[A frown.]

I got offered an out by the Alliance. Something that seemed easy. Just do what they said and they'd clear my record.

[He sniffs slightly and rubs his free hand around the back of his neck.]

I failed twice. Abel was my last shot. If I fucked it up with him they were gonna send me back. [There's a small, bitter smile at that.]

'Back where you belong', Bering would say. He knew sending me back there would be a death sentence.