Phoebe Stride's Story

"God damnit, I missed everything! Why'd the hell all this had to happen all the way over at the other side of the damn base...damnit…”

Lingering in the entryway of the hall, a woman stood, arms crossed over her chest as she stared at the little gathering before her. Her features were hidden, masked, but her scowl was made just as obvious through her tone as if her face had been bare to the world. Though the combination of goggles and mask could have been seen as slightly unnerving by some, the person’s attitude- resembling more of a pouting child than anything- made the effect...less prominent.

Although Stride hadn’t been lying about having to travel from what was nearly the opposite side of the building, her tardiness had, admittedly, been partially her fault. After all, when playing “Eye of the Tiger” while training and pretending that the entire sequence is a movie montage, one has a tendency to have trouble picking up any faint sounds of conflict. It was only until she had finished that she finally noticed, and, cursing her luck, deposited her training gear and started a sprint to the location, shrugging into her usual items on the way there.

Unfortunately for her, however, as things had been wrapped up shortly before she had arrived, Stride was left in her current state. Her chest rose and fell with each pant, hair slightly disheveled as she looked on in annoyance. She had wanted action, after all, and healing up a recovered werewolf after their escape didn’t count for much in her books.

After scuffing her boots upon the tile a few times, the half-breed allowed a hand to fall to her side, using the other to adjust her goggles. “There any chance there’s somethin’ for me to help with?” Stride offered after a moment. “Got nothin’ else to do, and, sides, I kinda wanna find out what happened around here. Looks like it was one hell of...somethin’.” Almost unconsciously, her gaze dropped to Kora, and, at her side, Fel. Whatever had happened, it didn’t take rocket science to figure out that the redhead had been at the center.

Once again, Stride mentally cursed her timing, but did not dwell too long upon it. After all, considering she was there, it would be a waste of time not to offer to help wrap things up…

...even if the process of doing so was incredibly uninteresting.

Montana had placed a steadying hand on the small of Kora's back, the fabric of the tablecloth was strange to the touch, but he could feel it nonetheless. Good good, it retained the sense of touch, albeit muted. -You most certainly need medical attention.- He replied to her. His voice was low, head turned so Kora, and only Kora could hear his words. "Yes, you do Kora, you know as well as I do the toll a transformation like this takes." Though general care for his colleagues was always a factor, the red wolf was also an invaluable asset, and deployment was sometimes the work for a few hours, and he needed her at her best.

"Though it appears as if the infirmary has come to us." Far from being unsettled by the hooded figure, he seemed calmed by her presence, and a momentary softness, paired with a small smile crossed his features, quickly banished by his usual stoic look. "Thank you." He said with a nod. She was in good hands, the hands of a race that, on the surface used them for help rather then hindrance.

Ah. Stride. Montana always found her rather...excitable. A personality that made base life interesting, an work quite intense. "I'm afraid so Stride." He replied. "It seems that health will be restored momentarily, so in regards to your offer of help..." The male cast his coal black eyes around the room. "I'd imagine you could help the janitorial staff with clean up, or perhaps if you've hidden an affinity for carpentry you could get started on measuring and re fitting the cabinets."

"...Isaid I'm fine..." Kora mumbled, shrugging the support off as she rose to her feet, leaning against the wall. She paused there to clear her head before setting her gaze on Montana.

"Not that I don't appreciate your concern, but I have been training to force changes since I was five or six. I can manage."

She straightened up, made her way over to the sink in the smashed-up kitchen, and poured a glass of water. Well, a plastic cup. They didn't tend to keep too much that was easily broken for...well mostly for that reason entirely.

"...getting freakin' tazed on the other hand is not something I'm quite as adapted to. Not that I hold a grudge or anything. Unless it's Oren. Then it becomes funny."


She downed a glass of water in one gulp, clearing the rather unpleasant taste of blood that tended to follow a transformation. You did not tend to bleed too much, Oren had gone one about how the blood vessels massively constricted during a shift, however, when you had a set of fangs bursting through your gumline, it did tend to leave that nasty taste on your mouth.

"I'm not going to the infirmary. Spent all morning in research. Had enough being poked and prodded by people in white coats to last me a while. I swear every time that leech looks at me she's picturing a dissection session and I don't doubt she'd do it. Vamps. They give me the creeps. Like reptiles." she paused, casting a glance in Stride's direction.
"Uh, no offence intended."


