Kintsugi Plays Fallen Hero: Rebirth

Same :(

Someday, I guess.

 

SIGH. Well, it can't be helped, so hug, then?

 

SOMEDAY maybe we will be able to kiss our friend's forehead without it being A Thing.

Until then, we'll make do with turning the tables on her hug-wise.​

> I will give her a hug before I leave.

It's an impulse thing, leaning forward and giving her an awkward hug where she's half-sitting in bed.

After the initial surprise, Ortega hugs back awkwardly, her one good arm pulling you closer. There's a moment where you almost manage to tangle yourself in the cables connected to her, and you can feel your quiet chuckle echoed by one of her.

"I've missed you…." You're not sure who breaks the silence, and then you realize that it is you, admitting things that will only make matters more complicated for you.

Warm. She smells of disinfectant. Somehow that fits.

"Ow…." That was Ortega, with a choked gasp she was unable to suppress, and you quickly let go.

"Ribs?" you ask with a sheepish smile.

"Yeah. You're stronger than you used to be." There's a grimace on her face as she lies back down. "Not to mention that they're slightly broken."

"Sorry, I forgot," you say, keeping your face straight. "I don't want to hurt you."

"I can take it." Ortega's smile is a bold challenge and you answer it as you stand up.

"I might just hold you to that," you tease cryptically. "I'm turning off the lights as I leave, okay?" You put the chair back where you took it. "Try to get some sleep."

"I will…." Ortega smiles a tired smile. "You take care."

"Always." You really hope that your smile is not as sinister as it feels.

Of course you will take care of yourself. Nobody else will.

> Leaving Is a Relief

Now all that remains is your puppet. While technically you could go back home and sink into her empty mind from there, it is faster and safer to do it from the hospital. You just need a safe place to stash your body first.

Hospitals, for some reason, always seem bigger on the inside. There is a certain contained discipline to their architecture that hides the maze lying within. Corridors connecting to stairs and massive elevators, rooms and wards interconnecting in surprising ways. Luckily, you can gently browse the thoughts of the staff, leading you down towards the chaos that is the emergency room.

And chaos it is. Enough so you feel the need to block the mass of minds suddenly assaulting you, finding the quietest corner you can.

Here, you are nobody, just another hopeless soul waiting in the long line to see a doctor. You're safe in the knowledge that they won’t get to you for ages; you're not bleeding, nor making a fuss. They’ll be content to let you wait in your corner, head bowed, eyes closed, for all intents and purposes asleep. Or, well, comatose—but who would care? Maybe they’d stick you in a bed if they found that out. You're bruised enough to be here for legitimate reasons.

You try to relax into Barbara's body, try to stop thinking about the Farm…about what might happen if they decide to strip you instead of just assuming you are sleeping it off.

You shrug off those destructive thoughts as you slip away, drifting as you sift through the thoughts of the people around you. The waiting room is churning with fear and anxiety, but you home in on the familiar.

It's not like this is a safe and proven science; every time you leave your body, you suffer a breathless, empty moment before you manage to find yourself at home in your puppet. Could you lose yourself out there? Fade away into the nothing, unable to find your way home?

Perhaps. You know you are vulnerable to attack at least, but there are few active psychics on the coast, and none of them are aware of you.

You intend to keep it that way.

Slowly, slowly, you connect your mental threads to your puppet, making yourself comfortable. You are surrounded by the smells of plastic and disinfectant.

You try to relax into your new body, drifting into the deep, calm pool of Barbara.

Sink.

Watch the surface from afar.

Rest there in the deep blue ocean of her mind.

Feel her.

It takes a moment to adjust perspectives, the waters unusually agitated, but then you groan softly and taste the sounds that her lips make.

You let yourself rise now.

Her mouth becomes your mouth.

Breaking the surface.

Breathe.

At times, it worries you that her body feels as much like home as your own. Perhaps it is the freedom of being head blind when you are in her. The world is once more filled with mysteries and illusions, and you don’t have to look at the ugliness of people's souls; you have the luxury of imagining something better.

Sometimes, you wonder if you should get back on the drugs when you're Josie—but drugs can’t erase memories. They can’t wipe who you are. Where you came from. Other things can. Wipe the slate clean. Erase them all.

It takes a moment for you to realize that someone is sitting next to you. Barbara's eyes feel unused and filled with sand, but you let your lashes flutter open and realize that Dr. Mortum is sitting in one of the chairs. She is typing on her phone, a focused frown on her face.

The hospital lights are harsh and pale, making her seem like the only solid thing in the room, warm black skin a welcome contrast to the white of the surroundings. You don't even want to know how you look—if it's anything close to how you feel, not good.

