>>5349373“Wasn’t planned.” You tell him, digging your feet into the roof to regain your lost balance. “Matt fed you some bullshit about him being an AI, and we just kinda went along with it.”
“That bastard– I knew he wasn’t smart enough make something like that!” Valjean sounds more mad about Matt getting the one-over on him.
“It was pretty funny at the time.” And it really was funny that Valjean had bought the lie in the first place.
“Ha. Ha.” Valjean’s voice is bitingly sarcastic. “Well, you got me, and I am certainly laughing. What did he call himself again?”
“Ermac.” You state matter-of-factly. “Also known as Eddie, Conduit’s brother. If not for him, this operation wouldn’t be possible.” In theory, you still think you could pull it off, but, without Eddie’s help, it would be significantly harder.
“Damn it all.” Valjean hisses. “So let me guess, FutureLabs blackmailed him, and you didn’t think <span class="mu-i">I,</span> the big, bad Crux leader, would take too kindly to having him on our team.”
“Yeah, that was back when we hated you, which hasn't changed but now you're somewhat pulling your weight so I guess there's not much point in being secretive now." And, if you told the you from a few weeks ago that Valjean had come this far, you don’t think you would’ve believed it unless you saw it for yourself.
“If he was blackmailed, then he didn’t have much of a choice unless he wanted Conduit dead. There’s a big difference between having someone held over your head and working for them willingly, like those X-Force assholes.”
Speaking of the X-Force, you’re reminded of another issue here, one that might come back to bite you once you cross paths with John again.
“Oh. Forgot to mention he’s also John’s best friend, and John thinks you killed him. So, if he catches you, you’re pretty much dead. Just a heads up.”
“Good to know.” Valjean’s voice is cordial, but you know he’s not pleased in the least to hear this tidbit of news. “Small freaking world…”
>(1/2) 