For most people who didn't know Elizabeth Lionharte personally, they'd always assume that she was the kind hearted and all peace kind of lady. Being affectionate in all she did while strictly commanding the Shield on its assault against the Shield.
For those like Reynolds, well, it was a different story. Even if it was a mere hologram, he could feel the pressure from her gaze. She was cross.
"So you're telling me that another Half-breed has been let loose."
"Yes ma'am."
"And that it's quite possible that the inquisitors may suspect what it is."
"Yes ma'am." Reynolds gulped, "To make matters worse they've decided to come out of the shadows. At a crime scene they left us a message. It was a symbol of a pillar."
Elizabeth looked at the symbol intently from her end, scrutinizing it thoroughly before looking at Reynolds.
"It is a terrorist group called the Foundation."
"I'm sorry, ma'am, you know who they are?"
"Yeah. Just started off as rioters, mere scum backed by someone with money. We caught them, but never found their supporter. Seems like he's hired some new friends. More experienced ones. Your men should be prepared. If they were able to get this much daemon together, then who knows what other intentions they may have."
"What about the inquisitors?"
"The inquisitors won't interfere."
"Are you certain ma'am? They did lose two of their best and promising men."
"True, they did. But they won't. Not with Martha in charge. She won't dare."
"Ma'am, these were close friends of Martha Hill."
Elizabeth looked up at him, lost in thought. Reynolds shifted his weight from one leg to the other, still nervous. He could see Dr. Vott in the back from the corner of his eye, reading his book while watching whatever was going on, a broad smile on his face.
"Actually, I'm going to let her engage. She might come in handy. Elizabeth, out."
Reynolds took a deep breath as the hologram faded away. He stood still for a while before turning back to look at Dr. Vott.
"Back to work I guess." Dr. Vott said
"You can say that again. Tracking down two half-breeds."
"Don't even know where to start from."
"The sewers."
"Yeah, like that would make it easier."
"It narrows it down. At least for the first one. The second one popped out of nowhere and killed an inquisitor. Then it just disappeared."
"I heard. Spen told me."
"How's your guy doing, seeing all this?"
"Spen is no amateur Captain. He has seen a lot before he even began killing daemon, you should be more worried about your guys. They were traumatized."
"Yeah, especially Lukas. Aaron literally trained the guy. But they'll cope."
"Or leave."
"Meh… same thing."
The two reached the control room where to three men saluted him.
"All of you, come with me."
Bree saluted following Vott and Reynolds down the hall.
"I need you to get footage of all security cameras in the area where the second daemon was. We need to find out its pattern."
"Yes sir."
"Vander, take a unit down the sewers and track down the daemon. Deploy drones if necessary but do not engage the target. If it's strong enough to take out Barry, then I'm sorry to say that you guys won't last long."
"Yes sir."
"Harrison. Inform all the elite members that they are needed in the screening room the very second."
"Yes sir."
"Damn, literally telling your own soldiers that they won't last. That's harsh."
"Yeah. But its facts. Now shall we get down to business?
The Elite squad was a special unit that every Shield Captain was assigned to. They were the best of the best, with the Captain being the overall team leader. All of these men had military training, and a fairly rigorous one at that.
Princess was the first one to arrive, having already been in the base. She sat in front, waiting diligently. Shasha arrived next with Timothy, both preferring the back seat. Next came in Margaret, a shy and clumsy girl who tripped on the door. They all looked at her momentarily before looking away, knowing that her shyness was just a ruse. Dr. Vott and Captain Reynolds stepped in the room, accompanied by Spen Nikoli.
"Good evening soldiers," Reynolds began. As you are already aware, the attack two days ago was in relation to our current case of hybrid daemon. We now have more information concerning this issue."
Shasha raised her hand.
"Already?"
"Yeah, sir, who the hell is the kid?" She asked, a wide grin on her face.
"Yeah," Princess added, "Was he not part of the recruits?"
"Yes. Yes he is. However he is not a member of the Shield, rather a body guard of Dr. Victor Vott. Satisfied?"
"Yes sir."
"A bit."
"Good, now what we know is the there are a total of five half-breeds, two of which were cited in Boston. We believe that the terrorist organization responsible for letting them loose is still at large and still has hold of the other three."
"Sir, can't we just scan for daemon presence?" Timothy asked.
"Yes, but unfortunately, them being half-breeds masks out their daemon presence."
"How is that even possible?" Shasha asked.
"We still don't know." Reynolds sighed. "Which means approaching them will be dangerous. The terrorist group this time is the Foundation, started off as mere rioters until they decided to screw that and go bigger. We've given you full details of your assignments. You are to, however ensure that the inquisitors or the general public do not find out about this operation."
"I understand the general public but why the inquisitors?" Timothy asked.
"Because…"
"Orders from above." Reynolds cut Dr. Vott short. "Any questions?"
The silence from the four elites meant consent.
"Good. Dismissed." The four recruits immediately left the screening room, leaving the three men behind.
"Are you still going to conceal it from them?"
"Orders are orders. Unlike you, I don't have the liberty to say such secretive things."
"Like I said…"
"You don't need to remind me, Dr. Vott. I didn't even want to know. But its best if no one does."
"Its best. But it's not right."
"I know."