operativegaley:

She leaned up against the railing outlining the Wards, taking in the great nebula before her and looking upon the other reaching arms of the Citadel’s structure.  She wasn’t much for sight-seeing but the view was impressive.  Besides, why not play the part of the awed tourist for a day or two?  It kept her occupied and no one thought anything of it.

But she heard him before she saw the turian that approached her.  The footsteps were too heavy for another human.  Longer strides than a salarian, not as lumbering as the krogan or elcor.  She wasn’t sure hanar made footsteps.  And she rarely ever saw quarians or drell.  Batarians never seemed to leave the docking bays.  It was all an auditory observation.  She had learned, as a sniper, that while her sight was fixed down a scope, the rest of her senses took over to protect herself from any threats from behind.  So when the sound of subvocals reached her ears and a flash of mandibles caught the corner of her vision, she was almost pleased her assessment was still correct even amongst the bustle of the Wards.

Prewitt.  An alias.  Charice Prewitt, Laura Hansen, among others, were identities she could take on when she needed to strip herself of any ties with Cerberus.  The former was the one she had chosen for the time being.  But the word ‘operative’ caught her attention.  He knew more than he need say aloud.  The title and name together should never have mixed — that was her first clue.

“What can I do for you?” she asked, her London accent making her voice sound almost too gentle.

She needn’t have even asked the question at all — he wanted something and it would all come out whether she cared or not.  In this case, she was not sure she cared.  She assumed it would be about Cerberus.  If she had not handed herself over to the Alliance, she most certainly would not do any better for the turians.  She simply turned to look at him, raising an arched eyebrow in silent question.

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       How very cloak and dagger this was.  He might have smiled at the absurdity.  He did not.  “I’m sure you know what I represent.  You might not know why.  We understand your past activities.  We’re willing to forget them, and provide for you in return.  There are a good deal of amenities that we can extend, but naturally all working relationships must be mutual." 

      Victus shifted slightly, casual pose belying his the keen look to his eyes, his acute awareness of the environment around them.  "Tell me, how much of a risk taker are you, Ms. Prewitt?”

August  11   ( 4 )   /   source   +
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