[hr][i][h1][color=dodgerblue]Lihua Vuhong[/color], & Maximilian Cornell.[/h1][/i][hr]


There was a literal [i]mountain[/i] of paperwork to get through. Maximilian, thankfully, had a private tent.

Dana was the one going out and running errands for him. He was sitting in here on his ass. It was a shame. Everything that happened here in Verthaven sent out [i]echoes[/i] that rocked the world. It's more than likely that NEST would be disbanded, and replaced with a substitute.

To that Maximilian said good riddance.

Any organization that lets thousands of people die on a whim deserved to be taken apart. If it was up to Maximilian, he'd have the grand council hanged. Though, dark things were boding up in their future, and he was wondering if they could handle it. Maximilian sighed. He wished that he had his office, but this would have to do.

Someone opened up the tent entrance, and Maximilian raised his head. It was Agent Vuhong, holding a stack of papers underneath her shoulder.

"Lihua, it's great to see you." Maximilian said as he casually leaned back on his chair. "I'm just here... getting all this paperwork done... you can't believe what the government is asking."

"Hello Maximilian," Lihua answered as she walked over to the table (that was a makeshift desk). She placed the stack of papers down, and next to it, she placed her badge, and her gun.

"What's this?" Maximilian asked, pointing his pen at it.

"My resignation." Lihua said, followed by a sigh. "It was great working with NEST, but I've decided to change careers." She said. 

"I..." Maximilian said. "Am sorry to see you go."

"I'm sorry as well," Lihua somberly replied. "But there is no future for NEST - not anything I can be apart of. Instead of waiting for the reshuffling of the organization, I decided to go ahead and leave now."

She nodded her head.

"I need to reassess my life as well." Lihua added.

"Very well, Agent Vuhong, it was a pleasure working with you." Maximilian stood up and shook Lihua's hand.

"Maybe some day, our paths will cross again..." Lihua said as she stepped out of the room, and went on to go find Meifeng.


[hr][h1][i]The Hands of Science.[/i][/h1][hr]


"Okay, we've gathered the sample." Dr. Cross said, as she held the canister containing The Devil's arm in both hands.

Behind her was the Devil of Verthaven... a mass murdering monster... strapped to a table with a power suppressant collar wrapped around her neck. A mighty demon, reduced to nothing but a sedated mess. She was at the mercy of Dr. Cross.

Ignatius stood at her side. "Maybe we should take another sample just in case." He said with a grin. "I feel like we hould do so, just in case."

"You just want to cut another arm off." Dr. Cross said, rolling her eyes up into her head. 

"Naturally," Ignatius said. "She [i]is[/i] just another monster."

Nathaniel stepped into the room with Suan-Ni and Eliza at his side.

"I can't put into words how thankful I am, Dr. Cross." Eliza said as she walked in. "Revenant saved my ass from that wacko building."

"You're welcome." Dr. Cross answered. "I'm not one to leave another behind."

"But it was your wacko plan that got me into the situation in the first place," Eliza whined as she narrowed her eyes.

"But, it was [i]my[/i] "wacko plan" that got NEST to work with us so I can get the sample." Dr. Cross pointed at the unconscious Devil.

"Good, you got what you need?" Nathaniel asked. "Kill her and dump her on NEST's doorstep before they catch their bearings." He said. "They're going to coming after us at full force - No, it's not even going to be NEST. It's going to be the [i]world.[/i]"

Dr. Cross put her hand up to gesture for Nathaniel to calm down.

"Don't worry... I'm waiting for my contact to call me."

"Why the hell should we be bending forward for this "founding family" anyhow?" Eliza asked, skeptical. "They haven't done [i]shit[/i] for us-"

"On the contrary..." A monitor suddenly activated, and revealed a shadowy figure being broadcasted from a distant location. Her body shape and voice gave away that she was undeniably female, wearing what had to be a suit. However, she looked like a shadow in the screen. She leaned back in her chair, and put her fingertips together. "... The founding family has done [i]plenty[/i] for you."

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. "And just who are you?"

"Your employer... And I'm about to change the terms of your... Contract, shall we say." The mysterious woman said cooly. "But, I have to congratulate Cross for getting the sample for me."

"Great, just [i]another[/i] wacko." Eliza said to herself as she rolled her eyes.

The mysterious woman made Dr. Cross nod her head. "Glad I could be of assistance."

"... You have a bright future in the founding family." The woman said with a smile. "Now, I'm giving you the location of the pick up.... But from here on in, you'll have to follow my instructions exactly."

Everyone listened.

"First, send your most useless courier to deliver the sample. Then kill the Devil and leave her body for NEST to find."

"... If I may do the honors." Ignatius immediately said, he created a large energy blade, and swung it towards the Devil's head. The blade faded as the top half of the Devil's head slid off. Ignatius laughed.

"Good." The woman said. "Now, this come off as presumptuous, but times are changing.... And once they realize that you had a hand in the creation of the Devil, they'll no longer tolerate this mad scientist game you've been playing." 

She leaned back in her chair.

"Which is why I'm suggesting that you take everything of value out of the Hands, and [i]torch[/i] the rest." The Founding woman said. 

"Are you mad?" Nathaniel said. "Years... years of hard work building the Hands up will be gone! And you think we'll willingly abandon such a resource?"

"Would you rather that resource gets [i]destroyed?[/i] Lost [i]forever?[/i]" The woman asked, skeptically prodding into Nathaniel's foolishness, shrugging. "Because that's what's going to happen. Wouldn't you rather put those [i]resources[/i] into an organization greater than the Hands? An organization that managed to maintain the anonymity that the Hands couldn't hold?"

Nathaniel clenched his fists as he came up with a response.

"What are you going to say? Your security force can defend your assets? Well, NEST has already proven that they can trump them with a little clever thought." The Woman playfully said to Nathaniel like an insect. "Think of this as... a culling. Removing the useless college age mad scientists with their useless research that served only to hold the Hands down."

"To be frank, I think it's time that we just jump ship." Eliza said. 

"The Hands were simply a test and it had positive results. There were just a few... kinks. Kinks that almost ruined the organization." The Woman continued. "Each and every person here is a brilliant mind, that has much to contribute, so let me cut you a deal..."

She leaned in closer to the screen with a lustful smile on her face.

"... Come over to the [i]Founding Family[/i] with your finest, and we can make [i]great[/i] things happen."

Each major member of the Hands stared up at her in awe.

"... You have my full support." Dr. Cross was the first to say as she stepped forward.

"... I will give you my finest." Nathaniel said.

"... There ain't no future in the Hands, so might as well." Eliza said.

