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WELCOME TO THE LAND DOWN UNDER - PROJECT ZEUS PART 1

London MI6 Offices, Day 3, Afternoon

06:23 AgentJamesMason: I stood at the window of the conference room, looking out over the London skyline. London in summertime was always a sight to behold. The streets were jammed with tourists and even up here, the sound of honking busses and cars was still audible. I would have much rather been outside rather than stuck in a conference, but duty called. I sighed though. I missed Kyle. I’d seen him off at Heathrow airport this morning for his flight to Toronto. It was the first time we’d really been separated since our reunion in Des Moines, and it left an ache inside me that I hadn’t expected. We’d grown so close over the past few months together, it felt like we’d been together for years, but in reality it had only been two and a half months.

06:23 AgentJamesMason: But back to the business at hand. Kyle had insisted on this trip to Toronto to meet Jeff Rogers and work with him on a rescue plan for Jack. Jack's capture had weighed heavily on my soul ever since Kyle had been rescued. Jack and Jeff loved each other so much, and they had risked everything to help me save Kyle. Jeff was just a shadow of himself after Jack’s capture. He didn’t blame me or Kyle, but I wish he would have. I felt a deep weight of guilt for Jack’s capture. I’d tried everything I could to hunt him down, but with the loss of our double agents, exposed after the Toronto Incident, we had limited resources. I’d contacted Will Masterson, our cyber expert. He’d searched all of his contacts, but he hadn’t managed to find any mention of Jack in any of the networks he’d breached. The Syndicate was locked down tighter than normal lately. They were up to something. Something big. And we needed eyes on them now.

06:23 AgentJamesMason: I stretched out my arms over my head, feeling the thick muscles loosen and some of the tension drain away. I hated sitting down for too long. I turned back to the conference table, my simple white button up straining to hold in the hard curves and powerful lines of my battle-hardened muscle. Our break was over. We’d finished up the preliminaries, now it was time to get down to the details. I sat down and looked around the table, arrayed around me were my brother, Corporal Sam Mason, the American Marine, Alex Braddock, and my good friend, Dr. Marcus Vanderbilt. Mark had played a key role in helping me and Kyle recover from the trauma we’d experienced in Minneapolis and Des Moines, especially the attempt by Ivan Usov to brainwash Kyle. But I’d found I was far from immune to what had happened myself. I owed that man a debt of gratitude and love that I could never repay. He was here, serving as the liaison for the American squad that had been placed under our command. Apparently, I was responsible for that. Though the credit was hardly mine, as I thought of Jack’s sacrifice. In the American’s eyes, I’d been responsible for the destruction of two Syndicate bases and the shutdown of their drug running operation in Minneapolis. In a rare spirit of cooperation, they had agreed to lend us a squad of American operatives to help uncover the Syndicate’s latest scheme.

06:23 AgentJamesMason: I’d just gotten the word from Commander Craig that the final selection had been made for our two prospective infiltrators. It had been between my brother Sam Mason, and another SAS squadmate of his, Jordan Black. A part of me had secretly wished Jordan would be chosen over Sam. That was selfish of me, I know, but Sam was my brother… and while I knew, intellectually, he could take care of himself, my heart wanted to keep him safe. He was my only brother. But, as I had known he would, Craig had chosen Sam. Sam was the best qualified. And Alex was a shoe in for the American infiltrator.

06:23 AgentJamesMason: My friend Marcus Vanderbilt would serve as liaison along with Alex Braddock. Alongside the American contingents, my brothers from the SAS had sent a few of their men to serve alongside them, to provide some muscle. My brother Sam was among them. He was a man now, and he could take care of himself, but after our parents died, I felt a sense of responsibility towards him. But I knew better than to try to protect him. He was well trained, and he was ready for this. Alex Braddock, now, I’d never met before. I looked him over. The best words I could use to describe him were one badass mother fucker. He was actually incredibly hot. I could feel myself getting a bit hot around the collar as I looked him over. But that was nothing compared to Sam. He was practically drooling over the big, muscled, bearded American. This was going to be interesting, especially considering that I was fairly sure Alex was a ladies man. I’d have to have a talk with Sam. But that would be later.

06:23 AgentJamesMason: I sat down and spoke up, “All right, now that we have the preliminaries out of the way, let’s get down to business. What we need is to get eyes on the Syndicate. After the Toronto Incident, our agents were compromised. We are currently blind to what they are up to. All we know is they are up to something big. Senior Investigator, Kyle Byrne, has proposed that we use the chaos of a running battle to insert our personnel into the Syndicate. Commander Craig has endorsed this plan of action. What we are going to do here, today, is figure out the details. We have at our disposal the services of Will Masterson, our chief cyber specialist. The Syndicate rarely hires men directly, instead contracting with various mercenary companies to provide their muscle. We may not be able to forge identities for a direct member of the Syndicate, but forging identities for one of the contracted mercenary companies is very doable. That’s why you, Sam, and Alex, are here. Kyle has chosen the two of you as the most likely candidates. You both have the skills and the experience to pull this off. We don’t need a cloak and dagger spy here, we need rough-and-ready, badass bastards who can pass off as a mercenary. I think you both fit the bill.” I grin at Sam, knowing that finally his rough around the edges attitude is going to come in handy. “All right, that’s the high level. Now, down to specifics. The devil, as we all know, is in the details. Proposals?”

05:36 Corporal_Sam_Mason: I’d volunteered to be one of the troopers infiltrated into the Syndicate like a shot, and I knew I was the best man for the job. Jordan was all right, but he was too fucking hot headed. Some might say that’s calling the kettle black, but I know when to follow orders. Jordan doesn’t. What really surprised me was that James hadn’t protested. I knew it didn’t sit easy with him, but he hadn’t said a word against me. He was finally letting out the apron strings. I mean, it only took me joining the SAS and busting my ass, risking life and limb in Afghanistan before he realized I was a man. But hey, some men are slow learners.

05:36 Corporal_Sam_Mason: I sat in my seat, fidgeting slightly, wearing my semi-formal dress uniform, with my stone-coloured short-sleeved shirt, green trousers, along with my beret and belt. It was hot. London wasn’t used to heat. This building was all fucking stuffy, and I was sweating. My pits were getting wet, and I was getting two damp patches under my armpits. I was gonna start to smell any moment now. Fuck me. And it didn’t help having this big mother fucking slab of Yankee bear beef planted in the seat next to me. Shit. Just being next to him was giving me a boner. It wasn’t fucking fair. I’m sure he was off limits, he had that look, that wild playboy lady’s man look. But of course, I would be drawn to the forbidden fruit. Fucking sucks. But, hormones had to wait. James was taking his seat again, and was finally getting down to the good stuff. I listened to the outline he laid out, then spoke up.

05:36 Corporal_Sam_Mason: I was about to open my mouth and blurt out, but then at the last second, I remembered that in this context, James was not just my dumbfuck older brother, but my commanding officer. I saw the flash in James’s eyes, that twinkle of mirth as he caught me in the act of nearly blurting out like a raw recruit. Damn him. With a growl of irritation, I raised my hand, cleared my throat, and called out, “Permission to speak?” James gave me his assent with a nod of his head. “So, we get these fake identities, that’s all good shit, but how the fuck are we supposed to explain how we just suddenly appeared in the middle of a battle when no one else on the base has seen us before?”

08:22 Alex_Braddock: First time in London and it’s everything Trey said it would be. Wouldn’t be any time to check it out, but that was fine - I enjoyed missions like this more than being a tourist. These MI6 boys were definitely a different cut from me, though. Definitely British, which meant they were polished in a way, especially this Agent Mason. I hadn’t heard of him before, but after reading his dossier, the man had skills and balls. Same was true of his younger brother, but I could smell his inexperience...and his sweat. Damn, what do they feed this kid? But Corporal Mason was definitely a good soldier, too. His list of accomplishments were nothing to sneeze at, especially considering how young he was. It was good to know that I was going into this with some solid men and that I hadn’t just been thrown here to make this mission go off without a hitch. But...this was the Syndicate. I had heard of them, of course, but I had been elsewhere fighting other fights up till now. But when you’re pulled out of a mission to go somewhere else, you know something big is brewing. My CO had told me this had to be top priority for the US government, too, and when I found out what it was all about, it made sense.

08:22 Alex_Braddock: And I was here to get Sam and I inside enemy walls. That I could do. The kid’s green was definitely showing as he asked his question, though. And ‘permission to speak?’ Damn, these Brits are strict on their talent in a way we just weren’t. But I’m not here to upset any balances or dynamics. I let Corporal Mason’s question hang for a second and then I offer a solution. “You’ve recently destroyed some of the Syndicate’s other bases from what I read in the reports. That could be a cover for us. Corporal Mason and I could pose as mercs from the other bases seeking to reconnect with the Syndicate. Plus, if we’re going in under the cover of hired mercs, that will be plausible. Could even garner additional trust since we would be ‘fighting to get back into the fold,’ so-to-say.” I threw out the solution and decided to see how these Brit boys would take the suggestion from the Yankee across the waters. It wasn’t that I expected them not to be cooperative or anything, but...well, this ain’t my first foreign-intelligence collaboration.

02:31 Dr_Marcus_Vanderbilt: It was good to reconnect with James and see he was well back into the swing of things. And to be here as a liaison for this mission was nothing but an honor for me. It was wonderful being asked to serve in this role because it connected me with some old American colleagues I hadn’t really worked with in years and it also helped me showcase some of the talent at MI6 while building relations that, in my opinion, needed to be leveraged more strongly. Then there was First Sergeant Alex Braddock…. Fuck…. James was conducting himself professionally, but Sam was clearly distracted. Not that I could blame him, but I had to wonder if the Sergeant had any clue he had three men in the room with him that clearly found him attractive. He was down to business, though, laying out an option and justification for it in a clear efficiency that spoke to his training and temperament. Damn - they had chosen this man for a reason. That set me at ease for both Sam and knowing that the US military community was dedicating some serious resources to this. He was probably testing the waters with his response, and I just smirked, crossed my arms, and looked up at James to see how he’d handle this soldier.

