Max was on one of the middle floors of Haven. Room 412. It was one of the bigger corporate meeting rooms and the spot had been chosen for convenient access right outside the elevator. It had a small waiting room with a number of chairs and a television that Max ignored as he entered the meeting room in earnest.

He had been given files, various proposals and contracts that had been worked up by Haven clerical staff for the meeting. Apparently Michael or The Ranger as he was known by some had contacted Devon as Max instructed. Since Max had been the point of contact he had been called into the meeting and a rush of nerves ran through him. He would never say it out loud but he held a fierce desire to please Devon 

The meeting room was mostly one large table, a circle so as to not denote authority to any one seat. A projector hung from the ceiling and was blasting a large board on one wall with the Haven logo. Max tossed the files onto the table, in easy reach of any chair and made his way very to the small cart nearby that held water and other beverages.

He returned a moment later, a can of coke hissing as he opened it and sat. He was early, as uncharacteristic as that seemed. Devon should be arriving soon and security would be sending Ranger up. The two men were intense individuals. His small encounter with Ranger had given him a feel for the man, but that had been a personal exchange, business was always more complicated.

He was basically preparing to throw firecrackers into pools of gasoline and oil. He could only hope things didn't explode.

From what Max had said the meeting would secure a security firm for Haven and its associates, someone to admit into Haven, someone to discuss mutant activities for Haven’s special task force, some combination of the above, or possibly it could all go awry. That’s why Devon was meeting with Mr. Michael Ross Hunter. To encourage Max in his activities – and also to see how he faired in such a meeting – Devon had been sure to have Max included in the meeting. He was introducing them after all.

Blackforest Tactical had good merits, including its more clandestine operations. That fit Haven’s private needs well, but would do well to protect its public nature as well. Activisits and public leaders often made a target of themselves. It made sense, even if Devon was sad to have to require such. Not having a good security team for outside (or inside) the building was simply negligent. The executive team agreed and Devon was happy to be the face, arrange the details in this circumstance.

The crisp-suited Devon gave a small knock on the door of room 412 before opening and stepping inside. “Ah good morning, Max,” Devon smiled warmly. “Security has informed me Mr. Hunter has arrived and will be up shortly.”

The Ranger parked his murdered out Mustang GT500 Hellcat Tamer in a garage. The Fordasaurus would be overkill for this trip and he was wearing black cowboy boots and a suit so his bike was out of the question. At 765 horses the car could still make an impression. Not having to pay for anything while overseas for three years allows someone to buy something nice.

From there the Ranger walked the rest of the way to Haven. Max had gotten the Ranger in contact with Haven regarding doing security work. Security work through both his companies more active and passive ways of providing security. Since the initial contact there had been small exchanges, but this was the sit down. Where the Ranger would finally meet Devon and hopefully sign the deal.

When the Ranger arrived he checked in with security they directed him to the meeting room. As the Ranger headed to the elevator security guard picked up a phone and called ahead.

Stepping out of the elevator he made his way to room 412. He’d pulled a copy of the building’s plans while working on plans for managing the security of it. He knew exactly where it was. Arriving at the door to room 412 he knocked and then opened the door. He was expected after all.

”Howdy. I’m Michael Hunter of Blackforest Tactical.” He said holding out his hand.

Devon walked in with a warm greeting, he was decked out in his customary suit. Max by contrast was wearing his Haven tee-shirt and jeans. It might have seemed a bit under dressed given the situation but he had done it intentionally. Michael was a soldier, a practical guy. Devon could rep the business professional look all day long, Max was going to cover casual. If things went south he could at least pull a hail mary.

"How goes it boss?" He said with a playful smile.

Devon was a nice guy, he had been kind to Max and given him opportunities he couldn't have dreamed of. Since joining Haven he had made it a point to poke at Devon with the nickname "Boss." Devon wasn't a bossy man, hell he was as laid back as Max. But it was all in good fun.

"All the papers are in files on the table ready to go." He added.

The door opened a moment later and Michael appeared. Max took a long swish of coke and rose as Michael offered his hand. Max stayed back letting Devon take the lead. This was their deal after all.

>> "How goes it boss?"

“I’m well, thanks,” Devon chuckled. He had a feeling Max was a little nervous but if a combination of chiding and prep were the outcome, then things were in good hands. He scanned the table.

