Dev Null settles into its afternoon rhythm as Alex and Claire return from Ebonstone. Tommy has stayed behind to finish the documented police handoff, while Gideon remains with the records office and investigators.
Dev approaches the counter carrying a secured laptop in a tamper-evident sleeve and a clipped paper proposal. His expression is practical, but the offer has clearly interrupted his routine.
Dev
This came through a university-affiliated nonprofit. They need a short emergency security assessment before tonight. The laptop stays sealed until scope and custody are written down.
Dev
And this is not a cash favor or an alias job. Real identity, written authorization, ordinary payment channels. If they will not accept that, the answer is no.
Claire
That sounds like the bridge you have been trying to build. Legitimate work, a defined boundary, and no one asking you to disappear afterward.
Dev
Maybe. But they want an answer before the day ends, and urgency is how clients smuggle bad terms past careful people. Read everything before you decide.
Dev places the proposal beside the secured laptop without opening either. Claire remains close to Alex, watching him rather than the documents, leaving the decision entirely in his hands.
✓ Quest Accepted
Complete the nonprofit’s emergency security assessment
“"I'll read the assessment and documentation before I commit." You tap the button on your smart glasses. "Jarvis? Read, and threat assess." As you scan the pages, so does your virtual assistant. "Review complete sir. There is a conflicting matter with the owner of the laptop, and the people who seek information from it. I can log the discrepancy while you read my findings." You smile and nod softly. "What would I do without ya, buddy? Show results." As the text becomes visible on the screens of your glasses, you frown slightly. "This was no damn accident, Dev. That 'student' is one of Hale's lower-tier underlings. He's mocking me." You tap the button to close the screens on the lenses, rubbing the bridge of your nose gently.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Computers, rolled -2)
Alex reads the assessment and custody documents before committing. The smart glasses overlay each clause while Jarvis compares authorization, ownership, access requests, and the laptop’s tamper record.
Alex Mishyma
Jarvis? Read, and threat assess.
The review resolves the discrepancy: the listed owner is not the same party seeking the data, and the supposed student owner, a young adult woman with a slim build, warm brown skin, curly black hair, and a blue hoodie, is connected through a lower-tier channel to Victor Hale. The glasses burn through most of their auxiliary charge compiling the comparison.
Jarvis
Review complete, sir. The owner and the information seekers present a documented conflict. I logged the discrepancy and completed the threat assessment. Results are ready.
Alex Mishyma
What would I do without ya, buddy? Show results.
The findings spread across the lenses: the request is engineered, the custody language is bait, and the student’s connection leads back to Hale’s lower tier. Dev waits silently across the counter.
Alex Mishyma
This was no damn accident, Dev. That student is one of Hale's lower-tier underlings. He's mocking me.
“You slide the laptop back to Dev, still in its protective sleeve. "For once, I am refusing a job. You can put whatever spin on it you like for the client, but I'm not touching this. Hale is already neck-deep on my shit list, and I don't need further complications with him." Dev nods, though you see hiss expression; pained slightly, seeing you resist a challenge. "Your call, mate. But, all things considered, it's the right one." With that he brews up a French vanilla latte for you, and a sweet caramel latte for Claire, smiling as he slides them both your way. "I'll hang onto this in case you change your mind, before the customer demands it back," he nods to the laptop, tucking it gently under the counter.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Alex Mishyma
For once, I am refusing the job. Put whatever spin you like on it, but I am not touching this. Hale is already on my shit list.
Alex slides the sealed laptop back across the counter. Dev catches it with both hands, his expression tightening as the refusal costs him a useful referral and leaves him to explain the rejection.
Dev
Your call, mate. All things considered, it is the right one. But I am spending my referral standing to make that explanation, so do not mistake this for a free pass.
The sting passes through his practical smile. Dev tucks the laptop beneath the counter without opening the sleeve, preserving the custody boundary even as the opportunity disappears.
Dev
I will hold it here until the customer demands it back. If they ask why you declined, I will tell them the scope failed your basic legitimacy check.
