<span style="font-style: italic">Excellent.</span>Hanz-Eren smiled at Alexia, tapping his cigarette over the ashtray to get rid of the excess ash on its tip. Adjusting his tie, he took a pause for effect before nodding to her. "Indeed, but let's disregard the rules for the time being. If you impress me, I will be able to recommend you warmly to my friend without having to lie. And yes, this place takes good care of its regulars. Not only the military ones." He leant back in his chair, awaiting Alexia's reponse, but was aborted by the waiter who approached him with an apologetic smile.<br/><br/>"<span style="font-style: italic">Herr</span>Händler, you have a phone call." Hanz-Eren looked at the waiter with a perked eyebrow. He then turned to Alexia, mirroring the waiter's apologetic smile. He stumped his cigarette and rose from his seat. "My apologies, miss Schutlze. I will be back momentraily."<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">Moments later, in the backroom</span><br/><br/>Hanz-Eren took up the phone and placed it to his ear. He kept his tone professional but slightly muted, ensuring noone was eavesdropping. "Hanz-Eren Händler." The voice on the other side of the phone was a familiar one, the voice of his CO. "<span style="font-style: italic">Kamerat</span>Händler, I have news for you. And they are bad. Major Savrinev, the GRU officer from our meeting, seems to be bolder than anticipated. he is using his contacts to put a stick in your spokes. I am working on circumventing the problem, but for now, your office will be protected by Spetznaz operatives. He seems dissatisfied with the protection Stasi can offer you."<br/>Hanz-Eren cursed. "<span style="font-style: italic">Scheiße</span>. How long until we can replace them?" His CO sighed. "I doubt it'll happen until a few weeks from now. Until then, your movements are impeded. These operatives do not have the major's clearance, so you cannot let them know you are KGB. Understood?" Hanz-Eren sighed, deeply, cheeks flushed in fury. He clenches his fist to the point of paling. "Yes, sir. I understand." A small pause. "Permission to use available means to detatch them?" His CO chuckles. "This is why you're given the responsibility you are,<span style="font-style: italic">Kamerat</span>Händler. You may do as you please. If they seem incompetent, it'll be easier to have them removed. Try not to have them killed, though."<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">Back in the restaurant, a few moments later</span><br/><br/>Hanz-Eren approached the table where Alexia sat, smiling. His face seemed friendly, though the features had hardened and his cheeks betrayed discomfort. "My apologies, miss Schultze. It is the nature of my work, I am afraid, that I am sometimes interrupted in my daily routine." He had a seat and let out a bit of a sigh. "Well, then, where were we?"