[hr][h1][i][color=dodgerblue]Lihua Vuhong[/color], & Leon Vahan.[/i][/h1][hr]


It was only because of sheer force of will that Lihua managed to stay on her feet.

She was stumbling forward, only listening to the chatter of Agents, and the roar of vehicles to act as direction. It wasn't before long that she arrived at the very scene where this... Metallic Aberration launched an all-out assault against NEST. She stepped through the hole PR-1 had created, and saw many, many NEST trucks, and ambulances. Agents were being hauled by stretchers left and right - at the corner of Lihua's eye, she noticed that Agent Mayfield was being hauled via a stretcher - and what separated the alive from the dead was the cloth carefully placed over them ([i]I was close to being one of them[/i]). 

She simply pushed her way through the frantic fury of the NEST EMTs and sat down on the pillar that she created. Letting out pant after pant. Thinking about what happened here.

"Agent Vuhong," A man stood over her, and Lihua looked up and saw that it was Leon. With his arms crossed, and his sniper rifle around his back, he asked, "Are you okay?" 

"I'm fine." Lihua quickly answered, letting out another puff of air as she contemplated what had happened here. How she planned on justifying everything that had occurred. However, she. "Tell me, what happened to the Changeling stragglers?"

"What?" Leon said to her, utterly astonished. "Max was almost killed, Sonya got shocked so hard I swore her heart was gonna explode, two squads are dead, and [i]you[/i] were two seconds away from being dead. Are you really worrying about [i]them[/i] right now?"
 
Lihua didn't say a word. 

"Oh my God... you really are a piece of work, you know that?" Leon said to her. 

"Mr. Vahan...." Lihua groaned, finally speaking up. She was at a loss of words to justify her behavior. "I know everything that happened... I just want some good news. And it'd be [i]great[/i] if we brought in those bastards so they can't threaten anyone else."

Leon let out a sigh. "If you must know... We can't find them. They're probably in whatever hideout they got. I get the idea that Tin can was just a distraction."

"He was more than a distraction." Lihua replied. "He damn near killed us all."

"Yeah..." Leon said. "We didn't lose any big-wigs, but we lost quite a few Agents."

Lihua couldn't believe it herself when she realized that this lazy had a point. Maybe... she should take a break. A break for a little while. Yeah, that's exactly what she needs. Just a break for all of this. One near death experience - despite how used to them she was - warranted one.

"Did the infants safely get back to the base?" Lihua said, though, it was clear that she was more concerned with her own child. She wasn't even going to hide it.

"Yeah." Leon said, "They got faaaaaaar away from all the fighting."

"Good." Lihua stood straight up. "I'd like to confirm the well-being of my daughter."

"Well, I think you're going to need a ride...."


[hr][h1][i]The Changeling Unit, & REAPER.[/i][/h1][hr]


Well.

Heartbreaker didn't have any god damn idea what all that was about. What she knew was that there wasn't a single NEST Agent anywhere nearby. So, whatever that thing's doing, it must be working. Heartbreaker didn't stop sprinting for a second. Mannequin and Fig were by her side, and the Witch Mother was right behind her (A few paces behind her because of her age). Heartbreaker wasn't planning on stopping until they got away. Fortunately, she had a backup plan in case something like this happened.

The group reached the edges of the Ghost Town, Heartbreaker immediately hopped the barbed wire fence with surprising ease. Fig merely shot her green energy at the gate, and shot it open.

"... That works." Heartbreaker said, as her feet hit the ground.

They kept running before Heartbreaker suddenly stopped. "Hold up." She put her hand up, and the remaining Changelings stopped dead in their tracks. "The backup hideout is on the outskirts of town - probably not even apart of Verthaven." Heartbreaker mused. ".... We're in the Estella Isle. Which is far as fucking away from it as possible."

The Mannequin leaned in, and stated "I can hotwire-" 

She facepalmed. "No, Mannequin. We're just going have to go through the sewer, because those NEST fuckers are probably on high alert."

A limousine scrolled up to them, and the first thing Heartbreaker did was reach for her gun. Th windows of the limo scrolled down, and it revealed a woman (With a very large and stocky man sitting besides her), obscured by shadows.

"I'm Stephanie Havok, Dr. Cross' assistant." The woman said. "Dr. Cross sent us to give you a ride out of here." The back door opened.

"Hmmmm..." Heartbreaker tilted her head, wondering if this is just an elaborate trap set up by NEST, but why would they know about Dr. Cross? "Yeah, sure." Heartbreaker shrugged, but kept her hand hovering over her revolvers. She slid into the limo, and Fig and Witch Mother slid in next to her. Mannequin awkwardly sat down - his body not designed for this.

There was a large space between herself, and their Hands of Science buddies. But, hot damn! This limousine was great. It had a fancy red interior, and comfortable seats. There was even a bar! A bar! Most importantly, the red lighting gave them a great view of their two guests.

