It wasn't really a progress report, it's what the heads of The Foxhole thought to call their meetings. I've been to a few of them now, it's generally just talking about the world, the crappy things about it, how everyone hates us and love Transgress. It seems like that's the rotation of things to talk about in these meetings. The room was filled with leading members of The Foxhole from different parts of the world, from Brazil to Tanzania. Our sector was the main headquarters since it was the first and the biggest out of them all the other sectors. After the biggest occurrence of St. Valentines Storm earlier this year, we had to open up more and more bases around the world to accommodate for all the Amps that were coming in. The Foxhole's main objective is to protect both Idlites and Amps alike by taking in Amps and giving them a place to stay and understand their powers. It was getting harder to help people though, thanks to Vortex, a group of extremist Amps hell-bent on taking control. Their gang has been tormenting the world like a plague, killing Idlites for just being normal and Amps who won't join them. Transgress, an organization whose sole purpose has been the capture or control the Amplified around the world to 'protect' the world from us. So far they have done just that, they've unjustly captured any Amps they could find and have taken control on an unseen scale, Governments around the world have been begging them to help with their 'Amplified Issue'. With all that, we've had our work cut for us. I looked upon the holograms that sat before me, a group that now oddly reminded me of the Jedi High Council. I've had the pleasure of being made to sit through all the movies and shows with Juan and now I'm beginning to see Star Wars references everywhere I go but at this moment it felt apropos. There was a subtle sense of intimidation that each of them carried even though they weren't in the same room.

"It's good to see you, all." Sanjar, from the Mumbi district of The Foxhole, began. "I believe, we can start off with some good news. Transgress has stopped producing Roboro completely. After exposing Transgress and what they were doing to Amps to get it, they have released a statement saying they have shut down all productions of it."

The audience applauded, Roboro was a drug created by Transgress to enhance normal people with abilities, after my brother destroyed A.R.D.O base where the drug was being created, there were bits of the formulae still left in the world, we did our part in destroying them as well as leak the information to news outlets. They had a field day with Transgress but it ultimately didn't hurt them too much. "Great, even though they still outnumber us 12:1, at least they don't have powers," I said. Akari nudged my shoulder and gave me a disapproving glare.

"Thank you, Mrs Stark, for your healthy dosage of pessimism." Elijah, from the Paris district, commented. He spoke in French but the system that allowed us to communicate from different parts of the world also translated to our preferred language.

"Elijah, Stephanie Stark has every reason to be agitated. Her brother died trying to destroy all traces of the drug and only nine months later is it really destroyed." Mercy, from the Beijing distract, included.

"May we continue with normal proceedings?" Sanjar interjected, clearly noticing me become uncomfortable after my brother's name was mentioned. The procession began to settle, "A little more good news, Transgress has seemed to, I wouldn't completely say cold down, but lessened their violence against Amps."

"What do you mean by that?" Maxwell asked from beside me.

"They are no longer detaining people solely for having powers, at least in some places. They have even released some from jail."

"What? Is Colts' beginning to grow a conscience." Neil, from the Brooklyn district, grumbled.

"It may not be much but it's progress," Sanjar said with a sigh. It was time for the bad news, the weight release was depressing to give away.

"Onto the less pleasant news," Andreia, the representative from Rio de Janeiro, combed through her hair as she began to talk. "Vortex has overrun police in major cities of Peru, Egypt, Japan, Russia even taking strong-arming several counties in 16 States in the US, which is why the other members of our assembly could not attend the meeting." Gesturing to the empty seats. "They are doing their best to control what's happening in their district but..." She didn't need to elaborate; it wasn't looking good for us.

"It doesn't get better. Stephanie, you going not to enjoy this next piece of news." Elijah said, "Transgress has announced that Pepper Hunting, for the work she has done for the company, is being promoted to First Lieutenant of Transgress." I never thought I could every really hate anyone, but I purely hated her with every fibre of my being. She was my brothers' best friend, someone he loved and she shot him. Even though he had done something terrible before he died, to have your trust and your heart broken so many times in those months, he didn't deserve that and now his murder was being awarded.

"This is a joke right. She's being promoted! Also, it's a private military company, the names are just for show."

"Does it matter if the names are for show or not? All that matters is that she is now officially Kevin Colts' right hand. As well as getting Justin Wong as her own personal bodyguard." Elijah rebutted. Perfect, another one of the people I hated, Justin Wong was not only a world-class douchebag, but the guy constantly bullied my brother. Looking back, I never really stood for him when Justin would bully him, but Oliver would always stand up for me to anyone that would dare mess with me, kind of shows the type of sister I was. Justin not only was a part of Transgress but he was in their special Amp team called The Gemini. Basically, they were the inquisitors hunting down Jedi during Order 66 and the fact that I can even make that analogy means I was spending too much time with Juan. Maxwell's knuckles began to go white, sparks of red and white popped around them, which meant that either he was genuinely mad or my powers were acting up. I calmed myself down and sure enough, he began to settle. Akari never seemed to be phased by my powers, like it could be brushed off.

"Any news from the scum you insist on working with?" Neil asked with judgement being his voice.

"We know what kind of a person The Canary is, but he has been valuable to us," Akari replied to the man.

"He is a criminal and we are helping build his empire, for what. Scraps of information." Neil became more agitated, his nails dug into the table leaving no marks on our side. The Canary is a criminal Amp with the ability to take a person's soul and use their empty husks as cameras around the world. Taking information and using it in any way he sees fit.

