The Present.

"His name is Nikolai Ivanov." Serghei continued, his confidence in his information evident. "You will have little trouble finding him, because he is very frank, very indiscrete. The very antithesis of a spy." He scoffed, his eyes off to the side, glaring at the memory of this fraud.

Serghei's gaze returned to the sensual, but malevolent Gale. "Even has the gall to wear his most sensitive intel on his person as a pen-drive on a bolo-tie." Serghei explained. "Except, curiously -- The intel is never on the drive when he is brought in for questioning."

Gale found that information very interesting. It's quite common for individuals possessing valuable information to rely on a "mule," a person who travels frequently across oceans and foreign territories, evading the grasp of any one authority.

"Is that so? Hmm." Gale pondered aloud, nibbling on her gloved finger. "Ivanov wouldn't happen to have male friends, one always on hand, who travel internationally on a regular basis, would he?" Gale asked, turning her emerald gaze toward Serghei.

"Why... Da, Da! Ivanov does!" Serghei confirmed. His experience in espionage allowed him to come to the same epiphany as Gale. "Abdul-Qadeer Almaerifuh: A club owner; always taking cruises..."

"Meh," Gale parried, unimpressed.

"And William Barnett -- A serviceman, as I recall," Serghei added, saving his best information for last, "Married; consistently stationed overseas... Currently missing." Serghei finished, with a raised eyebrow towards Gale, knowing she would find that coincidence rather useful.

"Sergy!' Gale couldn't help but be amazed by Serghei's quick thinking, unwavering self-assurance, and impressive knowledge. She summoned a small, blindingly white portal that led to her hidden stash of many valuable foreign currencies. Reaching into this mystic portal with her hand, she retrieved a neat bundle of Euros and tossed it down to the waiting Serghei in the pit. "A pleasure, as always."

Serghei, who always viewed himself as the cunning and intelligent protagonist, skillfully caught the stack of Euros in his hand. Looking up at Gale with a modicum of appreciation, but also a weariness asked, "So, it is done? I am free to leave?"

"Of course!" Gale blared, the singsong, sweet voice that filled Sergehi with unease having returned.