"You're late," Andrei barked as Luca poked his head in the door of his office, not looking up from the phone in front of him, whose receiver he was holding to his ear.
"So fire me," Luca replied with a small smile.
"We can all wish." Andrei shook his head, gesturing at him to sit down before continuing his conversation with Agent Seagull.
"What? How can I be late!?"
"I wasn't talking to you. Look, what do you mean 'he knows nothing'?" he hissed.
"He hasn't heard of Commonwealth," Peter growled back, "though there's some other dodgy stuff going on that might be related. I don't know yet." It was hard to hear Peter over the traffic as the other waited at a bus stop.
Andrei paused for a moment. "I'm listening."
"Homeless people are going missing and it's possible refugees are being targeted for human trafficking."
"I'm listening hard. You think they're kidnapping people? For what reason?"
"It's possible, and I don't know. Oh, you might want to look into a guy called 'Mr Wang'. He's a lawyer working on refugee cases. Apparently he's been in contact with a few criminal gangs."
"I'll get Agent Yogurt to find out what he can. Then get someone to snoop around."
"Cheers."
"What are you going to do now?"
"Go to an internet café. Do some research on those other cities you mentioned. Try to find some articles on the you-know-what-organisation"
"We have internet here."
"Yeah but HQ doesn't quite have the same ambiance. Plus I know this place that does nice snacks."
"Fine. Don't want you breaking my laptops anyway."
"Hey it was one time!"
"Three. It was three times." Andrei glanced over at Luca, who was still waiting patiently in his seat. "Look, I have to brief the new guy now. If you find anything interesting, give me a bell."
"Will do!"
Peter hung up and Andrei turned his attention to Agent Fondue.
"So what was all that about?"
"Oh just spy stuff," Andrei waved a hand, "it won't make sense until you're caught up."
"Well I'm guessing it's Commonwealth related," Luca smiled, "you mentioned kidnappings."
"There's a possible link; we still don't know enough. So you're already briefed on the Commonwealth case?"
"I've been slowly finding out as much as I can since they murdered my brother." Luca's face hardened for a split second, then it was back to his usual polite, mildly-interested tiny smile.
"And what have you found out?"
"Nothing you don't know, if that's what you're asking," Luca sighed, "being an armchair detective hardly gives you the resources needed for serious espionage."
"So you joined our division to be in a position to enact your revenge?" Andrei sighed, "I'm not sure if that makes you a loose cannon or not."
"I want to bring down Commonwealth as much as you do," Luca stared at him evenly, "don't doubt my loyalty."
"But I will. Your agenda is separate from the rest of the DSA."
"Hardly," Luca sniffed, "I know my sister is of the same mind as me, and I'm sure you and Agent Yogurt want revenge for Friday's murders. Am I right?"
"…That you are."
"Not to mention Agent Monte Carlo, oh, and I know about the Oxenstjärna incidents, which is why Agent Seagull joined, is it not? I must say we are an emotionally charged bunch." He sighed. "I just want to help."
"I see. And how closely do you work with the German government?"
"Not closely at all," Luca frowned, confused, "I was interviewed by Mr Beilschmidt after finishing my training, and he sent me your files but that's about it." There was a pause as he looked at Andrei closely. "I'm not here to spy on you, if that's what you're so worried about."
"Well I'm afraid I can't take your word for it just yet. I hope you understand that a suspicious mind comes with the profession."
"Indeed."
Andrei looked at Luca for a long moment.
"So you changed your hair then?" he stated. Last time he saw Luca, his hair has been combed back messily, now it was down and covering one eye. He wasn't sure if it was an improvement or not.
"Err, yes." Luca smiled nervously, "I'm trying something new."
"The something new being killing a hairy guinea pig and wearing it on your face?"
Luca sniffed. "Well if it annoys you so much, I'll keep it."
"Hey it's your choice. And not really my business anyways."
"Exactly," Luca smiled, "which is why I have restrained from commenting on your suit."
Andrei exhaled sharply, refusing to reply.
"So," Luca looked around excitedly, "what exactly do you want me to do? Stake out a building? Tail someone? Research?"
"For now all I require from you is sweeping up and making the tea and coffee," Andrei waved a hand, "you can work your way up from there."
Luca huffed, "I am a qualified forensic scientist, you know? I received a master's degree from the University of Amsterdam. I also completed your agency's training with flying colours and am a master of disguise, if I dare say so myself."