>> "All the papers are in files on the table ready to go."

“Great,” he nodded as he heard an approach and then a knock at the door.

Michael Hunter entered and Devon approached him with a warm smile and a hand in greeting. Devon shook the man’s hand with a firm, typical amount of strength. It was clear Michael was not typical, however. He was an inch or so short of 6’ but full-framed, leanly muscled, and strong. Devon appreciated the man’s athleticism but also his style of dress. How you treated yourself, how you dressed, how you presented yourself… They all said something about you.

“Welcome, Mr. Hunter. I’m Devon Hadden – feel free to call me Devon, and you know Mr. Rosewood,” he turned, gesturing to Max. The hand continued to the table, “Please sit. Max has had all the paperwork done up with operations and accounting, but I was hoping I could hear more about your business, its history, and the man we’d be doing regular business with before we signed.”

“I’ve heard some very positive things, and read some as well regarding Blackforest,” Devon nodded as he moved to a seat.

The man who identified himself as Devon Hunter greeted the Ranger. Devon indicated all the paperwork was ready and invited him to sit. He wanted to talk to the Ranger first. This the Ranger could appreciate. With the type of work the Ranger's company did he didn't want to start blindly working for someone. Max had given the Ranger a solid first impression and the entire process to this point had confirmed it. Now it was time for the Ranger and Devon to truly get a measure of who they were dealing with.

"Nice t' finally meet you Devon. An' please, call me Michael." Nodding to Max he added, "Howdy, Max."

The Ranger moved to take a seat at the table. A circular table, functional and blurred the lines of rank. He approved.

Where to begin? In their talks it had come out that Blackforest offered more than your run of the mill security details. He would have to get to that. He decided to start with the beginning.

"I started Blackforest Tactical as a way t' apply my unique skills... I enlisted in the US Army right out of high school. Went to Ranger school right out of basic. Then went t' selection for Delta Force." It was not how he would normally refer to the team he worked with, but it was the common parlance for the team so it served. "Durin' the mutant registration JSOC shielded those of us by movin' us around keepin' us out of country. After that the higher ups cleaned out JSOC an' brushed the fact they shielded us under the rug by pushin' us out of the service. My desire t' protect kept me runnin' even after I was back stateside. I started Blackforest as a way t' get back into what I use to do. As you know we run day to day as security. What we would be providin' for you 24/7. We operate with incredibly high marksman standards and tactical scenario trainin' so our boys are a cut above any other guard."

Pausing for a moment the Ranger tapped the desk slightly with one finger. He looked to Max. He didn't know if this next part had been completely divulged to him as part of the dealings. He likely knew. "We are also ready t' provide black ops support. The Alpha unit of Blackforest is five mutants, myself included, who all served in Tier one operations in the US military. This unit handles those mission where you need someone t' kill, break, or steal or t' protect, secure, an' rescue. Y've likely seen whispers of our operations the last three years in the paper. High profile rescues, inexplicable deaths, and the destruction of at least one nuclear weapons program. You will be the first client I've deemed worth workin' for who isn't a NATO Government."

A bit long winded, but Devon had asked. He'd let Devon decide where to go from this overview.

“Michael,” Devon nodded, smiling all the more warmly at the invitation to use the Ranger’s first name.

A few times during Ranger’s description of his past, schooling, and training Devon nodded again. He paid attention to the maneuvering around the mutant registration, the protection of what they’d done, and Ranger’s interest in both his safety and continued service. It was important to thank and value those who served; Devon clearly didn’t have the perspective they did. However, there was something to be said of those who found they could not leave it behind, that it was their need. It was a shame a person like Aura hadn’t had that kind of instruction rather than the violent indoctrination and brain washing.

When Michael paused and glanced to Max, Devon lowered his chin but kept his eyes high. It was a welcoming, knowing, but suggestive bit of physical communication. He had hoped Ranger would go right into the private, less public aspects Blackforest could provide. He’d heard things, but if they were to work together – especially to the point Max had suggested to Devon – it was best to get right into it.

>> “…Y've likely seen whispers of our operations the last three years in the paper. …”

Devon nodded again. Impossible deaths, amazing rescues, and destruction to clean to be terrorism were all things he’d seen. Devon watched and digested the news every day. He had contacts knowing combing through information and associates reviewing it. Haven itself watched for needs at home and across the globe. There were things though that raised questions to even the casual news observer. Some merely chose to accept and move on. Mutants, well, they knew the impossible was possible and that they were doing so every day.

