[hr][h1][i][color=Lawngreen]Sonya Mayfield[/color], [color=Gray]Quentin Taylor[/color], [color=MediumAquamarine]Jan Sawyer[/color], & Task Force RAVEN.[/i][/h1][sub][i]Written in collaboration with [b][@Zombiedude101][/b], & [b][@BantlingBee][/b][/i][/sub][hr]


Thank God that the RAVENs got back to headquarters in one piece. It was a blood bath, but they are among the best NEST has to offer.

This was the challenge that would test that claim.

The RAVENS were gathered in the meeting room. Right in the center of the table, there was a holographic projection of a map of Verthaven. Maximilian was leaning up against the table, rapping his fingertips against the wooden table. Staring into the projection of Verthaven.

"Max," Dana said as she rolled up, looking up at Maximilian. "It's a city-wide crisis. It might go against the purpose of our sect, but we... We can't just stand by as people are getting killed."

"Wasn't planning on it." Maximilian said. "We need all hands on deck if we're going to protect the citizens of Verthaven."

"Well, Maxi," Sonya said, tilting her head and giving him an unsure look. "We might be dealing with a Level X threat here...." She said. Level X was the class assigned to the most dangerous Metahumans around. The ones that can end the world. Hypothetically. There hasn't been a single Level X threat... until now. "We're gonna need backup."

"Or a nuke." Helena noted. "With a Metahuman [i]that[/i] powerful running around, can we even save Verthaven?"

"Sure, I guess we might as well cut our losses here, right? Fuck everyone else still alive in this city." The level of sarcasm in Quentin's tone quickly indicated he was against that plan. "What the fuck kind of plan is that?" Were it not for the fact they were on the same side he'd have probably snapped and pointed out what he thought was a fucking idiotic plan - one that would've put plenty of people, Cass and Reed included, at risk.

Helena narrowed her eyes at Quentin. About to say something, before Maximilian spoke up.

"It shouldn't have to come to that, Taylor." Maximilian said. "Our first object is going to be evacuating the citizens of Verthaven, [i]then[/i] we decide what we'll do about the Devil. Clear?"

"Crystal," he affirmed his answer with a nod. Glancing back over to Sonya, he arched an eyebrow, "Mayfield, you say we'd need backup - what kind are we talking about? And I don't mean the nuclear option-" he shot a look at Helena on that last note, "I remember hearing someone saying she wasn't actually there - working by a proxy, right? That's why she just created another body when you pulled another one of your deadeye shots on her dome."

"As for back up...well, there's a lot of NEST branches - like one for every major city!" Sonya said, enthusiatically. "Usually, when these giant Metahuman threats appear, we get some help from the other branches. Like, they send some guys, and once everything blows over, they go right back." Sonya explained.

"Wait, 'Usually'? I thought you said this hasn't happened before." Quentin interdicted.

"Well, allow me to rephrase it a little." Sonya said. "[i]Usually,[/i] when we go up against some superpowerful Metahuman that goes on a rampage, they aren't capable of ending the world." Sonya shrugged. 

"Oh, right. Guess district-wide destruction just doesn't make the cut for external support these days, huh. Budget cuts and all." Quentin let off an amused snort at that remark, cracking a thin smile at Sonya. Nothing like a bit of respite in sarcasm.

"Hey... We can handle district-wide destruction just fine!" Sonya said, her tongue flopping out of her mouth onto the table for a moment. Getting a disgusted look from Helena.

Leon raised a finger. "...Only problem with that is Vert probably has the most Agents on the West Coast. We probably don't have a whole lot in our pool of reinforcements." Leon scratched the back of his head. 

"Seattle has a few though," Jan pipped up. She blushed a little bit before continuing lamely, "I know they aren't much, but it's a start."

The frog woman sucked her tongue up into her mouth, and shouted. "Definitely!" Sonya loudly said. "Worse comes to worse, we'll have to get some from the [i]East[/i] coast." Sonya said, shrugging. "But I'm certain that NEST can handle this with a [i]little[/i] help." Sonya put her fingers together very closely. "We [i]are[/i] NEST's finest, after all!?" She asked, rhetorically.

"And that brings me to the next subject," Leon said, putting his hand on the table. He had a few things to say about the Devil of Verthaven during their little encounter with her not that long ago. Some theories. "So, obviously, the tentacle-bitch has some ability that allows her to project herself into her little demon things." Leon said. "So, I have two theories, and I doubt none of them are good."

"Go ahead, Vahan." Maximilian said. 

"First theory," Leon said, raising his finger up into the air. "She's either somewhere else, controlling a body. Which means that we'll have to find 'ere, and take out her [i]actual[/i] body."

"...Which is easier said than done." Helena said, pointing at the large map of Verthaven.

Leon rolled his eyes up into his head. "Second theory, and this is the one I'm hoping isn't true, because, if so, we're pretty boned," He started off. "That she's a hive mind or some shit. You know, that whole "we are one" nonsense. Which means we'll have to find where she's making them, or kill all of them."

"[i]Ugh,[/i]" Maximilian grunted. "We have so little information, and time, and a [i]lot[/i] of enemies." He said. "This might be a tough one." 

"Um, Max, may I chime in for a moment?" Dana said, raising her finger.

"Go ahead."

Dana nodded her head before she began, "Metahumans have been found all over the city with their hearts torn out." 

"Yeah... like what happened to Cora." Sonya said, thinking about it for a moment. 

Quentin quickly recalled when Cass had mentioned it. "That case you worked with my Uncle?"

"Yeah, yeah, the first time NEST ran into...." At the end of her sentence, it hit Sonya.

"I&I believes that there might be a correlation." Dana said. "She might be gathering hearts for whatever reason. We're still gathering [i]why[/i]."

"It's a start." Maximilian said. "But, before we start hatching up plots, we need to focus on the priority here."

"The citizens of Verthaven." Dana said. 

"I haven't contacted High Command yet and discussed this with them, but our only choice is to establish a safe zone around Headquarters, then work out some evacuation routes." Maximilian said, he got in an upright position, looking up at the holographic projection of Verthaven. "We're going to need all hands on deck - RAVEN, I&I, KINGFISHER, and rank-and-file Agents - we'll need everything if we'll quell the anarchy in this city."

"'Course!" Sonya said. "Think I'll be best suited for covering other Agents."

Maximilian said, standing straight up. "Because we are dealing with one of the worst Metahuman related disasters of all time. I know we were formed to deal with the Hands of Science." He trailed off for a moment, letting the words hang. "But priorities change. Our war with the Hands and their Changelings will have to wait. Now, our mission is to keep the citizens of Verthaven safe from what they cannot reasonably handle on their own. It will be a challenge - and I'm not sure that everyone will make it out of this one in one piece - but if we all pull together, we can make it through this."

Sonya started laughing. "Yeah!" She raised her fist up into the air.

Maximilian continued, "This might be a dark time, where people don't trust NEST - and, honestly, I can't blame them. As much as I'd like to say that it was all Miranda's fault, that would just be dodging blame. It's all of NEST's responsibility - our responsibility to show the public that we are here to help them. Not exploit, or hurt them! And that we aren't helping them [i]to[/i] repair our reputation. It's because it's what's right! So, who are we?!" He valiantly raised his fist up into the air.

"Task Force RAVEN!" Sonya, and a few other RAVENs shouted, raising their fists up into the air. With other RAVENS moving in.

"Alright..." Maximilian said. "... Gear up RAVENS. This will be the greatest challenge anyone has faced thus far."