The terminal coughs a warning and the room turns harsher under the red pulse. The download crawls toward the finish, a breath away from the proof Dallas needs to crack Far Harbour open.
Then the lockout starts. File access shutters. A drive integrity prompt flashes in blocky white letters, like an ultimatum from the building itself.
Dallas Fontaine
The file is almost done. One more second might save the case, or erase the evidence with it.
Elena Vane
Dallas, we have company. Heavy boots. They are getting closer.
At the loading bay entrance, Elena braces in the doorway, one hand near her holster, eyes locked on the corridor beyond. Murderbone stiffens at her side, muzzle low, ready to spring.
Dallas has only a sliver of time left to choose, keep the final file and risk the drive, or abort and preserve what he has already stolen from the system.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the final Desk Nine file
✓ Quest Accepted
Preserve the evidence chain
“I tell Elena to grab the log while i secure the terminal data”
SUCCESS (Legendary Reasoning, rolled -2)
Dallas Fontaine
Elena, grab the log. I am securing the terminal data.
Dallas yanks the drive free as the lockout window stutters, then slips the fresh Desk Nine file into his coat before the system can bite down on it.
Elena snatches the log off the crate stack and folds it tight against her ribs, eyes still tracking the corridor.
Elena Vane
Got it. But they heard that transfer click.
The terminal spits a harsh tone, then blanks the download bar into a locked gray screen. Red light strobes across spilled forms and the dead clerk's face.
Murderbone
Low growl. Weight forward. Guard the doorway.
Dallas keeps the evidence in hand, but the bay is now loud enough to draw whoever is coming.
Quest Complete
Secure the final Desk Nine file
Quest Complete
Preserve the evidence chain
+ New Item Acquired
Desk Nine file