She was about to speak again, when the SCION intercom flared suddenly into life. The speaker system had been set up for remote access...where the 'remote' was was less clear, but the voice, that of a female speaking calmly and clearly, but with a chipper enough tone, broadcast out.

"Good morning agents of SCION, I do hope you're all well. A new case has come to our attention. Please will all field-cleared staff, medical dept, and research convene in the meeting room immediately."


Kora gazed up at the small speaker with narrowed eyes.
"It's like you do this on purpose. Am I really expected to swan into a staff briefing in a table cloth? Is this where my life has led me?"

“You’d like me to mop the floors while I’m at it?” Stride drawled, drumming her fingers lightly upon the top of her arm. “I’m not a damn intern, ya know. I’ll just get the staff over here, but I’m not gonna sit around cleanin’ n’ shit.”

Although the man had been a member of SCION for far longer than she, the silver-head tended to have trouble biting her tongue out of respect for the other, arrogant bastard that he was.

Upon hearing Kora’s explanation of her refusal, and subsequent apology, Stride only snorted and let her hands fall to her side. Her response had been hanging off her lips when the sudden broadcast cut her off, sending her snapping to attention at the voice. Stride’s eyes gazed upwards at the intercom from beneath her goggles, locking onto it as if it the piece of technology was the speaker herself.

It was only when the words had finally cut off that her gaze returned to her company, hand lifting to scratch at the side of her jaw. “Well,” Stride began, “can’t really take much offense now, can I? Since this ‘s just screwin’ ya over and all.” Absentmindedly, the woman once again looked to the speaker, squinting up at it.

“You’d think they’d give us a bit of a heads-up ‘round here...better be somethin’ important.”

After all, although it was fairly clear by now that the mess was caused by a research accident, Stride was still dying to know all the juicy details.

"I wanted to show you-" He was cut off by the rather loud accountant. ""While it would be childishly amusing to skip such a meeting I think we should show our faces, no?" Rafael would shrug his shoulders in agreement and fallow the women down the hall. He was slightly taken back by the woman's burst of speed and found himself instinctively making chase. He only slowed as Arc waved him down and spoke. "Care to join me in disappearing for a day? Bring a gun, something small and quiet, and shoots fast, this could get ugly, and I'd rather not bring anyone back dead. It's not absolutely necessary, but I thought you two might like to see what a human war's like nowadays." Rafael stopped and spoke with a slight smile. "As much as i would like to join you, I believe we have been called in to a meeting, any other time, sure." He would turn and continue up the hall to the meeting room.

Upon entering said room, he found himself looking not only at the small group of SCION agents he already knew, but a few new faces as well. “Well, they get younger every year.” He would nod to the notably younger looking agents in the room and take a seat at the back of the room. He would turn the empty seat in front of him around and rest his loafers on it. Bringing the brim of his hat down over to his face to make it seem like he was going to take a nap.

He was in actuality using his senses to take note of the new auras in the room and took to sending out a mass probe that would reach out and touch each of the three new agents in the room. He counted a Fallen girl he had only seen in the infirmary once before. A newly turned Lycanthrope with a rather…heated aura around her and lastly he felt an aura he hadn’t felt in over 700 years. “A Medusa? Hmm…this should be interesting” he thought internally and brought his head back up. Setting his eyes on the board at the front of the room he let a small chuckle escape his lips.

Liam finished making his call, and went over to Jonah to help get their stuff into the room. He took both their backpacks to get them settled, and then decided to investigate the room. Mainly, wondering if there were any monitoring devices, but he was also wondering how old it was and what everything would originally look like. Jonah had this annoying habit of changing things without saying anything (like turning a closet into a condensed hallway with several rooms without taking up any additional space), and it could get a bit annoying at times.

Jonah had more questions as Liam returned, but the announcement apparently put everything else on hold. Not wanting to miss anything, the two rushed immediately there, Jonah forgetting to put the dufflebag with all of his various collected objects in their room with the rest of their stuff. Jonah had collected a large variety of magical objects during their search for a way to reverse the curse.

Jonah and Liam rushed in to try and take some seats close by. For a moment, they thought they were the most casually dressed, until Val came in. Jonah took the opportunity. "Hey Liam, bring back any memories".

Liam blushed in reference to the old prank, when Jonah locked him outside their hotel room in just a towel. "Jonah, please never bring that up, or else. I have ammo too".

