Author's notes: This tale, penned by me, Nachtsider, is based on the excellent anime/manga known as 'Gunslinger Girl', which is the brainchild of Yu Aida, and documents a humorous example of an Agency cyborg's superhuman abilities being put to good use away from the battlefield. Enjoy the story, and feel free to drop me a line at the relevant electronic mail address (nachtsider at yahoo dot com)!

THE TRUFFLE TEASER

"I really don't know what to make of this," muttered the weather-beaten farmer, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Neither do I," exclaimed his equally dumbfounded wife. "That gentleman and his daughter come to this tract of woods with only themselves, a pair of shovels, and a wheelbarrow. They don't bring along any means of detecting truffles - no truffle dogs, no truffle hogs, nothing. How in the name of Heaven do the both of them constantly manage to find not just all the good spots, but all the best tubers, too?"

"I'd tell you, my friends, but I'd then have to shoot you," laughed Bernado as he generously placed five of his eleven football-sized fungal delicacies in the amazed couple's handcart. "It's an ancient family secret that's been passed down the line for at least twelve generations, and whose nature shall be revealed under no circumstances whatsoever - not even on pain of death. Isn't that right, Bicé?"

A small smile sweetened the normally impassive mask that was Beatrice's countenance as she trotted off after her handler into the sunset, leaving behind two very perplexed pensioners.

THE END