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The stage is set, every detail just precisely as it should be. Gold Nose stands on the balcony, looking out over the open space with eyes flicking back and forth. This, this has to be his greatest masterpiece yet. Sharks circling under a maze of rope bridges, hallways that grow ever narrower, dastardly puzzles that don't lead to anything useful but still look rather flashy, the list goes on and on. His minions have really outdone themselves this time! They will definitely be getting a holiday bonus. All of this to protect his Super Sonic Lasertron (trademark pending), which is being prepared to be aimed at the headquarters of that awful MegaTec company pressuring landowners to hand over their properties for yet another shopping complex. While the laser will do no harm to anything living, he is sure the MegaTec Board will still be persuaded by their entire building vanishing beneath them.
And now, all he needs to do is wait. Wait for Agent to show, just like he always does. At this point, Gold Nose knows he must have some sort of bug in his lair, or perhaps there is a mole in his organisation (the latter is rather unlikely, though - his organisation is extremely competitive when it comes to dental). He hasn't looked too much into it, to be honest - it actually comes in handy to bring his arch nemesis to him just at the perfect time. Or normally does, at least.
A day goes past. And another, and then another. Time seems to ooze by, with little to occupy his thoughts other than a growing sense of unease. He knows he should be planning out his next attempt at world domination, in case something goes south with this one, but he cannot focus on work.
It is a full week later. Gold Nose knows his staff have been shooting him concerned looks all morning, and Gavin was even brave enough to broach the topic with him during the morning briefing, but he cannot help it. Gold Nose drags one hand down his face. "Something is terribly wrong here," he mutters to himself. The Agent would never be so rude as to just not show up to one of his plans. They have been arch enemies for a couple of years now, and that has been plenty of time to start informing the other of holiday breaks and upcoming commitments that might otherwise clash - it is only polite! He has triple checked the calender and Agent doesn't have anything coming up for at least another month.
So still he paces. 19 unhurried steps one way, a neat twist on the heel, and 19 steps back. His footprints are almost embedded in the carpet by this point. "Alright," he cries, unable to take it any more. The steady murmur of the minions around him dims. "Meeting hall in 10. We cannot go on like this."
They gather quickly - efficiency is a trait he values in his employees. Soon he is standing on the platform, looking out over a crowd of familiar faces. They are a good group, really, in spite of their collection of personality quirks - you do have to be a little odd to go into a career of minion to a villain, of course. Who knew that if you treat your staff decently, they actually show company loyalty and go all in on their job? Gold Nose smirks. The Agency doesn't seem to have picked up on that yet, hence why they always seem to be bleeding staff (more than a fair few who jump the ditch to join him). He is surprised that the Agent has stuck with them so long, but he always is a self sacrificing idiot like that.
Gold Nose shakes his head. It's not the time for any of that. "So," he begins, "Most of you will have picked up on the fact that something has been off over the past week. It's the Agent. He's late." He can see the concern in his minions' faces - the Agent is a welcome guest to his staff, not matter what plot he has been sent to foil. Even when caught in the middle of a life-threatening trap, he always makes sure to treat the staff with respect, which is more than can be said for any of his other "guests" over the years - the uniforms may make them look similar, but they are people first and foremost. More than once he has turned a blind eye to quiet chats, or exchanges of small gifts. Really, he is just glad to see them getting along.
"As you will know, this is most unlike him. Something is very wrong here." His lips pull back into a snarl. "If anyone has dared to take my Agent, they will find themselves very sorry. He is my arch nemesis, and I am not up for sharing." Taking a deep breath, Gold Nose settles himself, not wanting to scare his staff. It is certainly not any of their fault. "From now on, all non-vital projects are on pause. We will bring the Agent back to where he really belongs."
A cheer rises from the crowd, and Gold Nose feels a little more hope. With a team like this with him, whoever has his Agent won't stand a chance.
Far away, in the depths of a dungeon that is trying a little too hard to be scary, the Agent's nose tickles, and he stifles a sneeze. Shoulders starting to ache, he squirms, testing his rope bonds. This was only supposed to be a quick in and out, but somehow Doctor Pierce knew he was coming. Something is clearly rotten in the Agency, he can smell it. But that will have to wait for now. First, the Agent needs to get out of this situation. For whatever reason, it feels different to his confrontations with Gold Nose. Those have grown to almost be like a dance, with predictable patterns and very in tune with the other. This, he has no idea. And that scares him, more than anything has in a long time.