December 19th 2209 11:40 PM

  We took a circuitous route to get to Aja and Mika's. I figured wasting a little fuel was worth being discreet. We parked about a 30 minute walk away- can't be too careful. Niko doesn't seem to share my concerns. He is loud. So when he started badgering me with questions about Aja and Mika I told him everything. Better me talking than him- I know how to keep quiet. Some examples as to the way this conversation went: (pardon the formatting- Text files are smaller than audio- and more reliable.)

  Niko- So who are your friends?

  Me- Dr Aja Fausto. And her spouse- Mika.

  Niko- Wait that name sounds familiar. Didn't she kill someone?

  Me- What? She's a phinthropist. She builds prothetics for the needy. That's what she's known for.

  Niko- Huh. Musta' (I know sic doesn't apply to audio, but sic anyhow) been thinking of someone else.

  Me- Do you know of many other cyborgs?

  He ughed, and did not answer the question. I'm taking it as a tentative no.

  ~

  Niko- So you two go way back then?

  Me- Actually, I met Mika first. They were my consultant for the medical side of things when I started on my augs.

  Niko- Wait but isn't the wife the doctor?

  Me- Not that kind of Doctor, Niko.

  Niko- Right, of course! (I do not think he actually understood, but I didn't have the energy to press the issue) And you're... Also not that kind of doctor, right?

  Me- Right.

  Niko- Right so you know *way* more than me. I guess I already knew that...

  Me- Well, that remains to be seen. (I meant it)

  ~

  He continued like that until we'd gotten close enough to the house to be able to see the guards in front. Niko spotted them first- Naturally his eyes are better than mine. Well, unnaturally actually.

  Niko- Hey do you know that guy?

  Me- You see someone at the house?

  Niko- You don't?

  Me- Your eyes are better than mine. (He seemed pleased when I said this) Tell me what you see.

  Niko- There's... Guards. Munies.

  'Munies.' City employees. Not paid enough to care and probably not relishing being out in the cold. Armed to the teeth though. They always were.

  Me- Right. You wait here. (This did not please Niko) I need to speak with them.

  Niko- You can't leave me here by myself!

  Pathetic. He whined like that for several minutes; ultimately I caved just to keep things moving. We continued towards the house, slowly. I let Niko walk behind me so that the guards coucon't see him until I was sure I could diffuse the situation. We were only a couple meters out when the guard noticed. I had opened my mouth to speak when it happened. The bastards actually shot me!