Jonah shot him a glare as they took their seats. Still, he took out his phone, to check for any texts. Nothing yet. He looked around at the others.

This would be their first step on the path to revenge, against the demons, and the witch.

An announcement cut over the intercom, requesting all personnel into a meeting. It wouldn't be the first time Arc had left a meeting early, and certainly wouldn't be his last. He made his way into the room, grabbed his old JTF2 uniform, suited up, grabbed a large backpack, put his Vector, his USP, a few concussion grenades, and made his way to the room. He leaned against the back wall, next to the door, making it clear to the higher ups that he would not be staying for the night.

Several new faces were in the room. Arc didn't like new faces, hard to trust people when you don't even know what they are. His eyes met those of a younger woman, she didn't seem too happy to be here. Although the cloaked figure really caught his eye. He heard all the rumors, but he didn't care for what others said about her, he wanted to know himself. The stats said she was a fallen angel, works in the infirmary. Arc had never really spent much time there, so he'd never really met her.

Arc texted his LT.

" 2h, we've got a meeting, I can't just bail. Should be over sometime soon. "

He walked further into the room, looking for a place to sit. Against his better judgement, he sat next to Fel. She had definetely piqued his interests, and he wanted to know what made her tick. But that was a conversation for later.

Fel watched Kora for a long moment, as if trying to decide if healing the woman against her wishes was the right thing to do. Kora's pain was like a beacon to Fel, the desire to relieve it growing with ever passing second. It was when the booming voice over the loud speaker chimed in Fel made her decision.

She quickly removed her glove revealing a scarred hand with a missing index finger. Reaching out she touched Kora on the shoulder despite the woman's protest after all if a mission was coming then they would need the woman at her full strength.
The process took less than a second as Fel's powers worked to repair any damage that Kora had caused herself during the transformation process. All the while a soothing sensation would pass over the werewolf leaving her momentarily feeling content. The sensation was different for everyone maybe it was the feeling of a favorite blanket on a cold winter's day, the taste of a comforting food, or the smell of a carnival.

As soon as Fel's hand left Kora the woman would full back to normal, well as normal as the angry werewolf was anyways. It was during this moment Fel moved behind Montana least be on the receiving end of one of Kora's famous doctor punches.
Hiding behind Montana always made Fel feel safe, knowing that the man would protect her from just about anything that life tried to throw at her (including an angry werewolf). Once Fel had put her glove back on and she was certain that any danger had passed she tugged on Montana's sleeve.

Her voice was soft but there was a hint of tenderness in it as she address Montana. "Ready to go?"
She would walk with Montana towards the meeting room before deciding on the taking a seat with open spots on either side.
To her surprise a man she knew very little of aside from the name sat next to her. The scars on the side of the man's face made her instantly feel for Arcturus. After all they reminded her a bit of her own.

--------------------------------------
Crystal was confused as agents ushered her into the meeting room, hadn't they said she wasn't ready? The confusion slowly turned into excitement, all the tests, combat training, and preparation over the last month had paid off and they were finally sending her into the field.

Then as all the people starting coming in the panic started setting in, their were so many people, so many supernatural agents. Pushing down her inward panic Crystal decided to focus on her hatred, the hatred for every dam supernatural creature in the room.

/Stupid agency putting me in a room full of killers, I'll show them that I have more culture then these supernatural soldiers of death./

What was even more stupid was that Crystal had to be on the look out for her new trainer. The agents had called the woman her future pack leader, but Crystal refused to think of anyways that way. Thinking of it that way would be to accept what she now was, and that was not something she was ready to do.

Crystal was some animal that needed a pack.

Such a strange proposition. Montana could venture to make a few guesses, educated ones at that having extensively read every employees file with a meticulous eye. He didn't however. He didn't make any reply beyond a questioning look either. Montana's first plunge into violence was war, a bloody conflict in jungles thick with paranoia and crimson rain, but his baptism was spec ops and espionage. He would need more information then that. Much more. He understood members had their side projects, unfinished business and old promises, but these were things he was rarely privy too. If it wasn't in their files, he didn't pry.

Unless he was asked to partake.

Kora's reply drew his gaze away from the other mortals retreating form, he followed her movements, nodding earnestly when she spoke. All fair points to him. All made sense in their context and all could be attributed to her and not many others. Still, he would have taken her to the infirmary regardless if Fel hadn't shown up. Tried to at least. Broken ribs and whatnot.

