"Is there really a telepath locked up here?"
Raven froze for a split second, then quickly pieced things together. Her eyes widened as she turned toward Ryan, a flicker of realization crossing her face.
"Ryan… you're not talking about the White Queen, are you?"
Back on the cruise ship, Charles had clashed with her from a distance, and the result hadn't been pretty. His abilities had been completely countered, leaving him at a clear disadvantage. The encounter alone had proven just how formidable she was.
Later, when Charles and Eric tracked down the Black Emperor, their intelligence had failed them. Instead of finding their target in the Soviet Union, they arrived too late—he had already struck elsewhere.
The CIA base had been turned into a slaughterhouse.
But the operation hadn't been a total loss. While they missed the Black Emperor, they managed to capture his most trusted subordinate—the White Queen.
Since then, she had been imprisoned within CIA headquarters.
Interrogated repeatedly.
And yet, nothing had come of it.
Her abilities made her nearly untouchable. She could manipulate minds with ease, distort perception, and when pushed, transform into an indestructible diamond form. The CIA had no effective method to break her.
All they could do was lock her away.
Ryan nodded without hesitation.
"Yes. The White Queen."
His tone was calm, but there was a clear intent behind it.
"She'll be extremely valuable to us."
He didn't need to elaborate further. Raven understood immediately. A telepath of that level wasn't just useful—it was strategic. Especially if they were serious about building something bigger.
A mutant force.
In that kind of structure, someone like her would be indispensable.
"Raven," Ryan added, glancing at her, "I know she used to work for Shaw. But Shaw's gone. Whatever grudges existed should've died with him."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"If she's willing, she's one of us."
Raven shrugged, her expression casual.
"You don't need to explain it to me. I'm not Charles."
Her tone made it clear—she wasn't bound by rigid ideals. If anything, she was far more pragmatic. After all, she had once broken into a secure facility alongside Eric to extract that very same woman.
This wasn't new territory for her.
Ryan smiled slightly.
"Good."
He pushed open the car door and stepped out.
"Then let's get to work."
Raven followed immediately. The moment her foot touched the ground, her body shifted seamlessly. Her features changed, her posture adjusted, and within seconds, she had become Agent Moira.
The transformation was flawless.
She had spent enough time around the real Moira to replicate every detail—the voice, the mannerisms, even the subtle expressions. To anyone watching, there was no difference.
Side by side, Raven and Ryan walked straight toward the CIA building.
No hesitation.
No resistance.
"Hey, Agent Moira. You just got back, didn't you?"
"Already leaving again?"
Raven handled it effortlessly, responding with casual familiarity.
"Wish I could stay, but I've got something to deal with. You know how it is."
The exchanges were smooth, natural, completely unforced. Even when someone glanced at Ryan and asked who he was, she didn't falter.
"Witness. Director wants him brought in personally."
It was enough.
No one questioned it further.
Ryan watched quietly, a faint sense of appreciation in his eyes. Raven's ability wasn't just useful—it was perfect for infiltration. Combined with her instincts, she was a natural operative.
This was how her power was meant to be used.
After navigating through the lobby, they stepped into the elevator. The doors slid shut with a soft hum, cutting off the noise outside.
Raven turned toward him.
"Alright, we're in. Now what? Don't tell me you walked in here without a plan."
Ryan leaned slightly against the wall, completely at ease.
"Plan? Don't need one."
Before she could question that, his vision shifted.
In an instant, the entire building unfolded before him—floors, walls, rooms, every detail laid bare. Within seconds, he located what he was looking for.
The White Queen.
Locked deep inside.
But she wasn't alone.
Another figure caught his attention—someone unexpected.
Copycat.
Ryan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Interesting.
Her ability to replicate others made her a stronger, more flexible version of Raven in certain situations. Letting her remain here would be a waste.
Decision made.
He withdrew his gaze and reached out, pressing a button.
Fourteenth floor.
"I already know where she is," he said calmly.
Raven blinked.
"You what? How?"
She had been with him the entire time. He hadn't investigated, hadn't accessed any systems, hadn't even asked questions.
And yet he knew.
Ryan just smiled.
"Let's just say… I've got my ways."
She stared at him for a moment longer, then shook her head slightly.
"Yeah… you're getting harder to figure out."
The elevator doors opened.
They stepped out.
Immediately, they were met with resistance.
A security checkpoint stood directly ahead, guarded by two armed agents. Their posture was alert, their expressions sharp.
Raven stepped forward without hesitation.
"I'm here to interrogate the prisoner."
One of the agents frowned slightly.
"I haven't received any orders regarding that."
The second agent was already reaching for the phone, preparing to verify.
Before he could complete the call—
Ryan moved.
A single punch shattered the reinforced glass beside them, the impact exploding outward with a sharp crack. In the same motion, his fist connected with the agent holding the phone.
The man didn't even have time to react.
His body lifted off the ground and slammed into the wall behind him before collapsing, unconscious.
"You—!"
The second agent barely got the word out.
Ryan's next strike dropped him instantly.
Silence.
Then—
Bang.
Ryan kicked forward.
The heavy metal door blocking the corridor tore free from its frame, crashing inward as if it weighed nothing.
Raven stepped over the wreckage, glancing at him with a mix of amusement and disbelief.
"You know, you could try being subtle once in a while."
Ryan didn't answer.
He simply walked forward.
The corridor stretched ahead of them, long and sterile, lined with reinforced doors. Their footsteps echoed faintly as they moved deeper inside.
Then, finally—
Ryan stopped.
He stood in front of one of the doors, his gaze fixed.
This was it.
.....
Read the next chapter on my p@treon for free.
Paid members can get more than 60 chapters.
Link: [email protected]/GalaxyWonder