[hr][i][h1][color=skyblue]Wendy Emily Lucker[/color], [color=lightseagreen]Rowan Campbell[/color], & [color=Springgreen]Cindy Keagan[/color].[/h1][/i][hr] [i][u]RAVEN/DOVE West Coast Joint Headquarters, White Coast.[/u][/i] After the whole never ending shitstorm, Wendy was, of course, questioned. She had her wounds patched up, and she wasn't super fond of electricity anymore. At all. She was hoping she'd never get struck by lightning, or anything else crazy ever again. But, here she was, in the RAVEN/DOVE Headquarters. Patiently sitting down in the interrogation room. It wasn't long before Cindy came in, and slammed a tall stack of papers on the table. She grabbed the chair, and dropped her plump behind down on it. She stared at Wendy with sharp eyes. "...Okay, excuse my French..." Cindy started off. "...But, what the [i]fuck[/i] did you get into?" That swear was certainly poignant - it caught Wendy off guard because the girl only ever seen Cindy's professional side. Now... that demeanor had been replaced with a more urban attitude. "Like - oh my God - in one day you get attacked by the Black Hound, and another maniac at night," Cindy's voice was utterly [i]amazed[/i]. "Do you know what the hell [i]stay put[/i] means?" Wendy didn't answer that; she merely tapped her fingers against the table. "So, care to explain how you got into this?" Cindy raised an eyebrow. "And I want the whole story, sweetheart. Because you just don't [i]suddenly-[/i]" Cindy jazz hand'd. "-find two people that have been kidnapped by a super terrorist." "Well... it started when I..." Wendy was going to make sure that she didn't give away her benefactor. The person on the other end of her phone was her best bet for finding Diana, and this night was enough to buy Wendy's allegiance. "...Tracked Diana's phone. It was nothing but a... murmur, but I picked it up." "So you, a teenage girl, tracked a phone that professionals couldn't?" Cindy raised an eyebrow at the bullshit of that statement. "But, [i]continue.[/i]" "Me and Rowan went to her last location, and it was this base-[i]place[/i]... I don't know." Wendy shrugged. "We snuck inside, and explored the place until we found out where the hostages were being kept, and then got everyone free." "Mhm..." Cindy groaned at the skepticism. "After we got everyone free, we ran off, but then this tall dude with lightning powers... Ezekiel... yeah, that's his name, chased us down to the park and caused all this destruction. He... kicked our ass..." Wendy shamefully said as she scratched the back of her neck. "He pinned Rowan down, but I got him to leave us alone." "How?" Cindy asked. "...Well, while we were snooping around his base, I... [i]helped myself[/i] to some of his books." Wendy awkwardly said. "...Who knew I'd run into a fellow bibliophile...? Heh..." "Those books, give them up." Cindy said, doing a "gimme" gesture. "What?! No, these books are like the rarest. [i]In. The. World![/i] They can't root in a evidence locker until the end of time! They-" Wendy immediately objected, but was cut off. "Girl, I'm not playing around." Cindy said, before Wendy hesitantly put the books out of her satchel onto the table with tears welling up in her eyes. Cindy silently heard her whisper "Goodbye my friends." That made Cindy roll her eyes up into her head before she looked at the books... and she just had to whistle. Some of these books were [i]first edition[/i]. That shit was probably expensive as hell. While Cindy personally hated the notion of wasting thousands of dollars on books that you can buy for ten off Amazon, she could see some of the logic behind why they were so expensive. "Sorry, girl," Cindy said. "But, we have to comb these for evidence... finger prints and that jazz." Wendy groaned as she let her face fall to the table. "...Will there be a chance I'll get them back?" Wendy asked. "We'll see..." Cindy trailed off, looking to the two-way mirror. "Now, we have to discuss [i]you.[/i]" "Huh?" Wendy raised her head and looked at Cindy. "Don't take this the wrong way, sister, but I know you're hiding some very crucial details from me," Cindy started off. "And if you want me to help you, then you have to tell me." [i]...Maybe because I don't want you to help me.