06:23 AgentJamesMason: I sit back and watch, smirking as Sam struggles to remember that I’m not his older brother here and now. But, he gets there in the end and asks a very sensible question. I keep my expression neutral as the American, the First Sergeant Alex Braddock jumps in, ignoring protocol and diving right into the thick of it. Having reviewed his bio, I’m not surprised. He was a no-nonsense type, to the point, no fucking around, no time for ceremonies. He was a Yankee through and through. And just what we needed. I only hoped his bad influence wouldn’t rub off on my impressionable younger brother. My eyes darted over briefly to Mark, and we exchanged smirks. I’m sure he was just as aware of the undercurrents in this room as I was. C’mon Sam, now put your dick away boy.

06:23 AgentJamesMason: I speak up, leaning forward to rest my elbows on the table, my thick cut beefy forearms threatening to pop the buttons on my cuffs as I consider the two contributions. “First, you have indeed spotted the hole in our approach, Corporal. And, Sergeant, your proposal certainly addresses that hole. One might say, your solution plugs the Corporal’s hole.” I said this with a completely deadpan expression, without the slightest trace of a smile. Let’s begin to instruct our American colleague in the subtlety of British humour.

06:23 AgentJamesMason: “However, in order to make use of that approach we need to know which mercenary companies, besides the Brotherhood of Steel, were present in Des Moines, and which might conceivably have been scattered in the rush to evacuate, otherwise we would be shooting in the dark when we ask Masterson to forge your identities. I’ll get some of our men on that right away. Now, our new Senior Investigator, Kyle Byrne has come up with a set of identities for you both, which he will go over with you when he returns from Toronto. Any further questions?”

05:36 Corporal_Sam_Mason: I listen to my brother’s answer, and my jaw nearly drops open, as my face starts to turn beet red. What the fuck is he on about? Goddamn you James, you bastard. I sink a bit lower in my seat. I can’t believe he actually said that. Was I that obvious? I glance quickly over at Alex, and feel myself get a bit flushed. Fuck. Why the fuck does he have to look that good? And the way he just spoke up… not giving a fuck about rank or protocol… man, I wish I could get away with that. Then, my eyes snapped back to James. He had left something out. I raise my hand again, “Permission to speak?” James nods, and I go on, “Me and … the First Sergeant, are gonna to have to work tight, aren’t we? Shouldn’t we have some kind of joint exercise where we can get to know each other better? I mean, I’m putting my life in his Yankee hands, I wanna know that he’s got my back. No offense, Sergeant.” Suddenly, I sank lower, realizing that I really flubbed that one. FUCK ME. Goddamn hormones.

08:22 Alex_Braddock: Well, fuck…. My solution plugs the Corporal’s hole? These Brit boys are playing with me, at least Agent Mason is. I can’t help but smirk, but then the Corporal opens his mouth and I just hear his dick talking. I slowly look over at him, turning in the chair as I look over this young buck. As I see the look in his eyes, I can’t help but remember being that young and horny. Fuck, I’m still that horny sometimes. “Corporal, I assure you, when I got your back, you’ll be safe and secure. But if you wanna do some joint exercises, we’ll see just how tight we can get.” I give him a slight smile and a nod, trying to be friendly while not missing the chance to get a jab in on this young buck. I could push the hole plugging and everything else, but I stay on task - the Corporal looks like he might need some hand holding on that front.

08:22 Alex_Braddock: “So, we get in. I know you said your other agent is going to go over the plan, but what are the high level specs of the operation? What are we going in for? Extraction, intelligence, termination, all of the above? I need to give my CO some details of the operation expectations for his morning briefing coming up in two hours.” I hated to push for details on this, but I knew my CO would have my ass if I didn’t have something for him. Plus, I was chomping at the bit to know what the Brits had planned. If they wanted a roughneck motherfucker, they got the right man with me for this job. But was the Corporal ready for this? He was looking a bit green to me right now, but…. Surely he was ready for this. There wouldn’t be any chance for recovery if we fucked this up: we’d be dead, simple as that. Maybe I just need to set some boundaries for the kid and he’d be fine. The mats might be a good place to do that and help him focus on what’s to come.

08:22 Alex_Braddock: “Then no more questions here. You got any questions, Corporal?” I ask as I turn to see the kid sunk deeper in his chair and still looking beet red. Oh, it was gonna be fun working with this one…. I just needed to make sure he wasn’t too green for the mission.

06:23 AgentJamesMason: I look over at Sam as he asks permission to ask a question. It is with extraordinary discipline that I manage to keep a straight face as I listen to my brother’s question. Oh Sam. I could tell right away he hadn’t meant to say that. He was at home on the battlefield, there was no doubt of that, but not so much around other people. I listen as Alex handles my brother’s discombobulation like a pro, then goes on to ask another fairly intelligent question. I nod, “Sergeant, you and the Corporal have two goals. First, find out what the Syndicate is up to. Every indication we have points to something big. They are reassigning staff, abandoning some of their outlying bases, consolidating their forces in one of the biggest shifts of personnel and resources we’ve seen for a very long time. Your primary mission is to find out why. And your secondary mission is to locate Agent Jack Young, the CSIS operative who was captured by Derek Steel two and a half months ago while helping me rescue Kyle Byrne. This has been agreed with your superiors.” The memory of that is still painful, and some of the anguish leaks into my voice despite my best efforts to hold it in.

02:31 Dr_Marcus_Vanderbilt: Well…the Sergeant is definitely getting what Sam’s putting down at least. Oh Sam...watch yourself with this one. He might be a killer in the field and in the bedroom. But Sergeant Braddock brought up good points about his CO. “I can feed you the barebone details for your CO, Sergeant Braddock. I’m also happy to join you for part of your debriefings to openly share the MI6 intelligence with your command structure - as I have liberty to share, of course.” I saw Sergeant Braddock nod and look back to James.

06:23 AgentJamesMason: “Yes, thanks Mark for chipping in. Dr. Marcus Vanderbilt will be the primary liaison with the American command for this operation, and yes Mark, I’ve cleared you with Commander Craig to share all the intel from this operation. It’s time to put this newly renewed spirit of Yankee cooperation to the test.” And how. Their intransigence and insistence on keeping their cards close to their chest, even with us, has made all of us here want to scream at times. I roll my eyes slightly, then turn back to Sam, “And Sam, I’m happy to arrange some field time with you and Sgt. Braddock. The two of you absolutely should be a well-oiled machine for this mission.”

05:36 Corporal_Sam_Mason: I listen to Alex’s jab, and suddenly I’m aware how much I’m slouching in my seat. I sit back up, straight and adjust my uniform. Fuck, what an idiot I am sometimes. You’d think I hadn’t just spent nearly a year and a half on combat duty in Afghanistan. I look over at James, then I realize I have one more question, I raise my hand again, asking, “Permission to speak sir?” James nods, and I go on, “When we are in the field, how are we going to report back to you and Kyle?”

08:22 Alex_Braddock: “Sir?” I ask after the Corporal asks his question. When I see Agent Mason nod, I continue. “I suggest we go in silent except for essential transmissions only. We need to live the part as much as possible, and mercs don’t call home. No offense, Corporal.” This was my bread and butter. I had infiltrated so many enemy operations over the years this was all second nature to me, but I knew it might be asking a lot of Agent Mason and his superiors. My CO and his command structure would let me operate this way, but it could look a lot like a loose cannon going in with no reporting structure in place. And yet nobody here could deny my track record. But I remember how nervous I was the first time I went in silent like this. It was a level of being cut off from the outside that made my skin crawl for a few weeks...but that was better than being found out and getting a bullet in my skull. I looked over at the Corporal again as I thought about him going in like that. I just gave him a slight nod, trying to reassure him I wasn’t trying to get him killed - just the opposite.

06:23 AgentJamesMason: I listen as Sam asks his question, and hide a chuckle as Alex shows some very un-American manners. I wonder how hard that was for him. But what he says is not only smart and sensible, but in line with the approach we’d already decided. I nod, “The Sergeant is right, Corporal. You will go in silent. You will have to use your own judgement and devise a safe means to get us the necessary intel, weighing the risk of breaking that silence with the urgency of whatever you find. That’s why you were selected, both of you, because your service records show that your judgement in the field can be trusted.” Sam knew what I was talking about, the incident in Afghanistan. It had been hard for him, but he’d made the right choice in the end. That’s why he was here now. “Now, I think that concludes our meeting for today. I suggest we break for lunch and make some plans to get our two-man team working smoothly together.” I grin, then stand up.

06:23 Corporal_Sam_Mason: Fucking finally. I’m starving. I hope the cafeteria here serves better slop then the barracks I’ve been staying in. I stand up, stretching out, and sneaking a peak at Alex and Mark as they both likewise get up. Both them were handsome fuckers. I followed my brother out into the hall, and turned to Alex, curious about something, “How many infiltration missions have you been on? I was on a few, in Afghanistan, but you make this sound like an old hat.”

08:22 Alex_Braddock: I stand up and am about to make a break for some grub when the kid stops me and asks about my infiltration missions. I smile at him, looking down at his shorter frame. Actually getting a good look at his face, he and I might be able to pass as brothers. That might fit well for our cover. I’ll pitch that to the Corporal later. “Honestly… I stopped counting about 5 years ago. Somewhere upwards of twenty, though. What makes you ask?”

