"Sir, I know that the Halfa escaped, but-"

"No. Buts. I told you that under no circumstances is that thing allowed to escape, even if it meant you would die keeping it here. You failed, and now we have to find a way to get it back." The large man dressed in head-to-toe white turned back to the rest of the gathered agents. "Any ideas on how to do that?"

Silence.

"You're all worthless."

The Agents all averted their gazes to avoid the harsh glare from their boss. After an uncomfortable amount of time, the door to the conference room was flung open loudly. The unfortunate young agent that had barged into the meeting wilted under the full force of the contempt of his boss, who was the very embodiment of 'if looks could kill.'

After an awkward pause as Agent A contemplated murder, the young junior agent, Agent Y, stumbled out a string of sounds that was possibly an explanation, however mostly incoherent in his panic.

"Situation, a large force, or reading, not Halfa, but powerful-" taking a deep breath, Agent Y began again, this time with only a slight stutter to demonstrate his panic, "S-sir, we have a sit-uation. A-approximately f-five minutes ago, w-we got a rea-reading of a large wave of ec-ectoen-ergy. It's not the Halfa, ho-however, it's very pow-power-ful."

"Where?" The word was growled out, but it was evident that the agent wasn't as aggravated as he was minutes ago.

"Star city, sir."

"Well, why are you all still here?" The group of men immediately stood and started tripping over each other in their haste to get out of the room. The junior agent spoke up quickly before everyone left.

"One more thing, sir. It seems like the...leader? Of this power surge requests to speak with you. It had sent a message stating: 'I have a proposition for the entity known as the Ghost Investigation Ward. I shall meet you in the city of stars. Signed PD.'"

Agent A was silent as he processed the words. Straightening, the man started towards the door, the rest of the agents parting like the Red Sea in an attempt to avoid being their boss' outlet for his anger. Striding to the door, the man didn't falter as he addressed the group behind him.

"What are you waiting for? We have a meeting to get to."

<><><><><><><><><><>

Agent A carefully walked into the warehouse. He went in alone, however, had the perimeter secured with a near army-like security surrounding every possible exit. The man himself had his gun ready to attack if the need arose.

"Ahh, little mortal decided to show up." A deep voice echoed out from the darkness behind him. Spinning around, Agent A pointed his weapon towards the origin of the noise, only to see nothing. He slowly turned back and came face to face with a large dark being. Suppressing the urge to jump back, the Alpha Agent raised his weapon and began interrogating.

"What are you?"

"I am Pariah Dark, King of All Ghosts. As I've mentioned, I have a proposition for your pathetic little group of humans."

The Agent bared his teeth, resembling a feral dog. The ghost didn't blink. "Why the fuck would I trust a non-feeling piece of ectoplasmic scum?"

"Because we both have goals that coincide." The King replied easily.

After a moment of silence from the other, the ghost continued. "The Halfa. You want data, I need him out of the way." The Agent relaxed slightly, interest blooming in his mind.

"So what do you propose?"

"I have plans. Plans that I need you and your organization to stay out of the way for. I will leave you be, not interfere with your work unless you interfere with mine."

"What do I get out of it? What does this have to do with the Halfa?"

"I need that boy out of the way. He's the biggest threat to me and my plans. So I originally planned on capturing and eliminating him, however, I figure I can just, instead, hand him over to you so you can do as you wish with him. The only condition is he cannot leave alive."

The man in white stood and thought of the deal. He had been trained to never believe anything a ghost says, but he needs that Halfa. Soon.

The ghost stretched out a large, armored hand, a skull-shaped ring adorning the ring finger.

Agent A hesitated before sliding his own gloved hand in the other and gripped it. Looking the ghost in its glowing green eyes, he steeled himself.

"Deal."