Chapter 10: The Cat's Whiskers

Aizen and Taeyang navigated the bustling streets of Moscow, the chilly air biting at their skin as they made their way toward The Black Cat. The neon lights of the city pulsed around them, casting vibrant colors onto the snow-dusted pavement. Taeyang glanced at Aizen, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Do you think they’ll have a ‘secret agent’ cocktail?” he asked, pretending to sip an invisible drink. “You know, something like a ‘Martini of Mystery’ or a ‘Shaken Not Stirred?’”

“Only if you promise not to drink too much,” Aizen shot back, a smirk tugging at her lips. “We need you alert, not dancing on tables.”

“Hey, I’m a fantastic dancer! Just ask my last Tinder date,” Taeyang replied, puffing out his chest in mock pride. “She said I was like a swan. Very graceful.”

“More like a swan with a broken wing,” Aizen teased, elbowing him playfully. “You’re more likely to trip over your own feet than impress anyone.”

“Now you’re just being mean,” he replied, feigning hurt. “But I appreciate the motivation! I’ll be a graceful swan just you wait.”

They reached The Black Cat, a low-lit club pulsating with music that spilled out onto the street. The bouncer eyed them warily, clearly assessing whether they were troublemakers or undercover agents. Aizen took the lead, striding confidently toward him.

“We’re here to see Markov,” she announced, flashing her government badge.

“Right,” the bouncer replied, his skepticism evident. “And I’m the king of Russia.”

Taeyang chimed in, leaning closer to the bouncer. “Well, in that case, do you think the king would let us in? We’re here for a royal decree—or maybe just a drink.”

The bouncer raised an eyebrow, looking unimpressed. “You think jokes will get you in?”

“Absolutely! We’ve got a whole set ready,” Taeyang insisted, nudging Aizen. “Wanna hear one? Why did the scarecrow win an award?”

“Why?” Aizen played along, trying to hide her amusement.

“Because he was outstanding in his field!” Taeyang exclaimed, bursting into laughter.

The bouncer cracked a reluctant smile, and Aizen seized the moment. “How about we skip the jokes and just go inside? We have business with Markov.”

“Fine. But if you make me regret this, I’ll toss you out myself,” the bouncer said, stepping aside to let them through.

Inside, the atmosphere was electric. Pulsing beats vibrated through the air, and colorful lights danced around the room, illuminating groups of people dancing and laughing. Aizen and Taeyang exchanged glances, both aware that this was the perfect place for covert operations.

“Look at all these people,” Taeyang whispered, leaning closer to Aizen. “I’m starting to think this is the hottest nightclub in town. We should get our dance moves ready!”

“Focus, Taeyang,” Aizen said, scanning the crowd for any signs of Markov. “We’re not here to bust a move. We’re here to bust a crime ring.”

“Yeah, but wouldn’t it be more fun to do both?” he shot back, already swaying to the music. “We could be like undercover agents by day, club dancers by night. It’s the ultimate double life!”

“Your double life would probably end in disaster,” Aizen replied, a grin breaking through her serious demeanor. “Like getting us both kicked out for terrible dancing.”

“Not possible! I’d charm them with my amazing personality,” he said, striking a pose like a model. “I’m practically a superstar.”

“Sure, a superstar of bad jokes,” Aizen said, shaking her head.

They pushed through the throng of dancers, keeping their eyes peeled for any sign of Markov. Aizen spotted a group of men huddled at the bar, their hushed voices a stark contrast to the raucous laughter around them.

“There he is,” Aizen said, nodding toward the man in a leather jacket. “Let’s move in closer.”

“Got it! Operation ‘Cat’s Whiskers’ is a go!” Taeyang announced, mimicking a military salute. “I’ll distract him with my dazzling charm while you interrogate him for the information!”

“More like you’ll distract him while I do the actual work,” Aizen shot back, rolling her eyes.

“Hey, I could be a valuable asset!” he insisted, sticking out his chin. “Just watch me.”

