Cold night air hits as the last service door seals behind Buster Jones and Mara. Ahead, two silhouettes wait on the catwalk, blocking the only open path. The river wind rattles the railings, and the dim relay light throws both sides into hard, shifting shadows.
Mara
That is them. If they call in Lask and Meridian, we lose the window.
One silhouette lifts a hand, not quite a weapon, not quite surrender. The other edges sideways, trying to box Buster and Mara in against the rail. There is fear there, but also orders.
The Lead Silhouette
Stop right there. Hand over the release hardware, and nobody gets hurt.
Buster Jones
They want the hardware, and they want time.
Mara tightens her grip on the release hardware and stays close to Buster, ready to run or fight on his signal. The catwalk groans under the tension of all of them standing still.
The Second Silhouette
He is inventory. She is compromise. Step away from both of them.
Buster stands between them and Mara, the night wind tugging at his shirt, the exit at his back, the whole city below. The silhouettes hesitate, reading his strength, waiting for the next move. The choice is his now.
“I demand them to call Lask and Meridian over here so we can confront them in person”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
Buster Jones
Call Lask and Meridian up here. In person.
The lead silhouette freezes, then slowly tilts their head toward the far side of the tower. The second one stops edging in, caught between Buster's bulk and the drop behind him.
The Lead Silhouette
You want them here... now?
Mara shifts closer behind Buster, the release hardware tight in her hand. The wind worries at the catwalk while the dim relay light stutters once, like the tower is listening.
The Second Silhouette
They do not sound like they are bluffing.
The lead silhouette reaches for a wrist radio, but pauses long enough to look at Buster's face, then at Mara's grip on the hardware. Both handlers lower their weapons a fraction.
The Lead Silhouette
Stand by. We are bringing them up.
The catwalk goes taut with silence as the radio crackles. Somewhere below, a door unlatches, and the two silhouettes step back just enough to make room for what is coming.