The woman had very curly brown hair, and a angular, mousy-face, topped off with large glasses. Almost reminded Heartbreaker of a neurotic librarian! What caught Heartbreaker's eyes were her legs... No, not in [i]that[/i] way (Heartbreaker doesn't swing that way), but it looks like the chick never uses her leg. They looked at flappy, and atrophied. She wore a three-piece suit. Heartbreaker remembered her name was [i]Stephanie[/i], or something.

The man next to her certainly was more eyecatching. He was this giantic man with a very stocky, stout build. He had tree-trunks as arms and legs. Just really muscular. He made her look like a twig. He wore the standard dark-grey, and red armor, that seemed to be specially made for him. Yet, he had a strange addition that made it impossible to see his face. He wore a fearsome helmet that looked much like Roman Artwork made out of metal. A lion's mane added a bit more flare to it. With a open mouth with teeth that exposed some of his face... what Heartbreaker did see looked nasty. His skin appeared to be rotted like a zombie.

Heartbreaker didn't catch his name, but he looked like the muscle. Well, at least she confirmed that he was with REAPER. Which means legs here is a Hand of Science.

"Heeeeeeeellloooo there...." Heartbreaker said, crossing her leg over her other. "It was nice of you to give us a ride."

Stephanie nodded her head. "Dr. Cross didn't want you to fall to NEST. You're still valuable allies to the Hands."

"That's it?" Heartbreaker grinned. "She didn't do it because we're [i]friends?[/i] Damn, the mad scientist business is cold blooded." She playfully said, pushing her hat upwards with her thumb.

"Well..." Stephanie rubbed the back of her neck. "Dr. Cross-"

"... She doesn't want any of the Hands secrets getting out, okay?" The man said to her, his voice was incredibly deep. Almost monstrous. "That's all you need to know."

"Whoa, I'm sensing a little hostility here, bud." Heartbreaker playfully said. "And I don't know jackshit of what's even going on. I'm just doing my job: kidnapping babies, and shooting at whoever the hell you pay me to." She shrugged.

"You know of where the base is." The man noted. "We can't afford to let that get out."

"I only been there once. For like two hours." Heartbreaker shrugged. "Those NESTies can't get anything out of me."

"Don't get captured." 

Heartbreaker snapped her fingers, quickly interrupting him, "Hey, hey, hey... Before I begin, who are you? You're obviously a REAPER, but I want to know who the hell you are, talking like I'm some amateur, and you're some expert." 

"[i]Wendigo.[/i]" The man, now revealed as Wendigo, growled. Almost literally. His voice sounded incredibly beast-like, and agitated.

"Alright, Wendigo, let me tell you something," Heartbreaker leaned in. "If I was some fuckin' loser that had no god damn clue what the hell she was doing, I wouldn't have made it out of there-"

"... You wouldn't have gotten out of there if it wasn't for us."

"Hey, would ya shut up!" Heartbreaker replied, reaching for her gun. "Now where was I?"

"Can you two stop?" Stephanie asked. "You're both on the same side."

"... For now." Wendigo growled.

Heartbreaker didn't say a word. All she did was pull out her revolver at lightning speeds, and started twirling it around her finger.

"Do you have anywhere you want us to take you?" Stephanie asked.

"... Why didn't you ask that from the start?" Heartbreaker asked, raising an eyebrow. "What? Have you been driving around aimlessly for the last five minutes?"

"Away from here." Wendigo said.

"Just drop us off on the outskirts of town by the Rosalina Isle or something. We'll walk."

Stephanie nodded her head.

There was a long drive, but the limo drove the group outside the city limits. Which was wooded, obscured by trees and wildlife. It pulled up on the side of the road, and the Changeling unit stepped out. They stepped into the woods, with the Mannequin obscured by a cloak.

"Wait! Before you go!" Stephanie called out to them, and Heartbreaker turned around. "There's going to be a big meeting soon for the Hands, and Dr. Cross wants the Changeling Unit to attend." 

"Huh? Really?" Heartbreaker tipped her hat. "Lemme guess, you want [i]Bloodsucker?[/i]"

"Dr. Cross would appreciate it." Stephanie said.

Heartbreaker shrugged. "Eh, lemme see what I can do. That evil bastard is probably busy drowning orphans, or stealing candy from babies. I can't really guarantee he'll show up." Heartbreaker shrugged again. "Besides, you got both me, [i]and[/i] the Mannequin. We're just as good, maybe even better, than Luis."

"Alright. Do your best. Just remember what Dr. Cross wants." Stephanie said, before the window closed, and the limo pulled off.

The Changeling Unit disappeared into the woods. With only one intention in mind.

... The utter destruction of Mark Emerson.