Dev brews a French vanilla latte for Alex and a sweet caramel latte for Claire, then slides both cups forward. Claire stays close, watching Alex with quiet approval rather than questioning the decision.
Claire
Good. You chose the future you said you wanted, handsome. Let Hale be angry somewhere else while we keep our lives lawful and ours.
− Scene Quest Removed
Complete the nonprofit’s emergency security assessment
“"I'm sorry to disappoint, Dev. But that man has gone out of his way to try and humiliate and instill fear in me, and those I care about." You tell him about the shooting outside the record repository with a grim face, glancing to the bullet hole in your shoulder.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Alex Mishyma
I'm sorry to disappoint you, Dev, but Hale has gone out of his way to humiliate me and frighten the people I care about. There was a shooting outside the records repository today.
Alex glances toward the bullet hole in his shoulder, visible through the torn fabric of his jacket. His grim expression makes the refusal feel less like caution and more like a boundary finally enforced.
Dev
A shooting changes the referral completely, mate. You were right to refuse, and I can explain that without dressing it up as a scheduling issue.
Dev sets his latte down and studies the torn shoulder without reaching for it. Claire remains beside Alex, her hand settling over his wrist as the café noise continues around them.
Claire
He needed to hear the reason, handsome. This is not you abandoning legitimate work. It is you refusing to let Hale turn legitimate work into another trap.
Dev
Then I will tell them the truth: the scope was compromised, the risk was demonstrated in public, and you are not available to be used as bait. That is a professional refusal.
The pressure leaves Dev’s shoulders. He moves the sealed laptop farther beneath the counter, while Claire keeps close and Alex’s refusal settles into the ordinary protection of the café.
“A voice from inside the cafe suddenly punctuates the quiet. "That was a bad choice, Mishyma!" From one of the public-open terminals, a young man with brown hair, fair complexion and wearing all black rises, pulling a Beretta out of his jacket. You don't even think; you react. Tearing across the space between you two, you spear the man into the wall.”
SUCCESS (Superb Strength, rolled +1)
A voice cuts through the café quiet. At a public terminal, a young adult man with brown hair, fair skin, and an all-black jacket, lean-built with a narrow clean-shaven face rises, drawing a Beretta.
The Young Man at the Terminal
That was a bad choice, Mishyma!
Alex crosses the café before the pistol can clear the jacket. His shoulder flashes with pain as he drives into the gunman, spearing him hard against the wall and knocking the Beretta loose.
The weapon skids beneath a table. The young man folds against the wall, stunned and pinned, while Dev reaches for the café alarm and Claire stays behind the counter’s solid edge.
Dev
Nobody touch that pistol. Claire, stay covered. I’m calling this in and preserving the cameras.
The Young Man at the Terminal
You think Hale’s going to let you walk away? You just made yourself the problem.
Dev’s alarm begins to sound through the café. Claire moves to Alex’s side only after the gunman’s hands are visible, while the attacker remains trapped against the wall and the lawful response starts.
✓ Quest Accepted
Stop the café attack
“"And you think he can make me live in fear, sending jokes like you against me?" You snarl and headbutt the young man. "THAT is for pulling a gun on me," you scowl, letting him go and stepping away with a gravely sigh. "Is this what it's come to? Maybe I can't avoid the shadows," you say to Claire with an apologetic look on your face. "I don't want to drag you into this any further than I have, Claire."”
SUCCESS (Superb Strength, rolled -2)
Alex Mishyma
And you think he can make me live in fear, sending jokes like you against me?
Alex drives his forehead into the young man’s face. The impact jolts his injured shoulder and leaves a hot scrape across his brow, but the attacker goes slack enough for Alex to release him and step away.
Alex Mishyma
That is for pulling a gun on me.
The young man slides down the wall, dazed and clutching his face, his hands remaining visible. Alex exhales heavily, rubbing his shoulder while the café alarm continues and Dev keeps the phone pressed to his ear.
