[i]Two hours before the meeting[/i] [center][h2][b]Location:[/b] Half-breed Containment Facility aka The Cage[/h2][/center][hr] “This is a terrible idea.” Agent Tamara Weatherton sighed and rolled her eyes. Of course her partner would choose the elevator to speak up. “You don’t know that.” Beside her, Riley Tailor folded his arms over his broad chest. “I’m pretty sure I do.” “She isn’t hostile.” “Bullshit she isn’t hostile. She burned Sullivan last week.” Tamara rubbed her eyes. “It was a small first-degree burn, and Sullivan is an ass. You know he dropped her food on purpose.” Her partner scowled. “She made a crack about his wife leaving him for a demon.” “And how was she supposed to know she was right?” “Tami, she’s dangerous.” The senior agent gritted her teeth. “Sonya Helsing is a capable field agent. I’m sure that she will be able to handle her.” Riley snorted. “Oh, I’m not doubting that she’s capable. I’m doubting that she’ll be able to “handle” her before she sets half a city on fire.” Her patience snapping, Tamara whirled around. “Riley, what do you want me to do, disobey orders? If the General says to let her out, then we don’t have a choice; we let her out.” For a moment, her partner was silent, then he sighed and hung his head. “Yeah, I know. I’m just saying, this is a terrible idea.” [i]He’s not wrong,[/i] she thought to herself. It wasn’t that the person they were going to see was dangerous, per say. At least, not much more dangerous than any other half-breed, or even a skilled and well-equipped Axis Agent. [i]The problem is that she’s an unknown, and she’s uncontrollable.[/i] Not to mention a handful to deal with on the best of days, which were few and far between lately. Reaching the checkpoint, both Agents raised their badges. “Agents Weatherton and Tailor, here to see Inmate 1041.” The guard on the other side of the glass buzzed them through. “She’s flaring again.” Tamara swore under her breath. Apparently, today wasn’t going to be a good day either. A short walk down the hallway, escorted by a pair of guards, and the agents stood in front of one of the Isolation cells. Beside the slide door, the security screen and comm-unit activated, revealing the occupant within, the flames roiling around her hand casting a slight violet glow on her face. “Hello Tamara.” The half-demon lifted her head, her tail swishing across the floor behind her. [color=red]”Taaamiii. So good to hear your voice again.”[/color] The voice that came through the speaker was the sort that would leave anyone, regardless of who they were, weak in the knees. If it wasn’t absolutely drenched in sarcasm, that is. [color=red]”Back for another round? Last time left you pretty wobbly in the legs.”[/color] The senior agent leaned her head against the wall. “They do not pay me enough to put up with her,” she muttered to herself. “Tamara, I’ve been authorized to offer you a deal.” [color=red]”Reeeally. Do tell.”[/color] “Command is launching an investigation, and they would like you to assist with it. You’ll be under the command of a field agent, and will aid her in whatever way you can.” Tamara took a deep breath. “In exchange, Command is offering you a conditional release. As long as you continue to assist in the investigation, and play nice with your handler, Axis will allow you to continue your search, under your handler’s supervision.” For a moment, the half-breed was silent, head tilted and tail continuing to swish back and forth as she seemed to consider the offer. It reminded Tamara of a cat watching its prey. [color=red]”So, you want me to do something for you, and to get me to do it, you offer me what was never yours to take away in the first place. I’m [b]so[/b] flattered.”[/color] Tamara gritted her teeth. “That is the deal that I have been authorized to make. Take it or leave it.” The flames enveloping the half-demon’s hand flared brighter. [color=red]”And if I decide to, as you say, “leave it”?”[/color] “Then we knock you out and transfer you into Maximum Containment.” The Maximum Containment Wing, located half a mile underground, was reserved for half-breeds who were considered too dangerous to be allowed any kind of freedom, but still too valuable to simply euthanize. Each individual cell was a self-contained unit that could be locked down and isolated from the rest of the wing with a push of a button, leaving a rowdy inmate to either calm down or eventually suffocate. For those who were of more immediate danger of breaking out, there was nerve gas. “You’ve been warned about lighting fires in your cell. At least this way you get to see the sky again.” Again, the inmate fell silent, and her wings shuffled on her back. Finally, she extinguished the flames around her hand as she rose from the floor. [color=red]”Well, when you put it like that… Alright, I suppose. You [b]must[/b] be desperate if you’re asking me for help.”[/color] Tamara breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.” She turned to their escort. “Bring her out.” One of the guards nodded, opening the slide door to the cell. Inside, a set of metal bars were all that stood between the half-demon and freedom. “Inmate 1041, approach the bars to be outfitted for transportation,” he barked. The half-demon placed a scaled hand on her hip, an eyebrow raised at the specially made garment in the guard’s hands. [color=red]”You know, I’m more of a giver than a receiver.”[/color] “Tamara,” Agent Weatherton warned. She rolled her eyes, blowing a short flame out of her mouth. [color=red]”Oh, alright. But only because it’s you, Tami dear.”[/color] [hr] [i]Now[/i] The hologram looked off to the side, as though someone else was speaking to him, then straightened. “There is one other thing. An additional… asset, has been provided for you, and should be arriving now.” Sure enough, the door to the conference room opened, and two agents escorted an individual inside, accompanied by the faint scent of smoke, like they had been by a campfire and hadn't changed. Wearing a red full-body straitjacket, with the word “Isolation” printed down one of their manacled legs and what looked like a face mask similar to what a firefighter would use, it was difficult to make out their identity. However, the enlarged back of the jacket, obviously meant to contain wings or a tail, left no doubt; this person was a half-breed of some kind. “This is Tamara. She is a half-demon, and has agreed to assist in this investigation. In exchange, she is being granted a conditional release. Agent Helsing,” the hologrammed figure turned towards her, “you are being assigned as her handler, and are responsible for keeping her in line.” [color=red]”What he means is,”[/color] the half-demon's feminine voice filtered dryly through the speaker in her face mask, [color=red]”you’re supposed to kill me if I go all “wild child” on you.”[/color] The general was silent for a moment, as though slightly perturbed at the interruption. “If such action becomes necessary, though I think we all would prefer that it not.” [@my Lalia]