"Where ever Dr. Cross goes, I follow." Ignatius added, he threw a thumb over his shoulder at Snowblind and Revenant. "And my REAPERs will be glad to join you."

"I'm Dr. Cross' assistant." Stephanie said. "That won't change any time soon."

"I refuse." Suan-Ni said. "I'm done with the Hands of Science... and whoever found them." He spat out the words.

"Very well." The Woman said. "You're free to go... you don't know enough to truly bother us, so I suggest you go off the radar."

"... Sorry Ignatius," Revenant said. "But I'm joining Suan-Ni...." She said as she walked out, following Suan-Ni.

"Anyone else?" The Woman asked, shrugging and putting her hands out.

Everyone shook her head

"Good..." The woman started laughing. "... Go along now, get moving people! Gather all your good research, staff, and soldiers!" She loudly said.

"... Because we're going to make [i]magic[/i] happen." 


[hr][i][h1][color=dodgerblue]Lihua Vuhong[/color], [color=red]Meifeng Vuhong[/color], [color=springgreen]Cindy Keagan[/color], [color=cornflowerblue]Shizuka Takashiro[/color], Akemi Shinoda, [color=Gray]Quentin Taylor[/color], & Task Force RAVEN.[/h1][/i][hr]


With Cindy planting her behind down on the chair, Maximilian had everyone he needed.

"Good, you're here." Maximilian said, as he folded his hands on the table. "We have much to discuss."

Meifeng raised an eyebrow as she looked at Maximilian.

Lihua merely stood by the door with her arms crossed behind. Maximilian hadn't put her official resignation in the systems yet, so she's still with NEST. She wanted to be here to watch this.

"Are you aware of the current state of affairs with NEST?" Maximilian asked them all.

"Nope." Cindy said.

"... Somewhat." Meifeng answered.

Shizuka gave the two girls a look, pausing longer at Meifeng. Then he nodded his head and then shrugged.

"I've received word that NEST is..." He sighed as he hung his head, sinking his face into his hands. "...Unfortunately being disbanded."

"Oh, really?" Meifeng said, she sounded surprised up until she remembered Washe's words. "...Can't say I'm surprised to be honest." Meifeng answered.

"But, this isn't the end," Maximilian said. "A new organization is going to replace NEST... in fact, two organizations. Think of it as a rebranding, a new organization to succeed where NEST failed."

"Huh?" Cindy asked.

Raising one finger, "[i]DOVE;[/i] a new branch of the government that focuses on the social side of Metahumans. Relations, psychology, and making sure that an organization like the Changeling Unit never rises again. They're going to focus on the social services side."

"So, will there still be those stupid ass checkups?" Cindy asked.

Maximilian shrugged, "I cannot confirm or deny that."

"...[i]Damn it.[/i]" Cindy said under her breath.

"The [i]other[/i] organization is [i]RAVEN[/i]... you all are familiar with the name. RAVEN will be like NEST was, an emergency Metahuman response team that will respond to threats and eliminate them."

He raised a finger up into the air.

"...Only difference is that the idea of a grand council and high command is being scrapped in favor of a sole person leading both organizations." Maximilian started. "...And I have been voted to be the Chairman of the newly formed RAVEN."

"Ooooooooh." Meifeng said. "Nice job."

"But, that isn't what I wanted to talk to you three about." Maximilian said. "This new RAVEN is going to need a fresh line of recruits... and while NEST assets are being funneled into both organizations."

"What I'm saying is that I'd like to recruit each of you into RAVEN." Maximilian just addressed the elephant in the room. "I know many of you have lost your homes in the condemnation of Verthaven... if you join RAVEN, you'll gain a solid job that'll allow each of you to start well off."

"I..." Cindy thought about it. She used to hate NEST, but ever since she fought alongside them, she changed that sentiment. She couldn't muster the energy to hate NEST anymore, not with Jackson dead. "...Could I become a pilot? Like pilot training?"

"Hm, there's plenty of helicopters." Maximilian said. "You can become a helicopter pilot."

Surviving this disaster will allow Cindy to reach her dreams. She smiled like she was a child again. "I'm in." Cindy said.

"...I said I'd join whatever group pops up." Meifeng said, nodding her head. "So, here I am."

"That's good... because your mother spoke very kindly of you when she made a recommendation." Maximilian said.

"Ooooh, really?" Meifeng turned her head back towards Lihua.

Lihua nodded her head.

"Now I'm [i]definitely[/i] in." Meifeng said.

Shizuka stared at the two girls. Joining RAVEN might allow him to gain access to some of their resources and use them to protect his twin (call him paranoid, but kidnapping Haru to threaten his family was very likely to happen after what he had done to bring down the Changelings). His sight then fell onto Holly, who gave him a mysterious smile.

"...Oh well. I guess I'm in also." He shrugged. "Besides, I've always wanted to shoot some guns. Maybe even become a sniper."

"Good." Maximilian said. "I'll get the forms ready for all of you... you're going to need a parent or guardian's signature before you get to that part, Shizuka."

"My aunt can do that," Shizuka said, glancing at Akemi beside him. "She [i]is[/i] my legal guardian." He didn't like the thought of going to his parents - especially the woman he had to call 'mother'.

"Can you sign this, ma'am?" Maximilian said as he slid a paper and a pen over to her. Akemi nodded and pulled them towards herself; she skimmed through the terms quickly and signed it, before passing the paper and pen back to the new Chairman of RAVEN.

"Thank you." Maximilian said. "Now that that's been settled..."

Echo appeared from behind Maximilian... reaching under the desk to pull out three hefty stacks of paper, placing them on the table in front of the trio.

Shizuka widened his eyes, looking from the stack of papers to Maximilian in mock horror. [i]You got to be kidding me.[/i] Even worse when his aunt squeezed his shoulder...with a look of amusement.

"...These are your forms." Maximilian said with a cocky smile on his face. He flicked three pens over to them. "You have a lot to sign... so I suggest you get started now."

At that moment, Quentin stepped inside, his gaze shifting to the new Chairman. "Max, I could use a word when you're not busy."

"Sure, Agent Taylor." Maximilian said.

Folding his arms, Quentin took a step towards the corner and leaned back against the wall as he addressed the man "My brother's going to be out of a job soon, but I think he's got a place with us in the future. Look, you saw how he handled himself, how he made it through and fought with us - if that isn't a qualifying factor for being a part of this new thing, then I don't know what is."

"Of course," Maximilian said. "I'll be glad to have your brother working under me."