After her phone lets out a soft chirping sound, she glances over at your still form, the focused frown turning into one of concern.

　‣ Now that's a surprise. I wasn't sure she'd care.
　‣ So far, so good. All is according to plan.
　‣ Despite the possible complications, I am happy to see her there.

Huh—Mortum must have been waiting here for quite a while. What do we think of that?​

Spoiler: Show Stats (no change)

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary
Description: An average mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short, neat curly dark brown hair.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are tired.
Willpower: You feel tired.
Injuries: You are hurt, with no significant wounds.

Telepathy

Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Armored Suit

Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores that are functionally similar to having a disintegration touch. It is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed, as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status

Need Repair: 0% / Fine: 100%
████████████████████

Standard of Living: You are comfortable.

Psychological Profile

Infamy: 47% / Obscurity: 53%
█████████▒██████████
Arrogance: 27% / Anonymity: 73%
█████▒██████████████
Ruthlessness: 39% / Empathy: 61%
███████▒████████████
Daring: 64% / Caution: 36%
████████████▒███████

Main Puppet

Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: Unknown, left in Mortum's care.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties, with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Josie's relationship with Ortega: friend.
Ortega and Josie: 82%
████████████████▒███

Barbara's relationship with Ortega: flirting.
Ortega and Barbara: 65%
████████████████████

Barbara's relationship with Dr. Mortum: flirting.
Mortum and Barbara: 71%
██████████████▒█████

Josie's relationship with Lady Argent: distant.
Lady Argent and Josie: 0%
████████████████████

Josie's relationship with Marshal Steel: former ally.
Marshal Steel and Josie: 24%
████▒███████████████

Josie's relationship with Herald: distant.
Herald and Josie: 20%
████████████████████

 

Josie whenever anyone shows concern for their well-being:

​

> Now that's a surprise. I wasn't sure she'd care.

You have a few rules you try to follow, and the chief one is never trust anybody but yourself. Dr. Mortum was a long shot, a useful tool for developing the armor you needed.

It looks like you're getting more than you bargained for.

She must be taking a risk staying behind like this, with someone injured in a criminal act whom the police might eventually question. Not that you think they ever will, as you are just a victim. But you wouldn't have blamed Dr. Mortum if she had headed for the hills.

Instead, she is sitting here at your side.

Interesting.

Dr. Mortum pours you another glass of water before putting the phone back in her coat. You realize that she's still in her party finery, the overcoat unable to mask the dusty state of her clothes. Thinking back, it's hard to imagine what happened there from her point of view, the bystander fleeing with the crowd. Luckily, you don't have to pretend that Barbara remembers.

"What happened?" You make sure the words are weak and shaky, and honestly, it's not even much of an act. "Where am I?"

"You are at the Memorial Hospital, ma chérie. As for what happened…" She pauses when she sees the look on your face.

"Why did you…" You hadn't counted on ending up somewhere this visible. This is where the Rangers would go, and half the people at the gala, and…

"Calm down." Dr. Mortum gently takes the cup from your hand before you spill it. "If you are concerned about money, don't be. This is a favor from a friend of mine—you are here off the books, because I have to admit I was more than a little worried about you." Dr. Mortum is frowning a little, watching you as if she is expecting you to faint at any moment.

"I'm…fine." You hesitate so long that she chuckles and gestures for you to lie back down.

"You hit your head quite hard, ma chérie. I couldn't wake you. Dr. Halabi thought that you might have slipped into a coma."

You feel yourself blushing a little, wondering how much the doctors know. How are you supposed to handle that kind of information? Ignore it? Tell the truth?

　‣ I distract with a bit of flirting.
　‣ I let her know I've been in a coma in the past.
　‣ I laugh it off.

Well… they're not wrong about the coma. Should we offer a bit of the truth as explanation or dodge the subject?​

Spoiler: Show Stats

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary
Description: An average mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short, neat curly dark brown hair.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are tired.
Willpower: You feel tired.
Injuries: You are hurt, with no significant wounds.

Telepathy

Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Armored Suit

Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores that are functionally similar to having a disintegration touch. It is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed, as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status

Need Repair: 0% / Fine: 100%
████████████████████

Standard of Living: You are comfortable.

