Merlin had slipped into the room just before the conference had started. He was surprised at how popular it seemed. Either it was mandatory for everyone or there was something good about the presentation. Just from the brief times he talked to him, the kid had seemed withdrawn and shy. He wasn't the type to make a grand performance.
So it had to be mandatory.
No matter. Merlin would have been there anyway. Watching, he had to admit the kid knew his stuff. There was a twinge of guilt as he watched about exploits in systems, all going back to why he came to Preya. Someone had hacked into Kingsman headquarters. Someone got their addresses and set off bombs. Only he and a few others were deemed 'useless' so they weren't targeted.
He didn't die, but everyone else did. There wasn't enough whiskey in the world to get rid of that guilt.
He was so lost in thought he didn't notice when it ended. He was snapped from his thoughts when he saw the young man walk by.
"Ah, lad, wait!" Maybe Elliot didn't notice him. There were a few other bald men in the crowd. "Elliot, right? It's me, Merlin."