"Well of course not Stride." His voice didn't miss a beat, or sound even slightly offended, or strained. "I'd never take an employee of your stature as anything less then your stalwarts, I only..took your offer for help at face value I suppose." His mouth stayed in its serious line, but his eyes, they smiled in a decidedly mischievous manner.

Then, the loudspeaker, an announcement. Base wide, briefing. Precisely why he wanted Kora taken care of, thank goodwill for Fel's timely arrival. He imagined she'd find clothes en rout.

"After you." He replied.

Montana excused himself from their presence and escorted Fel to the meeting, he stayed close to her side, matched her stride, and never strayed from his position beside her. When they entered the room, he opted to stand behind Fel rather then sit. His hands wrapped around the alloy, and stayed there. Like everyone else he was interested, and like the veterans he watched the newcomers with a trained eye. He would hold counsel after the meeting, mission depending. Misters Wiseman and Alihambra numbering among the veterans he spoke with, as well as Miss Valentine and Miss Opal. Mission depending.

Speaking of veterans to speak with, the normally stoic Arcturus had taken a seat next to Fel and himself. Interesting. From what he knew about his fellow, Arcturus preferred to stay on the outskirts where he could observe the group.

"Good morning agents of SCION, I do hope you're all well. A new case has come to our attention. Please will all field-cleared staff, medical dept, and research convene in the meeting room immediately."


Issac's eyes opened only after he was a stride out of his room, he had been resting in one of the many rooms in the building far away from all of the action. He was on auto pilot , his mind still lost the haze of sleep, but thankfully his feet knew where to walk. He wasn't exactly dressed for a meeting , let alone a briefing. Fatigues and a OD green tee made the combat veteran look like bum. His relatively short hair stuck up in that tell tale way while the glassed over look on his un-shaved-face completed the look, in fact aside from his pace , the knife riding scout carry and perhaps the dropleg holster his sidearm rested in, he looked out of place.

The field operative found the meeting room in decent time and managed to slide in among the growing crowd, he quickly claimed a corner covering the room as a whole and the door before crossing his arms and letting his chin sink to his chest , eyes falling shut.

' never run when you can walk, never walk when you can stand, never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lay down, and never be awake when you can sleep....' His units old mantra floated about his mind. Even though his eyes where closed he'd be paying attention for the sounds of authority entering the room, only then would he pay more than half attention, shifting from the lazy guy in the corner to the soldier he was.

Kora was not exactly thrilled to be walking into a staff meeting wearing only a singular piece of fabric that was designed for adorning pieces of furniture, but if nothing else, a life of being known as part of the lycanthrope nobility had led to a sense of confidence in most situations, and the woman walked into the meeting room in a tablecloth with a total lack of concern.

She dropped into a seat and turned it in the direction of the head of the table, where three of the higher ranking officials within SCION were seated. She knew who they were. Pretty much everyone knew who they were, agents of SCION who had proved themselves sufficiently in the field that they were called upon to strategize instead of put their hides on the line in the field. You didn't get into a top spot just by showing up of course. All of them were pretty well-known and talked about, and, from at least Kora's point of view, envied just a bit. Of course, she was not about to admit such a thing because, if nothing else, two were vampires.


A neatly-dressed woman of japanese origin sat at one side, her hair tied back and a laptop sat in front of her. Aiko Wakahisa, also going by 'Yokai', a vampress originating from the Edo period, and one of SCION's most successful spies and intel gatherers. She had contacts, leads, and people to lean on for details almost everywhere, and any shady activity that was known about tended to reach her ears before most anyone else's. So the frown on her pallid face meant that things were going to get interesting.

Leofric Wyndham. What you might call and old fashioned fellow, in that he was in the 21st century still wearing a regimental jacket draped over his shoulders. Of course, he didn't look a day over thirty. Vampirism did that to you. Still, he had been leading armies before half those present had even been born so, you had to assume hat the dark-haired man knew what he was talking about to some degree, and his record as a commander spoke for itself. He cast a glance at Kora and smirked.
"Lovely dress Norrevinter. Very avaunt-garde."

Saffiya Elmessiri, 'Sekhmet'. A lore expert. A magic user, and a werecat. The egyptian woman non-chalantly toyed with one of the talismans that hung round her neck as she looked over a set of a few print-outs and scratched down a few notes, symbols and numbers, onto a notepad. Looking for a pattern, no doubt.

