Before the Integration decided I was nobody, I was fairly good at my job. I was more than competent and had the score to prove it.
It was one of the reasons I was performing a low-level security audit in a 'Garch household. Not because it was beneath me, but because they wanted, and could pay for, the best. On Kappa 6, that was me.
The suspected transmission source wasn't evident on my first pass. Now, I walked down the corridor letting my Signal tell me where I needed to focus. Things that were no threat could be filed away. As usual, people were the most common concern. In this corridor, I was alone, but I could sense the people behind closed doors.
Accountants, secretaries, security, the undesignated drones that served the needs of a house with history from before Integration. Four professions, none of them the seam. I sensed floors above and below me in the tower, the primary residence of Family Veldrath.
Every detail of the corridor declared wealth and consequence. Polished natural stone. Shining platinum fixtures. Plush silk carpets. The pinnacle of the family's power, and it told me nothing.
Security audits weren’t like real field operations, but were combat adjacent. Distractions could spring from anywhere. I was in the zone, integrated, switched on. No extraneous RF. No sub-harmonic transponders. Nothing to indicate spies or other threats.
Back to the people.
A cluster was ahead, to the left, sitting, impatient. I sensed they were there well before arriving at the door. Three people, two men, one woman. They were bored with the hint of tension when you knew you were about to be inspected, even if you thought the whole ordeal was a waste of time.
Fifty meters from them and I knew enough. They were waiting for me. Signal 38 told me far more than surface unease. Man number one was worried about his mate, not about my arrival. A health issue at home. His nerves weren't aimed at my visit. He wasn't my concern.
Twenty-five meters.
The other man was nervous, fidgeting in his chair. I focused on him, not reading him as clearly as I would once I entered the room, but let my awareness enfold him. Clammy palms, elevated pulse, the low hum of fear clouding the room. His desire was obvious, a hunger that drew his focus inward despite my approach.
He was an addict. Nothing too dangerous or expensive, but he was missing his morning fix. I filed that. I would cross-reference his accounts. So long as no one was using his weakness for leverage, it wasn’t my concern.
Five meters.
The woman was the calm one. No flags, no anxiety. There was mild irritation at the two men in the room, but none for the situation. She was frustrated with the situation, with my slow approach, but not concerned about me in particular.
What is she hiding?
Everyone tried to cover up something when they knew a high Signal was coming for a security audit. She seemed unconcerned, except for the disruption in her day.
I had insisted they tell everyone why I was interviewing them. Not out of principle. The nerves made them sing in my senses. It was part of my leverage.
Is she worthy prey?
I arrived.
It didn’t take long to dismiss the two men. Both hurried from the room in obvious relief, for distinctly different reasons. I focused on the woman.
“Mira Denth,” she said as she extended her hand to me without rising.
“Operative Varro,” I replied. Naturally beautiful without the cosmetic enhancements common in corporate and 'Garch society.
I noted some enhancement in Frame, maybe a point or two had been assigned there. She had that presence of someone who had been physically enhanced by the Integration, not to the point of thickening muscles or strengthened skin and bones, but healthier than an unranked or undesignated person.
“You're the heir's personal secretary, correct?”
She nodded once, precise. “I am.”
“So you always know her whereabouts and schedule?”
Her lips parted slightly. She held the answer a beat before speaking.
I let the pause rest. Silence could reveal as much as words. Her eyes stayed focused on mine.
“I do. She trusts me.”
Her tongue touched her bottom lip, then withdrew. Her eyes stayed on me.
Nerves?
“Why don’t you sit and chat, operative? Or do you prefer to tower over me?”
There was a tease in her voice. A blush on her cheek. For the first time since I entered the room she glanced away from me.
She’s teasing… no, flirting.
That was unexpected. Unranked people generally assumed high Signals could pick up on attraction.
I sat.
“Have you noticed anyone acting differently in the past few weeks?”
Stay on task. Keep it professional.
I remained focused on her. She was still not nervous. She projected genuine interest in me. My question caused a flicker of concern, most likely for her employer and friend. I was here for a reason, after all.
“No. I was surprised when Sera mentioned the audit. If there's a risk, I’m glad you're here.”
It was a textbook answer. Almost too perfect, just as her calm demeanor was too practiced. My Signal read on her was thin. That in itself was telling.
“How long have you been in the household?”
Another lick-lip and shy smile. “Two years last month. Should I be worried?”
It was my turn to deflect. “I’m sure the Archon or his heir will let you know.”
I stood, hoping my sudden move would create a crack in her screen, unsurprised when it didn’t.
“Thank you for your time and cooperation, Mira Denth.”
She rose now. “Thank you, operative. Perhaps we could meet for…”
I shook my head. “I’ll be leaving the system soon, but thank you for the invitation.”
Keep the job separate. Corps and the ‘Garchs cost careers. The simpler life ran longer.
“I’ll see myself out.”
I closed the door behind me, turned left, and was soon on the elevator back to a lower floor and the small room offered for my use. My report was already written, awaiting final edits and additions.
Nothing had pinged me throughout my visit.
Another paranoid Oligarch family. Shame I can't put that in the report.
The client had wanted a thorough audit. Their own security had spotted some suspicious signals, outliers, not sent through normal channels. They had paid to get me here, so I would give them a full report. Money was good, experience was better.
I had learned not to turn down jobs. Every use of my senses, every exercise of a skill, was noted by the Integration. I expected to level up soon. My whole life had been aimed at reaching Tier 3. I was close to meeting that goal. Every dribble of experience counted.
Besides, Vasken Morr had asked me to take the job. I could hardly refuse.
I re-read the drafted report, then got to the final three interviews. Two were handled clearly. No threat. I did document the potential substance abuse as a minor concern but recommended HR action, not security.
Finally, Mira Denth.
She had generated no threat indicators, so I knew she wasn't a danger.
How to file her?
Too perfect?
Mira Denth: No threat detected.
Her wanting more than an operative should give is not a threat.
Note: Subject Denth was non-threatening but did not disclose fully. Possible deflection relating to romantic interest in operative; professional-distance maintained.
I closed the file, attached it to the secure channel and hit send, satisfied I'd fulfilled my contract.
My overlay flashed.
— Integration: Mission Complete.
╔══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ INTEGRATION: TASK COMPLETE ║
║ Varro, Cade | IL 20 Operative ║
║ Designation Rank: Proven | Tier 2 ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Task Category: Residential Security Audit║
║ Status: Complete ║
║ RESULT: No Threat Indicators Found ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ATTRIBUTES ║
║ Signal: 38 ║
║ Flux: 27 ║
║ Lattice: 22 ║
║ Echo: 21 ║
║ Frame: 20 ║
║ Drive: 18 ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ SKILLS (4 slots / 4 equipped) ║
║ Threat Assessment III ║
║ Threat reads at extended range. ║
║ Multi-target simultaneous read. ║
║ Governs Signal. ║
║ ║
║ Covert Movement II ║
║ Reduces system-visible signature ║
║ during active movement. ║
║ Governs Flux. ║
║ ║
║ Small Arms Proficiency II ║
║ Precision engagement, close to mid. ║
║ Single-target lethality optimized. ║
║ Governs Signal. ║
║ ║
║ Field Coordination I ║
║ Commander-track. Task-lead ║
║ eligibility and unit-level override. ║
║ Governs Echo. ║
║ ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ POINTS AVAILABLE: 0 ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════╝