Somewhere in a dark room, monitors lining the walls providing the only light. Seven chairs are arranged around a table, five of them occupied by the dark silhouettes of people. It's almost comically stereotypical, as if someone was trying way too hard to have a shadowy meeting and set it up to be unmistakingly shady. The screens aren't even displaying anything except for a logo of a company of some sort.
"Everything is proceeding well. All projects are producing results." a male figure speaks up.
"Two of them have produced significant failures." a female voice adds.
"Some losses were to be expected." a second woman appends.
"Failures are a kind of result."
"Shut up. Both missions of Project Moray in London were a complete disaster. I suggest we stop wasting funds on it."
"Chance of discovery is less than 10% but rising. I second we distance ourselves from those assets. Especially while we wait for our other endeavors to develop."
"Our main project is still operating perfectly fine. The occasional loss of an asset is to be expected."
"Retrieving 227B would still be preferable."
"It might spur 227 into action. She's been reported in Crimea. Prompting a retaliatory strike would be unwise." the last one finally speaks up in a slow, deliberate tone.
"We will refrain for now. Plenty of counters are available to 227B. In the meantime, increase asset activity in North America."
"We also need someone to attend the Rothrakov meeting still."
"I believe you just volunteered."
"Both of you go. I don't want any loose ends from this 'Outsourcing' to point at us. Take care of it."
"What about Project Octopus?"
"What about it?"
"It's been slow. Maybe we should check in?"
"Unnecessary. Give it time."
"If everything else proceeds as planned it will not be needed anyway."
"I like having contingencies..."
"And I like pastries. Doesn't mean I bring them to our secret meeting."
"Our projects are slightly more relevant than your consumption of sweets."
"They help me think."
"It's your own fault that you need it."
"That's enough. You all know what to do. Get to it."