“Die! Die! Die!”
“Wow,” Boomer said. “If I didn’t know you better Jordan, I would say you’re insane and I wouldn’t let you be near my daughter, let alone be my neighbor.”
Jordan looked up from the lounge chair he was sitting on. Boomer had come up with his daughter, Lisa, to the roof of the building. When the Faber family had moved in a month ago, Vire had decided to renovate the entire rooftop. A corner of the roof now had a little playground and sand box. In fact, the roof was now one of the best places of the building.
“It’s Ninja Master 4,” Jordan said. “A true master of the game interacts while he plays.”
“So, Mister Dedication, why’re you using a joystick instead of the keypad?” Boomer asked as he set his daughter down in sandbox.
“Despite sci-fi movies,” Jordan explained, “cybernetics aren’t a perfect substitute for real hands.”
For many people, Jordan would be annoyed because he’d feel like they are trying to pity or demean him. No one in the apartment complex made him feel that way. They asked honest questions without a hint of manipulation. It was an unspoken understanding that you could ask anyone anything, and that people did not have to answer. Though they usually did in some manner. Jordan had no issues with showing the lack of fine motor control to Boomer.
“Apparently it’s really difficult to get nerves to connect with circuitry,” Jordan explained. “They were thrilled just to give me reasonably good control of my thumb and wrist. The rest of my fingers pretty much move as one.”
“Does it get hot, being out there in the sun?” Boomer asked as he stopped his daughter from eating sand.
“Thankfully no,” Jordan answered. “Of course, the silicone cover can absorb all heat, but it stays the same color. So, no tanning.”
Boomer started laughing and Jordan joined in. He had not meant for it to sound like the only reason he ignored the silicone cover was so he could tan. Mostly, it was just a hassle to pull on. Perhaps he could ask Vire if she could design something. Of course, that could be potentially dangerous. She was already commandeering the top apartments to convert into a gym and pool.
“Jordan!” Nero called as walked up the stairs. “Hey, you busy today?”
“Sounds like the agency’s calling,” Boomer said as he sat on the swing with his daughter in his lap.
“I wonder what strange thing will be going on this time,” Jordan mused. “Shoot. I’m not at the best pause stop.”
Jordan quickly grabbed his computer and headed down to the lobby. He was not surprised to see Agents Driver and Michaels there. They were watching Tech, who looked like he was hacking into some sort of security camera, along with Vire and Nero. It was amazing how such actions were normal in this apartment complex. The only person who actually acknowledged Jordan’s entrance was Carmine.
“What’s taking Jordan so…Oh,” Nero said as he looked up. “You’re here.”
“I’ve been here,” Jordan responded, keeping a straight face.
“Took you long enough,” Nero bantered back. “Anyway, if you’re up for it, our wonderful clients need some sly information gathering.”
“How sly?”
“We need to find out where exactly this guy has been the last week,” Agent Driver said. “Only, he can’t know that we’re on to him.”
“So, how am I supposed to go and strike up a conversation with him and have it look natural?” Jordan asked.
“Depending on where he is and what he’s doing, we might be able delay a train or something,” Agent Michaels said.
“We figure it will also help get conversation going if the guy doesn’t feel cornered,” Nero added. “So, you and Carmine are going to work together as strangers who don’t know each other.”
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