His handler was a slim, pretty androgyne with a bored expression. Even reaching out to shake hands, he did not seem to care he had been shifted into active service.

" My name is Christel," he informed Allen in a clipped tone. " If we're to be working together from now on, try to perform competently. I won't coddle you simply because you're unmodified."

" I don't particularly want to be coddled, so we should get along just fine," Allen said to him. There would be no point to introducing himself; the handler had certainly already received his citizenship file over SSNN.

" Shall we go into work, then?" Christel asked, eyes flicking back and forth. He was probably already looking through available cases.

" I don't see why not," Allen said.

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