[hr][h1][i]The Agents of NEST, Henry Olin, & [color=lawngreen]Sonya Mayfield[/color].[/i][/h1][hider=Psychonauts OST - Agent Cruller's Sacred Hall][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzseE_0Zo3w[/youtube][/hider][hr]

[u][b]11:21 PM.[/b][/u]


Maximilian's eyes shot wide open.

Immediately assaulted by the white light of... where was he? The man took a look around the room, noticing that he had to be in NEST's infirmary. He looks around, and then he looked down at his body. He was covered in bandages, and he felt incredible pain in his body. All sorts of machinery was hooked up to him. He put his hand on his forehead, and leaned forward. What the hell happened?

"Max, Max!" Leon said, as he barged into the room. He jovially said, "You're awake, you're alright!" 

"Yeah... I think so." Max groaned. He lightly shook his head. "What happened?"

Leon shifted his weight to his back leg, and he looked away from Max. He asked, "Well, want me to give it to you straight, or sugar-coat it?"

"Just give it to me straight."

"We got our ass kicked."

"But by [i]what?[/i]" Max asked.

"What? Did a bullet hit you in the head? Don't you remember that freaky ass metal thing?" Leon asked him.

Then it came to Max. He remembered everything that happened clearly. Oh so clearly. The massacre that happened to those poor Agents. He grit his teeth knowing that he couldn't stop it. "Oh, I remember now. Did we subdue it?" He asked.

"Right before it could kill Agent Vuhong, yeah." Leon shrugged. "I'm trying to get information out of it, but it thinks so fast that I get a raging headache each time. Same with our other telepaths. It ain't impossible, but we can do it."

"I see..." Max said.

"How's your kidney doing?" Leon asked.

"Huh?"

"Your kidneys... Wait, they didn't tell you?" Leon asked. "The bullet hit you right in the kidney. Docs had to pull it out. Thank God they had some healers on stand by... But, I hope you didn't like drinking...."

"God damn it..." Max muttered to himself.

"Another healing session, and you should be back on your feet. Don't think she can fully fix your kidneys. Heh... We got a private is scrolling around fixing all the people it injured, she should be swinging back around shortly." Leon said, throwing a thumb over his shoulder. "Speaking of our metal friend... Since you're our "Acting Director"-" Leon finger quoted. "The boys decided to leave the decision of what to do with the thing with you. It isn't going anywhere with that collar around it's neck."

It's up to Max? He's in so much pain that he couldn't think straight. "Give me time... I need to be healed."

"Alright, cool." Leon shrugged.

"But, we have a Hand of Science weapon...." Maximilian said. "We need to prepare for the likely possibility that REAPER will attack Headquarters."

"What? Wanna amp up defenses?" 

"No, no... There was a special project we were undergoing to add more defenses to the Headquarters. We need to start dealing with the very real chance of an invasion."

"They're going to want their toy back." Leon said.

"Exactly. Which is why we have to make sure that they'll never get it."


[hr]


Meanwhile, in another room, Sonya was in a similar position to Max. Wearing nothing but a hospital gown, in a bed. Unconscious. She was breathing normally, but her skin had some visible burns on it. Otherwise, she's okay. Her healing factor should take care of the damage. She began to awaken, grumbling some words about the stinging sensation.

"Sonya, you're awake!" Maria loudly shouted, as she ran over to Sonya, and embraced her for a hug. She was currently in her true form, a inky-humanoid. "I'm glad you're okay."

"Glad to see you alright, too, Sonya..." Agent Helena Page, who was leaning up against the wall of Sonya's infirmary room. Arms were crossed. She stepped off the wall, and walked closer to the bed. "You should be okay, you took a little electric shock. You're a little burned, but the doctors say that you should be okay."

"Your healing factor should take care of the rest." Maria said, letting go of Sonya.

"Glad to hear it!" Sonya cheerfully said - but her smile turned into a frown as she thought about what happened. "What happened to Maxi? Is he okay?"

"Yeah, he took a bullet in the kidney, but he's otherwise okay." Helena said. "Just need one more healing session before he's back on his feet."

"Well...." Sonya pulled her body back, and hopped out of the bed. Attaching the bulbs of her fingers to the ceiling. Her gown fell down a little bit, and exposed a little bit of herself. Helena let out a disgusted sound as she winced her head.

"Oops." Sonya said, as she fell down, and hit the ground. She adjusted her gown. "Let's go have a word with Maxi."

"... In that?" Helena pointed a finger at her hospital gown.

"Unless you wanna run off and grab my suit, sure!" Sonya said. 

Helena facepalmed, shaking her head. She figured that it'd be best if they just walk over to Maximilian's room. She turned around, and gestured for them to come along. Before she reached the door, the doorknob turned on it's own, and a man pushed right through it. 