"If you think that I don't know that he works for his own self-interest, you would be a fool." That shut Neil down, his face dropped at the comment, "The Canary is a dangerous man, I am very aware of that. However, he has helped us gather information on both Vortex and Transgress that might have detrimental to us if we weren't aware of it."

"Still, I think Neil is right. We put too much faith in a criminal." Mercy included.

"Which we know," Maxwell added. "but we can't overlook how the information has helped us."

"Yet, think about what we have given him. We have completely decided to look the other way when it comes to what he does to people." Mercy pointed out. She was right, The Foxhole had given The Canary and his flock total immunity in exchange for information.

"It is but a small price to pay to ensure we are doing what's best for us and the world." Akari's point was final, her tone was like steel, unmoving under pressure. "Is there any more news."

"Sadly, yes. I'm sure we have all heard about people going missing around the world." Sanjar said morbidly.

"We are already on it, we found that the first few missing people disappeared in Cross County, Ohio. We sent Megan Clayburn there to investigate, I suggest that you all do the same but to different areas of the world where the concentration seems highest." Akari said, taking control of the situation. "So Neil, send a person to Manhattan. Sanjar, one to New Delhi and another Chennai. Mercy, your people have a lot of ground to cover, but I don't doubt that you know what to do. Elijah and Andreia you were not affected much but send people where you feel appropriate and have them figure out why there was such a low concentration there."

"Before we leave off, we should discuss The Christmas Gala," Mercy added.

"The world is in disarray and we want to talk about a Gala? I mean I love a good party but is this appropriate?" I asked.

"It's not just some party, Stark," Neil said bluntly. "This is where the richest and powerful people meet each year."

"Okay, and?"

"Colts himself has been invited along with multiple senate members. We can do some damage if we can get in." Elijah said.

"Or help our cause, I have an idea Akari," Sanjar spoke as if this fresh idea could solve all our problems.

"Let's hear it."

"We get the benefactor to attend the Gala, he makes a speech to push for our cause. In a room full of the most powerful people this could be just what we need." He said with a sparkle in his brown eyes.

"He has been under a lot of scrutiny after openly supporting Amps and their rights, Vortex has sent him multiple death threats and Transgress is trying to connect him to us. Is it really safe to ask him to do this?" Maxwell asked he had become the stern concerned father bear. Always trying to ensure everything is sound. Some of the assemblies seemed to agree with him.

"How many people have you ever seen refuse Samuel Wilstock."

"Wait, Sam Wilstock is the benefactor I've heard you guys talk about. As in the twenty-year-old billionaire, current CEO of Xorizon. That person." I asked almost dumbfounded by the idea.

"Where do you think we got the money to have all of this." Maxwell gestured around the room. "The Wilstock's have been helping The Foxhole since it was first founded."

"Regardless, I believe this is what we should. Send a group to watch over him if you truly have doubts." Sanjar pleaded to the woman who just sat with her fingers interlocked above her mouth, her eyes distant in thought.

"Okay, if you truly believe his idea, we will contact Sam and tell him to attend the Gala. Stephanie will lead a team to protect him throughout." Akari announced.

"Sorry, what?" I announced.

"Thank you all. Now, go we have work to do." Everyone disconnected leaving us in the room.

"What the hell Akari, I can't lead this mission. I haven't been on a mission in months."

"Rest for tonight, you'll head out in the morning. I suggest you get a team together." Akari said as stood up and left the room, leaving me with no real answers.

I turned to Maxwell who was just as lost. "I don't get it, what the hell was that?"

"I know she's being tough on you but don't take it to heart dove. She has her reasons, but I'll talk to her." He clasped his hand over my shoulder before leaving the room.

I slumped in the chair before realizing Sanjar was still on the room. "Do you know what's up with her?" I asked the gentleman.

"She really is just stressed, like Maxwell said, 'don't take it to heart'. However, I know why she's sending you on this mission. She's vetting you."

"That's what she's doing. It seems more like she's trying to spite me for something."

"She's trying to prepare you to take her place one day. I remember when the last head was vetting her, her mentor was a lot more intense and maybe that is what she's doing now. She knows you haven't been out since your brother passed, but she knows if you are going take over for her you'll have to go out in the field more."

"What if that's not what I want? What if I like staying on the island helping manage missions and working in the med bay?"

"Everyone knows that you are more than just that, even the other leaders know that. Why do you think you are even allowed to sit on this table. One way of another destiny has a way of putting you on the path you need to be whether we want it to or not."

"You are really good at pep talks, you know that right? "I said, the man let out a heart-warming laugh.

"My daughter doesn't think so, but I appreciate the gesture."

"How is Saanvi doing? Isn't her Arangetrum coming up soon?"

"She is constantly asking when you will continue to teach her the violin ever since we left Veltrace Island and her Arangetrum is in a few weeks, she's been practising day in and day out."

"Wish her best of luck for me, and when I'm back from this mission I'll definitely set up some more lessons. Hopefully, I can make the ceremony too."

"I'm sure she will appreciate that. You should go find your team for tomorrow Miss Stark while I do the same."

"I should but I already know the perfect group. Thank you again, Sanjar." I said to him as I rose from my chair.

"Glad to be of assistance." He said before signing off, letting his figure dissolve from where it stood.