Psychological Profile

Infamy: 47% / Obscurity: 53%
█████████▒██████████
Arrogance: 25% (-2) / Anonymity: 75%
████████████████████
Ruthlessness: 39% / Empathy: 61%
███████▒████████████
Daring: 64% / Caution: 36%
████████████▒███████

Main Puppet

Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: Unknown, left in Mortum's care.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties, with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Josie's relationship with Ortega: friend.
Ortega and Josie: 82%
████████████████▒███

Barbara's relationship with Ortega: flirting.
Ortega and Barbara: 65%
████████████████████

Barbara's relationship with Dr. Mortum: flirting.
Mortum and Barbara: 71%
██████████████▒█████

Josie's relationship with Lady Argent: distant.
Lady Argent and Josie: 0%
████████████████████

Josie's relationship with Marshal Steel: former ally.
Marshal Steel and Josie: 24%
████▒███████████████

Josie's relationship with Herald: distant.
Herald and Josie: 20%
████████████████████

 

I wanna flirt and distract. I am truth-averse.

 

Obvious flirt & distract gives us a secret she can find, if she's very curious.

 

"Truth-averse" is such a nice way of putting it.​

> I distract with a bit of flirting.

"Did you kiss me awake, then?" You touch your lips lightly, getting an amused chuckle in return before Dr. Mortum straightens her back a little.

"I wouldn't kiss an unconscious woman. I have my rules."

"It was a joke," you point out. "Not an accusation."

"Then you truly must be feeling better now." But you did manage to coax a smile from her. Good.

"I am fine," you say again, with a weak smile. "Well, mostly anyway. What happened?"

"Don't you remember?" There's something that sounds like real worry in her voice.

"No, no, I do." You quickly calm her down. You don't want to end up being examined for amnesia as well. "I remember the party; it's just what happened to me that's a blank."

"I see." There's a sigh of relief, and Dr. Mortum leans a little closer. "I suppose that congratulations are in order. And a raise for you, I hope."

"Shh…" you caution, looking around. The room is private and empty, but you don't know who might be watching. And in this body, you really would have no idea.

"Oh, it is perfectly safe here." Dr. Mortum pats the pocket where she put the phone. "I activated the jammers a while ago. I don't want to risk being overheard."

"Of course you did." You almost chuckle; it is pleasant working with someone who has an equal amount of professional paranoia. "Was…was it the explosion then?"

"Either you misread the timer, or it was stronger than you expected."

　‣ I put the blame on my boss.
　‣ I admit I might have miscalculated.
　‣ I admit that I let myself get injured on purpose.

Oh, right. The explosion which we specifically timed to go off right before Barbara passed out. There's a reasonable explanation for that, which is…?​

Spoiler: Show Stats

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary
Description: An average mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short, neat curly dark brown hair.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are tired.
Willpower: You feel tired.
Injuries: You are hurt, with no significant wounds.

Telepathy

Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Armored Suit

Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores that are functionally similar to having a disintegration touch. It is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed, as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status

Need Repair: 0% / Fine: 100%
████████████████████

Standard of Living: You are comfortable.

Psychological Profile

Infamy: 47% / Obscurity: 53%
█████████▒██████████
Arrogance: 25% / Anonymity: 75%
████████████████████
Ruthlessness: 39% / Empathy: 61%
███████▒████████████
Daring: 64% / Caution: 36%
████████████▒███████

Main Puppet

Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: Unknown, left in Mortum's care.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties, with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Josie's relationship with Ortega: friend.
Ortega and Josie: 82%
████████████████▒███

Barbara's relationship with Ortega: flirting.
Ortega and Barbara: 65%
████████████████████

Barbara's relationship with Dr. Mortum: flirting.
Mortum and Barbara: 72% (+1)
██████████████▒█████

Josie's relationship with Lady Argent: distant.
Lady Argent and Josie: 0%
████████████████████

Josie's relationship with Marshal Steel: former ally.
Marshal Steel and Josie: 24%
████▒███████████████

Josie's relationship with Herald: distant.
Herald and Josie: 20%
████████████████████

 

uhhhhhhhhhhhh
hm
I am kind of against 'blame our boss'
I don't want Mortum to dislike us
which I feel she might if we blame our boss (although she might already, I freely admit I do not remember Mortum's opinion on Josie if she has expressed one. but if she does already dislike us and we go 'oh it was my boss's fault' I think she might dislike us MORE given her seeming care for Barbara)
beyond not wanting to say that first one though, idk
I don't have any particular attachment to whether we miscalculated or did it on purpose

 

Yeah I think Mortum is already annoyed at the boss
I'm a bit worried that if she gets TOO mad she might turn out to have some secret failsafe, or whoops some schematics for the armor got spread around the underworld in some way that doesn't compromise her professional reputation.

So, blame Barbara's timing? I'm curious about what the injured on purpose answer would be but I don't know how that'd be in character for Barbie.

 

If you mean "what would Barbie's rationale for deliberately injuring herself be?", it's the same reason we did it: it makes her a less likely suspect, albeit at some risk to herself.

