Danger Close

Informant

This chapter is in YOUR perspective.

"So, these 'Apex Predators'. Mercenaries that are looking for something in Detroit, huh?" Lieutenant Anderson looked at the holo-screen on the coffee table, swiping across the panel to view each photo. They varied from tattoos, patches on clothing, and even modified playing cards themselves.

Connor had completed his work on your stitches, carefully wrapping the gauze around your arm while the patchwork was completed. During the treatment you were focused on the rug, only listening to the conversation which was mostly being covered by Barker.

"And you're sure it's nothing to do with you arriving here, right?"

The tone of Hank's voice that time was definitely an insinuating one, but the weak intimidation did nothing for you. Connor's hands gently lifted and eased your arm and shoulder while finishing the dressing, the care he was taking in your injury warming something in your chest at his touches. So much care that you momentarily forgot the chaos of this unwanted meeting.

Connor's hands pat gently on your newly dressed wound. The firmness to his skin would probably be awkward to somemost, but to you it was familiar in a way that gave you comfort.

"Pilot?"

The call of your rank pulled you from your thoughts, and only then did you notice Connor's fingers tracing older scars that were on your upper shoulder. You instinctively pulled away at his curious touch, feeling at the well-placed gauze with your free hand to inspect his work.

It was well done, as expected, but you couldn't bring yourself to thank him properly. Instead, you looked up at him and just locked eyes for a moment, unsure of how to express your appreciation any other way.

"... I don't know either," you answered the original question from the Lieutenant, your voice still quiet. You couldn't exactly tell them that you were the target and the reason that these lowly thugs were sent to look for you. However there could've been another explanation as well, your very existence probably wasn't exactly the sole purpose for their manhunt.

You stopped them from finishing a mission, and that greatly pissed off your original Faction and Employer. The bounty was probably a bonus on top of completing the original task.

"I kinda wanna believe you, but these events are happening too closely to be a coincidence." Hank's voice was firm now, and he sounded like he was losing patience.

"I'm trying to figure things out too, you know," you interrupted, still frustrated that you weren't able to find answers on your Weapons simulations.

"What? Speak up," Hank leaned foward, face clearly showing impatience.

You snapped your teeth shut and bit back the urge to slap him for being as much of an ass as Kane. Talking was a pain, and you rarely did it. Even if you did purposely raise your voice, it wasn't much more than 'normal' speaking volume.

Because you know, you almost never had to talk.

"I'm also trying to figure out who killed that guy," you explained with a frown.

"Oh yeah? And why would you need to do that?" Hank was incredulous now, though even you barely had the patience to deal with him.