"We were attacked, a swift raid by several birds, the young blood's scouts. They took eight civilians that indirectly work for us. They took Geoffrey's family. We have to help them, Lady Winter's orders. Now what is your plan?"

---
"Whatever you think is best," Geoffrey explains, "Personally I would like to speak with Ms. Sakura but I'm not sure she would be willing."

---
"Do you honestly think I'd leave a job unfinished," AJ responds.

"Please, given what's been happening lately, I bet she'd eat this up." Joe dryly returned. "Kini, could you let her know?"
---
Zero held up a hand. "Alright, alright. Aerial raid, you said...? Did they leave anything behind?"
---
Max shook his head. "No, you wouldn't." He chuckled. "I assume you got a swift healing then?"

"Just feathers," Falconi says revealing a mix of feathers.
Some had blood on them but those were mainly penguin feathers. The other feathers were from an owl, some sort of songbird, and a crow.

---
Kini quickly goes to Ms. Sakura's office and knocks on the door.

---
"Let's just say the healer is not happy I'm on my feet."

Zero collected the three out-of-place feathers and studied them. "Did anybody catch their heading?"
---
"Come in," Came Sakura's reply.
"....I'm watching you." Joe mumbled.
---
"Knuckles?"

"North by north-east which doesn't make much sense since very little cover is in that direction. My guess is that it's a faint."

---
Geoffrey pretends he didn't hear Joe's comment.

Kini enters and bows to Ms. Sakura before speaking, "Ms. Sakura, Geoffrey is downstairs, he wishes to talk about an urgent matter."

---
"Yes," AJ answers, "Clay is indisposed at the moment with motion sickness."

"Although less cover could also mean faster escape." Zero pointed out. "Particularly for avian Mobians. Plus, if this is a hostage situation, and the sly thing wants something in return, they may want us to find them so we can meet their demands. This is also a possibility."
---
Sakura glanced up from her desk. "Mr. Geoffrey?" She repeated. She rose to her feet. "Well, I'll go meet him, then."
---
Max chuckled again. "They really fuss over you, don't they?"

Falconi frowns hesitating.
Sarah notices, "There's something else isn't there?"
"Yes, Lady Winter herself is in good standing with these people and they knew her husband. She considers them family so we must be successful, or our lives will be the price."
Sarah recoils, "Why didn't she protect them better?"
"Because this is a peaceful region and most of the families would not stoop this low."
Falconi hands Zero a map, "I'll follow your orders and Lady Winter has doubled her aid. Name whatever you need to get this done with a minimum of casualties. Lady Winter wants to interrogate the perpetrators herself."
Several of the hired muscles steps back more than a few steps hearing that.

--

"Something has him quite stressed and very little stresses him this badly," Kini cautions.

--

"I wish they didn't fuss as much. I can take care of myself; I've been doing it for a while now."

Zero hunched over the map, then sighed, holding up a hand to signal the other mercenaries to pause. "I suppose taking care of Hoowlers will have to wait... Is there any other information on these ones?"
---
"I will be careful," Sakura assured.
---
"The problem is, you befriended a guardian," Max remarked.

"This is a skilled scouting team; one I've never encountered before today. I know the owl won't be able to carry much it's missing a pinfeather and will struggle to fly."

--
Kini nods before going back to Joe. He notices Geoffrey readjust his tie again.
Whispering to Joe Kini asks, "_{How many times has he readjusted his tie?}"

--
AJ smiles, "No way around it then."

"Good, good. That can help us." Zero nodded. "...Alright. I'm going to discuss with my partner about our crew suggestions, and I'll get back to you promptly."
---
Joe leaned in. "_{About... a dozen, maybe thirteen times in the short time you were up there?}"
---
"No, I think not."