aoiremart:

👈 Capitolo precedente: clicca qui

📂 Read in ENGLISH: here

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– “Non riesce a capirlo, signor Savage?” –

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Data: 6 Gennaio 2010

Luogo: Portanova - Perimetro del GSD

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Nonostante le premesse non fossero state delle migliori, Jack fu sollevato nel constatare che il resto della riunione si poté svolgere senza troppi intoppi, consentendogli di conoscere più nel dettaglio la natura della sua missione e di farsi un’idea del lavoro che lo attendeva.

L’operazione prevedeva una permanenza minima all’estero di tre mesi e l’assunzione di una seconda identità fino al termine del lavoro; inoltre, come aveva già anticipato Walker, il supporto fornitogli dal GSD sarebbe stato minimo e principalmente telematico – il che, sostanzialmente, significava che non ci sarebbe stato nessuno a coprirgli fisicamente le spalle. Col senno di poi, forse la lepre poteva capire gli scrupoli dei due mammiferi, o quanto meno non vederli come una mancanza di fiducia nei suoi confronti; tuttavia, non cambiava il fatto che Jack avesse ormai preso la sua decisione e che non aveva alcuna intenzione di tirarsi indietro; non aveva scelto di diventare un Agente per raccogliere fiori, e avrebbe sottolineato questo punto ad ogni occasione possibile.

Dopo aver dato un’ultima lettura ai documenti cartacei che la collega gli aveva fornito alla fine dell’incontro, Jack si allontanò con una leggera spinta dal muro su cui era appoggiato e si guardò intorno. Era quasi mezzogiorno e il piano a cui si trovava l’ufficio del Colonnello era pressoché deserto, così come doveva essere il resto dell’edificio. Non c’era da stupirsi, considerando il periodo dell’anno in cui si trovavano. Ben pochi mammiferi avrebbero lavorato sotto le festività natalizie, una scelta che appariva a Jack tanto sensata quanto distante dal suo stile di vita.

Dopotutto, non è che lui avesse grandi motivi per non voler lavorare nei giorni di festa: non aveva una famiglia a cui fare ritorno né una compagna con cui trascorrere il suo tempo libero…

Però, era convinto che Walker ce li avesse.

Una famiglia, quella del Colonnello, e anche un compagno – bella com’era, oggettivamente parlando, era improbabile che non stesse uscendo con nessuno. Eppure, a giudicare dal lavoro che aveva svolto in preparazione alla missione che li attendeva, era estremamente probabile che avesse passato l’ultimo mese tra indagini interne e pianificazioni, concedendosi ben pochi momenti di pausa… se non addirittura nessuno.

Walker era una stacanovista esattamente quanto lo era lui, anche se in un modo diverso. Jack non avrebbe dovuto sorprendersi, eppure qualcosa non gli tornava. Perché la collega non avrebbe dovuto approfittare delle ferie invernali per riposare, anziché…

“Che ci fa ancora qui?”

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aoiremart:

👈 Previous chapter: here

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– “Don’t you get it, Mr. Savage?” –

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Date: January 6, 2010

Place: Portanova - GSD Perimeter

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Despite the not-so-optimistic premises, Jack was relieved that the rest of the meeting could be carried out without too many hitches, allowing him to acquire a detailed knowledge of the nature of his mission and get a more accurate idea of the work that awaited him.

The operation provided for a minimum stay abroad of three months and the assumption of a second identity until the end of the work; moreover, as Walker had already anticipated, the support provided to him by the Agency would have been minimal and mostly by communication – which basically meant that there would be no one to cover his shoulders physically. The hare could now understand the scruples of the two mammals and not see them as a lack of trust in him; however, it didn’t change the fact that Jack had already made his decision, with no intention of pulling back; he hadn’t chosen to become an Agent to pick flowers in the field, and he intended to point this fact out whenever he could.

After giving the documents Walker had given him at the end of the meeting one last reading, Jack pushed himself away from the wall on which he was leaning and looked around. It was almost noon, and the floor was nearly deserted, just like the rest of the building. No wonder, considering what time of year it was. Few mammals would have worked during the Christmas holidays, a choice that seemed to Jack as logical as it was far away from his lifestyle.

In fact, he had no particular reasons to not work on holidays: he lacked a family to return to, nor did he have a partner to spend his free time with.

However, he thought that Walker did.

A family, the Colonel’s family, and even a fiancé – as beautiful as she was, objectively speaking, it was unlikely that the vixen wasn’t dating anyone. And yet, judging by the amount of work she had flawlessly done in preparation for the mission that awaited them, it could be concluded that she had spent the last month between internal investigations and masterminding the upcoming operation, allowing herself only a few moments off… if any.

Walker was a workaholic, just as much as he was, although one of a different kind. Jack shouldn’t have been surprised, and yet something didn’t quite sit well with him. Why wouldn’t she put to use the winter holidays to rest, instead of…

“What are you still doing here?”

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rem289:

aoiremart:

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“It’s not acceptable; simply not acceptable.” Jack Savage’s grievances could be heard in the deserted hallway as he stalked toward the Colonel’s office with his paws shoved in the depths of his pocket. “When did the organizing of this place start to leave this much to be desired?”

Behind him, a certain arctic vixen was tagging along with him, struggling a bit to keep his brisk pace. She listened to his voice, usually so calm and collected, coloring itself with indignation, and a resigned smile couldn’t help but curl her lips as she said: “You’re not exaggerating things just a little? It’ll only be for a few days, you don’t need to…”

Pivoting on the heel of his right foot-paw, Jack turned to her, quick as a gust of wind. “I had specifically asked not to be assigned to any mission without you, for the time being”, the hare asserted, frowning with clear dissatisfaction, “and I absolutely won’t compromise on this matter.”

“Jack…”

“No, it’s a point of principle. I’ve clearly stated to the CEO my intention to not leave your side, given the current situation, and I distinctly remember I had been granted this request, ergo…” Jack went on rambling, exposing the reasons for his protest with the utmost punctuality. Cynthia nodded, repeatedly, secretly flattered by all that eagerness but unable to share it with him ultimately. He would have to leave for four days and, of course, Cynthia knew it would be four long days for both of them, but… how could she, even for a split second, be dissatisfied while looking at his indignation? He was so precious that… “… Cynthia?” The hare stopped in his tracks and watched her as his expression slowly changed from discontent to abashment. “W… what are you doing?”

“Nothing”, she replied, despite the distance between their muzzles having just shortened by a good four inches, “Just listening to your ranting.”

“No, um, I mean… why are you leaning towards me?”

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this story literally melted my guts. It gave me a lot of inspiration and good feelings, which I’m always happy to share with you❤