Behind them the blue moon of SCION was projeted up on the wall, along with the silent promise that they were being watched by the organization's enigmatic benefactor, and it was this disembodied voice that spoke up.

"Good morning everyone. Thank you for coming. I hope you're all well. I see we have a few new faces here, and would like to welcome our new trainees, Crystal, Jonah, and Liam. Welcome to SCION, the three of you.

Now, onto business. A matter has arisen that requires the organization's attention. Miss Wakahisa, I believe you've compiled a report?"


The vampress nodded and rose to her feet, pressing a key on her laptop that caused the moon projection to snap to the picture of a map, the twisted lines of roads and streets indicating some kind of built up area.
"A contact in the North Yorkshire constabulary contacted me yesterday about a string of brutal murders that have been taking place around York, England. And by brutal, I mean that half of the victims tend to be missing by the time they're actually found. The press have become aware of one or two, but the force are keeping the whole thing at a low level on account of the large number of visitors arriving for the city's viking festival."

Had Kora been a wolf at the time, her ears would have pricked up, and she sat forward in her seat. Aiko had little concern for that, spoke further.

"This was of little concern to us, until in the early hours of yesterday a body was reported in that our contact describes as an 'unknown creature'. My informant in the police is very familiar with most common cryptid species, but has no idea of the origin."

She cast her dark gaze upwards.
"Dr Kovalenko, have you gotten any data from the sample you received."

Oren had materialized in the doorway, some notes in one hand and what remained of the green vial in the other.
"It's blood." the hungarian biologist responded.
"But unlike any other sample I have examined before."

She walked over the table to roll the sealed vial into the middle.
"The colour is from biliverdin, a bile pigment in the plasma. This is similar to skinks of the genus prasinohaema. The blood cells inside it...the structure has almost entirely broken down...but what I have seen of it is...unusual, to say the least. It bears resemblance to no existing species." she paused a moment.
"Including all cryptid blood samples on record. This is...new."

Alexander glanced towards the speaker as the announcement came over, Such a broad request of personal had him wondering what the powers that be had in store for them. Draining the last drops of his meal he followed Kate out of the room and down the Hallways. As he entered the meeting room he found himself a seat, eyeing the room full of people. His interest was certainly peaking by now though no one would be able to tell. His gaze finally settled upon the three officials and the logo that hid their benefactor.

Upon hearing a voice of greeting he paid rather little attention only taking interest in the names of the three new recruits, two he had spotted earlier but had not said anything to. Still now would not be the time for introductions as he focused on the vampress that stood up. Mrs Wakahisa was your safe bet for having the most Intel when a new assignment was being handed out, her information network was vast.

Taking the information in keenly he began to make mental notes, as undoubtedly everyone else would. Drumming his fingers across across his leg he was impressed when he noticed Oren appear in room and present her findings. " Efficient as always Dr Kovalenko" he said more thinking out loud then anything else, a new species would certainly require attention and one with a growing kill count certainly could justify the level of response that could possibly be mustered just by the people in the room. The key word being could. " Forgive my interruption Mrs Wakahisa... but a string of murders with an unidentified corpse... there are a lot of us in here for just that?" It seemed to Alexander that Dr Kovalenko and couple of other boots on the ground could suffice for now to research what they had available and to keep on eye on the festival. His mind wondering what the three people and one unknown voice had in store for them

Unlike some of her company, Stride had chosen to sit in the near center of the room, blending within the crowd of her fellow recruits fairly comfortably. Allowed her to get a decent view, or so was her logic- and, besides, it wasn’t like she was stealing anyone’s claimed seat or anything like that. First come, first serve and all. The gorgon eyed the trio at the front for a few moments from her position, regarding them with interest, before slipping her hood smoothly off her head and beginning to hum a few bars of “Hotel California” under her breath as she waited.

A sign of Stride’s own respect, however unnoticable.

She spent a few minutes like this, occasionally glancing about to catch sight of any familiar faces. There were quite a few around her- one of which being a certain newly turned werewolf, much to her surprise- although, as the presentation began, the woman quickly halted in her actions. She rested her forearms upon the table before her, gaze turning towards the trio of speakers at the front of the room, and, quieting herself, began to listen with interest. The mention of the viking festival hardly caught any of her interest- although she was vaguely aware that Kora would certainly be eager about the mission now- but the topic of “brutal murders” and an “unknown creature” had drawn her attention soon enough.