"... Oh, excuse me, does this room belong to-" A man pushed into the room, average-heighted, his head of grey hair betrayed his actual age. He wore a black three-piece suit with a jet-black tie, and dress shoes. He didn't carry a single weapon on him. He was Caucasian, British in fact.

"... [i]Adam?[/i]" Sonya immediately recognized him. "What are you doing all the way here in [i]Verthaven?[/i] Shouldn't you be teaching kids in some Academy?" For a moment, she couldn't believe her eyes. Because Adam was one of the star NEST Agents. One of the best! [i]Everyone[/i] knows about him. Sonya worked with him several times, to amazing success. Though, he could never outshoot her.

Adam adjusted his tie, looking down. "After I heard about what the Hands of Science were doing, I decided to come off retirement. I was sent here by High Command to help Maximilian spearhead a team." 

"What team?" Sonya had to ask. This question was on everyone's mind.

"I'll explain it to everyone. Now, where is Maximilian?" Adam folded his hands behind his back. "I'd love to see my star pupil."

"Right this way, sir." Helena said, opening the door for them.


[hr]


After one scroll through the halls and met up with Henry, who had been called in for the same purpose, the group of four arrived in Maximilian's room. Helena opened the door, and stepped through, followed by Maria and Sonya, then Adam. Immediately, Max, Henry and Leon were astonished.

"Awwwww shucks." Leon said, smiling. "Good to see you, sir."

"Long time, no see Blackmore." Henry said, a toothy smile on his face. It had been a while since he'd seen his old 218 teacher. Too long, actually.

"Hello, Agent Vahan, Agent Cornell, and it is great to see you again, Agent Olin." Adam said as she took center stage, walking up to the center of the room. He put his hands behind his back, and he said, "Apologies that I couldn't arrive sooner, and help. I arrived in Verthaven a few hours ago. You could have really needed me."

"No need to apologize, sir." Maximilian said. "You did the best you could. We did the best [i]we[/i] could."

"Good." Adam said. "Now, let's get down to business, I have something to announce."

"Oh this is gonna be good...." Sonya said, looking Adam in the face. Henry gave her a knowning look, smirk and all.

"Alright," Adam straightened his back, and stared forward through his glasses. "Because of the high activity of the Hands of Science, and their private army REAPER, in Verthaven, High-Command has issued orders to form a special task force to combat the Hands, REAPER, and the Changeling Unit." 

"Ooooooooh." Sonya said, with a intrigued smile on her face. 

"[i]Task Force[b] RAVEN[/b],[/i] to be precise." Adam said. "This special task force will exclusively target those organizations, and will not stop until they have been removed from Verthaven. Before moving onto other cities."

"Nice." Leon said, putting a hand onto his chin. "Who's gonna be in this task force?"

"Anyone willing to volunteer for it." Adam said. "Each of you are fine Agents, and I would be glad to have you on RAVEN."

"Of course, sir." Sonya said, saluting Adam. "I wanna stick it to those bastards at the Hands as much as anyone else."

"I dont have any plans over the next few days." Henry said, cracking his knucles. "I feel like we're copying KINGFISHER here. No shame in that."

Maria nodded her head. All of this sounded dangerous, but Maria wanted to be at Sonya's side for this. "I will join RAVEN."

Leon had a dumb smile on his face. "Heheh... Where ever Max goes, I go. I'm in. I could definitely be of assistance."

"I would be honored, sir." Maximilian nodded his head. "What happened a few hours ago is definite proof that the Hands of Science, REAPER, and whoever else stands by them, are definitely a threat to public safety and they have to be stopped at all costs."

"Good. You're the first agents to join RAVEN." Adam tilted his glasses. He turned around, and took a few steps for the door. He turned around, and looked over his shoulder. "I will be gathering as many Agents as possible for this task force. Because I promise you, the Hands of Science will not last the month."

Adam stepped out the door. "That is all."

Task Force RAVEN? Now Sonya could get behind [i]that[/i]. This would be the ultimate sniping challenge for her... if she doesn't get electrocuted anymore. She was the greatest scout and sniper in NEST, after all. Sonya shrugged, keeping a cheeky smile on her face. Sonya turned to Max, and asked "So, Maxi, do you want to play Monopoly while we wait for the healer?"

Right as the last words left her mouth, someone started knocking on the door.

"Well, damn it. I was really looking forward to defeating you all at Monopoly." Sonya snapped her fingers. 

"I wasn't." Henry said, crossing his arms. Sonya ALWAYS beat him. 100% of the time without fail. He wanted to call shenanigans.

"Oh, come on in, sweetheart!" Sonya shouted.

The door opened, and the redhaired Scarlet Obott stepped into the room. Nervous as ever. She never been around so many high ranking NEST Agents before. It made her feel like an ant standing next to a elephant! Scarlet awkwardly stepped into the room, scratching her hair bun. She looked at Max, and asked, "Um, hey... I'm Private Obott. I'm... supposed to heal you?"

