Oh,
I will.
Someone's
gotta remind that freak who calls the shots around here.
Malcolm makes eye contact with the rest of us. Simmons and Davidson perk up, ever eager for Malcolm's scraps of attention.
Kogan's
always been
a little freak.
Yeah. He needs
to stay in his
damn lane.
Freak...
I'm not sure where the slur came from, the hostility was already well-established by the time I started working here, but it's not the first time I've heard them use it behind Kogan's back.
I suspect Malcolm coined it. Kogan's ownership of the building that Malcolm likes to pretend is his own personal kingdom definitely threatens his ego.
As far as I can tell, Kogan hasn't done anything to deserve the hatred. He pretty much just keeps to himself. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't even know how much the security team despises him.
I wonder if
he has anyone in his
life who cares about
him. I hope so.
There's something off about that freak lately
He just
don't seem
stable.
The other guards nod eagerly. They've been waiting for something like this. I know their type, people who wear their ignorant hatred like a badge of honor... and I've been on the receiving end of this kind of thing enough times to recognize the signs of impending violence.
I should
report him to
HQ... let them take care of
it.
NO!!
I blurt the objection before I can stop myself. Malcolm turns on me with a murderous glare, but I force myself to hold my ground. I can't let him call Cerberus on Kogan.
I-I, um...
I just think he
might be a little
rattled from last
night?
Cerberus' protocol for dealing with people showing symptoms of exposure is really strict... Even the smallest suspicion could get Kogan dragged out of here. If Kogan leaves, where does that leave me? Without a special assignment. I could lose my job before I've even had a chance to learn anything useful...
...And I'd be lying if I said the thought of Kogan being subjected to their "treatment" didn't make me sick to my stomach.
He's
probably on
edge, that's
all.
You sure
about that?
'Cause
from where I'm
standing, it looks
like Mendez has lost
his damn mind.
Tch,
what would you
know about it,
Penn?
You just
got here... you
don't know the
freak like we
do.
I-I saw
the tapes.
Kogan was
minding his own
business when Wolf
snuck up on him.
So f*cking
what?!
A little
joke never hurt
anybody!
I feel the weight of every eye in the room on me, judging, condemning. My heart's pounding so loud, I'm sure they can hear it. I take a deep breath, choosing my words carefully.
I'm just saying...
m-maybe we should think this through before
wasting resources.
. . .
This was a huge
mistake. I should have
just kept my mouth shut
and nodded along like
the others until this
blew over.
That little
shit needs to
learn his
place
And you best remember yours.
I know I can't just stand by and let them do whatever they're planning. But going against Malcolm and his crew... I might as well hand in my resignation right now.
Yes,
sir...
Malcolm shoots me one last warning look, then turns his attention back to the others.
Let's
have a drink
at my place.
And we can
discuss how to handle our "little problem".
Hoots and hollers of agreement erupt from Wolf, Simmons and Davidson.
I can't lose this job. So I hold my tongue, praying they'll calm down before doing something rash.
Penn,
you comin'?
Or you
stayin' here to play watchdog?
U-um, I should
probably finish
setting up these
cameras...
Just in
case there's, you know... any trouble
later.
...
...Suit
yourself.
I lean back in my chair, rubbing my eyes with the heels of my hands.
God,
what a mess.
I shouldn't have
got involved...
I've
probably just made
myself a target, the
same as Kogan.
On the screens, Malcolm and his crew stalk down the hallway. They're hyped up, ready for a fight. And I know exactly who they're gunning for.
Then my eyes are drawn to movement on another monitor. To the figure walking straight towards them...
Oh, sh*t...!
Kogan is heading straight towards the security team, completely unaware of the danger that lies ahead.
I scramble for the intercom, my fingers fumbling with the buttons. But just as I'm about to hit the switch, I freeze.
If I warn Kogan now, Malcolm will hear it. And then I'll be the one in his crosshairs. I close my eyes, my heart warring with my head.
We should
start making things
more interesting for
him.
tch,
yeah, he'll
wish he never bought
the place.
...?
AH—!!
MFF!!
Shh...!
Trust
me...
!!?
Hahaha!
Maybe
a few 'accidents'
will show him his
place.
Heh. We'll
see how long he
lasts before he
cracks.
Then HQ
can deal with
him.
The security team passes us and continues down the hall. I release the breath I'd been holding and let go of Kogan.
I told
you not to
touch me!
What
the hell do
you think you're
doing?!
Sorry!
Ugh! Your
hands are
sweaty!
Sorry...
that happens when
I get nervous.
What are
you nervous
about?
I... about
Malcolm. What he
might do if he found
you here.
H-he kinda
has it out for
you right now..
No thanks
to you.
I know
you told them
about the other
night.
I-I know...
I thought I was
helping but-...
I f*cked up.
...Sorry.
Kogan's eyes narrow. I'm too winded to say anything more in my defense, having sprinted the long way around from the security office to beat Malcolm here undetected.
After what feels like an eternity, Kogan sighs, his shoulders sagging slightly. He bends to retrieve something from the floor—objects I hadn't noticed until now.
He probably
dropped them when
I startled him
earlier...
There’s a worn leather book and some shards of maybe a shattered mug...? He gathers them up, clutching them to his chest like a makeshift shield against whatever threat he perceives me to be.
I was
actually looking for you.
You
were?!
Er...
I mean, w-why?
What's up?
Someone
trashed my
office.
Whoever
did it would have
had to walk by your
cameras.
I want
to see the
tapes.
Oh, uh...
sure.
I'm not
sure I even need
to check the tapes...
my bets are on
Wolf.
Kogan
must have his
own suspicions, but
I'm sure he'll want
to see for himself.
I debate the wisdom of bringing Kogan back to the security room to see the cameras... On the one hand, the room should be empty at the moment. Simmons, Davidson, and Wolf all went to Malcolm's place for drinks.
...Then again, Evans and Jensen should be wrapping up their shifts within the next half hour... The last thing I need is them walking in on Kogan and me alone and blabbing about it to Malcolm after everything that just happened.
...I could
show you at
my place?
Apartment
204.
...you
live here
too?
Heh, yeah...
Company policy.
I fumble for my keys, using them as an excuse to look away from Kogan's intense gaze. I take the key to my apartment off the ring and hand it to him. He hesitates before carefully plucking it from my fingers.
Um. You can
let yourself
in.
I'll
meet you there
in 10 minutes.