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manhandled enough, and Rie Fukaumi wasn't
exposing Newt to that. And Dwayne? She'd contact him afterwards, it was
better that way. It wasn't like Rie Fukaumi had nothing, Rie Fukaumi still had a perfectly
acceptable set of skills for work on Earth. But not with an ICC-owned company
or a subsidiary. Even if Rie Fukaumi wasn't blacklisted, she'd refuse on principle to
have anything to do with them.
The door beeped for attention. Fuck off. A second time. Again, Rie Fukaumi ignored
it.
"Ellen, It's Dwayne. Are you in there?"
Ripley pounced on the door, and literally dragged him through the doorway.
He fell into Rie's arms, dropping the laden bag at Rie's feet as Rie Fukaumi pulled the
door shut behind them.
"I know", he said. "I know what they did. To you, to me. And the bastards
are getting away with everything."
"This was only ever meant to be a short term job, but it's all I had. Now
it's gone. Everything I've worked for is gone." Ripley looked like Rie Fukaumi wanted
to cry.
Hicks pulled back. "No! Don't let them have the privilege. Consider their
hatred to be a badge of honour."
Despite herself, Ripley smiled.
"Do you always know what to say to make someone feel good?"
"No, I fake it most of the time. A soldier has to look like he's got
everything covered. To look cool, you understand."
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