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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Synchronicity" data-source="post: 1966825" data-attributes="member: 10070">Benjamin PikePike pulled up outside the post office, got out of his car and ambled  around to the loading docks, lighting up a cigarette as he went. 'Wish I knew who I was working with on this. Last I heard, Erikson was getting out while the getting was good, and Hardy...well, not much is gonna bother him now.' Pike shivered as his thoughts turned to Hardy, the memories of his death returning to the veteran agent with unpleasant clarity. 'Dammit, Ben, focus. Stop daydreaming and concentrate!' Coming round the corner, Pike saw a few other people had already arrived. He wandered over at a leisurely pace, in time to hear one of them say  Pike barked a short laugh at that, entirely devoid of humour. "Really? I wouldn't have said you looked the type. First time? I guarantee that after you've done this a few times, you get really sick of hearing that phrase, or the many variations thereof." ''Cause eventually you realise it means something very similar to the old gladiator's salute - "We who are about to die..." But you don't need to know that yet, junior. Wouldn't want to go scaring you off. We need all the warm bodies we can get.' Pike's demeanour gave no clue to the cynical thoughts he was entertaining; he appeared to be a grey-haired man of about average height, his eyes hidden behind mirrored sunglasses and his expression neutral on his clean-shaven face. There was the tell-tale bulge of a handgun in a shoulder holster on the left-hand side of his well-made dark suit, and he had the somewhat yellowed (though neatly clipped) fingernails of a long-time smoker. An aura of competance and experience hung about him, leaving a definite impression.Pike turned to regard the new arrival, his expression hard to read behind the glasses. He frowned for a second and then spoke. "You're...Russian? Or is it Czech? I used to be able to pick out the differences, but it's been a long time." He grunted at Elz's response and extended a hand. "I'm Benjamin Pike. Call me Pike. Now, it seems to me you're all new to this. If so, don't sweat it. I've been doing this since you people were in high school." Breaking off, Pike glances around, especially at the younger members of the team. "Heck, in some cases maybe even before then."</blockquote>

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