Just as we stepped into the lounge, I slipped on the floor and cracked my head against the floor. I was in a puddle of water and my companions were looking at me like I was stupid. I was stunned and in pain. Three people then came up to me and helped me to my feet. "Don't worry. You are alright. No massive injuries would stem from a fall like that." an AEP unit said as he brushed dirt from my shoulders. "You alright there? Looks like we need to put the sign up on the other side of the door too." a human mechanic said. There was a leaky pipe that had caused the puddle I slipped in. It did not help that this part of the floor was made of glass. There was very little friction, and it made the fall inevitable. The third concerned party was another security guard. "Listen. Don't sue, alright. We'll give you some free drinks. All on the house. That okay with you?" I nodded and he slapped me on the back really hard. I almost fell, but he caught me. "Oops. Got these subdermals. Don't know my own strength. Let's get you off the glass." he said cheerfully. I followed him. He seemed cool for a Player.
Kicking his ass would be hard in a fair fight. I was not a fighter, and he was uber strong with those upgrades. "Name's Jesse Thompson." he said. I gave him mine. He just nodded and looked at the pipe again. "Just fucking burst. Don't know how it happened. We had to call a mechanic. Seems some john got pissed his lady friend was leaving with another guy." "I tried to be civil, but he pushed the issue. I don't like fighting, but I had to. She looked like she was in danger." the AEP unit said. "Luckily, it doesn't seem too bad. I'll be able to fix it tonight after hours. I know now isn't the time to be shutting off the water." the mechanic said as he walked over to it again. "It really isn't. We are having a big meeting tonight. This cannot go badly." the AEP unit said. Jesse sighed and said "Looks like I'm going to have to get another Wet Floor sign. See ya." He then left us there. The mechanic held out his hand. "Pablo Jaurez." he stated. I shook his hand. The AEP led us away to the other side of the floor where the balcony gate for the level was. "Sorry for that mess. I am 11-003." he said.
Losing face like this was definitely bad form. I wondered why they would rush this meeting through if they were all obviously so unprepared. We introduced ourselves to him. "Well. I hope you can enjoy the party. The meeting will begin in 7 minutes." 11-003 said before he started leaving. I called for him and he turned back to me. I had a question for him. "If I can answer it, I will." he said seriously. He did not have the standard appearance of an AEP unit. 11-001 and 002 had the pink hair and silver eyes I expected. "Why don't you look like the others in your clan?" I asked. He got the point and said "The others stay here and help with running the safehouse. I like to go to back and forth between the safehouse, clan building and various public places to recruit talent. I need to blend in as much as possible to do that." That made sense. It would be way too obvious if they went out on missions looking like that. They wanted to help humans, not make them afraid and antsy. 11-003 went somewhere. Pablo was going over to the bar. I wondered what I should do. I'd only have time for 1 thing.
11-003
Pablo Juarez
Jesse Thompson
