you definitely don't NEED to have read any of my other fics - but i thought backstory might add a layer or two - so you can find some here :

http://www.fireflyfans.net/showprofile.asp?u=27624

part one

The two men sat on a bench at the edge of a park and watched the fluorescent light dance from the wide white wings of the swans up and across the opaque plastic of the roofing dome. There was a family standing by the edge of the demarked area – a red line – they were throwing breadcrumbs into the swan’s welcoming beaks. A child hooted with hysterical delight as one of the swans reared up on its legs and fanned out the long wings – flashing the black undercoated feathers.

“It’s a dangerous game”, remarked one of the men.

The other man gave a twitch of the mouth in reply. “Subtle – perhaps, but dangerous? I hardly think so.”

The first man took a rolled sandwich and spread it on his lap, which he had carefully covered with a neat silk handkerchief. He sniffed – yes, that was good cheese, his wife was right. He blinked across at the other man. “Then why all this – cloak and dagger.”

The other man smiled slowly as he stared at the swans. “Oh, one can’t be too careful – if you are planting a trail, it’s always best not to leave your footprints next to it.”

He waved as the swan-feeding child caught his eye. “So we meet like this instead. Isn’t it rather” -

“Old School?”

“Fun – I was going to say. But – old school… hmm… perhaps. I always loved history – I like to think this is a classic approach.” He nodded at the child once more.

The cheese man sighed and bit into his sandwich.

“HRRmmph ahhh ess ful Nmeport?” he murmured, his mouth full.

The other shook his head in distaste. “If I understand you correctly, the answer is yes – the first test was successful and no, there is no report.” He eyed the alarming pile of cheese fragments and bread that his associate was beginning to create – a small avalanche from knee to ground it was drawing the swan’s attention. “No traces, after all”,