Manhattan, New York

Bob & Joel Goldschmidt 6th

Two individuals sat across from each other at one of Manhattan's upscale restaurants in a private VIP booth. One was an older and average looking man with a bit of added weight. He looked a bit pudgy but he wasn't dressed sloppy at all. The man looked very professional sporting a pair of thin wire-frame glasses over his eyes. He had a look of nervousness on his face. This could possibly be a sign of work related stress.

Sitting across from the man was someone much younger. He looked to be in his late twenties to his early thirties. The boy was also wearing a suit. One major difference was that the older person was balding while the younger person had short brown hair. There was another major difference; the younger male was in a wheelchair. Both men were in professional business suits.

"My name is Joel Goldschmidt the Sixth. You may call me Joel," the younger man introduced himself. He would extend his right hand for a handshake.

The older man nodded and extended his hand.

"You may call me Bob," the older man introduced himself while shaking Joel's hand. "It seems that both of our organizations are on the same path. I have only heard brief bits of your organization called the Red Shield."

Joel nodded.

"Mr. Linderman was very private about who he was meeting. He didn't talk about us amongst the people whom were closest to him," Joel explained.

Bob nodded, "we're trying to change the direction the Company is going. But it's becoming more difficult. Kaito Nakamura, the head of Yamagato Industries was recently murdered. There was also the attack on Angela Petrelli."

Joel nodded in understanding. He and David were in the middle of rebuilding Red Shield as it was "destroyed" not long ago when Diva and Carl Fei-Ong attacked the main HQ off the coast of Marseille, France. Many people were killed and Kai's brother Riku was raped and killed.

That was a mere catalyst of something more sinister to come.

"Both of are groups are in the same both. We're restructuring and you're recovering. With the death of Linderman, we looked through his things. And we have read the information about the Red Shield and the Cinq Fleches Group. Before the end, we were once aligned with the Cing Fleches."

Joel nodded, "It doesn't surprise me at all. I have heard the previous goals of the Company were just as sinister as that of Cinq Fleches."

"Yes. Previous goals were more cutthroat. Recently, it was prophesized through a series of paintings that Peter Petrelli was supposed to explode and wipe out New York City. The blast would've killed millions of people. It would've allowed for Peter's brother, Nathan Petrelli to take action and inevitably become the President of the United States."

Joel took a sip of water. He felt slightly disturbed. The previous goals of the Company were no better than that of Cinq Fleches. But leadership can change.

"Tell me more about what your group specializes in," Joel requested. He then pulled out a book on genetics authored by Chandra Suresh. Taking a look at the cover, Joel placed the book on the center of the table.

"You find a book like this in the paranormal section. Dr. Suresh's research proved to be correct. However, not many people are ready for that truth."

Joel nodded.

"I understand. Not many people are ready for the truth we have uncovered as well," he replied back to Bob.

"Our purpose is to identify, monitor, and study individuals with special genetic abilities," Bob explained.

Joel paused and asked, "Special abilities?"

"There are many people in this world that possess special abilities. Such as electrokinesis, pyrokinesis, cryokinesis, telekinesis, telepathy, photographic muscle reflexes, super strength, time and space manipulation, regeneration, and many other abilities," Bob answered.

Joel cleared his throat, "I find it a bit hard to believe. But, we ourselves have come across individuals with special abilities by birth or by a turn of events. But human beings having these abilities?"

Bob took a sip of his coffee, "I find it a bit hard to believe the existence of these things called Chiropterans."

Joel nodded.

"But we've seen the evidence. I'm afraid to fathom what would happen if someone decided to experiment with blood of these individuals along with the blood of these Chiropterans," Bob explained.

"Yes. We're in the middle of rebuilding Red Shield. It will be difficult to trace all sources of Chiropteran activity. Of course were have strong finances, we may need more financial backing," Joel replied.

"Finances will not be a problem," Bob explained as he finished his coffee. He kept the cup in his hand and focused his energy on it. Within a matter of seconds, the cup had turned into good.

Joel froze at what had just happened. He took a few breaths before answering. "You just turned the cup into pure gold."

"As I have said, finances are not a problem."

Joel nodded, "Yes. It would be beneficial on both of our parts to form an alliance between our two organizations. But tell me, what is your new goal?"

"I was waiting for you to ask that," Bob answered. He then continued, "While there are many with special abilities, there are those that cannot control their powers. Power can get out of control killing many in the process."

Joel nodded in agreement recalling Saya going crazy back in Vietnam killing both Chiropterans and innocent humans alike. He very much understood what Bob was explaining to him.

"There has been a virus present in certain individuals as well. That is the cause of the powers going out of control. The son of Chandra Suresh, Doctor Mohinder Suresh possessed the antibodies for the cure."

"That is good," Joel replied.

"And there are those that abuse their powers. There was a recent case of a young man named Gabriel Gray who went by the name of Sylar," Bob explained.

