Raiden arrives at the abandoned building at midnight, just like Cassandra asked. Little did he know.. that once he stepped into that building, his life would change forever... Raiden gives the building a nice long stare before contacting his team.
"Alright, this looks like the place..." Raiden announces.
"Be careful, Raiden.." says his worried co-worker, Courtney.
"Will do..." answers Raiden. He takes out his sword and readies it as he steps through the front door.

On the other side of the building, Monsoon and Jetstream plan to make their entrance through the back door... Jetstream keeps tabs on his surroundings as he and Monsoon approach the uninhabited building.
"So this is the place, eh?" questions Jetstream.
"Seems like it." whispers Monsoon, "Come on..." The pair of cyborgs head inside, having no idea who they are about to encounter.

Raiden moves slowly and carefully as he makes his way into what appears to be the main room. It's pitch black in there... Even with night vision, it's hard to see.
Monsoon and Jetstream are just on the other side of the room. They're all so good at sneaking around, they don't notice each other right away. Suddenly, Raiden spots movement and jolts into a defensive stance. Monsoon and Jetstream hear Raiden across the room and whip their heads around in that direction.
"Monsoon! Jetstream!" Raiden growls, putting his sword up. "What are you two doing here!?"
"We could ask you the same thing!" retorts Monsoon as he pulls out his Sai.
Instead of going straight to battle, Raiden stops to think for a moment... How odd is it that Monsoon and Jetstream of all people are at that exact same place and time as he is?
"Wait a minute..." ponders Raiden as he lowers his sword, "What are you two doing here?"
Monsoon sighs and lowers his Sai. "If you must know, we were told to check out this place..." he reluctantly answers.
"By a strange woman? Red hair, blue eyes?" guesses Raiden.
"Yes..." gasps Monsoon, realizing the coincidence. "You too?"
"Yeah." sighs Raiden.
Jetstream shoots Monsoon an extremely baffled look. "The heck?" he whispers. All three cyborgs fall into an awkward silence. They're completely perplexed at what is happening. Monsoon and Jetstream stand uncomfortably next to each other as Raiden starts pacing.
"So.." Raiden breaks the suffocating silence, "If we're all here at the same place, at the same time, sent by the same person... This could only mean one thing..--"
Jetstream takes an aggressive step towards Raiden. "This was a set-up!" he barks.
"You are correct Jetstream Sam." says a female voice. The cyborgs whip their heads around in several directions before spotting a hologram in the center of the room.
"Cassandra!" exclaims Raiden.
"Please have a seat..." offers Cassandra, "I will explain everything..."

Three spotlights turn on unanimously and reveal three fold-out chairs sitting side by side in a straight line. The cyborgs were in utter shock. They all turned to look at each other with horrified expressions. After a moment of standing frozen, the cyborgs hesitantly take their seats, minds racing with questions...
"So... let me just cut to the chase..." Cassandra starts. The cyborgs stare at her intently, eagerly awaiting an answer. They're all literally on the edge of their seats. "I want the three of you to team up." Cassandra finally confesses.
All three cyborgs shout in unison: "WHAT!?"
"Let me explain..." Cassandra interrupts, "I believe you three could make history. Three cyborgs... all of different power, strength, and nature.. fighting together. Just think of what you could accomplish." Cassandra's inspiring message doesn't go over so well. The cyborgs still look very uninterested.
"Why should we work with him?", Jetstream asks, gesturing to Raiden. "We're already working for Armstrong."
"About that..." Cassandra begins, "You and Monsoon need to know something..." Monsoon's head perks up in interest. Cassandra pulls up a very childish animation of senator Armstrong, Monsoon, and Jetstream. "After Armstrong wins the election for president... he'll have so much power, that he won't need you two anymore." In the animation, senator Armstrong kicks Monsoon and Jetstream out of his building. Raiden swallows a laugh.
"He simply plans to erase you from the operation altogether..." Cassandra concludes.
"And how would you know that?", Monsoon protests. "What proof do you have?" Cassandra's claim angered him and he dug deep to keep himself from raising his voice.
Raiden shrugs. "Hey, it makes sense to me.", he comments. "He's gonna have nearly all the power one man can get.. What would he need you for..?"
Monsoon's mouth opened to defend Armstrong, but then the cold hard truth finally sinks in. He slumps in his chair and stares blankly at the floor. Jetstream has never seen Monsoon react to anything like that. He looks at him with a concerned expression before furrowing his brows angrily. "That no-good son of a gun..." hisses Jetstream, "I knew I couldn't trust him.." He closes his eyes, feeling ashamed of himself for letting Armstrong take control.
Raiden faces Jetstream and leans forward in his chair. "Then why are you working for him?" he asks genuinely.
"He cut my arm off!", Jetstream snaps. "What was I supposed to do!?"
"Alright, that's enough." Cassandra breaks up the squabble. "Raiden... you are still working for Maverick, correct?"
"Yeah..." answers Raiden, "Why?"
"I'm just wondering... is that truly what you want...?" Cassandra pries.
Raiden takes a moment to consider what Cassandra had asked him. "If I'm being honest Cassandra, it isn't.", he replies. "I joined Maverick because I thought I was doing something good. A fresh start if you will... But then, things started getting crazy with all this war and politics..." Cassandra and Jetstream listen to Raiden intently while Monsoon's head is still elsewhere. "Maverick is great and all.." Raiden continues, "but it's not what I live for... I've seriously considered resigning.."
"That's just what I wanted to hear..." smiles Cassandra. All three look up at her in confusion. "Cyborgs, I brought you here to get a fresh start, to put your pasts behind. This is your chance to find your calling and unleash your true potential... Welcome to the Cyborgs Head Quarters." Without warning, more lights come on -- one after the other. A white interior is revealed with high-tech appliances and sleek furniture. It's a cyborg's dream come true. The cyborgs rise from their seats to take in their surroundings. They couldn't be any more shocked with all that has happened in one night! "Cyborgs..." Cassandra grabs their attention again, "This place is now yours... Where you call the shots, go on your own missions, and live in stylish comfort. Cyborgs... What do you say?" The three cyborgs all exchange looks with each other. It was a big adjustment, but with a deal like that, how can they refuse?
With a smile, Raiden faces Cassandra. "We're in."

End of chapter