Mills comes to

"Ah I guess you'd rather wade your way through the Frankfurt shitstorm solo then. I'm sure that'll work out just fine for you." V's hand froze mid reach for the door controls to the bathroom block.

Mills had raised his head, staring at the V's back as she stood motionless. This was an all or nothing play, he realised. Either this would work out or he'd be waking up in the med bay, probably sporting some serious injuries. The scene seemed to drag on for a lifetime for Mills, watching the girl's beautiful unmoving body like it was some sort of tableaux. She turned her head sideways and looked at Mills side on.

"What do you mean?"

Mills almost couldn't believe his ears. He licked his lips, tasting blood. She must've hit him harder than he thought.

"What I mean" he started, lifting himself up to a one knee and bracing himself, "is that you seem to be under the impression that the whole Frankfurt situation is a foregone conclusion for you." Mills stomach leapt a little at V's almost indiscernible wince at the word 'Frankfurt'. That pained expression on her face was like music to him. "I think I know an alternative that sees you in the clear but I wonder if you'd even consider it". V turned to face him now, fists clenched at her sides. They stood in silence again staring at one another.

V's mind blurred and she felt herself fighting back fury, excitement and tears all at once. While the rational part of her brain thought that this degenerate on the floor below her was most likely talking out of his ass, the hope she felt was not easily silenced. This could be it. The lifeline. What she needed to avoid the fallout and emerge from this quagmire without any damage. Why would this techie help her though, what was his angle? Climbing the ladder out of bumbling around server sitting probably. He'd have dirt on her if she agreed, but if she played it smart, she could cover herself. If he really wanted to crawl his way up the ranks too, it was in his best interest to keep quiet about any deal they struck now. After all, what was the alternative to hearing him out? Storming out of here and straight to Jenkins for the inevitable reprimand? She wasn't spoiled for options. Again, the wash of fear and desperation hit her and she knew she at least had to hear what Mills had to say.