While Stride’s scientific knowledge admittedly needed to be brushed up on, the idea of going on a hunt for an unidentified…thing was fascinating. Tracking it down...properly identifying it...Although Stride doubted that they would want for the thing to be killed rather than contained, it would certainly be an adventure.

Through the commentary that a few others provided, the fighter remained silent, fingers curled over her lips as she listened. The second speaker- the vampire, “Alexander”- was admittedly right, much to her chagrin. The entire base had gathered at the meeting, and Stride doubted that each one of SCION’s members would be sent away on the sole mission. Would leave things too open, and she doubted that the higher ups would be...less than wise about that fact.

Stride mulled about whether or not the opportunity of volunteering was to be offered or not, then pushed the thought to the back of her mind. She could only hope, really; after all, it was entirely up to the heads what happened next.

Once again, Stride found herself continuing her little song, only to stop shortly afterward.

"Well I'm glad the prospect of a human police force in possession of a non-human corpse is not a concern to you, Mr Wiseman." Leo remarked drily from where he was sat back in his chair.
"But that's not the concern. Saffiya has reviewed the crime scene photographs forwarded to us, and believes that there may be a sort of ritual aspect to the killings."

The egyptian woman cleared her throat, and nodded over to Aiko, who snapped the projection to a...rather gruesome scene.

"Two bodies, both young males, discovered in the foundations of the ancient roman baths beneath the streets of York. The area is beneath a public house, but no voices or stuggles were heard during the night, and the door was locked when the keeper opened up and discovered the scene.

The bodies had both had their throats cut and were laid out with several different items. Burned salt dough, the skull of a goat, and a knot of sheepskin soaked in something that's proved to be goat's milk. The previous bodies were discovered with bone amulets placed in their hands and red ochre on their arms and faces." she explained, at which point the werecat spoke up.

"None of this is an accident. These are all hallmarks of Lupercalia, and ancient roman, and pre-roman ceremony. 'The feast of the wolf' that takes place on the ides of February. It was originally to honour some kind of ancient wolf-deity, and came to represent the lupa, the wolf who raised Romulus and Remus in the name of the god Mars." Saffiya explained.
"It existed as some kind of animal cult in roman Britannia. The romans mostly did away with the human sacrifice aspect of the festival, but some of the occupying romans in the north of England continued to carry out the killings on the natives to honour the wolf-god. That and the state of the bodies seems to point to a werewolf-related killing, but the fact that it is not only continuing, but also becoming progressively more ritualistic in nature might point to something more widespread and dangerous taking place within the city. Black magic can't be ruled out at this point, which is why we're taking this extremely seriously. Large scale human sacrifice in the context of magic is...extremely dangerous."

Leo then began to explain the brief in itself.

"We need three teams to cover this little problem. We've established a property in the city to use as a base and from there you can cover your responsibilities. First, Oren, you will be visiting the local morgue where the bodies have been sent awaiting autopsy. Your name is Lauren Drake and you are a forensic pathologist sent by the coroner to conduct the autopsies and compile a report for the investigation. The official paperwork is going to get lost somewhere in transit so, once you have gotten the data on the unknown body, you are to write any anomalies off to a medical condition and ensure the body is improperly stored.

Two field operatives are to accompany Oren in the guise of her assistants to make sure this all goes ahead without a hitch.

The second team we need you to keep an eye on the festivities, try to blend in, and keep an eye out for any signs of cryptid activity there. You never know when a group may have some sort of nasty plan, especially when large numbers are gathered.

The third, we need you to start talking to the cryptid population of the city. Someone out there knows something. Start with the werewolf population and work your way out.

So."

He paused.

"Anyone here especially keen, or are we going to have to start telling you where to go?"

Issac watched the briefing quietly , after all as a boot he really didn't have a place in the conversation , but he did have his own list of questions to ask if he got assigned to the groups. To his surprise instead of having a more in-depth discussion on the plan everyone simply chose to start moving. The fact that they were going to be dealing with something not on record gave no one pause? Had Scions higher ups already checked the police records to see if there had been any other related crimes? He frowned and then spoke.

