The Agency: ICE (Book 1)

Chapter 7: The Certification Ceremony

"I still can't believe you work for the government."

"I've been working for them for almost a decade now. And there's a lot that they've taught me."

"Yeah? Rasakazhi mne primer."

"Fix your pronunciation first."

"Ah! I'm hurt! I'm trying, alright?"

"Hehe! I know, I know. At least you know how to speak it. I'm surprised you can even say the words without rolling your 'r''s."

"Gracias. But what have they taught you?"

"We go by 3 basic rules: don't tell confidencial information, don't tell private information, and don't trust anyone who works for an enemy."

"What if your plan is to... 'trust' an enemy in order to get to their weakness?"

"Well, without government authority, I can't do that. I'm a Scout, not a Spy. I search and rescue, not hide and steal."

"So it would essentially be a suicide mission for you to do something alone when it comes to government business?"

"Da."

"What about personal business?"

"...what do you mean by that?"

"Like if someone were to sabotage an enemy that has ties but it's not necessarily government related, would it still be as risky?"

"Either way, you're alone. You'd need to have some ties yourself in order to accomplish whatever it is you're trying to do. Especially when the person might have some good ties themselves, like you said..."

"..."

"...What's with the look?"

"Nothing. I'm just thinking of a random scenario that wouldn't happen."

"Niki, eres imposible."

"Work on your pronunciation, darling."

"You— okay, I deserve it."

****

I took a deep breath as I buttoned up my shirt up to the base of the collar. I turned my head to look at both sides of my hair and beard, making sure I had styled and moisturized them properly. I scanned my face to make sure I covered any blemishes. Today was a very special event, and I had to make sure I made a good first impression on the hosts. Albeit I knew a couple of them, but there were some that I would be meeting for the first time.

"AHHH!" A high pitched shout came from my doorway. "Bad Papa! Put on your pants!"

I turned to see that Anna was now running around my room, doing anything except look at me. I wasn't completely naked. Aside from my shirt, I also had on boxers. But of course, Anna would always dress code me. I've taught her well.

"Mne zhal', bebé," I said as she ran into my walk-in closet. "Think you could pick out a suit and matching pants for me while you're running around in there?"

"Okay, Papa!" She said as her green dress flowed behind her when she ran.

She wasn't a rowdy child, so I trusted that she wouldn't just pull on something to get it off the hangers. I heard some clicking of hangers as Anna moved the clothes from side to side. She then started talking to herself in baby talk as well as Spanish.

"What will Papa look handsome in?" She would say. Or "What do people like about him? What do I like about him?"

Eventually, after smiling and laughing over her monologue, I walked into the closet to go check on her. When I walked in, she was staring at a maroon colored suit. I had gotten that suit as a gift from my brother Manuel a few months back, but I had never gotten a chance to wear it. I guess today could be the day I wear it.
I walked up to Anna and kneeled to her height. "You like this one?" I asked.