Alex Mishyma
Is this what it’s come to? Maybe I can’t avoid the shadows. I don’t want to drag you into this any further than I have, Claire.
Claire steps out from behind the counter only after checking the gunman’s empty hands. She comes close without touching Alex’s injured shoulder, her face firm beneath the alarm’s pulsing light.
Claire
You are not dragging me anywhere, handsome. I am choosing to stand beside you, and we are still handling this lawfully.
Quest Complete
Stop the café attack
“"Dev? I need to go to the hospital after the police come." You sigh, hissing gently as you rub your shoulder, oblivious to the open wound above your eye. Claire grabs some napkins, blotting away the blood above your eye. "I'll go with you. I won't let you be alone though this." Dev nods softly. "After the police get all our statements, I'm sure they will take you to the hospital, mate. And, that was damn fine work," he adds with his signature grin. Even the people in the cafe are clapping and cheering for you.”
Alex Mishyma
Dev? I need to go to the hospital after the police come.
Alex sighs and rubs his injured shoulder, wincing as the movement pulls at it. He does not notice the blood above his eye until Claire grabs napkins and gently blots the scrape.
Claire
I’ll go with you. I won’t let you be alone through this.
Dev
After the police get all our statements, I’m sure they’ll take you to the hospital, mate. And that was damn fine work.
Dev gives Alex his familiar grin while keeping the gunman and the pistol in view. Claire remains close, napkins folded in one hand, as sirens begin to approach outside.
The Café Patrons
Good work, Alex!
Applause and scattered cheers rise from the café, stopping short of the unconscious attacker and the weapon beneath the table. Alex’s lawful handoff remains undisturbed as the first police lights wash across the windows.
“'Great,' you think. 'Another run in with police.' Taking Claire in your arms as the enter, you let them do their job until they have to come and question you.”
Alex Mishyma
Great. Another run-in with police.
Alex gathers Claire into his arms, careful not to pull with his injured shoulder. She settles against him as the café patrons give them space, while Dev keeps the weapon and unconscious attacker in view.
The first officers enter with weapons lowered but ready, securing the pistol and checking the young man at the terminal without disturbing the café’s cameras or scattered evidence.
Dev
The weapon stayed untouched, and I have the alarm and camera timeline preserved. Alex acted after the pistol came out.
The senior Boston officer arrives behind them and directs the handoff. Alex keeps Claire close, letting the officers photograph the scene, secure the gunman, and separate witness statements.
Claire
I’m staying with you until they need separate statements. Then I’ll tell them exactly what happened.
the senior Boston officer
Alex Mishyma, we need your account now. Claire can remain nearby while we document the incident, then we will address your shoulder and that cut.
“"Glad to assist officer." You go back in time a bit to make mention of Hale, and his connection to all of this before you bring things up to the current. "I refused a laptop servicing job, and that's when the assailant drew his pistol, telling me I made a mistake. I reacted, pure and simple, and speared him into the wall."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Alex Mishyma
Glad to assist, officer. I refused a laptop servicing job because the request appeared connected to Victor Hale. That is when the assailant drew his pistol and said I had made a mistake. I reacted, pure and simple, and speared him into the wall.
The senior officer records Alex’s account without interruption. Claire stays beside him, while Dev remains near the secured pistol and the unconscious attacker, preserving the scene for the investigators.
the senior Boston officer
Understood. You declined the laptop job, identified a Hale connection, and the man responded by producing a firearm. Your physical response followed the immediate threat.
Dev
The laptop and proposal are still sealed beneath the counter. I have not opened either, and the cameras show the refusal before the pistol appeared.
The officer notes Dev’s custody statement and directs another officer to photograph the sealed sleeve before removing it. Claire’s hand closes around Alex’s uninjured wrist.
the senior Boston officer
That gives us a clear sequence. We will preserve the laptop as evidence, take your formal statement, and have medical personnel examine your shoulder and forehead before transport decisions are made.