The Mechanical Era

Carl sees Kant taking out a little book from his black suit pocket. Just before he opens it up and looks through its pages, his head and eyes lock onto Carl, to answer his very own question.

"To answer your question, it is because I like them. Now, there are a few more questions that I have for you. Just give me a minute," he told him.

Kant then starts to flip through the pages of the book. He appears to arrive on the page that he wants. He examines its content for half a dozen seconds, before placing the book back in his suit pocket. He then regains eye contact with Carl, before moving on with the interview.

"Alright, Now, before I ask the questions, I need you to be very honest with me. These questions will determine whether you will get hired or now.

Afterward, this interview will be concluded, and you will be notified whether you got the job a day or two later. Is that fine with you?"

"Yes sir," Carl replies. He sits straighter in his chair, prepared to answer any question that came his way.

"Alright, my first question is, where did you find them?" Kant questions Carl. He puts up a puzzled face, acting as if he did not know what was going on.

"I beg your pardon, sir? I do not think I understand the question. Can you please elaborate on what you mean by 'them'?" he answers back with his question, not wanting to end this quickly.

"Alice. Clover. Hellena and Suika. A bunch of very pretty, very attractive maids that recently got hired here. These specific individuals are under the suspicion that they may be spy agents, working for some mysterious benefactor.

From what I know so far, they have stolen property directly belonging to the king, as well as looked into, and leaked critical information to their employer, which I suspect to be you, Mr. Carl Intelligencia Anastasia." he elaborated.

"So, what I am asking is, where did you manage to find such willing, yet experienced agents, to work with you," Kant questioned.

There was a moment of silence between the two until Carl started to chuckle. He continued to chuckle for a good minute, before answering the question Kant had given to him.

"How did you figure it out, sir?" he replies with his question.

"Simple. They were too attractive in terms of looks, which would have helped manipulate and seduction. They had barely any background checks done on them, for whatever reason, and they had been hired on the spot, which rarely happens. If ever.

I suspect that they used their looks, and a bit of money to buy out the background checker while using mainly their looks to manipulate and seduce the interviewer to give them the job.

You then had them steal the pen, look at the list of questions I had planned to ask you, and then hand the items and information to you, which you can use to prepare and impress me.

Did I manage to get the jist of it?" Kant questions.

"Yes sir. That is correct. Although, I would like to add that we blackmailed the background checker to bypass that process. In terms of the interviewer part, you were spot on," Carl replies.

"I see. Now, may you answer my original question?"

"Yes, I shall. I got connections, sir. Connections to a lot of people I had worked with over in my career. People, who are like me; spies that had been forced to retire early for whatever reason god throws at us.

Those girls in particular used to be agents that spied against the South. At least until the war ended, when they had to flee or risk being executed. Since they got cheated out of a job, they had to work they had no experience to stay alive.

However, thanks to your job opportunity, I managed to hire them, in the hopes of getting this position," he replies.

"In the case that you do get selected, do you intend to hire them?"

"I intend to hire a lot of people, to fill out the other vacant positions of this intelligence agency, and I know exactly who I should hire. This includes those girls, who I think would make great spies."

"I see. Next question. Why did you decide to engage in such a risky move? Are you not aware that, espionage would lead to the death penalty in this kingdom?" Kant questions him. Although Kant had brought up the D-word, Carl remained calm and explained himself.

"I knew exactly what the consequences were, sir. But I decided to risk it anyway. All because I wanted to show you what I can do, sir.

I wanted to show you that I can organize an effective team, have them infiltrate a set target efficiently and quickly, and extract whatever information we wanted, in a very short amount of time.

It gives you a live example of my skills, which helps you visualize what other things I could do. Think about it, sir.

If I managed to infiltrate your kingdom in a matter of days, with the only budget being my retirement savings, think what I could do with a much larger budget, a more sophisticated team, and a longer time to plan. " he replies.

His answer was very compelling. It did indeed show his skill and the skills of the spies that he had chosen. Though he was a bit of a risk-taker, the benefits of hiring him would far greater than what he takes away.

" Were you going to reveal this to me at the end of the interview?"

"Yes sir, I was. Otherwise, it would have been all for nothing,' Carl replies. Kant lingers on his thoughts. He had one more question to ask him, to see if he would truly be with the title of CIA director.

"I have one last question to ask you. What makes you think I will spare you for trying to spy on me? Do you really think your stunt will have you hired?"

"Yes sir. Because from what I know, tou want the best of the best. That is why," Carl replies confidently.

"I see. Well, that is it for the interview. I am glad you made it here today. I will notify you tomorrow on my decision."

"Alright sir. May I leave now?"

"Yes, you may." Kant replies. Carl walks up from his seat, bows down, and leaves the room. A day later, he gets the message that he is the new director of the CIA. His gamble appears to have paid off.