<div class="floatleft">(http://i49.tinypic.com/f43dok.jpg)</div><table class="bbc_table"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Character name:</strong></td><td>Nikita Stack</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Location:</strong> </td><td>Château's main entrance</td></tr><tr><td><strong>With:</strong> </td><td>Maria von Trapp</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Doing:</strong> </td><td> Being a smug bitch.</td></tr></tbody></table><br/><hr/><br/>Nikita's eyes ran around the options which were present to her at the bar. To be honest, right now she would have killed for some fine wine but whilst on duty? She followed certain strict principles. And one of them was not to indulge in any alcoholic, psychoactive or synthesized drugs of any kind no matter how much fun they would be. Unless of course, if her cover specifically demanded for her to be under the influence. It wasn't the case of her being unable to retain a sense of her actions under the influence and more of her preferring to enjoy her vices in a friendly and enjoyable environment. So, Maria had gone for Coca Cola.<br/><br/>It was almost a miracle, but the compahy had kept on going strong despite of the numerous economic meltdowns and struggles which the world economy had experienced in recent times. Whilst others continued to face debacles, Coca Cola had steadily expanded, being available in the most remote of the regions. Some even joked that Coca Cola products were available amply in regions where people were dying of thirst. They had bought out their nearest rival, Pepsi with ease and by virtue of that had become undisputed kings of the market.<br/><br/>"I think I shall have the same." She spoke rather plainly, her eyes tracing every movement Maria made with wide eyed amusement. She was playing obsessive fangirl to perfection and how much fun it was going to be, exploiting Maria's absolute social ineptness, she mused. She took the seat next to Maria, getting comfortable and then came the sudden question.<br/><br/>"You can call me Tisha if that is what makes you feel comfortable Maria." She thinly smiled and rubbed her chin.<br/><br/>Shit, Tisha's speech..Nikita rapidly accessed her records, taking a sip of the drink. For all her prowess in disguising herself and numerous subjects Nikita was hardly any good when it came down to the complicated technological issues like the one which was hurled at her despite her best possible research. Primarily, because it was a subject which was very niche. Almost<em>too</em>niche if one might say so. So, Tisha's speciality, much like Maria's was genetic research and the possibilities of a post-human future just might be. An era in which we as species just might be able to harness and tame our subconscious according to our own will and maybe even connect on a collective state. Potentially a world without cybernetic implants as our own capacities are fully realized. Damn, Jung would have been proud of some of this. Nikita pondered, chuckling inside and took a deep breath. So here was another carefully calculated bluff as information and transcripts of Tisha's previously published research was flashing in front of her.<br/><br/>"As for the research, hmm...I must confess I am at a standstill right now. I keep on stumbling over the prototype, even a hypothetical one which shall allow us to realize the full capabilities of our brain, tinker it to the extent of having photogenic memory but the probable side effects it may end up presenting. For instanc,e how shall it affect other senses? And most importantly, how to nudge just the right centers, without the treatments which are meant to 'ignite' these centers in our mind, our psyche. The Third Eye is what I call it, potentially also presents a possibility of 'growing' beings in a rapid manner. An eight year old girl can possess maturity and insight of a thirty year old woman thereby providing us with a more productive, efficient society in general...in theory at least!" Nikita finished and took a deep breath. Now came the element of uncertainty. Just how convincing was this complete, utter bullshit which she had built up from the bits and pieces of information which she was able to register and process in the short span which she had taken between the question being asked and her answer.