“Poison” Caramel Apple Cider

Agency : Mission to Munch Organization of Culinary Inquiry (M2M)

Agent Assigned : Victoria Royal (Alias) 

Mission Objective : ATTN: IMMIDIATE ACTION REQUIRED. An enemy agent has infiltrated the nation of Pommejus’s kitchen and plans to poison the royal family at the Halloween Banquet. Incapacitate the enemy agent and protect the royal family.

Location : Pommejus Castle, Halloween Banquet

Potential Threats : The mark is hostile. Avoid injury to the royal family.

Mission Timeline : Complete by October 31^st

Mission Debrief :

The gothic spires of Pommejus Castle stood out like specters of death in the moonlight. Time was of the essence, the royal family in danger, and here I was stuck outside the castle’s defensive structures. The drawbridge of the medieval style castle was supposed to be down, but instead it was up, closing off all entry. With no other option, I took a few steps back, drew in a deep breath, then sprinted over the edge of the moat into the water below. The jolt of cold water intensified the sense of urgency I felt. I began to swim, keeping close to the wall of the castle. There was a rumor that the moat was populated with water dragons, but I encountered no such danger as I made my way around the castle. At last, I arrived at the back entrance. Shivering, the water was so cold, I pulled myself from the dank water. I was covered in all kinds of muck, slimy plants, and the like, but when I saw the back door of the castle, which was propped open by a large bag of flour to allow the quick entry of the various catering staff, I felt a sense of renewed determination. 

Utilizing my waterproof backpack, I pulled out my chef’s uniform, repaired my hair and makeup, and stashed my backpack in a bush near the large, stone wall next to the kitchens. Then, I simply strolled over to one of the catering vans, and removed a large tray of covered petits fours from the wide open doorway. Lifting it to obscure my face, there were cameras located at the entrance into the kitchen, I strolled in to the castle as a caterer. 

Save the Royals Mission, Phase Two

Once inside, I ducked into a nearby alcove and pulled out my phone. After a quick review of the palace map, I made my way to the kitchen. Observations: Upon my arrival to the kitchen, I noted a variety of different scents. First, the fragrant smell of delicious foods in various stages of preparation. There was the scent of thyme (something I really didn’t have), parsley with roasting potatoes, rosemary baked into breads, and many other delicious scents. I must admit that my stomach growled rather loudly upon encountering the aromas. Suddenly, I realized that I had not eaten since morning. Ignoring my rumbling tummy, I strode into the kitchen, placed the tray of petits fours on the counter, and then began yelling at everyone. “What is this?” I shouted upon seeing a woman at the far end of the kitchen. Like me, she also wore a chef’s hat. “I wasn’t informed that I was being replaced for the evening.”

“A little late, aren’t you?” The woman drawled the words in an amused tone. I recognized her at once. Here was my mark, the enemy agent who planned to poison the royal family. She was wearing a deep red chef uniform, fitting since murder was on the menu. I made my way to her dodging busy sous chefs at their stations. “Might I speak with you privately about this rather awkward situation,” I asked in a cajoling voice. I hoped to both disarm any suspicion that she might have and to isolate her with the goal of incapacitation without witnesses.

She rolled her eyes as though I had suggested an impossibility. “I’m a little busy, you know, preparing a feast for a royal banquet.” Indeed, her there was a large bowl of apples, which had been cut into slices set atop a dish towel. The agent was diligently placing apple slices through a slow juicer. It occurred to me then, a drink would be a fitting apparatus to deliver poison. I scanned the scene even more carefully, and there, in the folds of the dish towel, there was a small vial. The poison!

“Why was I not informed about the change in head chef tonight?” I pressed, sticking to my role. If I couldn’t get her out of the kitchen, I would have to use the resources around me. Perhaps I could accidentally spill something hot onto her, or splash a spicy sauce in her eyes. The enemy agent shrugged, turning away from me to focus on her project.

I took my leave, roving around the kitchen, checking stations, looking for something suitable to incapacitate her. There were several options available to me. I chose the following: A blow torch and a few sprigs of thyme. This time, however, instead of reminding me I was pressed for time, it would give me more time. I made my way back to the mark who was engaged in stirring her juice concoction with the utmost concentration.

“I know what will brighten that drink right up!” I said brandishing my blow torch. “Charred thyme would make the perfect garnish.” Before she could say otherwise, I lit the torch up and set all the thyme on fire. I tossed the fiery herbs onto the dish towel and just as I suspected it might, the entire towel, erupted into flames, a result of the lethality and flammability of the poison. “You fool!” the enemy agent turned on me. Her face was red and distorted, her eyes wild. 

I ignored her. “Oh No! We need some help over here!” I shouted, but I couldn’t resist smiling at the enemy agent. She lunged for me, but I stepped back as the resulting chaos of a fire in the kitchen took care of both the mark and her poisoned drink. 

The enemy had been capacitated, but that brought up a whole new problem. Where was the original chef? And, what should be served for dinner? There was still a royal banquet being held. I was able to locate the original chef, who had been drugged and stuffed into a broom closet. As for the feast, I took over as head chef, which mainly consisted of tasting dishes. Everything was absolutely delicious. The mark was onto something with her flavor profile. One of my favorite tastes was the “poisonous” apple cider. Sans poison, I served the cider to the royal family of Pommejus as it really was the star of the royal feast.