[Color=bdbdbd][center]Collaboration with [color=ffffff]Exit[/color] [color=9966cc]ThirdHour[/color] and [color=c71585]MidnightRose [/color][/center]

We open as a team of some of the best RSF officers are in transit toward Yue Outpost. This team is lead by Cypher and Koeska and has brought along their newest recruit and top of her class Maya Koyanagi. The outpost looms into view ahead of them all and before they stop, Cypher stands to address the team. He stares at the group and takes note of the appearance of each of his men. The RSF (including Maya) are outfitted in clothing reflecting the importance of protection against the harsher environment of the wilds. Underneath this layer of protection is the standard RSF garb. At first glance, they look like simple bounty hunters and can easily blend into the populace of the outpost.

They are currently traveling in a large armored vehicle or mobile HQ not unlike that of a trailer. Not far behind them is a large specially outfitted prisoner transport bus made to temporarily incarcerate men and women of the bending type.

[Color=ffffff]“I can’t stress to you enough the importance of low key.”[/color] Cypher began, his right hand held up to his chest in a slow descent to give his words physical representation. [Color=ffffff]“We don’t want to scare the people going into the city. We don’t want to scare the people of this outpost. We just want to apprehend the benders and get them back home. This mission is about safety. Safety for the people. Safety for this team.”[/color] He glanced over at Maya. The RSF’s pride and joy on a trial run before she was moved to bigger things. It was just as important for him to get her back home as it would be for the girl herself.

[Color=ffffff]“We will identify our targets, engage peacefully and only use force should they try to escape or resist. And try not to over do it and cause a panic. We already did that at the City and we don’t need to clean up another one.”[/color] He paused, slamming a fist into the roof of the vehicle to drop a monitor. He tapped on the screen and an image flickered into view.

[Color=ffffff]“This man is our main target. Known to have been a bender before the incident and is thought to be one of a few in charge of these terrorist attacks. One Lee Shen. We apprehend him with whatever means necessary.”[/color] He paused again as he looked from one team member to the next, searching their eyes for the understanding he knew was there. [Color=ffffff]“Any questions?”[/color] 

Koeska watched Cypher as he explained the details of their mission. Occasionally she would glance at Maya. Koeska was skeptical of any new recruit joining their endeavors, especially one so young and fresh out of training. As Cypher continued talking she decided to clean her pistol, taking it apart to clean each piece. 

When Cypher showed Lee Shen’s picture she grinned mischievously, [color=c71585]“He’s kinda cute. It's a shame I'll probably have to break his nose,”[/color] she said before she began reassembling her weapon. When Cypher asked for questions she looked to Maya, [color=c71585]“You ready for this kid? Training doesn’t come close to what we're about to do.”[/color] She loaded a clip into her pistol with a snap, keeping eye contact with Maya. 

Maya glanced around at all the RSF officers around her, trying to ignore how uncomfortable the metal seat under her was. She shifted, and continued paying attention to Cypher’s address. At this point, she was used to the looks she got. One particular man seemed to find interest in watching her for an extended period of time. It took everything within her to restrain from asking if the man had a problem or something. 

Maya smiled lightly at Koeska’s remark on Lee, and watched her rebuild her gun until she asked her a question. Was she ready for this? Tough question, honestly. Physically? Yes, without a doubt. She was in peak condition and definitely youthful, she had advanced training and was quite confident in her abilities. Mentally though? Who knew? You never know what you’re made of until you’re put in the situation. Sure, Maya’s gone through various simulations and tests, but according to Koeska, what was about to happen was nothing like that. 

Were things really that bad outside of the Republic? Actually, this was the first time she’d ever been out of the walls of the city. She’d had no need to come out there and from what she’d seen through the windows of the vehicle it wasn’t anything too special. She’d seen pictures in school and of course knew the history of how it got to be that way, but in person it was so much more real. 

Getting out of her head finally, Maya turned to Koeska and smiled confidently, fake it ‘til you make it. [Color=9966cc]“Ready? I always am.”[/color] With that, she too checked the pistol she was given and made sure she had extra magazines on her person. 

Koeska smiled apparently pleased by Maya’s response. [Color=c71585]“Good answer.”[/color] Then without changing expression or looking away from Maya she aimed her pistol at the team member who couldn't seem to keep his eyes off Maya. 

[Color=c71585]“and shithead,”[/color] Koeska began glancing at the man as she cocked the gun, [color=c71585]“save your sick fantasies for your bunk. We've got work to do.”[/color] She said all this with a cheerful smile but the gun in his face made the gentleman think twice about replying. 

The man shrunk into the wall and flinched away from the gun. “S-sorry Sir-err Ma’am!” He stammered helplessly. The other men stifled their laughter and tried in vain to keep the corners of their mouths from turning. The officer on the man’s left didn’t even fight it. He turned to Maya with a wide grin, though his eyes were sincerely apologetic.