02:31 Dr_Marcus_Vanderbilt: I watched as Sam continued his salivating, but at least it was related to the mission at the moment - or at least had that guise to it. I just smiled and stepped past the men. “Good to meet you, First Sergeant Braddock,” I said as I walked by, giving him a nod which he politely returned. “Corporal,” I said with a slight nod and grin as I walked by thinking about the trouble these two would get into. James is an excellent agent and a great judge of character. But these two?.... Man, they were gonna be trouble together...and I hoped they gave the Syndicate absolutely hell. “Agent Mason, I’ll check in with you later. I’m going to finish prepping the psych profiles for the debriefing and prep,” I announced as I made my exit. Even if I wasn’t going on the front lines, I could at least prep everyone with psych profiles for the Syndicate members - maybe they would help in some way out in the field.

08:22 Alex_Braddock: I watched the doctor slip out and turned my attention back to the Corporal. It was clear he was flirting with me, which I had no problem with, but he really was barking up the wrong tree. Either of my brothers would have probably loved it from a handsome man like the Corporal. As I looked at him this time, I wondered if he was right, though. Maybe some time on missions together would help us both feel more at ease with what was to come.

Toronto CSIS Offices, Day 3, Morning

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: I take my small luggage, and start heading towards the exit of the Toronto Pearson Airport. It took approximately 6 hours for me to arrive in Toronto from London, but it was nothing compared to what Jeff has endured till this time. One of the first things I did was to contact Jeff after I earned my position in MI6. It may have been one of the first proper talks we had until now, but it still was not enough. I wanted to see him in person, and apologize for everything. I know he is being very gracious, but I heard about the troubles he faced trying to convince the directors of the CSIS to help him rescue Jack. But I wanted him to feel that he was not alone on his journey. I already heard the troubles he experienced with the Young family, and I can’t wait to give them a piece of my mind when I meet them personally. But right now, my focus was on other things.

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: After informing Jeff about my plan, I developed my idea more and more. As a new recruit for MI6, I can’t shift my focus to planning the rescue of Jack, and moreover, that was not the main job I was assigned for. I was trying to find two candidates for a double agent. I requested that one of them be older, the other one be younger. And there were lots of agents who applied for this job. But there were 3 main people catching my eye. The older one was not very hard to catch my attention: Alex Braddock. Even though he has a playboy side which I don’t approve of, I can tell he was an obedient, determined, loyal, and courageous soldier. And that definitely suited what I was looking for.

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: Selecting the younger one was a bit harder. A considerable number of younger agents had applied for the position, but only two of them caught my eye. The first one was named Jordan Black. He was tough, hard, and determined as well. The main problem with him was he was very hot-headed. In a possible crisis, he seems like the type that might not obey rules and directives. The other candidate was Sam Mason. In terms of skills and suitability, he was actually better than Jordan. The problem with him is that he was James’ brother. As a “technical” relative of his, I don’t want to risk him and endanger him. Moreover, I knew that both Ivan and Derek have studied James so much that they almost certainly know the brother of their biggest enemy. Regardless, I wrote him down as a potential candidate too, especially because he insisted on it so much. Moreover, I can’t deny that he would be a better agent than Jordan. The final decision was up to Ronald Craig, and I was waiting for the announcement sometime today.

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: After the double agents are selected, I was going to start educating them. I had already prepared the lessons. Who they are going to be, how they are going to act, how are their personalities, what are their aims… They were going to be perfect troops for the Syndicate. And after we manage to place them in the Syndicate headquarters, we are going to start learning what they are up to. Moreover, even though my focus is on the plan that the Syndicate is coming up with, I can help Jeff a lot along the way.

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: That was the reason why I was here today. I wanted to tell him my plan in detail, and also express how sorry I am. Besides, showing them that MI6 is being cooperative in their “rescue mission” should soften the directors of the CSIS. He was going to prepare a little crew to find Jack Young, but he didn’t know where to start. I was going to give him that starting point. Not today maybe, but hopefully very soon.

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: Getting out of the airport, I quickly recognize Jeff Rogers. He was going to pick me up for today. Looking at him reminded me of James just for a moment. This was the first time we got separated after I was rescued. He never left my side. James Mason… The most incredible man I have ever known… But I quickly shake my head, and put a smile on my face. Even though it was a long flight, I was wearing a white shirt, and black dress pants with dress shoes since we were going directly to the CSIS. Of course we are in Canada, but the plane was hot, and thinking about meeting Jeff was not helping. I need to calm myself in order to prevent myself from sweating more. I was going to stay for one or two days, then go back to London to proceed with the plan. I approach Jeff slowly, and without waiting for his response, I pull him into a hug. He was also my rescuerer after all. Squeezing him tightly, letting him know he had my support, I mumble “I am sorry Jeff…” I can’t believe that was my first statement, but that was also my sincere feeling. He lost Jack because of me… He risked his lover just to save me, nobody for him… And it was the first time we talked in person, at least, after I had “almost” recovered fully.

03:19 Agent_Jeff_Rogers: Two and a half months. Two and a half months of living hell. When I woke up in that hospital bed back in Des Moines to learn that my Jack… my boy… had been taken by that monster Steel, I nearly lost my mind. Every day since then has been sheer hell. I feel like I’m a man living on borrowed time. Every day I have to decide to keep going, every day that goes by without knowing where Jack is… is another battle to get out of bed. To put my shoes on. To do my job. I failed him. It was my fault… all my fault. I chose to help Mason, I chose to take Jack along. I failed to fight off Steel. All of it was my fault. Mason wanted to take the blame, but that was ridiculous. And I know he and his lover Kyle had been doing everything in their power to try and find Jack… but there was nothing. And now, to make it worse, the CSIS board of directors wanted a meeting with me about my request for a strike team to go and locate Jack. I had asked for ten experienced men to be on stand by as soon as Jack was found. I know who had called this special meeting. Shona. She didn’t deserve to have a son like Jack. Rage burned hot and white inside me. Rage was about the only emotion I was capable of feeling these days. Everything else was locked away. I couldn’t face the grief. The loss. The pain. The guilt. But the rage… it fueled me. Kept me going. Whenever I faltered, I thought of Steel or Shona, and I found some more strength to keep going.

03:19 Agent_Jeff_Rogers: I would find Jack, or I would die in the attempt. There was no middle ground, no other way. And yet, Mason’s lover, Kyle, the man we had rescued, he had reached out to me in a way that I had not expected. He had thrown himself into the fight to find Jack with a passion and a fervor that gave me hope, made me feel I was not alone. He was a good man, Mason was a good man. I had to hope that with their help, we would find Jack. I was wearing casual grey dress pants, a tight white button up shirt, with my jacket casually slung over my shoulder. My expression was grim, and I stroked my beard with one hand as I looked out through the massive plate glass windows overlooking the runway, lost in my own thoughts.

03:19 Agent_Jeff_Rogers: Suddenly, I hear footsteps slowly approaching me. My instincts and combat training cause me to turn suddenly, and there he was, Kyle Byrne. I look a bit stunned to see him again after 2 and ½ months. He walked right to me and pulled me into an embrace as though we were old friends. It stunned me, his warmth, his support, his compassion. When he told me how sorry he was, I felt a stab of pain from the locked safe where I kept all my emotions, I started to choke up. Oh fuck no, don’t break down, not here Jeff. Not in the airport, keep it together. In a slightly choked voice, “Kyle, it’s… it’s good to meet you. Thanks for coming. I… I have my car waiting out in the parking lot. The meeting with the board of directors is in about an hour, so I’m sorry to be in such a rush. I promise you, I’ll see that you get a good meal afterwards. And… after meeting with those bastards… a stiff drink as well.”

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: I can tell my hug caught Jeff off guard, and he freezes for a moment. I know what this is. I know what he is trying to do. Ivan did the same, and it still cost him. He is shutting himself off to everyone. Nobody can predict in which way this might hurt him, but I know shutting your emotions away will hurt Jeff at some point. I can hear the pain and agony in his voice, but I remain calm. Right now, Jeff needs my calmness. I slowly let him go, patting and rubbing his arm gently, I replied “Yeah… It’s alright Jeff… Thanks for picking me up…” I don’t want to mention this right now. First, I let him lead us to his car. After sitting down and fastening the seat belt, I turn to Jeff. God, has he lived like a ghost for these past 10 weeks? Not receiving any mental support from anyone? I can tell this is hell. But I want him to not feel alone. I wonder if he would feel much better if he blamed me, which I would completely respect. The point is he should at least mourn for Jack before this mission. Otherwise, the events may not turn out as we expected. Finally having the courage to look into his eyes, I ask one of the deadliest questions to him with my most sincere and caring tone. “How are you Jeff?”

03:19 Agent_Jeff_Rogers: I nod, and try to give Kyle a friendly smile, as I lead him back to my car. I feel shaky inside. So much depends on the meeting with the directors. I need that strike team, I know it. I get in the car, still wrapped in silence, and suddenly realize how rude I’m being. Just because I’m wrapped up in my own pain is no excuse to ignore the man who has thrown his support behind me and Jack. I buckle my seatbelt, resolved to be more polite to Kyle. I start the engine, and begin to navigate my way out of the parking structure when Kyle turns to me and asks me how I am, in a caring tone. I shake a little bit. I’m struggling to figure out how to answer, what to say. Oh god, I don’t want to break down, if I let that box open, I won’t be able to shut it again. I have to keep it together, for Jack. “I … I … It’s.. I .. miss him so much….” I get the words out somehow, feeling everything inside me start to churn and boil.