"Yuppers!" Sonya said. "Let us just leave you two alone...."

The Agents started walking out the room, with Leon waving goodbye, saying, "Bye Max" The door slammed shut behind them.

Maximilian sighed, as he faced the girl. She was already in grabbing distance, her hands were coated with a clear, thick, liquid. She was poising to grab onto him. "Wait, Private-" Maximilian was barely able to mouth the words before the euphoria from the drug overcame him. All he saw was colors, and felt nothing but happy thoughts.

... He never wants to experience this again.


[hr][h1][i][color=dodgerblue]Lihua Vuhong[/color], & the Agents of NEST.[/i][/h1][hr]


Lihua was holed up in her office since the second she got to the base, and got her daughter back.

Simply cradling her in her arms. Relieved to have gotten her back from those bastards. She examined her body... There was not a single mark on her body. Nobody touched her. She was also well fed, and well hydrated. She was otherwise in perfect condition. She had to thank whatever God was listening knowing that she had gotten her back before they could damage her. Now, she feels quite great, her focus can finally fall upon destroying the bastards that took her. She sat down in her chair, her eyes not leaving the sleeping Lijuan for a second.

[i]I'll make sure you see all that life has to offer. Without worrying about these evil people.[/i]

The door opened, and Lihua looked up, and saw that Maximilian, Leon, and a aged newcomer came in.

"Hello, Maximilian. You're back on your feet awfully fast." Lihua commented as they walked up. Before she looked down.

"Yeah, I was subjugated to some... Advanced healing methods." Max said, looking back at Leon who was playfully smiling. "Have you met Adam Blackmore?"

"Hello, Agent Vuhong." Adam nodded his head.

"Oh?" Lihua hadn't personally met him, but she's certainly heard much of Adam back in his exploits in Black Fall. "It is a pleasure to meet you, what can I help you with today?"

"I'm forming a Task Force to bring down the Hands of Science." Adam said, slamming his fist into his palm. 

Just the words that Lihua wanted to hear. She wanted to put all her intelligence, and informational, talents to go use to defeat them, and restore order to this city. "Excellent. I'd gladfull-" Lihua was cut off by Max.

"... But, that's not [i]I[/i] wanted to talk to you about." Maximilian took a few steps forward. "You know what you did while you were fighting that thing?"

Lihua looked away. She knew exactly what was coming up, and it was quite shameful.

"I saw it with my own two eyes; you got another Agent critically injured in order to land a hit on it." Maximilian said. "She is undergoing intense healing sessions to repair her arm - but that is simply unacceptable behavior."

"Sir, I was doing what was-" Lihua tried to answer - about to note that the Agent would have [i]died[/i] - but Max cut her off anyone.

"You were doing what was "[i]necessary[/i]"? Where the hell is your humanity, Agent Vuhong?" Maximilian hissed, taking steps over to Lihua's desk, and slamming his hand onto it. He leaned in, staring Lihua right in the eye. "No. You did what was "[i]necessary[/i]" to get a hit in. You almost got another Agent killed back there. I don't care about your justifications, because you weren't thinking about her well being at all."

Lihua stared him right in the eye, as he said the words that she was [i]hoping[/i] he wouldn't.

"... I hate to say this, but as acting director, you are [i]suspended[/i] without pay indefinitely. Until I feel like letting you resume your duty." Max spoke every word with anger in his voice.

Lihua grit her teeth, and grinded her fingers against the desk. She let out a sigh. She resigned, "... [i]Fine.[/i]" She took her badge off, and placed it on her desk, sliding it up the desk. She also placed her gun down on the desk.

She stood straight up, and walked out the room, with Lijuan in hand.

"... Take care now." Leon said.

[i]Ugh. [/i]She hated that word. She took steps out of the hallway. God damn it. She couldn't believe this! She was giving her all to this job and they choose to suspend [i]her?[/i] Maybe, she was being blinded by her anger. She thought about the Agent that was injured. What would happen if the healing didn't work on her arm. She'd probably have to get amputated. Lihua would take responsibility for it... and maybe she should have back there. Lihua hit herself in the forehead lightly with a closed fist. So many things she could have done better! Yet, she felt like there was no choice against that aberration. They just can't take risks when dealing with the Hands of Science, and that thing could have likely killed them all. Though, a part of her realized that Maximilian would have straight up fired any lower-tier Agent. Max knew that she was too valuable an asset. 

Maybe this whole thing was a calling card. She just needed a break. A break before she lost her mind.

