Snippet #2546857

Sherman averted his attention forward. Something, anything, to take his mind off of a colossal failure of an attempt at a normal social interaction, with the person who was actually least likely to frustrate him in such an attempt. It was much easier to avoid trying altogether, it would seem. Maybe he'd try again later.

"Bruno's our point man on power armor," the tall, broad man answered flatly. The stranger was of no concern to him. At least, not of any threatening kind. His arrival at the compound at this critical time actually was serendipitous--Slasher sightings had indeed been reported by various travelers who reported whispers back to Aegis over nighttime drinking hours. Even that odd duck who'd made a pass at Brigitte a few nights prior confirmed his own sighting just that morning when he'd ventured outside of the wall to meet briefly with a passing caravan. Slasher was a quiet traveler, but those who also excelled at blending into the desert as though they were born in the sand itself had their ways of recognizing the cannibal doctor.

An ex-Sigma would be such a strong asset in tracking Slasher down.

"By the way, 'John,' Bonita doesn't know I'm hunting the cannibal," Sherman gruffed honestly as the two strode ahead, side-by-side. "Figured it'd be best if I was straight with you. Demonstrate a genuine desire to collaborate on ridding ourselves of a mutual problem. A problem that has the potential to do a vast amount of harm." He glanced over to his right to study the stranger's young but harrowed face, one that looked as though it had borne witness to far more than it ought to have in its time on the earth. He understood all too well. He pointed toward the armory, down a long brick-lined path, easily discernible thanks to its doors, painted a shiny black with a metal lining, intended to direct the sun's heat away from the building itself.

Sherman silently led the way, then approached one of the ebony doors, keying a code into a small touchpad and waiting a few moments for the door to click loose. He tugged the handle open and offered the door to Null, leading the way inside. One down the long hallway, Sherman stood at a small door and gestured inward. "We've got upgrade benches or new suits, if you wish to try 'em on. I've had a hell of a time customizing mine."