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: My question forces Jeff to shiver. It is really hard, I know. But he is going to experience it, one way or another. Having this kind of emotional fight with someone supportive is the best way to move forward, not in front of his enemy or another inconsiderate human being. With all the stuff with Jack and CSIS directors, I highly doubt that Jeff has found any time to focus on himself. Listening to his shaking voice with a shaky tone, I slowly put my hand on his wrist, and give it a gentle and friendly squeeze. “Jeff… Look at me… Look at my eyes…” It’s also very hard for me. I have done this before, but this time it was different. I take my time to process what I am going to say, then move on in a much confident tone. “I don't care if this is the last thing I ever do… I will find Jack… You are not alone, Jeff. I am here. James is here… We’re with you… But you need to realize something.” I take a deep breath, then continue “Jack is not here now. I know you may be in denial about that, but he is not here… And you need to focus on yourself first, if you truly want to find Jack… Only then can you succeed in this mission. You need to accept he is not with us right now Jeff, so that you can completely focus on the next step.” Ivan made the same mistake, I won’t let another loved one of mine experience the same fate.

03:19 Agent_Jeff_Rogers: Shaking, I drive my land rover out of the airport as I listen to Kyle’s words. He is bound and determined to make me lose control. I feel angry suddenly, trying to reach for that rage that has kept me going these past few months. I pull off the highway, onto a side street as we leave the airport, battling with so many emotions that I can’t even trust myself to drive. I pulled the Land Rover off to the side of the road, and put it in park. Then, I turn to look at Kyle as he finishes speaking. My eyes are haunted, I want to rage at him, but how can I? He and James have done so much for me, so much to help me over these past months. I.. start to shake more violently, desperate to push all the fear and grief away, afraid that if I let it out it will destroy me. I lean forward, grabbing my steering wheel with such a tight grip my knuckles turn right. I scream then, a scream of rage and loss that causes pedestrians outside to turn and look. I start to bang my forehead against the rim of the steering wheel, stricken by rage and grief, overwhelmed by the depth of my failure. I’d failed Trent. And now Jack…

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: Before I even finish my speech, Jeff pulls off the highway. He shakes so hard, but that doesn’t surprise me. He needs this. He needs to experience this release. Maybe it was also a good thing that it happened before the Committee of Directors. Then he looks at me, I see the rage and guilt there. He is blaming himself, just like James did. I truly wished he could have blamed me, it would be easier for him that way. Maybe he would if I push him a bit further. But suddenly, he starts banging his forehead against the wheel. My guts twist inside, but I quickly take control of myself. Not now Kyle… Not now. Without any hesitation, I get out of the car, and rush over to Jeff’s seat. Opening his door, I pull him out forcefully by his arm, then look into his eyes. My voice is not calm anymore, but I don’t care. He needs to feel his sadness properly, and let go of the anger. “Jeff… We are going to find Jack. DO YOU HEAR ME? We will find him. But I need you to feel this completely. You can’t move on with this anger… You… You should not blame yourself. You can blame me, but not yourself Jeff… Don’t do this to yourself, to Jack.” I shake him again by his arm, squeezing his arm to let him know my strength. “I’d stake my life that Jack never doubted your skills one single day…”

03:19 Agent_Jeff_Rogers: Suddenly, I’m hauled forcefully out of the driver’s seat, Kyle’s hand on my bicep is like a steel vise. I’m stunned, shocked as I stumble out onto the pavement. He is suddenly shouting at me, breaking through the storm of guilt threatening to drown me. I look at him, my eyes glassy, his words slamming into me. Finally, I hear him tell me that Jack would never doubt me. I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut. I drop down, sitting on the edge of the seat, my head in my hands, and I start to cry. I loved Jack so much… I missed him so much… I was so afraid for him… I can’t be weak, I can’t let myself give in to this grief, this sorrow, I have to make this up to him. I have to… I cry and cry, my shoulders shaking, tears streaming down my face into my beard.

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: My words apparently reach him finally. He sits down on the edge of the seat, and he starts crying. Yes… That is what he needs to do. I gulp. My eyes started to tear up as well. I slowly pull him into another warm embrace, letting him know that he won’t be alone in this journey “I am here Jeff… It’s alright… We will find Jack… You will hug him again, you will touch him again, you will feel him. He is waiting for you.” then I gently pull him out of the car, and take the keys from him. “I can drive us by using navigation. You rest before the big meeting Jeff… You need this. You owe a rest, not only for yourself, but for Jack as well.” Afterwards, I sit on the driver’s seat, and by using GPS, I start driving us to the CSIS building. I feel so guilty right now. Both Jack and Jeff were such amazing people that they risked themselves, their relationship just for a stranger like me. But I can’t focus on this right now, not right now. And persistently, Jeff doesn’t blame me either. I look at him “Jack is proud of you Jeff… You know why? You know why I am so sure? Because at the weakest point in my life, in my brainwashed state, I never stop idolizing James. Nothing could stop me. And I am pretty sure Derek isn’t going to brainwash Jack, so you should be hopeful. You have the hope that nobody has.”

03:19 Agent_Jeff_Rogers: Somehow, Kyle is there, holding me as I can’t seem to stop crying, it hurts so much… I miss Jack so much. He takes the keys from me, comforting me as he leads me around to the passenger seat. I settle back, the tears slowly starting to fade as Kyle starts driving us to the CSIS headquarters. Kyle continues to try and reassure me that I will see Jack again, that he is all right. I appreciate his words so much, and begin to let myself feel a small ray of hope. Kyle is right. I’m not alone. I look over at him, “Thank you Kyle. Your support is appreciated more than you know.” Of course, we need more than hope to rescue Jack. We need that strike team. And today is going to be another fight, this time with the directors. And Shona. This was for Jack. I was ready, I can do this.

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: Jeff continues to cry and cry at the beginning of the journey, but he finally calms down. Yes, this is so much better. He may not feel any better, he will still have rage, guilt, fear, sadness of course, but at least letting some of them go is what we needed now. I smile sincerely as he thanks me, and I just nod. This was good progress. And after some time, we finally arrived at the CSIS building with it’s elegant structure. But inside of the building, there was going to be another war. A war just like a chess game. Because of the contract between CSIS, CCS, and MI6, we can all join each other’s meetings. However, as a senior investigator, I can’t officially influence the decision; I can only express my own opinion. Still, I have no intention of leaving Jeff alone in this meeting. I put my hand on his shoulder, and gave him a gentle squeeze after I parked his car. “You and I… Are going to do this Jeff… Lead the way…” I say with my most encouraging tone.

03:19 Agent_Jeff_Rogers: We finally arrive at the CSIS headquarters, and I’ve had time to compose myself. I felt like a raw wound. But I had to admit, I felt better for some reason. Kyle’s support was invaluable. But now, I was headed into a combat situation, fighting for Jack’s future, and I needed to be calm, collected, objective. I stepped out of the car, and pulled Kyle into a warm embrace. He had done more for me than I ever hoped or expected. “Thank you Kyle, your support, yours and James, means more to me than I can express. Let’s go fight for Jack.” I lead the way into the building, stopping off at a bathroom to wash my face so I don’t look like I’ve been crying my eyes out. Then, I rejoin Kyle and we enter the conference room where the meeting is scheduled. There is no sign of Shona yet, but I have no doubt she plans to make a suitably dramatic entrance. Just like her to keep us waiting, the bitch. I nod at Marc and Seb. Seb is an affable, likable guy, from JTF-2. A fierce operative, the kind of man you want at your back. Marc is one of the few men who made it out alive after all our undercover agents were exposed. He is talented, and I respect his skills, but I can’t say that I’m too fond of him, still I’m grateful he’s here, he has current insight and contacts from his time in the Syndicate that will be valuable for us.

11:55 Marc_Chevalier: I fuckin’ hate this place. This city. With all the glass towers it’s a soulless piece of wasteland. I am not too keen on coming back to the CSIS office, but given that they still pay my bills and cigarettes, I don’t have a choice now, do I?

11:55 Marc_Chevalier: I’m making some coffee at the pantry in this sterile white office they called CSIS. Nodding and saying hi to the staff here, half heartedly. They all know that I don’t want to be here so nobody really cared if I would greet them with a fake ass smile or not. To tell you the truth, my time as an undercover deep inside the Syndicate was much better. Yeah, yeah, they’re the bad guys, but at least they’re honest about it. Here though? CSIS, MI6, CIA, we’re doing things that’re just as bad yet we constantly tell ourselves we’re the good guys, yet getting our noses in just about every corner of the world, throwing coup d'etat at foreign regimes that don’t play by our “rule-based” world order. Who set the orders anyway? But like I said. It pays the bills. And I am good at what I do. Even though my cover was blown after years of hard work, I am professional enough to not take this personally.

11:55 Marc_Chevalier: I finish making the coffee. Black as I like it, and make my way to the meeting room. Seb is already there. He’s a bit of a boy scout. Good to look at, I will give him that. But he’s really not particularly good at anything else if you ask me. But somehow he managed to be a part of the Joint Task Force-2 program. That oughta tell you just how “good” this top department is. Anyway, I take my seat, making myself comfortable as we wait for Jeff and a liaison from the MI6.

09:08 Sébastien_Côté: When the CSIS needs me, I am always here for them, especially when it comes to the Syndicate. I have been on their trail for the past couple of months now. Ever since I got back from the joint 5-eye training in the outback of Australia, I have been assigned to their cases. I have helped bust a few of their operations abroad, along with Mason and a few others, but this’ the first time that I will join the Canadian operations. They needed my field experience here, they said, so I find myself back in Toronto. To meet up with Jeff and Marc, both of whom I’ve met before and have a lot of respect for, and a new guy from the MI6. I am the first one in the meeting room. Going through the files, reading through what had transpired in Toronto recently. Then Marc comes in, “good morning!” I say, and he nods back. Looking over to the door when I hear some footsteps from outside the room. Someone else’s approaching.