 

I guess Demolitions Expert Barbie still has some kinks to work out.​

> I admit I might have miscalculated.

"Maybe I was pushing it a little too close," you admit with a sigh. "I was about to leave when someone started talking to me, and the next thing I knew, blackness."

"You should have been nowhere close to that explosion," Dr. Mortum admonishes.

"What was I supposed to do? Push them out of the way and run for the exit?"

"I am sure you could have thought of something." There's a long sigh as she looks you over where you lie innocently in bed. "You're not used to taking an active role in these things, are you?"

"That's not…" You have to make an effort to stop yourself from defending your actions—this is an act, after all. It is just fine if Dr. Mortum thinks Barbara messed up. "Fine. I am usually just the liaison."

"I thought as much. You have to be more careful in the future."

"I will," you say with a solemn look on your face. "I promise."

There is a pause as both of you attempt to read each other, trying to see what the other one really thinks. Dr. Mortum used to be simple to predict—wave some shiny science challenges in front of her face, and she'd jump right in. You thought you had her figured out. Pay the price, get the goods, then go your separate ways.

You hadn't really counted on getting close enough to ever see another side.

"Ma chérie?" You nearly jump as she speaks, still a little bit on edge after everything that has happened.

"Yes?"

"I don't think it is safe for you to go back to work again after this." Dr. Mortum leans a little closer, lowering her voice. "Trust me, I know a bad deal and a bad boss when I see one. They are using you."

　‣ I deflect by flirting with her….
　‣ "Don't mother me. I can make my own decisions."
　‣ "I am loyal to my boss."
　‣ "I am afraid of what will happen if I leave."
　‣ "I haven't even been paid yet."

Spoiler: Show Stats (no change)

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary
Description: An average mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short, neat curly dark brown hair.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are tired.
Willpower: You feel tired.
Injuries: You are hurt, with no significant wounds.

Telepathy

Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Armored Suit

Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores that are functionally similar to having a disintegration touch. It is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed, as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status

Need Repair: 0% / Fine: 100%
████████████████████

Standard of Living: You are comfortable.

Psychological Profile

Infamy: 47% / Obscurity: 53%
█████████▒██████████
Arrogance: 25% / Anonymity: 75%
████████████████████
Ruthlessness: 39% / Empathy: 61%
███████▒████████████
Daring: 64% / Caution: 36%
████████████▒███████

Main Puppet

Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: Unknown, left in Mortum's care.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties, with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Josie's relationship with Ortega: friend.
Ortega and Josie: 82%
████████████████▒███

Barbara's relationship with Ortega: flirting.
Ortega and Barbara: 65%
████████████████████

Barbara's relationship with Dr. Mortum: flirting.
Mortum and Barbara: 72%
██████████████▒█████

Josie's relationship with Lady Argent: distant.
Lady Argent and Josie: 0%
████████████████████

Josie's relationship with Marshal Steel: former ally.
Marshal Steel and Josie: 24%
████▒███████████████

Josie's relationship with Herald: distant.
Herald and Josie: 20%
████████████████████

 

I want to deflect by flirting purely because the idea of falling back on that option yet again really amuses me, but I am also betting on it not working this time

 

That dot dot dot is not promising that even our narration thinks it would work this time, yeah.

If we don't want Mortum pissed at Our Boss, the 3rd and 4th options aren't great choices either. 5th less likely to have that effect, but potentially.

So I'm leaning 2nd by process of elimination? Especially if the story plays it off as wounded pride rather than actual anger with Mortum, but I can't tell that from here.

 

No need to raise any more red flags about the boss—Barbie is a professional who can handle this fine on her own.​

> "Don't mother me. I can make my own decisions."

You draw yourself up a little, crossing your arms with a small wince. "Don't mother me, Mortum. I can make my own decisions."

The interest is flattering, but also awkward, since you're not exactly a regular employee.

"I never doubted that, but—"

You interrupt her before she finishes. "Stop. Please. You don't know everything about me, and I am telling you that I know what I am doing."

There is a pause as Dr. Mortum meets your eyes, holding them for a little longer than needed. "I see," are the words she finally chooses. "I will trust your judgment, then. Just know that there are options."

"Thank you for that," you say with a soft smile. That should make things a little easier.

This has become a little too personal for your liking, so you fake another cough attack, causing Dr. Mortum to offer a fresh glass of water from the pitcher. It tastes faintly of chlorine, and you wonder idly if there is something else in there.

No. You banish that thought with a shiver. This is not the Farm; this is a hospital. And nobody has any reason to think there is anything wrong with you. You're safe.

"So…" you say, once the water is gone and your mind has calmed down. Control. That is the most important thing here. "What happened once I was out cold, then?"

