Beneath the transit rails, Nate reaches a concealed courier kiosk, still gripping the warm black case as his flight boots tick softly beneath him. The dynastic heir remains behind in the avenue, separated from him and the package's pursuit.
A service panel slides aside. Mara Venn, a nervous human woman in her thirties, steps out, slim beneath a weathered brown utility jacket, her cropped dark hair damp with sweat and a pale scar crossing one eyebrow.
Mara Venn
Nate? I am Mara Venn. The contact. Please tell me you were not followed.
She raises a portable scanner with one hand and displays a payment chip in the other. Its green balance light flickers between her tense fingers.
Mara Venn
Your payment is here, assuming the case is intact. Do not set it near the kiosk network yet.
The scanner sweeps the black surface without touching it. A thin amber line appears across its display, then multiplies into rapidly shifting warning symbols.
Mara Venn
That seal carries dynastic authentication. Someone may be tracking the code right now. We have seconds to decide whether this handoff stays quiet.
✓ Quest Accepted
Deliver the sealed black case to Mara Venn
““Do whatever needs to be done pretty lady. I need these credits””
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Nate
Do whatever needs to be done, pretty lady. I need these credits.
Mara’s tense expression firms into professional focus. She gestures Nate behind the kiosk’s shielding curtain, then places the case inside a grounded transfer cradle.
Mara Venn
Fair enough. Hold still and keep your boots powered down. I can make the handoff clean.
The cradle seals around the black case without opening it. Amber warnings collapse into a single green confirmation as the kiosk disconnects from the public network.
Mara Venn
The case is secured, and the trace is severed. Payment is transferring now.
Mara taps the payment chip against Nate’s courier slate. Its balance jumps, the new credits registering with a bright chime before the chip goes dark.
Mara Venn
There. Full payment, as promised. You delivered intact, and nobody gets your route from this kiosk.
Quest Complete
Deliver the sealed black case to Mara Venn