The building was dark when they entered. That was fine for him, it wasn't the first time he had to work with low lighting conditions. They just had to be more careful not to bump into any objects. If they made any noise the kids could be killed.
With Izuku on point they searched the house. While they knew that the man and kids were in the back of the house that didn't mean there weren't others. Clearing the house before going after the target would ensure their survival.
No words were exchanged between the three vigilantes. Years of working together in a war torn world allowed them to silently communicate. It didn't take them long to search the building. Mostly empty with only a few pieces of furniture. There was nowhere for anyone to hide.
Then they stood stacked up outside the room where the Maximus was hiding. Echo had one hand on his shoulder as he stood behind Izuku. Charlie had the same for Echo.
From his position Izuku could just barely see into the room from the crack. Two pairs of short legs were stretched out on the ground. Too short to be that of the man they were here to apprehend. It had to be the kids. The room was lit up ever so slightly by the moonlight coming in through the window. From his position though he couldn't see the ex-agent. So he listened trying to hear any movements from inside.
At first all he could hear was the sniffling from the kids. Then after a moment he could hear the Maximus voice. Cold and angry on the phone with someone. It was on the backside of the room away from the window. Using the other rooms as a general idea he of the rooms he mapped it out in his head.
It would a decent sized room, he was almost sure it would be in the layout of a living room. The first one in would be in the most dangerous position. They would need to hook in and head straight for the Maximus. Second in would need to go straight for the kids. Their main purpose would be to make sure the kids got out safely. Finally the last in would help whoever was struggling the most.
Out of the three of them Izuku would be best suited to go after the agent. So he pointed to his chest, held up a single finger, then made a hook with it. Silently the other two nodded their assent. Then went the taps on their shoulders letting them know that they were all ready.
Taking a breath he held up three fingers, two, and finally one. He rushed forward in that moment and used his left foot to hit the inside part of the door frame using it to propel himself into the room the door itself flying open. This blocked the ex-agent's view of the kids. Izuku didn't hesitate to keep going heading straight for the dirty blond haired man.
The Maximus dark eyes widened as he saw Izuku. The phone that he had been holding was dropped immediately and the gun in his other hand raised. Izuku who had been holding his knife threw it. A cry of pain escaped him as the knife buried itself into the shoulder.
His body didn't stop. He slammed into the ex-agent sending them both to the ground. Maximus's gun clattered to the ground out of the man's reach. A growl escaped Maximus as he tried to grapple for the gun in Izuku's hand. Izuku slammed his fist into the man's face. A crack resounded as his nose broke. Red blood poured from his face but it didn't stop Maximus from trying to get his gun.
"Come on kids, we're here to save you," said Echo urgently, "Let's get you to the door and outside."
A shuffling sounds was heard followed by a soft cry, "Thank you mister."
Izuku slammed his fist into Maximus's face again. Despite the crack from the force of his blow it didn't seem to phase him. Drugs? It was possible.
A foot came from nowhere connecting with Maximus's head. This dazed the ex-agent enough for Izuku to grab his hands and grab zipties. By the time he started struggling again his hands were ziptied in front of him. Looking up he found Charlie there. They exchanged a nod. No words were needed.
Izuku pulled the knife out of the man's shoulder and in a smooth movement he sheathed it. It was then swiftly bandaged to keep him from bleeding out. A string of curses had left Maximus as well as thinly veiled threats to them and their families. If only he knew...
He then hauled the man to his feet even as he began cursing them to hell and back. Something didn't sit right with Izuku about Maximus's demeanor. He knew Abbott and Conklin even if they had met in times of war. They would never allowed this man to be an agent. Not when they were running low on able-bodied soldiers. Not when they were supposedly in a time of piece. There was something fishy about this.
Holstering his gun he then pulled out a pen light. Izuku flashed the pen light into the dark eyes. They barely reacted to the light and were blown wide open. Either he was on something or under the influence of a quirk. Charlie and Izuku exchanged a glance. Then they began dragging Maximus out of the room back the way they came.
As they reached the door they entered he found Echo waiting for them with the kids. The kids watched in fear as Izuku led the ex-agent. They hadn't thought about getting out. There had been no time to consider it not with the lives of innocent children at risk.
It was Echo who decided that the kids would be allowed out first. This would be shown as a sign of goodwill. Then they would push out Maximus and Izuku would go first. They knew Delta and there was a line of communication already set up.
So they did. Izuku watched as the kids left from his position by the doorway. As soon as the agents noticed the kids they were surrounded and ushered to safety. Then it was his turn. He pushed Maximus forward heading out of building. He kept the man in between him and the sniper ensuring they couldn't just order his death. Not without making themselves look bad.
There was an uneasy feeling in the air as they took notice of him. They seemed to tighten their ranks as Izuku approached. That they were protecting the doctor and two head agents.
Izuku called out, "It's hard to say goodbye."
Silence followed his words. It wasn't stunned silence that he was given before. Then David Abbott, the Monk of CIRO came out. He was still in that tailored to him was a nondescript suit.
Abbott stated clearly in a neutral tone, "Delta I could have sworn we had an agreement. What are you doing here?"
In response he pushed Maximus towards Abbott. Maximus stumbled and nearly fell but quickly rebalanced. As soon as he was clear of Izuku agents rushed to secure him.
Then Izuku said, "It seemed that you needed some help. The kids were in danger so we did what we had to."
Abbott turned his head to look back towards where the kids were. Something in his face softened and said, "You did good, Delta. We owe you a debt of gratitude for tonight. Not only did you get them out without injuries but you saved Maximus. Despite what he has done he was a good agent."
"He needs help," stated Izuku, "From what we could tell he is under the influence of either a quirk or drugs."
Abbott frowned, "We will look into it. You better get out of here before anyone else gets here."
Izuku nodded not saying anything else. There was nothing left to be said between them now. Echo and Charlie had left the house sometime when he was speaking with Abbott. The group returned back to their usual routes until they were sure they weren't followed. Then went back to the hideout.