“Thank you,” Devon smiled. “I appreciate the full disclosure. I think all of us at Haven would appreciate your public security. Our activities in pushing for various rights whether GLBT or mutants, or advocating against certain prejudiced policies, for educational reform, or even financial planning will increasingly make Haven’s membership targets. It’s naïve and irresponsible for us not to consider a formal, highly trained security team.”

He gestured to Max and then himself, “Also there’s people like us within Haven focused on mutant needs. Sometimes things are necessary outside of public channels like the examples you provided. We step in to save that mutant where maybe the police can’t. We’ll target a business hiding behind an ethically sound marketing scheme. We want to help, educate, save, protect, preserve even.” Devon sighed and shook his head. Ranger had been forthcoming and it was time for him to do so as well, “But again, we can’t be so naïve to think that violence, even death are not possibilities.”

It was the first time he’d really said it aloud and the sad nature of it was clear in his tone. So too was the acceptance of it. “We don’t act under a single leader, however. We’re a group. Some are involved depending on the mission. We make decisions together though we have a leadership group as it were,” he nodded. “I’ll certainly invite you to meet with them provided we’re in agreement here today.”

Devon gestured to the paperwork on the table, “Inside you’ll find what our operations team and the CFO have agreed for your standard contract. Other activities will have various financial streams. We may not be able to pay you to the extent of some NATO governments, but I can promise to the important nature of our work and its intentions. The only thing that sometimes gives us pause are the necessary steps. You, at least, will have to meet with another member of Haven who will ensure our agreement on this private matters as well but I think you can understand to its necessity for you and for Haven.”

When the Ranger had finished Devon thanked him and expressed his appreciation for the full disclosure and services Blackforest provides before diving in. Devon began by discussing why having a security team such as the Ranger’s would be such a boon. The social reforms Haven pushed could easily have a violent backlash. More than likely lone wolves, but the chance of a larger reaction always existed.

A transition from security, a defensive action, to more aggressive actions. This was the service Ranger could provide that other security firms could not. This was the place where more than anything else the two men needed to be on the same page.And so far it seemed good, Devon was admitting he could not be so naive to think violence and death were not possible.

Sometimes you have to burn away the rot for healing to happen. The Ranger stood ready to burn it if it would lead to healing. Devon seemed to have his head and heart in the right place. He would shoot where Devon pointed.

Moving on, Devon informed the Ranger of some of the structure. A group of individuals. He said some are involved depending on the mission. So despite being a group they still had areas of responsibility and things they more individually oversaw. And provided the two men reached an agreement, the Ranger would be invited to meet them.

Finally, it came around to the paperwork. The standard contract. The extra-curriculars would of course be handled differently, paper trails are problematic for those. As for payment, the Ranger had assumed the pay would not be as good as what his normal clients paid. This was not a huge problem though. As a contractor he was not exclusive to Haven, but would give Haven preference. Any time a clandestine job with another client would conflict with a job for Haven he would take the Haven job.

The security side of the arrangement was also a more steady stream of income to offset some of the cost. That and he could onboard more staff over time to handle more jobs to make up the rest. He might have to find Jude some help if he did that though.

As Devon finished speaking the Ranger turned to the paper work. ”I completely understand.” His eyes flew down the contract. Scanning across the details. He’d read dozens of these security contracts had learned where to look and what to look for on them. All the usual terms for permanent security staffing, terms of payment, outlining how disagreements are settled, the type of access he would have to Haven facilities and the access his employees would have. He kept reading. Beyond the normal terms there was also the terms for Ranger to reside at Haven. A request he had made early on in the negotiations.

It was easier than finding an apartment and meant he was nearby in case of an emergency.

Still scanning he spoke, ”Max sold y' as someone I could work with, Devon. I had some reservations comin’ in here. I could run y’r security no problem... Now after meetin’ y’ I can be y’r shooter.” The Ranger pulled out a pen and signed the contract. ”Y’ve got y’r head on straight an’ I agree with y’r goals. I can do the necessary f’r y’.” And maintain a degree of separation to protect Haven in case something goes sideways.

Documents signed the Ranger put his pen away. He then slid the documents over to Devon.

”There’s our public arrangement. Let’s settle the private one.”