Warning: Rated for language, violence and references to adult behavior.
The main characters of this story are based on characters from the cartoon 'Code Lyoko.' I do not own, nor do I claim, any copyright to these characters.
He sat at the hotel's bar, nursing a drink. His wife had gone upstairs to their room for the evening.
He had hoped to meet his contact during the Ball at the Embassy last night, but never saw him. He later overheard some of the staff saying that eight of the caterers never showed up for work.
I hope I haven't blown my opportunity with these people, he thought to himself, when he was interrupted.
"Mr. Stern, I believe?"
Mr. Stern turned around and saw the first man he met, the one who originally interviewed him.
"Oh hi!" he said in greeting, "I tried to contact your friend at the Embassy last night, but he was nowhere to be found."
"That's okay, Mr. Stern," the other man told him, "he ran into a bit of bad luck, and will no longer be part of our organization. But you and I need to talk. Come with me please."
The two men left the hotel and proceeded to walk down the street. They walked a ways until they came to an alley way. Both men entered the alley, walked further in, then stopped.
"Mr. Stern, my Master has returned from his journey and is anxious to meet you in person," the man said.
"Well, I'm ready to meet him too," Mr. Stern replied, "as a matter of fact, I've been looking forward to meeting him ever since we last spoke."
"Good," the man replied, "I won't keep you waiting any more."
With that, an oily black cloud issued from the man and enveloped Mr. Stern. He seized up and shuddered for a moment, while the cloud performed its operation on him. After a moment, part of the cloud broke off and entered Mr. Stern's body, the rest retreating back into the first man. The two possessed men then looked at each other.
"Welcome to the organization, Mr. Stern," the man said, "we have high hopes for you."
"Thank you, my Master."