"Well if you were able to hear what I said, I guess there isn't much more to say, except for what company I represent and where its holdings are," Hayes said, slowly taking a seat in front of the monitor.
"So the big question is," he muttered, staring directly into the eyes on the screen, "Just how interested you really are."
[color=#33CCFF]I am very interested. The research there requires a constant stream of supplies that are not always accepted by the public. But what interests me even more is how you exactly came to know of my little base? Afterall, its uncharted, and for a good reason. Your knowledge of this worries me... tell me, what exactly do you know about it?
"Well," he started off slowly, "Let's just say I talked to some friends in high places. Places where you made your bid for that so-called 'construction' project'."
He leaned back a bit, losing a bit of his carefree appearance. That portion of the story was fairly flimsy; his "source" had attained it from another "source" which may or may not have been accurate, or legal for that matter. But Hayes was never one for subtlety, hence why he'd walked up to OCULUS' doorstep.
Of course, there were only a few roads to go down when the first thing out of your target's mouth was "What else do you know about it?"
The truth was that he knew very little.
The truth was also that the less Mr. Heliox knew he knew, the better off he was.
"The fact of the matter," he continued, coolly, "is that I know about it. No going back from that, so we have to go on from here."
Vague, foreboding.
He'd been in the business long enough to know how interrogations worked.
Something moved around in the darkness. One of the dozens of faint lights shifted slightly and moved a few inches before stopping, then everything was still. The face on the screen continued.
What is it you are exactly looking to receive from this deal Mr. Hayes? You are taking quite the risk coming here, asking for a peice of the pie, when you know not what kind it even is.
[color=#FFFFFF]The face on the screen smiled
I know very little about you Mr. Hayes. How do I know your not some LSF Jackal, or BDM wolf? The very fact that you have knowledge of that base makes me question your sources. You will find that all involved in the construction of that base, have been "handled". As I said, your deal interests me, but your knowledge interests me even more. I'm afraid I cant let you leave this room untill I am sure about who you are exactly.
[color=#FFFFFF]The man on the screen leaned forward, smiling...
[color=#33CCFF]I am sure you are very interested to know what exactly I am doing there. So, tell me Mr. Hayes, what exactly are you willing to do to learn about it?
I'm sure you are a man of your word Mr. Hayes. But in this business, actions speak louder then words. If you wish to procede, you are going to have to prove you are capable of breaking the law Mr. Hayes, to confirm you are not a spy.
[color=#FFFFFF]The man smiled, and put a file in front of him. The screen flickered
[color=#33CCFF]I have a little task for you, provided you accept. I hope you make the right choice Mr. Hayes.
No matter what you know, I cant let just anyone near the base, or even onboard for that matter. Doing so could jeopardize my entire work if you were to reveal the contents of that base. But not to worry, I have just the test for you.
[color=#FFFFFF]The mans smile was somewhat evil. A spotlight came on just to the right of the man in the pitch black room. It flickered over what looked like a man's silhouette, before coming fully on and exposing a man strapped to a chair with a bag over his head.
In the drawer just below you, you will find a knife Mr. Hayes. I want you to walk over, and ram it into his chest.
[color=#FFFFFF]The man kept his smile on the entire time.
His name, or what he has done is of little concern to you. You simply need walk over and stab him in the heart. Do so, and I can trust you are ready to keep a secret, because now I hold one of yours.
[color=#FFFFFF]The man was cold and worst of all calculating. He leaned back watching to see what happened next.
He pulled the drawer open and, sure enough, there was a nondescript knife inside. Black handle, reflective blade, as plain and deadly as ever.
So much for that idea.
To accumulate evidence having committed a murder in the process would do little to achieve anything. The simple fact was that this man was trying to incriminate him in order to assure his silence, and in such a way that even an investigation for a legitimate organization would be completely discredited. In fact, had his fingerprints not been removed quite some time ago, merely picking up the knife would have sealed his fate.
Contingencies it was.
He casually grabbed the knife, slid the drawer shut and took to his feet. Maintaining his cover, he played with the knife, paying more attention to its detail. Almost predictably its markings had been removed; had it been used as evidence against him, nothing would have linked the knife with OCULUS to begin with.
"So why isn't this guy's identity important to me?" he asked while walking over, rubbing a hand along his sleeve and briefly brushing against his wristwatch, "Is he one of those people you had 'handled' by any chance?"
Roy sat in his luxurious chair through the video feed.
You could say he stuck his nose, where it shouldn't of been. Betrayal doesn't go unnoticed, not in this corporation. Jeopardize our goals... fail to achieve results, and your up for review.
[color=#FFFFFF]The man in the chair raised his bag covered head. He began to mumble as if trying to scream.