Reapers: The Shadow Soldiers by Josh Collins Page B

Or, at least, part of it is me,” he said. It took a while, but Burns realized what the man meant. He did have a team, and David Brosi was the first of several members. So, he wasn’t an Intelligence Operator after all, or at least that was not the reason he was here.  
    “Well, I’m sorry you were dragged into this,” Burns apologized to Brosi, wishing that he were the only one being dropped to Silverset. Yet, Brosi didn’t seem as mad as Burns thought he would be.  
    “I wasn’t dragged into anything,” he stated. Burns’ face loosened as he realized that Brosi actually wanted to be here.
    “Don’t tell me you signed up for this?” Burns grumbled, surprised that anyone would be so naively trusting.  
    Brosi nodded heartily back. “They said they needed a technical expert. I spent four years at one of the best technical academies in the Dominion, so I thought it would be a good way to do something right for a change,” he told him, seeming very sure about his decision. Burns was again reminded of himself by the man.
    “I’d say keep looking. There isn’t anything ‘right’ about this,” Burns murmured. Whatever was going to happen on Silverset wasn’t for naive idealists. Only cold, ruthless men survived from here on out. Yet, Brosi still seemed determined.  
    “LME technologies—that’s what’s wrong,” he countered. “I’ve worked there for years, and the only thing they care about is the money,” he grumbled. “We had technology being developed that could help millions of people, but we withheld it until it was more profitable to be released.” Brosi then pushed his book aside as he leaned toward Burns, gaining a slight look of ire—the same look that had become the whole of Burns’ personality. “I didn’t go to the academies to make LME’s wallets bigger, I did it to help people. They weren’t gonna let me, but maybe Intelligence will,” he finished, leaning back in his seat once more.  
    Burns looked at him with a stern face, unfazed by the passion in his words. “It’s a noble goal,” he assured. “Just get out as fast as you can. Deal?”  
    Brosi gave a nod back. “After we free Silverset, then you have a deal,” he promised. Burns gave him a smile; he hoped the man would listen. Though, hearing that spark of angry frustration in his words didn’t promise guarantees. Burns knew because he’d felt the same way—once.  
    The conversation stopped there. Brosi returned to his book and silence overcame the room.  
    Burns still needed a release from his thoughts, so he removed the blood-strewn picture of Evelyn and looked down at it. He was surprised he had even managed to pocket the picture before he passed out the night before. Used to be, it was a struggle to keep the photo from getting lost. Now he couldn’t get rid of it even if he tried—not that he would want to.  
    “Is that your wife?” Brosi asked suddenly, cutting the silence. Burns looked up at him with a long face.
    “She was…special ,” Burns let on, “but that was a long time ago .” Brosi slightly bowed his head and then looked down at his book. He played around with the corners a little, visibly thinking of something.  
    He then looked back up and spoke. “I’ve actually got a fiancée myself,” he announced proudly. “We’re trying to decide where to have the wedding. It’s a tough choice.” Burns looked back down at the picture solemnly. Meanwhile, Brosi continued on. “I mean, she wants it on Alleloth, but I’m not quite sure. So, we go back and forth.”  
    “You should just point at a map,” Burns grumbled, still looking down at the bloody photo.  
    “Excuse me?” Brosi asked as if Burns had offended him.  
    “I just—I think you should have made that decision before you headed off to war. Do you really want to leave her all alone—without a ring?” Burns questioned, feeling even more akin to the man.  
    “She understands,” Brosi murmured quietly, looking back