"Master of disguise?" Andrei raised an eyebrow, smirking, "fine, since you're so qualified, you can answer my phone calls too."
"Brilliant," Luca groaned, "my sister will hear about this, you know."
"I'm trembling in my shoes," Andrei sighed, "well, I guess since you're already briefed on Commonwealth, there's nothing left to do but give you a grand tour."
"That would be nice," Luca was still scowling, and continued to do so as Andrei stood up and led him out of the room.
The tour was awkward, to say the least, Andrei's voice monotonous as he pointed out the different rooms. Luca just politely followed his pointing, calm green eyes exploring the interior of his new workplace. He didn't speak, and Andrei didn't say anything not related to the HQ.
When they got to the mess room, they found Agents Magyar and Monte Carlo sprawled out on separate sofas, Magyar steadily working through a pile of paperwork whilst Monte Carlo tapped at her laptop.
"Morning," Andrei greeted, earning a pair of grunts in response. "So, this is where you go to take a break," he told Luca.
"Excellent," Luca smiled before turning to Agent Monte Carlo, "erm, Monique?"
"Yes?"
"Do you know where my sister is?"
"Out interviewing Mr Wang. Seagull phoned her and asked her to."
"Oh, I hope she'll be okay," he paused, "Mr Wang being?"
"A lawyer," Andrei filled in, "may have contacts with Commonwealth. We're not sure."
"I see."
"So, I guess this is it," Andrei coughed awkwardly, "do you have any questions?"
"Um, yes, what would you say is the hardest part of working for Berlin's South DSA?" he asked, as if it were a job interview and not an induction.
"Telling your parents you're gay," Agent Magyar joked.
"Well Daniél's not wrong," Andrei sighed, giving Agent Magyar a withering look.
"Well my siblings already know…"
"It was a joke, but in that case, the serious answer is the constant fear of being tortured to death. Please try to avoid that fate," Andrei give Luca a pat on the shoulder, "it'd save me a lot of paperwork."
"Your concern is highly flattering," Luca replied flatly.
"Thank you. Now, guess it's time to get started. Two sugars and no milk please." He smiled and walked out, ignoring Luca's scowl.
…
"We'll find him, I promise," Feliks glanced over at his friend, who was wrapped up in a tattered sleeping bag. Toris just sighed.
"He's been gone for so long. I don't know what to do. I just don't."
The pair lay huddled together under the street lights, sheltering under the bench of a bus stop. The street was deserted, save for the occasional car driving past, owner not seeing them. A rucksack provided them with a pillow and Feliks himself was using his coat as a blanket; he always insisted Toris took the sleeping bag. The night air had a chilly bite to it, freezing them down to the bone.
"I talked to someone today who can help us," Feliks knew he shouldn't be saying this- he'd be in big trouble with the DSA if they knew- but Toris needed something to comfort him.
"Who?" Toris looked at him suspiciously.
"An old friend. Top secret and I can't say who."
Toris glared at him.
"I can't! But he's pretty important, and knows a lot of important people. He'll find Raivis. I promise."
"Don't go throwing promises around like they're confetti," Toris maintained his glare, hands trembling; "I have to think about this realistically."
"Except you're thinking pessimistically. You are allowed to hope though," Feliks stared back- face unreadable- until Toris looked away. "I have a plan and we'll get him back, okay? Trust me."
"I trust you, but you're not a miracle worker, Feliks. I just can't see a way of finding Raivis again."
Feliks nodded.
"I wish you weren't so secretive though."
Feliks' stomach sank. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"You're always sneaking off on your own and not telling me where you're going," once Toris started, he couldn't stop his words, "I know it's your business but I'm worried. What with Raivis and these other disappearances. I don't want to lose you, and I'm scared of being left alone, I have to admit."
He fell silent and Feliks didn't reply immediately. The only thing to break the silence was the faint pitter-patter as it started to rain. Toris shivered.
"I'm sorry. I wish I could tell you, but," Feliks wrapped his coat tighter around him, "it's all top secret."
"What are you, a spy?"
"Maybe," he grinned.
"For God's sake be serious," Toris rolled his eyes.
"Where's the fun in that?" Feliks' smile fell, "look, I'm just trying to help. My friend will find Raivis then everything will go back to the way it was." Toris didn't reply. "I promise, we'll all be back together again soon."
...
So why didn't Luca go to a university in Luxembourg? Because there's only one Uni and they don't do forensic science degrees. I know. I checked.