Cat and Mouse game

Chapter Two

In the wide, dark room, everyone took their usual seat at the long conference table. Elias was sitting next to the chief, who was at the head of the table. Emmanuel sat facing him across the table. Damian was connecting his laptop to the projector at a separate small desk. Andres, who had carefully prepared his notebook with attention to detail, sat down at the end of the table.

Damian finished with the wires and displayed a brief report with some information related to the mission on the screen. 

Chief Guerrero stood up from his chair and approached the screen with firm steps.

"Colleagues, our department will be involved in a major and, I am not afraid to say it, international operation led by the CIA. The goal of this operation is to track down and intercept a new chemical weapon for the purpose of further elimination," the man began to brief everyone in a serious tone.

"Any details?" Flores, who had only just found out about the operation, asked impatiently.

"All in due time, Flores," Guerrero replied, giving the agent a stern look. "Ahem, listen up! Information about this weapon has recently appeared in criminal networks. It was first reported by a CIA agent during his mission in Colombia a few weeks ago. Hence, we and our American colleagues will be sort of 'discoverers'," he said with an undisguised sense of pride in his voice.

"What other data has the CIA provided us with?" Morales asked, looking pensive as he waited for the chief to finish his speech.

"This is a bit complicated here. Although you have seen my thick folder, in fact there is only information on similar cases from recent years. At the moment, all we know about this particular weapon is that it is an improved and modified version of several others," Guerrero responded with some disappointment.

The agents exchanged weary and meaningful glances.

"And since the operation is being run by the CIA, details have been kept from us in order to prevent leaks," the chief continued, "In general, our department will only be providing support... Well, except for Elias, of course. He will be on the front lines!"

"So-o-o, if I understand this correctly, you are saying that we haven't been given any necessary data, and yet they expect you to send an agent on such a dangerous mission so easily?" agent Morales inquired, slightly irritated.

"Yeah, that's it," Chief Guerrero confirmed. "I understand your concern, Morales. But think about the credibility and respect that this operation will give us if it is successful! We will finally be able to rub it in the faces of the Narcotics guys who have participated in such operations more than once!"

"Agent Morales, I'm surprised you're asking such questions. Are you scared?" Emmanuel mocked Elias.

"No, not at all. However, I would like to be prepared for the operation that is considered 'high priority'," Elias replied calmly.

"Okay, let's move on!" Сhief interrupted the brewing argument between the two agents. "Castillo, could you fill us in on what you and Ramirez found out while collecting and analyzing the data?" 

"To be honest, we haven't found out much so far," Andres replied with a heavy sigh, "but there is one interesting thing. Although traces of the weapons lead from Colombia, the first mention of a 'new chemical superweapon' came from the Venezuelan criminal group El Murciélago. And not just a few weeks ago, but nearly a year ago, as our sources reported. If it is the same weapon that appears currently, of course."

"Hmm, go on," Guerrero said, listening intently.

"Yes! Ramirez, could you please show us the map?" at Castillo's request, the IT guy displayed a map of South America with red directional arrows on it. The analyst continued to explain, "As you can see, the information about the weapon was first spread through Venezuela. However, there was no evidence of any attempt to sell it on the black market, just rumors. After a while, everything calmed down and nothing was heard about it until recently."