Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride or any of its characters. I do, however, own original ideas and names (including the Agency and Lyndotia) used in this fanfic.

A/N: This idea stems mostly from a MR RPG board that Reneey and I started (you can find the link on my profile if you're interested), only it evolved and took on a life and plot of its own in my head. I would seriously find myself driving down the road with ideas for new scenes playing themselves in my head; that's how strong the inspiration for this particular fic has been. Hopefully it's interesting for you all, at least. This is really more of a prologue than an actual chapter, because it's only setting up the story.

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Chapter One – The Board of Directors

The Chairman of the Agency sighed heavily as he eyed the long table around which sat other assorted important-looking people in suits and occasional lab coats. Most of them were already looking at him even though the meeting hadn't been called to order yet. Wondering why they were here, most likely. It wasn't as if any of them read newspapers, after all; they were too busy trying to reform the world.

By clearing his throat, the Chairman efficiently gained the attention of everyone who wasn't already focused on him, which wasn't many. There were a couple of grim faces who probably already knew what was going on already, including his right-hand man, Jaxon, who was vice chair of security and intelligence. It was Jaxon who should be heading this particular meeting, because he was the one who had brought the information to the Chairman's attention in the first place. But the duties of his position put that task on his shoulders, the Chairman thought as he suppressed a sigh.

"My good people," he began, forcing an attempt at a smile that failed miserably. "I am sure you all remember the Itex Corporation and its worldwide network of Schools."

There was a general murmur of assent, as well as a hiss from Claudia, the vice chair of research and development. She was one of those few in lab coats, mostly because "development" in this case had a lot to do with "genetic engineering." But who wanted to play around with grammar at a time like this?

"I understand better than many of you the reasons for the bitter feelings between the Agency and Itex," the Chairman went on as soon as all was silent again. "And now that Itex has fallen, the Agency should be in a state of celebration."

Several pairs of eyebrows shot up as they caught the "should be" in that sentence.

"Unfortunately, this is not the case."

Those who had been too slow to pick up on the first hints that this wasn't going to be an upbeat sort of meeting now looked around at each other shiftily. Sometimes the Chairman wondered what kept these idiots on the Board.

"In recent weeks, the Agency itself has fallen under scrutiny from the same groups who brought Itex to its knees."

There were several gasps of horror and shock around the table, but still the Chairman went on. He had spent too long preparing this speech to let a few morons interrupt him now.

"As a result, all experimentation has been halted for an indefinite period of time. The Agency has other sources of income, and they will be sufficient to sustain us for the time being. However, it has been decided by the department of security and intelligence that the School's escaped avian hybrid experiments, led by the one that calls itself Maximum Ride, are responsible for the alerting of the public, and as such, the elimination of these threats will result in the timely return of the Agency to its normal practices."

Whew. Well, now that that spiel was over, he could go on to explain –

"Excuse me, Chairman?" Claudia's slanted eyes narrowed slightly and the Chairman was reminded unerringly of a viper. Sometimes he wondered if the woman had ever conducted genetic experimentation on herself.

"Yes?" he reluctantly responded, wary of whatever question she was about to bring forward.

"How do you propose to go about the elimination of these hybrids?" she asked in a silken voice that, again, forcibly reminded one of a snake. "If they are anything at all like our own experiments, they will have been built for two things, namely defense and offense. I'm sure I needn't remind you –"

"No, Dr. Angeal, you need not," Jaxon interrupted, his deep voice overriding hers instantly. "The department of security and intelligence is very aware of the past history of your avian hybrids, in particular, and has already informed the Chairman sufficiently on this topic. However, we found it necessary to at least attempt the normal method of assassination, with one of our prime human trackers. Suffice it to say that Devin has failed."

There was another gasp this time, but now it was one of awe and something akin to fear. A few eyes flicked back and forth across the table, clearly asking their neighbors, "Who is there left with a skill level beyond Devin's?"

However, Claudia's eyes were narrowing again, and this time there was a sly smile spreading across her face. The Chairman didn't like that look, but it meant she was getting the point. She knew what this mission was going to require.

And so Jaxon and Claudia were the only ones without looks of astonishment on their faces as the Chairman announced, "And so it is the plan of the department of security and intelligence, to which I lend my full support, to dispatch for the first time a trained hybrid assassin."