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: We step out of the car and suddenly, Jeff pulls me into a hug this time. I wrap my arms around him as well, and nod again. We are going to do it, one way or another. But I know we are capable of doing this. “Anytime Jeff… Anytime…” I mumble before I let go, and follow him to the bathroom. Afterwards, we enter the conference room. There were two Canadians there. Both of them seem older and more experienced guys. I give them a professional smile before I approach them slowly, offering my hand confidently for them to shake, first to Sébastien, then Marc “Good morning gentlemen… I’m Kyle Byrne, the senior investigator of MI6. Pleasure to meet you…” After, I take a seat next to Jeff slowly, waiting for other attendants to arrive, especially the Young family. I look at my own documents. Before I came here, I tried my best to find every legal provision that can help the for us to convince the directors of the CSIS, both in the contract between security intelligences and the regulations of CSIS. I was hoping I would be able to change their attitude to this mission.

12:26: Director_Shona_Young: The sound of my stilettos will be heard long before my face is seen, and that is exactly how I like it. I want to create a bit of fear and uncertainty, especially when it’s Jeff on the receiving end of it. I can’t believe the situation we are in, let alone the fact that he is requesting financing and manpower for a rescue mission. I have my ammunition and I will not be holding back today. This is an unnecessary meeting that is keeping me out of far more important appointments. I walk into the conference room with Michael close behind me. There are agents already here, all of which are under my dominion. Sébastien and Marc, good men with good brains, a wealth of experience. Jeff Rogers, the man of the hour. Oh, Jeff. Once a sterling performer and promising agent, reduced to nothing more than a horny, lonely shadow of a man in my eyes. I could not foresee that Jack’s induction into the CSIS would cost us one of our greatest agents, let alone the many more he’d exposed. What an absolute shitstorm. Then there is this MI6 representative who looks like he should still be in high school. I do not greet them, this is not the time for pleasantries.

12:26 Agent_Michael_Young: I have no fucking idea why I even have to be a part of this. Admittedly, my workload is pretty low right now but I could still think of a million better things to do than discuss my brother’s rescue mission. Thank fuck mother is in charge of it, otherwise Rogers may actually have succeeded in convincing another director that Jack was worth saving. I know her thoughts on the situation and Roger’s has his work cut out for him today. I’m here merely as another voice of protest to dismiss Jeff’s points. Legally, we have to make some sort of effort to save Jack, but the details of that operation - including funding and resources - are up for grabs. I have so many reasons to support why Jack is not worth our time or money, but I’m so interested to see Jeff walk the tightrope in this meeting. Mother, Phillip and I have picked up on some serious breaches of contract on their part.. Something is going on between Jeff and Jack, and how he conducts himself during this meeting will be crucial to our argument. If he shows any sign of wanting to rescue Jack for his own personal gain or reason, then we have him under our thumb. I don’t want to take Jeff down because he’s truly a fantastic agent and our Dad thought the world of him.. But something doesn't sit right with me about this whole ‘Jack situation’. I follow mother into the room and sit next to this Byrne kid, fuck knows why he’s here. I sit low, getting comfortable and prepare for a long, boring morning.

12:26 Director_Shona_Young: “Gentlemen, we shall begin because I do not want to waste more time on this than what is necessary..” I take a sip from my decaf vanilla latte and hold my hands together in a power move, looking out at their faces. My eyes rest on Jeff, sitting directly opposite me. He looks rough, stricken with loss and as empty as a vase. He can try to hide it, but it’s in his demeanor. All this over Jack Young. I fight to not roll my eyes. “We are here to discuss a motion to..” I read through my brief as I speak. “..request funding and resources to launch an operation to rescue agent Jack Young. So all participants are aware, Jack Young was abducted by Derek Steel and Daniel Allen during an unapproved operation to rescue one Kyle Byrne..” I gesture at the MI6 investigator. “Jack has been held hostage for two and a half months, assuming he is still alive, and we have no information on where he may be. Before I get to my.. Many thoughts on this motion, I would like to hear from agent Jeff Rogers. What exactly are you requesting and what is your justification? Participants Byrne, Côté, Chevalier and Young can then argue their points but as director, the ultimate decision will be mine. Rogers.” I command him to speak in a tone that’s almost challenging as I take another sip from my scalding hot latte. I can’t wait for this.

03:19 Agent_Jeff_Rogers: Not long after Kyle settles in beside me, as if right on cue, Shona makes her dramatic entrance, those stiletto heels of hers clicking ominously on the hard-tiled corridor to announce her imminent arrival, followed by her adoring son, Michael Young. She doesn’t even have the common courtesy to offer a greeting to any of us, she just swoops in and takes her seat like a Queen. I tend to be a pretty level headed man, through long training and experience, but it’s fair to say that these past few months I’ve not been at my best. I flash back briefly to my mini-breakdown on the way here. I take a deep breath, pushing aside all the rancor, the rage, the grief, and centre myself as Shona gets straight to the point.

03:19 Agent_Jeff_Rogers: “Director Young, first of all, good afternoon. I hope you are having a pleasant day.” I smile affably, rubbing her nose in her lack of common courtesy. Then, I continue. “I am requesting the funding to have a mobile strike team on standby, ready to move out as soon as we receive credible intelligence on the location of Agent Jack Young. As laid out in the brief, I am requesting that this strike force consist of ten men. Senior Investigator, Kyle Byrne, has come here to assure the directors that this plan has the full cooperation of MI6.”

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: After I take my seat next to Jeff, two more people step inside the room. I examine their gestures and movements closely. Oh… It’s so obvious. Shona Young, and one of her sons, I am not sure which one this is, either Michael or Philip. He takes the seat next to me, and Shona just digs into the subject directly without making any “formal” or “polite” introduction. She quickly addresses the summary of events, mentioning “my” rescue operation as well, which makes me blush. That was so true, but I needed to remain strong now, for Jeff and Jack. We needed that funding. To cover up Shona’s lack of manners, Jeff makes a proper introduction, and firstly, mentions me and MI6 before stating his own request. I rise up from my seat, clearing my throat before I talk.

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: “Thank you Mr. Rogers. And this is all true, Director Young. As you know, both the contract between MI6, CCS, CSIS, and the other security intelligences who are participating in this convention and also the national acts and regulations of these organizations puts a strong emphasis on the rescue missions for agents who are in danger.” I eye people in the room just for a moment to examine their reactions, then move on in the same confident tone “Therefore, should CSIS decide on a rescue mission, which is the lawful option in this scenario as we all know, MI6 won’t hesitate to support this operation in accordance with the convention.” I finalize my words while my eyes are locked with Shona Young. She is a strong, but arrogant person. I can tell from the attitude of hers. But still, I am pretty sure she will push our limits on the last point.

11:55 Marc_Chevalier: I hate meetings. I hate this particular meeting. It’s a pointless exercise to clean up this big gapping mess that one Mister Jeff Rogers had made. He’s not only jeopardized our mission, but also my long standing assignment against the Syndicate. And now he has the balls to ask the director to help fund a mission to clean up the mess that he’s made? The mess where he got her son kidnapped? I can’t believe the balls on this kid. Then there’s the actual kid in the room. No, I am not talking about Michael Young (talk about the nepotism running in this place), I am talking about this kid who claimed to work for the MI6, but barely sounds like he just got out of an Oxford prep school. I let out a chuckle when I basically heard him being the mouthpiece of MI6. Cooperation.. National acts… rescue mission.. All that mumbo jumbo. And when he turned and looked at me, wanting some kind of reaction from me. I don’t know who he thinks he is, but I just raise my coffee mug and give him a wink and a smile. I am still sitting relaxed, an arm being my head. “Don’t look at me. I am just here for the coffee.”

09:08 Sébastien_Côté: The tension is thick in this room, and I can understand why, having been briefed about what happened here in Toronto earlier. So I get why everyone’s a bit tense here. Just as Marc finished delivering his smartass comment, I cleared my throat, AHEM. Wanting to cut the tension and bad vibe here a bit, and keeping us on topic. “As Mr. Byrne was saying here just now, should there be an recuse operation for your dear son, Ms. Young, JTF2 will gladly lend our resources, and see to this being a successful operation.” Despite being two separate agencies operating under the same high commission, CSIS and JTF2 don’t cross paths as much as one might think. There is some kind of unspoken line between the stuff that we do. Think of us JTF2 as the Canadian version of Navy Seals if you may. Comprising the top field ops. But when it comes to the Syndicates, we know we need all the intel we can get from the CSIS, so naturally, as someone who’s deeply involved in taking down the Syndicates, I am personally invested in this mission, as it involves some of the most dangerous contractors from that organization. So I turn my attention back to Shona, “Let’s get your son back!”

