We open in Gideon's penthouse in Chicago, Solem smiling, ready to fight Gideon and Burke. Gideon asks Burke if there's any chance Solem would accept a nice, civil bribe but Solem says a precog isn't needed to answer that question. He throws a sword at Gideon so they can have a fair sword fight. Gideon catches it and immediately lunges at Solem.
Several floors below Shatterstar has teleported into the building with Sunspot and Trinary. Shatterstar is impressed by Trinary's idea to use her digital avatar as an anchor for him to teleport. He compliments her thinking.
Trinary is already checking out the servers. She says it's one of the most sophisticated operations she's ever seen but that she'll just need five minutes to access it. She starts sending data to Wiz-Kid who says Gideon's servers are a treasure trove. To fully unlock everything Taki says they'll need Gideon's DNA. At that same moment Solem cuts Gideon's face with his sword. As they fight Solem throws a dagger into Burke's chest. Burke pulls it out saying Solem missed his chest and that he'll need to do better. He's serious because he'd prefer to die, frankly.
Gideon lists different ways that Burke "died" only to return. Burke is like yeah well maybe Arakkii steel will do the trick this time. Gideon tries to guard Burke from Solem but in very awesomely drawn panels Solem flips over Gideon and lands behind Burke, stabbing him in the back and splitting his spine. Burke is like that hurts but I'm not gonna die. Gideon's skin turns adamantium to match Solem's skin.
Trinary tells Sunspot that she has scraped the servers as much as she can without Gideon's blood. She's about to suggest that Taki hack into the system but Sunspot says this is his responsibility, that he'll get what they need from Gideon. Solem's paid time is running out so Sunspot says he'll have to take over.
Solem pulls the sword out of Burke's back who doesn't look good, likely about to die. Solem says Burke's flesh has been most accommodating.
Gideon asks why Solem is even involving himself in all of this and Solem says for pleasure, wealth, and a favor owed to Sunspot. Sunspot appears. Gideon starts to say Roberto's full name but is cut off by a fist to the face thrown by Sunspot.
Let's go classic red mask! So it would appear Burke is out, for now anyway. Another fun chapter!