What Comes Before

[Nox]

Nox couldn't will the thing to load faster. He moved from rocking in the seat to pacing his small room. It was only a few steps one way, then turn and the other way. He stopped at one end to rub at the arm and realized he could take it off. The pressure released and the arm came away and Nox felt the relief of not wearing it. Maybe he'd get used to it. Maybe he wouldn't but he wouldn't know until he tried. He rubbed at the fully healed stump in amazement. He set the arm on top of his bags. He'd have to start locking the door at night. Something like that could easily draw a burglar or two. Not that he thought that anyone at Kallisti would rob him, but not everyone was so who they claimed to be, himself included.

The laptop finally dinged the conclusion of the transfer and Nox snatch out the drive and headed down stairs -- locking his door behind him. His keep tucked into his jeans pocket. Something he had never bothered carrying before.

Downstairs Oriena and Raffe were talking and Nox hated to interrupt but his gut was in knots. Nox walked out and placed the drive on the table while returning to his chair so as not to offend Oriena anymore than necessary. "All the information I have on who has the tablet and order the Ijiraq to kill the Ascendancy."