Maria laughed wholeheartedly at Ruvik's observation. For some reason, she found it amusing, though she was sure that Ruvik really didn't. "Don't worry, I'm not lesbian, if that's what you're wondering," she said. "But I'm not a hardcore homophobic white Christian and Republican man either," she added with a wry grin. "Alright, so a siren poses no problem for [i]you[/i] at least, let's just hope that I'm not secretly homosexual," Maria went on. "I trust that you'll rescue me if I turn out to be lesbian at heart." 

"I think it's time we started the test, yeah? Follow me into the simulation now." With that, Maria stepped through into the simulation, noticeably later than the others due to the ritual that had to be performed with Ruvik.

The sleek, utilitarian edges of the meeting room changed into a gritty strip of city in Las Vegas, with the smell of smog mixed with gasoline permeating the air and the sounds of Vegas night life filling Maria's ears. All around her, the gleaming furniture back at the Bureau had been altered into high-rise skyscrapers, honking cars, and flashing signs hung above various establishments. Street lights glowed a soft yellow hue in the fading light, illuminating the grimy sidewalk under Maria's feet littered with cigarette butts and trash. Glancing around furtively, there was nothing about the simulation to suggest that it was just that-a simulation. It was all so....real. Although Maria had been in a multitude of simulations during her career, each and every time it was hard to believe that it was generated by a computer program. The smell of car exhaust, the slight breeze flitting across her face, the taste of the cigarette smoke swirling through the air, the noisy din of Las Vegas, and the sights suddenly surrounding Maria all made the simulation into a scarily realistic representation of sin city.

Turning to make sure that Ruvik appeared beside her, Maria mentally reviewed what the Omega had told the agents. They were tracking a siren in the city of devils. "Where do you suppose she'd be?" Maria asked Ruvik thoughtfully. "Somewhere that people normally sing in, most likely a bar or casino of sorts. What do you think?"