'Matthew, grab the tranquilizer darts and the rifle.' Major ordered, ducking another blow.
'Got you.'
Matthew rushed towards the bag and scooped it up. He sheathed his katana and furrowed his brows. While running, he rummaged through the back, pulling out a rifle and a pack of tranquilizer darts. He threw the backpack away and loaded the darts in.
Meanwhile, Major stomped his feet against the soil. He sidestepped and avoided the bird's talons. Then, he juked the raven with a fake turn and ran back towards its nest. The chaos mutated avian screamed, making Major's ears ring. He gritted his teeth and kept pushing forward. The bird flapped its wings, rapidly approaching the enforcer.
Right then, Major spun around and cut its eye. The raven screeched once again, falling down as Major rushed away. After a few seconds, the avian screamed once more releasing an eerie melody that resounded throughout the dense forest. It locked onto Major with its remaining eye and leapt off the floor. Its serrated teeth opened as it neared the officer.
'Now!'
Just then, Major lowered his body. The raven's eyes widened as Josh appeared in front of them with a net gun. Sensing danger, it tried to fly away but just then…
A crack sounded in the other direction. Zipping through the air and piercing the chaos mutated raven's skin was a…tranquilizer dart. Matthew stood with a smoking rifle in his hands. The bird gasped once before two more shots were fired. The avian lost its balance and began falling. In that instant, Josh pulled the trigger. A massive net exploded from the tip of the net gun and covered the bird.
It crashed to the ground, mouth foaming and body convulsing. Major panted heavily as Matthew approached. The lieutenant general fired three more shots. After that, the raven stopped moving, its eyes rolled back and body rested. Josh tied the back of the net and stood up. Major also stood up as Matthew approached.
"Nice job, Guys." Matthew commented, raising his hand.
Major also raised his and high-fived each other. Then, Matthew approached Josh and did the same. Josh wiped the sweat off his face and placed his hands on his hips.
"Now… How are we gonna get this massive hunk of meat back?" He inquired.
"Like this."
Matthew activated his attribute and covered the captured bird in a green barrier. He swiped his fingers upward and the barrier lifted into the sky.
"Let's head back, shall we?" Major stepped forward, waving his arm.
"Couldn't agree with you more." Matthew replied.
***
After the confrontation with the bird, they headed back to the nest. It took no longer than five minutes as the flipped car entered their vision. Along with the car, they saw Nolan and Frank emerging from behind, roughly wrapped up with white cloth from the emergency first aid kit.
"Sup." Nolan waved his arm.
"You don't look to well, do you?" Major stated.
"No shit, sherlock." Nolan replied.
"Besides that, how are your injuries?" Matthew asked.
"Good, the talon didn't hit my spine so I'm good."
"Frank?" Matthew turned towards his other mate.
"My arms hurting like hell but…" Frank said. "I can see you got the bird."
Matthew turned his head back, glancing at the sleeping raven and smiled softly.
"Yeah, we did…"
"Adding to that," Josh spoke up. "Let's get its eggs too."
The team paused then, they looked at the chaos mutated raven's nest, sitting on a branch high up.
"Right…" Matthew whispered. "Uh, Frank, Nolan. I know you're injured but-"
"Don't worry I got it." Frank interrupted his captain, walking towards the car.
"Me too." Nolan said walking towards the tree.
Frank groaned and jumped onto the car, gripping it's exterior. His shoulder ached with pain as he activated his attribute. He flexed his muscles and pulled the car right side up. He fell down and panted heavily, his dressing coming loose.
"You, okay?" Josh rushed towards Frank.
"Yeah…" Frank answered. "Just tighten this for me."
Josh nodded and grabbed Frank's dressing. He slowly tightened it until Frank flinched his pain.
"Good enough?" Josh inquired.
"Yeah." Frank acknowledged, standing up. "Thanks."
"Anytime."
Just then, Nolan called out to them while carrying the eggs of the raven.
"Josh! Can we get moving?"
Josh locked eyes with him. "Yeah."
Frank and Nolan trailed behind him. Josh and Matthew entered the driver's and passenger seat while Frank, Nolan and Major sat at the back. Josh turned the car on and drove off. Matthew' barrier brought the capture raven along with them as they evaded the trees.
***
A few hours later…
The PEOC special ops first unit consisting of Matthew, Josh, Major, Frank and Nolan passed the veil that was covering the campsite. Dusk arrived sooner than expected as the sun dove behind the horizon. Sterling rushed out of the tent like a child as soon as he saw them return.
"Did you find it…? OHHHHHH!!!" Sterling shouted in excitement after seeing Matthew's barrier holding a four-winged raven.
"Good evening, Sir Sterling." Matthew greeted the professor with a smile.
"Amazing job, Matthew." Charles, who was behind Sterling praised. "Now, release it. Quickly!"
Matthew deactivated his attribute and gasped for air as his nose bled sightly. The raven fell down as Sterling rushed towards it.
"Is it? Is it? Is it?" Sterling examined the bird from all angles. "IT IS!!!"
He screamed with joy as he realized it was a chaos mutation. The assistant researchers carried it away while the two lead scientists approached Matthew's team.
"Not the fun trip you were expecting, huh?" Charles chuckled.
"Certainly not." Matthew scratched his head.
"Also, take these." Nolan neared them and handed over the eggs to Charles.
Sterling and Charles's eyes lit up like the stars in the endless night sky. Without saying another word, they turned around and headed straight back to their lab. Matthew smiled solemnly as he watched them. After they entered, he turned to his team and opened his mouth.
"To the medics?" He tilted his head.
"What do you think?" Nolan hissed.
"Sorry – sorry." Matthew walked with his team to the medics.
"Well…it was successful mission…that's all that matters." Josh made a statement which all the other agreed as a fire was lit in the middle of the camp.
"Totally." The rest agreed at the same time.