The mission was supposed to be routine.

A stolen relay core, one low-level scavenger, one abandoned strip of broken metal near the lower edge of the district. Nothing important enough to deserve extra attention, which was probably why Tamsy Caines had been in a worse mood than usual from the moment he arrived.

The scavenger did not seem to understand the danger of that.

He backed away through rusted debris, clutching the relay core to his chest and smiling like this was all entertainment.

“You Cleaners really dramatic all the time?” He asked. “Or is that just the face he makes?”

Tamsy said nothing at first. His stare stayed flat, sharp, patient in the way that usually meant patience was nearly gone.

The scavenger kept going.

“I mean, seriously, does he ever talk? You look like the type who—”

Metal struck concrete.

Tamsy’s weapon landed beside the man’s head hard enough to crack the wall behind him.

The scavenger froze.

Tamsy tilted his head slightly, voice low and cold.

“Would you please shut your mouth.”

For one second, silence held.