[Location: Red Scarves HQ]
Maria, Danny, and Xander arrive mid-afternoon, and immediately head to the room reserved for their briefing. Inside, they are greeted by Senior Nika Markovic, a russet-coloured middle-aged wolverine, infamous among the Scarves for her total lack of patience with anything she doesn't deem 'professional behaviour'. It's very rare any Scarf below the rank of Senior has to interact with her, so Maria, Danny, and Xander know immediately that this assignment is of the highest importance.
"Before we begin," Nika starts as the others take their seats, "I must stress the importance of keeping the details of this mission top secret. Spade doesn't want news to spread until we're totally sure of the facts. Rumours are already spreading, and we don't want to fuel them."
"We'll keep it secret, don't worry about that," Danny assures. "Won't we guys?"
"Aye," Xander agrees.
"Pinkie swear!" Maria grins.
Nika sighs. "This is a very important and very serious mission Maria," she scolds. "You were selected for your stealth skills, but I'm beginning to question that choice."
"I am being serious!" Maria protests.
"Seventeen years old, and a Scarf for five years, yet you still act like a child," Nika dismisses. "It's pathetic and nauseating."
Maria reaches for her tanto, growling quietly. Danny quickly grabs her wrist, shaking his head in disapproval. Maria fixes Danny with an angry and defiant look, but Danny remains steadfast. After a moment, Maria relents. Letting go of her tanto, she wrenches her wrist from Danny's grasp and folds her arms, pouting indignantly.
"If it was up to me, I'd throw you not just out of this room, but out of the Scarves," Nika chides Maria. "Ours is a serious business, and should be treated as such. But as Leader Kyokan seems tolerant of your petulance, I have no choice but to defer to her judgement."
Maria mumbles a violent insult under her breath.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that," Nika growls. "Anyway," she continues in a more neutral tone, "your mission. As you may be aware, there are rumours that Shang Mu is facing serious difficulties with their energy supplies. Of course, Mayor Zao is trying to play down these rumours, but the media won't be silenced. It is your job to find out what's really going on.
"Maria, as much as I think this is a bad idea, you will be in Shang Mu itself, uncovering the Mayor's secrets. Danny, you will take Shang Tu: your task is to find out if the Magister is restricting the supply. And Xander, you will head to Shuigang to find out if they're diverting it. Once you have completed your assignments, you are to meet back here, and I will debrief you. Understood?"
The three friends nod in agreement, though Maria refuses to make eye contact with Nika.
"Very good," Nika acknowledges. "Dismissed."
Maria wastes no time in storming out of the briefing room. Danny is quick to follow, with Xander lagging a little further back.
"Maria, don't take it so personally! You know how she is!" Danny attempts to calm the furious lynx, but to no avail. Maria continues her silence all the way back to their trikes, jumping on hers and taking off without saying a word.
"Is she OK?" Xander asks, concerned.
"She will be," Danny sighs. "Maybe if Nika knew why Maria's adopted that personality…"
"I thought we were keeping that a secret?"
"We are. We promised, and I'm not one to break promises."