As they approached the bar, Aizen’s senses heightened. The air thickened with tension, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that they were walking into a trap. She leaned in, her voice low. “Remember, stick to the plan. We question him, and then we get out. No heroics.”

“Heroics? Me? Never!” Taeyang replied, but the glint in his eye told Aizen otherwise.

“Right,” she muttered under her breath, but she couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement. They were in the thick of it now.

“Markov!” Aizen called out, stepping forward as she slid onto the barstool beside him. “We need to talk.”

Markov turned, his expression shifting from surprise to irritation. “What do you want?”

Taeyang sidled up next to Aizen, flashing a disarming smile. “Hey, buddy! You look like you need some company. Mind if we join the party?”

“Who invited you?” Markov snapped, his eyes narrowing.

“Pretty sure it was fate,” Taeyang replied, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Or maybe the universe just really wanted us here. Either way, we’re here to help.”

“Help? You’re not in a position to help anyone,” Markov retorted. “You have no idea who you’re messing with.”

“Oh, I think we do,” Aizen interjected, leaning in closer. “You’re running a weapons trade that’s about to come crashing down. Care to tell us who else is involved, or should we start breaking legs?”

Taeyang nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah! Breaking legs sounds super fun. Can I go first? I’ve always wanted to try my hand at kneecaps.”

Markov shot Taeyang an incredulous look. “You’re insane.”

“Only in the best way possible,” Taeyang replied, shrugging. “You should see my dance moves!”

“Enough!” Markov said, visibly agitated. “I’m not afraid of you.”

“Oh, you should be,” Aizen warned, a fierce determination in her eyes. “If you don’t cooperate, things are going to get very unpleasant for you, very quickly.”

Markov scoffed but looked around the bar nervously, perhaps realizing that the odds were not in his favor. “You think you can take me down? My men—”

“Are all currently busy with my dazzling partner,” Aizen interrupted, her voice steady. “So why don’t you make this easy on yourself?”

Taeyang leaned in closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Or I can do a really bad interpretative dance. I promise it’ll be so cringe-worthy, you’ll tell us anything just to make it stop.”

Markov hesitated, clearly weighing his options. “Fine! There’s a shipment coming in at midnight. It’s all set to go, but I can’t tell you where. If I do, I’m dead.”

Aizen and Taeyang exchanged glances, both aware they were onto something big. “Then let’s make a deal,” Aizen said, her voice steady. “You help us find the location, and we’ll ensure you get out of this mess.”

“Why would I trust you?” Markov scoffed.

“Because I have a great track record with this kind of thing,” Taeyang chimed in, flashing a charming smile. “And I can promise you that Aizen here doesn’t like to take no for an answer.”

“Trust me, it’ll be a lot easier to cooperate,” Aizen added. “You don’t want to test us.”

Markov’s defiance wavered, and Aizen could see the wheels turning in his head. “Okay, okay! There’s a warehouse on the outskirts of the city. But you have to promise me safety!”

“Just don’t try anything stupid,” Aizen warned, her expression serious.

“Not my style,” Markov replied, surrendering to their demands.

With the location secured, Aizen felt a rush of excitement. “Let’s move, Taeyang. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

As they left the club, Aizen couldn’t help but feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins. They were one step closer to dismantling Markov’s operation, and with Taeyang by her side, she was confident they could handle whatever came next.

“Alright, Z701, what’s the plan now?” Aizen asked, her heart racing with anticipation.

“Operation ‘Midnight Mayhem’ is a go!” Taeyang declared, grinning widely. “And maybe we’ll find a way to bust out those dance moves after all.”

“Just as long as you remember the ‘not tripping’ part,” Aizen replied, shaking her head with a smile. “Let’s get this done.”

As they headed toward the warehouse, Aizen couldn’t shake the feeling that their adventure was just beginning. And with Taeyang by her side, it was bound to be one hell of a ride.

Chapter end