The alarm clock blared, sending an electric charge through Calvin’s senses. Calvin, still half asleep, stuck his arm out to hit the virtual snooze, soon realizing it wasn’t his clock, nor was it his room. He slid his legs off the bed and put his head in his hands, taking a minute to gather his thoughts.

Lifting his head, Calvin found Louis already in uniform, his eyes tired, but his posture alert. Calvin threw on a clean shirt and pair of pants, snatching it from his travel-pack. He combed his black curls into place and slipped into his work boots.

They departed in opposite directions without a word, Calvin to the archives, and Louis to the docks. Calvin needed a clue, some clue, any clue, to lead him to Jake. It was likely that Jake had gotten facial reconstruction, therefore he could be anyone there really. And what’s more, anyone could be working for him. The archives could help with the first issue, disclosing personal information about the recently employed. However, the second would be more difficult, as any preexisting workers could have been threatened or bought when he’d arrived. Why Jake was there of all places was a mystery to Calvin, and his employers refused to disclose any details.

The woman twirled her hair around her finger nervously. “I’m sorry sir, but it looks like I can only give you a list.”

“You can’t even give me their resumes?”

“No sir, you’ll need a specific warrant for that.”

“Fine,” Calvin sighed, “send me a list of names hired within the past three years.”

“Will do.”

As soon as his holo-cell received it, he was out the door, leaving the woman to finally take a breath. Calvin noticed this, unsure if it was intimidation or attraction that got her so flustered. He quickly pushed the question aside, having more pressing matters to attend to.

Calvin’s eyes made their way down the list, stopping at a familiar name. One he discarded originally, but now recognized its importance. “Louis Dean.”

The perfect candidate for questioning, his roommate. Calvin doubted Louis’s involvement, but he had to be sure. Not one stone could go unturned in this case. He went back to the room and waited. And waited. And waited.

It was midnight, UTS time, when Louis finally arrived. Calvin stood tall and called out, barely getting a response from Louis. He looked tired.

“Hey” Calvin called out again.

“What?” Louis groaned, falling onto his bed.

Calvin didn’t really care that Louis was tired, he just wanted answers. “Can I ask you a couple questions?”

Louis rubbed his eyes. “Depends.”

“I’m doing an investigation, depends isn’t really an option.”

“Investigation?” his eyes went wide, “What for?”

“Murder,” Calvin stated without skipping a beat, “Now tell me, why are you here?”

“Wait-- murder?! What do I have to do with this?!”

“Just answer the damn question. Who are you and why are you working here?”

“My name is Louis Dean. And with all due respect, it’s none of your business why I chose to work here.”

“If you’re involved, it is my business.”

“I’m not involved in a murder!”

“I can’t trust that unless you give me reason to.”

Louis threw his arms up in the air. “What the hell do you want from me?!”

“Is Louis Dean your real name?”

“Yes, it’s my real name. My brothers are Derick Dean and Arthur Dean.”

“The famous scientist and doctor?”

“Yes them, you can find me listed online as their sibling, proof that I am who I say I am.”

“Then what are you doing here?”

“What, everyone in the family needs to be exceptional at something?” Louis scoffed.

“No, not at all. I just wanted to know your reasoning.”

Louis breathed, taking a second to choose how to phrase it. “Intrinsic motivation.”

“As in, you’re here for yourself?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Alright” Calvin said, finally sitting down.

“That’s it?” Louis was puzzled at the sudden calmness in the air.

“For now.”