12:26 Director_Shona_Young: My eyes follow each person that speaks, taking on board their concerns and promises of working with us to being my beloved son back. Please. On my list of priorities this is incredibly low, so it's time to give my own answer. I smile at Sébastian as he enthusiastically cheers that we will 'get my son back'. "Steady on there, Côté.. I have a few concerns. Firstly, I want you to know that I've read through your proposal, Agent Rogers, and I have listened to all of your concerns. What bothers me is that this is not a priority for the CSIS. Unfortunately, Jack Young has not displayed himself as a valuable asset, and certainly not one that is worth all this.." I tap Jeff's proposal aggressively and repeatedly until my finger hurts. I mean forward in my chair to make sure I am heard and understood clearly. "Jack Young started working as a CSIS agent almost 8 months ago. During his first week on the job, he went rogue and got captured by Derek Steel. He was tortured and ended up giving Steel access to our networks, draining us of finances and intel, as well as exposing over 20 undercover agents, 10 of which are presumed dead. After being out of commission because of his injuries for four months, he returned to the force only to yet again go rogue. His mission was to locate and rescue MI6 agent James Mason, and report back. Instead he and our good friend here Agent Rogers, continued that mission to rescue somebody that had no affiliation with any of our agencies. In the process, Jack got captured again. The reason I'm going through all this again is to emphasise to you, Mr Rogers, that Jack has worked as an active agent for a total of two weeks this year, both of which have resulted in his capture and torture. So we can determine by those facts that he's not exactly a valuable asset to our ranks, now is he? Furthermore.. you're asking for an incredible amount of money and manpower, both of which were severely thwarted by the very man you're wanting to save. I- I- I just.." I'm baffled. My long rant is interrupted by my absolute bemusement. Jack has done nothing to prove himself as a worthy agent, and this request is absolutely ridiculous. "In an ideal world, we'd have access to all our funding and lots more agents.. but we don't. Because of him. I'm sorry, Agent Rogers.. the best I can offer you is 75% of the funding you've requested, and the full support of Michael here and.." I turn my attention to Chevalier. "Marc, you came for coffee but you're leaving with a rescue mission, congratulations."

03:19 Agent_Jeff_Rogers: I listen to Shona speak, and that bitch causes the rage I have carefully pushed off to the side to ratchet up a few notches. “Thank for sharing your opinion with us Director Shona, however I’m afraid I have to respectfully correct you on a few points. The decision to rescue Senior Investigator Kyle Byrne was, firstly, not Jack’s decision, and secondly, was in no way a rogue mission. Our policy, as it has always been, is to look after our men. Kyle Byrne had been assigned to James Mason, the two of them were a team. For the duration of their mission, Kyle Byrne was considered one of our men. James Mason made the right call, later confirmed and validated by Commander Ronald Craig of MI6 himself. Our two organizations have always had the closest of ties and working relationships. Therefore, I was completely justified both by precedent and by my rank within the CSIS to support Mason in his attempts to rescue Kyle Byrne.” You fucking bitch. “Furthermore, our mission to rescue Mason would have failed without the heroic efforts of Agent Jack Young. His actions during the rescue of James Mason were crucial to securing his escape. Your son, Director Shona, is a hero after only what, two weeks? I think that says quite a bit for his potential, don’t you?. And the final point, without our efforts to rescue both Mason AND Kyle, the Americans would not have changed their stance. They are cooperating both with us and MI6 to a degree unknown in recent times, thanks in large part, to the efforts of your son. And yet, you still do not believe he is not a valuable asset? And while I do not doubt the courage of either Agent Michael Young or …” I nearly choked on this, “ Mark Chevalier, they are hardly enough to mount a successful extraction.”

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: The first reaction comes from Marc, just smiling and winking at me. I can’t help but roll my eyes at the sight. I don’t think that guy is aware of the seriousness of the situation. Then Sébastien, thank god he is more enthusiastic and interested in the topic, expressing his own support after Marc. I give him a formal smile as he makes his speech. However, suddenly, Shona stops him, and starts expressing her own thoughts. I try so hard not to change my facial expression at her comments. Did Jeff deal with this woman for the past 10 weeks? That is horrible. And the fact that she is also the mother of Jack seems like an impossible reality. Then Jeff answers her, trying to highlight Jack’s accomplishments, but I can tell he is getting angrier as he speaks. How normal is it to convince a mother to save her son after all? I can’t blame him. But if these are the real thoughts of Shona, which they are, then that is not the approach we can use to convince her. It almost feels like she hates Jack. Alright, Jeff tried his way, which is usually the most sensible approach in this case since it touches people’s hearts, but apparently not with Shona. Let me try the more “unpleasing but logical one” for her. She deserves it after all.

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: I take a deep breath as Jeff finishes his speech, then meet with Shona’s eyes. I start speaking, but my tone is more threatening instead of supportive. “Moreover Ms. Young. I don’t think you are focusing on all points that need to be considered.” I lean towards her. “CSIS… What happened is in the past. But now, CSIS is leaking information, not only to the Syndicate, but the other related criminal organizations. Criminals can reach the data of yours that Derek Steel has sold on the black market. CSIS is having one of its biggest crises right now, and there are only a few intelligence agencies that you can trust. The others do not want to cooperate with you because of your… Unreliableness…” I clear my throat, and lean towards Shona Young in a confident manner. These words are of course not the ones she wants to hear, but they are all facts. “Not approving the lawful option in this case will only drag you down more. If you refuse this rescue mission request and if this decision of yours leaks to the media, which is something that is going to happen at some point, consider the CSIS’s reputation in the eyes of Canadian people. People will start looking for judicial remedies for your decisions… Dealing with thousands of cases, prosecutors, judges… I don’t think you would prefer something like that as a director, Ms. Young, nor can CSIS can take a blow like this. The legal provision is pretty clear, and think twice before you use your discretion in this decision.
Taking a decision based on Jack Young’s career background will only be misquoted by both the local courts and the press.”

11:55 Marc_Chevalier: Being stuck in this meeting means that I am stuck with having to listen to these men yep about. First there’s Seb, whatever the hell he’s doing here is beyond me. Maybe JTF-2 finally realized that he’s too dumb even amongst the roid up squads that they have running the covert operations there. Then there’s Jeff, whose recent records show that he’s just as incompentent as Shona’s son. I know there’s a good spy in him, but he’s letting his emotions get the better of him. What a shame, what a waste. Then, the kid I’m looking at, yapping on about CSIS's reputation, the Canadian people. I look over at Shona, then back to Kyle. Knowing that she must be annoyed by that self righteous speech. I mean, who wants to hear this kind of pompous BS from a guy who looks like he could barely grow a beard. So I interjected his speech, “Hey, Burn is it? That’s your name right? I am sure you have endless ideas on how to save our agent; save our poorly run organization; and god save the queen, save our poor Canadian people. But I suggest you take your imperialist bullshit back where you come from. This is an internal matter. We are not in the 1850s anymore. If you wanna exploit some other colonial properties and play saviour, I suggest that you go somewhere. We here at CSIS don’t need to be told what to do...” Fuck, I feel sick jumping to CSIS’s defence.

09:08 Sébastien_Côté: I have no idea what just happened, but tension got real high in the room all of a sudden. I look over to Shona, then Jeff. And that British agent before Marc cut him off. I will never understand what’s in that guy’s head. Before the conversation would get more heated, I decided to jump in, “Hey, hey, calm down everyone, no? We’re a team, and let’s work as one. We can figure out the details later.” I look over at Marc, seeing a smirk on his trademark face. I am now confident that he’s just trying to mess with the kid. I slide over my cup of coffee over towards him, “Here, have my coffee and calm down will ya?”

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: After I finish my sentence, Marc suddenly comments on my speech, insulting me in front of everyone in a very inappropriate way. I tilt my head to the side as he brags about me and my opinion. Then Sébastien intervenes, and tries to calm him down. And after that little speech of his, he smiles? What the actual fuck? This guy is such an idiot. I reply back in a cold tone, but trying my best not to show that I am triggered. “Firstly, it’s Byrne, not Burn… Secondly, if stating the facts hurts you that much Mr. Chevalier, then you should just focus on your own coffee.... Thirdly…” I smile at him in a confident way “I’m American…”

11:55 Marc_Chevalier: I could be wasting my breath trying to rebuttal every silly thought this kid has spewing out from his mouth, but then I figured, why bother. And it’s strangely fitting that this kid is American, lecturing others on what’s right and what’s wrong. Carrying the imperialist torch of the British Empire. I raise my coffee mug to him, smiling, “My point exactly, monsieur Byrne.”

12:26 Agent_Michael_Young: I have nothing to contribute, I’m just enjoying the absolute chaos that’s unfolding because of my snivelling little brother. It’s funny how such an insignificant little toad can cause such a stir. My mother and I share the same opinion, there’s no point in echoing what she says. She’s doing just fine speaking for me, and I will chip in only if necessary. She forewarned me that she would offer me up to assist Rogers in tracking Jack down, which I’m not all that thrilled about. I could think of a million things I’d rather do instead, and I certainly won’t be giving it my best effort. Just enough to keep Jeff ticking along. For now, I shall sit back and enjoy this hilarious show.

12:26 Director_Shona_Young: So much information to take in, but my favourite part of the whole defense was Jeff describing Jack as a hero. I started to smile in a build-up to laughter, but had to catch myself and bring it back down. I let everyone speak, enjoying the spunk coming out of this MI6 brat. He threatens me with public relations and reminds me of our supposedly ‘poor reputation’. I can’t help but smile this time, who even is this child? He mentions the weaknesses in our systems, courtesy of one Jack Young, and I fail to see how this will sway my decision to let him rot. I turn absolutely everything they say into ammunition for my own cause, and when Seb finishes his attempt to calm the situation, I begin to speak again. “That was.. I don’t even know where to start..” I stand up now, leaning forward on the table as I stare across at Jeff, leering into his soul. “Let’s clarify some of what you said first of all. From my point of view, the rescue of Kyle Byrne was in fact a rogue move. James Mason is a professional government agent for the MI6, his rescue was courtesy of our strong relationship with them, a bit of give-and-take for the future. However, Mr Kyle Byrne.. Correct me if I’m wrong, but let’s call a spade a spade, was a cop at the time. You had no professional affiliation with the MI6 or any other government body, and therefore the mission remained as a rescue of James Mason and James Mason only. You could have returned to us and developed an official rescue mission for Kyle Byrne should we have agreed to it’s cause, but you did not..”