[/i] Wendy thought to herself, laced with scorn. The quick thinker was fast to reply with, "I told you everything." Cindy sighed, and shrugged. "Alright, then," Cindy closed her eyes. "As of now, you are on indefinite lockdown, Wendy." "...W-what?!" Wendy said. "You get into a fight with the Black Hound, raid a complex like you're in fuckin' Mission Impossible, and then get chased across Courtbridge... you are getting into [i]way[/i] too much trouble, and for your own safety, you're going to stay in the Academy." Cindy said. Wendy slammed her hands on the table. "...You can't do this!" Once again, Cindy had to shrug. "I can, and I honestly have to." Wendy groaned... she'd never find Diana at this rate. But, this just meant she'd have to be a lot more stealthy. Nothing was going to stop her from getting her sister back safe and sound... and she was going to get the books back even if it would kill her! "Fine." Wendy crossed her arms and pouted. "Is that all?" Cindy pressed her nail up against the table. "I guess so." Cindy said. "Can I see Rowan?" "He's just getting out of surgery... I arranged for one of my co-workers to heal him... but, you can see him." "Okay." [hr] Rowan lay slumped against the bed, hooked up to a drip in a hospital gown, an oxygen mask still fastened over his face. The anaesthesia hadn't yet worked its way out of his system and so he could only barely hold consciousness, but he was able to stir just enough as he made out the faint figure of Wendy. "Hey..." Wendy said as she stepped in, and realized he was probably high off anesthesia, and looked off to the side at Cindy. The scrawny kid tried to mouth something, but it came across as mumbled. Clumsily, he reached up to tug it aside and only halfway succeeded. "Hiii..." Yep, he was a little high off the meds. "How's... my scar?" He said with a drunken tone. Wendy peered over, and his entire shoulder was wrapped in bandages. "... It's lookin' great, actually." Wendy was quick to reply. "Niice.. should go with the others... old man woulda' been jealous!" He said, with the same stupoured tone. "I... came to see if you're okay, and so you can know I'm alright, too." "I'm glad you are... honest." Despite being high on account of the medication, the sincerity in his tone was there. "Worth the scar, too." She was glad to hear about Rowan's optimism, but that didn't help her knowing that he got hurt again on her behalf. She didn't want to ever see Rowan hurt again. She almost cried, but she kept it in. Cindy had caught the tears in Wendy's eyes, and loudly coughed. "... I think it's time that you head back to the Academy," Cindy said to Wendy, pushing the girl out of the room slowly. "He needs to rest, at least until my co-worker is ready to heal him." "... Bye, Rowan." Wendy somberly said. "Bye... but don't start the fun without me next time." [hr] After meeting Rowan, Cindy put Wendy in a DOVE vehicle, and sent her ass back to the Academy. The car ride was dull, and full of worry, because Wendy was starting to feel the guilt of dragging Rowan into this yet again. She merely laid down on her back, and looked at her phone just to pass the time. She wondered where Jessica and Kai were... probably getting the hell out of Headquarters. Wendy would have to carefully plan her next move. Then her phone buzzed. [quote][pre]My apologies. Ezekiel coming after was so utterly out of my calculations that I had no idea how to help you. I didn't plan for you to leave the base without Diana, and I sure as hell didn't plan for that.[/pre][/quote] Wendy raised an eyebrow. [quote][pre]Just who is Ezekiel?[/pre][/quote] [quote][pre]He's one of the Blessed Three... one of the three people who have supreme control over the Founding Family. He was chosen for the position because of his "superior genes." He's mentally unstable, and lacks self control. But, that's just apart of another problem.[/pre][/quote] [quote][pre]...Which is?[/pre][/quote] [quote][pre]Your sister is still being held by the Founding Family, which means you're going have to go deeper into this rabbit hole to get her back.[/pre][/quote] Wendy was wondering where this person was going with this... [quote][pre]And it's become apparent to me that your current abilities aren't going to cut it if you're going up against the likes of the Black Hound and Ezekiel... you're going to need stronger abilities.[/pre][/quote] [i]Stronger abilities?[/i] Wendy had to curiously ask herself. She had to text back, [quote][pre]Like what?[/pre][/quote] [quote][pre]Your mentor's, Lihua Zhao's, power for starters. Her ability is so strong that the FF fears her skill and experience... while you're never going to be able to match it, it can still be useful.[/pre][/quote] Wendy recalled Ms. Zhao's demonstrations of her ability. The way she bends stone was so precise and dangerous that Wendy and the others could only stare in awe... But could Wendy utilize that strength? [quote][pre]There's a few RAVENS that you could sap powers from. Samson Jeross, his phoenix abilities are also top-tier, but not essential. I'd say Hector Jeross' energy crystal ability would be more helpful. But, the odds of them handing their powers over to you are slim, so you'll have to be realistic here.[/pre][/quote] [quote][pre]There's a man in Baybridge with a similar goal to you... Malik Jakane. Who demonstrates some impressive abilities to turn into a storm, and manipulate it's effects. It could be incredibly useful to have in your arsenal.