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."Bo-Qin, who was staring at the two of them coldly rather than eating his soup, gaveBoyd a skeptical look."Why should we need your intelligence? Xiaolian has led ourorganization for many years without needing the help of any other group let aloneanother nation."Xiaolian raised one slim eyebrow and chewed a mouthful of shredded pork as her eyesflicked from Boyd to Sin and back again."True," Boyd allowed, tilting his head forward in acknowledgment and taking a sip of soup.He watched Bo-Qin for a moment before shifting his gaze to Xiaolian."But if yourintelligence was flawless, you would not have lost five people outside Shashi twomonths ago and the seven civilians caught in the crossfire would most likely still bealive.We received word of Nouvelle Ligue's involvement a day before the attack and,had we been allies, we would have been happy to share it with you."Bo-Qin frowned but Xiaolian's mouth just turned upwards as she twirled an emptyteacup in one hand.One of the waiters, a diminutive young man with long black hairand delicate features, appeared instantly to refill her cup.His hair slid forward slightly and his dark eyes remained downcast as though he knewbetter than to look too closely at the people who surrounded the table.After refillingXiaolian and Boyd's cups, the waiter slid backwards to disappear into the depths of thedim restaurant.Bo-Qin's narrowed eyes tracked him for a moment before returning tohis wife.In the Company of ShadowsInterludes"Your agency is not as invisible as it would like to believe," she said with a humorless smile."We know who you watch and I know you likely have intelligence on a number ofour enemies due to the fact that you are technically a part of the government of the USAeven if that secret is a dirty and hidden one."She set the cup down."However even if your information could have saved the lives ofmy countrymen and my comrades, I do not know if it is worth it to risk the safety ofscores more by inviting such an untrustworthy organization into my bed.""Untrustworthy?" Boyd repeated lightly, curling one hand around his cup and raising his eyebrows."What leads you to say that?""Americans are notoriously untrustworthy," Bo-Qin replied with an edge in his tone."How is it that you believe the war started?"Sin rolled his eyes and Xiaolian patted her husband's hand lightly as if she werehushing a child."While Bo-Qin is quite right about governments, yours especially, beingcapable of betrayal-- your organization in particular has stuck its nose in my affairs onmore than one occasion."Xiaolian's eyes briefly met Sin's and she smiled grimly."But Hsin's intrusion upon ourbases wasn't the only attempt.We know your agency has made others."Boyd watched Xiaolian and Bo-Qin."The only times the Agency has infiltrated Di Zhibases have been to gather intelligence," he said, dipping the spoon into the soup beforehe rested it against the side; the spoon made a muffled noise as it touched the bowl.Heshifted his hand toward his cup."We were determining whose side Di Zhi was on and itis based on the information we gathered, that the location was in part to keep a closereye on Janus and to break up their stronghold, that we determined your organizationcould be a powerful ally."Boyd raised the cup to his lips and paused, adding mildly, "Unless there was anotherreason Di Zhi chose to create several bases on American soil when the Agency has yetto return the favor in China?"Xiaolian stared at him for a moment before looking at Sin directly.She asked himsomething in Mandarin to which he replied with a shrug and a brief response of his own.In the Company of ShadowsInterludesXiaolian's eyes returned to Boyd and she pushed her empty bowl away."If you have asuspicion about Di Zhi I recommend you ask directly.Clever word play and sarcasmmakes you appear smug.A very unattractive attribute.""I have no suspicion," Boyd replied, shaking his head minutely and setting the cupdown.He watched her seriously, taking into account her reproach and adjusting his plansaccordingly."Everything we have so far seen of Di Zhi shows that your organizationdoes not waver from its professed goals, that although Di Zhi is a formidable group ithas not fallen to the ruthless ploys, empty propaganda and scare tactics as have manyother groups, Janus especially.It has thus far seemed that Di Zhi does not need to doany of this in order to grow its numbers or fight its battles and that is one reason Di Zhiis of interest to the Agency."Xiaolian studied him for a long moment before inclining her head.The effeminate waiterreappeared with two waitresses and they quickly removed the first group of mealsbefore replacing it with a main course of braised meats with accompanying side dishes.She picked up her chopsticks and it was Bo-Qin who said, "Because you say you neverhad hostile intention towards us does not mean you can be trusted.You could use us tohelp rid Asia and Eastern Europe of the spread of Janus and decide to dispose of usafterward.What guarantee do we have that we will not be betrayed?""I have no guarantee but our word," Boyd said honestly, looking over at Bo-Qin."There is no way to prove it short of that not happening in the future so it ultimately comesdown to trust."Bo-Qin scoffed and Xiaolian arched an eyebrow."I think quite more will be required thanyour word.Loyalty is something that must be proven."Sin finally dragged his bored looking green-eyed gaze from the idle staring match he'dbeen having with Ton
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