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[b]The first day-Evening time
Houston, Texas-Paradox H.Q
[/b]

	Shou was tired that evening, leaning against the metal interior of the shaky elevator, his arms crossed and his eyes closed for the duration of the ride. He had not gotten a lick of sleep, in fact, it was only about 2 hours before he had decided to finally clock out of H.Q for a well-deserved sleep. His uniform jacket, which was usually nicely put together was clearly disheveled and still covered in the debris from an earlier mission he had that day. He hadn’t even had time to wash the jacket, or the undershirt for his uniform before getting another ping from his badge calling him back here to H.Q. 

The doors opened, and standing there in the hall to Leila’s office was his partner, Connor Ashlen. That signature, lazy smirk of his was tuned on his face as he walked with Shou to the office, his hands stuffed into his pockets. Connor was lanky, and tall with chestnut brown hair that seemingly cut horribly, though Shou would never tell him that. He had lightly tanned skin, with brown eyes, a very average yet handsome looking man. He was taller than Shou by a foot, yet his slight slouch made it seem like they were more or less the same height. “Crazy day, huh? Can’t believe a loan shark gave us that much trouble.” Connor spoke. “Everyone’s buzzing around H.Q like the pope’s coming, or somethin’. Kind of makes me nervous, you know?” 

Shou was quiet for a moment before he reached the doors. Connor wasn’t usually this apprehensive about being pinged for a mission, yet Shou had learned to always take into account his partner’s odd “hunches” from time to time. Gut instinct had saved both of their lives more than once, thanks to Connor.[color=0072bc]“It’ll be fine. It’s just another mission.”[/color] He said to Connor in his low tone, before pushing the doors open gently. [color=0072bc]“Good evening, Miss Motle-”[/color] Shou was interrupted by the shock and disarray of the office. 

It was a large space, much larger than one would think an office for a business person should be, with an oval and oak wood desk in the far back of the room. The floor was carpeted with a dark green felt, and there were usually many tables and chairs for other Agents to come and sit at, in order to commune and work together with one another. Leila’s office was usually a place of respite and like a common room more than private space. Tonight, however, it was a mess, more than usual, with papers and pens and spilled hastily brewed coffee all over the place. 

Agents of all ranks ran this way and that, busily talking with one another in harried loud voices. Computers and laptops had been set up in multiple places, what they were trying to get a hold of though, Shou couldn’t tell. “What the hell’s going on in here?” Connor asked, looking around at the mess with a more telling reaction than Shou’s calm demeanor. Connor wanted to stop one of the Agents, anyone really to ask for context to the busy mess in the office, and what had everyone in here in a tizzy, though nobody paid him any attention. 

“There you two are, Agent’s 4 and 5, I’m glad you’ve made it back quickly.” Leila came up to them both, a grim look on her very young-looking face. She was a short woman with black hair that was styled short and boyishly cut, in a nicely tailored cardigan and dark dress pants She wore the same, simple uniform the other Agent's wore, even sporting the signature pin on her breast pocket. Her usually vibrant green eyes were tired and held heavy bags under them, two large dark circles tinting the skin. 

“Mind telling us what the hell everyone’s so worked up about, boss?” Connor asked her. 

Leila let out a tired sigh and nodded. “I have terrible news, we’ve lost some of our smaller bases in the U.S just now.” She explained. “The most important being the one in San Francisco. Though we didn’t lose it through normal means, the best I can describe it is...the entirety of the city of San Francisco has been destroyed.”

Connor choked on his own words, not knowing what to say to that, or how to even begin. Shou was also shaken, so much so that he was the one to actually speak first. 

[color=0072bc][i]“What?”[/i][/color] He asked, in disbelief. [color=0072bc]“Was it the work of some Super, or-”
[/color]
“We don’t know what exactly destroyed San Francisco, just that the city is currently in shambles.” She said bowing her head. “We lost contact with them about 30 minutes ago, and we haven’t been able to get into contact with them since then.” 

[color=0072bc]“Then how…do you know the city is destroyed?”[/color] 

Leila sighed heavily again, closing her eyes and opening them to reveal two green, glowing orbs had taken their place. “Because I can see it right now, Agent 4. The city is gone, nothing is there when I try to reach out to view it with my power.” She blinked and the glow was gone, her eyes back to normal. “I want to tell you all that maybe...maybe my power is just on the fritz. But my eyes have never deceived me.” 

“So...so what do you need us to do?” Connor asked her, finally finding his voice. “Find the person who did this? Make ‘em pay?” 

“I need you to go to San Francisco and help the people there. I’ve already sent out multiple groups already, and I’ve told them to hell with secrecy. If anyone is still in the city...in the shape I saw it in, they will need our help.” She explained. 

[color=0072bc]“And if we don’t find anyone there?”[/color] Shou said. 

“Then find out what caused this. Find any evidence you can, investigate the city, and anyone who tries to stop you from finding out the truth shall be treated as an enemy.” 

The two of them nodded solemnly, turning around to head out of the office. They both were silent as they made their way to the elevator, though Shou could hear Connor’s mind whirring a mile a minute. When they made it back to the elevator, Connor’s hands were shoved into his pockets, his left foot tapping nervously on the metal floor. “A whole fuckin’ city, Shou...Who could even do something like that, huh?” His partner said anxiously. Shou shook his head, not answering. He didn’t know what he could say to calm his nerves, so he pressed the button going to the first floor, and leaned back against the door. 

[color=0072bc]“Just finish the mission.”[/color] Shou told him, as the doors closed.