[/pre][/quote] [quote][pre]In addition, you're going to want to practice fighting. The Founding Family are slowing down activities for a period, and you should do the same to train yourself. When you are ready to continue, message me.[/pre][/quote] Wendy nodded her head and replied. [quote][pre]I'll give it my all.[/pre][/quote] But, the next text was disconcerting. [quote][pre]Don't take too long, and at the same time, don't come unless you are ready.[/pre][/quote] Wendy nodded her head again, as she prepared for her mission of self-improvement for the sake of Diana. But, then there was something that Wendy just remembered. From her encounter with Ezekiel... the moment where he had taken his notes back and stormed off had flashed in the back of her skull. When that photograph fell out and Wendy absorbed it into herself just out of sheer curiosity. She put the phone aside, and put her palm face up. She had willed the photograph through her body, and made it pop out of her hand. Then she stared at it. It was... like... a family photograph taken in a year that Wendy didn't know. There was a bunch of kids bunched up together, smiling and with her arms wrapped around each other as they faced the photographer. With a rather curvy woman in the background that looked aged enough to be their mother. What was notable was that one of the kids looked exactly like a younger version of Ezekiel - in fact, they all looked like they were siblings. Her mouth opened, jaw slacking slightly as she came to realize something... [hr][i][h1][color=red]Meifeng Zhao[/color], [color=dodgerblue]Lihua Zhao[/color], [color=Springgreen]Cindy Keagan[/color], & Lijuan Zhao.[/h1][/i][hr] [i][u]RAVEN/DOVE West Coast Joint Headquarters, White Coast[/u][/i] There was a great deal of annoyance in Meifeng. Whether it's because she was just attacked by her mother's creepy stalker (that [i]probably[/i] just wanted to rape her), or the fact that the bastard got a few hits on her. Either way, she was getting patched up in the infirmary. Ugh. She couldn't even look. The nurses were wrapping her acid burns - that were [i]definitely[/i] going to scar - up with bandages, after the proper medical treatment has been applied, of course. She was just sitting on a stool with her arm out. Only because she decide to omit Jade's healing because shit went [i]down[/i] tonight. It wasn't long before Cindy stepped in with a clipboard in hand. "Where were you? I was trying to call you!" Cindy said. "Well, between fighting a psychopath, and making sure my little sister was safe..." Meifeng said just as the last bandages were applied and the muscular woman flexed her arm a little bit. "You can say I was a little tied up." "So, who were you fighting?" Cindy said. "Jiang," Meifeng said with venom, "He came to kill Lihua, but he found me instead... ran the bastard off myself." "Well, I can't stay mad at you over that," Cindy said, shrugging. "I'm just glad you and Lijuan are okay." "If I wasn't busy with that, I would have loved to help with the Hound," Meifeng said, putting her hands on her knees. "So, mind telling me what exactly happened?" "Well..." Cindy began her explanation, and Meifeng patiently listened to every last detail. "...Quent drove him off, but he and Reed took a beating... they'll be out of action for a little bit." "Damn..." Meifeng trailed off, snapping her fingers out of sheer detest for the Hound. "...But, you know what this means, right?" "No?" "It just means he's going to get a lot bolder," Meifeng said. "He probably won't pull the same shit again, but that just means he'll pull a new card out of that sleeve of his." "Like what?" Cindy said. "Dunno," Meifeng shrugged. "It could be [i]anything[/i] at this point. Since we know that the F-F have some very deep pockets if they can not only afford grade-A weaponry, but also give their forces some James Bond-villain level gadgets." She shrugged. "Next thing we know, they could pull out a doomsday device!" "You're right... I'm still wondering what that yellow stuff is," Cindy said, "But, there's something you need to know; Lihua was in the mall." "Shit, is she okay?" Meifeng said, immediately perking up. "Well, during our plan to get her out, she fell unconscious, Jennifer pulled her out of there." "Shit, [i]Jen[/i] was there, too?" "Yeah, but she's fin, so's Lihua. She's in one of the patient rooms recovering." "I'm heading there right now." Meifeng hopped up to her feet and walked out the room, causing Cindy to facepalm. "...You don't even know which room." Cindy groaned as she poked her head out the door. [hr] After a brief conversation, Cindy had lead Meifeng to Lihua's room, and the woman was lying on a bed, with an oxygen mask attached to her face. Pumping a steady supply of oxygen into the old woman's lungs. When Meifeng entered, Lihua lifted her head up, and smiled. "Hello, Meifeng." Her daughter waved as she looked off to the side to see Lijuan sleeping in some chairs. The little girl raised her head and looked at Meifeng, before lowering her head and going back to sleep. "Yeah are you okay?" Meifeng said as she put her hands in her pockets. "I am fine... The oxygen levels just got a little too low and I passed out... seems my body can't handle this like it used to." Lihua laughed, before she abruptly stopped when she noticed Meifeng's injuries. "What happened to [i]you?