[ Oh, great.

Once, not so long ago, Ephemera would have just lunged for the man and fuck the consequences. Even better, he would have been preparing for it ever since he knew another Freelancer came through the Door. Would've set up traps, contingencies, something to put them both on equal footing because Agent Maine is fucking huge, even bigger than Crow was, and Ephemera isn't stupid or angry enough to think he can take someone like that down in melee combat. But those were different times. He had a different name.

Now he's trying to be better. It works until it doesn't.

He grits his teeth. Takes a breath and lets it go, thankful for his helmet. It keeps his face hidden so he can work through the anger on his own instead of letting the whole damn world in on it. ]

I take it Washington didn't explain?

[ Guess not. There were probably other concerns. ]

We've met. Or we're going to. I don't know when you're from, exactly. My squad used to run with the Insurrection.

[ Ephemera's voice is low and cool. ]

Freelancer killed 'em all. I used to take that real personally.