(A/N): Hello everyone! I'm INFJwriter, and this is my first fanfic! I've been working on this project for a long time, and I am so excited to finally publish it! Just so you know, the ninja will not show up until chapter 3.

Without further ado, enjoy!

Introduction

Six men and six women waited at the conference table in the Black Dragon Agency's underground bunker, their eyes darting from one face to the next. There was an ominous feeling in the room that felt like a looming shadow over their heads. The decision they would make today would either lead to their organization's ultimate triumph - or its devastating demise.

Suddenly, the thick, soundproof door swung open, and everyone stood up as a towering man in a black suit entered, followed by another, much runtier assistant. No one dared to meet his piercing gaze as he strode toward the table. After both men had sat down, the others followed suit. There was a brief silence until at last the tall man spoke.

"I see we're all here. Good. I won't have to punish anyone." He paused. "The meeting is now in order. Agent Carson, your report."

His assistant stood up and cleared his throat. The papers in his hand shook slightly. "Thank you, Vladomir. We are here today on Tuesday, June twenty-first to discuss the controversial issue of sending Team Nightprowler into the field to carry out Phase One of Operation: XT3RM1N8. As you all know, Nightprowler is a nocturnal team in the Agency, doing only night missions, and is composed of our top five junior agents: Mark, the navigator, Gretta, the weapons expert, Ted, the technology expert and mechanic, Lex, the physicist and mathematician, and Drew, the combat specialist. Our main concern is, while they are carrying out the mission, they may come across something that will undo all progress we've made with them. Disscussion is now open." With that, Carson sat down.

"It's too risky," a woman with a thick accent said sharply. "If something happens to them, we won't be able send reinforcements."

"Agent Overpecker is right," added the woman next to her. "We have to send a different team."

"But there's a huge problem with that," a man with thick glasses pointed out, shaking his head. "Drew, the combat specialist, knows all about the targets. He is the key to our success with this mission."

The man across from him snorted. "You mean, he's the key to our failure with this mission. Dawson, do you know anything about the kid? I was one of his teachers at the Black Dragon Training Academy. Outstanding fighter, but a terrible agent. He was a total rebel, always playing pranks on us faculty. He turned the school into a minefield of tricks and pranks. You couldn't walk down the hallway without setting off a firework or stepping on a hidden button that triggered a stink bomb. If you think sending him on such an important mission is a good idea, we're as good as goners. I say we should leave Drew out."

"What choice do we have, Gildman?" the man in glasses shot back. "Can you think of a team that could do better? Nightprowler is our only all-minor team! It's the only team that could possibly work in the context of the mission! Yes, the stakes are high! But do we have any other option? No!" There were some nods as Dawson finished, but some glares as well.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Vladomir growled, recognizing the rising tension around the table. "Let's keep this civilized. We don't need last month's accident to happen again."

No one spoke for a while. Carson stood up again. "I assume we have all come to a conclusion? I see some nodding. Good. Everyone, write your vote on the slips of paper in front of you, fold them up, and cast them into the middle of the table." There was silence as the twelve agents did as Carson had told them. When all the slips of paper were gathered in the center of the table, Carson collected them and handed them to Vladomir to count. After a minute that seemed like an hour, Vladomir stood up.

"With a majority vote of seven to five, Team Nightprowler will carry out Phase One of Operation: XT3RM1N8. The meeting is in conclusion." With the decision having been announced, everyone except for Vladomir and Carson stood up and filed out of the bunker, some shooting glares at each other. Once the door had been safely closed behind them, Carson turned to Vladomir with a snarl.

"This will end badly," he growled. "We are sending the most dangerous team in the agency into the most dangerous place for any team to be, let alone Nightprowler! Gretta has a better aim than anyone in the agency! Ted has enough computer knowledge to hack into the most secure networks and systems in the world! Mark is loyal to us, yes, but but if his loyalties change, he's got the will and strategic knowledge to take us down in one move. Drew-"

"Drew knows what will happen if he tries anything," Vladomir interrupted, staring at the table putatively. "We have him under control."

"But what about Lex?" Carson fought back. "I know he seems like a dud on the outside, but I have heard rumors saying that he may have the most brilliant mathematical mind in history! Vladomir, think! If sending Team Nightprowler to carry out phase one won't be our downfall, he will be! If he figures out-"

"Lex has Selective Mutism. Even if he figures out the entirety of Operation: XT3RM1N8, he won't be telling anyone, except maybe Drew. He's the only person he'll talk to."

"But if Drew tells-"

"Again, Drew has been warned about what will happen if he says anything to anyone." Vladomir's volume was beginning to rise."I am finished with this conversation, Carson. Everything is under control. You are dismissed." Carson opened his mouth as if about to retort, then closed it, swallowed, and exited, closing the door behind him.

Vladomir sat in the now silent room, satisfied with the decision. All appeared to be going smoothly so far. Of course, there was still a long way to go before Operation: XT3RM1N8 was completed. But he was quite confident now that everything would work out.

How very wrong he was.