"I am the government," Katherine said. It wasn't a card she'd wanted to turn but there seemed no choice. She reached into her purse and handed Maxxie a business card. The Senate logo shone as her name began scrolling across the surface, activated by her touch.
"I can pull enough strings to keep you safe, if you prove worthy of it." She leaned back. Invisible strings at best but there was no need to explain that now. "And yes, the Four Aces didn't end well but it was the Wild Card hysteria that broke them. It didn't create them."
Katherine looked each one of them in the eye for a moment.
"It won't be easy. Nothing worth having ever is. But you have a chance to show the public that aces, jokers, and nats can band together. You won't be openly affiliated with the government but neither will the government stop you, provided you follow the law or at least... don't get caught doing otherwise." She waited a moment before saying, "I don't expect an immediate answer, nor do I want one unless you're absolutely certain. And if you would prefer to converse with me in private, we can do that as well."