" So we are going in blind , against an unknown amount of mythical beings, of which we know nothing? " He aimed a glare at the three higher ups. "Pardon my ignorance if that is the case, but this plan seems like it's gonna get at least one of us killed. From what information it sounds like we are going to be dealing with a cult, and mass human sacrifice as you suggested is a bad thing, but requires a number of ''people'' to work ,if I read that section of the ops manual properly." He kept the irritation out of his voice , making it sound like general concern instead, a skill he had long since mastered. " I'd rather not had out a yellow letter to a new recruits family member first day out..." He added glassing over the few new recruits that were still sitting around.

As Jonah listened, he definitely got interested. Mass killings? Ritual Sacrifice? He could think of several various entities that could do something like this, and he also knew a large amount of things a ritual like this could do. And while yes, there were plenty of other suspects, his thoughts immediately fell onto the witch that cursed both him and Liam. It would not be the first time they heard of her doing something like this. Of course, it could be so many other things that he could be wrong, especially since she didn't usually do roman stuff or wolf god stuff, but maybe it was just to throw people off or was a coincidence after all.

He went over to the three SCION leaders immediately as Issac asked his questions. "Thanks for the warm introduction, and for the record, me and Liam don't have family, and despite our appearences due to this damn curse, we are probably older and more experienced then you. Anyways, while I cannot confirm this is her work, the witch that cursed us both has done stuff like or at least similar to this in the past. At the very least, you should have this. Its everything we know about this damn witch. She goes by many names, we put as many of them there as we knew, but we don't know what her real name is. Just that she originated from The Coven of the White Willow before killing them all and getting a demon benefactor. Additionally, I will be with group three. I have done a lot of research on magic and sacrifices and basically every ritual out there while looking for a way to break the curse, so I have made a lot of contacts all over the world and I have a lot of knowledge in this area. If we can find the site where the ritual is actually being done, I might be able to tell you a few specific possibilities for what ritual this is".

He then turned towards Issac. "So you should not judge people based on appearance, trust me, you wont last long. And thats not a threat, its a fact. Werewolves, when born into it, can sometimes be most lethal between ages five and ten. The next kid you see could be one, and if he is hungry....you get my point?"

Liam just looked towards Crystal, trying to avoid anyone's gaze right now in the progress. "Well, that figures. And he says I put on a show. Anyways, my name is Liam. Nice to meet you".

By this point, Stride was biting into her bottom lip to keep from laughing out, hands clasped against the sides of her head as she listened to the various commentary cropping up in the room. Her canines stabbed into the soft flesh of her mouth, but even then it was worth the cost of worsening the situation.

While a few participants of the meeting seemed relatively helpful, the others were...not so much. One had outright bailed in the middle of an important meeting, another was bitching about the possibility of agents getting killed, and another seemed happy to brag to the commanders about how he had much more experience than them.

All in all, it certainly made Stride glad she was there- this was priceless.

It took the woman a while to get a proper grip and compose herself, but eventually she managed, straightening up in her seat and rubbing at a spot directly beneath her goggles. “Ah, excuse me for the interruption, too, but,” Stride paused, attempting to patch together her words in such a way as to not offend the higher ups. “But, uh, I can’t really remember them saying anything about us fightin’ anyone? They said intel, so correct me if I’m wrong, but, I don’t think that means they want us to run into battles or anythin’.”

She blinked, then, taking a glance at the empty chair in the room, then added, “Also, uh, I didn’t imagine that one guy walkin’ out of a meetin’ like this, right?”

Stride didn’t comment on the-kids-who-weren’t-really-kids. There was nothing /to/ say about a rookie doing something like that, anyway. She merely gave a few last words of, “I’d like to join the second team, please, ‘scuse me again,” before settling back into her seat and placing a finger against her jawline.

So nothing had been seen, was the answer to Montana's question. Interesting. Blood, and ritual killings. Particularly nasty deals cults. Zealots didn't operate in the same way most targets did. The closest thing he could associate them with was a being put through the process of zombification. Hard to threaten. Hard to interrogate for information. Many times intel was based gathered from the fringe supporters, those who still held doubts in their convictions, or even worried about others. A powerful tool, doubt. Very underrated.

The manner of the deaths were interesting to him, but a locked door killing was hardly out of place in the supernatural realm. Even in the realm of special operations. It only meant the method would take some care to look into. Suicide was always a possibility. Forced or otherwise, but all this was speculation. He'd speak more on that with his team members.

Their guises had been taken care of all that was left was their choice of roles. He'd make the suggestion that the newer recruits, who held the bodies of children and the minds of men, be placed in the festival under 'Parental Supervision'. They would prove themselves to be valuable in this op. Children at times had an easier time blending in..