[/i]" "Jiang," Meifeng said. "He found you, but I drove him off." Lihua's eyes opened, before she clenched her fist. "Jiang... I'll kill him myself." Lihua said. "Yeah, you'll kill him hospitalized," Meifeng said as she grabbed a seat next to Lijuan, and started playing with the child's hair as she sat down. "Look, Mom, you should leave this one to me." Meifeng said as she pointed a thumb at herself. Lihua let out a sharp, "[i]Hmph.[/i]" "But, there's another thing I want to talk to you about," Meifeng raised her head. "Jiang knows where you live now, that means you can't stay there." "Like hell I'll let that bastard run me out of my own damn ho-" "Yeah, and Jiang sneaks by in the middle of the night, and kills the two of you in your sleep." Meifeng crossed her arms and sighed. She loved this woman with all of her heart, but sometimes she can be so damn [i]stubborn.[/i] "...Can I chime in?" Cindy said, raising her hand for a moment, and Meifeng just nodded her head. "We can admit the two of you into the DOVE protection program until-" "No." Lihua was quick to say, while her voice was muffled by the oxygen mask, her voice was stern, and clear. "I am [i]not[/i] letting Jiang force me into hiding. I am going to take the fight to him... and kill him." "C'mon, Ms. Zhao, you gotta-" Cindy tried to plead with her, only to get stopped by Meifeng. "Cindy, it's no use," Meifeng shook her head. "That woman is a deadly mix of stubborn as shit, and prideful... you're never going to get to her." Cindy sighed. "Alright, then, I'll leave you two be." Cindy stepped out of the room, and beelined for the meeting room. When Cindy left. Meifeng narrowed her eyes, and looked at Lihua. "...[i]Bohai's alive.[/i]" Meifeng said to her in Chinese That news made Lihua's eyes open up widely... her one true love, Bohai Zhou, alive? She thought that the man had died, and he's alive - before she could get excited, she raised her head and looked at Meifeng. "[i]How do you know this?[/i]" "[i]Jiang blurted it out when I was finished kicking his ass.[/i]" Meifeng shrugged. "[i]You know what this means, right?[/i]" "[i]Meifeng...[/i]" Lihua was quick to trail off. "[i]As much as I love Bohai... we have to be realistic here. We cannot afford to go on a chase at this point. Especially when you are needed in Baybridge to protect it.[/i]" "...[i]You're right.[/i]" Meifeng said. "[i]But, the fact of the matter is, I'm going to at least question Jiang before I kill him... if I can't, I gotta kill him.[/i]" A sigh escaped her lips. "...[i]We sure as [/i]hell[i] can't have him running back to China when he knows so much about us now.[/i]" The thoughts made Lihua cringe. All Jiang has to do is bark about how "Qiaolian the Tyrant" was hiding out in America, and the Chinese government don't even have to lie. All they have to say is that she's a wanted war criminal, and there's no way in hell that they'll cover her ass. Her life is over. However, Jiang just has to die. The man's a fool, after all. "[i]I'll handle it. You can believe in me.[/i]" Meifeng smiled. "[i]But, I asked Jiao-Long for a favor....[/i]" [i]Oh God... What did she...?[/i] Lihua thought to herself as she thought about it. "...[i]Since you're hell bent on staying here and living your life as usual - the hard way - I figured that you might be safer at the Liu Estate. I told Jiao-Long everything, and he said he'll take you in as long as you need to.[/i]" Lihua sighed. "...[i]Jesus, woman,[/i]" Meifeng hissed. "[i]Swallow your pride for just one moment.[/i]" She rolled her eyes up into her head. "[i]... For her.[/i]" She faced Lijuan, and the child sleeping made Lihua's heart melt. "...[i]I'll... do it[/i]" "[i]Good, I'll have some agents provide backup while you get your things.[/i]" Meifeng said as she got up. "[i]I have a [/i]really[i] important meeting to attend[/i]." [hr][i][u]Greenflower Garden, Silver Hills.