Kieran studied Aura closely as she talked; looking for any signs that wasn’t speaking honestly to him.

But, if her erratic response to this Del character was to be believed, she wasn’t necessarily great at obfuscation. He had to remind himself that not everyone was like him.

Not everyone was looking to lie and cheat every chance they had.

“Rat is a strong term…” Kieran started, then stopped. He thought for a moment. “But yes. I’d like for you to rat.”

He next listened to her demands. 

The first was a simple request; anonymity. An easy sell to AA. Results mattered far more than loyalty to an organization that inherently bred distrust. He needed to deliver a less dangerous Atlantic and they wouldn’t care much about the details. Or, who had to die to ensure that eventuality for them. Kieran knew he wouldn’t throw Aura to the wolves. 

Or at least, not unless it really came down to it. 

The second request was an escape plan. Again. Another non-issue for him. A quick flash of the seal and he could get her past just about anyone. Hell, he could get her on the next boat headed north and off to whatever it was that existed beyond Apex--should anything of value exist out there at all. It was hard to know and even harder on the mind to wonder. 

The third and final request was another easy sell. The two couldn’t be seen with each other so long as they collaborated. Kieran doubted this would be the last time he would be in Atlantic--far from it--but he knew that it was paramount he and her never interacted.

“I think we have a deal, then,” Kieran smiled. He loosened a bit, now more comfortable that he wasn’t going to die that night. He thought for a moment.

“I know where we’ll meet,” he said. “There’s a series of old retrograde tunnels on the southeast corner of Atlantic. I’m sure you’ve seen them.”

He had initially thought of asking her to meet him at his place, but had discarded that plan as quick as he had formed it. The idea of Aura being able to so easily rat him out to her compatriots wasn’t appealing, so he needed somewhere he knew somewhat well and remained neutral to both of them.

The tunnels had formerly housed settlements avoiding exposure to the blight, and before that, they had held massive roadways for the city--funneling in people from god knows where else in the world. Whatever was beyond the waters. Kieran thought of what it must have been like to ride one of these passive concrete passages.

But the bridges that had crossed the waters east of Apex had long since collapsed, leaving only the tunnels.

These days, the tunnels were mostly utilized for AA transport and other matters. But they had a reputation of being a place where Runners, AE members, and citizens could make deals and trades that Apex Authority probably wouldn’t condone. In many ways, they steered clear of the tunnels as a show of permissible understanding. 

Kieran wondered how much of this was known to Aura. Regardless, he continued: “The tunnels are guarded by AE members and lead to subsection J. However, they’re easily bribed and I’ll make sure they are for us. We’ll meet there.” 

Kieran took a second to think. Then: “If you tell me the name of your supervisor, I can work some things out about discreetly getting you away in the middle of the day. Otherwise, I’ll be sure to be there after dark and before curfew each night. Make your way to tunnel three and I’ll find you.” 

“I’ll work on your papers, too,” he said. “It might take a few days, but it can be done. I know a guy in City Center who can help me out. I’ll see him tomorrow.” 

“And speaking of,” he said, settling onto his pole, “it might be worth it to get some sleep.”