"Here,” Alizeh extended the little gilded brooch to Agent Cyanide. She took it in her expert fingers, and pressed the middle two petals lightly. It depressed under the slight pressure. Another petal opened from the side and a tiny black camera rolled out. She dropped the camera wholly into the Nanochip reader as scintillating blue and green dots started appearing on her screen.

“Are they okay? I was so nervous with the cameras and all,” Alizeh shuffled gingerly on her feet as Agent Cyanide stared at her screen. A furrow was already forming between her brows as she paused and rewound, fast-forwarded at times, pouring over the footage.

“It’s not too clear but that'll do for now. At least we have an idea of how to enter,” she commented, still musing over the clips, “but we need to know beyond that too. What’s your plan?”

She twirled around in her chair suddenly, coming face to face with Alizeh.

“I need a perfectly clocked power cut and I need someone to do it. I can’t manage alone. That someone should be preferably invisible while doing the act. And whoever does this, needs to plan their own mode of escape as I can only transport one person besides me," Alizeh clarified. The plan was almost falling sequentially like the pieces in a domino. It was smooth, a bit flawed, but she was determined to bridge the other pieces of the domino for a smooth cascading end effect.

“Good. That can be managed by someone within their house, preferably by one of the opposition. Just run your little mind manipulation and ensure that the opposition gets to be present during the speech.”

“Can a bit of smoke and fire alarm be managed?” Alizeh had taken out her phone and was scribbling points.

“Not really unless there is such a system.”

“We'll find out,” she hastily scribbled something again, “or I could convince my target to believe that he heard the fire alarm.”

“Agent Z. May I say something? I know I am not your boss but…”

“You’re an important part of the plan now and your team is integral to the success of our plan. Operation End game wouldn’t be possible without us working hand in hand,” Alizeh looked up and straight into her eyes and smiled.

Cyanide took that as a permission, “Wouldn’t it be easier to manipulate the president to come out and then grab him?”

“Not really,” a voice chimed at the door as a man with a big chest and muscled arms walked in, grinning from ear to ear.

“This is Derek, our photographer, ambassador and spy. He has self-trained himself in combat,” Agent Cyanide introduced him with fondness twinkling in her eyes. Alizeh could see the hint of attraction in that little exchange. Derek, however, seemed to not notice those little signs as he plopped himself down on the little bench beside the big monitor and extended his hand.

Alizeh shook his hands, “So, you were saying something,” she hinted.

“Yes. It’s not feasible to kidnap the president from the midst of a crowd where he would have the highest imaginable security. The commandoes will be ready and tensed for action and any move on our part may result in cross-firing and injury,” he explained.

“Exactly," Alizeh seconded him, “In his own palace, the security would be relaxed and as his personal assistant, I get to stay near to him. Once the lights go off, it’ll be easier to lead him off in the panic. He would accompany me himself. That makes for an easier teleportation when the subject is willing.”

“Then you guys go ahead with your plans,” Agent Cyanide swivelled to the computer.

“Derek, I think I need you to go with me tomorrow. I need to introduce you as the photographer that will cover the event,” Alizeh asked.

“And pretend it’s my job to click a few strategic photos inside the building which are never allowed anyway,” Derek finished.

Alizeh’s eyes lit up with enthusiasm, “That’s great how you caught up on my plans.”

“Can any of you make a plan of that building? That'll make it easier to stage the siege,” Cyanide glanced from one to the other.

“Poor memory, bad drawing skills,” Derek shook his head.

“Memory okayish, but I draw like a kid,” Alizeh sighed.

“Did anyone say drawing?” a bubbly voice asked, just as hands closed Alizeh’s eyes from behind.

“Nina,” she squealed and realized her mistake. Quickly she bit down on her lips.
“It’s okay. They know me by my real name. We are a very few in here and we don’t go by the agent thing,” Nina happily flopped down beside Derek, pushing him aside with her butt.

The other two looked between the two of them, frowning in confusion.

“What are you two ogling at? She is…” Nina paused, quickly amending her words, “was my roommate on Cloud Nine.”

“I guess we should leave the past behind and concentrate on the future,” Alizeh realised her words came as unnecessarily rude but she didn’t want any discussion on Aileana to come up again, not when she needed to focus on the big plan now.

“Yeah, so I’m coming with you guys,” Nina shrugged.

“That’s a brilliant idea, Nina,” Cyanide’s eyes lit up.

“Maybe you could take her disguised as my assistant,” Derek added.

“I don’t want another friend involved in the game,” Alizeh hissed through her teeth.

“You don’t get to choose. It’s a war,” Nina’s eyes bored into Alizeh’s until she relaxed her shoulder and gave a small nod.

“That’s done then. You guys get your IDs ready," Alizeh got up, shuffling to the door. Once out of the room, she began walking fast towards their temporary accommodations on Cloud One. She was so distraught from the thought of Nina going out there, that she didn’t notice where she was going until she bumped into a solid chest.

“Whoa! Where are you running off in such a hurry?” Jurian picked her up from his chest and held her at an arm's length, looking at her tear-stained face?

Alizeh avoided his eyes, “Nowhere in particular.”

“Okay then, May I join you?”

Alizeh simply nodded as they started walking side by side.

“My lady has been too busy these days to come to her poor knight even once?” he asked to lighten up the mood.

“I need your help,” Alizeh blurted.

“Okay?” Jurian’s eyebrows shot up into his forehead.

“Promise me you’ll help me and not back out,” Alizeh looked straight up into his face.

“No,” Jurian said sharply.

“What? Don’t you love me? You can’t even promise me one little thing?” Alizeh’s voice rose an octave.

“Even you know how much I love you,” his eyes smouldered dangerously, “but you’ve got that look in your eyes which says you have a bizarre idea that may get you killed, so no. I won’t support you through your crazy plans.”

“How do you know? How do you fucking know everything?” Alizeh hit his chest with her gentle hands in a desperate show of anger.

“Liz, what is it?” he fondled her in his arms, speaking softly.

“I don’t want you to come with me for the final step of this plan,” Alizeh hugged him tightly, her arms barely able to encircle the full girth of him.

“We practised together, we’re in this together,” Jurian replied deadpan, “I love you.”

Alizeh’s lips actively sought out the hot, cosy bed of Jurian’s mouth. The heat of their combined bodies lit up an inferno of desires in her. She wanted to be able to forget her culture and her barriers and let their bodies be reunited, once and for all in a frenzied firework of lust. Instead they just kissed each other, melting in the embrace to form a puddle of two molten soul, in one vessel.