12:26 Director_Shona_Young: “Secondly, regardless of whether you or Jack made the decision to attempt this rescue, he should have known it was a rogue move and reported it back to us.. But he did not. Thirdly, Mr Rogers, Jack made a foolish decision during your attack on the syndicate base. Did he, or did he not, sacrifice himself in your place to be abducted by Derek Steel? He, a new agent with a rather shameful history when it comes to surviving torture, sacrificed himself over a more senior, experienced agent who would have held up a lot better until we launched a rescue mission. For all we know, Jack has broken again and given his new credentials earlier, but luckily we had the sense to revoke them the moment we learned of his capture. We can only hope he hasn’t given them any information, but thankfully he doesn’t know much since he is so new to our organisation. What I’m saying is.. Why did Jack choose to risk CSIS security by putting himself yet again in Derek Steel’s claws? It provokes me into thinking there’s something personal going on between the two of you, hence why he is there instead of you?” Now we’re getting to the core of the problem, and I cannot wait to see Jeff squirm from this. My mouth is going dry from talking too much, but I’m getting this all out. I will point every single one of Jack’s shortcomings to support my argument that he is not worthy.

12:26 Director_Shona_Young: I turn to Kyle and keep the train going, I’m on a roll here and I refuse to stop. “As for you, Mr Byrne. As much as I appreciate your empty threats, I’m afraid you have it all wrong. You mentioned how we are, and I quote: ‘leaking information to the Syndicate because of the data Derek Steel sold on the black market’. Tell me, Kyle.. how exactly did Derek obtain that information in the first place? Was it, or was it not, because Jack disobeyed his handler..” I glance at Jeff to try and remind him that Jack straight-up lied to him that night. “..and went rogue, chasing down Derek and basically handing over our entire system to him? And don’t feed me that ‘torture victims cannot be blamed for breaking’ crap, that doesn’t apply when our agents deliberately put themselves in harm’s way by going rogue.” I have to keep taking breaths, I can’t stop laying it all down. Even I’m getting sick of my own voice, but I find myself talking faster and louder as I burn through every point that comes to mind. “And don’t you DARE,” I slam my hand on the table, “accuse me of not ‘lawfully approving’ this request. The only legality there is, iis that we have to make an effort, and I am offering you 25% of the fundings and two men because, and I hate repeating myself so this is my last time emphasising this, Jack Young has made it impossible to access more funds and more men..” I sit and take a few breaths, sipping from my vanilla latte once more before locking my fingers and smiling at the table. “Is there anything else?” I glance at them all, then a horrible feeling dawns on me. What did I say before.. I said 75% of Jeff’s funding request.. I misspoke, and in a flash my perfect, porcelain shell has a crack in it. I have misspoken in front of an audience, and this fills me with dread. I clear my throat awkwardly, bracing for what comes next. “I apologise.. It appears I misspoke earlier. It is in fact 25% of the funding I am offering, and that is final”. I wondered why I didn’t get a reaction. I don’t like this unsettling feeling of being humiliated. I sip from my latte and try to move on.

03:19 Agent_Jeff_Rogers: As Shona speaks on and on, I feel the rage and fury inside me start to smoulder into a white hot fire. How dare she imply that me and Jack.. But, well we were, but. That is none of her concern. Then, she drops the final bomb. 25% of the funding I asked for. My mouth drops open in shock. Then I shut it again. My eyes are flashing fire as I speak up, but my voice remains calm and controlled. “Perhaps I could have your permission to host a bake sale to raise the funds we’ll need to travel, or perhaps me and the two men that are allowed to accompany me might hitch hike. You are simply incapable of seeing your son’s worth. It is a sad day when MI6 is more concerned about rescuing one of our own men than our own directors. Despite every evidence to the contrary, despite the report and the testimony of Mason himself regarding Jack’s heroic actions, I can see you will not be swayed. Not only do you refuse to listen to reason, but you decide to make unprofessional allegations regarding my conduct? Well. I can see this is a conversation that is going nowhere. I won’t forget this, Director Young.” I sit back down.

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: I don’t reply to Marc's words. It’s no use. Wow, imagine being a Canadian who brags about Americans’ rudeness. And while I was thinking that, Shona starts talking which only supports my ideas about this place. They sound like professionals, but god… Their words, arguments are just so emotional. They are trying to imply we are the ones who cannot think straight, but look at them. Not listening to us at all. And Jeff replies to Shona again. The anger and hatred in his speech can be read so easily. My own anger suddenly vanishes as I see Jeff that desperate. That is my fault. If they hadn’t come for me, none of this would have happened. Not now Kyle… I take a deep breath as Jeff sits down. I look at Seb and Marc first, then meet Shona’s gaze one more time. I start off a bit harsher as well “If you are thinking I am threathining you Ms. Young, while I was just trying to offer a helping hand from MI6, then I have no idea how to comment on that. You may say the information leak was because of Jack’s actions, but I believe you know that herd psychology lacks this kind of judgement. It doesn’t matter how valid your arguments are. It won’t change the inevitable if you insist on what you believe. The only thing in front of everyone’s eyes will be an organization that leaves its employees behind.”

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: Then I turn to Jeff. I can see how much this situation is hurting him. Think Kyle, think… I hesitate for a moment… Shona Young is a person who acts with logic. If I can make her an offer… Only… Maybe… I can convince Ronald Craig as well. I know I can… I look at Ms. Young again while I hold Jeff’s knee under the desk, giving him a gentle squeeze. My voice is much softer. “Director Young… This whole situation is just dragging CSIS down more and more. You need to act to stop this. You need a proper mission. Since the beginning of this information leak, CSIS can’t focus on anything properly.” I clear my throat before I move on. “Provide the 65% of Mr. Rogers funding request, add one or two men to the squad, and I will make sure the team from CSIS is going to be an official co-partner of MI6’s upcoming plan. Participating in this kind of mission will be a boost to the morale of the CSIS agents. Moreover, after we succeed in this mission, you have a chance to improve CSIS’s structure and enhance the security barriers of the agency.” Yes… That sounds right. I can direct both Jeff’s squad and my team to focus on the big mission, and also help them to find Jack’s location. In fact, this deal will benefit us as well. Getting help from someone like Jeff Rogers for this mission would increase our chances of success. And using my own squad to help find Jack Young’s location would help Jeff’s team as well. If Shona declines an offer like this, I can certainly classify her as a bad director.

09:08 Sébastien_Côté: I have had my fair share of meetings. I understand that people are passionate about their work, and it often shows in their disagreement, but what we have now is really not helping us into reaching a consensus. Everyone is getting up and arms about this. From their passionate words, I can tell that Jeff and the MI6 lad really wanted to find and get Jack Young back, yet Shona Young and her other son, don’t. I read over the print out that is the proposal from Jeff in front of me, and while the budget he proposed is kind of high, it is hardly unreasonable. Besides, how can you put a price tag on someone’s life, let alone your son’s life. While I am supposed to be independent here, acting as an impartial support from JTF-2, I look over to Kyle Byrne, then to Jeff Rogers, “Well, I can say on behalf of JTF-2 that you have our full support on this mission. While I can’t speak for any financial resources on JTF-2’s behalf, I will be there in the field. We will find him and get him back!”

11:55 Marc_Chevalier: This meeting is getting old real fast. For some reason Jeff and his pup think that they can convince Shona into putting together some resources in getting Jack back. They’re certainly trying but they’re not really making a case for it if you’d ask me, giving how relucent Shona has sounded this whole time. Now she is all riled up. The boys are too, especially Jeff. Well, he’s never known for his subtlety for all the years I have known him. But he just has to get involved with the director’s son. A real smart cookie, that one. I chuckle at the thought of Jeff at the Young’s Thanksgiving dinner. Anyway, what did he expect from the cheap ass agency that is CSIS, or from the stingy director? I lean back with my arms folded, watching everyone making a fool of themselves. After the American-Brit has spoken, I look over the Jeff, “Calm down will ya? You know this will get you nowhere. You don’t need more people. You just need to make use of the people you have. I can get you the contacts you need to find the boy is. You two just have to pull your heads out of your asses and not fuck this up. Can you do this one simple thing?”

12:26 Director_Shona_Young: I believe I have just witnessed the closest Jeff Rogers could possibly come to breaking his professional demeanor in the workplace. I very nearly broke him, and I was so looking forward to witnessing his collapse. But well done, Agent Rogers, few men would have been able to bite their tongue in this situation. He almost sounds defeated.. instead of fighting for more money and resources, he simply attacks my mothering skills and threatens that he 'won't forget this'. I can't help but smile, opening my mouth to speak but Kyle jumps up like a child on Christmas morning and blurts some more bullshit about the CSIS' reputation. He's annoying me now, actually. First impressions can be wonderfully telling, and I can tell immediately that I don't like him. Then Seb chimes in with his promise to aid us in whatever way he can, blah blah blah, and finally.. Marc. Oh how I want to shower him with applause. "Thank you, Chevalier! Finally somebody in this meeting besides myself is making sense. Byrne, Rogers.. facts are facts. There is no money, you have to do the best with what you're given. I'm finishing this now, you can have.." I study the amount again and grumble to myself. "35%, hallelujah. Michael, Marc.. you're with Jeff and Kyle, go bring my darling boy home to mommy so I can shower him with my endless maternal love.." I can't help but roll my eyes as I speak in a time that is far from caring. "Côté, I'm sure they appreciate whatever help you can give them, now let's bring this meeting to a close. Dismissed. Kyle.. get out of my sight. Michael, just.. bring me another.." I slide my coffee cup over to him and tub my temples in frustration. As the men start to stand and clear, I think of one final attack. Oh yes.. this snake hasn't emptied her venom yet, boys. She's still got a bit of juice in her. "Jeff.. a word, please.."

