Agent Xena Vale stepped out from the Baggage Claim area with a small suitcase in her hand. This was usually what she travelled with. Being a Secret Agent, she rarely carried much on her, seeing as she moved around often. But this time was different, Xena had the feeling that she would be in The City for a while.

Xena now stood amidst the busy John F. Kennedy International Airport, taking in the surrounding scenery. People bustled all around, trying to catch flights, looking for family, embracing loved ones. It was the typical Airport scene.

Xena was dressed all in black, black tight leather pants, a black button-up shirt, a black long coat which she topped off with dark sunglasses. This was a bizarre sight, seeing as it was mid-October, there was absolutely no reason for Xena to be wearing sunglasses.

But nobody stopped to stare at the strange woman for too long as everyone carried on about their business. This was something else Xena loved about New York City. The City that never sleeps. It was always busy, always filled with life. People were way too concerned with their own problems to worry about the woman wearing sunglasses indoors in late Autumn.

At that moment, Xena's phone in her pocket rang, and she picked it up, holding it to her ear.

"Agent Vale." The familiar voice on the phone said the second she picked up, 'the car's parked outside, waiting for you."

"Thank you, Agent Fox." Xena replied, and just like that the line went silent.

Xena grinned quietly to herself. She was used to the usual formal, quick-to-the-point reception from Agent Fox. That was the kind of person he was, always down to business. But Xena knew he favored her, he believed in her abilities, after all that was why he had called her to New York to work on this case.

As Xena walked to the Airport car park, rolling her suitcase behind her, a small smile crept into her face. It had been a while since she had worked a case in New York City, she always loved coming here, it was refreshing. More so, Xena was excited about the new case she would be working on.

"You must be Agent Vale." A man said, standing in front of a jet black car.

Xena could already sense that the man felt intimidated by her. She didn't think herself to be an intimidating person, but people often felt this way around her. Xena didn't mind; being in her line of work, especially being a woman in her line of work, it was important that she could make the people around her feel intimidated from time to time. It served as a reminder of her presence in a room.

"That would be me." Xena replied, smiling softly at the man who she presumed to be the driver.

The man instantly relaxed at Xena's warm smile and now took her bags from her as Xena got into the backseat.

The drive to the Head-Quarters was a quick one. Before Xena knew it, she was standing outside, staring at the familiar tall brown building ahead of her. The small smile which had been etched into her face slowly grew as she made her way into the building.

Her boots made an echoing sound against the marble floor and heads turned to look at her as she entered. Xena nodded courteously at the people she passed before getting into the elevator which took her to the topmost floor.

"Agent Vale. So glad you're finally here."

These were the first words Xena heard the moment the elevator doors pinged open. The topmost floor of the building was really just a large room, used to plan strategies and discuss top-secret missions.

"Agent Fox," Xena now said as she made her way further into the room. Heads turned to look at her, the other Agents who were already seated in the room now acknowledged her presence.

Everyone knew who Agent Vale was. She had a reputation for her outstanding abilities and the number of missions she had already completed at the mere age of 25. She was sort of a celebrity in the Secret Agent world.

"Please, take a seat." Agent Fox now said, gesturing to an empty seat at the very front of the room before turning to the rest of the other Agents.

A small smile spread across Xena's face at Agent Fox's usual curtness. He had acknowledged her, and now it was back to business. Having not seen her in over a year, one would think he would spend more time reconciling with her. But that was not Agent Fox, back to business as usual.

"For those of you that might not be aware." Agent Fox now began addressing the room, "Agent Vale has joined us here to help with our Richard Mascetti case."

Xena crossed one leg over the other as she got comfortable in her seat, giving her full attention to Agent Fox.

Agent Fox had to have been in his late sixties. However, he looked extremely good given his age. He had dirty blond hair which he slicked back away from his face, there were little grey hairs popping up here and there but they seemed to blend in with his natural hair color, giving him an 'enchanted' look.

Agent Fox was still more flexible than most, hence, although most Secret Agents retired before they even got to his age, Agent Fox was still working strong. Now with the position of Head Agent.

"So far," Agent Fox announced stepping back as a picture of a man appeared on the screen behind him. "Richard Mascetti has been a target of ours for years, being a very prominent gang leader operating in New York City."

Xena studied the image of the gang leader that was displayed on the screen. Richard Mascetti was a name prominently known in the entire underground community across the United States. All other gangs operated under him and virtually every criminal, somehow or another was always linked to him.

"We've never been able to get him directly." Agent Fox announced. "This is because of the Assassins that work under him... specifically, one Assassin in particular."

Agent Fox paused then, allowing the Agents in the room to digest the information that he had provided to them. He clicked a button on the remote in his hand and a silhouette of a person appeared on the screen behind him with a question mark over their face.

"The thing is." Agent Fox continued. "We know nothing about this Assassin. It seems that he is very good at his work, able to carry out dangerous missions but yet able to keep himself concealed, he repeatedly escapes assassination jobs without being sighted by the Police."

Xena squinted at the empty image on the screen. It was clear to her that this Assassin seemed to know exactly what he was doing, the fact that he was able to continue dodging around law enforcement was proof of this. This was not someone that any average Assassin could pull off, not at the degree that this one seemed to do.

"What we need." Agent Fox now said, "Is to get this Assassin. Once we can take down this Assassin, we can ultimately take down Richard Mascetti. We're taking an indirect attack this time. Instead of going straight for the target, we will be removing the targets biggest asset, hence, making him all the more vulnerable."

Murmurs broke out all around the room at Agent's Fox's words. It was clear that all the Agents were brimming with anticipation at the idea of finally being able to take down Richard Mascetti. They had been working on his case for years, but yet, the man still held such strong influence and control that almost made him immune.

To think that one Assassin was the key to putting an end to all of this.

Agent Fox raised his hand and immediately the room was filled with a pin-drop silence. Xena smiled to herself, she was glad to see that Agent Fox still had the effect of demanding respect out of people. She admired him for that, his presence alone was worthy of respect. He wasn't a threatening leader, neither was he scary, he was just somebody to be respected.

"There is something known about this Assassin." Agent Fox stated into the now silent room. He paced around, digging his hands into his grey suit pockets as he spoke.

Immediately, all the Agents in the room leaned forward. Trying desperately to hear what it was he would say. Xena herself had uncrossed her legs from their former position and tilted her head forward in anticipation, everybody had tuned in.

"We have something on the Assassin. A name. A codename of sorts, actually."

Agent Fox paused again, the tension in the room could be cut with a knife.

"The Assassin goes by the name, 'V'."