Arc's words drew him from his train of thought. No that wouldn't do. Two SCION assets gone on the eve of an operation was one thing, taking Fel, a close personal friend, and a valuable healer on a side project was out of the question for him. Not that Montana didn't respect Fel's right to choose, and he'd support her choices even if they didn't line up with his own. The fact of the matter was he didn't feel like now was the time, nor the place. Especially with so little information. It made him uncomfortable. He placed his gloved hand very gently on the folds of his dear friends cloak.

"I don't think Fel traveling to Brazil would be very prudent." The sidekick vibe wasn't something he was appreciating either. If need be, he'd have to talk with Arcturus after the meeting. If need be. While Arc numbered among the very few he'd want by his side in a firefight, his methods were questionable. Something that had no doubt brought them both to points of contention in the past.

This aside, he found himself nodding at the basic gist of Issac's words. Concern, good, level headed concern.

Then the new comers spoke up, with words of emboldened controversy. Ego, deserved or otherwise, came with the territory when dealing with the long lived. A lot of it was deserved, as he had only lived a fraction of the life many others had. Ego was also responsible for the demise of many an immortal at the hands of a fraction life. All had its place.

This didn't have its place.

"A carpenter will often counsel an architect, but a carpenter does not tell an architect how to do his job. If an architect is being irresponsible in their designs, a carpenter will tell them, but they won't design the building."

He had been on a carpentry kick for a bit.

"You both are long lived, and perhaps see me as a child in your eyes, but we are all here because we are specialists in our fields. We all have our place in this organization. While some were following the rise of technology, others bled on the battlefield. Through cultural cohesion, we, members of races that have warred for millennia, come together for the mutual benefit of us all."

"That gentlemen there." Montana lifted his finger toward Isaac.

"Asks his questions for the well being of us all. Each part of our teams works together, not as a cog in a greater machine, but in a symbiotic partnership. To keep ourselves, and the innocent alive. Regardless of your personal prowess comrade, you must work with us, without ideas of grandeur, and use that experience to assist in our goals, rather then insinuate supremacy over our ranking members."

"As simple as your words were they carry weight, and we do not need to set the wrong precedent before this operation. I am no ones boss. I am a fellow operative who needs to put the same trust in you all that I put in myself."

Montana wasn't usually this wordy, but it was something for the new recruits.

Caught off guard by the seeming-youths demeanor, Issac's eye brow shot up in surprise, this might as well have been him screaming of surprise in any other man's case. The audacity in which they spoke to those higher on the food chain than them selves made the soldiers stomach knot, but that was only the beginning. The young man turned to him and only fueled his own fire.

As the youth went on about young were wolves ,his pupil's dilated. The voice conveyed less and less meaning as Issac faded from the room and found him self in a dark hut, the smell of burning flesh and carrion filled his nostrils as if he were standing there in Africa all over again. Panic and urgency stabbed at him anew at what he was witnessing for the hundredth time. What the hell is that?! He set his feet, as his finger tips grazed the checkered pattern on the grip of his side arm as he watched the child in front of him bend over backwards, his----it's spine giving way with a sickening crack as it transfo---.

"That gentlemen there."

Issac blinked, a cold bead of sweat slithered down the man's spine, The dark hut had faded back the dull cream colored meeting room, the youth that stood before him and the superiors of SCION were there... He was no longer in Africa. The Panic subsided, but the adrenaline stayed. He was acutely aware of his right-hand finger tips , he causally stretched his arms above his head,adding a yawn for good measure, taking his hand far away from his weapon to mask the fact he had almost drawn his weapon.

He looked calm through out the whole thing, aside from his thousand yard stare, he hopped the others would have taken it for shock rather than the P.T.S.D attack.

" As Mr. Montana said," He stated with a nod of thanks towards Montana," I ask my questions only to ensure our units survival and that we correctly conduct our selves. It's not wise to go gallivanting about Europe armed for battle in this day and age, as you're probably aware of , but it sounds like we might need more firepower than not at some point, so knowing what to pack would be very helpful. " Issac's voice had been matter-of-fact, but he paused before adding " Sir." With as little contempt as he could, which was very , very minor, but the boy would no doubt pick it up since it was aimed at him.

"As for the information on young werewolves, Thank you, I wasn't aware" He lied. So clearly that it could have been sarcasm.