12:26 Agent_Michael_Young: Well, I have absolutely no idea what's happening because I've been playing Pulp Fiction scenes in my head since the start. Uma Thurman was just dancing with John Travolta, I could hear the voices getting raised but I had absolutely no interest in the subject. We're saving Jack I take it? And I'm going with Jeff? Awesome. Mom fires me her coffee cup and I gladly set off to get her some more, but then I hear her ask for Jeff to hang back. Oh.. this is interesting. Some 'off the record' time with Rogers, maybe I'll slowly head towards the door after the other men leave, have a little listen through the crack.. what has she got planned? "Come on, gentlemen. Show's over. #SaveJack and all that shit, let's go.." I usher the men out, making sure I'm trailing slowly behind, my ears pricked like a rabbit.

03:19 Agent_Jeff_Rogers: As I sit back down, I’m fighting with all my effort not to get up and strangle that manipulative, cold-hearted she-dragon. We have normally gotten along with a fair degree of cordiality, but her absolute refusal to acknowledge the worth of her son left me dealing with a portion of rage that tested the limits of my emotional control. She hadn’t even read the report that described Jack’s heroic actions in the Toledo facility when we were rescuing Mason. She hadn’t even read Mason’s official report, describing how he single handedly ensured our safe escape with bravery and skill you don’t expect out of a fresh agent in the field. Yes, there was a personal connection with Jack, I acknowledged that privately. But I hadn’t allowed my personal connection to Jack to influence my judgement. And neither had Mason. But I knew there was no point in continuing to argue. I’d have to count on MI6 to help us rescue my boy.. Oh fuck Jack, I’m coming. I’ll make this right.

03:19 Agent_Jeff_Rogers: I listen to Kyle in stunned amazing as he presses his case. I might have thought Shona wasn’t budging, but Kyle goes on to show me exactly how talented he is. Wow… the man has a silver tongue. Sébastien backs him up, with his offer of further support. I have nothing but the highest respect for him, and I feel buoyed by his support. We have a chance… We have a chance to pull this off, to save Jack. And even Marc’s half-assed offer of support is more than we had before. My jaw nearly drops to the floor when I here Director Shona actually agree to increase the funding. Kyle is amazing. I’m saddled with Michael and Marc, which is less than ideal, but I might be able to get Sébastien to join in even without Shona’s approval. I stand up, feeling … better. Kyle and Sébastien’s support had given me something I’d been lacking for a long time, hope. I turn to go when Shona says she wants a word. Well, fuck. This was going to be fun. I turn and look at here, giving a moment for the others to file out, and sending a look of pure poison at Agent Michael as he tried to dawdle, no doubt to overhear Shona’s words.

08:22 Inspector_Kyle_Byrne: I tried… I really did… But… Both Shona and Marc are so determined not to listen to my words. I am making the perfect argument, and all they are doing is insulting and dictating to us. %35? Really? That kind of money is barely enough to locate Jack Young, and that’s not certain. I close my eyes for a moment, trying to process all of it in my mind. I… This is my fault… Only if they hadn’t come for me… Then I hear Shona wants to talk with Jeff alone, I feel even worse. She is going to push him to a breakdown, isn’t she? I… Need to go to the bathroom… I get up slowly as Michael shows us the exit. I look at Shona… I won’t be seeing her for quite some time, so I don’t hold back “And I thought your managerial skills were better than your motherhood, but… Oh well… ‘Facts are facts’ I guess…” I grunt, but there is a sarcastic smile on my face. After my parting shot, without waiting for anyone, I get out of the room, and rush to the bathroom… I… Feel like shit… I wanted to deny, but she is right… Jack was missing because they all came after me…

11:55 Marc_Chevalier: Thank god the meeting is finally fucking over. It felt like one of those 3 hours meeting, when we were probably in there for a brief 30 mins. I walked out, giving Shona a wink when she said she wanted to have “a word” with Jeff. What can I say, she still got that fire in her, and Jeff may be here for a long night. I “politely” let everyone leave the room, closing the door behind. I see that the British… or American, whatever he is, that kid rushed to the bathroom. I chuckle, “must have forgotten to wear his diapers…” before I make my way to the pantry, bringing the mugs along so I can clean them up, just because. Washing and thinking how I was knee deep undercover in the Syndicate just months ago. Now I am back in the intelligence service, surrounded by idiots like Jeff, Michael and Kyle. And now I have to assist them in the heroic rescue mission that they think they’re doing. I let out a deep sigh. So much for getting my online college degree.

09:08 Sébastien_Côté: And just like that, the meeting is over. I wanted to have a word with Jeff Rogers, but he got called to stay behind by the CSIS director. When I turned back and looked for Kyle, hoping to offer some support, he jetted off almost right away. I shake my head. Knowing that they didn’t quite get what they wanted from this meeting, but I wanted to reassure them that I will be there for them and Jack. Well, at least Michael is still here. We walk along the corridor, as I try to reassure him that his brother will be ok.

12:26 Director_Shona_Young: "Mr Rogers.." I walk around the conference table, my heels clicking with menace as I perch on the table directly in front of him, carefully plotting my move. I only get one shot at this, and I have to nail it. "I'm sure I don't need to.." threaten, the word is threaten. "..remind you that it is against policy to engage in a romantic relationship with fellow agents.." I see him tense up and start to protest, but I raise my finger to him. I have no doubt in my mind that something is going on. Jack lived there unnecessarily for 4 months, Jeff has a track record of liking the Young men, and he's taking this far harder than any other agent would. "Don't fight, just listen. Let's be honest, Jeff.. you look like shit. You're tired, you may be trying to hide it all but your eyes are giving you away. You're taking this harder than I believe is professionally acceptable. You already had Trent and now you're after Jack, I'll bypass why you skipped my two superior boys and went straight for the runt because that's beside the point, but let me tell you this.." I lean in close, my eyes piercing into his like icy daggers. "If you rescue him, if you get to hold him in your big strong arms again, I want you to ask him about Lowell. We'll see how much you love him then.." I lean back again and walk round to my original seat, gathering my papers and gesturing to the door. "That's all, Rogers.." I hope it was enough. Just enough to plant that seed of doubt, a question ringing in his heart.. is Jack worth his love? Why do we hate him? I want it to drive him crazy, and I want to tear these two apart. The cat is out of the bag now, I can only hope it's enough.

12:26 Agent_Michael_Young: I can't stay without making it obvious, I catch the first part but have to spend the rest outside the door, listening intently. I need to listen to this, I'm quivering with anticipation.. she's clearly got something particularly juicy to say. I hear everything, she's challenging him about his relationship with Jack, which we all know without a doubt is real, were not stupid. But then.. wait.. what? Dad? Oh fuck.. no.. no, no, no.. why did I listen. Oh fuck.. Jeff and dad? He.. he cheated on mom with Jeff Rogers? Oh shit, suddenly everything makes sense. Why my dad was so crazy about Jeff, it wasn't just admiration.. Was it love? How could he do that to mom? And now he's lusting after our youngest? This is information overload, but I have to keep listening.. oh, holy shit.. Lowell. That is absolutely taboo in our family, I don't think we've mentioned it in over 10 years.. I-- I can't believe she's bringing it up. She's gone straight for the jugular. But.. suddenly it all seems so clear, why I'm accompanying Jeff on this bullshit rescue mission. I'm not there to help find Jack.. I'm there to drive a wedge between them. Mom has made it abundantly clear that they are not to be together.. well, I can see to that. I can chip away at Jeff, make him see sense.. Suddenly I'm excited for my little adventure. Nothing is off limits now.. but that name.. Lowell.. I didn't think I'd ever hear it again. Well played, mother. I quickly slip away from the door to get her coffee, not wanting to be seen.

03:19 Agent_Jeff_Rogers: I listen as Shona walks around to the spot on the table right in front of me, I can tell by her bearing and stance that she is going to enjoy this, and I’m not. I have a clue what it is about, and my worst fears are soon realized as she begins speaking. She doesn’t hint or suggest, she outright states as if it were a fact. It was NONE of her business, but the truth was she had me dead to rights. And she knew it. I loved Jack… and, somehow against all expectations, he loved me. I loved him more than I have ever loved anyone in my life. That one night we had, on the floor of that shitty hotel in Toledo was more precious to me than any other experience I’ve had. But the truth was it violated all kinds of policies. And Shona knew that. She was brilliant, and her sense of intuition was sharper than a butcher’s knife. I would cross that bridge when I came to it, but right now she had NO fucking right to stick her nose in my affairs without proof. I began to protest, but she cut me off and talked right over me, in typical Shona fashion.

03:19 Agent_Jeff_Rogers: I couldn’t believe my ears, as she drug Trent up again. How fucking dare she…. Then, she goes on and mentions someone called Lowell? What the fuck is she talking about? Lowell? I look at her, unsure of what her game was. Why did she hate her own son with such a passion? I watched as she left, feeling uncertain, and tired. I looked at the clock. It was lunchtime. I hadn’t really much of an appetite. But I needed to eat. If nothing else, it would take my mind off of how much I wanted to strangle that conniving bitch. I got up, and left the conference room, headed down the hall towards the cafeteria.

Published: 2021-05-06, viewed 37 times.