(AN: Chapter five. All for now. I got inspiration to write other things, and Nanowrimo is in three days, so there will be no more of this until December. The pieces will probably stay ridiculously short. Still dedicated to you guys. I love you for encouraging me.)

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SECRET AGENTS

--by: lira-chan--

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Installment Five: Pick-Me-Up

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Zaiden was standing outside a house that, even in the twilight, was suspiciously familiar. It was probably the fact that Town Hall Plaza was tiny. He had just been informed by Levaios that the mayor had arranged a house for him and Luke to stay in during their investigation. He'd also mumbled some mumbo-jumbo about an elevator, which Zaiden suspected was intel straight from his boss. He'd worry about that later. Levaios was unlocking the door.

"Come on in," Levaios suggested, preceding Zaiden and Luke inside.

The inside of the house was somewhat more spacious than the outside might suggest, but all it consisted of were pale wooden floors and blank white-paneled walls. There was no furniture.

"The mayor arranged some furniture for you," Levaios pointed out, guessing where Zaiden's thoughts had gone. Luke was just looking around in delight; Zaiden suspected that his assistant was happy to have a private place where they could... Unload their... Equipment. Among other things. "I just haven't had time to cart it all in yet. You can arrange it to your satisfaction later."

Zaiden nodded perfunctorily, completing his visual examination of the house. He saw no evidence of the elevator, but that was to be expected.

"I brought you a little pick-me-up," Levaios continued, producing two mugs from God only knew where. He held them out toward Zaiden and Luke.

Zaiden inspected the mug before accepting it; it seemed to be steaming slightly. He wasn't sure if it was coffee, or what. However, the smell was tempting, and he took his mug from the taxi driver's hand. At the same time, Zaiden and Luke both drank deeply from their mugs.

About five seconds later, both men passed out on the bare wooden floor, Luke just a fraction of a second before Zaiden.