It was a quiet morning in the Hero Public Safety Commission headquarters. You bowed one last time to the Madam President before slipping out of the briefing room into the cold, corporate halls of the building. It was anything but homely: everything was white and sterile, glass offices and shining name plaques on every door for people you’d never even met before. It was dead silent, which would have been unnerving if not for the fact that you were receiving your first assignment - and that was a matter of utmost secrecy. You’d been on the Commission’s specialised training programme for years now, and this was your first chance to finally spread your wings. Metaphorically, of course. You were still on an incredibly tight leash, but you were trying not to think about that part.

Footsteps echoed down the hall, approaching at a leisurely pace but the sound still made you jump. You had thought this floor was supposed to be empty. Apparently not. Unfortunately for you, you recognised the figure on his way to the briefing room, if not only because of the large crimson wings that framed him as he sauntered towards you. Holding your chin up, you avoided eye contact as you crossed paths with him, fighting the urge to break into a run as soon as he was behind you. This mission was supposed to be entirely confidential. You didn’t know who you could trust, even if they were a well respected pro hero under the Commission’s leadership. You had thought you’d gotten away with it too, mere metres of the elevator - until a voice rang out in the silent hallway.

“Hey, kid. Hold it a minute, would you?”