Crux is quick to shake their head as Jason speaks, although the final question elicits a clarifying nod. "Yeah. Two of them, ex-Talons. The rest of us were just hired muscle. Never met them before. And never had business with the Talons. RC and I, we... we grew up in Suns territory."
#RedrockAgency – November 20, 2025
Jason offers another nod, his gaze turning back to the datapad to pretend as if he has more detailed notes. He even gives a furrow of his brow. Yes, deep in thought. Mmhmm. "Alright." he finally says as he looks back across his desk, seemingly accepting their assurance as sincere. "What about experience? Beyond this op, I mean. We largely try to focus on security contracts. I don't think any of us have any interest in getting
involved in anyone else's wars. Not looking for the next Garvug meatgrinder to send our people into, ya know? But that doesn't mean we don't run into our fair share of danger. If push comes to shove, I need to know you won't be a liability."
Crux straightens up, doing their best to project confidence. To look like the kind of person that belongs in a company like Redrock. "I've been cracking security and running tech on jobs since I was a nine, okay? And I know how to handle myself. You don't last long on Omega if you don't," they say, and it's not exactly a lie - they've been in plenty of sticky situations and gotten out alive, but it's pretty obvious that Crux is no
soldier. Their gaze bounces around the office, landing briefly on the equipment display to the side, and the shaking leg makes a return, but they make it stop, thumbing their missing finger instead as they await Jason's response.
Jason studies Crux as they speak. The mention of their early start weighs a bit heavier on his expression. "I-... uhh-... spent a bit of time on Omega myself..." he offers, perhaps seeking some common ground. Against all odds, he's got plenty of good memories of Omega, but he's not blind to what it is. It's a death trap. A black hole that people get sucked into, forced into unwinnable situations just to survive. He was little more
than a tourist when he was there. A grown man with plenty of training and combat experience under his belt courtesy of the System's Alliance. He could've left at any time. Not everybody has that option. "Can't imagine it's an easy place to grow up..." he adds softly. Despite Crux' poor poker face, of that he has no doubt.
Crux looks a little surprised by this revelation, studying Jason curiously. The added comment makes their' gaze falls away and they shrug, posture deflating a little. "Don't exactly got anything to compare it to," they say, reaching up to scratch their face.
Crux looks a little surprised by this revelation, studying Jason curiously. The added comment makes their gaze fall away and they shrug, posture deflating a little. "Don't exactly got anything to compare it to," they say in a half-mutter, reaching up to scratch their face. They don't seem quite sure how to take the comment, or Jason's tone. The words that follow are sharper, wary of being taken for some helpless kid. "We got by."
Jason offers a silent nod. "You got out." he says, his tone making it sound like an affirmation of Crux' words. A sense of unspoken respect. "You both did." he adds with a small nod towards the wall separating his office from Vasquez'. "A lot of people don't."
Crux ' gaze meets Jason's for a brief moment, before shifting out the window, and then down at their hand on their leg, picking at a loose thread on the yellow jacket. "Yeah..." they say quietly, faces runnin through their mind - ones left behind, and ones lost - the freshest still staining the snow outside Leah's cabin - at least in Crux' head.
Jason seems to immediately realize why that might not be the most comforting words as soon as they leave his mouth, causing him to let out a heavy breath. "I-... uhh-... I'm not trying to drum up bad memories. Just-..." he shrugs, shifting a bit in his seat. "I'm just saying that I don't doubt you're capable, Crux." he finally manages. "And, to be honest? We're lacking tech specialists. I mean-... our current resident dedicated
nerd is damn good at her job." he clarifies before suddenly furrowing his brow. "At least I think she is? I don't really have a fucking clue what she does, but-..." another shrug to accompany the snicker that slips out, "...she gets the job done. Point is, I think we're burning her candle at both ends and she could probably use the help. My concern is just-..." he cuts himself off, considering his words, worried that they
might hit a sore spot with Crux. "...How old are you and your friend, Crux?" he asks, opting to avoid voicing his worry directly.
Crux ' attention is brought back to Jason, eyebrows furrowing as they listen. His question makes their frown deepen. "...Twenty," they state pointedly, a miniscule pause perceding the number. Their gaze remains fixed on Jason, almost like they're daring him to question them.
