A/N: You didn't think Fringe would miss the Chitauri Invasion party, did you? Part 1 of 3 of the Battle of New York, followed by Part 2 ("The Invasion") and Part 3 ("Suspended Collision").

The first thing Olivia saw upon departing the plane was Brandon Fayette, one of Massive Dynamic's leading scientists. The young man, who had lost his lab coat in favor of a bullet-proof vest, was flanked by two heavily-armed Massive Dynamic guards. Two black armored SUVs were parked behind them.

"Agent Dunham."

Olivia descended the steps and shook the scientist's hand, smiling politely. Everyone wore grim expressions. Behind them, far in the distance, smoke rose from Manhattan amid the sound of explosions. According to Broyles, the Massive Dynamic building hadn't yet been damaged, but it was just a matter of time.

"Thanks for meeting us, Brandon." The two of them, trailed by Peter and Astrid, strode towards the two cars. "Nina and Broyles debriefed me, but they're not in the warzone. What's the situation over there?"

Brandon glanced at the Manhattan skyline. His normally excited manner was gone, replaced with a seriousness that Olivia had never seen before.

"Not good," he replied darkly, as they stopped in front of the cars. "We evacuated everyone we could from the building. We did manage to get a few things for your team, though."

At his nod, the two Massive Dynamic guards opened the trunk of the nearest SUV and flipped open a heavy black briefcase. Inside were four black bulletproof vests stamped with the letters "FBI" in bright yellow. Another briefcase held high-tech, black, two-barreled guns that Olivia had only seen once before. As Brandon handed Olivia, Peter, and Astrid the vests and weapons, he relayed his instructions.

"These vests aren't your typical bulletproof vests," he explained, as the three of them strapped them on. "I'd go into the specifics, but let's just say that they'll give you extra protection from what you're going to face out there." The three of them glanced at each other, eyebrows raised, as the scientist continued, "Use these weapons. Ordinary guns won't work against the Chitauri, so we're lending you these Shockwave prototypes." As the three of them inspected the futuristic guns, Brandon added, "Don't lose them. Try not to damage them. It'll take years to get these on the market, and they're priceless. They work similar to the weapons you use in your division. Turn off the safety, aim, and shoot. They're powerful, so make sure not to hit any civilians. But they'll take down a Chitauri."

Peter inspected his own gun, frowning.

"We've seen these before. I've used one of these before."

Astrid nodded. "A few years ago, a hitman used one of these to try to kill two people, including an Observer."

"We were told that the technicians couldn't get one to work," Olivia told Brandon, who shrugged.

"Well, we did."

"Why doesn't the NYPD have these?" Olivia asked, holstering her gun. "If they're using regular pistols, they don't stand a chance."

Brandon shook his head and walked around to the front seat of the SUV as one of the guards shut the trunk. As Olivia, Peter, and Astrid got into the car with him, he explained, "Like I said, these are valuable prototypes. We can't let our competitors get a hold of these, or we lose years of R and D." When Olivia opened her mouth to argue, Peter silently placed a hand on her knee, stopping her from giving a sharp retort. He shook his head at her rebellious look. Not now, he seemed to be saying.

During the car ride into Manhattan, which was almost completely blocked off, Brandon relayed the rest of his instructions to the Fringe team. They would be joined by another team, courtesy of Massive Dynamic, though he didn't say who the team was comprised of, only that they were trained for something like this, and they were equipped with extra Shockwave weapons. He would drop the Fringe team off as close to the fighting as possible, provide them with motorcycles to get closer to the action, and let them do their work. Broyles had given Olivia her instructions; Massive Dynamic was only there to equip them.

Olivia stared out of the window, processing Brandon's words as her mind worked busily. She had no intention of keeping the Shockwave guns to her team. Screw Brandon and the corporation. If she saw someone who needed help, she was going to help them to the best of her ability.

The trip from Boston, although courtesy of Massive Dynamic's fastest plane, had taken too long. In the brief time it had taken them to get over to Manhattan, untold destruction had occurred. The Fringe Division needed a branch in New York, and they needed to be better equipped for situations like this. They needed a deal to make Massive Dynamic one of their weapons suppliers. The corporation already provided them with other technology, but Fringe needed a weapons deal as well, to make it easier for them to acquire the right equipment quickly in times of need.

As soon as Brandon had finished talking, Olivia was on the phone with Broyles, gathering the latest news and information, and discussing her ideas. He agreed to the weapons deal with Massive Dynamic, as well as the need for a New York branch of the Fringe Divison. The only requirement, he added, was that Olivia would be in charge of the creation of the new branch.

Olivia glanced at Astrid and Peter, who were looking outside but listening in to the conversation. They were gripping their new guns, their faces apprehensive but determined.

"All right," she told Broyles. "But only if I bring my team."

"Done."

A moment later, their SUV was getting closer to the drop-off point. Civilians were streaming away from the center of the chaos, looking terrified, shell-shocked, and ragged. Some of them sported injuries. Olivia switched to the radio attached to her shoulder and began relaying instructions for additional ambulances and emergency vehicles to pick up the injured bystanders. It was a few more minutes before they spotted a Chitauri, which flew high above them in the distance, pursuing a streak of red and gold.

As they pulled up to the drop-off point, Peter found Olivia's hand and squeezed it. It had begun.