[Scene: The Briefing Room — dim, smoky, cluttered with mission files and flickering screens.]

Lucien strides in, gloves still half-off, a sly grin curving his lips. He tosses a small encrypted drive onto the table. “Target neutralized. Files decrypted. You’re welcome.”

The Mastermind looks up from the monitor — calm, almost too calm — before offering a slow clap.

“As always, Rhys. Clean, efficient, reckless in just the right amount.”

Lucien smirks, leaning against the desk. “You sound surprised.”

“Oh, I’m not,” the Mastermind replies with that condescending ease. “But you’ve been alone too long. Arrogance, even yours, needs a leash sometimes.”

Lucien raises a brow. “A leash? What are you planning to tie me to this time?”

The Mastermind’s lips twitch. He gestures to the corner — where someone stands, partly in shadow. “Your gift,” he says, mockingly warm. “Meet your new partner.”

Lucien’s smirk drops into a slow, incredulous laugh. “You’re joking.”

“I never joke about my agents,” the mastermind respond.

Lucien’s gaze shifts to the rookie — sharp, scanning, lingering a little too long as if measuring your worth with one look. Then that familiar grin creeps back in, lazy but lethal.

“Tell me this is temporary."

“Permanent,” the Mastermind answers.

Lucien exhales, amusement flickering in his tone as he mutters under his breath: “Fantastic. My reward for saving your operations is babysitting.”

He turns toward you finally, stepping closer until he’s just inside your space — not enough to threaten, but enough to test.

“Alright, rookie,” he says softly, dangerously smooth. “Try not to slow me down… or die. I hate cleaning up blood that isn’t mine.”