THE RAVEN | avengers

[14]

ACT 1
Chapter 14
First Mission

Raven walked towards Viktor's office, her footsteps steady and purposeful. Caelan trailed behind her, as he always did, like a shadow. His presence was constant, unintrusive but always there. She barely needed to acknowledge him anymore; he was simply part of the routine.

"Any idea what he wants?" Raven asked, glancing over her shoulder at him.

"No," Caelan replied, his voice as calm and steady as ever.

They reached the heavy wooden door of Viktor's office. Without a second thought, Raven pushed it open, walking in without knocking. Viktor looked up, his eyes lighting up as she entered.

"Raven," he said, delighted, a wide smile spreading across his face as he stepped forward.

"Hey," she replied simply, her tone neutral.

"You've been doing great," Viktor began, his enthusiasm palpable. He moved towards her, his eyes gleaming with approval. "No, scribble that. Impeccable!"

Raven raised an eyebrow at his choice of words but didn't react much beyond that. "Thank you," she said, her voice cool, measured.

Viktor clasped his hands together, his smile widening. "And I think you're ready to step out there," he added, his tone thick with meaning.

Raven's brow furrowed, taken aback. She had never been outside — at least not beyond the training grounds. Her world had been confined within these walls, under Viktor's watchful gaze. Stepping outside meant stepping into the unknown.

"To step out there?" she echoed, her mind racing with questions.

Viktor nodded, his eyes narrowing with a sense of purpose. "There's a man. Someone of... high importance." He paused, his voice lowering slightly, as if the mere mention of this man's name held weight. "Gregor Ivanov," he said, his tone darkening.

Raven tilted her head slightly. She didn't know the name, but she could tell from Viktor's expression that this man was no ordinary target.

"He's been meddling," Viktor continued, pacing slightly as he spoke. "Ivanov's been disrupting key operations — taking resources that belong to us. He's a thorn in our side, and I want him."

Raven listened intently, her mind already working through the possibilities. This wasn't just any mission. This was a test — a real one. Beyond the walls of Kronos, beyond the safety of the facility.

"Where is he?" Raven asked, her voice steady but laced with intrigue.

Viktor smiled again, satisfied. "Moscow."

"Will I be going on my own?" Raven asked, her voice steady but with a hint of hesitation beneath it.

"No," Viktor assured her, waving his hand dismissively. "Our best pilot, Mikhail, will accompany you."

Raven nodded, feeling a small sense of relief. She wasn't afraid of the mission, but stepping beyond the walls of Kronos alone for the first time was still unfamiliar territory.

"I can go too," Caelan interjected, his voice firm.

Viktor turned to him, his expression hardening. "No," he said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "This is her mission. We need to see if she's capable."

Caelan took a step forward, his jaw tightening. "What if something goes wrong?" he pressed. "I should be there to ensure everything runs smoothly."

Viktor's eyes flashed with irritation. "The decision is final," he said, his voice dropping to a cold, stern tone. He paused for a moment, letting the weight of his words settle. "And if something does go wrong..." He leaned back slightly, a small, chilling smile playing on his lips. "I guess she'll be missed."