Deirdra paced outside the door to Dartz's office as she waited for him to finish his conversation with Alister. She didn't have to wait long. Alister emerged from the room in a few minutes, looking none the worse for wear. "You can go in now", he said coolly, before stalking off down the hall. "What did Dartz want?", Deirdra called after him. "Meet me in the basement when you're done", was what he yelled back. He obviously had no intention of answering her question because he continued walking until he had rounded the corner and was out of sight. Deirdra pouted. Was it beyond his capabilities to be straight with her? Just then, Dartz stuck his head out the door. "Is there a problem?", he asked, raising a quizzical eyebrow. "I don't know. Is there?", Deirdra countered. "Not unless you want there to be", he answered, proving he could hold his own when it came to smart-aleck comebacks. She went inside and he shut and locked the door after her. "Sit", he commanded, indicating the rather shabby looking chair in front of his desk. She obliged him. He then claimed the larger, more comfortable looking chair behind the desk. "Drink?", he asked, lifting the glass stopper on a decanter of bourbon. "I'm 18", Deirdra replied crisply. He got the picture and said no more, but poured himself a glass. He took a long drink, leaned back in the chair, and folded his hands in his lap. He studied his new hire intently. He was making her squirm and he knew it, but he didn't care. He didn't want his employees getting too complacent. He liked to be sure that knew their place. Deirdra felt like she'd been sent to the principal's office. She was sure that Dartz was going to lay into her in a minute. Only he would do it with that soft smile and gentlemanliness that would make a person feel he had their best interest at heart, were he to suggest they off themself. Finally, he spoke. "So, shall we get to the business at hand?", he asked casually. "By all means", Deirdra replied. Dartz cleared his throat.

"Miss Wallis, I am sure you are aware that you have a certain obligation to fulfill."

"Maybe."

"Come now, surely you have guessed by now what it is I desire?"

"World domination, as far as I can tell."

"What I desire from you, Miss Wallis."

"A puppet on a string?"

"Hardly. You are a respected and valued member of my team, same as the others."

"Same as Rex Raptor and Weevil Underwood?"

Dartz laughed -a soft, cruel laugh, more filled with derision than mirth. Deirdra stifled a gasp. She was certain that the laugh was the one she had heard that night in the store room. Dartz had been there. But where? The thought of him watching her, getting off on her fear and confusion, made her skin crawl. Alister had said that nothing escaped Dartz's notice. I guess not, if he's spying on us all, she thought.

Dartz went on, unaware of the scene being replayed in her mind.

"I will admit that those two are not to my taste when it comes to colleagues. However, even they have their uses."

"Hmm."

"But let us not stray from the purpose of our conversation."

"Which is?"

"To inform you that I have a task for you."

"This mysterious 'obligation' you speak of, no doubt."

"If you want to think of it that way."

"Hey, your word, not mine."

"I haven't the time to quibble over samantics."

"Okay. Then lay it on me."

"I have selected a suitable opponent for you to duel."

"Oh? Anyone I know?"

"You tell me."

"Who is it?'

Dartz rattled off a vaguely familiar name -Liam Flanaghan. To the best of Deirdra's recollection, said person was an Irish kid who had quickly achieved status as an expert duelist and who had just begun to attract the interest of the international dueling community. She was relieved to find that she knew her future adversary by reputation only. It would make taking his soul much easier. Though she secretly hoped it wouldn't come to that. She still wasn't totally sold on Dartz's plan. Dartz, for his part, figured as much but didn't care, as was sure her low self-esteem and need for recognition would outweigh any moral dilemmas she might have. After all, a lack of self-worth and a certain emptiness in their lives were the common factors between his employees and the things which motivated them. Those and a promise of better things to come from him. Never mind that he had no intention of making good on that promise. To him, they were just puppets; pawns in his little game. Soon, he would have no more use for them than yesterday's newspaper. But until then, he intended to exploit their strengths and their weaknesses to the fullest extent.

He continued.

"You will duel Mr. Flanaghan this afternoon, and you will return to me his soul. Understood?"

"I guess. Remind me again why I'm doing this."

"You're doing it for the greater good of your fellow man and society, by and large. Quite a noble deed, if you ask me."

"Right-o. I take it you'll be providing the transportation?"

"But of course. Alister will fill you in on the details."

Just then, the phone on the desk beeped. Dartz made no move to answer it, but Deirdra sensed that he was tiring of this discussion and wished her gone. She rose from the chair and, sure enough, he did not protest. Though he did add, "It was a pleasure speaking with you, Miss Wallis. I trust you not to let me down." His expression was as mild as ever but his tone suggested there would be consequences were she to fail him. She said nothing and turned towards the door. It didn't seem the kind of statement that required a response.