[/u][/i] After the little encounter with Meifeng, Lihua and Lijuan had went back to the Zhao household, and gathered all of their things. Before they went all the way up to the [i]beautiful[/i] Greenflower Garden, and the gates opened for the two, and they were greeted with the Liu estate. A massive mansion that was two stories tall, but [i]huge[/i]. It was square shaped, and had many, many, rooms. That were inhabited by the Liu family. Lihua walked up to the front door carrying like three bags, and Lijuan dragging along her cute little luggage bag. Lihua raised her fist to knock on the door, before she heard muttering behind the door. What caught her attention was "She's here!" [i]Oh dear[/i]... Lihua knocked on the door just [i]one[/i] time before the doors swung open, and she had confetti thrown in her face. The woman was honestly caught off guard... and was greatly annoyed. When she brushed it all away, she saw Jiao-Long holding the door open, with his wife at his side, and all of his daughters standing behind him in some kind of pose. There was triumphant music. "Oh, welcome, sister," Jiao-Long said in English with a wide smile on his face. "We welcome you into the Liu household." Lihua's eye twitched. She just stood there, in utter disbelief. And that was the point where Jiao-Long and his daughters started laughing. "Come in, come in," Jiao-Long said as he stepped over, and grabbed some of the bags. "...That's just how we welcome people into the [i]Liu[/i] household." [i]Kill me.[/i] [hr][i][h1][color=salmon]Haruka[/color] & [color=cornflowerblue]Shizuka[/color] [color=salmon]Taka[/color][color=cornflowerblue]shiro[/color].[/h1][/i] [hr][hider=God Eater 2: Rage Burst OST - God and Man ~Resolution~][youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiy_OadsoUI[/youtube][/hider][hr] [b][code]DOVE/RAVEN Joint West Coast Headquarters, White Coast_[/code][/b] "I'm fine. [i]Really[/i]," Haruka sat up on his bed and said to his twin, who continued to ignore him and simply concentrated on making more apple bunnies (which he had lined them up neatly in a bento box filled with some salt water). "My room isn't for you to hide from your work, Shizu." "...Shut up, dumbass," Shizuka finally sighed after he placed the last apple bunny in the box and snapped down the lid. He then eyed his brother's arm sling and leg cast with a narrow look. "This time you get away with only shoulder and leg injuries, but stop pushing your luck - you'll run out of that someday." The Takashiros were in one of the private rooms; Shizuka had probably pulled some strings to get one for his twin instead of being crammed into the common rooms with the other casualties from the hostage incident. Haruka glanced at his brother. Shizuka's crazy plan did manage to save almost all the hostages, surprisingly - sans a handful from stray gunshots and chaotic scrambles away from the Black Hound's grenades - but at the cost of substantial loss of DOVE and RAVEN agents. He wondered if his twin would be alright - he believed that Cindy and the Taylors wouldn't put all the blame on him, but what about the rest of DOVEs and his RAVEN colleagues? "I know what you're thinking," Shizuka began as he sat down on the chair beside the bed. "Don't worry about me - I'm prepared for whatever bullshits they're going to throw at me later during the meeting." He let out a sarcastic laugh. "In fact, they would thank me instead... if they truly understand what's at stake." "But---" "The Hound wanted Dr. Cross and the Mannequin in exchange for the hostages," Shizuka cut his twin off darkly, and that made Haruka drop his jaw in shock. The younger Takashiro then continued, "This isn't over yet - that dog's plan may have failed this time, but he's going to bite back even harder and fiercer the next time." "Yeah..." Haruka trailed off. Memories from the Verthaven disaster filled his mind's eye once more, then to his conversation with Jennifer. He probably shouldn't add on to Shizuka's workload with the anti-Metahuman church that Rori had mentioned. "Just... be careful." "I know," was all Shizuka said in response, and he watched the grim expression on Haruka's face silently. While his brother still had the same worrywart personality, Shizuka didn't want to admit that his precious twin had matured - not just his power, but he could also see a quiet, unwavering strength in those eyes. Even so, he couldn't bring himself to tell him about their missing mother. About Polaris. ... ... Unknown to her husband and sister, Asami became a member of Polaris after graduating from university. She was recruited on her first diplomatic trip to China. At first, Polaris had no interest in a powerless human like her, but they later changed their mind when they saw a potential in using her to gain control over Japan. They even offered the greedy Asami a chance to gain superpowers for her loyalty... but the ritual failed. No, the ritual didn't fail completely. The transferred Meta-energy was sapped from her by her unborn babies. Years of internal conflict tortured the poor woman's heart and mind - she was bitter at the twins for the failure. Why wasn't she chosen, but them? In the end, it turned out that the twins showed no hint of superpowers whatsoever, and guilt of neglecting the boys proper family love started to make Asami break down her usual tough demeanor, but she didn't know how to pick up the broken pieces. She didn't know how to face her boys anymore. Until the shock she got when she saw Shizuka at an Asian Metahuman Summit, representing the American agency RAVEN. [i]Why is he here? It can't be...