[center][h2][b]??? + ???[/b][/h2][/center]

[b]"Well, shit."[/b]

She couldn't help but curse as she removed her eye from the scope of her sniper rifle. After she kept a close eye on the streets of Darkwell City, she located the target after a little more than half an hour of searching. The young woman had expected him to be alone, as the male was said to be someone who didn't enjoy the company of others due to his dry and humorless attitude. But here he was, side by side with a rather tall, dark-haired woman. Her uniform represented what she worked for. [i]A police officer...[/i]

[b]"What is it?"[/b] her boss's grumble came from the other side of the earpiece that was inserted in her ear. 

She frowned, resting her chin in her hand. [b]"It appears we have a problem, sir."[/b]

[b]"[i]What is it now?"[/i][/b] the voice said again in a more irritated tone.

[b]"You see, it seems like Mr. Angsty has a friend,"[/b] she answered almost unwillingly. [b]"A friend with a shiny gold badge and a neat-looking pistol..."[/b]

A stunned silence passed through them. [b]"A [i]cop[/i]?"[/b]

She laughed. [b]"Heh, I guess so. I think impersonating a cop is against the law, right? They woulda caught her by now if she's faking, especially in this little town."[/b]

[b]"Very well,"[/b] he sighed. [b]"You need to get a good shot at the male. The tranquilizer has to enter his bloodstream before the cop can do anything. You're going to also get the officer as well... but don't bring her, obviously."[/b]

[b]"Alrightie,"[/b] she frowned, sighing as she ended the transmission. With the way he spoke, he made it seem like it was much easier than it really was. Yet, she couldn't disappoint; she had to do her job, no matter how badly it ended. It wasn't like she was alone, after all. Every once in a while, she caught sight of figures moving over the rooftops of the short buildings across from her. Once the man was down, her aides would help her load the poor guy into a truck to take him to wherever the big boss wanted her to take him.

With a sigh, she took aim with her rifle once more. If she wanted to get him good, then a shot to his neck would be the easiest way. That way, the chemicals would reach his blood before he could even complain about the pain. She rested her finger on the trigger, slowing her breathing as she focused. They stood at the streetlight, waiting for it to turn red. No one was around. Now was the perfect time.

She squeezed the trigger, and within milliseconds, a dull sound came from her sniper rifle. The dart whizzed through the air in a straight line before it embedded itself in the skin of the male's neck. From where she hid, she could hear the young man's cry of surprise as he toppled over, falling to ground, before remaining still. A grin crossed her lips before the police officer appeared to be in distress as she hovered over the now unconscious male before she rested her eyes on the woman atop the rooftop. Before she knew it, she cop pulled out the weapon from her holster, spraying a rain of bullets in her direction. Cursing, she leaped out of the way of the bullets, avoiding most of them-- but one of them grazed her arm. Pain struck her limb as she let out a curse, taking aim with her weapon and shooting once again. This time, the dart hit the woman in the arm, but it was within moments that she, too, joined the male on the ground.

[b]"Sir,"[/b] the woman breathed, wincing as she dropped the gun on the ground to cradle her wound. [b]"I've been hit... but good thing is, I got the job done."[/b]

[hr]

[center][code]Somewhere in California[/code][/center]

Most of a day passed. But what he had looked to resolve was finally done, and the young individuals he had gathered were safe. 

His eyes flickered over the screens that shone in front of him. Every one of them presented information about the men and women that he had gathered within the vicinity-- where they lived, with whom they lived, what they did for a living... it was information that he had gathered and nurtured within his large database. 

All of them were hidden away deep underground in an unknown location. The building was large, about the size of a hospital, with several rooms. His "captives", or so they would call themselves, should be resting in said rooms. He ordered for one room to be shared between two of them, as to save space and not cause so much of a mess. The rooms provided them with beds and some furniture to place their clothes, along with a small shower, but that was it; there was no internet or phone connection in the building, save for his own. It was for their own safety.

[b]"Sir,"[/b] a voice sounded from the doorway. He looked up, blinking at the young face in the doorway. It was one of his aides-- a ripe woman with big eyes and brown hair. [b]"They're awake."[/b]

He nodded. [b]"Get the rest of your helpers,"[/b] he told her sternly. [b]"Make sure that they won't cause a ruckus."[/b]

Without another word, the woman bowed out of the room, scampering down the halls in search of others who would help her. Once she did, they would go to the rooms to encounter the very confused, and possibly panicking, new inhabitants of the building.