A Team of Heroes

[Gifted]

"She feels offended." Tamara shrugged. "It isn't easy to get on her good side.But people who can, she'll move heaven and earth for."

[Raven]

"I enjoy the time I spend with her, but I'm not willing to spend all my time worrying about offending her or trying to explain my actions," Wulf said. "Especially when she won't listen even if I do."

[Gifted]

"She doesn't want an explanation. She wants an apology. I don't think you have anything to apologize for, but I know how my sister thinks. Sasha's a nice girl; very smart."
"...Thank you." Tamara almost never spoke, and Sasha was shocked the sister of Valeriya would use some of her few words to pay her a genuine compliment. She'd gone pink.

[Raven]

"I won't apologize when I don't regret my actions," Wulf responded. "If that means I cannot be Valeriya's friend... Well, I will deal with the consequences."

[Gifted]

Tamara shrugged and chose not to comment.

[Raven]

"Thank you, though," Wulf said. "I would not expect you to choose my side over your sister's, I know how important family is."

[Gifted]

"I don't take sides."

[Raven]

"That's wise." Wulf nodded. "Tomorrow night I will ask Banion if it would be alright for me to cook."

[Gifted]

"I'm sure Angélique would appreciate the day off."

[Raven]

"I'd love for you all to be able to try something new, if you're up for it," Wulf said, smiling.

[Gifted]

Tamara nodded agreeably.
"Sounds like fun." Sasha agreed.

[Gifted]

The compound they used as a base was extremely secure. There was a large chain ink fence around the entire yard at the front and back of the building, with intimidating barbed wire at the top. A large gate closed in the fence and wall, equally difficult to climb and kept closed unless they were expecting someone. There was a camera over the gate, a box to call into the house from outside so someone in the house could let you in and a fingerprint scanner to open the gate from outside. The fence connected to the building walls, but even if you tried to climb the fence onto the roof to avoid the fence, there was barely enough space to walk along the gutter before one ran into live electrical wires plugged into sharply slanted solar panels that toget prevented anyone from crossing onto the helicopter landing pad. Every window was made of bulletproof glass and reinforced with steel frames so that it would be easier to break in by going through a wall than a window. The front door was metal, locked and had a keycode to enter.

[Raven]

The next morning, someone drove up to the front gate in a jeep and pushed the button to call so she could be let in. They weren't expecting anyone, but the camera could clearly see a woman in her mid-twenties with light brown hair and sunglasses on.

[Gifted]

Banion was in his room at the time, either sleeping or doing some of that work he seemed constantly so busy with. Thus, it was Lucas who answered the phone. "Hey!" He greeted. "Lucas Carvalho here. We're not expecting nobody, who's this?"

[Raven]

"I'm Kimberly Carter, I'm with the Deer River Examiner, I was hoping I could ask a few questions about your recent mission in Baiji?"