After Meteorfall (Reno x Female! Reader)

Chapter 5

*(Y/L/N) = Your Last Name

(Y/N) returned to her board to find two maintenance guys stood at her desk, deep in hushed conversation, their body language tense and their faces taut.
They briefly looked up to nod at her. ''Apologies, Miss.''
(Y/N) nodded and smiled gently, but they were already deep in conversation again, the air of agitation back.
(Y/N) recognised one of them to be Phillips.
He was a wise cracking Gongaga boy, friendly and damn good with a wrench. They often took the time to chat when they bumped into one another, which sadly wasn't often. The Tech guys were usually holed up in the breaker room at all times.
Still, they considered each other friends, at least.
(Y/N) sighed and took a seat in one of the available, plush office chairs.
She placed down her tea, watching the proceedings with only mild interest. She saw the other technician quickly pull out his phone and hold it gingerly to his ear, chewing the corner of his lip. Suddenly he coughed, standing straighter.
''Mr Roman, Sir. Its Garth...''
(Y/N) eyebrows quirked up in surprise. Mr Roman was her Managers Manager. She had only met him once, during her induction.
Well into his fifties, handsome and silver haired, he looked healthy and strong, like the last 3 years hadn't happened for him at all.
(Y/N) had heard from a gossiping office aide that he had been high up in ShinRa back then, strictly above 'Floor 66' stuff. (Y/N) couldn't make an opinion about him.
He had been cordial enough, if not a little proud, puffing out his chest as he talked, clearly used to feeling important.
If maintenance thought Mr. Roman should be involved, then something was seriously wrong.
She suddenly felt a surge of panic, glaring at her board as if it had betrayed her.
She gripped her steaming mug, shakily bringing it to her lips, mentally going over the past 2 months of her employment.
To her knowledge, she'd done everything by the book, not a button wrong. Her manager, Mr. Stone, had praised her work, calling her an asset to the team. At the time, the compliment had been like acid down her throat, her smile plastered to her face, sickly sweet.
Now, she clung to the fact that she was a good employee like a life line.
Her face was now as tense as the technicians, as she gave her full attention to the scene in front of her. She strained to hear what this 'Garth' was saying into his phone, but he stood with his back to her.
Then, after some time, the two men exchanged glances, before throwing an unreadable look at (Y/N).
Then, Garth spoke up again and (Y/N)'s heart jolted.
''Yeah....*(Y/L/N), she's still here, Sir.''
(Y/N) swallowed hard, suddenly getting to her feet.
Her slum instinct had kicked in.
She needed to get out of there now, alarm bells ringing in her head.
As she had pushed back the chair, Phillips had made his way over to her in a flash.
''Miss, I'm gonna have to ask you to come with me...''
he said it kindly and unnecessarily loud, a look of regret on his face as his eyes flicked to the other tech.
(Y/N) frowned, trying not to let her lip quiver.
''Where? Am I in some kind of trouble?'' Philips glanced over at Garth again, still glued to his phone, flicking switches on the malfunctioning board.
He leaned down, lowering his voice a few octaves, talking fast.
''Look (Y/N), off the record, we think we know what's up with your unit. It looks like its been tagged with some sophisticated software- data transferring software.''
He held up his hand subtly, warning
(Y/N) not to speak as she frowned, eyes wide.
''It appears that someones been transferring data out to an unknown source, all ShinRa info. Apparently, your units' motherboard has also been infecting others with a virus as well, corrupting the operating systems.''
He swallowed thickly and glanced over his shoulder again.
''Basically, this whole buildings been compromised with a leak like this, its huge. Now, the software has been tagged manually, so according to the company, that means that either you or the person before you planted the software..''
(Y/N) felt her heart roaring in her ears and she began shivering. This was a joke, right?
''I'm telling you this because I think you deserve a heads up. It could'a been anyone in this building. Damn, anyone could've accsessed this since its an open area. However, you're gonna be the first person the company is gonna wanna talk to. In fact, until we can potentially prove exactly when this software was planted, you'll be suspect number 1.''
(Y/N) thought she was going to be sick. She blinked slowly, feeling faint, her voice bleating.
''Potentially?''
The Tech grimaced.
''Listen (Y/N), I don't think this was you. But, there's always a chance that we wont be able to crack this thing and never find out when it was embedded. I hope that doesn't happen, 'cus like I said, you're in the firing line.''
(Y/N) nodded, her insides cold and squirming like an alien parasite.
''I heard orders to take you up to Mr. Stones office, looks like they wanna question you right away. Like I said, this is huge. A real fuck-up.''
Phillips ran a hand through his hair. Just then, Garth snapped his phone shut, regarding (Y/N) frostily, like he was dead certain she was guilty.
They were out of time.
Phillips leaned in again, speaking even faster and lower.
''Listen to me (Y/N), you gotta prepare yourself for what's coming, its some deep-''
''Phillips!''
Garth called sharply, clearly becoming impatient.
Everyone was on edge.
(Y/N) grabbed his wrist, quickly. ''Phillips! What is going on?''
He turned to her, his face ashen, his lips a grim line as he glanced at the other tech and the approaching security guards.
''I wish you luck (Y/N)...you're gonna need it.''
As he saw (Y/N) lips about to form a question, her eyes filled with raw fear, he slumped his shoulders.
''The questions, the interrogation, it goes right to the top..they're sending in the Turks on this one, (Y/N)...''
(Y/N) saw Phillips turn and join the other tech, deep regret and fear for her in his eyes.
Her heart stopped in her chest as his words sunk in.
''The interrogation...they're sending in the Turks...''
This could not be happening.