"Thorne. Gregory Thorne. I'm your new boss."

Gregory looked up from the file on his desk, then to the man before him. He couldn't be much older; perhaps a year or two. Apparently he was the best merc-for-hire alive, so naturally Gregory waged the best bid and put him to work right away.

"My name eez Christophe DeLourne."

"It's a pleasure, Christophe. I look forward to working with you." Gregory stood, extending his hand for the Frenchman. Christophe caught it, and both shook firmly, meeting each other's eyes. "You begin your first assignment first thing tomorrow."