The room was dark, the blinds closed, the curtains drawn, the door shut, and the lamp-light fluttering and dimming. Under the yellow glow smoke wavered like a solitary hunting snake swimming through the air, its hiss originating from the thick puffs of the cigar that burned a bright orange. The embers died slowly, and the cigar was slowly lowered. Through the gloom smoky eyes sought out the man that had called him to attention in the request for his 'services'.

The Shredder sat patiently, eyeing the man before him and carefully weighing and judging his character. His metal mask still remained in place, his thick purple cape coming over his shoulders slightly as he glared through the smoke to the man that stayed confined to the shadows. Slowly, he leaned forwards, his hands coming to rest on the desk as he refused to break eye contact with the smirking shadow with the smoky eyes.

"I am informed that you are the best."

The shadow laughed and the smirk pulled harder at rough rubber lips until it was transformed into a cold, cruel sneer. "Your informants would be correct."

Shredder never smiled as the smoky eyes appeared almost lazy, as if they thought they had been called out for a demeaning, menial task. "You understand that I need better than the best, do you not?"

"Good job you called for me then."

Shredder's eyes narrowed as he stared at the shadow with an unreadable expression. He watched as the shadow crossed his legs, his solid leather boots becoming visible in the lamp light atop the desk that separated them. "Confident, aren't we?"

"I have no reason not to be. Me and my men have controlled every type of…'pest', shall we say?" A brutal laugh escaped the shadow's scarred mouth. "You know that my services don't come cheaply, right?"

"I wouldn't expect a man of your track record to work for anything below what I deem fair."

"And how much is that then?"

Shredder frowned. The shadow was toying with him, playing with him. He hated that. He was in control here, he was the one buying the other's skills for his own gain…so why did he suddenly feel as if he was debating the terms of a contract that should have been set in concrete beneath his own rules and superiority? "Seventeen thousand a head."

The shadow whistled, and Shredder could sense the slow nodding movement. There was the distinct sound of screeching leather as the man moved before it stopped and silence settled once more. The shadow was thinking, and Shredder felt a small smile tug at his lips. When the shadow finally spoke the laughter was gone and the smoky eyes had turned hard and bitter. "You say a head… what beast would I be hunting here? And exactly how many are there?"

"Do you accept my offer?"

"I never accept anything until I know what type of animal I'm dealing with. It's time to place your cards on the table, Oroku Saki."

The Shredder smiled. He should have expected no less from the supposed best of the best. He straightened up slightly, his eyes sharply slanted as he clapped his hands together harshly. As the applause dimmed he let out a low sarcastic laugh. "So you have done your homework. Congratulations. You are not half as brainless as I had first expected."

The shadow growled. "Don't play games with me, Saki! Seventeen thousand on the table or not, I aint making no choices until I know what you're planning on putting us up against!"

Shredder inhaled deeply and stood, both hands on the desk as he smiled. Taking a step back, he allowed himself to become immersed in the shadows of the room and his smile slipped as he began to speak. "You are the best."

"We've established this already."

"I am giving you the opportunity to hunt a set of beasts unlike any other. They have intelligence equal to most humans. Some would go as far as to argue their intelligence is somewhat superior on some levels. They're crafty, agile, dangerous and lethal – a true trophy for a huntsman such as yourself."

The shadow was intrigued. He listened to Shredder's voice, his finger coming up to rest beneath his chin. "How many?"

"Four I would personally wish to see disposed of. Six otherwise."

"Ten then." The shadow tapped at his chin and his smirk returned. "That's a hundred and seventeen thousand, Saki…quite a sum for the disposal of ten beasts."

"These are a particularly painful collection of thorns in my side. My operations would run much more efficiently with their…sustained absence."

"…And how would you want them disposed of?"

"I have heard rumours that you and your men enjoy the chase before the prize. A remote island off the southern coast of Africa recently came into my possession. It's private, of course. I would be willing to allow you and your men to hunt these beasts out there under one condition; within one month's time the beast's hearts are brought back to me as proof of the completion of your task. I will not tolerate any form of failure."

The shadow grinned, the smoke fogging in his ashen eyes once more as he crushed his cigar in his hands and let the crumbs fall to the floor. "You are a cruel man, Saki. I think I'm beginning to like that about you."

"Spare your flattery. Ten beasts disposed of in one month's time. You will be given all the artillery and equipment that you and your men wish. Just make sure you get the job done."

"You still haven't told me what these beasts are. What am I facing here? Poisonous reptiles? Dangerous land mammals? Aquatic monsters?"

Shredder let out a low rumbling laugh that sent chills through the room. Reaching into the drawer of his desk, he pulled out a series of photographs and threw them down before the shadow. A hand reached out of the darkness and picked them up with surprisingly delicate fingers. The shadow stuttered at the first image before he quickly flicked through the others to find them increasingly similar despite the differing backgrounds and settings. His eye widened, his smile thinned and he found himself at a loss for words. Composing himself, the shadow clung to the photographs and his voice deepened. "Just what the hell are these?"

"A new form of mutated beast I wish to be free of. You see now why I need the best, do you not?"

The shadow laughed, a thick rumble escaping his chest as he looked at what appeared to be a grinning man-turtle with an orange bandanna. There were three others with the same attire but different colours, and the other six looked to be from a different location. But other than that, they were near identical. "I see, Saki. Don't worry, I believe me and mine would be thrilled to accept your interesting request."

Shredder smiled as he watched the shadow stand. The chair screeched back against the flooring and a well-muscled and scarred arm made its way out into the limelight. Shredder shook the offered hand roughly, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "I will fly you and your men out tonight. You have until then to prepare yourselves."

"And the beasts?"

"Do not worry. I will personally see to it that they are distributed to the island. I leave their fate in your capable hands."

He released the shadows hand, a smile growing beneath the metal mask as he took the pictures back from the shadow. There was the faint sound of a door clicking and Shredder threw the photographs down onto the desk, watching as they slid off each other and revealed each mutant to him in turn. The door opened once more and the click of the lights brought a flood of colour to the room. Shredder glanced up to find Karai stood in the doorway. She looked almost hesitant as she swept quickly into the room and bowed heavily.

"It is time, Karai. There is no time for failure or error." The Shredder's eyes narrowed as he swept the pictures up and threw them back into the drawer. Slamming it closed, he watched as she straightened up and remained motionless.

"You know what you must do."