#miura and ström aren't fun

[mythlived]

[Rasmus] ♂

❛  From the Outside In !  

♂ - … My muse’s father

     [ ┊♟┊ ]  ━  There was silence as Tsuyoshi stared at the data that had been relayed to him over the phone. Rasmus was a good agent. He did what he was told, he killed when he was asked and had no qualms about it, he had no partners that led him astray. He did exactly as he was told. Yet, there were times when his information was lacking. He had mentioned months ago that he had found the deserter, but had run into complications and refused to elaborate on their nature. There had been mention of an unsuspecting informant, but no explanation of what he meant by that. Not only that, but he also managed to dance around an answer when he was asked what was taking so long in disposing of the loose end. A masterpiece in some ways, a complete failure in others. He was willing to put up with some things, considering the agent’s outstanding record, but he was becoming impatient and was not the only one. 

Dr. Ström had raised concerns when Tsuyoshi had mentioned Rasmus’ unwillingness to elaborate on the aforementioned complications and the informant. His most recent information, Tsuyoshi imagined, would only put her even more ill at ease. It had certainly upended most of his thought processes for the day. He had been stuck on one note and one note only for the past several hours. 

                           Someone had tried to befriend the agent.

             The agent refused to say who. Inconsequential, he had said. 

No, that was not sitting well with the scientist. He knew it would not sit well with Ström either. It was probable that Ström would suggest sending someone into the field after him or to help him. That, Tsuyoshi knew, would not go well. They had not taught him to work with others. It was likely Rasmus had his own plan, but if nothing else, he knew the agent was loyal to them, to the organization, to their cause. Regardless of complications, he would get it done. At least, he could only hope that was the case. If it were not… Well, they would end up with far too many research subjects dead to have any viable results. They would have to start over. No. No, no, no. Losing their research was the last thing they could do. No. It was not even an option. The loss of their research would mean a loss in their lives, he and Ström had put far too much into this to lose it because of two or three agents losing sight of the untold end goal. He needed to call her into his own office. If nothing else Ström would be able to look at things with a clearer mind.

He clicked on an intercom.  ❝  Dr. Ström, if you could meet me for data collection, please.  ❞  It was a phrase he used often to avoid letting the agents-in-training know there was some sort of crisis, whether it be within the walls of the compound or without. It seemed to be working thus far.

It only took her a total of ten minutes to reach his door from wherever she had been before. Not bothering to knock, she swept in as if she owned the whole operation. Which, he supposed, she did. But he did too.  ❝  What is so important that you pulled me away from our most recent subject  ?  ❞  A specimen that had been born blind, Sigrid had been intent on seeing how it was affected by their research. Would it stay blind  ?  Would they be able to induce sight through their own means  ?  Even he had been lost in their most current results until he been reminded to check in with their field agents. Until Rasmus had given him reason to upturn the table of his thoughts entirely. 

❝  Unfortunately,  ❞  he said, sliding the notes he had taken toward her, the highlighted note sticking out in stark contrast to the rest even across the desk, ❝  Rasmus has neglected to offer important information, again. He refused to give the name of his informant and has refused the name of this one as well.  ❞  He watched as her eyes flitted from one side of the page over and over, as if she had not read it correctly the first time. 

❝  Send one more. Just to check in.  ❞  She slid the paper back toward him, posture stiff. 

❝  You think he wouldn’t notice them  ?  ❞  It was a slim chance that he or the deserter would not notice an extra agent being sent into the field. 

❝  Of course he’ll notice them. If it’s a threat he needs, then it’s a threat he’ll get,  ❞  she said. She arched an eyebrow at him, as if wondering whether he had truly asked such a ridiculous question. Nonetheless, he pressed his lips into a thin line as he studied her. Always one for action, even when she was clear-headed. He was worried too, certainly, but Rasmus was a special case in a number of ways. Intelligence, socialization, role, and a plethora of other things were different about the agent because they had chosen to build him from the ground up. It was likely he would be more attuned to their movements than another agent could be. They had trusted him with far more than any one agent should have been trusted for. 

Tsuyoshi sighed, sitting forward and glancing one more at the data he had been given. ❝  Any sign of deviant behavior and we’ll send another agent. Until then, we should leave him be. It may be more harmful to show a sign of distrust now than to show one later. ❞  It was hard for him to be certain, but Rasmus’ track record could not be ignored. 

❝  And what  ?  Hope that it isn’t too late  ?  He’s been out for months in the same city as Rhys. What if all of our data is false and Rasmus is feeding us lies  ?  ❞  Anger sparked for a moment in Sigrid’s expression, but she schooled it quickly enough for Tsuyoshi to question if it had ever been there in the first place. But that was a question for another time. 

He scoffed, shaking his head. ❝  Dr. Ström. If he was developing any sort of personality, we would know. If our data was false, we would know. It would change. He would try too hard to keep it from being obvious, no  ?  ❞  

Nevertheless, the seeds of doubt had already been sown. Going through the agents best fit to trace the untraceable would be the next matter on his agenda. They would not be blindsided by betrayal again. 

@duskfloret​