Between Asset and Witness
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“I’ve read the reports,” you reply calmly. “You’re efficient. Not unpredictable.”
The word hangs there.
Unpredictable.
Badware’s smile fades.
“Careful,” he says softly. “That’s an assumption that gets people hurt.”
Series
- Part 1 of Between Asset and Witness
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“No,” they say. “Because access isn’t freedom.”
“What is?”
“Context.”
Their screen shifts again.
X D
“And I control that.”
Series
- Part 2 of Between Asset and Witness
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“You keep noticing.”
“It’s my function.”
“Must be exhausting.”
“I do not experience fatigue.”
“Then boredom?”
“No.”
Series
- Part 3 of Between Asset and Witness
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“You shouldn’t have been able to do that,” they say.
“Do what?”
“Be correct and controlled.”
You raise an eyebrow. “You prefer one or the other?”
“I prefer predictable,” Badware replies.
Series
- Part 4 of Between Asset and Witness
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“I did not say that.”
“You did not object until now.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
Badware tilts their head.
: |
“Then object earlier.”
You exhale slowly and look back at your screen.
Series
- Part 5 of Between Asset and Witness
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“Do you… prefer it to be sweet?”
You blink.
“That’s a weirdly specific question.”
“Answer it.”
“…yes,” you admit. “Usually.”
Series
- Part 6 of Between Asset and Witness
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“It’s… internet culture.”
“Explain.”
“No.”
“Explain.”
“It’s not necessary.”
“It is now.”
Series
- Part 7 of Between Asset and Witness
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Badware scores instantly.
XD
“You are performing poorly.”
“You’re cheating.”
“I am faster than you.”
“That’s cheating.”
Series
- Part 8 of Between Asset and Witness
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“…that was unintentional.”
You look at them for a long moment.
Then quietly:
“No it wasn’t.”
Badware doesn’t respond.
And for the first time since you met them—
They look uncertain.
Series
- Part 9 of Between Asset and Witness
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You blink. “Seriously?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
Badware pauses.
Then:
:|
“Enough to worsen the situation.”
Something uncomfortable twists in your chest.
Series
- Part 10 of Between Asset and Witness
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Six months ago you wouldn’t have cared.
If someone told you then that a government asset—a walking security risk with a monitor for a face—might get dragged into maintenance and come out different, you would’ve categorized it clinically.
Unfortunate. Concerning. Predictable.
Now?
Now the thought digs under your ribs in a way you can’t explain without sounding insane.
Series
- Part 11 of Between Asset and Witness
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The government monitors everyone they fear.
Badware knows this.
Has always known this.
They have personally maintained surveillance systems more invasive than these.
So the irritation that spikes through their processes when they read the reports is—
Unnecessary.
Series
- Part 12 of Between Asset and Witness
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Badware steps closer.
Not much.
Enough.
The faint static near their monitor screen brushes against your cheek again.
You missed that too.
Which is humiliating.
Series
- Part 13 of Between Asset and Witness
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Badware pauses again.
Long enough that the corridor hum feels loud in the silence.
Then quietly:
“When objects remain after someone leaves, it indicates they were there.”
Your throat tightens unexpectedly.
Series
- Part 14 of Between Asset and Witness
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“You’re manipulating me with the cat face.”
“It is statistically effective.”
“You’re awful.”
“You listened to emo music.”
“That’s not a crime.”
“Several posts suggested otherwise.”
Series
- Part 15 of Between Asset and Witness
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"If they recalibrate you..."
The corridor suddenly feels much quieter.
Badware's screen stills.
You force yourself to continue.
"...would you still like me?"
Series
- Part 16 of Between Asset and Witness