"Thanks, I appreciate it." Quentin reached out to shake the new Chairman's hand. [I]Now, just need to pitch the offer to the man himself[/i].

Meanwhile, Shizuka was flicking through the papers with growing irritation. "Jesus, how many more [i]death certs[/i] do I have to sign for myself?"


[hr][i][h1][color=Gray]Quentin[/color], & [color=darkslateblue]Reed[/color] [color=Gray]Tay[/color][color=Darkslateblue]lor[/color][/h1][/i][hr]


It turned out that Cass' place was mostly intact - along with all the old man's stupid film memorabilia. As it was, not even a city-ending catastrophe as this place had seen had been capable of destroying the old man's precious crap. Both of them had to laugh at that.

"So, I guess that means you're out of a job now." Quentin took a swig from the flask as he glanced towards Reed, who sat on the front porch with him. 

"Yeah, I guess.." Reed snatched the flask off his brother and took a swig of his own. "Can't be a VPD without Verthaven. Shit... guess I could get a transfer to LAPD or something. Technically, I never got past the probationary stage, so I'd probably have to start from the bottom up again."

"Nah, you can do better than that.. Besides, I think you've got a different line of work ahead of you. Similar to being a cop, but different." It didn't take a genius to see what Quentin inferred.

"Really?" Reed seemed a little surprised at the notion. "I'm not even one of you-.. y'know, a metahuman."

"So fucking what?" Quentin shrugged. "You're more qualified than I ever was. Cass would've said it, if he was here right now. And, well... I can fix the other problem."

Reed's eyes widened when he realized what his brother had meant. "Quent, you know that's-... I thought you were last that. And I'm not putting you at risk for my sake-"

"One last exception." Quentin outstretched his palm for Reed to grasp. "Come on, what can they do to us? We fought the fucking [i]Devil[/i] whilst those assholes in power hid behind that shield. This is a freebie you've earned."

"I.." Reed hesitated for a moment. Would Cass have wanted this? No, he couldn't decide that way. It was on him.

After a moment he came to a decision.


[hr][h1][i]...[/i][/h1][hr]


"Come on sister," A woman said within the private section of a club.

Vibrating the whole building was the bass of techno being blasted throughout the speakers. Behind the door was droves of people dancing in the expensive club they had found themselves in. There were two women sitting at a table. Obscured by the shadows and bright lights of the club, they had drinks all to themselves. One woman was small, petite, and was downright dwarfed by the larger woman who sat across from her. There was a distinct feature about this woman.

The smaller woman leaned in to her and swished her alcohol around. "Just because you lost something doesn't mean you can't go out and have fun. Come with the dance floor..." She took a sip of her drink. "... Maybe we'll get a cute guy to come back to the condo with us. It's not like you're [i]ugly[/i] or anything."

The other larger woman didn't say anything.

"Ugh..." The woman groaned as she put her face into her hand. "We got money, power... and much more of those two on the way... and most importantly, we have [i]time.[/i] So why waste it sulking?"

"Wait." The other woman said, sharply turning her head. 

"... Finally, you start talki-"

A sinister looking black smoke came out of the large woman's shoulders, and pooled on the ground. From there, a clawed hand made out of the black smoke grabbed someone and pinned them against the wall in a loud thud.

"W-what the hell?" She jumped out the chair and faced her sister. "What the hell is wrong with you!? We're gonna get kicked out... wait..." The woman took a close look at the person her sister pinned.

It was no person.

But a [i]machine[/i].

"... Mannequin." The woman said. "Why have you come here unannounced?"

The other woman deactivated her power, and the Mannequin fell down to the ground. He rose up like a puppet on strings. He crawled to the women's feet, and then he bowed to them.

"Luis has fallen." The Mannequin said. "Which means you'll be taking his place sooner than... anticipated...."

The two women grinned.

"Come now..." The Mannequin stood straight up. "... There's one more person we need."

"... Then we can get started."


[hr][i][h1][color=dodgerblue]Lihua Vuhong[/color],[color=red]Meifeng Vuhong[/color], & [color=Gray]Baron Moreau[/color][/h1][/i][hr]


"...Don't push yourself." Lihua pleaded. "You can take-"

"No, I got this." Meifeng confidently said. 

They had found themselves back at the Vuhong family household. The household was still standing, but it had been horribly damaged by water. Worst of all, the basement was fully flooded. Which is why they were standing outside by a window. Meifeng was dropped into a stance, legs two shoulder widths apart, and she was spinning her hands around in a circle as if she was holding an orb. She was pulling the water out of the basement, and sending it out into the yard (at this point, everything was so washed away that it didn't matter). 

With one inhale, Meifeng went into overdrive, and she forced the rest of the water out of the hole. 

After that feat, she knelt forward. Panting.

"Wooooooooo!" Meifeng said. "[i]That[/i] was an exercise..."

"I told you not to push yourself." Lihua said, putting her hands on her hips.

"Yeah, yeah..." Meifeng hopped up to her feet. "Are we going to get what we need to out of here?"

"Yes," Lihua knelt down and picked up the big dufflebag, and started walking into the house. "Follow me."

Leading Meifeng into the house, Lihua realized that the house wasn't looted as expected. Hm. Most likely people were too terrified of the roaming hordes of monsters to actually steal and kill. Though... with this bloodstain on the front door. Someone tried. She just hoped they didn't take anything important. Lihua took a few more steps inside, around Meifeng, then turned around and nodded to her.

"Alright," Lihua said. "Go through the house and get whatever you want to take with us."

Meifeng nodded her head as she quickly went through the house. There was something that Lihua needed out of the basement. She casually scrolled over to the basement, and walked down the rusted steps... thank god this house was built made out of something sturdy. Lihua turned her head over to the corner, and laid her eyes upon a massive metal safe that was tall as she was, and just as wide. A sturdy construction in which Lihua trusted to keep all of her most prized possessions safe. She walked up to it. Typing in a code...

"...[i]GOD DAMN IT THE PS4 IS BUSTED![/i]" Meifeng loudly shouted from above her, and it threw Lihua off as she thought something was legitimately wrong. "...[i][b]Son of a bitch![/b][/i]"

Lihua rolled her eyes as she simply continued typing. She pressed one last button, and the door to the safe had opened. Just as expected, the contents were safe from water damage. It was good, too, since there were [i]thousands[/i] of dollars in bills. A gift from Jiao-Long, of course. She kept plenty of money in here just in case something goes horribly wrong, and she needs it. Well, she sure as hell needs it now. Lihua nodded her head and began stuffing as much of the money as possible into the dufflebag.