“Apologies Koyanagi. Ken means well, he’s just never put his dick in anything but the…” He choked on a piece of laughter that threatened to come out. “...the hole in his pillow.”

“Fuck you.”

“In all seriousness. We have your back. The names Bo.” He held out his hand. 

Maya smiled awkwardly, men were weird, weird creatures. [Color=9966cc]“I’m Maya,”[/color] she introduced herself, grasping the offered hand. She made sure her grip was firm, she didn’t want to seem like a pushover, first impressions were always important. She could almost hear her father’s voice giving her advice. Cut off before she could initiate some small talk, Maya looked over to her boss.

[Color=ffffff]“Yes... “[/color] Cypher began, arms crossed and eyes deadpan as he watched men of the RSF try their luck with the only two women on board. [Color=ffffff]“...Let’s introduce ourselves.”[/color] The delivery was deliberately montone. Now was not the time for fraternization and he was beginning to second guess his request for backup.

The bus pulls to a stop a few hundred yards outside the outpost. It’s still quite early in the day so the town is sparsely populated. Buildings cast long shadows. Wind is kicking up clouds of dust that hang around the ankles. The air through the window is cool yet heating quickly. 

Koeska gently holstered her gun, satisfied with the man's response to her threat. She glanced to Maya before smirking at Cypher’s monotone comment. She knew he hated any time wasting when they were on a job. He was a hard working, dedicated leader to say the least. 

When the bus pulled to a stop Koeska stood up, [color=c71585]“All right, princesses. Time to get to work. Remember the objective is capture. Try not to fuck anything up and don't screw with civilians.”[/color] She yelled loudly as the team embarked from the bus. Koeska followed Cypher off the bus, putting on a pair of sunglasses to combat the glaring desert sun. She then popped a piece of gum into her mouth as she looked around scanning the area. [Color=c71585]“I hate sand. It makes everything blurry,”[/color] she grumbled to Cypher before blowing a bubble with her gum. Cypher smiled.

Wind whipped at Maya’s face, carrying stinging sand, so she lifted her bandana over her nose and lowered the dust goggles that were sitting atop her head over her eyes. The young trainee made sure she stayed close to Cypher and Koeska, mostly ‘cause she trusted their skills the most. 

Her first mission, just the thought sent adrenaline pumping, sweat glistened on her forehead. Every nerve in her body was ready to fire, every sense was on high alert. With this success you’ll be promoted in no time! She told herself, hoping it would motivate herself further. Maya took in her surroundings, the Yue Outpost. It seemed like a relatively quiet place, not many people, obviously. She wondered how they even ended up here, the Republic was a place of opportunity, why not try their luck there? Maybe she was just being naive, after all, this was her first time out of the High-Middle class society she was raised in. 

Maya once more checked her gun, an anxious tic, as well as the boot knife she had sheathed by her ankle. Everything was in order, she waited for Cypher’s commands, kicking dust up with her boot absentmindedly. 


Cypher moved ahead of the group. [Color=ffffff]“Spread out. Keep on comms.”[/color] He turned to look at Maya and Koeka, walking backwards now toward the outpost. [Color=ffffff]“Maya and Bo with me. K…”[/color] He lifted a finger toward the sky. [Color=ffffff]“Stay off the sand. You’re no use to me blind.”[/color] He smiled. It was his attempt at a jab. He wasn’t particularly good at being humorous yet but that’s why he had her. [Color=ffffff]“See what you can see from up top. Everybody else...”[/color] He put on his own pair of aviators, his a few shades lighter than Koeska’s.

[Color=ffffff]“... Well let’s go.”[/color]

[Color=c71585]“Let me just grow a pair of wings real quick,”[/color] Koeska countered sarcastically with a smile as she followed after Cypher. [Color=c71585]“Oy shithead!”[/color] she hollered over her shoulder, referring to the gentleman she had threatened earlier, [color=c71585]“Get me a sniper rifle.”[/color] If she was going to be their eyes in the sky she was going to need the right weapon. In less than a minute a sniper rifle was placed in her outstretched hand. [Color=c71585]“What do you know, you're not totally useless!”[/color] Koeska said cheerfully admiring the weapon. She snapped her gum before looking to Cypher. [Color=c71585]“I've got your back,”[/color] she assured him with a bright smile. She then broke from the group to get to the nearest rooftop she could reach. 

Maya clicked on her comm and filed in next to Cypher and Bo. She wondered what kind of intel Cypher gathered to get the general location of the wanted benders. Their scanners should be able to weed them out. They’d have to move fast and make sure none slipped through. This was time for her training to kick in, there was no time for daydreaming… 

The new recruit thought about brandishing her own scanning device but thought better of it, she didn't want people to recognize the device and become suspicious. [/color]