[/i] Pure fear began to overwhelm her, and she did the first thing that came to her mind. To save her own self. And so, she ran away from her family, from Polaris... from the fateful mistake that had been haunting her for two long decades. ... ... The silence in the room continued to drag on as the twins were lost in their own thoughts, mulling over their own secrets they couldn't tell one another. [hr][i][h1][color=red]Meifeng Zhao[/color], [color=Springgreen]Cindy Keagan[/color], [color=cornflowerblue]Shizuka Takashiro[/color], [color=darkslateblue]Reed Taylor[/color], Deborah Javuant, & Shannon Balore.[/h1][/i][hr] [i][u]RAVEN/DOVE West Coast Joint Headquarters.[/u][/i] The meeting was something that [i]nobody[/i] was looking forward to. To address the elephant in the room, people had died during the raid. Not just RAVENS... the civilians they were supposed to save. And the [i]second[/i] that got out, news of the disastrous save spread like a wildfire and the mighty RAVEN became the laughing stock of the whole country. Ignoring the fact that they [i]literally[/i] had very few options other than hand over the criminals to the Hound - which would have gotten an even worse reaction. Everyone was gathered in the room, and nobody said a word. They basically looked at each other while they waited for Deborah to show up - since she was so keen about having a meeting literally five minutes after the accident. Then she stepped in, wearing an expensive suit with the DOVE insignia over her right breast, and Shannon Balore walked in behind her. Deborah had her hands folded behind her back. The two walked across the room until they reached the projector that every RAVEN should be well aware of if they ever stepped in this room. The silent was broken when Deborah asked, "...Hey, where's the remote for this?" Meifeng slid it across the table wordlessly, and Deborah grabbed it, letting out a casual "Thanks!" as they got to business. Deborah put her arms behind her back, and kept her chin held high. She definitely looked sharp. "I'll let my beautiful assistant handle my presentation." She said, looking at Shannon. "...As you all know, your little ploy was quite successful, the hostages were extracted, and the Black Hound was forced to retreat." Shannon said in a professional demeanor that was almost monotone. "I would love to commend you on your... [i]unorthodox[/i] tactics. However, your methods were so extremely dangerous [i]at least five hostages are dead[/i]. And that's not even accounting how many RAVENS and BPD officers were eliminated." That was the sentence everyone was waiting for. The death toll. Deborah projected pictures of all the hostages that were killed along with information. [Make yourselves useful and come up with stuff like names, cause of death, etc] [quote][code] Maya Brennan, 41, female. Doctor. Clifford Connors, 37, male. Factory laborer. John Fox, 68, male. Small business owner. Kylie Sugar, 19, female. College freshman. Angela Gavin, 51, female. Gardener. [/code][/quote] "It has caused an utter out-roar all over social media, and many organizations such as our [i]favorite[/i] the Saviors are criticizing our actions." Shannon said, and the projected screen displayed a variety of angry tweets. "To be fair, Miss Balore," Meifeng was the first to speak up. "Far as I can tell, we were put firmly between a rock and a hard place - if we had gone with the alternative..." She looked between her friends, and stayed confident. "...If he decided that today was the day he was going to keep his end of the bargain, there would be three dangerous super-criminals out on the street... and the last thing we need is the Mannequin back on the streets plottin' his next scheme." "I understand that," Shannon Balore. "But, it's this spur-of-the-moment thinking that gives RAVEN a bad name, and causes incidents like this." Shannon had slammed her hand on the table with venom in her voice that Meifeng replied silently with a sharp glare. "You didn't notify anyone, you just dragged a lot of soldiers along for your insane strategy." She said, disgusted. "...So, who would like to tell me who came up with the plan?" Shannon asked. Without a second thought, Cindy had hopped up to her feet to say. "It was me, ma'am," Cindy put her hands behind her back, and took the fall for it instead of Shizuka. Only because she was higher ranking than him, and could afford a demotion. "I was the one who came up with the plan, I am ready to take full blame for every single death." She said with heroic vigor, ready for the punishment. "Ummm..." Deborah raised her finger in the air while holding back laughter. "...Ha - um, you know I can see through lies like that? Like really easily?" "Oh?" Cindy's air of valiance deflated like a bubble. "Oh." "So, that's one name crossed off," Shannon looked between the group. "Who's the one behind the plan?" "...