An Amicable Meeting

[Liz Krest]

Cobra could see the beginnings of a smile forming on the Lane Hacker's face after his last comment. At the same time, and with her eyes still fixed on the emptiness of space outside Ames, Liz reached into a pocket of her trousers and pulled out the same device she had removed from her right eye socket. However, she would place it on the table and not wear it just yet. Moments later she did the same with the grey scarf that had covered her face just a few hours ago.

"I wonder how your more regular company is, Damien," she finally spoke, making it clear that she had caught up with the Commander's tone, "you seem to be having almost too much fun at the moment." The Infiltrator allowed herself to make a humorous comment, something that was not only unexpected from Cobra's point of view but was also not part of her usual tone.

"You have my gratitude for this," Liz pointed to the credits that he had left on the table, "but next time I'll pay - I don't want to give the impression of being a damsel in distress, I'm far from it."

While there was a hint of seriousness in her tone, the phrase was delivered in a way that both expressed her genuine gratitude and humoured the situation. A clever play on words and tone to get her point across without offending her company.

"Perhaps it would be wise if we said our goodbyes in the next few minutes. I've been away for a while, and not only do I have business to attend to, but I also have prying eyes on my back almost all the time. I'm sure a man of your... esteem can understand that."