Jason raises a brow, Crux' answer suddenly making him feel old. Not because of the disparity between their ages. He's not that old. It's more about just how quickly time passes as he realizes where he was when he was that age. A small snort slips out and he gives a shake of his head, but quickly seems to realize that might be interpreted by Crux as being at their expense, causing him to speak up. "I-... uhh-..." he reaches up
to rub at the back of his neck, "...was nineteen when I was stationed in a garrison on Mindoir." he says, perhaps trying to admit that he may have overstepped in assuming they might be too young for this. Was he really that young? It didn't feel like it at the time. Just over a couple years later and the Alliance was shoving him through airlocks and onto hostile pirate ships.
Crux seems to relax a little, although they go back to picking at their sleeve, despite their attention being on Jason. "Is that an Earther world? It said you were an Earth soldier. On the site."
Jason's posture seems to grow more casual in turn as Crux relaxes. "Human colony out in the Traverse." he says before nodding. "But-... uhh-... yeah. I was born on Earth. Served in the Alliance until I-..." a small stumble over his words hints at a story hidden between the lines. "...entered the private sector." It's a much better choice of words than, 'lit my career on fire and drove it over a cliff and
into a bottle'. His expression turns to one of amusement. "Sounds like you did your homework before coming in."
Crux shrugs lightly, looking down briefly before meeting Jason's gaze again. "Guess I learned my lesson from the last job we took. Didn't want any more nasty surprises," they explain plainly. "But... everything I read and heard... made it seem like this is the kinda place we wanna be." There's something softer there, more sincere and... almost hopeful.
Jason offers a few small nods, their words seeming to hit their mark. "I... appreciate that." he says, offering a bit of sincerity in kind. A sigh slips out, clearly not particularly comfortable with making decisions like this. In their line of work, hiring the wrong person can be a death sentence- not just for them, but for the people around them as well- if they're not up to the task. "I do. But-... Look, I'm gonna be honest
with you, Crux. This is a tough choice. You don't have a history with any military or contractors for me to look into and get good feel, you know?" He falls silent for a moment, his gaze briefly turning towards his desk. It's clear that he hasn't really come to any real conclusion yet. He takes a breath and meets Crux' gaze. "But... Leah vouched for you two, and that does carry weight with me. I don't think she'd send you
our way if she didn't think you could handle it. So how about a compromise? If everything goes well with your friend's interview?" he gives a nod back in the general direction of Vasquez' office, "I'm willing to bring you two on. But no field work. At least not until I'm sure you can both handle it." he offers, settling back into his seat as he studies their reaction.
Crux ' face falls a little at what sounds like the lead-in to a rejection, looking ready to argue, but the words that follow make them settle down at listen. In the end they swallow and nod several times, a big smile flashing across their lips. "Yeah. Yeah. That's cool. We'll show you we're cut out for this," they assure confidently, sitting up taller in their chair, leg bouncing again. It doesn't seem like Crux has any concerns about
Jason gives a stern nod, his smile reforming as his offer seems to be taken well. "Alright. Good. Then I guess, before you go, do you have any questions?"
Crux furrows their eyebrows, considering. "Uh, probably, yeah, but I-... I can't think of them right now," they say with a sheepish smile, reaching up to scratch their neck.
Jason snickers. "It's fine. If any come up, don't hesitate to reach out. Once I've talked with-..." he nods once more towards Vasquez' office. "...I'll reach out to you. You guys are staying at the Respite for now, right?" he asks, the question more of an attempt at small talk considering he's already been brought up to speed on all of that.
Crux nods again. "Y-... yeah. I... guess Leah told you that?" they ask, a hint of discomort entering their expression.
Jason gives a nod in turn. "She did. Obviously you'll probably want to figure out something more long-term if you're gonna be working with us." he recommends.
Crux is quick to nod. "Yeah. Yeah, we will," they say. For a moment there's a question on the tip of their tongue, but they reconsider, looking over their shoulder instead. "I guess I, uh, I guess I should go?" they say with a thumb towards the door, lifting a little from their seat as they look to Jason for confirmation that they're done.
Jason seems to pick up on that hesitation, brows furrowing. "What is it...?" he asks, rather than answering just yet.
Crux chuckles a little awkwardly, shifting in their seat. "Nah, it-... it's nothing. Just..." They struggle for a moment with what to say, looking out the window. "...it's a lot to get used to, this place. It's weird. That's all." The people are weird. The way Leah went out of her way to help them is weird. The strangely affable man across the desk from Crux is weird.
Jason blinks, brows furrowing as he considers it for a moment before shrugging and nodding. "Can't argue with that." he agrees non-chalantly, seeming none too bothered by the statement as he rises from his seat, lopsided grin plastered across his face. "It grows on you. Come on." he continues, nodding for Crux to follow while he moves towards the door, "If your friend isn't finished I'll take you to the rec-room and you can wait
Crux nods and jumps up from their seat with a clap of their hands. "Cool," they say, quick to follow after Jason.
