As if to answer Tayanna the Silkorsky began to descend towards the marshes of New Jersey. Knight explained " The Sikorsky is needed in Washington, your mission has become 2nd priority. You will proceed to Bayonne bus terminal where you will be instructed where to find your stipend. The means by which you travel is your prerogative. Check in and you will be instructed where to find your next stipend. Good luck." The helicopter landed in an isolated marshy plain. "C'mon, " Atticus said, "I spotted a road to the west, we can walk there and reconnoiter before night closes in." The trio and dogs exited, the helicopter powered up and flew off.

As the pilot-less Sikorsky banked west all eyes were on Obi Wan. He stood on the macadam outside the main entrance of the burning restaurant. Show girls, wait and kitchen staff filed out past him. Nasrin's noticed Natasha walking with several show girls. She sighed with relief. Just as quickly her heart leapt into her throat as she saw Natasha walk directly to Obi Wan. The helicopter banked away as Nasrin craned her neck. The communication monitor crackled to life and Knight's face appeared to the students. "Good work, all. You now have the information we want. It is too sensitive to be emailed and factions within MASK have made transmission on our encrypted delivery system impossible. You three will have to walk the drive to the Monadnock Building." Tayanna wondered why they would walk. "'Walked' means we can take any local transportation that does not require x-ray or metal detection check points, so flying commercially is out." Atticus whispered to her. "What is wrong with this helicopter?"

Just as Natasha was going to speak, the two were interrupted by shouts punctuated by gunfire. Nasrin swept Natasha toward the door and cracked it open. "Wait in here- you'll be safe!" she hissed as she burst from the room, rolling toward the cover of a stack of tables and chairs. The darkened club was filled with smoke and sparks of gunfire. Nasrin's eyes locked on Atticus and Tay, concealed near the exit. She signaled them. Atticus lobbed a small black container into the space which immediately exploded, emitting a ball of thick acrid smoke. Nasrin ran toward the exit and threw herself outside after Tay and Atticus. The three sprinted out, Fiel and el Sombre at their heels. The helicopter engine fired as they climbed in, and immediately lifted off. "Did you get the data?" Atticus shouted. Nasrin opened her palm, revealing the drive. "Who was the target?" she asked. "Gang shooting- the club owner was the mark." Tayanna stopped. "Look!" There, beneath them, looking up, stood Obi Wan.

“I came here to look for work. I was lured here under false pretences by some men. Luckily, I didn’t have to do business with them and was able to find work on my own. After only a few months of being here, I met these nice Russians, and they hired me on as a showgirl.” “What are you doing here?” Nasrin thought pensively for a moment and told Natasha that she was there to pick up a file for her boss. She quickly filled her in on how her life was living with Madonna and how she started MASK and was living in Chicago now. “How long have you been here in New York? Are you going to be a showgirl forever? Can I get your number so I can call you? I have to go soon, but I don’t want to part without staying in touch.” Natasha reached across and turned the hand dryer on in the bathroom. Nasrin gave her a strange look and Natasha put her finger to lips motioning for Nasrin to remain silent.

Nasrin's head swirled as she was instantly transported to that moment of parting. She felt as if it were yesterday her own tears stinging her eyes, the threat of imminent danger of being captured by the Taliban, the sobs of Natasha, the only mother she'd known... In that moment she'd stood on the threshold of utter and complete transformation- into, and then out of, the seductive but empty life of privilege and celebrity, adopted by a stranger, a woman she'd never loved. A life she'd now escaped through MASK. Her Natasha, now standing in front of her, a face she thought she'd never see again. They fell into each others' arms. "But how- how are you here?" Nasrin stuttered.

"Please let me through. Please, ladies, I need to get out of here," Nasrin shouted in her most formal Russian. No one appeared to notice the young lady. Nasrin stopped. She heard a distinct voice from her past. "Nasrin? Nas-onka? Is that you, is that my Nas-onka? Oh, my yusuhka! Look at you! Look at you all grown up!" Nasrin ,flash drive forgotten in her fist,stood amid the towering Russian dancers unable to see just few feet in front of her. She peered into a sea of colored sequins, theatrical make-up, and feathered head-dresses. "Natasha?" She heard herself whisper. Her mind traveled back to Tashkent in 2005. She was crying for her adopted mother. She was saying good-bye in the dusty airport and boarding a private jet. Natasha was dressed in a gray dress with an embroidered brown jacket. "It is for the best, you need to go with the Madonna.In America you will have a wonderful life." "Natasha? Is that you?" Nasrin said. "Yes, Nas-onka, it is me." The dancing girls parted and Nasrin faced Natasha, dressed in the brightest sequins and feathers in the group of dancers.