Dog stands waiting. He knows what to expect. The puppies whine behind him, but a simple touch from his mind quiets them. They feel it, as he feels it in every cell of his body when beloved Trio and her evil sister die. The portal closes, the damaged one doing her duty. Dog watches with impassive eyes as Solo's head falls to the floor and rolls free, bouncing toward him. He bends, sensitive nose touching it as he sniffs.

Waits.

The building begins to shake, vibrating in ...