[ Unfortunately, the follow-up is actually counterproductive. Given the acquiescence, Gen promptly loses all incentive to be even an iota more honest than he needs to be. ]

Doesn't matter how I got involved with him, does it. Ask him yourself if you want proof, but I ain't lying.

[ Said bluntly, because he really is laying out the truth at the moment. He just doesn't want to admit that his link to Aetos is basically entirely by happenstance, and caught him entirely by surprise. ]

You been doing anything in particular when handling those pieces?

[ He won't be bringing Reiji's shard anywhere near those pieces, but best to take every extra precaution he can. ]