The blinds bisected the morning sun, its sharp slashes lying upon us. The General flicked our reports onto the table, sighing. "I'll reserve my judgement until you answer some questions. Why did you decide to take the CIA along with you? Why did you not leave them at the first chance?"
James cleared his throat. "We were confident that we could use them for our means. We know they have more resources and access to them than we do; they have safe houses and places where we can take Vince where no one would question or look around."
"We also figured that we could ride off their need to one-up us, put us in our place, so to speak." Robert rolled his neck as he said that. "With their need to prove themselves better than us, they barely even questioned why we were also after Vince." I feel like that was less because of their ego and more because Victor was working the gun smuggling business.
The General gave Robert a look. "And yet it was that trail that led to one of those CIA officers dying. I'm already getting some heat from them about this crap. So we are going to get this air-tight so that we can get this heat away from us and so we don't look bad in front of Stark Industries."
That's what we are most interested in? James must have seen the confusion that leaked out of me, so he leaned over to whisper to me.
"Stark Industries is one of the biggest developers of next-gen technology and has a lot of contracts with a bunch of different departments and agencies. But they only work with the best, and if we can get their approval, we can move up the ladder, look good for the big brass, and get more funding and equipment."
"How does that work?"
"I don't know every different contract, but for example, the unofficial part of the CIA is that any tech they find, Stark will pay for it, and they pay big bucks for anything new. They also have a lot of say in government politics because of all these different contracts; the government needs them for their research, and they need us to get unofficial access to other countries' stuff. Win-win for both of us. Many different people all have vested interests in the partnership going both ways, but with all that sway, it means that parts of the government rise or fall to their needs."
My face scrunched up. "A company can have that much control in the government?"
The General cleared his throat. "In part, they do kid. Their word has a lot of power behind it, so most people take it seriously, but they don't get to decide everything. If we can get their approval, we will get a nice bump; if we don't, we will just have to work extra hard to prove ourselves. Now pay attention, you." He said, pointing at me.
"You did a good job on this mission, being able to get into that building and get those documents impressed me. However, your report needs more work; if anyone looks at these reports, they need to be the best they can be, so you'll need to work on them a bit more. I can see that Robert helped write them."
It surprised me, too; Robert actually did help me with the report and gave me a lesson in useful knowledge on what I needed to do. I did not expect him to help me; I kind of figured he would have left me to figure it out.
Robert nodded along. "He's a smart kid." What? Since when has Robert complemented people? I looked over to James to see him not look surprised and nodding along as well. "The execution of the mission might not have been the best, but the result was completed, and we got what we wanted."
The General rhythmically tapped the desk. "You did get the dossier, and you also found out that Goliath Dynamics stole their tech, which is the cherry on top. They're a big company in the army and navy, and just having that info in our back pocket is just as nice as the dossier. Just to make sure, no mistakes were made when the officer died, none of you noticed the cars or expected anything whilst you were waiting, because this will be the only time to tell me, after this moment, if it gets found out, I will throw you to the wolves to be devoured."
We all shook our heads. I mean, the only reason those guys knew we were there was because of Victor.
"Good, alright, I'll keep the CIA off our backs. Hopefully, no head blows your way," he smiled brightly for a moment. "Though I would love to see their face when they find out that we were there to get Start Industries documents. Feels good to stick it to them for once." James and Robert both smile in sync. "Sure does."
James nodded and held up his finger. "And don't forget the DeLuca's as well. They were very pleased after we gave them the info on who attacked their place; the rest of Vince's gang was cleaned up by them."
The General tapped his side cabbit. "Locked and stored, I'm sure it will be useful in the future." He checks his watch. "Right, any moment one of the Stark Industries' men should be here to take back their document, it's your job to make sure that we look good for them. I know sucking up sucks ass, but we need to do anything to help this agency along, and if we need to kiss ass, then you'd better kiss ass like you've never done it before. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Good."
Knock* We turn to the door as Jane sticks her head around. "Sir, the men from Stark Industries are here."
The General straightened out his shirt. "What perfect timing, time to woo the big fish."
Out in reception, we quickly spot the three Stark Industries men.
"It's good to meet you, General." The man's sharp navy suit was eye-catching to say the least, enhanced by his silk tie in a tight Windsor knot. His shoes knocked on the floor as he strode towards us, a marble smile and strong but very smooth cologne greeted us first, followed by his hand. "We really can't thank you enough for your help on this." He gave a firm handshake with both hands.
The General kept a cool face. "We're honoured that we can help."
"Are those the documents?" The second man adjusted thick glasses as he interrupted, hiding dulled eyes before they lit up as the document passed into his hands. His jacket hung looser as his sleeves rolled over his wrists, and his tie drooped as he rifled through the papers of the dossier. "These documents are more important than your greeting, Elliot."
"Dr. Kellner, these men spent a lot of effort to get this back for us; the least we can do is thank them."
The Dr. buried his eyes into the document, scanning every inch of it. "Anyone could have gotten these documents; it makes no difference who the person is."
The General narrowed his eyes at the Dr. "And yet we are the ones who succeeded where they failed."
Elliot patted the Dr on the shoulder. "Haha, the Dr. is just passionate about his documents and work, take no heed of his offense. He is quite eager to get started on them again." He shook his head. "Dr. Edward might have become a traitor, but he was a genius when it came to his work. Though clearly not his life choices, haha."
The general laughed at his carppy joke as he patted him on the arm. "Couldn't have put it better myself."
"Besides, Dr, this is a moment of joy; it is not often that everyone gets to walk away getting what they want."
As he turned to chat to the general, I finally noticed the last man; it took me a while to pay attention to him, don't think James and Robert would be too impressed if they realised that, though looking at them, I don't think they realized he was there yet. Interesting.
Despite his loose suit, it couldn't hide his bulk or the faint outline of a shoulder holster when he moved just right. His eyes kept on sweeping the street, scanning buildings, rooftops, then back to us again. He stood out of the way and out of direct eye sight, just looking like he was minding his own business.
"So, Dr. is everything there, nothing lost whilst it changed so many hands." Elliot smiled as he stood beside the General, both of them seeming quite happy.
"Yes, everything is needed and accounted for. Here's to hoping that nobody got any copies, be the worst case scenario if anyone other than us got access to this stuff."
"Yes, yes, we don't do things lightly at Stark Industries, only the best of the best. Well, we need to get this secure and get this back to safe grounds, but I'm sure we will meet again in the future, General. Cuba proved you could get the information, and this proves you can get the work done. Stark Industries is looking forward to your future progress."
"Of course, pleasure meeting you as well."
We watched as they walked back to their car before driving off.
James shrugged. "What an interesting pair of fellows."
"Quiet, James."