The Cochrane Date

[Maxwell Tarn]

Maxwell slipped a hand into the pocket of his blue slacks and retrieved a small rectangular card of "digital paper;" a thin sandwich-like arrangement of micro-electronics layered within nano-printed crystal and clear plastic that would display information when the right fingerprint was exposed to its sensors. He rested his other hand behind his back casually, his expression bemused on the surface but with a wary narrowing in his eyes.

"Torture," he said, as he held the card out to Kurumi, "is quite relative. I guess you could say that it and space-time share that particular quality. But the fact remains that I'm here to deliver this message from the Provocateur, and my interruption was quite unintentional. Consider my joking... Just a lighthearted moment between colleagues."

He tried to give the impression of a genuine smile, but it was plain that he didn't seem to believe what he said. Perhaps it was the look of pure malice that Wolfgang gave him that had prompted him to re-think his personal security.

"The information on this card is for your eyes only. Provocateur Yoshida selects only the most capable agents, and with your skills in mind I'm positive he's given you something worthwhile to pursue."