Lihua stepped into the elevator, and pressed the button. After a short ride, she arrived right in the lobby. She walked to the front doors. [i]What am I supposed to do now?[/i] Lihua let out a sigh, as she stepped. Holding Lijuan tightly. She felt a [i]little[/i] lost. [i]Just go home and act like nothing happened? Put Lijuan back in her bed and hope that the Changeling Unit just doesn't come back.[/i]

Lihua stepped right out the doors of the Headquarters and stepped right down the stairs.She stood at the very bottom and looked around, remembering that she had no ride home. Rain began falling from the sky, and it shortly soaked before Lihua and Lijuan. She could wait here for Meifeng, but honestly, she just wanted to get the hell away from this building fast as possible. She walked through the gates, and caught eye of a taxi. "Taxi!" She shouted, raising her finger up into the air.

The Taxi pulled up, and Lihua stepped in, drenched in water. She slid onto the seats, and she didn't even give the driver a moment to ask where she wanted to go, "Well, it's your lucky day, I need a ride halfway across the city tonight." 

"That's great, lady." The overweight cab driver said. "... Where do you wanna go?"

"114 Oxford Road, Central Valley." Lihua answered. "Just take me there... I don't care about the cost."

"Heheh... Your wallet's going to regret that later!" He said as he pressed the gas pedal, and the car started driving forward.

Ignoring him, Lihua turned her head, and looked out the window. They passed by taillights so fast they appeared like streams. Yeah... Lihua always noted that the city looked completely different at night. So many lights, sights, and people (Who are oh so unaware of how bad the situation is). She had a feeling that this man was just an assassin sent to kill her. She reached into her purse, and subtly unzipped the secret compartment of her purse. Just in case.

Fortunately, he had no intentions of killing her. After a long drive, he brought them right in front of her house. Where her car was resting, which meant Meifeng was home.

"Sixty-five dollars, and eighty-eight cents, lady!" The cabbie said.

Wasn't a lot of money. She was expecting more, but maybe this man was one of the good souls. Maybe he sensed some plight coming from her. Lihua quickly reached into her purse, and pulled out three-twentys, and a ten. She handed him all the money - and told him, "Keep the change." As she stepped out of the car with Lijuan in hand.

"Thanks lady!" The cabbie said with a goofy smile as he drove all.

Lihua walked up the stairs to her suburban house, she reached into her purse, and put her keys into the doorknob and turned it. She stepped inside, and the first thing she saw was the electronic light of their living room TV. Lihua turned her head to the side, and saw Meifeng playing Call of Duty on the Playstation 4. Wearing nothing but a T-shirt, and boxers.

Her eldest daughter turned her head around, and looked right at Lihua, "God da-" She cut herself off, realizing she was cursing (And speaking English). She turned back to the TV, and spoke to her mother in their native language, "[i]You must have had a long with uncle Jiao-Long.[/i]"

"... [i]Yes.[/i]" Lihua noticed that Meifeng bought the lie completely. "[i]I haven't seen him in years, he's quite the talker, you know.[/i]"

"[i]Yeah, yeah, glad you had fun.[/i]" Meifeng smiled completely. Knowing that Lihua didn't know about her little adventure at the party.

Both Vuhong women had secrets of how they spent their night. Hiding it from the other for their own health.

"[i]Meifeng?[/i]" Lihua asked.

"[i]Yeah?[/i]"

"[i]Can you take Lijuan and put her in the bed? I'm... tired.[/i]" Lihua asked her.

"[i]What the hell-[/i]" Meifeng cut herself off again, earning a narrow glare from Lihua. She simply paused the game, and left the match. "[i]I'm going to lose the match... but I'll do it.[/i]" She hopped up, and walked over to Lihua and grabbed Lijuan. Before she stepped up the stairs to put her away.
 
"[i]And you get to bed yourself.[/i]" Lihua ordered. Before she let out a sigh. She immediately walked over to the kitchen, and opened the refrigerator. She grabbed a glass bottle of red wine, and reached into the cabinets above, and grabbed a wine glass. She calmly poured the wine into the cup, and downed it all in one sip. She poured herself another glass, and did the same.

[i]Seems like alcohol is the remedy.[/i]

The thoughts ran through her head as she downed the third sip. Before she just put the bottle of wine down, and just started drinking it from the bottle. She sloppily downed as much as she could. It started dripping out of her mouth, and down her neck. A very disgraceful look for a woman of elegance like herself. She let out a sigh as she drunk half the bottle. She started feeling a little woozy, but was otherwise fine. She carried herself up the stairs, and peeked inside Lijuan's room. Just as instructed, her baby was wrapped in bedsheets. Lihua smiled, as she walked into her own room, and simply fell onto the bed.

She was asleep in seconds.


[hr][h1][i]The Hands of Science.[/i][/h1][hr]


"Ignatius." Dr. Cross said, as she stood with her hands behind her back. 

