in my current condition,” AJ replied, “I don’t know if I should thank you or throw something at you. It’s kind of hard to be grateful for a job that just cost me eighteen percent of my natural mass.”

     Ace ignored the comment. “I made sure you were chosen because I know what you are capable of. I did that at some great sacrifice to my own career, influence, and access.”

     “Thanks, I—”

     “You don’t have the luxury of being a follower anymore. You’ve endured much and have become too hard for that,” Ace continued.

     Ace might as well have been talking to himself, about himself. AJ just stared at his hands. He looked up once more when the sound of Ace’...

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