The rest of the team hadn't heard from Eric yet. Isaac frowned, although somewhere in that screwed up head of his he knew that Pistolera wouldn't know anything. If Accelerate and Sentinel hadn't found him, and he hadn't called Pistolera, then where was Microbat? Was he dead? Captured? Or maybe Eric was hiding out somewhere, waiting for the right opportunity to meet them in Star City. Whatever the case, Sentinel couldn't worry about him now. There were more important things to deal with than a missing teammate, Rao forgive him. All Isaac could do is hope and pray that his friend was alright.

Sentinel's thoughts were averted from Eric as Cell wandered towards him. Rhea looked calm. She looked at peace. Isaac couldn't help but feel a bit jealous of her. How could she hold herself together so well? Why was it that Sentinel seemed like the only person on the planet who couldn't control himself? Her conscious was clear, despite it all. She'd killed as well. Innocents had fallen beneath her blade; mind you, not nearly as many as had collapsed beneath the Kryptonian's might, but that didn't change the fact that they were both murderers. The size and scope of the genocide Sentinel had committed never let itself leave the forefront of Isaac's thoughts. Even as his closest confidant approached him, a look of warm understanding in her eyes, Isaac still felt like the entire world rested upon his shoulders. Death. So much death. And all of it was his own fault. No one else could claim responsibility for the San Francisco Massacre but Isaac himself. No other individual on the team could weigh their sins against Sentinel's and not realize how much guilt truly belonged to the kid from Krypton. Sentinel's powers allowed him to see things that others couldn't see. For instance, facial expressions. There were certain movements people's faces made when they were feeling certain emotions. These expressions were hard to read without training because they moved on too fast for any normal person to examine thoroughly. But Sentinel could see. He could see what Cell started to feel when she looked into his self-stigmatized eyes.

He could see her horror. Her rage. Her guilt. The look in her eye that spoke more clearly than any voice could: It's all your fault. All those emotions disappeared within a moment. The resentment and loathing that had been present before they looked at one another was replaced by a genuine smile. But was it really genuine? Was Rhea just putting up a show, to keep Sentinel from boiling over again and killing the rest of them? It was hard to tell. Her biology did not betray her: Cell appeared to be truly glad that he had returned. His scrutiny turned up no lies. No sign of betrayal. Then why, Isaac wondered, was he so convinced she didn't care? A single flick to Isaac's forehead knocked Sentinel back into the present. He couldn't let himself delve too deep into his own psyche. Not right now. Every time Isaac started to think too deeply about everything that was going on, he would become ashamed and paranoid and angry all at the same time. [color=6ecff6][i]No time for that, Krypton.[/i][/color] Isaac told himself.[color=6ecff6] [i]You've work to do.[/i][/color]

A smile crossed Sentinel's face. He couldn't help it. All the distrust in the world couldn't keep him from his genuine affection for the girl. What that affection was, Isaac couldn't tell. But he knew it was there. Whatever he felt for the girl, it was good. Righteous. True and just. The anchor of his sanity. It was in that moment that Sentinel realized that all of his humanity remained in that single, fragile feeling he felt for this girl. [color=6ecff6][i]Rao, why is everything good and pure have to be so easily broken?[/i][/color] [color=6ecff6]"Thanks. I hope you didn't have too much fun without me."[/color] Isaac replied to Rhea's greeting. The warmth of her hand caused Isaac to feel at peace. There was a certain amount of hope that allowed itself to drip back into his heart again. There stood a lone, vigilante lighthouse against the tidal wave of chaos within Isaac's heart. A sentinel of truth that Isaac had something to live for. Isaac nodded. He had tried. He'd tried damn hard, and he was afraid all that brought them was more suffering. He didn't know what to say. Isaac had wanted to give up. He had wanted to give up so many times. But that voice inside his head kept telling him: [color=fff200]"Keep going, Sentinel. You're not done yet."[/color] So he kept moving. One step at a time. Isaac had a duty to his fellow Titans, and to the people of San Francisco. He would redeem their souls. No matter the personal cost. 

Sentinel stood beside Rhea as Simone went over the plan. It seemed foolish and hair-brained, but considering the current state of affairs it was their only option. The team was going to Hell. Cell, Accelerate, Stunt-Devil, and Amazon had all been chosen for the assignment. The rest of the team would stay and conduct operations of their own while they waited for everyone else to save the day. Pistolera had explained to Isaac why he couldn't go. Suffice to say, he was angry. He understood, but he was angry. He needed to be there- to protect her- them! His teammates couldn't do this on their own. They'd all die, no doubt about it. Rhea turned towards Isaac, and took his hand into hers. So soft. So fragile. And she was going to Hades instead of him. "'till we be meetin' again." She said. Isaac looked at her longingly. He shouldn't let her go. He should demand to take her place. But in his heart, Sentinel knew that was impossible and moronic and selfish of him. [color=6ecff6]"Come back in one piece, please. I couldn't bear it if you- if you didn't make it back."[/color] Isaac whispered. This might be the last chance to talk to her. To tell her the truth. He'd never thought he would tell anyone in a million years who he was. But there was that voice again: [color=fff200]Tell her, Isaac. Tell her your name. You might never get another chance.[/color] [color=6ecff6]"I'm Isaac, by the way. Isaac Grant. That's my real name. Goodbye, Rhea. I'll see you again. One way or another."[/color]

Sentinel turned back to the rest of the team as Accelerate decided to join Evan's team on their mission. He could feel a bit of comfort in knowing that the speedster was there to protect Cell. Isaac might not like the bastard much, but he was a dependable bastard. Sentinel watched as Rufus turned his head and glared at him. The way he emphasized everyone ticked Isaac off a bit. Was he blaming Sentinel for the deaths of the others again? Or maybe the killings in San Fran? Or, perhaps, he meant to tell Isaac that he would keep Rhea safe. That last one didn't fit with Rufus' M.O. The speedster didn't give a care about anyone else. He would only bring everyone back to save his own pride.

A voice over the intercom interrupts Pistolera's explanation. The identity behind the voice was unknown. This seemed to put everyone, especially Simone, on edge. He mentioned Sandstorm. Where [i]had [/i]Luke gone? He'd disappeared the night before the attack. During all the chaos, Isaac just assumed he had escaped like Ravager and hadn't bothered coming back. Or maybe he was dead like the twins. There was no way to be sure. Isaac only hoped the guy was okay. Simone looked to Sentinel, and explained how things were going to go down. She wanted Isaac to be on high alert. [color=6ecff6][i]Okay,[/i][/color] Sentinel thought. [color=6ecff6][i]I can do that.[/i][/color] He nodded his understanding before Simone allowed Hellfire to enter. When the unknown uniformed figure entered, Simone made clear that whoever this was had only moments to talk before he died a painful and swiss-cheese like death.

A rush of air knocked clothes and hair about as Sentinel appeared behind Hellfire. Isaac crossed his arms and squinted, watching the man's every movement. Looking for any sign of hostile intent. The man began to speak. He explained his connection to Luke and his reasoning for looking for Sandstorm. Apparently the two kept in frequent contact; contact that had ceased within recent times. Sentinel listened to the beating of Hellfire's heart. He wasn't lying, that much was apparent. But he did seem nervous. And the way his eyes moved...Was he..Checking Simone out? Isaac raised an eyebrow at that one. Certainly, Simone was well-built and good looking. But hormones generally took a backseat when someone threatens to murder you.

[color=6ecff6]"He's telling the truth."[/color] Sentinel said after a beat. [color=6ecff6]"And he's piss-himself scared." [/color]Isaac half-smiled.