Chapter 3: After all that…
Nishijima was staring at the notes. He couldn't stop trembling since he opened the small book and read the first page. It all seemed like a dream to him. His shaking hands were like those of a child on Christmas morning as he flipped page after page. Once he finished, he tried to get his mind to work.
'Bloody hell. 'he said aloud.
Everything was there. Everything. As if the key to his plans has just been handed to him as a present. Only it seemed to good to be true. He put down the notes and turned on a monitor on his desk. The screen showed a woman in isolated room. She seemed calm, as if the confinement didn't bother her at all. Or more like she knew that she won't be held captive for long.
'Amber, huh?'
The Syndicate had a mole in MI6 but all he could unkower was that she is a top-class agent, codename February, power unknown. She looked more like a supermodel and the name she gave even fit that line of work. „Don't think that just because you handed us over some valuable information, we will do whatever you want."
From the moment they appeared, Nishijima saw contractors as the agents of the Devil. He never was a believer, but he felt that that was the perfect definition of a contractor. He didn't hold a personal grudge, but he felt that their very existence was a threat to mankind. That's why he joined the Syndicate. Ironic that without them, we would be powerless. Ironic that we in fact seek their undoing. Ironic that these abominations found their place in the world just as they set foot in it. The perfect killig machines, hired muscles, that are only out for themselves. He sighed. What does this tell of the people who employ them?
He put that thought aside and focused again on the screen. Then he took up his phone ont he desk, pressed a button and said 'Bring her to my office.'
Until she arrived he skimmed over the notes again, then he opened a drawer , took out a gun and placed it on the table.
Amber was escorted by two armed guards.
'Take a seat. You two leave us alone.
'Thank you.' She sat down and smiled. Nishijima found this strange. He never met a contractor who was this… cheerful.
'So, February I'd like to know how an MI6 agent found this place, why she wishes to defect and come over to our side, but most importantly, how did she get hold of information like this.' he held up the book.
'That's a long story Mr. Nishijima, and I came here to work for you, not to tell boring tales of an old woman.'
'Work? So you didn't find the Brittish intelligence agency to your liking? That's a shame. But now maybe you are only useful as a storyteller. Please begin. And do tell how you found out my name.
'The MI6 will have a mole in here in 2 years and very high up, he will uncover quite much about your Syndicate, it's structure, members, their contractors. If you want to know more about the guy, he wrote parts of that little book.'
It took a while for Nishijima to comprehend what was just said, and for a moment he felt as if he lost his footing.
'So… a time-traveller?
'You could say so.
'And… and you wish to join our Syndicate as a… foot soldier? Or you want to be part of the upper circle? And also hand us this?
'All three.'
'Heh… Interesting… Why? You're a contractor, but you have the ambitions of a human and a motivation that doesn't seem to be personal gain… What are you playing at?
'Let's just say I have seen many outcomes. I was offered a choice and made one I thought was best.
'Best for who?
'Best for me.' She got up with the same smile she sat down with 'I want 2,5 million yearly, a postiton as a squad leader, in a field-team , plus the authority that comes with being up top. That will be put to use through you. Only you and a few others should know my position, and I want in on the action, wherever that might be.
'Action?
'South America.
Nishijimaa's eyes sharpened. 'We don't have any plans to…
'Maybe you don't, but you will.
'And if I say no?'
'Then this little thing here gets back to where it came from.' the notes suddenly dissapeared from the table and appeared in her hands 'Plus you can expect a raid from the three-letter agencies in a few weeks.
'And I supppose you want me to grant you all this, in a blink of an eye, don't you?
'Of course. After all we both know that you can pull a lot more strings than you let he others know.
'Do I?
'I have no doubt.' Again the smile, mocking. She left with waving goodbye, and he didn't try to stop her. He told the security to let her go. Yet again he opened the notes, when suddenly „How am I going to contact… oh." A phone number was scribbled on the first page. He thought about what she said, chosing the outcome best for her. He chuckled. And then began to laugh on the irony of it all.