"Yes, we've had our fair share of those that abused power and knowledge," Joel replied empathizing with Bob.

"So, what would be the terms of this alliance?" Bob asked.

"It's fairly simple. We exchange information with each other. We can help track down those individuals. In return, your resources are essential in stamping out any remains of the Chiropterans," Joel answered.

"That sounds reasonable enough," Bob replied.

"I am very interested in the aspect of people in the world possessing these abilities. They could be beneficial to Red Shield in fighting the Chiropterans. That way, we would not need to depend on Saya as much."

The two men would then shake on it.

"If I may, I have a person I'd like to work as an attaché for Red Shield," Joel requested.

Bob adjusted his glasses, "Oh?"

"He is what you call a Chevalier. A knight of the Chiropteran queens… We have thought that he had been one of Diva's. But Saya's blood did not work on him. However, we have discovered him in hiding. We managed to get him to join us," Joel explained. He then looked to the entrance to the private booth, "enter."

"Finally, I got pretty bored with the guys at the bar," the man said. As he entered, Bob took a good look at him. The man was dressed all "fruity." He was a perfect candidate for the show: Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

Bob rose from his seat and extended his hand to the man.

Joel faced the man, "Nathan, this is Bob." He then turned to face Bob, "Bob, this is Nathan."

"Nathan Mahler at your service," the man said shaking Bob's hand. "You look so adorable," he complimented.

Joel cleared his throat.

"My apologies," Nathan said facing Joel again. "I'll be working with them?"

Joel nodded and faced Bob, "Nathan has special abilities in combat along with decades worth of knowledge and wisdom. He is the most level headed."

"Pleasure to meet you," Bob said to Nathan.

"What will I be doing?"

"You'll be assigned to work with Mohinder Suresh and Niki Sanders," Bob answered pulling out pictures of both people.

"Oh, he's cute," Nathan Mahler said taking the picture of Mohinder Suresh. He examined the photo a bit. "His dark skin reminds me of James."

New Orleans, Louisiana

Akihiro Okamura, Mao Jahana, & Lulu

Akihiro Okamura was on his latest assignment: taking pictures of post-Katrina recovery in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was accompanied by Mao Jahana and Lulu. While Lulu's life was extended, she still had to cover herself from the sunlight. She sat across the table from Akihiro while wearing the hood over her face.

Mao Jahana sat next to Akihiro. She was getting adjusted to the life of a traveling photojournalist and somewhat a co-guardian of Lulu. Lulu was the remaining Schiff that was living. Everybody else had died either killed at the hands of Cinq Fleches or succumbing to the Thorn. Like Saya, she needed to regular supply of blood.

The other patrons at the restaurant stared at Lulu strangely.

"They're looking at us strangely," Mao whispered to Akihiro.

"Ignore them," Akihiro replied back. He then turned to Lulu, "check to see if our food is ready."

Lulu nodded as she kept the hood over her eyes. She rose up from her table and approached the front counter.

An African-American woman athletic looking and in her twenties stood behind the counter. She had on a uniform with the name tag of "Monica" engraved on it. The woman had a cheerful voice.

"Here you go. Two number 5s and a large strawberry milkshake," the girl named Monica said to the girl.

"Thank you," Lulu said cheerfully.

Taking the tray, Lulu walked back to the table where Mao and Akihiro were sitting at. Ever since that interesting turn of the events that caused them to travel across the world, things were relatively "easy."

"What are we doing here?" Mao asked.

Akihiro grabbed his bag and pulled out the burger, "asides from taking pictures, David asked us to investigate rumors of people experimenting with Chiropteran DNA. We're just investigating. But, we're not going to fight them if they are existent."

Lulu took a sip of her milkshake, "but you have me, Lulu the Invincible." She was quite cheerful about it.

"That is true," Mao replied.

"Of course; but, we can't draw attention to ourselves. There are still many people displaced after the hurricanes. We're to call David immediately."

"It'll be much harder since Saya's in hibernation. Haji's also missing in action for the time being as well," Mao explained.

"We'll investigate tonight."

Okinawa

Mohinder Suresh & Niki Sanders

Mohinder was a bit uncomfortable as he known had Niki Sanders as his partner. She was dealing with split-personality. Niki was possessed by the spirit of her angered and more violent twin sister, Jessica. Whenever Jessica would take over, things would get very violent and bloody.

"Who are we looking for?" Niki asked.

"Kai Miyagusuku," Mohinder answered. He was given his new assignment. The two of them were to look for Kai Miyagusuku.

"Any ideas on where he is?"

"Yes. We heard he was running a bar and café which was once owned by his foster father George Miyagusuku. But George had died due to unknown circumstances. After two years, Kai has taken over the café."

Niki and Mohinder stood on the side as a taxi stopped by.

"I wonder what powers this Kai person has," Niki commented.

"We'll find out soon enough."