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"Maybe." You respond hesitantly. "Maybe I lost something over the years. If you really know who I was...who was Zeta?"
"There's a disconnect between the two for me. People keep calling me that and I know that I used to have that title. But it feels wrong. Like finding an old pair of shoes you wore as a kid." Your head throbs with pain. God, why is trying to piece yourself as painful as it is?
"...You didn't use to be so introspective, for one." Phi nervously chuckles. "Zeta was something, alright. He treated every day like it was the best day of his life."
"Heh." You mutter. "Really? Every single day?"
"Yeah, that's the weird thing! It was like being there was an honor or a 'reward'." Phi tries her best to hold a gigglesnort. "I tried asking you why but you were weirdly deflective about it."
"Maybe it was the paycheck?" You jokingly suggest. "Hey, working for a power company probably makes you a lotta bank!"
"Hmm. That's what I thought too. But there was another reason. And whatever that reason was, you took any kind of punishment thrown your way. Even...that." She gestures at your body, not really wanting to describe it further.
[HOPELESS WRECK] it burns it burns it burns IT BURNS IT BURNS IT BURNS SUPPRESS SUPPRESS <span class="mu-i">SUPRES-</span>
You slap yourself on the side of the head. Woo. So, you had actual hope for something, huh? "That much energy and joy in doing my job here? I mean, the people here are happy enough, right?"
"This place didn't even have a booze machine until you bought one." Phi snorts.
"Is there anything else you can tell me about, well, me?"
"Anything for my superior!" Phi flashes a wide smile. You shiver just by seeing it. There's barely any teeth left. "Well, when I saw you spare that kid from yesterday's fight, I knew it had to be you. I don't recall many times where you killed anyone."
[BOUND BY DUTY] We kill if we must. That does not mean we have to enjoy it.
[DYING LIGHT] WE kill if it's to prove a point, to show the City we are not laying down.
[HOPELESS WRECK] WE KILL TO SURVIVE. IF WE CAN SURVIVE WITHOUT, SO BE IT.
"And...I got the connections from those rangers, They're still trying to process you let them live, even if it's underneath a new boss. I didn't expect that from you."
"Why not?" You hear the airlock opening. Shit, you barely have any time to finish this conversation. "Hurry."
"I'm shocked you didn't just let those 'R-Company dogs' stay de-" Before she could finish her lines, Phi suddenly stands up straight and walks away from you with glazed eyes.
Felix walks over to you while the other two employees walk past you. "Got what you needed, bro?" He shakes his head. "I mean, sir."
"The most I could." You muse. "The most I could."
"Sorry we couldn't buy more time. We tried to prolong it but he was getting snappy. You'll see."
"I suppose I will." You head over to the elevator. Felix follows alongside you. You wave at what you think might be a blacker than black blur down a hallway.
