Ivy stared at the dense jungle through the lenses of her binoculars, sighing sadly. Carmen had always wanted to explore the Amazon Rain Forest, the only thing ever stopping her being the fact that Argentina was so close, and they didn't really have the time.

If only they had gotten the chance before-

"Hey," Zack suddenly said, interrupting her thoughts. "You're not having doubts about the mission, are you?"

Ivy hurriedly shook her head. "I just can't really believe that we're getting Carm back, you know?" She paused. "Actually, I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't terrified about this whole thing, it's just that I've almost gotten used to missing her."

Zack's face softened. "I get that, Sis. But don't worry. Neither of us will have to miss her for much longer." He turned back to the narrow road in front of him, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the steering wheel. "I just hope that she's... alive, in one piece."

"You were going to say 'I hope she's OK', weren't you?" She whispered sadly.

He sighed. "Yeah, I was. But I think that might be too much to wish for."

Player's voice cut through the thick, gloomy silence that followed Zack's statement. "Stay on the path that you're on, Zack. You should be able to reach the compound a bit after night fall. Oh- and, Shadowsan?"

The ninja looked up from where he sat in the backseat, his normally stormy expression unusually dull.

The hacker's voice had a hint of joy in it. "Be ready to kick some serious VILE butt."