A RUMOR OF PEACE

          They moved on the first location that Harry and Roark had on their list, an illegal gambling hall that had appeared nearly two sectars {months} ago, just after sunset.  They stormed through the building through several doors, taking everyone, even the new security guards, completely off guard.

          They had moved at once to arrest everyone who had frozen at their sudden appearance, staring at the Counter-Intelligence Officers and Warriors of the Garrison that had swarmed the building, in shock.

          Roark, standing near one of the many poker tables, watched as the employees of the Hall were led past him by the Colonial Garrison.  "Captain Gwydion, Lt. Dante, seize all the computer data, files, and disks from the office, then see that all memory is wiped."

          "Yes, Sir," they said, each of them saluting.

          "You're going to regret this Lieutenant," came the growled, dangerous tone from one of the men that was being led past at that moment, his glare moving over to Harry.  "You both will.  Riddle won't sit still for this kind of attack against him."

          Twin grins.  "We're fully aware of that, and for informational purposes, we're just getting started," Roark told him.  "Before you know it, we're going to have him completely shut down, and we'll have Tom Riddle in custody."

          "Take him to one of the holding cells, Sergeant," Harry told the man who had stopped behind the man who had spoken to them.  "Someone will be by to see that he's questioned, then processed, as soon as we get back." 

          "Yes, Sir, Lt.  Hadrian," the Sergeant said, grabbing the arm of the now struggling man and yanking him toward the door.

          Roark looked at his brother, grinned.  "Ready to move on to the next location?" he asked.

          "Let's move."

                                                     cccVccc

          And so it began.

          Over the next few days and nights in rapid succession, they moved against every single business that they had on their lists.  Four more gambling halls, seven drug dens, and six pleasure houses that were spread out across the Capitol City of Aquaria.

          Once they had finished with the City, they moved out into the areas that surrounded the City, where, they had discovered not long after arriving on Aquaria, he had spread himself into.

          They also set about halting, as soon as they received the pertinent information of when, where, and how, all incoming and outgoing shipments of drugs, those poor people that had been kidnaped and were being trafficked to other Colonies, to be auctioned off to private owners, or into one of the many pleasure houses.  They also confiscated all other specialized goods Riddle was supplying to his customers.

          THEN they found out about the Warehouses.  Warehouses that Riddle owned around the Capitol and was using to store his drugs and other goods he hadn't immediately been able to dispose of.  Once they figured out which ones he was using, they began moving on them.

          It was as the third sectons {weeks} was coming to a close, that something ELSE that had been building, something that several of them had been becoming even more concerned about as the time moved on.  THAT particular problem was Roark, and as they continued to watch...to worry, the paler he was becoming, looking far to stressed and exhausted for their comfort.

          It was after they had moved on a block of warehouses on the western side of Aquarian City, that things came to a head, and those worried about him decided it was time to do something about it.  Roark stood off to the side, watching with narrowed silver eyes as crate after crate was being brought out to be loaded into waiting air trucks to be transported to the Garrison.

          "Roark."

          The worried sound within that voice had him turning to look, meeting first the dark blue, then the midnight gazes of both men.  "Sebastien.  Severus.  What is it?"

          "I think you know very well what this is.  When was the last time you actually went home, young man?"

          His brow shot up at the acidic tone in that voice.  "This morning, Severus."

          "THAT would be because I found you asleep on the couch, in your office, at Headquarters.  AGAIN."  He looked at him, a deep frown on his face.

          "And as you are very well aware," Sebastien said with a deep frown of his own, "we are not talking about a shower and a change of uniform.  WHEN, Roark Christopher, did you go home just to be AT home? When was the last time you went home, had a nice long soak in your tub, spent the evening doing what YOU wanted, like reading a book, working on one of your cross stitch projects, relaxing before the fire?  When was the last time you actually slept in your own bed?  Got a full, good night's sleep?"

          "WHEN, Roark Christopher," Severus now spoke up in a near whisper as Ardyn had moved closer to where they stood, "was the last time you spent the night in your lover's arms?"

          "Guys, really," he began, his tone taking on a defensive sound, "I'm fine, and I'm getting enough sleep."

          "A few centars {hours} on the couch in your office DOES NOT count as a full night's restful sleep.  At home, in your own bed, with your lover, does.  I'm quite sure he's been wondering where you are."

          A smirk.  "Sebastien, he knows very well where I've been."

          Two unintended chuckles sounded.  "Yes, we're quite sure that he does, still..." he turned his head, looking around until he spotted..."Perfect!  HARRY! FILI!"  he called out to the pair standing together at the warehouse next to the one they were at. 

          They both turned when they heard their names called, saw Sebastien and Severus standing on either side of Roark, both motioning them over.  They nodded, each holding up a hand as they turned back to Aiden to speak to him.

          "Aiden, it looks like they've finally gotten fed up with Roark's new sleep escapist routine," Harry told him, "and are about to do something about it."

          Aiden's head turned, spotted the two in question with Roark.  "About fucking time," he grumbled.  "Go on then.  This transport is nearly finished.  I can handle it from here."

          Both gave relieved nods.  "Thanks, Aiden."

          "The only thanks I want is for Roark to start going home and getting some sleep.  See that he gets home safely, boys."

          "We will," Harry said as they turned to head toward a now frowning Roark standing defensively between Sebastien and Severus.