"So," Prime Maximillian Jennings said, "you got him back."  He poured a glass of bourbon.

Nathan Justice accepted it.  "You sound surprised.  You gotta know me better than that, Max."

Jennings shrugged.  "Terrorists have a different mentality than viruses.  I thought you might have a bit more trouble with them."

"Terrorists make the same mistakes that viruses do," Justice replied.  "When they make those mistakes, that's when I kill them."

"That's something you'll have to be careful of, Nathan," the Prime Guardian said.  "Senator Brosky's becoming very insistent that the Guardians crack down on vigilantism."

"It's only vigilantism if you don't get paid for it," Justice pointed out.

Jennings chuckled.  "Right.  But Brosky doesn't care.  He hates mercs as much as vigilantes."

"Mmphm," Justice grunted as he drank his bourbon.

"So where is Calvin West off to now?" Jennings asked.

Justice paused.  He hadn't told Jennings about his hack into the Guardians' files, or what he'd seen in Burke's file.  As far as the Prime was concerned, Cowboy had helped Justice hack the Claw's dBase and find their route to the holovision station.  Justice replied, "Not sure.  He's going wherever he can find a cheap apartment."

"Still having monetary problems?" Jennings said.

Justice nodded.  "He refused to accept part of the payment for the job.  Said it 'didn't feel right.'"

Jennings blinked.  "You offered to split your paycheck with him?"

"I didn't," Justice replied.  "Sil and Dirk did."

"How is Sil?"

"She's okay," the mercenary said.  "I think she's still bothered by what the Claw was doing, and she seems to have feelings for il'Ensar."

"How do you know this?"

"Max," Justice said, "just because I never smile doesn't mean I don't notice when other people do.  And Sil rarely talks about Cen without something resembling a smile on her face."

Jennings nodded, then stood up.  "Well, it was nice talking to you again, Nathan.  I'm afraid you have to get going.  If I spend too much time talking to a known mercenary, people will start asking questions."

Justice nodded, setting down his bourbon.  He started out, then turned back.  "Say, Max?"

"Yes?"

"If Brosky asks any questions about me, I have three words for him."

"Ah?"

"'Log off, asshole,'" Justice said.  He exited through the door to the Prime's office.

Prime Jennings sat at his desk for a moment, then chuckled.  "He hasn't changed a bit."