"Oh, there was a fight, of course. I have to say, the armor performed splendidly." There is a proud smile on Dr. Mortum's face. "The Rangers were no match."

"Good." You smile a little weakly. "I hope my boss feels the same."

"Well, if there are any issues, at least we will have another excuse to meet."

"I was more worried they would think I had done a bad job." You lower your gaze, making sure to look suitably nervous.

oh ffs josie, it's like you're not even reading the thread​

"I doubt you are capable of doing a bad job, ma chérie." She frowns a little, leaning closer. "That being said…do think you have cause for alarm?"

"It worked, didn't it?" You slowly look up, letting your smile out just to get one in return. Sometimes people are so easy to manipulate even without powers.

"It most certainly did. Your boss…"

> Someone Knocks

There is a knock at the door and you feel your body tensing up, fight-or-flight reflexes kicking in. You scramble back on the bed, staring at the door, which swings open without waiting for an answer. The nurse…

No.

Not a nurse.

Ortega. Bruised and looking like hell in what looks to be a borrowed overcoat—but she is on her feet, looking worried.

Fuck.

Time since Ortega promised us she'd stay in bed: 20 minutes, max.​

"Barbara!" Your name is too loud on her lips, too filled with emotion, and she bites it back the moment she notices you are not alone. "Oh, I'm sorry. Am I interrupting something?"

Ortega frowns a little, clearly a bit taken aback by the fact that you are not alone. "I…can come back later, if you want? I just wanted to see if you were all right. I heard…"

For a moment you almost panic, wondering what to do, eyes darting between Ortega and Dr. Mortum.

Ortega looks like she's been put through the wringer, and it is interesting to remember which of your blows caused which bruise. Nothing looks broken, but the bruises are massive and there are stitches crisscrossing her face. The way she stands is a dead giveaway that she's more hurt than she lets on; that casual leaning against the door jamb looks like camouflage to you.

Dr. Mortum, however, has gone cold. Cold and controlled, with that small, neutral smile that you recognize from your early meetings. There's the briefest of glances in your direction, to see how you want to play this.

　‣ I feign confusion. "You heard what?"
　‣ I get upset. "How did you know I was here? Were you stalking me?"
　‣ I get worried. "What happened to you? You look awful!"
　‣ I add things up. "I thought I saw you at the gala, but…"

Chapters since Ortega last ambushed us: 0.

How do we react?​

Spoiler: Show Stats

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary
Description: An average mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short, neat curly dark brown hair.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are tired.
Willpower: You feel tired.
Injuries: You are hurt, with no significant wounds.

Telepathy

Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Armored Suit

Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores that are functionally similar to having a disintegration touch. It is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed, as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status

Need Repair: 0% / Fine: 100%
████████████████████

Standard of Living: You are comfortable.

Psychological Profile

Infamy: 47% / Obscurity: 53%
█████████▒██████████
Arrogance: 25% / Anonymity: 75%
████████████████████
Ruthlessness: 39% / Empathy: 61%
███████▒████████████
Daring: 64% / Caution: 36%
████████████▒███████

Main Puppet

Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: Unknown, left in Mortum's care.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties, with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Josie's relationship with Ortega: friend.
Ortega and Josie: 82%
████████████████▒███

Barbara's relationship with Ortega: flirting.
Ortega and Barbara: 65%
████████████████████

Barbara's relationship with Dr. Mortum: flirting.
Mortum and Barbara: 65% (+4) (-10)
████████████████████

Since the LP format makes this unclear: that -10 is in response to Barbie's superhero friend barging in. Mortum actually responded positively to Barbie setting boundaries.​

Josie's relationship with Lady Argent: distant.
Lady Argent and Josie: 0%
████████████████████

Josie's relationship with Marshal Steel: former ally.
Marshal Steel and Josie: 24%
████▒███████████████

Josie's relationship with Herald: distant.
Herald and Josie: 20%
████████████████████

 

Last option? I'm not sure what gives Mortum the best chance to leave before Ortega recognizes her.

 

I am deeply curious how the fuck Ortega heard we were here when Mortum over there is like, relax, nobody knows you're here,

And then a Ranger barges in hollering loud enough for the whole wing to know our whereabouts?

Mortum methinks you ought reconsider your friends before we reconsider our boss???

 

Also oh hey, our relationships with each of them are currently tied

 

clearly the optimal move is to derail into a debate about who here has the worst taste in friends

 

not now Ortega! we're BUSY!
but like yeah, seriously, how does she know we're here?? I kinda wanna say 'feign confusion' just to see if she'll elaborate on what she heard and how.