Bored.

So, so bored.

Lately, Providence soldiers had become much more efficient at their work. For the past half day, Rex had been sitting inside the control room, itching for a mission. The closest he'd gotten to some action was his early morning training, but the rush from that had long faded. For some reason, EVOs had been manifesting at a lower rate than usual- Holiday had calculated it to be a twenty percent decline in their appearances. Combined with the new training program incoming soldiers partook in, they handled their jobs better than before.

Instead, he'd been ushered in for a meeting, along with many of Providence's other important workers. He hated sitting in a chair for so long, and wished he could just Rex Ride away from the whole silent scene. It was one thing to pretend to be awake for these things, but it was late afternoon by now. He had no choice to but absorb whatever information was coming his way.

"What's this whole thing for?" he asked one of the guards for the nth time, swinging his legs in his seat. "Sure there's not an EVO that splits in half, or has razor sharp teeth? Anything to get me out of here."

At this point, however, the workers had long stopped responding.

The boy groaned, resting his chin on his palm with a pouty expression. His only reprieve from the endless stillness was Dr. Holiday entering the room, her legs carrying her gracefully towards the front. She carried a stack of papers in her hands and cleared her throat, catching everyone's attention.

"Soldiers and faction leaders of Providence," she began, her tone unusually somber, "We have bad news. This is an event the entirety of our organization cannot ignore, and must be involved in. It is why White Knight is currently occupied, and why he asked me to inform you in his stead."

"Weird," Rex muttered. "He's usually on top of telling everyone the gloomy stuff."

"So," the woman continued, occasionally glancing at her papers, "If we don't succeed or find a way out of this, we will suffer as a whole. Providence is, due to recent allegations, endangered- at least, this unit is. However, more might follow."

Rex raised a brow.

"Because of recent protocol, the federal government is now holding us responsible for the damages of some of our recent missions- particularly the one regarding the United Nations meeting. They have deemed our efforts irresponsible and fruitless, as well as having made a bad impression on the world leaders that gathered."

"This doesn't make sense," a solder from across the room interrupted. "The government knows that there is collateral damage in this type of work. They even pay us to clean it up. On top of that, we saved so many lives that day! Why are they holding it against us out of the blue?"

Holiday shook her head. "I wish that was the usual case here. However, this is unique. The federal government is holding us responsible for our actions, yes, but not on their own. Providence... is being sued."

A few whispers emanated through the crowd, expressing disbelief. It wasn't as if their branch of justice and protection had never been sued before, but that usually happened to those individual factions that were clearly transgressing limits.

"That's... unexpected," Rex spoke up, just as surprised as the rest.

A woman in the middle of the crowd raised her hand to draw attention to herself.

"This is going to be the end of our unit," she complained. "We can't be expected to maintain any money for fighting EVO threats if every world leader at that council is filing charges against us! Especially if they want monetary reparations for the damages our soldiers caused."

Holiday sighed. "Well, you're only half right. We are being attacked by the council, but it's not by every single leader. Only one particular member of the United Nations is trying to sue us extensively. The others are just being influenced by him."

"Which one?"

"Abysus."

Rex's jaw dropped. "What? Are you kidding me? There's no way Van Kleiss is starting a legal fight with us after he planned a giant terrorist attack! In front of everyone! Who does he think he's fooling?"

"I know it seems hard to believe," the doctor remarked, wincing. "But it's true. The king of Abysus is claiming that we mistreated him and the rest of the members. He also told the public that we couldn't understand EVOs well enough to prevent the attack from ever occurring and blaming it on someone as... innocent... as him."

Before Rex could express his shock, White Knight's face flashed onto the giant screen behind her.

"I assume Dr. Holiday has informed you of our situation," he stated. "We will fight for this unit, and we will fight hard. Do everything you can to make sure Van Kleiss does not win."

One technical worker from the right side of the room stood up. "If we even have a chance of that, we need to know what case he has against us. Rex is right. This whole situation is bizarre, and doesn't make sense unless thousands of people suddenly went amnesiac and forgot his acts of terrorism."

White Knight clicked his tongue. "Then watch this latest footage of him- it's a message just for us. Pay close attention."