There was one more thing. There was a family photo that she kept close to herself. A picture of herself, Jiao-Long, her mother, and her father, when they were younger. One of the last photos they took together as a family.

The photo went into the bag, before Lihua zipped it up.

Upstairs, Meifeng was going through the house. Honestly, there wasn't anything she couldn't replace - a force of habit because she never really put attachment on clothes, or material possessions. Though, there was one thing that she had her eyes on. A karate trophy that she had earned a few years back... which was behind a photo. A very special photo. It was a photo of Meifeng holding the trophy high, with Trevor throwing up two peace signs with a wide smile on his face. Cindy, on Meifeng's other side, smiling as she had a hand on Meifeng's shoulder, the other hand was being used to throw a peace sign. Jen tried to show excitement for Meifeng's win, she was just standing there awkwardly with a proud smile on her face.

Yeah, she remembered that. It was the day when Meifeng won the trophy and all her friends came to watch. Lihua took the photo and everything.

God, weren't those the days?

Meifeng forgot to bring a bag, she merely grabbed onto the trophy with one hand, and the photo with the other, and began to leisurely skip her way out of the room.

The two women met at the entrance of their household.

"Did you get everything you wanted?" Lihua asked.

"Phew," Meifeng said, looking at the dufflebag which was [i]stuffed[/i]. "Is what I think is in that bag?"

"... Yes." Lihua answered. "A large sum of money I received from Jiao-Long as a gift."

"You know..." Meifeng put her hands on her hips. "Plenty of your clothes and jewelry are still in good shape."

"Oh?" Lihua said. "I'll have to go through some of it... Do me a favor." She put the bag out for Meifeng to grab. "Put this in the back of the car."

"Aren't you afraid I'll pocket this?" Meifeng asked.

"Don't be silly..." Lihua said. "You've got [i]more[/i] than enough money from Mr. Taylor."

As the pair were working together to gather their remaining possessions, a rhythmic knocking resonated from the open door in the front of the house.

"Hm?" Meifeng raised an eyebrow. "Who the hell is showing up [i]now[/i] of all times?" She said to herself.

Lihua crossed her arms. This is a rather odd occurrence. It might require some precautions - just in case it might be a looter, or any foolish member of the Hands that thinks they can get the drop on her. Lihua reached behind herself and pulled out her glock.

"...Come in." Lihua said, pushing Meifeng into another room as she approached the door.

Her answer was a familiar laugh.

"You know," they said, "maybe if you were to put your gun away - I know you aren't a woman to let a stranger into your home."

Lihua rolled her eyes up into her head as she slid the gun back into her pocket. She knew exactly who it was - she stepped over to the door and it opened, revealing Baron. The man that she got oh so familiar with over the month. He was dingy and dirty, hair undone, stubble-ridden, smeared with dust, sweat, and had bandages over his left forearm.

"... Hey," Meifeng said, poking her head into the room. "You're that creepy dude that came to help us."

"Creepy?" Baron frowned.

Lihua pushed Meifeng back into the other room with her hand as she faced Baron. "Bar- Jean, it's a pleasure to see you."

Baron's frown turned around, and smiled sweetly at Lihua. "As it is mine! I heard from Isaiah that he wasn't the only one who's retiring... and that a [i]special someone[/i] got a promotion."

Lihua looked at Baron for a moment. Her mouth opened slightly as if she was going to say something, but stopped herself.

"... Things change, Jean." Lihua said. "I figured it was time I do the same."

She sighed.

Baron gave a hearty laugh at the sound of the callsign he apparently gave to her a while back, perhaps at an inappropriate time. "Pardon me," he said smiling, "that wasn't funny, we'll need to have a talk later. I'm very sorry to hear that... oh, and before I forget..."

He dragged out the thick binder of folders that was tucked in the back of his pants and presented it to her. "Guess what I found?"

"Oh?" Lihua knew exactly what Baron had recovered. She was a tad curious to see what's on it - but, before she didn't want to risk eliciting Peter's wrath - and was going to ask... before she realized that she most likely wouldn't understand a damn thing.

She was a soldier, not a scientist.

"Dr. Brooke has grown a bit of notoriety, in my mind, for his fondness of codes. He knew more than he let on..." He began, then he began to give her a sly smile. "But since you are no longer NEST, that information is [i]classified[/i]."

Lihua laughed a bit. "Oh, keep it. I'd rather not paint [i]another[/i] target on my back." She playfully said.

"If you would though," Baron requested, "allow me a moment with Meifeng? I hear she's being inducted into RAVEN soon. If she's anything like her mother, she'll advance quickly. She'll want to know this."

[i]Now what could Baron want with Meifeng...?[/i] Lihua thought to herself as she considered Baron's words.

"... You may." The words casually left her lips. "Meifeng! Would you kindly come here?"

There was a loud zipping sound. "... I didn't touch it!" She shouted back.

"Just come here." Lihua rolled her eyes. 

Baron was holding back laughter.

Meifeng quickly skipped her way into the room, holding the dufflebag in hand. She looked between her mother, and her friend. "Yeah? What is it?" She asked.

"Follow me for a moment." Baron said, pacing his way to table in what was left of the dining room. His brace was back on, and was limping over.

Lihua and Meifeng casually followed after him. Meifeng in particular was curious as to what this creepy dude wanted to do with her. Though, if Lihua trusts him, what's the worst that can go wrong?

Baron set the thick, heavy binder onto the table, then turned to face Meifeng, greeting her with a friendly smile. "Anyways, my name is Baron - I'm a doctor. It's good to finally meet you."

"Yeah, great to meet you, too, Doc." Meifeng nodded her head. "What kind of doc are you anyway?" She asked, legitimately curious.

"Oh, some number." Baron said vaguely. "But my specialization is in neuropsychology."

"Neuropsych-what?" Meifeng said, legitimately confused now. "Uh, know what? Nevermind. What do you want to talk about?"

Baron opened the exit end of the binder to the final few pages in the last folder. Carefully taking them out, he set them on the table in front of Meifeng. He began by saying, "If you remember a man named Peter Brooke, he was a doctor of pharmacology and medical engineering. He made medicine. [i]He[/i] specialized in regenerative research. This entire binder is full of carefully code-guarded notes."

Lihua quickly scanned the notes. Since she was... curious, of course. She wondered why Baron is showing this to Meifeng - but the man has shown her that he works in unexpected ways.

He spread the sheets of paper apart so that they were easily distinguishable.

"The last couple of pages... are unrelated. You see, although made a tool of the Hands of Science, he was no friend of theirs. He had information on them and also on the Changelings. I had time to decode that information on separate sheets. Here..."