[i]I[/i] was the one who came up with the crazy plan," Shizuka finally spoke up, staring back at Shannon with an equally piercing look. Then he let out a loud sigh, reclining back into his chair. "I don't care if you're going to hold me responsible for just [i]five[/i] deaths and kick me out of here. I didn't join RAVEN to be a hero." He glared at Shannon again. "What would you do then, if you're with us at the mall? Give in and hand over Cross and the Mannequin to the Hound like an obedient little girl? Do you actually think that will save [i]all[/i] the hostages [i]and[/i] the agents on site?" "...And I was the commanding officer, and formally gave Shizuka the go-ahead." Cindy also tried to wrestle some responsibility from Shizuka as she raised a finger up into the air. "Hey, now, nobody's getting fired," Deborah was quick to inject... her ability passively giving her insight. "We understand that the situation was out of your hand, and I really am glad that things ended this way... but..." Deborah turned around and faced the screen showing all the angry tweets. "But, the problem is that the people out there want someone held accountable for this... They want someone punished, is what I'm saying." Meifeng put her hands behind her head and stared at Deborah... and her backside... piecing together what she was getting at here. "Oh, boy..." She trailed off, rolling her eyes up into her head. Shizuka merely crossed his arms before him, waiting expectantly for whatever punishment they were going to give him. He was too tired to argue [i]logic[/i] with those blockheads; besides, it was a perfect excuse for him to get a good break from months' worth of shit work. "You want a scapegoat." Reed finally said, flexing his remaining hand. The other remained a stump, bandaged up. "I don't want it to be this way, but someone's going have to get suspended," Deborah said. "I wish it was different, Mr. Takashiro, but on behalf of Maximilian Cornell-" "...Hey, wait," Shannon said as she looked at the computer that was connected to the projector. "...We're getting a Skype call from Maximilian." Deborah raised an eyebrow Deborah and Maximilian... the two of them haven't been seeing eye to eye lately. "Put him through." Deborah said, and Shannon complied, hovering the cursor over the answer button, and there was the buffering symbol, spinning for a few moments. The first thing they saw was a hand over the camera, adjusting it. "...Adjust the camera a little bit," The voice that belonged to Maximilian spoke. "We need a good angle, it makes our points... all the more powerful." "I'm trying, Maximilian," A closer, soft, feminine voice spoke... some of the well acquainted knew that voice was Dana Alcott. "Know what, that's good enough." Maximilian said as Dana quickly wheeled away from the camera. They finally got a good look of the RAVEN Chairmen office in Black Fall. Maximilian leaned on his desk, with his hands folded. Even after all these years, the man didn't look a day older. He was still tall, muscular, and was now sporting a rockin' goatee. "Hello, long time no see, Meifeng, Shizuka, Mr. Taylor, and Cindy." Maximilian said as he waved at them. Dana quickly taking position at his side. "Yo, Max," Meifeng said with a smile. "Here to watch Shizuka get put to deat-" She was stopped by Cindy throwing her empty coffee cup across the table and hitting her square in the forehead. "No, I'm here to weigh in on the incident," Maximilian sighed. "Personally, since I am the one responsible for many of you entering the organization to begin with." Shannon put her hand on her hip and gave the screen an aside glance. "I know it was a tough decision, but handling the likes of the Black Hound is difficult," Maximilian was first to say. "He is different from the likes of Luis, as he is cunning, devious, but at the same time, unpredictable as we have no idea what he'll pull next. You did the right thing, we cannot submit to the Hound." Meifeng was wondering what Maximilian was getting at. "If you had, then that would only make him bold... and make him up the stakes next time. By defeating him here, you have proven to the world that he can be stopped," Maximilian said. "...But, at the cost of innocent lives, Maximilian." Shannon chimed in, rather bitterly and earned a look from the man. "...You would