Assigned as a Holster

Connor's mind reeled at the information. Not the part about corporations being evil, and having some behind-the-scenes agenda. One quick glance at the nature of Center showed that transparently. Ice-breakers and the like fighting just out of the sight of the public. Capitalism struggling against those pointing out its flaws. What threw the scrapper off was the fact things like Silas existed. Laws and regulations were expected on the bounds of reality. Einstein, Newton, all of those boring dead men the scrapper had learned the basics about in his orphanage. Pinnacles defied the boundaries found by these men. 

Already he had seen that with the literal power offered by his Parasite. 

A being made of limitless energy. What Silas had introduced himself as finally found ground in Connor's mind. But what about Sara's parasite? The Pinnacle of positivity, as she said. What did that even mean? Energy and positivity were synonyms. Did that make him more powerful? Or less? The scrapper found his eyes locked upon those purple pits. Sara stared back, a small smile etching across her face.

"I can tell you're racking your brain about it," she joked. "Don't be too frustrated if I seem a bit better at this. After all, you've only had your abilities for a couple weeks. And you've been asleep the whole time."

Connor cocked his head at the statement.

"Excuse me?" he blurted. "But I thought today was the third."

"No dude," Smith said, raising a hand. "You've been asleep the whole time. Pulse and everything was good, but you just laid there."

Connor could feel his heart begin to beat fast. He began glancing around the bar, trying to find a calendar. Surely the rebel was lying. No way he had been down for that long. Muse placed a hand on the scrapper's mecharm. Connor jumped at the touch, but the blonde didn't even notice. She merely placed a digibook in front of him. Muse pressed the start button.

Sara was right; today was the 20th of December.

Connor's chest tightened as he sucked in a breath. Even if his life had been turned upside down, the scrapper at least had one. Finding out he had lost precious days somehow hurt more than his recent beating. Connor tried to take another breath; it just wouldn't come. Suddenly, he felt the panic then begin to cool. It was like being on fire, only to find himself plunged into an ice bath. The contrast would have shocked him if a voice didn't sound out in the middle of his thoughts.

You better calm down, Silas warned. I have waited countless years for this. So you better believe two weeks isn't going to stop me. 

It was annoying, but it was a brace. Connor realized that he could be a science experiment if not for the Gunslingers. The scrapper almost thanked the Pinnacle for the moment of clarity.

Almost.

"So," Connor muttered to the room. "What's your plan for me? I just join up, no questions asked?"

"Oh, of course we're going to have a probationary period," Raul answered. "It's obvious you aren't a spy or willing to return to Flynt. But I'm not dumb enough to entrust you with the keys to the kingdom just yet."

Connor could feel the gaze of the giant press down upon him.

"Now we come to the hard part. You've two options. One, you walk out that door without a penny to your name. Make a life for yourself in the slums and backstreets of Center. Claw your way through a city plastered with your own face on bounty posters."

Raul swept his hand across the space.

"Or you stay here. Each of my soldiers showing you what they do best. You show them your skillset in return. Sara trains you on harnessing your potential power. We all give you support, you do the same."

"Oh yeah," Connor chuckled. "I'm sure you will."

"Listen dude," Smith said. "I've no idea what you've been through before that big blowout under the tower. But what I do know is, you and I are sort of the same. Came from nothing, headed towards nothing. Only I got something when me and my lovely lady joined up here."

"And what's that?"

"Hope."

The rebel's voice echoed through Connor's mind. Hope. A word that ran counterclockwise to the very nature of Center. Even so, the scrapper knew this was supposed to be his big change. They were offering him the chance at a relationship. One that didn't involve paying for protection, nor a roof over his head. Connor figured that was the so-called 'human spirit' seen around the winter.

Even so, it took more than one man's goodwill to override years of mistrust.

So Connor did what he saw in the flicks. 

"Thank you," the scrapper said solemnly. "Seems like this is going to be a good gig."

He smiled the plastic grin that got him through the day. The scrapper could feel Raul's eyes sizing him up, probing his armor. The man might have claimed to not be a Suit. Might have started this whole thing to get back at them. Yet when it came down to it, he still used this gang for his own good. Connor was thankful when Smith smiled back at him.

"You bet dude," the rebel said. "Now, you want to go for a walk? I gotta go pick up some records I asked the clerk to put back. If that's alright, Raul?"

Connor dropped the smile to a neutral look. Raul kept on probing, but was satisfied after a harsh moment. He nodded.

"You'll have to let Connor borrow one of your coats, Smith. You've got enough as is."

Sara rolled her eyes and smiled. Smith dashed off to find his new buddy an outfit suitable for the town. Everett followed silently. Connor noticed the mechanic was scratching his chest slowly. Sara also noticed, sighed, and took off after them. Only Muse and Raul stayed with the scrapper. The blonde cleared her throat and leaned back into Connor's view.

"If you're lying, we will find out," Muse said flatly. "And even if you think you're able to escape. You won't. So don't try anything. And don't you dare abuse our charity."

This was the most Connor had seen the woman emote since he woke up. Her green eyes had taken on a twinge of rage that the scrapper never would have thought possible. Her frame might be small, but Connor knew she could inflict some damage. Before he had a chance to respond, a long coat him in the back of the head. The scrapper whirled around and managed to catch it before it fell to the ground.

"Now hurry up, before Sara wants to come along," Smith hissed. "We gotta get to the mall before it closes for her gift!"

Connor rolled his eyes, donned the long black coat, and walked with Smith out into the neon lights.