Baron pointed at the inane gibberish scribed on the original notes written by Dr. Brooke, and then to the writing Baron wrote, the deciphered version. In it included the bit of information regarding Luis and Changeling leadership, in addition to various incriminating intel on the Hands and their safe houses.

"Luis and Heartbreaker were only pawns." Baron said, echoing the Mannequin's words.

"Whooooa...." Meifeng looked at all this information. This man was a genius! Or at least, much smarter than her. She looked at it - that metal man knew everything. "This is amazing... wait," She immediately realized what Baron was doing. She pointed a finger at herself. "You want me to use all this to help take down the Hands?"

"You're going to be RAVEN, aren't you?" Baron questioned. "You don't have to do it immediately [i]or[/i] all on your own. I just imagine that the organization you'll be leading in no time would appreciate this."

Meifeng smiled. "... Thank you." She legitimately said. It was clear that since Lihua nor Baron could do it, it was up to Meifeng. "I'm going to put this to good use."

But, all this help she's getting from everyone... it feels great. It feels like she's finally reaching the point that she's always wanted to reach - and everyone's just giving her the encouragement she needs.

"Now, next order of business..." Baron started. He looked back to Lihua. "This has been a crazy ride. I could go back to the Dreadnaughts if I wanted to, or finally start a normal life and work as a college professor... but before I consider the latter, I need to make a change. From this point forward, I need to be totally honest."

This really made Lihua curious. "Yes?" She asked.

"First, let's start with [i]this[/i] blasted thing." Baron grumbled. He lifted up his pant leg, revealing the uncomfortable metal brace around his knee. He held onto a certain latch his both hands, and slammed the heel of his boot against the floor. The brace fell and hit the floor with an alarming thud. He sighed with relief as he sat down in the chair at the table.

"Wait, you... what..." Lihua pointed at the metal brace, honestly confused. "... God damn it, Baron." She hissed.

"It was necessary," Baron said in defending himself, "I don't know if I need to say it by now, but in the Dreadnaughts, I was a spook. An intelligence agent. Theoretically speaking, I have.... seven nations under my thumb. Well, Belroth's thumb. I know more though - I didn't tell what he didn't need to know."

"Hmph." Lihua said. Baron's making himself out to be [i]quite[/i] powerful. "So you use the brace to make yourself appear unassuming?" She asked, picking up on it quickly.

"Well, you know..." Baron said quietly with a shrug. "...Changelings and all."

"Clever, clever, clever..." Lihua answered. "May we continue?" She politely said.

"Speaking of..." Baron's tone turned somber. "Meifeng. Concentrate your focus on the Hands. The... The Changelings are no longer an issue."

"I take you took care of that loose end?" Lihua asked with a smile.

"Heh..." Meifeng said with a smile. "Once [i]I'm[/i] done, they won't be an issue either."

"Well..." Baron hesitated in saying. "It wasn't easy. Once I tracked the ones that remained down... Flashbang had already ashed, and the Witch Mother didn't have any fight left in her."

"It goes without saying what happened to the Mannequin?" Lihua asked. "To be honest with you... I would have been more than content with letting those monsters tear themselves apart - but they truthfully forced our hand...."

Baron sighed. He hesitated for a moment, but then reached his hand over reluctantly to begin undoing the bandages. "Like I said, it wasn't easy..." He said between each time he unraveled the cloth. "I might've been the only one able to persuade the Mannequin enough to get close to it. The real truth is, if someone like the Mannequin had someone like me around, the Changelings would have been a... [i]very[/i] different threat. In the end, I had to make sacrifices."

As Baron unwound the bandages, caked in dried blood, he let them fall over his lap. On his arm read the awful name of Verthaven's sworn enemy carved into his skin.

Lihua was taken aback. While Meifeng gasped, covering her mouth.

"I'll need to know where I can find a good tattoo artist, for starters."

"You did all [i]that[/i] just to kill him?" Meifeng said. That was truly a mark of shame. "I would have just shot him."

"Spooks do what spooks do." Baron said with a shrug. He turned over his other arm to show Meifeng a tattoo on his bicep written in Arabic. "...We make sacrifices; and the Mannequin was clad in thick ceramic, I got a close look. He also has faster reflexes than I do."

"...You did what you had to." Lihua said. "The Mannequin was a tough target - not as durable as Luis... but I felt like he had an unseen cunning...."

"Maybe I can get Scarlet to-"

"It won't work." Lihua said. "... Baron has a little condition that stops powers from working on him."

Baron looked at Meifeng from the corner of his eyes with a playful, yet challenging smirk. "Wanna give it a try?"

"Wait, you mean like shoot you with something?" Meifeng asked. "Um, I can control water - that'll hurt like a bitch."

Lihua rolled her eyes and facepalmed. She couldn't believe he was doing this... but he seems to know just [i]how[/i] to get people on his side.

"It's alright if you can't do it." Baron said teasingly.

"Pfft," Meifeng said as she cracked her knuckles. "Well, since you totally said to do it... I warned you." And there was a little trick that Meifeng wanted to try. 

She pointed her hand out, and summoned water out of her pocket dimension - immediately freezing it into a ball. She held the ball in her hands for a moment as she focused. She channeled that aquatic pocket dimension again as she fired a high pressure blast of water out of it that propelled the ball of ice forward like a baseball thrown by a pro. Despite her efforts, however, it only sublimated into steam instantly the moment it got within an inch of Baron.

"Huuuuh?" Meifeng asked, confused. "Okay... that's... [i]new?[/i]" She said, honestly amazed that happened. "So wait, do powers not work on you or something?" She quickly gathered from what Lihua and Baron said.

"I'm immune." Baron confirmed as he started rewrapping the bandages around his arm.

"... Immune to superpowers?" Meifeng parroted the words. "Okay, that's [i]bullshit.[/i]"

She put her fists up.

"... Are you [i]immune[/i] to these hands?!"

Lihua had to laugh at that one.

Baron's eyes widened and he leaned back. "Uh, no - no, not at all. While we're being honest, and pardon my Washe, I felt like I would [i]shit myself[/i] if Heartbreaker caught wind of me!"

He threw his hands out and exclaimed, [i]"Bullets!"[/i]

Meifeng laughed as she shoulder bumped Lihua, turning to her.

"Hey, just like you said," She started off. "[i]Everyone[/i] has a weakness."

"Conventionality being mine." Baron smiled as he stood back up. He kicked the brace with the leg long suspected to be his bad one and watched it skip over the floor with delight. He turned back to the binder, and closed it up, leaving the relevant information with Meifeng. "Anyways, dear, keep that information safe. The rest of Dr. Brooke's research will remain with me until I can find someone qualified and benevolant enough to pick up what he left behind."

