>>6077065Dryly, Katriina continued. “Ordinarily, agents of low rank would not be given the clearance to knowing of things such as our more protected research subjects. There are L3 agents who do not know of ACDD – let alone our role in its make. It is simply not relevant information for them and their operations. A standard L2 agent cannot be permitted to know of the Nalkainen. There are a few ways an agency like the Stormwatch can resolve this, and yet...”
The Black Swan put her hand on your shoulder. As the weight upon it applies layers upon layers of pressure on you, you feel far from reassured as she speaks.
“I see a bit of myself in you,” she smiles, “and I want to help. I can promote you again, to a L2 Specialist. There are benefits, a few tracks you can take, if you like. Some can lead you down this rabbit hole of mine, if you please. I would be glad to take you; speak with you in confidence, of our hopes and dreams. The futures we can make. Others tracks will take you elsewhere, where you may not see the likes of the Nalkainen again, Ukko willing. But there’s just one thing.”
The smile fades, and Katriina Jousten looks at you with a level of possible dejection.
<span class="mu-b">”Do you trust me?”</span>
“U-uh...?”
“I go to great extremes to protect my agents. I have studied the Nalkainen. I have created a converter based on its digestive system. I invited the Red Dogs to bring a drone for us to modify into a ceaselessly operating machine, that fights so we don’t have to walk that razor’s edge of life and death. I created this, this suit. It’s not perfect, it needs improvement, maybe a different approach… but it's to make you stronger. So you can take what you can to survive. I want to preserve life by trying to expand how we may persist, when we do and don’t have to be in danger. There are those who do not appreciate my endeavors, and I hope one day they might see the light as I do. But if I don’t have the faith of those beneath me, especially yours, in whom I see something, to save them…”
Her arm slides off your shoulder.
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