Chapter Text
[FILE ENCRYPTED]
Name: HGmisc_BarGossip.txt
Owner: R.Ortega
Thursday, January 27, 2022 11:20:40
Contact: Naoki Sato
Occupation: Bartender
Status: Civilian. Alive. Secure.
Note: Hidden personal mic recording, poor audio quality but mostly salvageable. Naoki's a new contact but they assure me they've done this before and I believe them, ritzy places like JADE bar always attract rich assholes with dirty secrets. Felt safest not to mention these particular assholes were Hollow Ground and Retribution. They didn't pry. Some people are simply incurious when faced bribe money I suppose.
HG: May I ask you a personal question?
RB: How personal?
HG: It's an innocent one, I promise.
RB: If you have to.
HG: Why do you wear your hair so long?
RB: What kind of question is that? Because I fucking like to, alright? Big mystery solved.
HG: Interesting.
RB: How the fuck is that possibly interesting?
Note: Audio quality starts getting sketchy here. It's like Naoki keeps walking to the far end of the bar when they start talking. Then it's like they finally remember they are getting paid to listen in. Amateur.
HG: It's just that [undecipherable]
RB: You can't be serious-
HG: Used to [undecipherable]
RB: For the last fucking time I'm not [undecipherable]
HG: [undecipherable] coincidence?
Note (amended): OK maybe I owe Naoki an apology, or a bigger bribe if I use them again because this one's on me, I can't believe I forgot that Tegan- no, sorry Retribution as he insists, can divert people's attention like it's nothing. Probably isn't even aware that he does it half the time, not that it's ever worked on me. At least Naoki seemed to realize something was up and hid the mic under a napkin. Audio quality is muffled but stable.
RB: Lots of people look like other people, it's not that weird, especially in this city.
HG: And you're certain you don't have amnesia? Or other gaps in your memory?
RB: What the hell?
HG: During your little stint as Sidestep you fell out a window, you had to have been seriously injured…you're lucky to even be alive. Trauma-
RB: Y'know for someone with their own secret identity you're pretty fucking blasé about other people's. And trust me, the last thing I am is lucky.
HG: You don't need to whisper, or be so dramatic. The people here are trusted.
Note: Ha.
RB: Just because you can grease some palms doesn't mean people are loyal to you.
HG: Oh, I have more at my disposal than just money. But you're changing the subject.
RB: I don't have amnesia.
HG: So you can recall everything? Even your childhood?
RB: My- just drop it.
HG: You hesitated.
RB: I said drop it. My…childhood was fucking shit, alright? I don't want to talk about it. Don't play a goddamn therapist.
HG: That's really how you see it?
RB: Yes, and quit looking at me like that.
Note: Interesting. He really doesn't know Tegan's- I may need extra encryption on this just in case. I'll ask Angie. She'll tease me but at least I can bribe her with a homemade cake. Remember to buy eggs.
HG: Wouldn't you rather be sure?
RB: I am sure.
HG: I don't think that's true.
RB: So what?
HG: If you would just take the blood test-
RB: No. Fuck you.
Note: Couldn't have said it better myself.
HG: You don't have to- you didn't even pay your tab.
RB: So fucking bill me!
NS: We can waive the charge sir.
HG: Thank you. I suppose not many people dine and dash from this establishment. You'll have to forgive his manners.
NS: It's perfectly fine sir.
HG: Oh and Mx. Sato? Before you deliver the recording on this little device here I'd like a copy for my personal records, you don't mind do you?
NS: Not at all sir.
HG: Happy hunting, Charge.
Note: Motherf- change Naoki's status to compromised immediately. How does he fucking do it? Is he a telepath too? Does it run- but they're not even related! Mierda, I need a drink.