#RedrockAgency – July 14, 2014

Vasquez is sitting in her office, reading on her computer terminal. She looks tired, as is usually the case, but her gaze shows concern as it darts across the text on the holographic screen. Her jacket is hanging on her chair, leaving her in her usual tanktop. An empty coffee mug sits on the desk along with a dirty plate.

Jason slogs down the hall towards Vasquez' office. He gives a quick knock on the door before tapping the panel, causing it to slide open. In his hand is a small, half-empty glass containing a dark brown liquid. He takes a short sip as he enters the room. "You're gonna go blind, staring at that screen all day." he says plainly, with little emotion behind his words.

Vasquez is quick to shut down the screen when Jason enters the room. She looks up, taking a little while to respond. "Somebody has to keep this place together..."

Jason raises an eyebrow at the sudden response to his approach. He stops in place momentarily and looks towards the terminal. "Porn?" he asks, "Hell, don't have to hide that." he continues as a lopsided smirk spreads across his face. He takes a seat across from Vaquez and sets his drink on her desk. "Unless it's some freaky, elcor shit..." he groans, making a disgusted face.

Vasquez doesn't seem very amused. "What do you want?" she says rather bluntly.

Vasquez lets out a heavy sigh, resting her head in the palm of her hand for a moment. "I'm negotiating a new job." she mutters, and then reaches for her cup only to realize it's empty.

Jason 's smile slowly fades away. "A new job?" he repeats, "Do we-... Are you sure we're ready for another job?" he asks, leaning forward in his seat, "Our contracts are holding up, and manpower is gonna be an issue. Haven't heard from Zaylus in months..." He sighs and gives a slight shrug, "Maybe we should hold off for now."

Vasquez lets out a sharp "No." She leans a bit over the desk, putting her elbows against it. "Don't you think I fucking know we're not in good shape? Our last mission was a disaster!" She glares at him. "Look, just leave the decisions to me, okay? You shoot, I... I do this shit."

Jason puts his hands up defensively. "Calm down! I'm just saying-..." he pauses and takes a deep breath, "I don't think we-..." He trails off and begins glancing around the room, breaking eye contact with Vasquez, "I don't think I'm ready to go back out there, Linda." He shakes his head sternly, "Not yet."

Vasquez seems about to say something, but is clearly put off by the final comment. She goes silent for a short while, glancing down at her desk before responding. "I... okay. You know what? Why don't you sit the next one out. I'll... put someone else in charge. Or maybe go myself."

Vasquez raises her right hand and flexes her fingers. "I'm doing well, Jason... you know I've been down at the range a lot. WIth the implant, my motor skills are-... I can handle it."

Jason shakes his head, his demeanor tensing up, "Absolutely not. If-... If this has to happen-..." he sighs, "If we need this job, I'll lead the team. I'll do my fucking job. But I need you here, you understand me?"

Vasquez looks at him for a while, her gaze darting away once or twice. Eventually she relents, and lets out a "...fine." She meets his gaze with a serious expression. "Jason... this is important. Are you sure you're up for it?"

Jason reaches up and rubs at the back of his neck as he nods silently. After a moment, he manages a "Yeah-..." He forces a hollow smile, "Of course. I'll be fine."

Vasquez studies Jason for a bit, clearly doubting his resolve. "Okay... I'll give you more information when I have it. It's an important job, Jason. I... can't pass on it."

Jason nods once more. "Yeah-... No, I understand." He reaches for his drink again, "It'll be fine. I'll be fine. I'm just-..." he holds his glass up and takes a large swig, "Just-... You know. Too much to drink today. I'm sorry."

Vasquez sighs and looks silently at Jason for a while. She seems unusually resigned. "It's okay... you know I'd be doing the same if I could."

Jason chews on his lower lip silently for a moment before responding, "No, it's really not... But it will be." he sighs, "Was just-... All fucked up out there, you know?"

Vasquez closes her eyes and nods to herself a few times. "Yeah... it... it was. I-..." she opens her eyes and looks at him, heavy with guilt. "I'm sorry I sent you out there, Jason... I fucked up. It was my fault."

Jason furrows his brow. "What? No..." he shakes his head, "No. You couldn't have known. It wasn't anybody's fault. It just-... Happened." He sighs and empties the last of his drink, setting the empty glass back on Vasquez' desk, "But-... Those things. Linda, you can't deny the similarities to the Evening Star. And-..." he glances down once again, looking somewhat embarrassed, "Well, I've been searching all over the extranet. Most of it's just paranoid rambling, but there's other stories, similar to ours..."

Vasquez takes a deep breath, and remains silent for a while, staring at her desk. "Yeah... yeah, I know. You think I don't? There hasn't been a day I haven't thought about the Evening Star... you know that. And then this...? I-... I don't know what it is. I'm... not sure I want to."

Jason nods slowly, a distant look on his face. "I just can't stop thinking about all those people. Could we have saved them? Reversed-... whatever that was? And how many more are out there!?" he asks, looking past Vasquez arbitrarily, "Twice, Linda... We crossed paths with those-... things, twice! What happens next time?"

Vasquez seems conflicted, glancing up at him once or twice. Eventually she leans back and looks up at the ceiling. She speaks with a rather tenative voice. "Jason... what if... I told you I think I know who's causing... those... abominations? What if... I wanted to stop them?"

Jason stares at Vasquez intently. He seems to think about the question for a few moments. "Who-... What are you talking about?"

Vasquez meets Jason's gaze. She is clearly quite serious. "Ever since... the mine, I've been searching. Trying to... figure it out. And I think I've found the source."

Vasquez raises an eyebrow. "You didn't think you were the only one looking, did you?"

Jason reaches up absently and rubs at the top of his head. "Linda-... What have you found out?" he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

Vasquez puts her elbows on the desk once more and leans forward. "It's not random... there's people behind this. A... cult. Some sick fuckers doing this to people on purpose. I want to stop them."

Jason | "We have to stop them." he nearly spits out in response without taking any time to think. "This-... This isn't an option, Linda. Why didn't you tell me sooner? Do you know-... Do you have any idea-... I hardly sleep even sleep anymore. And when I do, it's always the same thing. Nightmares. Waking up in a cold sweat. If there's something we can do, we need to try."

Vasquez lets out a relieved sigh and nods several times. "I didn't want to tell you... until I was sure. And... I didn't know what you'd think..." A small, barely noticable smile starts to show on her face. "We can end this. We can... fix it."

Jason closes his eyes and nods. "Get the details together. I want to know everything. Why-... Why would somebody do this?"

Vasquez shakes her head. "I don't know. As long as they can't do it anymore I don't care about why. I'll gather the information I have and send it to you. I-... we need to use the Agency for this. I've been trying to gather the credits we need. I think I can work it out."