Page 120 of Green Ravens

She let that settle.

“Ex, Meridian, Grace, and Mirage, the four of you were never meant to be monsters. You were designed to protect. To strike the places the world couldn’t reach. The mission and purpose of the Ravens got twisted and then contaminated. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t right at its core.”

She lifted her chin.

“I was raised among righteousness, glory, and honor. I am the Panther of the Order of Aga Khan. Trained from childhood to navigate power in silence. I’ve seen what control without conscience becomes. Iwon’tmake that mistake. Not here. Not with you.”

She looked at every Raven in the room.

“There will be no more secrets. No wrongs and senseless deaths disguised as orders. No more withheld truth from handlers. From now on, all staff and departments will have full transparency of missions. Ravens, you will know the target.You’ll know why they’re targeted. And you’ll decide where you stand.”

She paused.

“And starting now, you are no longer required to live here. This facility is secure, but you deserve more. As long as your homes are protected and check-ins are met, you’re free to live your lives…together. No more hiding the love you have for your cherished.”

A ripple of energy moved through the warehouse. Shoulders eased. Expressions shifted.

Valor assumed it was the first real breath of liberty the Blacks and the Browns had felt in years.

“And as for funding, there will be no more outside investors, no more strings, no more corporate donors with blood-soaked hands and secret agendas. The Order is funding this initiative entirely. That means we’re beholden to no one flag. Our allegiance is to discipline and honor.”

Corvo’s jaw flexed and Spector gave a single, approving nod.

“And if you’re wondering how the order can fund all of this,” she swept her hand over the room. “Well, thanks toallof your joint efforts, Lee Woyashi was found guilty by the tribunal and turned over to federal authorities…afterthe Order seized his assets of one hundred and seventy million dollars.”

Jo smirked along with a few others.

“Our first mission is already active. The White Ravens. Only god knows what they’ve been through, so their hostility seems more than warranted.”

Virginia called out from across the room, “I’ve triangulated the flight path they took. We’ll have a perimeter grid of where and when they land within the hour.”

Jo looked at the Blacks and the Browns.

“This isn’t a hunt. Your approach will benon-hostile. No intimidation tactics, no excessive force. They’re not our enemies… They’re survivors, just like the six of you.”

Jo motioned for him and Zorion to step forward.

“What can you tell us?” she asked.

Valor steepled his hands in front of him as he recalled the Whites’ combat tactics.

“They moved in sync. Their escape was too clean for improvisation. It was as if they’d been planning it for a while.”

Mirage leaned into Grace’s side, but Valor never saw the man’s lips move. A second later, Mirage asked.

“Can you tell us anything of their capabilities, Valor?”

He shook his head. “Only that they were young, fast, strong. They fought as if specifically trained in hand-to-hand combat. They fought to evade, not kill.”

“And you couldn’t best them?” Ex asked, his voice laced with a hint of disbelief.

“Not without hurting one of them,” Zorion answered.

Jo nodded. “That’s right. And they had strict orders to use defensive measures only.”

“And no one here has any information on that vaulted wing behind the director’s office?” Spector asked, reclining in his chair with his boots propped up on the table.

“Everyone here was kept in the dark as you were, Spector,” Jo said. “However, I’m nothing if not through. All personnel in this building were recruited by me. They’ve been interviewed, interrogated, and given polygraphs. The only ones who knew anything about the White Sector 30 either fled during the raid or were killed in it. Glitch has scoured the database and found no record of it.”

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