"So who is this rising star in our Rogue Isles division, Hopkins?" the Countess asked, leaning back in her office chair.
Her bodyguard and second in command replied evenly. "He apparently spent some time operating as a member of the Cage Corporation, but saw our company as
an opportunity to move on to bigger things. Since then, he's clamped down on a number of security breaches in our Nerva branch, and seems to have an inside
line on....freelancers to use for deniable operations."
"Interesting...I should like to meet this ambitious young man..." the Countess noted.
Hopkins nodded. "I can arrange it by the end of the day, Countess."
"Do so."
***
The Countess looked up as the enormous frame of Hopkins entered her office at the assigned time, temporarily blocking her view of the man he was bringing in.
Once he stepped out of the way, however, the Countess was struck by how....plain...the man looked.
Black hair, slicked back in a way that was simple and out of the way. A professional business suit. Impeccable but unremarkable fashion sense. The only thing
unusual about him were his eyes, steel gray and piercing, like a predator's.
The Countess smiled. He'd make an interesting addition to the board of directors. "Good afternoon. I've heard a lot about you Mr..."
"Mason, ma'am," the man said, smiling tightly as he extended his hand, which she shook perfunctorily. "Brian J. Mason."
---
"Oh, silver blade, forged in the depths of the beyond. Heed my summons and purge those who stand in my way. Lay
waste."
Her bodyguard and second in command replied evenly. "He apparently spent some time operating as a member of the Cage Corporation, but saw our company as
an opportunity to move on to bigger things. Since then, he's clamped down on a number of security breaches in our Nerva branch, and seems to have an inside
line on....freelancers to use for deniable operations."
"Interesting...I should like to meet this ambitious young man..." the Countess noted.
Hopkins nodded. "I can arrange it by the end of the day, Countess."
"Do so."
***
The Countess looked up as the enormous frame of Hopkins entered her office at the assigned time, temporarily blocking her view of the man he was bringing in.
Once he stepped out of the way, however, the Countess was struck by how....plain...the man looked.
Black hair, slicked back in a way that was simple and out of the way. A professional business suit. Impeccable but unremarkable fashion sense. The only thing
unusual about him were his eyes, steel gray and piercing, like a predator's.
The Countess smiled. He'd make an interesting addition to the board of directors. "Good afternoon. I've heard a lot about you Mr..."
"Mason, ma'am," the man said, smiling tightly as he extended his hand, which she shook perfunctorily. "Brian J. Mason."
---
"Oh, silver blade, forged in the depths of the beyond. Heed my summons and purge those who stand in my way. Lay
waste."