Jason leads the way out into the hallway. "Once everything is official, we'll give you and RC a more in-depth tour of the place." he says, closing the door behind them once Crux has exited the room.
As it turns out, RCs interview does indeed take longer, but soon enough he's released from the HQ - but not before Vasquez has taken him over to the shooting range to have him demonstrate his ability with firearms. After seeing the pair off with a promise to let them know soon, Vasquez and Jason are left alone in the corridor, the former still watching the lobby at the end of the hall with a thoughtful frown, arms crossed.
Jason stands beside Vasquez, studying her once the pair of interviewees have left the building. When it's clear that she's not going to be the first one to break the silence, he speaks up. "So. What are we thinking?" he asks, trying to get some feelers on what that look on her face means today.
Vasquez lets out a quiet grunt. "He seems cool-headed. Professional demeanor. Good shot, too," she says, frown deepening. "Not thrilled with the complete lack of verifiable history... or the lack of judgement that led them here." She looks to her side, at Jason. "What about yours?"
Jason draws in a breath. "No military history. No formal training." he says, confirming that he has some skepticism of his own. "But they did promise me they could get the coffee maker to stop doing that little dripping thing it always does? After you brew a pot? So..." He shrugs, lifting both hands and pantomiming weighing them out, unsure which side comes out on top.
Vasquez snorts quietly before looking down in thought. "We could really use another tech..." she mutters. "And we've got more low-risk, basic security contracts than ever. Those need bodies, not experience. Would let us free up more people for rapid response, or higher-risk assignments. Still... they're Omega tunnel rats." Her gaze returns to Jason, face twisted in an indecisive grimace. "I know we've made some questionable
Jason lowers his arms, his smile tempering a bit as Vasquez voices her thoughts, offering a few small nods. "...but they're a pretty big risk. They're liabilities." he says bluntly, voicing what he believes they're both thinking. "I mean, let's face it. Reasons aside, they helped with that op. And how did it turn out? They had an unsuspecting target." He extends his index finger, giving it a tap with his other index finger as if
ticking one off a list. "Planned, set, and executed an ambush." he ticks a second finger off. "Caught their target unprepared without proper gear." a third finger. "And their whole crew was still smoked by a single combatant that weighs, what-..." he furrows his brow, gaze turning upwards. "Fergus, what do you think Leah weighs?"
Fergus' voice sounds out through. "I would estimate Ser Mercier's weight at approximately 52 kilograms, milord."
Jason passes a knowing look Vasquez' way as if Fergus' data further proves his point. But after a moment, confusion settles in and his gaze darts back towards the ceiling. "Pound me, Fergus." A pause before shooting another look Vasquez' way and clearing his throat. "Non sexually." he clarifies to the VI, issuing it as if it's an official command with the most serious of tones.
Jason gives a few confident nods as if he knew that, attention turning back to Vasquez and continuing right along. "Point is: They walked into that situation unprepared. People got killed." But he relents, drawing in a breath, "That being said?" he shrugs, expression softening. "...They did the right thing when it counted, Linda." It goes without saying, but that means something to him. "Nearly died doing so. The rest can be fixed
with training, but that? That's not something you can drill into somebody. I wouldn't feel right turning my back on them." He shrugs, as if to say he understands that it might not be the smartest decision, but it's where he stands.
Vasquez covers her face with her palm as she listens to Jason's exchange with Fergus, but what he has to say afterwards makes her look down the corridor again, chewing the inside of her cheek. "I..." A quiet sigh. "I don't disagree," she admits, a little begrudgingly. Hearing Jason echo her thoughts make them easier to accept, and after a moment's silence she nods firmly. "Let's give them a shot. Take it slow. They'll need
training, but they're not the only ones. Just reinforces that we need to make getting company-wide training up and running a priority."
Jason seems relieved to hear that they're on the same page, his stance relaxing a bit. "Like you said, we need more bodies. Especially with this-... uhh-..." he glances about conspiratorially since he's not supposed to talk about it yet, "...new contract coming up. Besides, the dam is a pretty low risk post." There was a reason Jessica found a slot on that duty. Hard to cause chaos. Just make sure nobody is disturbing anything
and, if they are? Call for backup. "Can cycle RC into shifts there until he's ready for other things and Crux can shadow Renala for a while, right?"