Think carefully.

You stand up and start pacing back and forth. It was a strange habit you've adopted from the Kid though admittedly helpful. You slowly compile inside your head anything that could help break Detainee 1983 from his ironclad shell.

"The obvious question is about his former militia member, Detainee 1984. Clearly, something in the conversation triggered his Neurolink to spike. Was it something they said or maybe how 1984 responded? But what about that incident triggered Neurolink to work again? Maybe his foreign implant is dependent on his emotional level? Well, it only makes sense then to poke around topics that trigger him."

There were a lot of variables you couldn't tell or know for certain. So you decide to work with what you did know and start from there. Maybe an introduction to start? You figure, what was the point of asking anything if the Detainee wasn't going to answer? You sit back down and clear your throat before pressing the button.

"Hey, Detainee 1983. Can I have your name?"

The innocent question caught him off guard as he lifts his head from his usual slouch. However, he still does not respond, though this does not deter you either. You figure if he wasn't going to talk, you might as well keep going. He could choose not to talk but he could still listen. Something was bound to happen eventually.

"My name's Gael. I just started working here a few days ago. I was a Grey worker at the mines before this. Had to stop working though cause I sprained my bad arm; an old injury from the war still causes me trouble."

The line from the EEG jumps ever so slightly at your last phrase. Granted, since he was part of a criminal militia group, the war would be a sensitive topic. This small breakthrough excites you but you're careful not to show it in your voice.

"I still think about it now and then. There's a lot of trauma and bad memories that come with it but some good ones too. My platoon at Orville-9 was probably the best group of guys I've worked with. Hardworking, reliable, stubborn as mules, but I couldn't ask for a better team."

Your eye darts back from the wavering EEG line to Detainee 1983. You're startled when you hear his voice come through for the first time. It's gruff and gritty like he hasn't spoken in a while.

"Fort Pennsburg. Platoon 3."

"With Captain Rodriguez?"

"The devil himself."

"Damn. I'd hear stories of Captain Rodriguez but we thought they were urban legends. You know, stories the officers would tell you to keep you in line. I always felt sorry for that one bastard who got his ass chewed for losing his mag during training."

"Had to scrub latrines for months."

"Haha, no way! That was you?"

Detainee 1983 smiled. The two of you begin exchanging war stories and your respective times in the army. You've never been the one to talk someone's ear off but with him, you lost track of time. In a different time and place, you could see him being a close companion. It was unfortunate that fate landed the two of you on opposite sides of the room. Detainee 1983 must have felt the same as towards the end of the interrogation, his warm voice turned bittersweet.

"How does someone like you end up working for the Federation anyways?"

His question stuns you for a second despite you knowing the answer. It was a long, complicated answer filled with regret, remorse, and a dash of apathy. It was a bag of skeletons better left buried in the pits of your memory. Instead of lying, you decide not to answer. The situation was fucked anyway, there was no reason to rub salt on a budding relationship. Nodding to your lack of response he waves his hand and tells you to forget about it. It's then the timer rings and red flashing lights decorate the walls. You watch as Detainee 1983 mouths something to you before being escorted out.

Trust no one.

Your attention goes back to your screen which you've neglected all this time. A familiar green text replaces the EEG readings and the Detainee's profile.

A: Interrogation time limit reached. Detainee 1983 will proceed back to his cell.

Please stay inside the interrogation room as a supervisor will be with you momentarily.

Shit. What now?