Intelligence Agency's Data Archive Subject: Deal

O5-9 woke up at the end of a grand oak table.

Slowly looking around the room, he noticed it was empty. He was in a grand palace, gold pillars lined the walls. A dripping chandelier hangs from a thread of diamonds. Large oil paintings lined the walls, all of which looked ancient to Nine.

A scowl quickly came across his face as he got a whiff of the scent of drowning herbs that lay in a teapot on the table. He nearly gagged at its scent.

Two small cups were ignored by Nine as they rest beside the pot of tea. He stared at the other end of the room as he patted his suit jacket.

”Of Course he took my sidearm…” Nine thought. He quickly hid the scowl on his face as he heard the sound of the two grand doors opening at the end of the room. Footsteps echoed on the marble floor as an elderly looking man slowly stepped his way towards the table.

Nine checked to make sure his tie was straight, he remained seated keeping a close watch on the Elderly Man.

As he took a seat across from Nine, the Elderly Man grabbed the teapot pouring himself a cup.

“Would you like a cup of tea Councilman?” The Elderly Man looked up with a kind smile.

As he interlocked his finger resting his hands down on the table, Nine slowly shook his head.

“It’s a kind offer, even though you know I have a distaste for the substance.”

“You really need to broaden your horizon, Nine. You’re missing out on a world of wonderful taste, each a unique treasure.”

“Enough with chitchat, why am I here Marshall?”

The undercut in Nine’s tone was clear to Marshall. It’s time for business. Marshall took notice of the cold blue stare he received from his guest.

“Always straight to the point with you isn’t it?” A disappointed frown made its way to Marshall’s lips.

“Kidnapping one’s self ruins the mood for any conversations, Marshall.”

“I did not kidnap you, you are free to leave at any time. Although, I do not suggest you do that Nine. You’re going to want to stay for desserts.”

Another set of footsteps echoed down the marble floor. A young male dressed in a purple servers outfit carried an enclosed food tray. Nine shifted in his seat once he noticed the Servant’s mouth was stitched closed.

After sitting the tray down in the middle of the table the Servant gave a quick bow as Marshall waved his hand to dismissed the boy.

“I thought we should reality simple. Our first course is tomato soup.” Marshall carefully lifted the lid of the tray to reveal two small bowls of the red colored liquid.

As he carefully slid the bowl in front of Nine, Marshall gave an innocent smile.

“It isn’t poisoned Nine. If I wanted you dead I would have gotten someone to take care of you a long time ago. Although, I would hope you of all people know that killing a head of state solves no problems… It typically only creates them.”

Nodding at Marshall’s statement, Nine could relate. He knew well enough what Marshall spoke of.

The two gentlemen ate their first course of soup mostly in silence. Marshall quickly picked up on the fact that Nine was not one for small talk.

“I hope you enjoyed the soup. You’re going to love this next dish. Chaz Ambrose does such a fantastic job of preparing food.” Marshall dapped around his mouth with a napkin.

Looking past Marshall, Nine witnessed as a different servant, a female, wearing the same outfit marched down the hallway. Her mouth was also stitched shut.

Just like before, the servant laid down the tray in the middle of the table as they waited to be dismissed.

“Do you like smoked ribs Nine?” He lifted off the lid to show two plates of ribs cages, each smoked and splattered in a thick barbecue sauce. He put their empty soup bowls on the tray, as the servant picked it up without hesitating. Marshall waved them off.

“Why are their mouth stitched together? I thought you were more humane than that Marshall.”

“You help run an organization that forces prisoners to do the unquestionable… And a few stitches is too much for you? Have you gone soft Nine?” Marshall gave a wide smile, he showed off his blood-stained teeth from the soup they previously had.

Instead of a response, Marshall only received a brutal glare from across the table.

The air in the room had tensed up as the two of them slowly ate their second course. As they finished up the smoked ribs.

“Let’s get down to business Marshall. I refuse to believe that you brought me here, just for a simple dinner.”

“Simple? I paid Ambrose Restaurants good money to make us this meal. Besides, we haven’t had out deserts yet.”

As on cue, two servants from before made their way up to the table. They each placed a small bowl of strawberry ice cream in front of Nine and Marshall.

Nine stared at the ice cream as Marshall started to eat his.

“What wrong? Already full? Oh… Oh my, do you not like Ice Cream?” Marshall cracked a smile.l as he took a large spoon full of the frozen substance.

Nine straightened his tie once more as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He never expected Marshall to be so childish. Nine quickly glanced to the two servants, both of which had their head bowed down as they stood on either side of Marshall.

He cleared his throat.

“No, I do not enjoy ice cream… I find it to be way too sweet to my likings.”

“Huh, I guess this furthers proves the O5s are nothing but bitter.”

Marshall snickered as Nine’s eye twitched. He could smell the anger brewing in the Councilman's heart.

“Well, I suppose we can get down to business then.” Marshall sat his unfinished bowl of ice cream on the tray.

The two servants picked up the remaining trays as they headed out of the room.

“I know you’re a busy man Nine, so I will get straight to the point with hardly, if any monologing or other distractions.” Marshall snickered again. He watched as the fire burns in Nine’s eyes.

WIth clenched fits Nine forced himself to stay claim. His scowl faded away as his expression went neutral.

“What is it that you want Marshall?”

“I’m so glad you asked. It is rather simple. You got something that belongs to me, and I have something that belongs to you.”

“….And you’re hoping to do a trade?”

“Exactly! See you are a smart cookie Nine.” A childish grin spread across marshall’s face. His teeth now stained red from the strawberry sauce of the ice cream.

Nine was beyond puzzled, he began to think Marshall was on some type of drugs, although, he couldn't be sure.

“What is it that you think you have that belongs to me?”

“I have two of your agents.” The childish grin had morphed into something much more sinister. “And you have my son. I think that’s more than a fair trade. Two for one deal, what do you say Nine?”

He hid his expression well. Yet, Marshall could still smell the fear coming from Nine.

The room went silent for several aggravating seconds. Neither men moved or spoke.

“You know full well I can not do that trade, Marshall.” Nine voice was unusually calm. He spoke with a hint of sadness and guilt in his voice.

“What a shame.” Marshall slowly shook his head from side to side. “Although, I fully expected that.”

Having felt ice cover his heart, Nine went silent as he looked towards Marshall’s eyes. Only to see fire and wrath, instead of the childish nature he witnesses only minutes beforehand.

He wanted to scream. He wanted to get up and strangle Marshall. Yet, he remained seated.

Marshall started to laugh baring his red stained teeth from the meal before. His attitude a complete manic behavior.

“I figured you wouldn’t take the trade. You councilmen are so stubborn. So I had decided to take the opportunity to make a meal out of them.”

Nine nearly gagged. His face in utter shock.

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