“Avenger here, report.” Report? Whose number had they given me? Logistics? The control room?“Er ... hey. I was given this number when I was disc...arged, they told me to call if I needed anything.”“Oh, ok, hold please.” I waited, and after a moment I was transferred to some other department, a male voice greeted me this time.“Hello, how can I help you?”“Hello, I was er ... given this number when they discharged me from XCOM, the Commander told me that I should call it if I ever needed help with. You should also be careful. I'm not saying that people aren't trustworthy, but not everyone is nice and there are always people that will use you if they get the chance. Try to get to know people around the office a bit at a time and let them into your life a little bit at a time. I'm sure you'll find at least one or two real friends." I'm going to try. It's hard for me to change my attitude, though. I've acted that way at work for so long that I really have to try hard to snap myself out of. “Michael, that’s all I need to hear from you. Brian, here is our check for $10,000,000 to use as you and this remarkable young man see fit. Here is my business card, Michael. Please pass it on to Ms. Patterson?”I took it with a very big smile ... that had been a test of my resolve, I love tests!He left as I saw the man who would be handing me a check for the evenings’ performance.“Hello Mr. Thomas, my name is Samuel Cushing. I’m the general manager of this facility for AEG Services.”“Good. " He laughed out loud. "I could, but it wouldn'twork. I mean, you'd think you were doing it because you wanted to. That youjust changed your mind or something." "Uh huh." She tapped some ash into the ashtray.Their waitress appeared then with another beer for Darla. Mike watched herfor a second, as she leaned over the table, then noticed Darla staring at him.She jerked her head ever so slightly at the waitress, a smirk on her face.Like she was daring him. Mike glanced up at the waitress. She was.