"Our lips are [i]sealed.[/i]"  Meifeng said with a smile.

"Remember," he said, "you can always reach out to your mother for advice. She knows the scene well, and she would help you with anything."

The two women exchanged looks. With Meifeng looking up to Lihua with a smile on her face.

"... I'll keep that in mind." Meifeng said.

"Now scram, I've only one chance left to serenade Lihua and I think I'm losing her."

".... Yeeeeeeeah," Meifeng awkwardly said as she realized their [i]real[/i] relationship. She pointed fingers at Baron as she took steps out of the room. 

Though, the moment they thought she was gone, she poked her head back in.

"... And here I was thinking all the water damage would ruin the mood."

She disappeared outside, likely to put the dufflebag in the car.

"... Amazing." Lihua said, almost sarcastically. "Here I was thinking that she'd drive you up the wall - but it was [i]I[/i] who was getting driven up the wall. By two people at once." She playfully said with a smile.

"Oh, she'll have to try harder than that." Baron teased. "She has stiff competition."

"I have to say you most definitely have a way with words." Lihua complimented him.

"Oh, you have no idea." Baron purred as he leaned forward. "Even the Mannequin thought so. I think he might've even been [i]falling[/i] for me."

Lihua laughed a little at that.

"So," Baron continued, "I'll help you gather what you have left, you show me a good tattoo parlor outside of town? Or is that Meifeng's area of expertise?"

"I'm oh so out of touch that I couldn't help you if I tried." Lihua playfully said. "Maybe a plastic surgeon? You could get skin from your ass swapped with that scar."

"Ugh..." Baron groaned with a shiver. "No thanks. I think Meifeng and I might get one together. You know, good old fashion family bonding. Maybe I'll look a bit younger and cooler to her."

"Hehe..." Lihua laughed... she didn't know what was so different with her. Before she was the stern and serious matriarch... now... she feels brand new.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Baron asked. "Let's get to work."

"Sure, sure, sure..." Lihua said. "Let's be quick because I have to get Meifeng... unfortunately... ready for a funeral."

She turned around and started walking, before she abruptly stopped.

"Also," Lihua said to him. "[i]Qiaolian[/i]... You're not the only one with a secret identity."

"Q... Qiaolian." Baron said. He smiled. "Qiaolian... you can't play a player."

"Just don't say it too loud." Lihua said. "I [i]did[/i] imply there was already a target on my back." She was still playful as she was throughout the whole interaction.

"Come now," Lihua said. "Let's get to packing. You [i]did[/i] say you were going to help?"

Afterwards, they parted ways.


[hr][i][h1][color=dodgerblue]Lihua Vuhong[/color], [color=red]Meifeng Vuhong[/color], [color=springgreen]Cindy Keagan[/color], [color=Gray]Quentin[/color], & [color=darkslateblue]Reed[/color] [color=Gray]Tay[/color][color=Darkslateblue]lor[/color], the Takashiro Twins, & Task Force RAVEN.[/h1][/i][hr][hider=Foals - Spanish Sahara][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GJO_RpBnEg[/youtube][/hider][hr]


The grand cemetery outside of Verthaven was created.

Rows and rows of gravestones lined up the location. Some marked, most were unmarked. People have long given up on trying to indentify everyone, and merely give them a final resting place outside of Verthaven.

There was a private funeral being held for those brave people who died fighting the Devil of Verthaven, and the Changeling Unit. The RAVENs, and citizens that lent their abilities to help.

There were seven graves above ground, ready to be lowered. Everyone was grouped around them. The group was much larger than expected, as the families of the fallen had arrived in Verthaven to mourn their lost loved ones.

[i]I never expected I'd ever show at the funeral of my best friends....[/i] Meifeng thought to herself as she held her head down, staring at the [i]empty[/i] casket that belonged to Jen. She couldn't help but shed a tear for Jennifer... and her entire family. She was the only person who could speak the best of them.

Looking off to the side, Meifeng could see Scarlet crying uncontrollably with the rest of the Obotts... A tall man who had to be Trevor's father, and two siblings that were at least the same age as Meifeng herself. They were all well-dressed. It was honestly sad. Trevor said that his father didn't want anything to do with him and Scarlet - and were perfectly fine with leaving Trevor and Scarlet to rot. It says a lot about papa Obott.

His mother was still missing.

Which made it all the more sadder.

Meifeng sighed as she looked at her other direction. She first got a full glance at Lihua, who was standing tall and proud. She looked somber. She was here to support Meifeng, no matter what. But, contrary to belief, she was [i]also[/i] here for the fallen RAVENs. She was done treating them as if they were beneath her. People like Maximilian showed her there were more to them than hired guns.

Beyond Lihua was Cindy, who was well dressed. She also had a funeral to attend for Jackson... where she'll only be around friends. She wanted to be here for Trevor, and Jen's funerals, of course. She was still beating herself up inside for Trevor's death. She feels like she could have done more to save him. 

Could have.

But didn't.

And the Taylors were stood at the far side of the procession, Reed dressed in his best whilst Quentin looked prepared for a long journey, judging by his choice of clothing.

Standing far behind everyone else, the Takashiro twins and Daphne watched the funeral from the shadows quietly. The chloropath agent was in a simple black business suit, but the boys didn't have any clothes suitable for the ocassion, and could only manage casual wear in the darkest colors they could find.

Haruka clasped his hands together into a silent prayer, while Daphne had a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gently. Shizuka had the survival knife he took from NEST armory for the last stand in his right hand, staring at the progression with a hard glint in his eyes.

It was time for Meifeng to say kind words about Jennifer. She stepped out in front of Jennifer's grave, and sighed. "I'd... like to say a few words about Jennifer Caspin, my best friend" Meifeng started off. "I've known her ever since I've moved to Verthaven... we met in our basketball team, and I've tried to be there for Jen whenever she needed me... and I'll miss her. I really will."

"She was one of the nicest, responsible, and most soft-spoken people I ever knew. All she wanted to do was live by her [i]own[/i] terms, and I respected that." Meifeng nodded her head as a faint smile formed on her lips. "She was... honestly like a little sister to me. I just wanted to see her by my side forever. She taught me a lot... she showed me that life wasn't as lonely as I thought it'd be - and for that... I wanted to protect her above all else."

Meifeng loudly sighed.

" I can't put into words how I wish she could still be here - how her family could still be here." Meifeng sighed again, she was fighting back tears. "She faced a tragedy that [i]no[/i] human being should have to go through, she chose to give up rather than press on through it... she'll never be far from my thoughts."