know." And that made both Shannon and Deborah freeze up for a second as they thought on their own sins. "...And, since I personally recruited Shizuka into RAVEN, I figure that it's best that I do this," Maximilian sighed. "Shizuka, please step forward." Shizuka got up from his seat and moved to Shannon's computer, while forcing down the urge to roll his eyes at how this was dragging on. He was surprised that Maximilian would take time away from his own work to show up for this stupid meeting (more like a hearing in Shizuka's case), but whatever the case he knew that Deborah was right - someone had to take the responsibility. Maximilian loudly cleared his throat. "On behalf of RAVEN, you are officially suspended. Place your badge, and weapon on the table... like right there." Maximilian pointed at the end of the table where Deborah and Shannon were standing. Shizuka shrugged and did as told without a second thought. "C'mon, this ain't fair," Cindy said. "We had as much to do with the plan as-" That's when Meifeng threw a coffee cup at Cindy that bounced off her head. "No point." Meifeng shrugged. Reed simply sat there and drummed his fingers. If Quentin were here, he'd have had a [i]few[/i] choice words to say about it, but there was no point. His brother was probably in surgery as they spoke; last he'd heard they were giving him an emergency blood transfusion. "But, sir, Shizuka... while a piece of work [i]sometimes[/i], is one of the most dedicated and hardworking agents out there, along with one of the most skilled. Do we want him off the field?" Cindy protested in vain. "It's what's necessary," Deborah sighed. "Then suspend me-" Before Cindy could continue, a small piece of ice hit her in the side of the head. She grabbed her head, and rubbed it a little. "Don't be stupid," Meifeng started off, "We need you more than anyone right now." Meifeng, for once, had a point. Cindy just sighed. It was only a month, yeah. It annoyed Meifeng too... because everything was out of his control, but there was honestly no real reason to lose her shit over it. Let Shizuka take his break. "Mei's right," Shizuka said as he glanced from Meifeng to Cindy. "We can't have the [i]commander[/i] to get suspended at this moment." He was pleasantly surprised at how Cindy had been trying her best to defend him, but they couldn't let their emotions get the better of them and forget about the bigger picture, the [i]real[/i] problem. "...Also, I'll leave all my paperwork for the hostage event to you lot to split among yourselves. Have fun!" he joked sarcastically before he left the room with a lazy wave - he no longer had business with this meeting. Well, because he had other matters - that were [i]more important[/i] - to deal with... Meifeng shrugged. Honestly, at this point, Meifeng couldn't care less about the paperwork. They [i]really[/i] have to take out the Hound and the Family before they ramp up the chaos and things get [i]really[/i] bad. However, they don't have any solid leads. "...Now that's been settled," Shannon trailed off with an apathetic look on her face. "We have one more thing to discuss. Are all of you aware of the rampage that took place in Courtbridge at the same time as the hostage situation?" "Yeah," Meifeng shrugged. "It's like, all over the news." "The bastard attacked one of my cases... he's definitely with the Founding Family." Cindy hissed. "Well, we managed to identify the man.... He is Ezekiel Anagnos, does that ring a bell?" Shannon asked. "Yeah..." Cindy trailed. "That guy who owns that biotech firm?" "Anagnos International, to be exact." Shannon said. "If we know he's with the Founding Family... this could be cause for investigation." "...The police has already raided his "home" in Pennsylvania," Deborah finally spoke up, but she finger quoted when she said "home." Which was cause for alarm. "But, Ezekiel was nowhere near there." "But, what about the compound that was found?" Cindy asked. "Well..." Deborah awkwardly said as she pressed one button on the remote... and the projection changed to a still image of the base that Wendy had raided in flames. Clearly the aftermath of a powerful explosion. "...The base was torched before we could even get to it. Firefighters are on it, but the damage is so extensive that there's no way we can recover anything from it." Cindy leaned back in her chair, and shook her head. "Grrrrrrrrrrreat..." Cindy sarcastically said in irritation. "Well, at least we have a lead," Meifeng said. "We just gotta find Anagnos and whoop his ass." "...If we can." Cindy said. "Either way, we have a lot of work cut out for us," Deborah said. "I'm going to be working on damage control... the rest of you are going to look into Ezekiel, and the Founding Family." Deborah nodded her head. "There's no point holding you all here, meeting adjourned."