Phase 2: Learn about "Operation Master Stroke"

Your boss set aside her notes and crossed both hands atop her lap. You noted that right about now, your team was probably hovering just over the assignment location in Berlin, but Goodbye left comms off. It seemed there was still more important business to discuss with you. "Your assignment up to this point has been... unconventional, to say the least. It's about to get even more unconventional. I want to talk to you about Operation Master Stroke... Th-That's a name I just came up with; it's kind of dumb, but I think you'll get it when you hear what the operation entails. Think of this as an addendum to your original mission. First, present your laminate badge..." She held out one hand, encouraging you to pass it over.

Once you did, she pulled out some odd decal that looked a bit like a jumping rabbit, then stuck her tongue up out one side of her mouth as she carefully peeled it off of its holder and then applied it to your badge. You were already kind of pissed about how it had ruined your professional-looking ID badge...

"The Goodbye Girls all have these stickers on theirs too; it's called a Rabbit Badge. Basically, this gives you a free pass for any sexual exploits you're found to be undertaking on the job. I don't mean you can just... you know... stick your business in whoever you want and they can't protest. The rules of basic human decency still apply. I only mean that any sexual activities you take while in the service of Operation Master Stroke will be recognized for what they are: vital interactions, intended to gather information. You will not be reprimanded or penalized in any fashion even if, for instance, another CEDIT agent is to walk in on your activities." She explained all of this with as straight a face as she could manage, but you could tell color was rising to her cheeks.

You asked why the heck you needed something like this...?

"I told you earlier that I want you to use any means necessary to extract more information, right? Well, it's clear to me now, after listening to your reports that your most effective means of doing so is to get close to the girls. So... Try to get close. Really close." She adjusted her glasses, which seemed to be fogging up a bit, then tidied up her loose tie, which she seemed suddenly more conscious of. "That's going to be the best way to extract information. That's, in essence, Operation Master Stroke. Let me be totally, utterly crystal clear... You can either play this the suave, movie, James Bond way and invite women to your room and stuff... Or play it like a harem game and take them out on dates... Or you can like... Take a couple of them into the shower with you, if they'll let you do that. It's all up to you guys. Point is, sex on the job is now on the table. Encouraged, even."

You blinked dumbly... The thought had crossed your mind that you might develop a relationship here and there... But being told you needed to do so was something else entirely. You reminded Goodbye that these people were all legendary super spies who were potentially trying to kill you. It was hard for you to call the girls trustworthy allies yet... let alone friends... let alone potential shag partners...!

"And yet, that's what it's going to take, Ciao! Focus, man! Are you saying you don't want to?!"

As a hot-blooded male whose interests included hot-blooded women, you were forced to shake your head.

"This is a matter of life and death! All of CEDIT is depending on you! Forget your country; this is an international imperative! We need you to fuck the Goodbye Girls!"

Hearing it stated that way... you couldn't argue back any further. But you had to clarify: did she mean all of them? You had your preferences to consider, among other things... the Goodbye Girls seemed to range everywhere from masochists to sadists, all skin tones, all body shapes, with an age gap of nearly 15 years between them...

"That's really your call. I hope you'll prioritize your mission and investigating whoever you think is the mole, but... There could be advantages in getting close to someone, even if you don't think they're the one. They might be able to help your operation in unforeseen ways. Just... keep filling out those dossiers and then continue acting on your own discretion. Every bit helps."

You nodded... then raised one eyebrow, scanning your boss discretely with your eyes. Her face had gotten beet red by this point and you noted her legs were shaking beneath her too-tight pencil skirt. Part of you wondered if she might be willing to contribute to this new initiative in some other ways...