Lihua and Cindy began clapping.

"That was good, Meifeng," Maximilian said, clapping as he took the same spot as Meifeng. "I have many to say about the fallen... not just the RAVENs, but every man woman and child that fought in the name of escaping this tragedy."

"The RAVENs weren't agents - or even soldiers - to me, they were friends. They all had dreams and aspirations... and only wanted to save everyone. Which is why they gave their lives fighting against the threats of Verthaven. Sonya Mayfield was the kindest agent I've ever seen. Helena had a bright future within NEST... Adam was a mentor to me and several others - which is why I intend on continuing his work as the new chairmen of NEST."

"And while I did not personally know Trevor Obott, Cassius Taylor, or Jennifer Caspin, I know that they were great people for their contributions." Maximilian turned towards Trevor's casket. "...And, I heard that the young man Trevor wanted to join NEST. He would have made a great agent would he have gotten the opportunity."

He nodded his head.

"Which is why I'm posthumously awarding him the title of NEST officer."

This earned him the claps from the Obott, Vuhong, Blackmore, and Taylor families.

Maximilian stepped down, as many other people stepped up to give speeches for the fallen.

After all was said and done, the graves were lowered into the ground, and everyone said their final goodbyes, and went their separate ways.

[hr]

Lihua and Meifeng were walking away from the funeral.

"So, now what?" Meifeng asked after she sighed. "We got no home... and nothing to our name than... the clothes on our back."

Lihua took a moment before she answered, "There's nothing left for us here in Verthaven... We're heading to Baybridge."

"Baybridge?" Meifeng asked. "Ain't that place up in Washington - I honestly want to get [i]far[/i] away from here as possible. Even further."

"It's the best place for us." Lihua answered. "And besides, you're going to be shipped off the very moment this new organization rises... so why [i]does[/i] it matter?"

"It's just that..." Meifeng shook her head. "...Nevermind."

The three made it to the car, and Lihua got inside. She turned the engine on, and Meifeng walked over to the passenger side.

"Meifeng!" Cindy said as she ran up to the car. She paused for a moment as she knelt forward, and panted. "...I just wanted to say goodbye before we, uh, parted ways."

"What are you talking about?" Meifeng said, raising an eyebrow. "You're coming with us."

"Get in the car, Ms. Keagan." Lihua sternly said. "Like hell you're going to be a street rat - it's the best I can do for Jackson."

Cindy smiled.

"...Yeah, let me get my things." 

"Come on, let's go!" Meifeng shouted. "Baybridge is [i]waiting[/i] for us!"

After a few minutes, Cindy jumped into the car, and Lihua sped off. Meifeng stared out the window as she watched the signs go by.

As her final words to this city, Meifeng somberly said,

"... So long, [i]Verthaven.[/i]" 


[hr]

"Agent Taylor. Yeah, suits you better than me." Quentin folded his arms as Reed gave him a bemused look.

"I guess it does, Agent Taylor." Reed chuckled, before tilting his head upwards. "So, I guess I'll see you in Baybridge?" 

"Yeah. All the arrangements have been made, I've got a place waiting for me up there. Hear it's a little cosier than the last, but size was never a big deal for me. Everything I need's loaded up." Quentin thumbed to the NEST pickup parked outside the site. A loan, courtesy of Max, since his old car was a wreck and the bike no good for the journey. "Things all good for you, everything taken care of?"

"Yeah, don't worry - I've got an apartment waiting for me too, plus whatever training they want to throw at me at this new setup of theirs." Reed nodded. "Thanks, by the way. Seriously, Quent, you've done-"

"Stop." Quentin cut him off. "You're family... and it's where you belong." And like that, he pulled his younger brother into a firm, brotherly embrace.

"You sure you don't want to tag along straight with me?" Reed asked him, once they'd finished.

"Nah, I could use some time on the road. Stretch my legs a little. Besides, you've got all of Cass' movie junk to keep you company. I'm sure Mr. Schwarzenegger's statuette will make [i]great[/i] conversation." Quentin added with a sarcastic chuckle.

Reed chuckled back at that. "Alright, well, you know me. You've got my number, I've got yours - anything happens on the way, you give me a buzz."

"Don't worry," Quentin said, before making one last promise in a faux-Austrian accent. "[i]I'll be back.[/i]" And with that, he waved his brother off and headed back towards the pickup.

"[i]Hasta la vista, baby.[/i]" Reed answered back, with a smile.

[hr]

Maximilian remained in the graveyard after everyone else had left. It felt like a failure as their commanding officer to let these people die like this. He clenched his fists tightly. Damn those Changelings. Damn High Command. Damn the Hands. These were all good people that died here.

"Maxi!" Leon shouted as he waved his hand through the air and walked up with Savannah and Maria. "Glad I caught ya'!" He said. 

"Leon?" Maximilian said.

"Know things been hectic with NEST disbandin' and all...."

"Yeah..." Maximilian groaned.

"Well, lemme' just address the elephant in the room, then," Leon said with a wry grin on his face. "I think it's time to call this NEST business quits," Leon said. "I know... you're gonna miss having my ass around to annoy you, but I think I've had enough of almost dying and all the supervillains, y'know?"

"I... understand." Maximilian nodded his head.

"Sorry, I know, I know, I was here from the start - but it's honestly comin' to a close. I feel like my talents would be better spent elsewhere... like them Academies. I bet those little kiddies would love me!" Leon shrugged with that smile on his face. "... That's all I wanted to say."

He began walking away, he stopped them looked over his shoulder. "But, you keep doin' you, Maxi. I'll keep in touch." He said, waving at Maximilian. "I hope you don't mind that I'm takin' Maria and Savannah with me, too."

"Wait, what?" Maximilian said. "She's under a deal. She can't just turn her back on it!"

"... A deal with a dead organization!" Leon said as he started running.

"Damn it..." Maximilian realized that the mighty Task Force RAVEN was going their separate ways.

"... You know, Maximilian," Dana said as she rolled up next to him. "I'm still here, with NEST... well, whatever it is." She shrugged. "But, that isn't what I wanted to talk to you about."

"What is it?"

"... You said you'd take me out to drinks." Dana said with a smile.

Maximilian returned the smile as he got behind Dana, he playfully said, "Oh, I thought you said you don't drink."  He began pushing her wheelchair.

"Yeah, but I'll enjoy the company..." She said with a smile as they walked into the sunset.

