Casey in a few hours. After Milady leaves, however, he admits he has no idea what they can do.
Tugs suggests making a hologram of Casey to use in the exchange. Aden and Adriana, however, insist that their best chance
is to get Quinn to make an illusion.
Quinn is summoned to the House and informed of the situation by Tugs. He agrees to help and leaves to prepare.
Philip stations the Phoenix Fighters around the lobby in preparation for the exchange. Quinn returns and goes about
creating several illusions of Casey, using the Ebene trick against them. Milady returns to the House with Lex and demands
the first fake Casey. When she welches on the deal and refuses to return Lex, Quinn causes three more fake Caseys to
appear. Milady becomes confused and annoyed. Convinced she's been betrayed, she decides to punish the Phoneix
Fighters by petrifying Lex.
Once she leaves, three of the four fake Caseys vanish. The fourth goes into the kitchen and returns with the antidote
for the Ebene petryfing toxin. Lex is revived and the fourth fake Casey is revealed to be the real Casey, who has returned
to the House after recovering from her recent traumas. The House is overjoyed to have her back, none more so than Lex.
Privately, Casey confides to Lex that she is now Niflheim, but hopes to resume living her normal life as a Human. Lex
promises to keep her secret.
