Tais-Toi

Chapter Forty-Three

A few hours of waiting for the verdict of the meeting have passed when I hear some short knocks on my bedroom door. I sprint to the door and almost stumble over a box of files. Doddering, I arrive at the door and open it like nothing happened. Ryan enters and takes a seat on the only chair I have in my room.

Of course, take a seat. No problem. I show in sign language while taking a seat on my bed. He ignores my ironic remark and takes the bull by its horns.

"So... We've had a few rough discussions and we've come to an agreement. Some of them weren't really happy with your request. Others could place themselves into your situation. We explained your backstory and about your mother, about your theory and about your intentions. I told them you just want to check if you're theory is heading the right direction. If not, you'll change the direction. You also don't want to distract agents from their real mission." He takes a pause, making sure I know I haven't actually said those things, but that they are expected from me. I look at him, waiting until he continues. He seems to be thinking how he can tell me best. I know something isn't right and he seems to want to avoid it. "We decided that you can contact our agent, but there are very strict rules." I jump up, on the inside. Still, there's something that doesn't feel right.

What rules?

"First of all, when you contact her, someone from her team should always be present, no exception. If not, you know the consequences. Second, you don't discuss her, mention her or anything else to the people here that don't have anything to do with her or your mission. Otherwise, you'll get jealous agents." Like agent Talin, I add. "Third rule, you can't talk to her for more than ten minutes. We have to avoid any risk of blowing her cover. I repeat, her cover can't get blown. This is an ultra-secret mission. No one can know about a CIA-agent inside Visioned. It's for her own safety, but also for yours and many other agents. Therefore, there will be consequences if you disobey. Fourth, everything you do must be reported to me. Every decision you make must pass through me. Fifth,"

Is he ever going to stop? I get it, I can't do anything dangerous or anything that can bring the agent inside Visioned in danger. "You can't stay here. If you stay here, you'll risk to expose the location of the HQ. Sixth, don't do anything stupid, like bringing civilians in danger. Don't kill or get killed. And I mean it for everyone on your team. You don't kill, okay? And the last rule: this mission will be classified as a real mission. A field operation. You'll get a lot of criticism. Don't listen to it. Don't get weak. Don't let it jeopardise your mission. Of course, you won't be doing this on your own. You will have a team that will have your back. That doesn't mean you're a real agent here. You're a temporary agent. When your mission ends, you're done here and with the CIA. You won't come back because it's too dangerous. I don't know how I can stress the importance more. You can't discuss anything you've done here and I'll let you sign a form for this." Again silence. Am I supposed to say anything? "Let me introduce you to your team."