She peered through the window into the examination room. Where they had this... creature, strapped down. It looked nothing like something this planet could reasonably produce - and looked much more like something you'd see in a movie. As an alien. It was a large creature, at least twelve feet tall. It's arms were as thick as trees, with it's hands being tipped off with wicked bone claws. It's body appeared to be made out of some liquid. It looked like flowing water, and underneath it, one could clearly see the bones, and the organs that kept it functioning. 

Except, no creature like this should be able to function.

It was strapped down to a large examination table. Arms were restrained with heavy shackles, and it's head was tied down. Violently thrashing what little of it's body that it could. As scientists walked up, and began slicing off bits of it's tissue. Oddly, any part of it they removed - no matter how big - simply turned into water.

"God... This was a pain in the ass to get." Ignatius walked up right next to Dr. Cross. Ignatius, a tall man with a pronounced face, and black, spiky hair. He wore an overcoat that flung behind him. He had scars around his neck that implied that his head was cut clean off. "Hope you and the boys make good use out of it."

"I'm wondering where he hell they're coming from." Dr. Cross said, rubbing her chin. "We don't know about [i]any[/i] Metahumans capable of creating them."

"My bet is that someone just developed the power - must be some homeless fuck that has nothing to gain - or lose - by registering his ability." Ignatius shrugged. "Gotta get the boys to scan the area and find him."

"I doubt we really have the manpower to search for someone we have [i]zero[/i] leads on." Dr. Cross turned to Ignatius.

"Just a sugge-" Ignatius shrugged - but he was cut off mid-sentence by something... bad happening.

The monster that the Hands had imprisoned broke out, it's bind around it's arms flew off so hard that it had embedded itself into the ceiling. The scientists panicked, but the creature swung it's arm, and sent the scientist flying and he hit the observation window that Dr. Cross and Ignatius were peering through. A woman started screaming as the beast grabbed her by the head, and crushed it effortlessly. It grabbed another scientist, and tore him in half, and threw his body onto the ground.

Before it could continue it's rampage, a flash of light appeared in the air, obscured by diamond dust and cold air. It appeared right in arm's reach of the creature. Once the diamond dust faded, it revealed Snowblind. When the creature tried to swipe at her, she merely jammed two fingers into it's body, and ice quickly traveled up it's body. It let out one last pained cry as it turned into an ice sculpture.

Snowblind looked through the observation window, and appeared in there alongside Ignatius, and Dr. Cross. 

"... You could have just incapacitated it." Dr. Cross hissed. "Now we lost the only one!"

"Eh. What's done is done." Snowblind looked at her nails again. "You can find another."

"Ugh..." Dr. Cross said. She rolled her eyes, before realizing why Snowblind was here. She must have carried out that little mission. "How did the test run of the [i]Sunflower Mutagen[/i] go?"

"Our little REAPERs got into a fight with some kids, and I got them to take the serum. A bunch of other people jumped into the fight, but they got taken down. However, it worked like a charm. They were basically given Metahuman powers...." Snowblind put her hands behind her back. "... Only problem was that it started to malfunction, and made their hands fall off, before it wore out."

Ignatius raised an eyebrow. "Definitely not giving that to [i]my[/i] REAPERs..."

Dr. Cross raised her hand at Ignatius. "We'll work out the kinks later. That's why we did our test run."

".... Our friends at the Changeling Unit got away safely." Wendigo said, as he walked up to the group, crossing his massive arms as Stephanie rolled up on a wheelchair. "Hate that Heartbreaker broad, though. I'd enjoy eating-"

"Silence, Wendigo." Dr. Cross said. "Stephanie, did PR-1 get captured as planned?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Stephanie answered. "He'll be initiating stage-two of the plan any time now."

"Good. Did you get the Changeling Unit to attend the meeting?"

"I.... tried." Stephanie said, twiddling her thumbs. "But I think they're more concerned with revenge than anything else."

"Good grief. We need Bloodsucker there." 

"Pttf... Do you really want that incorrigible scum at our classy meeting?" Ignatius asked, raising an eyebrow. "Just have Heartbreaker and the Mannequin show up."

"I know the two of you have... history." Dr. Cross said. "But, this meeting will affect all of our futures. Because I plan on making some big changes...."

"Hmph, for the better, or [i]worse?[/i]" Wendigo asked sarcastically.

"You'll find out." Dr. Cross nodded. "Ignatius, have REAPER ready."

"Yeah, yeah, sure, boss." Ignatius shrugged. "Let's go my REAPERs." He raised his hand, and Snowblind and Wendigo stepped out with him.

Dr. Cross and Stephanie watched them leave, before they faced each other.

"Oh, almost forgot." Stephanie said. "The Chairmen of the Northeast branch said that he has a gift for you. They're sending it to the test subject containment chambers now."

"Oh?" Dr. Cross raised an eyebrow. "How about we go find out what our genius friend sent us?"