[i]No one ever returned to Verthaven.[/i]

[hr]

The whole of Chinatown was in shambles; even though the buildings here were nothing like those houses made out of cheap cement and wood blocks back in the 60s, they weren't like those expensive sturdy condos in Knightdale, either.

Daphne offered to drive them to Akemi's red-brick shophouse - which was a relief, because the boys didn't want to deal with their aunt's reckless driving. It was miraculously still standing (albeit the shop area on the ground floor was beyond recognition and filled with junks swept in by the tidal waves), while the arcade center next to it was reduced to a pile of mere rubble.

The twins and their aunt got out of the car. "I'll wait for all of you here," Daphne rolled down the window and called out to them. "Just take your time to get whatever you need."

The trio walked into the shophouse; they kicked through the litters and debris to reach the spiral staircase, ascending the slippery steps cautiously to the living quarters above.

They didn't take long. For the twins, they didn't have much personal possessions to begin with (though Haruka was miffed about his dead handheld consoles and damaged SD cards, losing all his [i]precious[/i] game data); Shizuka emptied his duffel bag and walked over to Akemi, who was turning the knobs of her slightly dented safe. "You can use my bag. We don't have anything much worth taking with us, anyway." Well, they were here in Verthaven for only a month before they were thrown straight into this shitstorm.

"Thanks," Akemi said, taking the bag from him with her free hand; at that moment the lock clicked, and the safe door opened. She shielded the inside from Shizuka's curious eyes with her wide frame, sweeping everything into the bag and zipped it up with a flourish. Then she straightened up and pulled the strap over her shoulder. "I think that's all. I'm going to miss this house, but we can't keep Holly waiting for us. Let's go."

"I am going to miss it too," Haruka agreed with her as they descended the stairs. "This place had made me feel...cosy."

"We can always buy a new house no matter how many times it gets destroyed," Shizuka said. "But family is irreplaceable. As long as you two are safe and sound, that's all that mattered to me."

"Make that three," Akemi chuckled when they reached the car. She dumped her bag and Haruka's into the trunk on top of a securely locked suitcase, which contained the stash of money Shizuka took from Quentin. "I've accepted Holly as a goddaughter, and she'll be living together with us in Baybridge."

"Really?" The twins asked when they got back into the car.

Daphne turned around and beamed at them. "Yes - I'll be your older 'sister' from now on. I can't remember how to say [i]that[/i] in Japanese..." she trailed off with a frown.

"[i]Yoroshiku[/i] - 'please take care of me' - is what you want to say, right?" Akemi supplied.

"Ah, yes."

The boys couldn't believe their ears. Now they finally would have a place they could call home, and people they could call family.

Leaving whatever remained of Chinatown - of Verthaven - further and further behind their back as they moved forward...moving towards a new future.

[i]This isn't the end yet.

This is only just the beginning.[/i]


[hr][h1][i]...[/i][/h1][hr]


The flooded streets of Verthaven weren't kind.

In fact, they were littered with bodies that fell during the Verthaven disaster. Were. People were fishing them out of the streets that were converted into rivers. NEST Agents, and volunteers. Afterwards they did everything they could to identify them. If they couldn't... they were just put into unmarked graves, and they moved onto the next person. 

However, one person who was floating through the street was not a body, but a [i]survivor[/i]. It was a girl who was lazily floating through the rivers as if she was a stick. The "waves" eventually caused her to float up onto a street, where she was caught on the barrier. She seemed groggy from all the water, but she was still alive. She was fortunate enough to be floating face up.

"...Aw, damn." Someone said as they walked over to the girl. "It's another body, c'mon, let's drag her up and throw her in the truck."

The volunteers pulled the girl up onto dry land, and quickly examined her.

"Hey wait a minute..." He said. He pressed onto her wrist, and felt a pulse. A perfect pulse in fact. She started choking out water.

"[i]She's alive! Get her to EMTs![/i]"


[hr][h1][i]The Hands of Science.[/i][/h1][hr]


[i]However, while everyone was leaving Verthaven, a very suspect incident occured...[/i]]

Right outside the ruins of Verthaven, there were two Hands couriers wearing regular street clothes. A man and a woman, they were leaned up against a van with the man smoking a cigarette.

"Know where this fucker we're supposed to meet is?" The man said.

"I don't know, he said he'd be here soon." The woman answered.

The man saw someone approaching in the distance. He couldn't see that well. He squinted a little.

"Is that-"

He caught a better view of the man, but that was the last thing he ever saw. The man pulled out an oversized revolver and turns the courier's head into a cloud of mush. The woman screamed as she scrambled for cover, reaching for her gun. She peeked over cover, but the man was faster (and quieter) than he looks. He pressed the gun to the size of her head, and she froze.

"W-what?! Who are you?!" The woman asked with the gun pressed against her head. She couldn't get a good view of the stranger, but he was a black spot in the corners of her eye. 

The stranger was silent for a few moments, she could hear him breathing... which sounded oddly electronic

"... The sample." The man said, his voice was deep, and electronically distorted as if he was speaking through an old radio. "I want the sample. Give it to me."

"Okay, okay, let me get it!" The woman ran off and ran over to the van, and opened the back doors. With the gun trained on her the whole time, she pulled out the large canister containing the Devil's arm. She looked at him... he was odd. Very strange. He wore a black leather outfit, a pronounced leather longcoat, and had this helmet over his head that made his eyes glow bright red. He looked like she was facing the god damn grim reaper. She swore she saw a logo on his chest that looked like a fearsome looking black dog. But she didn't notice. All she did was push it into his chest. "Here, take it!"

The stranger grabbed it, and then examined it. "... Yes, that's right." He said. 

He pointed the gun right at the woman's head.

"Wait, no-" 

She hopelessly screamed as the stranger pulled the trigger and blew the courier's head right off. She was long dead before she even hit the floor.

The man holstered his gun. Before he pressed a button on the side of his helmet.

"... I recovered the sample."

A voice spoke into the man's comms.

"Good, good..."

She was the same woman who contacted the Hands of Science earlier.

"I've taken it you've culled the couriers as well?" She asked.

"Yes," The man said. "We can't afford to let anyone see me, not this early..." 

"I'd rather that you deliver the sample to me rather than Dr. Cross." The woman said. "Since we are going to fool her into thinking that the sample has been lost by her incompetent employees."

"And the purpose of this ruse, is?" The man asked.

The woman laughed. 

"Dr. Cross will have a [i]high[/i] position in our organization, she deserves as much," The woman started off, coolly speaking. "And she's bright enough to piece things together... and I would rather not have her piece together [i]everything[/i]."

She laughed again.

"... And we are going to do [i]great[/i] things with this."