[center][color=D87093]"Great,"[/color] Maya mumbled, shouldering through the gathered S.C.A.R.E, [color=D87093]"what the ever loving [i]fuck[/i] happened here?!"[/color] The Right Hand simply sat there, inside the housing assigned to it. Holes had been punched all throughout, rough edges splayed outward. She wasn't going to look hard for the culprit. Her question had already been answered. Maya did, however, keep her distance; though she and Luca stood a bit before the others. She lowered her weapon, but decided to keep her helmet locked in place. A small sign set the other S.C.A.R.E searching about the room, checking vents and corners for any sign of what Maya wanted.

It was much as it had been through Mataraci's feed. [color=D87093][i]Blood splattered at uneven intervals, probably a direct result of the hand's sudden mutation.[/i][/color] Crimson slicked against sterility, and licked at the base of machines she didn't fully know how to operate. The lights were in good condition, despite the pattern of holes that would suggest them being in the path of at least one extended tendril. At least, that's what she assumed had been used. Grotesque tendrils were a favored among the afflicted. Half of a body lay across the room, a trail of blood and a trio of puncture marks on the wall above it. 

 Several of her soldiers reported that the scene was clear. Maya remained on edge, eyes sweeping the room. [color=D87093]"I want to know who was in here,"[/color] Her voice possessed an edge honed beyond the usual intensity, [color=D87093]"and where they are, right now. Mataraci, Waldvogel; I want anyone who was working with them, earlier today, brought here."[/color] The two ran without urging. Luca gave her a slight frown, from behind the remaining S.C.A.R.E. She turned her faceplate to him. [color=D87093]"Any idea what happened here?"[/color]

 [color=87CEFA]"[i]Well[/i],"[/color] he began, placing a hand on Paul's shoulder to slide around the larger man; his tone already insufferable, and his smile outright obscene in the scenario, [color=87CEFA]"it seems to me that this hand was seeking something. Something poor Havelka couldn't provide,"[/color] he motioned lazily to the half-body at his back, [color=87CEFA]"shame for her, to be sure."[/color] His words gained momentum, his pitch climbing with an excitement Maya found to be unnervingly child-like. Again, the 'scientist' lowered himself into a crouch; staring hard at the blood surrounding his feet. [color=87CEFA]"Other than [i]that[/i] conjecture, I can only assume that this is a standard, albeit rapidized mutation,"[/color] Maya took half a step forward before Luca had a hand raised, [color=87CEFA]"That's what I would be saying if such were the case. However, as you can tell, the hand has reverted to its inert state."[/color]

 [color=D87093]"Yeah, I'm pretty sure everyone can fucking tell we're looking at a hand, Mister Beake. Get on with it,"[/color] Maya finished that half step and looked down on her charge. [color=D87093]"We don't have time to be fascinated, if that [i]fucking thing[/i] let off a bud or managed to infect one of the people who were supposed to be here; I don't think I need to tell [i]you[/i] how much of a problem that would be."[/color]

 He brought himself up, meeting her eyes. Even through the helmet, Luca seemed to know exactly where to look. [color=87CEFA]"If that's your concern, send out the word for a quarantine of New Steel City. I know you've not slept in some time, Miss Wyrick, so I won't be [i]rude[/i], as you've kindly said before,"[/color] Luca folded his arms and lifted a finger, pointing at nothing in particular, [color=87CEFA]"but I will, instead, inform you that there is a distinct possibility that [i]this[/i],"[/color] a motion to the seemingly inert appendage, [color=87CEFA]"is only a fraction of our problem. The creature, Codename Smile, if I recall, is probably still quite busy."[/color]

 [color=D87093][i]Smug son of a bitch.[/i][/color]

 [color=D87093]"I already know that, damnit. You think I've been sitting with my thumb up my ass for the last thirty six hours? S.C.A.R.E have been mobilized throughout the city. I haven't gotten any reports of activity, yet. Not about Smile, or any low-grade Infected. New Steel City is [i]clean[/i]."[/color] Maya had her fill, already, she looked to Lane and Paul, [color=D87093]"Stick with Luca, make sure nothing else goes wrong down here."[/color] The idea of an immediate threat had abated, but that didn't mean anything. It rarely did. [color=D87093]"I'm heading back up. Call in quarantine and have this area sealed off,"[/color] she heard the first syllable of protest from Luca and talked over it, [color=D87093]"let him have his examination, but I don't want anyone who isn't authorized anywhere [i]near[/i] this fucking catastrophe. Get word through to me if anything goes wrong."[/color]

 Working her way back to the elevator was quick enough, though the ride up was excruciatingly slow. The trek to her office was tinged with dread. She had calls to make. A lot of them. The door hissed open, then clicked shut; clockwork, all the way through. Maya didn't remove her helmet, or her armor. She would be leaving the Evadne Complex, soon, to handle another matter; one that left a bad taste in her mouth. Having to report to her superiors about the constant slip-ups and bizarre invasion had been bad enough, but this would be an entirely different monster.

[color=D87093]"Call 'The Boss',"[/color] came the whisper. She took a seat on the edge of her desk, leaning forward, elbows on her knees and her helmet resting against armored hands. The codephrase was a stupid one, but something she had come to accept. A square lit up on her desk, casting azure through the otherwise umbral room. The usual surveillance equipment went down in an instant, a falsified image of her removing her S.C.A.R.E gear displayed on whatever monitors usually paid her any mind. A noise followed, not quite a ring; something more akin to a long chime.

 [color=FFFF00]"Minerva,"[/color] came the modulated voice of The Boss, deep and rich; but tinged with a metallic edge, [color=FFFF00]"I assume this is of dire importance. It has been some time since you have made a proper call. This can only lead me to conclude that you are seeking aid. Speak true, and the door will open."[/color]

 [color=D87093]"The grave is dug,"[/color] Maya hated the endless cryptic statements she had to engage in, but sometimes such things were necessary. [color=D87093]"I seek to escape the casket."[/color] Blackthorne Medical and Munitions did, after all, have an uncanny way of forgetting those who did its dirtiest work. 

 Silence, for a long moment.

[color=FFFF00]"You have been heard. Take up your spear. Leave the rest in my hands. We will speak again, soon."[/color]

 Silence, again, but a different one. The pale light faded, darkness swarming over to take its place once again. The quarantine of New Steel City was already happening, in its quiet way. Soon, the city would be isolated. [color=D87093][i]The order was sent about six hours ago. In three we'll be stuck here. They'll be stuck here.[/i][/color] She turned, swinging her legs to the front of her desk and slid off with as much quiet as she could muster. [color=D87093][i]Fucking Smile. You had to get involved, didn't you?[/i][/color]

Maya Wyrick, Minerva, shook her head. Some things in life were unavoidable, and she had a good sense for when ugly moments were about to bite her in the ass.[/center]