12-18-2025, 06:33 PM
By the undeterred stoicism of Victor’s expression, he did not recognise the man entertained in Ephraim’s company. Not surprising. Paragon didn’t hire for social nicety; it hired for creative genius. Ephraim waved away the apology, acknowledged the information offered, and instead offered the courtesy of an introduction. He was keen to see the inaugural trials of Project Ghost firsthand, both to witness the medical marvel, and to strengthen his emotional hold on the subject in question. The update wasn’t unwelcomed, just poorly timed.
“Sage Parker, prospective hopeful among us. Doctor Victor Forrer, of our cybernetics team,” he said, gesturing between the two men. He doubted Victor would stay long. Not now he could clearly discern he had interrupted something, which was quite sure to make him uncomfortable. It was just how he was. But Eph was curious to see if Sage had any reaction. He hadn’t actually said which department of Paragon he was interested in.
Victor moved to offer Sage a hand with a perfunctory, “A pleasure.”
[mod with permission]


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