Stephanie nodded her head, and she rolled down the hallway. With Dr. Cross right behind her, pushing it. It was a short scroll before they made it to the Containment Chambers.

"Let me go! You bastards!" The voice of a hispanic-accented female came from around the corner. Dr. Cross turned the corner, and saw two REAPERs pushing a woman into one of the cells. Before they turned away and walked off. 

Dr. Cross stepped up the cell, and looked inside. She saw a young woman that had to be no older than her twenties, Hispanic if the brown skin and facial features didn't give it away, and had hair dyed purple. She was dressed like a punk.

Stephanie couldn't exactly see into the cell, but she could definitely relay the information that the Chairman gave her. "She's a vagrant from New York. She wandered her way into Black Fall where REAPER captured her. No one will be looking for her here in Verthaven."

"This is nice... but what can she do?" Dr. Cross said, facing Stephanie.

"She's an incredibly powerful Metahuman." Stephanie said, looking up at Dr. Cross. "She has the ability to gift powers to people with her own unique version of the Metahuman energy she can harness. Along with being able to sense Metahumans, and enhance them... Even to the point where they basically become bombs."

"Interesting.... We might have a use for her...." Dr. Cross looked back into the room. "Tell me, what's her name?"

"[i]Carmen Santo[/i]... but I think I heard her call herself [i]Lily[/i]."

Dr. Cross grinned, putting her hand on the glass. "Lily..."

"... You are going to help us make so [i]many[/i] breakthroughs."


[hr]

[b][u]One week later... 2:22 PM.[/u][/b]


Once again, Intrepid Reporter, Molly Schuler, appeared on TVs all across Verthaven. Standing in front of the NEST Headquarters.

[i]"Hello, this is Reporter Molly Schuler, and this is the news. A week ago NEST had launched an offensive against the Changeling Unit who were hiding out in the Ghost Town. The group that was behind the kidnappings of many Metahumans infants. A strike team of NEST agents moved in with the intention of apprehending them, but the group put up heavy resistance and forced the Agents to use deadly force. They eliminated the unit, and safely extracted the infants and returned them to their homes. However, an explosion was set off that injured and killed many NEST Agents while they had the remainder of the Unit cornered. These Changelings are known as Heartbreaker, The Mannequin, Fig, and the Witch Mother."[/i]

The TV screen showed images of the four, taken by NEST Agents during their retreat.

[i]"These four individuals are extremely dangerous, and it is advised that, if spotted, that you immediately clear the area and contact NEST. Furthermore, NEST has acknowledged the extreme danger to public safety that the Changeling Unit, and the Hands of Science, present, and has formed an elite task force dedicated to taking down the organization, and removing any threat to public safety they pose. This is what Agent Maximilian Cornell has to say."[/i]

The screen turned to a video of Maximilian standing on a stage and behind a podium. At his side was Agent Adam Blackmore, and Agent Leon Vahan.

[i]"Hello, hello, I am Maximilian Cornell, and I am here saying that NEST fully acknowledges the threat that the Hands of Science pose to public safety. Just look at what happened a few days ago, their soldiers attacked a party full of innocent children. Do the people of Verthaven have to live in fear of these people? No. No one should. They should be free to live without fear. I know NEST has had a hand in them, and caused much pain during the Festival - but we are going to give it our all to correct the damage the former director caused. We are going to give it our all to bring everyone responsible for this down. Which is why I'm glad to announce the creation of Task Force RAVEN. An elite squad that will combat any and all threats presented by the Hands of Science. We have some of NEST's finest in our ranks. And I promise you, we will not stop unt-"[/i]

"... Oh shit, [i]SNIPER! [b]GET DOOOOOWN![/b][/i]" Leon shouted as he grabbed Maximilian and tackled him to the ground. The crowd panicked.

The focus went back to Molly. [i]"The Sniper in question was fellow NEST Agent Sonya Mayfield. Task Force RAVEN has been particularly effective in combating the Hands of Science. Just this week, several Hands operations were thwarted, including a large scale battle that took place in the downtown district. Here is an image of the aftermath."[/i]

The screen changed to a smoldering crater in the middle of the street, exposing some of the sewer as pipes dripped water. With fire, blocks of concrete, shell casing, cars, and other pieces of destruction littered throughout the area.

[i]"It truly was an amazing battle."[/i]

The screen shifted right back to Molly. [i]"Finally, NEST is investigating the strange weather patterns that are going on in Verthaven. They have questioned every Metahuman capable of changing the weather, and found no one responsible for it. They are still probing. But for the uninformed; three weeks ago rainfall began to appear out of nowhere. Followed by strange and unexplained attacks on people during the rainfall. The attacks have gotten much more frequent, and vicious. It is heavily advised that people stay indoors during the rainfall."[/i]

[i]"This is Molly Schuler with the news."[/i]