Bureau of Collections || ONC2021

Identity

That did not go as he'd expected, 221 scowling, unable to catch up to 404 before she stormed away through a door and disappeared. He let out a sigh. Sometimes the human world was more convenient when trying to chase someone.

He had to talk to her. She would be freaking out. He couldn't let this lie. He had not expected the Supreme to suspend her as well. That was a problem. He took out his phone and dialled an old friend, unsure if they would be pleased to hear from him.

"5520, long time, no talk, my friend."

"You still owe me for the last favour," a crisp woman's voice responded.

He laughed, "Oh, come on. I got you the new posting. It's good, right?"

"You should visit more, I miss seeing your handsome face around central."

"The sooner you help me, the sooner I'll figure this out and be able to return."

"I don't even know what you expect to achieve. You shouldn't take it all so personally"

"Please, 5520." he cut her off. He didn't want to talk about it. He needed to focus. "My partner 404, can you locate her?"

5520 sighed audibly into the phone, "If they want to be alone, you should not be pursuing."

"The floor's Supreme suspended us both, I need to talk to her. This is important."

"Fine. Give me a minute."

He heard the tapping of keys and another audible sigh, "She's in her quarters. I'm not going to let you just burst in there."

"Then link me and let me knock" he replied impatiently.

"Fine. Door in front of you. I'll keep it open for five minutes. This doesn't make us even I hope you know."

"Thank you." he replied before hanging up, hand raising to knock before hesitating. This was a deviation from the plan. If they could not work, they could not escalate further incidents and it meant his access to the human world was not feasible through legal means. He could not afford to lose this unaccounted. He was key to getting the bastard and he needed 404's help and she wasn't going to like what he had in mind.

He tapped twice and waited patiently, before repeating the gesture. "404, its me."

He heard something shatter on the other side of the door followed by a succession of thumps before the door flung open and 404 appeared dressed in a fluffy fleece robe, her hair dishevelled and eyes puffy. "What?" she snipped.

"May I come in?" he asked her calmly, hiding his bemusement at her state.

"Why? Haven't you done enough. Besmirching my record like that! I should hit you!"

"What good will that do, you don't even know what real pain feels like," he stirred. He couldn't help himself.

Her face creased into an overdramatic scowl, "You know I am getting quite sick of your lackadaisical attitude, 221. You underestimate just how serious this is. I was up for promotion next decade. I can't believe you did this to me after what you have coerced me to go along with?"

221 raised his hands to shush her, her voice travelling down the long office corridor. "Not out here. Let me in. I told you there would be no record when we were done. That still stands."

She opened her mouth to argue back then hesitated, eyes narrowing. "Who are you? Really?"

"Let me in and maybe I will tell you."

She folded her arms, "You seemed hell bent not to avoid that at the pub. Why so willing now?"

221 chuckled, he liked her attention to detail, nothing got past her. "We're going to have to go with plan B" he winked.