The screen flashed into live footage of a podium, with Van Kleiss standing right behind it. He spoke to the reporters that surrounded him, his mannerisms rather calm for someone who claimed he had been woefully wronged.

"Good afternoon, Providence," Rex's enemy began. "Considering your mistreatment of my country's citizens, as well as myself and the other leaders of the United Nations, it should come as no surprise to you that you will face the consequences of your actions. The truth is, you don't understand EVOs as well as you think you do."

Rex silently fumed in his seat.

"I imagine that your country's government spends an adequate amount of taxes on your branch to ensure the safety of your citizens. It's a shame that you have betrayed them. If you studied EVOs correctly, you would have known that I never harmed anyone on your soil at all. Rather, it was this individual right here."

Gasps rose from the crowd as the camera panned to giant EVO proof cage. Rex's eyes widened as he realized that it contained a person who looked exactly like Van Kleiss, right down to the finer details. The long hair. The dark suit. The reddish eyes.

The gauntlet.

"This EVO was the one responsible for causing millions of dollars of damage. He appears to have the ability to shapeshift into whatever form he pleases. Furthermore, he has admitted to his wrongdoings to the court, without defense from a lawyer. His demise is sealed."

As if on cue, the EVO's body began to twist and warp into the impeccable form of an old lady. Next, an infant. Then, a middle aged man.

At this point, everyone in the control room was stunned beyond belief.

"However, despite the offenses that have been thrust against me by the careless hands of Providence, I refuse to be swiftly cold hearted. I understand what it is like to be in a fight or flight response in such a dire moment, and want to request a meeting with certain individuals to discuss the matter. First and foremost, I would like the leader of Providence himself to attend."

Holiday cursed under her breath.

"Secondly, I would like their sole EVO worker, Rex, to come as well," Van Kleiss continued, a knowing look in his eye as he spoke to the camera. "There are further demands sent to them in official papers. Of course, I don't require this meeting at all, and can just choose to sue them straight away. It's the least Providence deserves, considering they waste money on learning about EVOs when they can't even recognize one in real life."

White Knight then flashed back onto the screen, staring at the now silent workers before him.

"Essentially, his case against us is that we can't even recognize dangerous EVOs despite our heavy research into them, let alone fight them without causing extensive damage, and that we're more of a money drain than help," he explained. "I am also wary about this meeting, as he claimed elsewhere that he might lighten the charges against us if we attend. It doesn't seem like him."

"This whole thing's a trap just to get to me!" Rex pointed out. "Don't fall for it!"

"Unfortunately, we have to indulge him," White Knight retorted. "Assisted by the leaders of some very influential countries, the full extent of his charges could completely end our unit. Every single one of you will be jobless, there will be no EVO protection unless from untrained and vulnerable volunteers, and the mortality rate of citizens will increase drastically."

"But-"

"This is far more important than some revenge squabble between you two. He's put us in a tight spot and has somewhat proven his case. If we don't collaborate, you might be penniless and homeless in the near future. I don't mean months, Rex. I mean weeks."

The boy scowled, but shut his mouth.

"Are you and Rex the only one he's calling for?" Holiday asked, sensing the teen's distress. "That sounds dangerous. He might be trying to isolate you."

"It's not just us," her boss denied. "He's sent out a list of other people who he's inviting. It includes the recent members from the UN- likely to intimidate us."

"I... understand."

"I hope you do, Doctor. Be prepared. You're on the list as well."

Rex huffed. "He's going to roast us on an international level. I can't believe he's doing this! How did he find that EVO in the first place?"

Six entered the room, donning his usual neutral expression. "We've checked our current records of all nationwide sightings for a clue about who or what it is. There isn't a single match. Either it has kept its abilities extremely well hidden, hinting towards high intelligence, or it was recently imported from an undetermined country."

Holiday crossed her arms in discontent. "Is it possible that he's actually telling the truth? That this new EVO was the real culprit attacking the city? I know that's what the general public believes right now, but it just doesn't sit right with me."

"No way," the teen interjected. "The things he said to me that day were pretty consistent with his usual personality, and I don't think a fake VK could match the plant powers he wrecked the place with."

"So, we're stuck," Six concluded. "Orders are orders. Get ready for that meeting."